Letters to the Editor 04-24-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Puerto Rico Legislation - Heaven For Horses - Mothers - Accident Investigation - Air Conditioning
Puerto Rico Legislation
Editor, Times-Union:During my 1994 campaign against Congressman Tim Roemer I was confronted by a lady who, although claiming to be a liberal Democrat, stated she was going to vote for me because "Tim Roemer was stupid." Defending my opponent, I stated, "Tim Roemer may be a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them."
This is why I know the letter in the April 17 Times-Union claiming to be from the congressman is a misguided effort from one of the newer members of his staff, to correct a detail in an article I had authored on April 1. As I explained in my original article, Congressman Roemer was only involved in hardball politics. But of all the points I made, Roemer's ghostwriter could only take exception to the fact that section 936 was repealed last summer "with my (Roemer's) support."
True enough, as I discovered, 936 was repealed and in the same sentence replaced by section 1601. Is this better or worse? I am not a tax attorney, I don't know. I do know that 1601 contains tax advantages for companies relocating in Puerto Rico, that it "grandfathered" in existing 936 companies and 936 facilities purchased by incoming companies. I do know that it didn't keep Zimmer from making the move.
The bill itself, HR3448, was the bill that ostensibly raised the minimum wage. The good news is the minimum wage is up; the bad news is that 200 Zimmer employees won't be getting < 219>any wage.
Those of you with Internet access and interest in these things can look this bill up under http//www.thomas.loc.gov and download 500 pages of "Christmas Tree" legislation that defines and regulates and taxes and exempts everything from the storage of salesman samples, dues paid to horticultural organizations, retirement benefits of ministers, definition of newspaper distributors, etc. etc., ad infinitum. And of course the vaunted section 1601 (out of 2105).
"Roemer Responds" states he was the primary sponsor of the successful effort to repeal Section 936. This may be so, but the only sponsor listed in the Congressional Record is Rep. Bill Archer, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. I have one question for Congressman Roemer and it is one his staff had best allow him to answer. Do you, sir, claim credit for HR 3448 in general and its section 1601 in particular, and should the Congressional Record be corrected to so state? A simple "Yes" or a simple "No."
Richard Burkett Warsaw
Heaven For Horses
Editor, Times-Union:Just a short note to let the persons who knew Smokey from the fair and many horse shows and parades. We lost him on Monday, March 31, 39 years old. Sadly missed by family. If there is a heaven for horses, I'm sure he will be there. Goodbye, faithful friend.
Cora M. Baker Warsaw
Mothers
Editor, Times-Union:A much more learned man than myself once said, "One way every day." So all you have to remember is that you OWE your mother.
We celebrate Mothers Day once a year, but in reality we should honor and celebrate and love our mothers every day. We should do something each day to demonstrate this. The lady we are talking about is the most taken for granted person in this society. Change has made this lady's importance diminish in the eyes of many. Maybe because of the times, respect for anything has carried over into your honoring and respecting your mother.
Take it from an older generation person, who has experienced the love and wisdom and caring and the philosophy of moral decency from a mother who molded and shaped the person I am and always will be. Mothers who bring you into this world, and from that time until she dies, nutures, loves and sacrifices for you. For some of us, our mothers have reaped their reward and are in Heaven looking down and saying, "Well done."
How many times you wished you had been a better son or daughter, and told her how much she meant to you. You young people take heed and don't let the opportunity slip by. The point I am trying to make, no matter how much change takes place in a society ] a mother's love, a mother's caring, a mother's guidance, a mother's sincere feeling that you are the most precious gift God gave her, this never changes. You are fortunate to have been given life by God's most favorite person ] Mom.
Thank you, God, for my mother. Thank you, God, for my children's mother. Thank you, God, for everyone's mother. My prayer is that once again everyone respect and love and honor your mother. Remember, "once a day every day," tell her you love her.
TR Miller Claypool
Accident Investigation
Editor, Times-Union:In a letter published April 1, 1997, Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney David C. Kolbe indicated that the tragedy of my brother's death last year, and the response of his office to this incident, were "worthy of public dialogue." I was quite pleased with the comment, as Mr. Kolbe had left numerous unanswered questions regarding this case. Thus, in the April 7 edition of the Times-Union, I posed just a few of these questions, hoping that the prosecutor would "timely respond," to use his phrase. It has now been two weeks; where is your public dialogue, Mr. Kolbe?
While you are formulating answers to the previous questions, perhaps you could also tell me this: When you finally invited my family members to your office to review the reconstruction report that you arbitrarily withheld for so long, why weren't you there to discuss its contents with them? Why didn't you offer to answer their questions? Knowing how important this document was to them, why couldn't you extend to my family the simple courtesy of your presence? After seeing a copy of this report (which the special prosecutor provided to my family without hesitation), I do understand why you went to such tremendous lengths to keep it from us. Would you like to explain to your constituents the real reason for your secretive behavior? To the press?
So, Mr. Kolbe, the public dialogue is in your court, so to speak. Do you have the courage to answer, honestly and directly, the questions I've posed? Do you have the integrity to admit to your constituents that you've made mistakes? Do you have the human decency to apologize to my brother's widow and my parents for the way you have treated them, both personally and professionally? Or was your "worthy of public dialogue" comment just a lot of hot air blown in the faces of the citizens you are sworn to serve?
And please stop trying to portray yourself as noble regarding your "unprecedented effort to advance the cause of justice" by requesting the special prosecutor. You're asking this man to seek out evidence "a full year after the collision" that your office should have collected last April. Should he come to the same conclusion you did ] that felony charges cannot be filed against the boy who killed my brother ] he will do so only after as honest and as thorough an investigation as he can provide, given what you dropped in his lap. In sharp contrast to your behavior, Mr. Kolbe, the special prosecutor has treated my family with kindness, good humor, sensitivity and most importantly, respect. He has directly addressed more questions in a few short weeks than you did in an entire year, and his efforts to pursue leads, now several months old, are quite remarkable. This is the behavior of a true professional.
Teresa Petrosky Wallace Casper, Wyo.
Air Conditioning
Editor, Times-Union:Concerning your article in the paper regarding the air conditioning issue in the Warsaw Community Schools, I would like to ask if our elected WCS board is representing our best interest? Not mine! How can the board be so gullible to be persuaded by a dictator like superintendent Lee Harman to start the next school year on Aug. 19?
The administration based its recommendation on responses to a survey it sent to approximately 4,000 households after some parents objected in the proposed 1997-98 start date. I did not receive a survey and I have two children in the Warsaw Community School system (but then, this might have been deliberate because of my previous vocal objection to year-round school). Harman also states there are 6,292 students in our system. Why, then, weren't surveys sent to 6,292 households with students in the WCS instead of the chosen mailing list? I am curious to know out of the 4,000 responses how many had students in our schools and what the percentage was who opposed it.
It is also obvious Dr. Harman has no experience or common sense in efficiency and productivity. Instead of a longer school year (which costs tax dollars in areas other than air conditioning), what is wrong with having students actually learning until the last day of school and shorten the school year instead of lengthening the school year to make a quota? How productive can a student be in a 100-degree classroom? And then lengthen the school year only to let students out early if it is too hot? Brilliant!
It seems to me Dr. Harman and Dr. Kevorkian share some similarities ] how to kill a family member.
I feel our money and his time would be better spent if he were to address the asinine issues like tolerating cross-dressing in our schools.
Tony Miller Warsaw
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- Puerto Rico Legislation - Heaven For Horses - Mothers - Accident Investigation - Air Conditioning
Puerto Rico Legislation
Editor, Times-Union:During my 1994 campaign against Congressman Tim Roemer I was confronted by a lady who, although claiming to be a liberal Democrat, stated she was going to vote for me because "Tim Roemer was stupid." Defending my opponent, I stated, "Tim Roemer may be a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them."
This is why I know the letter in the April 17 Times-Union claiming to be from the congressman is a misguided effort from one of the newer members of his staff, to correct a detail in an article I had authored on April 1. As I explained in my original article, Congressman Roemer was only involved in hardball politics. But of all the points I made, Roemer's ghostwriter could only take exception to the fact that section 936 was repealed last summer "with my (Roemer's) support."
True enough, as I discovered, 936 was repealed and in the same sentence replaced by section 1601. Is this better or worse? I am not a tax attorney, I don't know. I do know that 1601 contains tax advantages for companies relocating in Puerto Rico, that it "grandfathered" in existing 936 companies and 936 facilities purchased by incoming companies. I do know that it didn't keep Zimmer from making the move.
The bill itself, HR3448, was the bill that ostensibly raised the minimum wage. The good news is the minimum wage is up; the bad news is that 200 Zimmer employees won't be getting < 219>any wage.
Those of you with Internet access and interest in these things can look this bill up under http//www.thomas.loc.gov and download 500 pages of "Christmas Tree" legislation that defines and regulates and taxes and exempts everything from the storage of salesman samples, dues paid to horticultural organizations, retirement benefits of ministers, definition of newspaper distributors, etc. etc., ad infinitum. And of course the vaunted section 1601 (out of 2105).
"Roemer Responds" states he was the primary sponsor of the successful effort to repeal Section 936. This may be so, but the only sponsor listed in the Congressional Record is Rep. Bill Archer, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. I have one question for Congressman Roemer and it is one his staff had best allow him to answer. Do you, sir, claim credit for HR 3448 in general and its section 1601 in particular, and should the Congressional Record be corrected to so state? A simple "Yes" or a simple "No."
Richard Burkett Warsaw
Heaven For Horses
Editor, Times-Union:Just a short note to let the persons who knew Smokey from the fair and many horse shows and parades. We lost him on Monday, March 31, 39 years old. Sadly missed by family. If there is a heaven for horses, I'm sure he will be there. Goodbye, faithful friend.
Cora M. Baker Warsaw
Mothers
Editor, Times-Union:A much more learned man than myself once said, "One way every day." So all you have to remember is that you OWE your mother.
We celebrate Mothers Day once a year, but in reality we should honor and celebrate and love our mothers every day. We should do something each day to demonstrate this. The lady we are talking about is the most taken for granted person in this society. Change has made this lady's importance diminish in the eyes of many. Maybe because of the times, respect for anything has carried over into your honoring and respecting your mother.
Take it from an older generation person, who has experienced the love and wisdom and caring and the philosophy of moral decency from a mother who molded and shaped the person I am and always will be. Mothers who bring you into this world, and from that time until she dies, nutures, loves and sacrifices for you. For some of us, our mothers have reaped their reward and are in Heaven looking down and saying, "Well done."
How many times you wished you had been a better son or daughter, and told her how much she meant to you. You young people take heed and don't let the opportunity slip by. The point I am trying to make, no matter how much change takes place in a society ] a mother's love, a mother's caring, a mother's guidance, a mother's sincere feeling that you are the most precious gift God gave her, this never changes. You are fortunate to have been given life by God's most favorite person ] Mom.
Thank you, God, for my mother. Thank you, God, for my children's mother. Thank you, God, for everyone's mother. My prayer is that once again everyone respect and love and honor your mother. Remember, "once a day every day," tell her you love her.
TR Miller Claypool
Accident Investigation
Editor, Times-Union:In a letter published April 1, 1997, Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney David C. Kolbe indicated that the tragedy of my brother's death last year, and the response of his office to this incident, were "worthy of public dialogue." I was quite pleased with the comment, as Mr. Kolbe had left numerous unanswered questions regarding this case. Thus, in the April 7 edition of the Times-Union, I posed just a few of these questions, hoping that the prosecutor would "timely respond," to use his phrase. It has now been two weeks; where is your public dialogue, Mr. Kolbe?
While you are formulating answers to the previous questions, perhaps you could also tell me this: When you finally invited my family members to your office to review the reconstruction report that you arbitrarily withheld for so long, why weren't you there to discuss its contents with them? Why didn't you offer to answer their questions? Knowing how important this document was to them, why couldn't you extend to my family the simple courtesy of your presence? After seeing a copy of this report (which the special prosecutor provided to my family without hesitation), I do understand why you went to such tremendous lengths to keep it from us. Would you like to explain to your constituents the real reason for your secretive behavior? To the press?
So, Mr. Kolbe, the public dialogue is in your court, so to speak. Do you have the courage to answer, honestly and directly, the questions I've posed? Do you have the integrity to admit to your constituents that you've made mistakes? Do you have the human decency to apologize to my brother's widow and my parents for the way you have treated them, both personally and professionally? Or was your "worthy of public dialogue" comment just a lot of hot air blown in the faces of the citizens you are sworn to serve?
And please stop trying to portray yourself as noble regarding your "unprecedented effort to advance the cause of justice" by requesting the special prosecutor. You're asking this man to seek out evidence "a full year after the collision" that your office should have collected last April. Should he come to the same conclusion you did ] that felony charges cannot be filed against the boy who killed my brother ] he will do so only after as honest and as thorough an investigation as he can provide, given what you dropped in his lap. In sharp contrast to your behavior, Mr. Kolbe, the special prosecutor has treated my family with kindness, good humor, sensitivity and most importantly, respect. He has directly addressed more questions in a few short weeks than you did in an entire year, and his efforts to pursue leads, now several months old, are quite remarkable. This is the behavior of a true professional.
Teresa Petrosky Wallace Casper, Wyo.
Air Conditioning
Editor, Times-Union:Concerning your article in the paper regarding the air conditioning issue in the Warsaw Community Schools, I would like to ask if our elected WCS board is representing our best interest? Not mine! How can the board be so gullible to be persuaded by a dictator like superintendent Lee Harman to start the next school year on Aug. 19?
The administration based its recommendation on responses to a survey it sent to approximately 4,000 households after some parents objected in the proposed 1997-98 start date. I did not receive a survey and I have two children in the Warsaw Community School system (but then, this might have been deliberate because of my previous vocal objection to year-round school). Harman also states there are 6,292 students in our system. Why, then, weren't surveys sent to 6,292 households with students in the WCS instead of the chosen mailing list? I am curious to know out of the 4,000 responses how many had students in our schools and what the percentage was who opposed it.
It is also obvious Dr. Harman has no experience or common sense in efficiency and productivity. Instead of a longer school year (which costs tax dollars in areas other than air conditioning), what is wrong with having students actually learning until the last day of school and shorten the school year instead of lengthening the school year to make a quota? How productive can a student be in a 100-degree classroom? And then lengthen the school year only to let students out early if it is too hot? Brilliant!
It seems to me Dr. Harman and Dr. Kevorkian share some similarities ] how to kill a family member.
I feel our money and his time would be better spent if he were to address the asinine issues like tolerating cross-dressing in our schools.
Tony Miller Warsaw
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