Letters to the Editor 04-20-2001
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Property Tax - Stolen Sign - Congratulations Lady Tigers - Accident - Federal Budget - Gun Letter - Prayer Walk - Justice
Property Tax
Editor, Times-Union:I just received this year's property tax bill. It jumped $300 over last year's bill. In reviewing the charges, the entire increase will go to the school district.
The current census shows the population increased in Kosciusko County. That means more people are paying taxes, which would seem to indicate the cost of the schools would be spread out. My question is, if everyone is paying more to the school district, just what is the school budget? Where is the money going? What return are we realizing on our money?
I have five grandchildren and only one has graduated from this high school. Two who were seniors this year quit before graduating. They both tested high enough for college, yet didn't feel graduating was worthwhile. They have since obtained GEDs and are planning to enroll in some form of higher education.
I have talked to other parents who are dealing with similar situations. Their children have no commitment to this school system. At the same time, I watched a program on PBS dealing with drugs in our schools and Warsaw Community High School was the featured school. Students were interviewed and stated that drugs were easily obtainable and it was not uncommon to smell marijuana in the halls. Great! Are my tax dollars going to provide a place for teenagers to spend eight hours socializing and doing drugs? Isn't it an oxymoron that the people paying the education bills cannot use drugs in the workforce, yet students can use drugs at school and no one seems to be able to stop it?
The building itself must incur tremendous cost just to operate. I think what we have is a building that overwhelms its purpose.
Put the schools back into the local communities where parents can be more involved, students can better identify with where they belong and problem students cannot band together and become a controlling factor.
An education is a privilege, it should be earned and if taxpayers are expected to support the school system with tax dollars, students should be made aware of this and held accountable. It is their responsibility to become productive citizens in our society.
Alberta Wamsley
Warsaw
Stolen Sign
Editor, Times-Union:This past Saturday evening my business sign was taken. I was outside when this occurred and saw several boys take it, and leave in their mid-size noisy car. I could have raced down the road to catch them, but harm could have come to me or them. So I'll ask nicely for its return. I have a small business in the country and need my sign for my customers that drive out to my business. I can get another sign made, but this sign was handpainted and designed for me, by my late cousin, Dutch Mullett. It reads "Brierhill Custom Framing." There will be a reward for its safe return.
Mary Aker
Warsaw
Congratulations Lady Tigers
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to congratulate Coach Esterline and the Lady Edgewood Tigers for an enjoyable basketball season. The hard work and dedication definitely paid off. Not only did you have a "winning" season, but every girl on the team played in every game.
Bethany, Phyllis, Hillary, Megan, Callie, Amy, Julie, Tasia, Chelsae, Heather, Jennifer and Kayla you should all be very proud of yourselves. We have watched all of you grow as a team. The looks on your faces when you would make that basket or steal the ball. Priceless. Good luck and we hope to see you back next year.
We heard this was your first year coaching, Adam. If it was, you did a wonderful job. We hope to see you back next year also.
Last but not least, a thank you to Mr. Smeltzer the athletic director for hiring Coach Esterline.
Tony and Shanna Baker
Warsaw
via e-mail
Accident
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to tell you about the greatest people in the world, they work hard whenever they are needed and don't get much praise. See, the picture on the front page yesterday was a picture of my son's car, and the people on the scene, they are saints. My son was there for 15 minutes with the car on top of him. Mike is very fortunate to have all of the paramedics and firemen and first responders that where there. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for all the support you gave Mike and myself.
Keith, Kevin, Chris, Chuck,Carl and Andy, and the rest of the team. You guys are the greatest, your tedious job saved my son's life and I will be forever grateful. Also the helicopter team and staff at the hospital. I would also like to thank all my friends and Mike's friends for their support and prayers. A special thanks to Al and Kay, Brian and Louise and Keith Robbins, Mike was very glad you were there since he knows you.
On another note I do have questions: One is how do you close an investigation on an accident without talking to the people involved and why does it take 2 hours and 15 minutes to drive one-half mile to inform the parents of an accident? I was fortunate enough to have walked across the street and the lady there informed me of the accident. So at least I was able to go to the scene before the police ever located me.
And I want the person who was driving the GMC truck to know that it would have been nice of you to stop and see if you could have helped my son. You saw him swerve to miss you and you also watch him go into the ditch and yes, we do know who you are and I know it was scary but I don't think you would have wanted someone to leave if it had been you laying on the ground with a car on top of you. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Remember that the next time you see someone have an accident.
Rebecca Gardner
Etna Green
via e-mail
Federal Budget
Editor, Times-Union:If Congress can continue to grow the federal budget by 8 percent a year and not worry about the effect on the "budget surplus" then they shouldn't get excited about a tax cut that is 5 percent of projected federal income.
We need to reduce/eliminate the federal budget increases to protect America's future. A tax rate reduction reduces the monies flowing to Washington, which they have an addiction to spend!
James E. Raisler
Warsaw
via e-mail
Gun Letter
Editor, Times-Union:Hearing the verbal response today at work regarding my recent "Letters" submission I'd like to add a note of clarification!
My recent letter regarding the comparison of American gun owners to doctors and the implied danger of either one was submitted to point out the ridiculousness of the stigma American gun owners must endure. It was not, however, intended as "doctor bashing," although the quoted article's wording could be interpreted that way. As I've said in my many previous submissions, I believe that education will always be the answer as opposed to regulation, and doctors are some of the most highly educated people around.
Hopefully this will clarify my point. Just because we, as freedom-loving Americans, may choose to own firearms, it doesn't mean that by default we're a danger, as the stigma would imply.
Dave Roose
Warsaw
via e-mail
Prayer Walk
Editor, Times-Union:Walnut Creek United Methodist Church is again sponsoring prayer walking at local schools. What is prayer walking? Obviously, it is walking while praying. We will walk around the outside of the school building, praying. Prayer walking is genuine prayer - following the clues our senses give us through the Holy Spirit. We use what we see, hear and smell to guide our prayers as we walk. Prayer walking's purpose is not to be openly demonstrative, but rather it is meant as a tool to enable us to more powerfully and specifically pray.
Won't you join our prayer walking team? You may also e-mail your prayer requests for your school to: [email protected]
All prayer walks are Tuesdays. Our schedule is as follows:
April 24, 7:30 a.m., Harrison Elementary
May 1, 7:30 a.m., Eisenhower Elementary
May 8, 7:30 a.m., Claypool Elementary; 6 p.m., Lakeview Middle School
May 15, 7:30 a.m., Washington Elementary; 6 p.m., Warsaw Community High School (prom week)
May 22, 7:30 a.m., Pierceton Elementary; 6 p.m., Whitko Middle School
May 29, 6 p.m., Whitko High School
We will meet at the flagpole of each school to begin our prayer walking.
Marsha Yocum
Warsaw
Justice
Editor, Times-Union:Real deadbeat fathers should be locked up.
I wanted to say how this town (Warsaw) is so messed up with the justice system.
My boyfriend recently got incarcerated for child support probation violation. The support is for our children. I asked for the support order to be dropped many times. My boyfriend had shown me how much he loved our children and how hard he had been working to help support them. Every time I would go to try and talk to my caseworker about getting the support dropped, she would absolutely yell at me. As if being the caseworker wasn't her job.
So then on my boyfriend's sentencing date for this case, I testified in front of the judge that my boyfriend was more responsible than before and I wanted to drop everything. Well, my saying that was pretty much useless. My boyfriend got the whole three years. That's three years away from our two children (a 4-year-old and a 2-month-old) who think the world of him.
So one question I have, why is it that my boyfriend gets three years away from his family but my sister has been trying for about nine years to get some help from the father of her son. The father that has paid no attention to him at all, the "father" that should be sitting in prison for being A REAL DEADBEAT FATHER! Instead, when he goes to court, he gets the minimum time and the worst thing is he's 10 times more behind in child support than my boyfriend. Maybe it's because his way of getting out of jail is telling on the people that he deals drugs to, therefore helping out the police get more arrests. How's that for justice?
Dawn Bellamy
Warsaw
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- Property Tax - Stolen Sign - Congratulations Lady Tigers - Accident - Federal Budget - Gun Letter - Prayer Walk - Justice
Property Tax
Editor, Times-Union:I just received this year's property tax bill. It jumped $300 over last year's bill. In reviewing the charges, the entire increase will go to the school district.
The current census shows the population increased in Kosciusko County. That means more people are paying taxes, which would seem to indicate the cost of the schools would be spread out. My question is, if everyone is paying more to the school district, just what is the school budget? Where is the money going? What return are we realizing on our money?
I have five grandchildren and only one has graduated from this high school. Two who were seniors this year quit before graduating. They both tested high enough for college, yet didn't feel graduating was worthwhile. They have since obtained GEDs and are planning to enroll in some form of higher education.
I have talked to other parents who are dealing with similar situations. Their children have no commitment to this school system. At the same time, I watched a program on PBS dealing with drugs in our schools and Warsaw Community High School was the featured school. Students were interviewed and stated that drugs were easily obtainable and it was not uncommon to smell marijuana in the halls. Great! Are my tax dollars going to provide a place for teenagers to spend eight hours socializing and doing drugs? Isn't it an oxymoron that the people paying the education bills cannot use drugs in the workforce, yet students can use drugs at school and no one seems to be able to stop it?
The building itself must incur tremendous cost just to operate. I think what we have is a building that overwhelms its purpose.
Put the schools back into the local communities where parents can be more involved, students can better identify with where they belong and problem students cannot band together and become a controlling factor.
An education is a privilege, it should be earned and if taxpayers are expected to support the school system with tax dollars, students should be made aware of this and held accountable. It is their responsibility to become productive citizens in our society.
Alberta Wamsley
Warsaw
Stolen Sign
Editor, Times-Union:This past Saturday evening my business sign was taken. I was outside when this occurred and saw several boys take it, and leave in their mid-size noisy car. I could have raced down the road to catch them, but harm could have come to me or them. So I'll ask nicely for its return. I have a small business in the country and need my sign for my customers that drive out to my business. I can get another sign made, but this sign was handpainted and designed for me, by my late cousin, Dutch Mullett. It reads "Brierhill Custom Framing." There will be a reward for its safe return.
Mary Aker
Warsaw
Congratulations Lady Tigers
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to congratulate Coach Esterline and the Lady Edgewood Tigers for an enjoyable basketball season. The hard work and dedication definitely paid off. Not only did you have a "winning" season, but every girl on the team played in every game.
Bethany, Phyllis, Hillary, Megan, Callie, Amy, Julie, Tasia, Chelsae, Heather, Jennifer and Kayla you should all be very proud of yourselves. We have watched all of you grow as a team. The looks on your faces when you would make that basket or steal the ball. Priceless. Good luck and we hope to see you back next year.
We heard this was your first year coaching, Adam. If it was, you did a wonderful job. We hope to see you back next year also.
Last but not least, a thank you to Mr. Smeltzer the athletic director for hiring Coach Esterline.
Tony and Shanna Baker
Warsaw
via e-mail
Accident
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to tell you about the greatest people in the world, they work hard whenever they are needed and don't get much praise. See, the picture on the front page yesterday was a picture of my son's car, and the people on the scene, they are saints. My son was there for 15 minutes with the car on top of him. Mike is very fortunate to have all of the paramedics and firemen and first responders that where there. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for all the support you gave Mike and myself.
Keith, Kevin, Chris, Chuck,Carl and Andy, and the rest of the team. You guys are the greatest, your tedious job saved my son's life and I will be forever grateful. Also the helicopter team and staff at the hospital. I would also like to thank all my friends and Mike's friends for their support and prayers. A special thanks to Al and Kay, Brian and Louise and Keith Robbins, Mike was very glad you were there since he knows you.
On another note I do have questions: One is how do you close an investigation on an accident without talking to the people involved and why does it take 2 hours and 15 minutes to drive one-half mile to inform the parents of an accident? I was fortunate enough to have walked across the street and the lady there informed me of the accident. So at least I was able to go to the scene before the police ever located me.
And I want the person who was driving the GMC truck to know that it would have been nice of you to stop and see if you could have helped my son. You saw him swerve to miss you and you also watch him go into the ditch and yes, we do know who you are and I know it was scary but I don't think you would have wanted someone to leave if it had been you laying on the ground with a car on top of you. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Remember that the next time you see someone have an accident.
Rebecca Gardner
Etna Green
via e-mail
Federal Budget
Editor, Times-Union:If Congress can continue to grow the federal budget by 8 percent a year and not worry about the effect on the "budget surplus" then they shouldn't get excited about a tax cut that is 5 percent of projected federal income.
We need to reduce/eliminate the federal budget increases to protect America's future. A tax rate reduction reduces the monies flowing to Washington, which they have an addiction to spend!
James E. Raisler
Warsaw
via e-mail
Gun Letter
Editor, Times-Union:Hearing the verbal response today at work regarding my recent "Letters" submission I'd like to add a note of clarification!
My recent letter regarding the comparison of American gun owners to doctors and the implied danger of either one was submitted to point out the ridiculousness of the stigma American gun owners must endure. It was not, however, intended as "doctor bashing," although the quoted article's wording could be interpreted that way. As I've said in my many previous submissions, I believe that education will always be the answer as opposed to regulation, and doctors are some of the most highly educated people around.
Hopefully this will clarify my point. Just because we, as freedom-loving Americans, may choose to own firearms, it doesn't mean that by default we're a danger, as the stigma would imply.
Dave Roose
Warsaw
via e-mail
Prayer Walk
Editor, Times-Union:Walnut Creek United Methodist Church is again sponsoring prayer walking at local schools. What is prayer walking? Obviously, it is walking while praying. We will walk around the outside of the school building, praying. Prayer walking is genuine prayer - following the clues our senses give us through the Holy Spirit. We use what we see, hear and smell to guide our prayers as we walk. Prayer walking's purpose is not to be openly demonstrative, but rather it is meant as a tool to enable us to more powerfully and specifically pray.
Won't you join our prayer walking team? You may also e-mail your prayer requests for your school to: [email protected]
All prayer walks are Tuesdays. Our schedule is as follows:
April 24, 7:30 a.m., Harrison Elementary
May 1, 7:30 a.m., Eisenhower Elementary
May 8, 7:30 a.m., Claypool Elementary; 6 p.m., Lakeview Middle School
May 15, 7:30 a.m., Washington Elementary; 6 p.m., Warsaw Community High School (prom week)
May 22, 7:30 a.m., Pierceton Elementary; 6 p.m., Whitko Middle School
May 29, 6 p.m., Whitko High School
We will meet at the flagpole of each school to begin our prayer walking.
Marsha Yocum
Warsaw
Justice
Editor, Times-Union:Real deadbeat fathers should be locked up.
I wanted to say how this town (Warsaw) is so messed up with the justice system.
My boyfriend recently got incarcerated for child support probation violation. The support is for our children. I asked for the support order to be dropped many times. My boyfriend had shown me how much he loved our children and how hard he had been working to help support them. Every time I would go to try and talk to my caseworker about getting the support dropped, she would absolutely yell at me. As if being the caseworker wasn't her job.
So then on my boyfriend's sentencing date for this case, I testified in front of the judge that my boyfriend was more responsible than before and I wanted to drop everything. Well, my saying that was pretty much useless. My boyfriend got the whole three years. That's three years away from our two children (a 4-year-old and a 2-month-old) who think the world of him.
So one question I have, why is it that my boyfriend gets three years away from his family but my sister has been trying for about nine years to get some help from the father of her son. The father that has paid no attention to him at all, the "father" that should be sitting in prison for being A REAL DEADBEAT FATHER! Instead, when he goes to court, he gets the minimum time and the worst thing is he's 10 times more behind in child support than my boyfriend. Maybe it's because his way of getting out of jail is telling on the people that he deals drugs to, therefore helping out the police get more arrests. How's that for justice?
Dawn Bellamy
Warsaw
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