Letters to the Editor 03-25-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Knispel - Molesting Case - Animal Welfare League - Kolbe Defended - Humane Society
Knispel
Editor, Times-Union:Hello, my name is Chris Dillon. I am a Warsaw native. I have chosen to live in Warsaw, not only to raise my own family here, but I own and operate a business with my husband Derry. I am also a concerned citizen and a taxpayer in this fine county.
I would like to tell you about another concerned citizen and taxpayer in our community - Lt. Steven Knispel, Republican candidate for sheriff.
Not only do I feel that Steve is totally committed to his job, but that he also has the proper training in law enforcement and has used all aspects of his training. His experience within his 19 years in law enforcement has brought Steve promotions starting as a patrolman, to detective sergeant, and up to his current status as lieutenant. Steve has earned these ranks by hard work and dedication. Steve not only has facts and figures to save you, the taxpayer, tax dollars, but he is educated about the sheriff's department and the good qualities needed for the sheriff's office.
Steve's job duties have directly involved him with our current sheriff for the last four years. So while the other candidates are learning the job, Steve will be getting the job done.
Steve approached his daily duties as part of the sheriff's department with honesty, integrity and commitment. Steve loves his job, and I truly feel he would approach the position as sheriff in the same manner.
There are several candidates running for the office of sheriff of Kosciusko County. I feel that our county department is in need of a change. And I also feel that a name or political promises does not make a good elected official. So I would urge you, the citizens and taxpayers of Kosciusko County, to educate yourselves on all of the candidates. Ask them about their experience, training and backgrounds.
I also urge you to vote in the May 5 primary, and vote Knispel for our next sheriff. Thank you.
Chris Dillon
Warsaw
Molesting Case
Editor, Times-Union:To Steve Adang,
This is in response to your letter about the March 4 molestation case.
First of all you're right Kolbe did act like he won the case by himself.
Now I want to ask you something, Steve Adang.
Did you let the people know that the defendant was railroaded? No! Did you tell he can't read or write? No!
Did you tell you tricked him into signing a confession saying he did the crime? No, I think not.
Did you know the two great Lincoln School teachers did not see the behavior change you claim they say? No! I didn't think so.
Do you know who told the victim to go to the great teachers?
Ask me, and I'll be glad to tell you.
Did you or Kolbe ask the defendant if he knew anyone on the jury?
Of course not. If you had, one that we know would not have been allowed on there to help convict a man they don't like personally.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you the one defending Kolbe against us that day when court recessed?
In closing I'd like to tell you, Steve Adang. You should not condemn Kolbe for his actions, when you act just like him.
You are so much like him you should be his clone.
Glenna Jackson
Warsaw
Animal Welfare League
Editor, Times-Union:Spooky says...
To those of you who have heard our plea on behalf of the puppies and kittens of Kosciusko County and responded so generously with your membership in the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, we thank you.
Though "animal control" is a worldwide problem, we ask that residents of Kosciusko County to join in the goals of the AWL of our county. Please send your membership today - regular $10 each, junior $1 each, and lifetime $250 - promoting the spay neuter program, education, current inoculations, "faster care" and/or "adoption," eliminating the needless deaths of the overpopulation of puppies and kittens.
As of this date, March 18, 1998, our membership totals are 102 regular, nine lifetime and seven juniors, one of which has four legs!
"Spooky" asks you to please send your membership today to AWL, Box 1906, Warsaw, 46581-1906.
The next meeting is March 26 at 7 p.m., in the council chambers, Warsaw. All are welcome.
"Spooky" and I thank you for your generosity and concern.
Margaret F. Scott
Membership Chairman
Warsaw
Kolbe Defended
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing this letter in response to all the negative letters portraying my friend, and my choice for prosecutor, David Kolbe. First I would like to cover some of the accomplishments achieved under his leadership, and second attempt to answer some of the questions raised in earlier letters to the editor. We all know there are two side to every coin. I just hope to show a different opinion than some of the negative letters already published. The numbers presented here are correct to the best of my knowledge.
During the last campaign he promised to work for mothers and fathers in the collection of child support. A review of the numbers demonstrates how successful he has been at helping the deserving children in this county. In 1994, the year before his election, $1.9 million was collected. In 1997, $3.3 million was collected for these children. That is an increase of 74 percent over $1.4 million. That is a lot of groceries!
He started a victim assistance program with two full-time staff and one part-time staff. All this funded with grants without increasing the county taxes. This benefits the hard-working people of this county. Don't you think the victims of crime deserve some help instead of the crooks?
He worked with local businesses to recover lost or stolen money from the writing of bad checks. Again the numbers show the impact of this initiative. In 1993, $176,000 was collected from bad checks. In 1997, $361,000 was collected. That's an increase of over 105 percent. This is money that we all would have to pay in mark-ups by our local retailers to recover their losses if this money had not been collected from the people writing them.
He has cracked down on drunk driving by prosecuting all second and subsequent arrests. In 1995 he help the town of Syracuse purchase a machine to test drivers for alcohol. We all know someone who has been victimized by a drunk driver, maybe this crackdown has saved someone's life?
He started a billboard campaign to educate the public to the dangers of drunk driving, along with child support and marijuana picking. He enforced the gambling machine laws forcing the removal of video gambling machines.
Maybe most important to all of us are the filings of felony cases, the worst of the worst crimes. In 1994, the year before his election, 282 cases were filed. In 1995, when the drug task force was fully operational, 520 cases were filed. In 1997, 420 cases were filed. I ask you does this sound like someone who is soft on crime? As these felony filings have increased, our county's population remained fairly constant. I would like to thank all the police officers involved in the arrests of these criminals. Without their efforts the system will not work and obviously by these numbers it is working.
Next I would like to address some of the concerns in previous letters to the editor. The most recent article condemns Kolbe for taking credit for winning a case with a "stacked hand." The article stated a lot of people did a good job. In this case it took this kind of cooperation to get a conviction. These types of cases are very hard to prove because it is the word of a child against that of an adult. If winning cases is his biggest downfall then I do not see the problem.
The next issue is cooperation between the police and the prosecutor. I do not know the details, just what I read in this paper. I do know that our jail is full to capacity requiring us to look into building a larger jail. Either the crime rate is out of control or the police and prosecutor are working better than ever in catching and convicting criminals. I wonder if some of the dissatisfaction of our local law enforcement is that they have to operate at a higher level of competency in regards to evidence collection and police procedure because Kolbe has been on the other side, and understands how a case can be lost on technicalities. One thing that I am afraid of is a prosecutor that does not follow the Constitution. I would rather see a guilty man go free than see an innocent man go to jail.
Which brings me to my last point. I want our prosecutor to be able to put criminals in jail. Not just the easy cases but the difficult cases, the one's that catch our attention and fear. I cannot think of one major case that his office has lost that has received public exposure in the press or television. This requires a good trial lawyer, not a politician. From the letters already printed it is very obvious David Kolbe is not a good politician, however he is a good trial lawyer.
We need to continue with the agenda set by David Kolbe, and continue to put fear into criminals. I want my prosecutor to provide programs that help me in my time of need and get convictions in court.
Michael J. Stork
Warsaw
Humane Society
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to the "Open Letter" from the so-called Humane Society. I had not seen the letter originally printed in the paper. I saw a copy of it yesterday and would like to respond and clear up a few errors.
I am an ex-Humane Society member (not by choice) and one of the original members of the Animal Society members who were concerned that there was no active group working for the welfare of animals.
Mr. Butts infers that no one was interested in the Humane Society until the $208,000 was left to them. I would like to jog Mr. Butts' memory.
In 1990 I and three other Animal Welfare League members met Mr. Butts in his law office. He was defensive and arrogant when questioned why the Humane Society membership was closed and reduced to three members. We wanted an explanation as to what was happening to the funds raised by the society and how it was being used. He answered by telling me, in particular, that it was none of my business. Do you remember my response, Mr. Butts? I stood up and leaned over your big table and told you it was my business, that I had invested time and money into the Humane Society.
The Animal Welfare League contacted a law firm to see if we could legally get some answers and get control of the Humane Society back. We didn't have the funds for a long court battle so we put this on hold.
In 1991, ex-members of the Humane Society who are now Animal Welfare League members picketed Mr. Butts' law office hoping to get some answers, TV 22 news covered this picket. They interviewed Mr. Butts and myself. I have a copy of the tape, and the Times-Union has copies and photographs of this picket. If anyone is interested in the truth I would be glad to show them the tape and the Times-Union would have a copy of the newspaper article.
I take offense to Mr. Butts portraying AWL members and other interested persons as money hungry sharks circling the so-called Humane Society. In that case we have been circling for years and not because of $208,000.
From the beginning it was the welfare of the animals of Kosciusko County that was our sole concern and still is today.
Margaret S. Kennedy
Warsaw
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- Knispel - Molesting Case - Animal Welfare League - Kolbe Defended - Humane Society
Knispel
Editor, Times-Union:Hello, my name is Chris Dillon. I am a Warsaw native. I have chosen to live in Warsaw, not only to raise my own family here, but I own and operate a business with my husband Derry. I am also a concerned citizen and a taxpayer in this fine county.
I would like to tell you about another concerned citizen and taxpayer in our community - Lt. Steven Knispel, Republican candidate for sheriff.
Not only do I feel that Steve is totally committed to his job, but that he also has the proper training in law enforcement and has used all aspects of his training. His experience within his 19 years in law enforcement has brought Steve promotions starting as a patrolman, to detective sergeant, and up to his current status as lieutenant. Steve has earned these ranks by hard work and dedication. Steve not only has facts and figures to save you, the taxpayer, tax dollars, but he is educated about the sheriff's department and the good qualities needed for the sheriff's office.
Steve's job duties have directly involved him with our current sheriff for the last four years. So while the other candidates are learning the job, Steve will be getting the job done.
Steve approached his daily duties as part of the sheriff's department with honesty, integrity and commitment. Steve loves his job, and I truly feel he would approach the position as sheriff in the same manner.
There are several candidates running for the office of sheriff of Kosciusko County. I feel that our county department is in need of a change. And I also feel that a name or political promises does not make a good elected official. So I would urge you, the citizens and taxpayers of Kosciusko County, to educate yourselves on all of the candidates. Ask them about their experience, training and backgrounds.
I also urge you to vote in the May 5 primary, and vote Knispel for our next sheriff. Thank you.
Chris Dillon
Warsaw
Molesting Case
Editor, Times-Union:To Steve Adang,
This is in response to your letter about the March 4 molestation case.
First of all you're right Kolbe did act like he won the case by himself.
Now I want to ask you something, Steve Adang.
Did you let the people know that the defendant was railroaded? No! Did you tell he can't read or write? No!
Did you tell you tricked him into signing a confession saying he did the crime? No, I think not.
Did you know the two great Lincoln School teachers did not see the behavior change you claim they say? No! I didn't think so.
Do you know who told the victim to go to the great teachers?
Ask me, and I'll be glad to tell you.
Did you or Kolbe ask the defendant if he knew anyone on the jury?
Of course not. If you had, one that we know would not have been allowed on there to help convict a man they don't like personally.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you the one defending Kolbe against us that day when court recessed?
In closing I'd like to tell you, Steve Adang. You should not condemn Kolbe for his actions, when you act just like him.
You are so much like him you should be his clone.
Glenna Jackson
Warsaw
Animal Welfare League
Editor, Times-Union:Spooky says...
To those of you who have heard our plea on behalf of the puppies and kittens of Kosciusko County and responded so generously with your membership in the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, we thank you.
Though "animal control" is a worldwide problem, we ask that residents of Kosciusko County to join in the goals of the AWL of our county. Please send your membership today - regular $10 each, junior $1 each, and lifetime $250 - promoting the spay neuter program, education, current inoculations, "faster care" and/or "adoption," eliminating the needless deaths of the overpopulation of puppies and kittens.
As of this date, March 18, 1998, our membership totals are 102 regular, nine lifetime and seven juniors, one of which has four legs!
"Spooky" asks you to please send your membership today to AWL, Box 1906, Warsaw, 46581-1906.
The next meeting is March 26 at 7 p.m., in the council chambers, Warsaw. All are welcome.
"Spooky" and I thank you for your generosity and concern.
Margaret F. Scott
Membership Chairman
Warsaw
Kolbe Defended
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing this letter in response to all the negative letters portraying my friend, and my choice for prosecutor, David Kolbe. First I would like to cover some of the accomplishments achieved under his leadership, and second attempt to answer some of the questions raised in earlier letters to the editor. We all know there are two side to every coin. I just hope to show a different opinion than some of the negative letters already published. The numbers presented here are correct to the best of my knowledge.
During the last campaign he promised to work for mothers and fathers in the collection of child support. A review of the numbers demonstrates how successful he has been at helping the deserving children in this county. In 1994, the year before his election, $1.9 million was collected. In 1997, $3.3 million was collected for these children. That is an increase of 74 percent over $1.4 million. That is a lot of groceries!
He started a victim assistance program with two full-time staff and one part-time staff. All this funded with grants without increasing the county taxes. This benefits the hard-working people of this county. Don't you think the victims of crime deserve some help instead of the crooks?
He worked with local businesses to recover lost or stolen money from the writing of bad checks. Again the numbers show the impact of this initiative. In 1993, $176,000 was collected from bad checks. In 1997, $361,000 was collected. That's an increase of over 105 percent. This is money that we all would have to pay in mark-ups by our local retailers to recover their losses if this money had not been collected from the people writing them.
He has cracked down on drunk driving by prosecuting all second and subsequent arrests. In 1995 he help the town of Syracuse purchase a machine to test drivers for alcohol. We all know someone who has been victimized by a drunk driver, maybe this crackdown has saved someone's life?
He started a billboard campaign to educate the public to the dangers of drunk driving, along with child support and marijuana picking. He enforced the gambling machine laws forcing the removal of video gambling machines.
Maybe most important to all of us are the filings of felony cases, the worst of the worst crimes. In 1994, the year before his election, 282 cases were filed. In 1995, when the drug task force was fully operational, 520 cases were filed. In 1997, 420 cases were filed. I ask you does this sound like someone who is soft on crime? As these felony filings have increased, our county's population remained fairly constant. I would like to thank all the police officers involved in the arrests of these criminals. Without their efforts the system will not work and obviously by these numbers it is working.
Next I would like to address some of the concerns in previous letters to the editor. The most recent article condemns Kolbe for taking credit for winning a case with a "stacked hand." The article stated a lot of people did a good job. In this case it took this kind of cooperation to get a conviction. These types of cases are very hard to prove because it is the word of a child against that of an adult. If winning cases is his biggest downfall then I do not see the problem.
The next issue is cooperation between the police and the prosecutor. I do not know the details, just what I read in this paper. I do know that our jail is full to capacity requiring us to look into building a larger jail. Either the crime rate is out of control or the police and prosecutor are working better than ever in catching and convicting criminals. I wonder if some of the dissatisfaction of our local law enforcement is that they have to operate at a higher level of competency in regards to evidence collection and police procedure because Kolbe has been on the other side, and understands how a case can be lost on technicalities. One thing that I am afraid of is a prosecutor that does not follow the Constitution. I would rather see a guilty man go free than see an innocent man go to jail.
Which brings me to my last point. I want our prosecutor to be able to put criminals in jail. Not just the easy cases but the difficult cases, the one's that catch our attention and fear. I cannot think of one major case that his office has lost that has received public exposure in the press or television. This requires a good trial lawyer, not a politician. From the letters already printed it is very obvious David Kolbe is not a good politician, however he is a good trial lawyer.
We need to continue with the agenda set by David Kolbe, and continue to put fear into criminals. I want my prosecutor to provide programs that help me in my time of need and get convictions in court.
Michael J. Stork
Warsaw
Humane Society
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to the "Open Letter" from the so-called Humane Society. I had not seen the letter originally printed in the paper. I saw a copy of it yesterday and would like to respond and clear up a few errors.
I am an ex-Humane Society member (not by choice) and one of the original members of the Animal Society members who were concerned that there was no active group working for the welfare of animals.
Mr. Butts infers that no one was interested in the Humane Society until the $208,000 was left to them. I would like to jog Mr. Butts' memory.
In 1990 I and three other Animal Welfare League members met Mr. Butts in his law office. He was defensive and arrogant when questioned why the Humane Society membership was closed and reduced to three members. We wanted an explanation as to what was happening to the funds raised by the society and how it was being used. He answered by telling me, in particular, that it was none of my business. Do you remember my response, Mr. Butts? I stood up and leaned over your big table and told you it was my business, that I had invested time and money into the Humane Society.
The Animal Welfare League contacted a law firm to see if we could legally get some answers and get control of the Humane Society back. We didn't have the funds for a long court battle so we put this on hold.
In 1991, ex-members of the Humane Society who are now Animal Welfare League members picketed Mr. Butts' law office hoping to get some answers, TV 22 news covered this picket. They interviewed Mr. Butts and myself. I have a copy of the tape, and the Times-Union has copies and photographs of this picket. If anyone is interested in the truth I would be glad to show them the tape and the Times-Union would have a copy of the newspaper article.
I take offense to Mr. Butts portraying AWL members and other interested persons as money hungry sharks circling the so-called Humane Society. In that case we have been circling for years and not because of $208,000.
From the beginning it was the welfare of the animals of Kosciusko County that was our sole concern and still is today.
Margaret S. Kennedy
Warsaw
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