Letters to the Editor 04-10-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Sick Situation - Pollution - Defending Speigle - Kolbe - Ag Day Thanks - Music Man - Wilcoxson
Sick Situation
Editor Times-Union:I read the letter that Mr. Don Kaiser wrote to the Times-Union about how sick he was of the Clinton witch hunt. I guess what makes me so sick is that the people of this great nation put up with the things that go on in Washington with our leaders.
You say take Thomas Jefferson and some of the past presidents in the '20s, '30s and '50s, '60s, so on ... even though the past men in history did all this, it still doesn't make it right.
Mr. Bill Clinton is a joke to the people of the United States. Mr. President Clinton lied to the people of this great nation. Not only to them, but to Mrs. Clinton, also. Now, you mention, if he were a Republican, would the witch hunt be the same? I must say, "Yes." Look what our party did to President Nixon. Mr. Clinton would make Mr. Nixon look like a saint.
Now, I am a Democrat, but I also believe in moral values, and that is something the people have stopped believing in, or Mr. Clinton wouldn't be in office. He has nothing to do but break every moral value there is.
God would say this: Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers, God will judge. Hebrews 13:4. Now, he may lie to the people of the United States and to Mrs. Clinton. Unless Mr. Clinton repents of the "hanky panky," as Mr. Kaiser puts it, God will be his judge.
James Smith
Akron
Pollution
Editor Times-Union:In response to the other letters regarding pollution: This letter is for each of us to read and realize how ignorant (ignorant equals one who lacks education) we can be for throwing trash out our car windows.
Actually, one would not even need a high school diploma to realize that throwing trash out of your car is polluting the earth. One day this past weekend, as I was doing some yard work, I could not help but notice some trash along a small section of the road. I decided to pick it up and I could not believe how much trash I collected in such a small length of the roadside. In 130 feet, I collected a cigarette package, three 20-ounce pop bottles, a local fast food cup, a 44-ounce plastic foam cup, a motor oil bottle, a football, a beach ball that says "Smile, Jesus Loves You," a potato chip bag, six aluminum beer cans and 11 aluminum pop cans.
Who should I blame for this time I spent picking up this trash? I have concluded that it is mostly the soda and beer consumers, but also the athletes, mechanics, fast food consumers, Christians and people who spend too much money at gas stations.
People - it is all of us! Why are we too lazy to take the trash home with us and throw it away? Do we enjoy the quick laugh of throwing a piece of trash out the window and then looking behind us to see where it landed? I was surprised after I walked 130 feet that the Ransbottom Landfill had enough business to stay open for so many years! So, for every 5 feet that I walked, I picked up a piece of trash! For those of you who throw trash out the window, do you realize how long it takes the trash to decompose?
The Earth Day Celebration is from 1 to 5 p.m. April 19 at Center Lake Pavilion. This celebration will be a great place for you to talk to someone about what happens to the trash that is thrown out and not picked up along the road. I will have the collection of trash on display if you want to see it. See you there!
Andy McCleary
Activities director
Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department
Defending Speigle
Editor, Times-Union:As parents, we feel it is time to speak out regarding the character assassination that has been playing out in the letters to the editor regarding our son. Michael Coon's letter was full of suppositions. He states that "two officers literally blackmailed ..." Now where did he get his information from, the local newspaper? If he wants to read a newspaper and get the complete information, we suggest he get a copy of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette dated April 2, 1998, and read the entire story. Mr. Kolbe didn't do a thorough investigation of this allegation before giving it to the press locally. Likewise, Mr. Spalding wrote a slanted view of what happened and made it appear that our son was an alleged perpetrator. Why does an out-of-county newspaper print the true facts and our local media runs with half truths?
Mr. Kolbe stated, in 1994, that Dan Hampton didn't need to call a grand jury to investigate problems because the prosecutor had the power to file charges as he saw fit. If there are "bad cops" running around Kosciusko County making "bad arrests," prosecute them, put an end to the problem, don't keep throwing out insinuations and innuendoes. David, you've accused Michael of breaking the law; if so, process the paperwork to bring him before the courts. Isn't it time to stop talking and start acting? If you have our son on charges, file them, otherwise stop the lip service. Michael has told Mr. Kolbe (on more than one occasion) that if he feels he has compromised his position or broken the law, then he (the prosecutor) is bound by law to investigate and possibly prosecute. Mr. Kolbe told our son in a meeting with him recently that he (Michael) would be a casualty when he (Kolbe) won the election. The meeting, by the way, was to ask Michael why he had a "Hampton for Prosecutor" sign in his yard.
In 1994, we had several people at our home and invited David Kolbe to present his plans. David drank a couple of beers with us and outlined his goals. We were impressed and believed what he said he would do when elected. We listened to what he had to say and plans he said he would put into motion to improve the prosecutor's office. We worked countless hours knocking on doors, putting out signs and making it known that we believed in what Mr. Kolbe was stating he would do. We're sad to say that his actions speak louder than his words. He has not gotten tougher on crime as he stated he would do in his letter to the editor dated April 25, 1994. The number of serious crime case dismissals and deferments is appalling. It's all public record for anyone who is interested in obtaining the true facts. We believed him when he said he would get tough on crime and criminals. It appears what we helped get elected was a defense attorney rather than a prosecuting attorney who strives to keep the laws of the state and the rulings of the court uppermost in his mind instead of pushing his own agendas and beliefs on others. We will rectify our misplaced trust by voting for someone other than Mr. Kolbe.
Larry and Darlene Speigle
Warsaw
Kolbe
Editor Times-Union:I wasn't going to get involved in the political battles, but Mr. Kolbe's recent ad troubles me. It states honesty and integrity. Almost seven years ago, my daughter went to him to file for adoption of her granddaughter. Her daughter (RaeAnn Symons) had been murdered. Mr. Kolbe told her that custody was just as good, which promptly resulted in a lawsuit by the paternal grandparents. Mr. Kolbe dragged this case out for many months, saying he wasn't ready to go to court. Each delay resulted in more charges for refiling, telephone calls and letters. I know this is the way all lawyers do business to fatten their fees, but I don't think he has any idea of the emotional toll all these delays had on our entire family. Three days before going into court, he called her in for a strategy conference. I went with her. When it was over his receptionist informed my daughter that he wanted $3,000 yet that day or he was dropping her case! He didn't have the integrity to discuss it with her while she was in his office! Yes, she had been making payments to him on a regular basis. What he threatened to do wasn't honest or very good integrity. On his behalf, I will tell you that he won the case and we still have our little darling and a part of RaeAnn.
As a famous broadcaster used to say, Page 2 ... RaeAnn's killer will probably never be tried for her murder, but he killed again and it took Indianapolis former deputy prosecutor Diane Marger-Moore five full years but she finally got him convicted of arson, murder and murder by arson, so he is going to spend a lot of years in prison.
Dixie Norman
Warsaw
Ag Day Thanks
Editor Times-Union:On April 2 and 3 the Kosciusko County Agriculture Awareness Committee, in conjunction with the Kosciusko County Extension Office and the Kosciusko County Farm Bureau, successfully hosted the second annual Ag Day event, "Discovering Agriculture in Kosciusko County," at the fairgrounds for fourth grade students in the county. Ag Day would not have been possible without the donations which helped to fill teacher and student packets, provide lunch to the workers, snacks to the students, and the animals and machinery in the stations.
The organizers of the event would like to thank the organizations, businesses and individuals who donated to the 1998 Ag Day.
A thank you also goes to the Kosciusko County Fair Board for assisting with getting the barns and fairgrounds ready for Ag Day.
A special thank you also goes to the Kosciusko County Ag Awareness Committee for making the 1998 Ag Day a huge success.
Plans are under way to provide an even better and improved Ag Day activity for 1999.
Kelly Easterday
Extension Educator-AgNR
Music Man
Editor Times-Union:"The Music Man" came to Warsaw on March 27, 28 and 29. I came on Friday night and enjoyed it so much that I returned on Saturday night. This tremendous performance was put on by Warsaw's own high school students!
As the play opened, I noticed that we were all quietly bouncing along with Harold Hill on the train! That came about because the pit orchestra was so good with the background music.
The main cast could not have been better. You can certainly be proud of these young people as they had to have worked and performed their hearts out!
To the young band members who marched up onto the stage, you made the ending of the play very special. I fully expected to hear a parent yell out, "That's my Johnny," or "That's my granddaughter." One day we'll be coming to see you having speaking parts!
There are a few of us older folks who truly appreciate good music and it's always available at your local high school. So thank you, my young friends, for two wonderful evenings of entertainment. I'll be looking forward to next year!
Nancy Bolinger
Auburn
Wilcoxson
Editor Times-Union:My hat is off to you, Mr. Brent Wilcoxson. I would like to thank you for your decision on saving and preserving a life.
I'd like to explain that my company was called by Mr. Brent Wilcoxson to a project he had going in Winona Lake to move a beautiful maple tree. This tree was nothing short of beautiful. But the sad part of this was that to move this tree it had to be severely pruned. After discussing this matter with Brent Wilcoxson he thought this would detract from the natural beauty that he was trying to save. Without reservation he excused himself from our meeting, went over and stopped the bulldozer and told the architect that they would have to redesign the drive to not affect the tree.
So after talking later to Brent I found out that he and his associate were the ones that were giving Winona Lake a face lift and restoring it back to, or as close to, original conditions. Then some of the pieces fell together. Instead of bulldozing the tree out and taking the easy way out for most developers, Mr. Wilcoxson is a true naturalist and goes that extra step to save and preserve natural beauty whether it's in his trees or restoration projects. Again, my hat's off to you Mr. Brent Wilcoxson.
C. Edd Campbell
Quinn Machine Tree Planting
Warsaw
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- Sick Situation - Pollution - Defending Speigle - Kolbe - Ag Day Thanks - Music Man - Wilcoxson
Sick Situation
Editor Times-Union:I read the letter that Mr. Don Kaiser wrote to the Times-Union about how sick he was of the Clinton witch hunt. I guess what makes me so sick is that the people of this great nation put up with the things that go on in Washington with our leaders.
You say take Thomas Jefferson and some of the past presidents in the '20s, '30s and '50s, '60s, so on ... even though the past men in history did all this, it still doesn't make it right.
Mr. Bill Clinton is a joke to the people of the United States. Mr. President Clinton lied to the people of this great nation. Not only to them, but to Mrs. Clinton, also. Now, you mention, if he were a Republican, would the witch hunt be the same? I must say, "Yes." Look what our party did to President Nixon. Mr. Clinton would make Mr. Nixon look like a saint.
Now, I am a Democrat, but I also believe in moral values, and that is something the people have stopped believing in, or Mr. Clinton wouldn't be in office. He has nothing to do but break every moral value there is.
God would say this: Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers, God will judge. Hebrews 13:4. Now, he may lie to the people of the United States and to Mrs. Clinton. Unless Mr. Clinton repents of the "hanky panky," as Mr. Kaiser puts it, God will be his judge.
James Smith
Akron
Pollution
Editor Times-Union:In response to the other letters regarding pollution: This letter is for each of us to read and realize how ignorant (ignorant equals one who lacks education) we can be for throwing trash out our car windows.
Actually, one would not even need a high school diploma to realize that throwing trash out of your car is polluting the earth. One day this past weekend, as I was doing some yard work, I could not help but notice some trash along a small section of the road. I decided to pick it up and I could not believe how much trash I collected in such a small length of the roadside. In 130 feet, I collected a cigarette package, three 20-ounce pop bottles, a local fast food cup, a 44-ounce plastic foam cup, a motor oil bottle, a football, a beach ball that says "Smile, Jesus Loves You," a potato chip bag, six aluminum beer cans and 11 aluminum pop cans.
Who should I blame for this time I spent picking up this trash? I have concluded that it is mostly the soda and beer consumers, but also the athletes, mechanics, fast food consumers, Christians and people who spend too much money at gas stations.
People - it is all of us! Why are we too lazy to take the trash home with us and throw it away? Do we enjoy the quick laugh of throwing a piece of trash out the window and then looking behind us to see where it landed? I was surprised after I walked 130 feet that the Ransbottom Landfill had enough business to stay open for so many years! So, for every 5 feet that I walked, I picked up a piece of trash! For those of you who throw trash out the window, do you realize how long it takes the trash to decompose?
The Earth Day Celebration is from 1 to 5 p.m. April 19 at Center Lake Pavilion. This celebration will be a great place for you to talk to someone about what happens to the trash that is thrown out and not picked up along the road. I will have the collection of trash on display if you want to see it. See you there!
Andy McCleary
Activities director
Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department
Defending Speigle
Editor, Times-Union:As parents, we feel it is time to speak out regarding the character assassination that has been playing out in the letters to the editor regarding our son. Michael Coon's letter was full of suppositions. He states that "two officers literally blackmailed ..." Now where did he get his information from, the local newspaper? If he wants to read a newspaper and get the complete information, we suggest he get a copy of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette dated April 2, 1998, and read the entire story. Mr. Kolbe didn't do a thorough investigation of this allegation before giving it to the press locally. Likewise, Mr. Spalding wrote a slanted view of what happened and made it appear that our son was an alleged perpetrator. Why does an out-of-county newspaper print the true facts and our local media runs with half truths?
Mr. Kolbe stated, in 1994, that Dan Hampton didn't need to call a grand jury to investigate problems because the prosecutor had the power to file charges as he saw fit. If there are "bad cops" running around Kosciusko County making "bad arrests," prosecute them, put an end to the problem, don't keep throwing out insinuations and innuendoes. David, you've accused Michael of breaking the law; if so, process the paperwork to bring him before the courts. Isn't it time to stop talking and start acting? If you have our son on charges, file them, otherwise stop the lip service. Michael has told Mr. Kolbe (on more than one occasion) that if he feels he has compromised his position or broken the law, then he (the prosecutor) is bound by law to investigate and possibly prosecute. Mr. Kolbe told our son in a meeting with him recently that he (Michael) would be a casualty when he (Kolbe) won the election. The meeting, by the way, was to ask Michael why he had a "Hampton for Prosecutor" sign in his yard.
In 1994, we had several people at our home and invited David Kolbe to present his plans. David drank a couple of beers with us and outlined his goals. We were impressed and believed what he said he would do when elected. We listened to what he had to say and plans he said he would put into motion to improve the prosecutor's office. We worked countless hours knocking on doors, putting out signs and making it known that we believed in what Mr. Kolbe was stating he would do. We're sad to say that his actions speak louder than his words. He has not gotten tougher on crime as he stated he would do in his letter to the editor dated April 25, 1994. The number of serious crime case dismissals and deferments is appalling. It's all public record for anyone who is interested in obtaining the true facts. We believed him when he said he would get tough on crime and criminals. It appears what we helped get elected was a defense attorney rather than a prosecuting attorney who strives to keep the laws of the state and the rulings of the court uppermost in his mind instead of pushing his own agendas and beliefs on others. We will rectify our misplaced trust by voting for someone other than Mr. Kolbe.
Larry and Darlene Speigle
Warsaw
Kolbe
Editor Times-Union:I wasn't going to get involved in the political battles, but Mr. Kolbe's recent ad troubles me. It states honesty and integrity. Almost seven years ago, my daughter went to him to file for adoption of her granddaughter. Her daughter (RaeAnn Symons) had been murdered. Mr. Kolbe told her that custody was just as good, which promptly resulted in a lawsuit by the paternal grandparents. Mr. Kolbe dragged this case out for many months, saying he wasn't ready to go to court. Each delay resulted in more charges for refiling, telephone calls and letters. I know this is the way all lawyers do business to fatten their fees, but I don't think he has any idea of the emotional toll all these delays had on our entire family. Three days before going into court, he called her in for a strategy conference. I went with her. When it was over his receptionist informed my daughter that he wanted $3,000 yet that day or he was dropping her case! He didn't have the integrity to discuss it with her while she was in his office! Yes, she had been making payments to him on a regular basis. What he threatened to do wasn't honest or very good integrity. On his behalf, I will tell you that he won the case and we still have our little darling and a part of RaeAnn.
As a famous broadcaster used to say, Page 2 ... RaeAnn's killer will probably never be tried for her murder, but he killed again and it took Indianapolis former deputy prosecutor Diane Marger-Moore five full years but she finally got him convicted of arson, murder and murder by arson, so he is going to spend a lot of years in prison.
Dixie Norman
Warsaw
Ag Day Thanks
Editor Times-Union:On April 2 and 3 the Kosciusko County Agriculture Awareness Committee, in conjunction with the Kosciusko County Extension Office and the Kosciusko County Farm Bureau, successfully hosted the second annual Ag Day event, "Discovering Agriculture in Kosciusko County," at the fairgrounds for fourth grade students in the county. Ag Day would not have been possible without the donations which helped to fill teacher and student packets, provide lunch to the workers, snacks to the students, and the animals and machinery in the stations.
The organizers of the event would like to thank the organizations, businesses and individuals who donated to the 1998 Ag Day.
A thank you also goes to the Kosciusko County Fair Board for assisting with getting the barns and fairgrounds ready for Ag Day.
A special thank you also goes to the Kosciusko County Ag Awareness Committee for making the 1998 Ag Day a huge success.
Plans are under way to provide an even better and improved Ag Day activity for 1999.
Kelly Easterday
Extension Educator-AgNR
Music Man
Editor Times-Union:"The Music Man" came to Warsaw on March 27, 28 and 29. I came on Friday night and enjoyed it so much that I returned on Saturday night. This tremendous performance was put on by Warsaw's own high school students!
As the play opened, I noticed that we were all quietly bouncing along with Harold Hill on the train! That came about because the pit orchestra was so good with the background music.
The main cast could not have been better. You can certainly be proud of these young people as they had to have worked and performed their hearts out!
To the young band members who marched up onto the stage, you made the ending of the play very special. I fully expected to hear a parent yell out, "That's my Johnny," or "That's my granddaughter." One day we'll be coming to see you having speaking parts!
There are a few of us older folks who truly appreciate good music and it's always available at your local high school. So thank you, my young friends, for two wonderful evenings of entertainment. I'll be looking forward to next year!
Nancy Bolinger
Auburn
Wilcoxson
Editor Times-Union:My hat is off to you, Mr. Brent Wilcoxson. I would like to thank you for your decision on saving and preserving a life.
I'd like to explain that my company was called by Mr. Brent Wilcoxson to a project he had going in Winona Lake to move a beautiful maple tree. This tree was nothing short of beautiful. But the sad part of this was that to move this tree it had to be severely pruned. After discussing this matter with Brent Wilcoxson he thought this would detract from the natural beauty that he was trying to save. Without reservation he excused himself from our meeting, went over and stopped the bulldozer and told the architect that they would have to redesign the drive to not affect the tree.
So after talking later to Brent I found out that he and his associate were the ones that were giving Winona Lake a face lift and restoring it back to, or as close to, original conditions. Then some of the pieces fell together. Instead of bulldozing the tree out and taking the easy way out for most developers, Mr. Wilcoxson is a true naturalist and goes that extra step to save and preserve natural beauty whether it's in his trees or restoration projects. Again, my hat's off to you Mr. Brent Wilcoxson.
C. Edd Campbell
Quinn Machine Tree Planting
Warsaw
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