Letters to the Editor 03-28-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Courtesy - Supports Ogle - Godliness - Thick-Skinned - Teammate Responds - Trash Problem
Courtesy
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to know what has happened to consideration and common courtesy in this world of ours. Why is it that people seem to have forgotten how to be considerate to those around them?
My wife and I have lived on a dead-end street in a fairly congested area of town for a number of years. In that time we and others in the area have had numerous issues with inconsiderate neighbors. Examples include neighbors having loud outdoor beer parties, which ended in a collection of empty bottles and cans in our yard; having regular domestic disputes in their driveway at all hours of the day and night (often waking up the neighborhood at 1 a.m. or later); occasionally allowing their dogs to freely roam the neighborhood to do its business in every yard but its own. We even have some neighbors who allow their loose trash to blow into other people's yards because they refuse to contain it properly. Then there are the cases of increased crime because of such neighbors.
Recently, a couple purchased a house in the neighborhood. The first day at the new house the homeowner demonstrates his lack of consideration by standing out in the driveway tossing lit cigarette butts into the neighbor's yard. Apparently, he didn't want to litter in his own yard or take the time to dispose of his trash properly. To further demonstrate the lack of consideration, the new homeowners immediately started allowing family and friends to use their neighbor's private property as a parking lot.
How can people just assume that they can use someone else's property any time they choose without asking? Now these people seem to think that the narrow road through our neighborhood is a race track. They speed through the area at what appears to be at least 10-15 miles an hour over the posted limit. Did I mention that it's a narrow dead-end street? Did I mention that occasionally neighborhood children play in or near the street? This not only endangers the lives of children or family pets that might get lose, it endangers the lives of people backing out of their driveways or even driving down the narrow street. Unfortunately, this type of behavior isn't exclusive to this neighborhood. It can be seen in neighborhoods everywhere. It also can be witnessed at department stores, restaurants and even on the highways.
Again, I ask, where is the consideration and common courtesy? Why is it that so many people choose to be so inconsiderate and disrespectful?
Steve Zorn, via e-mail
Warsaw
Supports Ogle
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to Sports Editor Dale Hubler's article - or should I say his editorial -Êon "What's Wrong With Tiger Basketball".
Although I am more than 80 years of age, I am still an avid Warsaw High School basketball fan who attends the Tiger home games.
I served for 41 continuous years as the Times-Union sports editor and later editor from 1946 to the end of 1987. During those years, I never called for a coach to be fired or resign as Mr. Hubler did. In fact, I would never have even considered such action, but instead always supported the coach in every possible way - and might I add that there were many different head coaches during those 41 years.
I have the utmost respect for Doug Ogle and support him in every way. After all, he is being paid good money to do his job and undoubtedly knows much more about that job than I or any sports writer does. Sure I disagree with his action every once in a while, just as most any fan does. But I still go along with his decisions and support him wholeheartedly.
For instance, I was disappointed when my favorite player this past season never got off the bench in four of the last five games. Disappointed, yes, but angry about it -Êno. I fully supported Coach Ogle's action and still do.
I am sure that such fellows as Frank Sanders,Êwho is older than me and still attends Warsaw's home games, and Bill Goshert, who like Frank is a former WHS business manager and head football coach, feel the same way as I do on this matter. Just as does my good friend Tom Sittler, whose letter was published Wednesday, March 22.
Finally, let me urge Mr. and Mrs. Plumlee to please reconsider their decision -Êif they truly have made it -Êto move elsewhere next school year.
Let me assure them that their two sons would be outstanding stars in the Warsaw starting lineup next season and would get great "feeds" from next year's point guard. In fact, if they would stay here, we could have a great season!
Curtis "Gabby" Garber
Warsaw
Godliness
Editor, Times-Union:We, residents of Kosciusko County, are concerned when neighbors and seemingly good citizens of the county are caught by law enforcement officers in illegal activities. We are even more concerned when law enforcement people are caught in illegal activities. We say, "What is happening to our county, state and country? Is there a reason for all the illegal happenings?" Of course there is.
We are all born selfish! A baby cries and usually it's a selfish desire for gratification of a hunger, for food, love, attention. Usually its hunger is met. We don't usually associate this with being selfish, do we?
A pastoral visitor in a home that had a toddler, a 2- or 3-year-old child, held out a sack of candy for the child to take a piece from. The child grabbed the sack and ran. Is that selfish? A childish prank? Is there a lesson to be taught?
Integrity, what is it? Is it needed today? Webster dictionary reads: "the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity." How does integrity, honesty, morality happen? I believe most of us know. It happens from a lot of hard work! By teaching and example of parents mainly, then by teachers, coaches, heroes, heroines, etc. Even Jesus, our Savior, had such influences and "grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:52.
Integrity is what children need and want to see, hear and be taught. Young people want to see it in their elders. It is impossible to have integrity until pure hearts are in charge of life and its decisions. What youth and children see largely is adult hypocrisy, phoniness. No wonder there is such a flood of evil, lawless activity by selfish, greedy, immoral, dishonest adults and youth in our and nearby communities. The Bible reads, "Teach a child how he shall live, and he will remember it all his life." - Proverbs 22:6. Such teaching and example must be woefully missing, don't you think?
There is no substitute for whole families going to church and Sunday School; having family devotions using the Bible; saying table grace in thanksgiving for the food by father, mothers, youth and children; showing and giving love; and tender but firm concern; and living examples of integrity by parents.
There is no vaunted knowledge, no psychological analysis which can give goodness, and honor, and rid society of sin and evil. Every "do it yourself effort" will fail.
It is God's desire that each of us become like His Son, Jesus. (Romans 8:29) What an impossible yet challenging goal to strive for with integrity! But what an improvement in our community and nation will come when potential sons, daughters, and families seek for Christ living within by His Holy Spirit.
Yes, integrity is available, for all and for you and me!
C.L. Hendrix, via e-mail
Winona Lake
Thick-Skinned
Editor, Times-Union:One thing you can count on in Warsaw is the fiery support of Tiger basketball, come hell or high water. And thus, this year, a slew of letters ripping into Dale Hubler, sports editor, for his look into the recently concluded basketball season.
I thought the comment fromÊDaveÊBaumgartnerÊaimed at Hubler's days of playing football was two notches below decent. I instantly downgraded your credibility at that point, Mr. Baumgartner.
Truth be told, no coach could come in and duplicate Al Rhodes' legacy. It's like replacingÊBobby Knight (don't go there, please).
The most outlandish suggestion in the flood of letters on this subject came from Steve Yeager who accused Hubler of undermining the elected school board. Nothing like playing the old democracy card in a time of crisis!
But taking shots at the T-U sports editorÊis part of the Tiger basketball tradition.ÊBaumgartner mentioned former sports editors Kirby Sprouls and Robin Hartman. They, along with Scott Davidson, Jeff Holsinger, Jen GibsonÊand the legendary Barry Lewis (remember the cutout masks at tourney time!) all had to endure the wrath of Tiger fans, even during the good ol' days.
Here's hoping you're thick-skinned, Dale.
Dan Spalding, via e-mail
South Bend
Teammate Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to the article that was recently published titled "Spoiled Kids," and as a friend and fellow teammate I can confidently say that the position that Miles and Mason Plumlee are lazy is far from the truth. These two brothers work harder than anyone I know to improve their game. It is not surprising for any Tiger Basketball player to see Miles or Mason "go the extra mile" when it comes to skill work. Just this week, I heard one of my teammates say that, during the summer, it is not uncommon to see one of the Plumlee brothers dribbling through their neighborhood, working to improve their ball handling, and it shows. There are very few high school basketball players the Plumlees' size that can handle the ball as well as they do, and this is no small feat. You do not sit on the couch and attain that level of excellence. It takes hours upon hours of sweat and determination.
I am sure that we can expect to see great things from the Plumlee brothers in the future. With their talent and heart, I am confident that both their high school and college basketball careers will be successful. And, concerning their decision to pursue basketball elsewhere, I wish them the best of luck in accomplishing their goals. They will both be missed this coming season, both on and off the court.
Scott Harman
Warsaw
Trash Problem
Editor, Times-Union:I would agree with Bill and Carol Huffer in saying that our county roads need to be cleaned up. South Barbee Drive and CR 650E could both stand some serious cleanup efforts. There are pop cans, beer cans, glass bottles, fast food sacks, plastic water bottles, you name it. I even counted about six discarded tires on South Barbee Drive alone. I did some cleanup myself on trash day. What you find about makes you sick to your stomach. I think everyone in the county needs to put aside a little effort to help clean up the mess. Not just prisoners, although I think that is a great idea. Imagine, if everyone helped, how proud we could be. We advertise a county with 100 lakes, why not the cleanest county, too? Everyone's help is asked and needed. Let's show some Kosciusko County pride!
Sheryl L. Wallace
Piereton
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- Courtesy - Supports Ogle - Godliness - Thick-Skinned - Teammate Responds - Trash Problem
Courtesy
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to know what has happened to consideration and common courtesy in this world of ours. Why is it that people seem to have forgotten how to be considerate to those around them?
My wife and I have lived on a dead-end street in a fairly congested area of town for a number of years. In that time we and others in the area have had numerous issues with inconsiderate neighbors. Examples include neighbors having loud outdoor beer parties, which ended in a collection of empty bottles and cans in our yard; having regular domestic disputes in their driveway at all hours of the day and night (often waking up the neighborhood at 1 a.m. or later); occasionally allowing their dogs to freely roam the neighborhood to do its business in every yard but its own. We even have some neighbors who allow their loose trash to blow into other people's yards because they refuse to contain it properly. Then there are the cases of increased crime because of such neighbors.
Recently, a couple purchased a house in the neighborhood. The first day at the new house the homeowner demonstrates his lack of consideration by standing out in the driveway tossing lit cigarette butts into the neighbor's yard. Apparently, he didn't want to litter in his own yard or take the time to dispose of his trash properly. To further demonstrate the lack of consideration, the new homeowners immediately started allowing family and friends to use their neighbor's private property as a parking lot.
How can people just assume that they can use someone else's property any time they choose without asking? Now these people seem to think that the narrow road through our neighborhood is a race track. They speed through the area at what appears to be at least 10-15 miles an hour over the posted limit. Did I mention that it's a narrow dead-end street? Did I mention that occasionally neighborhood children play in or near the street? This not only endangers the lives of children or family pets that might get lose, it endangers the lives of people backing out of their driveways or even driving down the narrow street. Unfortunately, this type of behavior isn't exclusive to this neighborhood. It can be seen in neighborhoods everywhere. It also can be witnessed at department stores, restaurants and even on the highways.
Again, I ask, where is the consideration and common courtesy? Why is it that so many people choose to be so inconsiderate and disrespectful?
Steve Zorn, via e-mail
Warsaw
Supports Ogle
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to Sports Editor Dale Hubler's article - or should I say his editorial -Êon "What's Wrong With Tiger Basketball".
Although I am more than 80 years of age, I am still an avid Warsaw High School basketball fan who attends the Tiger home games.
I served for 41 continuous years as the Times-Union sports editor and later editor from 1946 to the end of 1987. During those years, I never called for a coach to be fired or resign as Mr. Hubler did. In fact, I would never have even considered such action, but instead always supported the coach in every possible way - and might I add that there were many different head coaches during those 41 years.
I have the utmost respect for Doug Ogle and support him in every way. After all, he is being paid good money to do his job and undoubtedly knows much more about that job than I or any sports writer does. Sure I disagree with his action every once in a while, just as most any fan does. But I still go along with his decisions and support him wholeheartedly.
For instance, I was disappointed when my favorite player this past season never got off the bench in four of the last five games. Disappointed, yes, but angry about it -Êno. I fully supported Coach Ogle's action and still do.
I am sure that such fellows as Frank Sanders,Êwho is older than me and still attends Warsaw's home games, and Bill Goshert, who like Frank is a former WHS business manager and head football coach, feel the same way as I do on this matter. Just as does my good friend Tom Sittler, whose letter was published Wednesday, March 22.
Finally, let me urge Mr. and Mrs. Plumlee to please reconsider their decision -Êif they truly have made it -Êto move elsewhere next school year.
Let me assure them that their two sons would be outstanding stars in the Warsaw starting lineup next season and would get great "feeds" from next year's point guard. In fact, if they would stay here, we could have a great season!
Curtis "Gabby" Garber
Warsaw
Godliness
Editor, Times-Union:We, residents of Kosciusko County, are concerned when neighbors and seemingly good citizens of the county are caught by law enforcement officers in illegal activities. We are even more concerned when law enforcement people are caught in illegal activities. We say, "What is happening to our county, state and country? Is there a reason for all the illegal happenings?" Of course there is.
We are all born selfish! A baby cries and usually it's a selfish desire for gratification of a hunger, for food, love, attention. Usually its hunger is met. We don't usually associate this with being selfish, do we?
A pastoral visitor in a home that had a toddler, a 2- or 3-year-old child, held out a sack of candy for the child to take a piece from. The child grabbed the sack and ran. Is that selfish? A childish prank? Is there a lesson to be taught?
Integrity, what is it? Is it needed today? Webster dictionary reads: "the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity." How does integrity, honesty, morality happen? I believe most of us know. It happens from a lot of hard work! By teaching and example of parents mainly, then by teachers, coaches, heroes, heroines, etc. Even Jesus, our Savior, had such influences and "grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:52.
Integrity is what children need and want to see, hear and be taught. Young people want to see it in their elders. It is impossible to have integrity until pure hearts are in charge of life and its decisions. What youth and children see largely is adult hypocrisy, phoniness. No wonder there is such a flood of evil, lawless activity by selfish, greedy, immoral, dishonest adults and youth in our and nearby communities. The Bible reads, "Teach a child how he shall live, and he will remember it all his life." - Proverbs 22:6. Such teaching and example must be woefully missing, don't you think?
There is no substitute for whole families going to church and Sunday School; having family devotions using the Bible; saying table grace in thanksgiving for the food by father, mothers, youth and children; showing and giving love; and tender but firm concern; and living examples of integrity by parents.
There is no vaunted knowledge, no psychological analysis which can give goodness, and honor, and rid society of sin and evil. Every "do it yourself effort" will fail.
It is God's desire that each of us become like His Son, Jesus. (Romans 8:29) What an impossible yet challenging goal to strive for with integrity! But what an improvement in our community and nation will come when potential sons, daughters, and families seek for Christ living within by His Holy Spirit.
Yes, integrity is available, for all and for you and me!
C.L. Hendrix, via e-mail
Winona Lake
Thick-Skinned
Editor, Times-Union:One thing you can count on in Warsaw is the fiery support of Tiger basketball, come hell or high water. And thus, this year, a slew of letters ripping into Dale Hubler, sports editor, for his look into the recently concluded basketball season.
I thought the comment fromÊDaveÊBaumgartnerÊaimed at Hubler's days of playing football was two notches below decent. I instantly downgraded your credibility at that point, Mr. Baumgartner.
Truth be told, no coach could come in and duplicate Al Rhodes' legacy. It's like replacingÊBobby Knight (don't go there, please).
The most outlandish suggestion in the flood of letters on this subject came from Steve Yeager who accused Hubler of undermining the elected school board. Nothing like playing the old democracy card in a time of crisis!
But taking shots at the T-U sports editorÊis part of the Tiger basketball tradition.ÊBaumgartner mentioned former sports editors Kirby Sprouls and Robin Hartman. They, along with Scott Davidson, Jeff Holsinger, Jen GibsonÊand the legendary Barry Lewis (remember the cutout masks at tourney time!) all had to endure the wrath of Tiger fans, even during the good ol' days.
Here's hoping you're thick-skinned, Dale.
Dan Spalding, via e-mail
South Bend
Teammate Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to the article that was recently published titled "Spoiled Kids," and as a friend and fellow teammate I can confidently say that the position that Miles and Mason Plumlee are lazy is far from the truth. These two brothers work harder than anyone I know to improve their game. It is not surprising for any Tiger Basketball player to see Miles or Mason "go the extra mile" when it comes to skill work. Just this week, I heard one of my teammates say that, during the summer, it is not uncommon to see one of the Plumlee brothers dribbling through their neighborhood, working to improve their ball handling, and it shows. There are very few high school basketball players the Plumlees' size that can handle the ball as well as they do, and this is no small feat. You do not sit on the couch and attain that level of excellence. It takes hours upon hours of sweat and determination.
I am sure that we can expect to see great things from the Plumlee brothers in the future. With their talent and heart, I am confident that both their high school and college basketball careers will be successful. And, concerning their decision to pursue basketball elsewhere, I wish them the best of luck in accomplishing their goals. They will both be missed this coming season, both on and off the court.
Scott Harman
Warsaw
Trash Problem
Editor, Times-Union:I would agree with Bill and Carol Huffer in saying that our county roads need to be cleaned up. South Barbee Drive and CR 650E could both stand some serious cleanup efforts. There are pop cans, beer cans, glass bottles, fast food sacks, plastic water bottles, you name it. I even counted about six discarded tires on South Barbee Drive alone. I did some cleanup myself on trash day. What you find about makes you sick to your stomach. I think everyone in the county needs to put aside a little effort to help clean up the mess. Not just prisoners, although I think that is a great idea. Imagine, if everyone helped, how proud we could be. We advertise a county with 100 lakes, why not the cleanest county, too? Everyone's help is asked and needed. Let's show some Kosciusko County pride!
Sheryl L. Wallace
Piereton
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