Letters to the Editor 03-27-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Fire Dept. Says Thanks - EdCom Congratulations - Voting Importance - Eastern Kentucky - State Funding - Good Candidate - Misses Berry's World - Gun Control - Helpful Students, Teachers - Anniversary Thanks
Fire Dept. Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Warsaw Fire Department, I would like to thank the Red Cross, Darlene Eherenman and many other individuals for the refreshments that were supplied to the firefighters at the scene of the Warsaw Plating Works fire.
Also, to the residents of the neighborhood, we are sorry for any inconveniences you encountered. But we felt it best to evacuate the area until the fire was under control. To the residents also goes a big thank-you for your cooperation in the evacuation.
Matt Warren
Fire Chief, Warsaw Fire Department
EdCom Congratulations
Editor, Times-Union:To the Warsaw community:
Congratulations on your second EdCom Expo. I am an executive who has hired employees into many roles while at Cisco Systems and gForce Systems in California. Last Saturday I was surprised and greatly impressed with the communication skills I saw demonstrated by your students. Those are precisely the skills that I first look for in employees when I hire them. Technology skills are important, but here in Silicon Valley the resume of everyone I consider has technology skills. We always hire people to work in teams, and solid communication skills are an absolute requirement.
The language and communication skills that even your youngest students demonstrated last weekend will set them apart from the others when they are competing for college acceptance or heading out into the very competitive job market. I look forward to the opportunity to visit Warsaw in coming years for future EdCom Expos.
Rich Parenteau
Managing Partner
QuickCycle Consulting, LLC
Sunnyvale, Calif.
Voting Importance
Editor, Times-Union:Each election year Americans are urged to get out and vote because it is their civic duty. But still significant numbers of Americans do not vote, sometimes nearly half of registered voters. Non-voters have various reasons for not voting such as: general satisfaction with the way government is operated; no concern about anything in general or politics in particular; their favorite third party is not on the ballot; and exercising their natural rights by not voting. Finally, a substantial number of people do not vote because of the lack of a "none of the above" is an acceptable option on ballots.
The actual results of the 2000 election clearly illustrate the need for such an option. The following political offices had one candidate to choose from in the general election: State Representative, 16th District; State Representative, 18th District; State Senate, District 9; State Senate, District 12; State Senate, District 13; Circuit Court Judge, 54th Judicial Court; Clerk of the Circuit Court; Kosciusko County Coroner; County Surveyor, Triton School Board District Three; and Warsaw School Board District Four. All of these candidates received 100 percent of the vote, giving the impression of universal support and no opposition. Then there are the political offices that had only two or more candidates where a voter could only vote in the affirmative by picking the best or least worst of the candidates offered. However, when voters were given the chance to vote "no" on the ballot, such as the vote to retain Court of Appeals judges and the Public Question on Criminal Appeals, the proportion of those who voted "no" ranged from one-fifth to one-third of voters, clearly there is a solid base of support to pressure the state Legislature to amend the Indiana Constitution to include a "none of the above" as an acceptable option on the ballot.
If you are in favor or against a "none of the above" as an acceptable option on the ballot, please voice your opinion by sending a letter to the editor. And one final note: Those candidates who were listed from the 2000 election are not being personally criticized for anything, especially the hard work that they have to do on a daily basis.
Alex Houze
Member of the Libertarian Party of Kosciusko County
Leesburg
Eastern Kentucky
Editor, Times-Union:In regard to an article in Wednesday, March 13, Times-Union, I must take exception to a remark by Mr. Wayne Kistler, and I quote, "I know you don't want Silver Lake to turn into another eastern Kentucky." This was in reference to the rules regarding ordinances about trailer conditions.
Perhaps Mr. Kistler should get a copy of the April/May issue of "Country" magazine, published by Reiman Publications. There are 10 pages devoted to "Kentucky - This Is God's Country," referring to eastern Kentucky. It's a beautiful area of our country.
I am not from Kentucky, have been born and raised in Indiana, but I do know many, many fine people from that area. In fact, I've been married to one for 53 years.
Pat Caudill
Silver Lake
State Funding
Editor, Times-Union:Because the 2002 Indiana General Assembly did not adopt the tax increases requested by Gov. Frank O'Bannon and Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan, we have begun to hear from the O'Bannon-Kernan administration that education cuts and teacher lay-offs are imminent.
Having failed to convince the Legislature, even those in their own party who control the House of Representatives, that higher taxes are needed urgently, the governor and his administration have resorted to scare tactics in an effort to whip up public support for tax increases. The word is being spread across the state through special interest lobbying groups that the budget ax is about to fall on our schools.
Let me express as clearly as possible that state funding cuts which result in any teacher lay-offs are not necessary. Pushing teachers and their students to the front lines in the battle for higher taxes while ignoring the fat and mismanagement that pervade state government is just plain wrong.
As an example, even with some 38,000 people on the state payroll, Hoosier taxpayers are footing a $1 billion tab each year for contracts and outside consultants, some as far away as California, receiving $372 per hour. Instead of canceling state employees' pay raises and threatening education cuts, why not cancel these consulting contracts?
Through declaring the state's fiscal condition to be dire, the governor has yet to order an absolute freeze on hiring, put a halt to all out-of-state travel by state employees or impose any number of other cost-saving measures upon the sprawling state bureaucracy.
We recently learned that the state took delivery on a fleet of new Ford Expedition SUVs. If your checkbook was getting low, would you buy a new car? Families across Indiana are cutting back until the economy picks up. Why should state government not do the same?
Taking common-sense steps to slow state spending is called for during this time of a slowed-down economy until the economy rebounds and moves forward once again. And that has begun to happen. Using scare tactics to frighten teachers, students and parents into supporting a tax increase at this time is not acceptable to many of us in the Legislature and I trust not acceptable to many of our citizens, also.
Kent Adams
State Senator
Warsaw
Good Candidate
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to say that Kosciusko County is very fortunate to have such an outstanding person running for prosecutor, Dan Nelson.
I have known Dan for more than 10 years. He is a person of high character. I know no one who is as fair and hard-working when it comes to justice.
As a law enforcement officer I have had the opportunity to work closely with Dan Nelson, in a grand jury investigation and other criminal cases. I have always seen Dan to be a dedicated person with great integrity while working for the citizens he represents.
I fully recommend that you consider Dan Nelson as your next prosecuting attorney.
Brian H. Anspach
Columbia City
Misses Berry's World
Editor, Times-Union:It is often necessary to adjust and change for a business to remain healthy, viable and profitable.
I have no problem with the recent changes you have made in the Times-Union, with one exception.
Berry's World was my very favorite single cartoon. It provided me with many chuckles. In this very busy, fast moving and often disturbing world, Berry's World had a knack of conveying humor about ourselves.
Possibly you would consider bringing back Berry's World to your faithful readers.
Leo D. Kerber
Leesburg
Gun Control
Editor, Times-Union:I wonder if Sara Brady and her fellow activists clamoring for the disarming of American citizens have taken notice of the following article in the "Washington Times," by Abraham Rabinovich.
"Sixty thousand additional gun permits are to be distributed to Israeli civilians as authorities loosen licensing restrictions to help fight a growing wave of terrorism. Armed citizens have played a significant role in bringing down terrorists during the Palestinian uprising, most recently during an attack last week by a Palestinian gunman at a Tel Aviv restaurant where a wedding party was underway. A 46-year-old shoe salesman fatally shot the terrorist after three persons had been killed and he had been wounded.
"Guns will also be issued to firemen and municipal inspectors while they are on duty. Police Inspector-General Shlomo Aharonisky said, 'There's no question that weapons in the hands of the public have prevented acts of terror or stopped them while they were in progress. Chance passersby have killed terrorists in the midst of gun attacks.' The mayor of Karmiel has asked all city officials to carry weapons during working hours. One-third of the nation's bus drivers also carry personal weapons.
"One retired police officer assured a radio interviewer that an easing of licensing restrictions would not put weapons in the hands of criminals. 'Every criminal who wants a weapon already has one,' he said."
Probably makes too much sense to be taken seriously, eh? By the way, it seems to be perfectly acceptable for Ms. Brady to purchase a gun for a nephew. Does that fall under the heading of hypocrisy? Tsk, tsk.
Greg Smith
North Webster
Helpful Students, Teachers
Editor, Times-Union:I want to compliment the teachers and students at Tippecanoe School.
I went to help with the bloodmobile. Because of a mix-up, I was the only one that showed up.
The students turned out to help; they were so helpful and polite, it was a wonderful day serving with them.
David L. Peffley
Warsaw
Anniversary Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you for printing the anniversary announcement for us. We had a great time despite the lousy weather that day.
Thank You -ÊTo our wonderful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for hosting the open house in celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. Thanks to our family, neighbors and dear friends for the visits, cards, phone calls, gifts and for the time spent catching up. We were so happy to see everyone and we ask God's blessing on each of you.
John and Norma Anglin
Leesburg
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- Fire Dept. Says Thanks - EdCom Congratulations - Voting Importance - Eastern Kentucky - State Funding - Good Candidate - Misses Berry's World - Gun Control - Helpful Students, Teachers - Anniversary Thanks
Fire Dept. Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Warsaw Fire Department, I would like to thank the Red Cross, Darlene Eherenman and many other individuals for the refreshments that were supplied to the firefighters at the scene of the Warsaw Plating Works fire.
Also, to the residents of the neighborhood, we are sorry for any inconveniences you encountered. But we felt it best to evacuate the area until the fire was under control. To the residents also goes a big thank-you for your cooperation in the evacuation.
Matt Warren
Fire Chief, Warsaw Fire Department
EdCom Congratulations
Editor, Times-Union:To the Warsaw community:
Congratulations on your second EdCom Expo. I am an executive who has hired employees into many roles while at Cisco Systems and gForce Systems in California. Last Saturday I was surprised and greatly impressed with the communication skills I saw demonstrated by your students. Those are precisely the skills that I first look for in employees when I hire them. Technology skills are important, but here in Silicon Valley the resume of everyone I consider has technology skills. We always hire people to work in teams, and solid communication skills are an absolute requirement.
The language and communication skills that even your youngest students demonstrated last weekend will set them apart from the others when they are competing for college acceptance or heading out into the very competitive job market. I look forward to the opportunity to visit Warsaw in coming years for future EdCom Expos.
Rich Parenteau
Managing Partner
QuickCycle Consulting, LLC
Sunnyvale, Calif.
Voting Importance
Editor, Times-Union:Each election year Americans are urged to get out and vote because it is their civic duty. But still significant numbers of Americans do not vote, sometimes nearly half of registered voters. Non-voters have various reasons for not voting such as: general satisfaction with the way government is operated; no concern about anything in general or politics in particular; their favorite third party is not on the ballot; and exercising their natural rights by not voting. Finally, a substantial number of people do not vote because of the lack of a "none of the above" is an acceptable option on ballots.
The actual results of the 2000 election clearly illustrate the need for such an option. The following political offices had one candidate to choose from in the general election: State Representative, 16th District; State Representative, 18th District; State Senate, District 9; State Senate, District 12; State Senate, District 13; Circuit Court Judge, 54th Judicial Court; Clerk of the Circuit Court; Kosciusko County Coroner; County Surveyor, Triton School Board District Three; and Warsaw School Board District Four. All of these candidates received 100 percent of the vote, giving the impression of universal support and no opposition. Then there are the political offices that had only two or more candidates where a voter could only vote in the affirmative by picking the best or least worst of the candidates offered. However, when voters were given the chance to vote "no" on the ballot, such as the vote to retain Court of Appeals judges and the Public Question on Criminal Appeals, the proportion of those who voted "no" ranged from one-fifth to one-third of voters, clearly there is a solid base of support to pressure the state Legislature to amend the Indiana Constitution to include a "none of the above" as an acceptable option on the ballot.
If you are in favor or against a "none of the above" as an acceptable option on the ballot, please voice your opinion by sending a letter to the editor. And one final note: Those candidates who were listed from the 2000 election are not being personally criticized for anything, especially the hard work that they have to do on a daily basis.
Alex Houze
Member of the Libertarian Party of Kosciusko County
Leesburg
Eastern Kentucky
Editor, Times-Union:In regard to an article in Wednesday, March 13, Times-Union, I must take exception to a remark by Mr. Wayne Kistler, and I quote, "I know you don't want Silver Lake to turn into another eastern Kentucky." This was in reference to the rules regarding ordinances about trailer conditions.
Perhaps Mr. Kistler should get a copy of the April/May issue of "Country" magazine, published by Reiman Publications. There are 10 pages devoted to "Kentucky - This Is God's Country," referring to eastern Kentucky. It's a beautiful area of our country.
I am not from Kentucky, have been born and raised in Indiana, but I do know many, many fine people from that area. In fact, I've been married to one for 53 years.
Pat Caudill
Silver Lake
State Funding
Editor, Times-Union:Because the 2002 Indiana General Assembly did not adopt the tax increases requested by Gov. Frank O'Bannon and Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan, we have begun to hear from the O'Bannon-Kernan administration that education cuts and teacher lay-offs are imminent.
Having failed to convince the Legislature, even those in their own party who control the House of Representatives, that higher taxes are needed urgently, the governor and his administration have resorted to scare tactics in an effort to whip up public support for tax increases. The word is being spread across the state through special interest lobbying groups that the budget ax is about to fall on our schools.
Let me express as clearly as possible that state funding cuts which result in any teacher lay-offs are not necessary. Pushing teachers and their students to the front lines in the battle for higher taxes while ignoring the fat and mismanagement that pervade state government is just plain wrong.
As an example, even with some 38,000 people on the state payroll, Hoosier taxpayers are footing a $1 billion tab each year for contracts and outside consultants, some as far away as California, receiving $372 per hour. Instead of canceling state employees' pay raises and threatening education cuts, why not cancel these consulting contracts?
Through declaring the state's fiscal condition to be dire, the governor has yet to order an absolute freeze on hiring, put a halt to all out-of-state travel by state employees or impose any number of other cost-saving measures upon the sprawling state bureaucracy.
We recently learned that the state took delivery on a fleet of new Ford Expedition SUVs. If your checkbook was getting low, would you buy a new car? Families across Indiana are cutting back until the economy picks up. Why should state government not do the same?
Taking common-sense steps to slow state spending is called for during this time of a slowed-down economy until the economy rebounds and moves forward once again. And that has begun to happen. Using scare tactics to frighten teachers, students and parents into supporting a tax increase at this time is not acceptable to many of us in the Legislature and I trust not acceptable to many of our citizens, also.
Kent Adams
State Senator
Warsaw
Good Candidate
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to say that Kosciusko County is very fortunate to have such an outstanding person running for prosecutor, Dan Nelson.
I have known Dan for more than 10 years. He is a person of high character. I know no one who is as fair and hard-working when it comes to justice.
As a law enforcement officer I have had the opportunity to work closely with Dan Nelson, in a grand jury investigation and other criminal cases. I have always seen Dan to be a dedicated person with great integrity while working for the citizens he represents.
I fully recommend that you consider Dan Nelson as your next prosecuting attorney.
Brian H. Anspach
Columbia City
Misses Berry's World
Editor, Times-Union:It is often necessary to adjust and change for a business to remain healthy, viable and profitable.
I have no problem with the recent changes you have made in the Times-Union, with one exception.
Berry's World was my very favorite single cartoon. It provided me with many chuckles. In this very busy, fast moving and often disturbing world, Berry's World had a knack of conveying humor about ourselves.
Possibly you would consider bringing back Berry's World to your faithful readers.
Leo D. Kerber
Leesburg
Gun Control
Editor, Times-Union:I wonder if Sara Brady and her fellow activists clamoring for the disarming of American citizens have taken notice of the following article in the "Washington Times," by Abraham Rabinovich.
"Sixty thousand additional gun permits are to be distributed to Israeli civilians as authorities loosen licensing restrictions to help fight a growing wave of terrorism. Armed citizens have played a significant role in bringing down terrorists during the Palestinian uprising, most recently during an attack last week by a Palestinian gunman at a Tel Aviv restaurant where a wedding party was underway. A 46-year-old shoe salesman fatally shot the terrorist after three persons had been killed and he had been wounded.
"Guns will also be issued to firemen and municipal inspectors while they are on duty. Police Inspector-General Shlomo Aharonisky said, 'There's no question that weapons in the hands of the public have prevented acts of terror or stopped them while they were in progress. Chance passersby have killed terrorists in the midst of gun attacks.' The mayor of Karmiel has asked all city officials to carry weapons during working hours. One-third of the nation's bus drivers also carry personal weapons.
"One retired police officer assured a radio interviewer that an easing of licensing restrictions would not put weapons in the hands of criminals. 'Every criminal who wants a weapon already has one,' he said."
Probably makes too much sense to be taken seriously, eh? By the way, it seems to be perfectly acceptable for Ms. Brady to purchase a gun for a nephew. Does that fall under the heading of hypocrisy? Tsk, tsk.
Greg Smith
North Webster
Helpful Students, Teachers
Editor, Times-Union:I want to compliment the teachers and students at Tippecanoe School.
I went to help with the bloodmobile. Because of a mix-up, I was the only one that showed up.
The students turned out to help; they were so helpful and polite, it was a wonderful day serving with them.
David L. Peffley
Warsaw
Anniversary Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you for printing the anniversary announcement for us. We had a great time despite the lousy weather that day.
Thank You -ÊTo our wonderful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for hosting the open house in celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. Thanks to our family, neighbors and dear friends for the visits, cards, phone calls, gifts and for the time spent catching up. We were so happy to see everyone and we ask God's blessing on each of you.
John and Norma Anglin
Leesburg
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