Letters to the Editor 04-29-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Bugged By Sick Dog - BZA Comment Criticized - Ferguson Remembered - Akron School Thanks - Pitzer Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:
Speaking of being bugged about something, the April 22 edition titled "Sick Dog" bothers me.First, the lady stated that she or her friend could not detect any signs of sores - then how could the shelter?
Second, they did not know the dog had problems and I'm sure (Kay) Amsden and her staff would never have let the dog out if they knew.
Third, you stated your friend had to put the dog to sleep and she then informed the shelter of it. Wrong ... Ms. Amsden herself put the animal down ... not a vet.
Fourth, you say your friend didn't get her money back. Did you read the adoption agreement she signed?
It's all in there, in part: "I further understand that the animal I am adopting may have been in the shelter for a brief period of time and that its physical condition and temperament may not be fully known."
Below the signature and date area is another caveat. Again in part: "KCAS will not be held responsible financially for animals adopted out. Should the animal become ill or expire within a 72 hour time period," it goes on to state, if the animal does, you can get a different pet.
In closing, the agreement simply states, "the shelter does not refund money."
Please get the facts straight!
Herschel Rainwater
Warsaw
BZA Comment Criticized
Editor, Times-Union:I am incensed every time I recall BZA member Ron Sharp's comment on children placed in a possible juvenile facility in Pierceton:
"I don't want human garbage dumped on Kosciusko County."
Such callous degradation of people, especially by those in positions of trust and authority, is absolutely wrong.
However outrageous and sickening this comment is, it does not compare to the disgust I feel by the deafening silence emanating from this area's Christian community. No letters to the editor regarding this comment. No note of correction or condemnation in these pages. No pastor invoking Jesus' message of love for the children, nor of compassion, forgiveness, nor even embracing the opportunity to "minister" to them so they might be "saved." No grassroots outreach for these outcasts of society; no one put a pamphlet in my door notifying me of community organizing to support and help these struggling human beings. (However, an onslaught of letters was forthcoming, as well as a group organized, to oppose anyone enjoying a glass of wine with a meal in a restaurant in Winona Lake.)
Such judgmental behavior communicates a legalism that overshadows the Biblical mandate to love one another. When whether one sips wine is the benchmark of a true Christian, instead of serving others in Jesus' name, then that church is hollow, vacuous and a mere shadow of the church for which Jesus modeled compassion, love, forgiveness and servanthood.
Pro-life must mean more than fetal life if the Christian community is to have any credibility. These young people, also created in God's image, should be given opportunity to develop their human potential. The results of a society riddled with discrimination, extremes of wealth and poverty, inadequate schools and broken and dysfunctional families, are children run afoul of the law. Only the naive would imagine every one of these placed in such a facility had a "fair chance." Their lives do matter.
Handing out tracts, standing on streets with anti-abortion signs, supporting prohibition, staging "Christian" concerts (for Christians) and dressing up for church on Sunday are hollow, meaningless acts by themselves. Drawing others into a saving faith and knowledge of Jesus necessitates following His message: serve the unfortunate, neglected, hurting, homeless and orphans - such as these. These lost souls are most in need of true Christian compassion and service. Doing so is His model of evangelism. These at the fringes of society are the very people He embraced - the prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, adulterers, etc. ... in other words, the human garbage.
Anthony J. Avallone Jr.
Winona Lake
Ferguson Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:On April 16 I read in the Times-Union of the death of B. Waymond Ferguson of Muncie at the age of 77.
Although sad news, it brought back fond memories. The name possibly meant nothing to most readers, because in his high school days in Warsaw, he was Junior Ferguson, without doubt the most proficient all-around black athlete in WHS history.
Junior starred in football, basketball and track from 1936-38. He was a star halfback, an outstanding sprinter and a very good basketball player.
There are not many of his former teammates or friends still around here. I was one, as were fellows like Mike Light, Ben Detterman, Bob Richmond, Bob Buell, Bob Gast, Bill Braddock and others.
As one who wrote about or knew about outstanding Warsaw H.S. athletes for more than 40 years, I repeat he was the best black athlete in WHS history.
Curtis "Gabby" Garber
Warsaw
Akron School Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Akron Elementary School thanks all of the Brownie Troops, Junior Troops, Daisy Troops and their leaders for the assistance they have provided this year in the school's participation in the Big G Boxtops for Education and Campbell's Labels for Education programs. By collecting, cutting, counting and bundling boxtops and labels, the students of Akron Elementary School will receive valuable educational materials and cash for purchasing playground equipment.
Thank you for providing this valuable service to Akron Elementary School. We couldn't run these programs without you!
Brett R. Boggs
Principal
Akron Elementary School
Pitzer Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:Warsaw is a great place to live! It is even a great place to die. On Easter Sunday about 15 minutes prior to our annual "Sonrise" service at First Christian Church, Danny Pitzer, our beloved associate minister, collapsed in the church building as he was preparing to don a costume for the program. Danny's wife, Marilyn, and Theresa Wilhite immediately began CPR while one of the men of the church ran across the street to seek assistance from the sheriff's department. Immediately Todd Sautter, Aaron Rovenstine and Chris McKeand responded and began resuscitation efforts. EMTs and the Warsaw fire department also responded within minutes to our call for help. In spite of all this timely, talented, dedicated assistance, Danny never regained consciousness. While preparing to minister in one of his favorite ways on Resurrection Sunday, Danny was unexpectedly and suddenly called to be with the Lord whom he gave his life faithfully serving. Easter - what a great day for your first day in heaven!
To say that we at First Christian miss Danny would be an understatement. He was a spiritual leader and moral example in this congregation for more than 12 years. We loved him deeply and always will! As Danny's co-minister and close friend and on behalf of the entire congregation at First Christian, I want to express our deep gratitude for those deputies, emergency medical technicians, firemen and the staff in the emergency room at Kosciusko Community Hospital who tried so desperately to spare the life of our friend and brother in Christ. They were marvelous! The doctor, the nurses and the chaplain, Randy Packer, were kind, understanding and supportive. We are so grateful to have such caring people in our town.
But they were not the end of the story. Within hours of Danny's death we began to receive calls, and by the following day, cards and letters from Christian people all over this community who were offering their prayer support and condolences to our congregation. Congregations from a variety of denominations expressed their love and support for our people during this difficult time. Not since the Dupin Crusade of 1994 have we seen this kind of unity amongst God's people in Warsaw. "Thank you," is so easy to say but it seems so inadequate to express our feelings of gratitude and fraternity to those churches who responded to our need for support and comfort during that week following Easter. We will never forget the way you stood by us - thank you!
Danny Pitzer was an amazing man. Danny was a gentleman in every sense of that word and he was loved by people all over this county whose homes and lives have been touched by his ministry. Danny loved children and literally gave the last few years of his life reaching out to the children of Kosciusko County on behalf of Jesus Christ. The effect of his ministry was so evident as approximately 1,000 people visited his family at the funeral home and our church auditorium was packed to the limits with a standing-room-only crowd for his memorial service. Among that number were many ministers from this community. Thank you, Warsaw, for helping us in our time of need and for helping us to celebrate the life and ministry of this unique man whose passing leaves us all a little poorer. But even in his death Danny's marvelous Christian spirit brought people of God together in a way which would have pleased Danny and which surely blessed the God he served so faithfully.
Ronnie Sams,
Senior Minister
First Christian Church
Warsaw
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- Bugged By Sick Dog - BZA Comment Criticized - Ferguson Remembered - Akron School Thanks - Pitzer Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:
Speaking of being bugged about something, the April 22 edition titled "Sick Dog" bothers me.First, the lady stated that she or her friend could not detect any signs of sores - then how could the shelter?
Second, they did not know the dog had problems and I'm sure (Kay) Amsden and her staff would never have let the dog out if they knew.
Third, you stated your friend had to put the dog to sleep and she then informed the shelter of it. Wrong ... Ms. Amsden herself put the animal down ... not a vet.
Fourth, you say your friend didn't get her money back. Did you read the adoption agreement she signed?
It's all in there, in part: "I further understand that the animal I am adopting may have been in the shelter for a brief period of time and that its physical condition and temperament may not be fully known."
Below the signature and date area is another caveat. Again in part: "KCAS will not be held responsible financially for animals adopted out. Should the animal become ill or expire within a 72 hour time period," it goes on to state, if the animal does, you can get a different pet.
In closing, the agreement simply states, "the shelter does not refund money."
Please get the facts straight!
Herschel Rainwater
Warsaw
BZA Comment Criticized
Editor, Times-Union:I am incensed every time I recall BZA member Ron Sharp's comment on children placed in a possible juvenile facility in Pierceton:
"I don't want human garbage dumped on Kosciusko County."
Such callous degradation of people, especially by those in positions of trust and authority, is absolutely wrong.
However outrageous and sickening this comment is, it does not compare to the disgust I feel by the deafening silence emanating from this area's Christian community. No letters to the editor regarding this comment. No note of correction or condemnation in these pages. No pastor invoking Jesus' message of love for the children, nor of compassion, forgiveness, nor even embracing the opportunity to "minister" to them so they might be "saved." No grassroots outreach for these outcasts of society; no one put a pamphlet in my door notifying me of community organizing to support and help these struggling human beings. (However, an onslaught of letters was forthcoming, as well as a group organized, to oppose anyone enjoying a glass of wine with a meal in a restaurant in Winona Lake.)
Such judgmental behavior communicates a legalism that overshadows the Biblical mandate to love one another. When whether one sips wine is the benchmark of a true Christian, instead of serving others in Jesus' name, then that church is hollow, vacuous and a mere shadow of the church for which Jesus modeled compassion, love, forgiveness and servanthood.
Pro-life must mean more than fetal life if the Christian community is to have any credibility. These young people, also created in God's image, should be given opportunity to develop their human potential. The results of a society riddled with discrimination, extremes of wealth and poverty, inadequate schools and broken and dysfunctional families, are children run afoul of the law. Only the naive would imagine every one of these placed in such a facility had a "fair chance." Their lives do matter.
Handing out tracts, standing on streets with anti-abortion signs, supporting prohibition, staging "Christian" concerts (for Christians) and dressing up for church on Sunday are hollow, meaningless acts by themselves. Drawing others into a saving faith and knowledge of Jesus necessitates following His message: serve the unfortunate, neglected, hurting, homeless and orphans - such as these. These lost souls are most in need of true Christian compassion and service. Doing so is His model of evangelism. These at the fringes of society are the very people He embraced - the prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, adulterers, etc. ... in other words, the human garbage.
Anthony J. Avallone Jr.
Winona Lake
Ferguson Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:On April 16 I read in the Times-Union of the death of B. Waymond Ferguson of Muncie at the age of 77.
Although sad news, it brought back fond memories. The name possibly meant nothing to most readers, because in his high school days in Warsaw, he was Junior Ferguson, without doubt the most proficient all-around black athlete in WHS history.
Junior starred in football, basketball and track from 1936-38. He was a star halfback, an outstanding sprinter and a very good basketball player.
There are not many of his former teammates or friends still around here. I was one, as were fellows like Mike Light, Ben Detterman, Bob Richmond, Bob Buell, Bob Gast, Bill Braddock and others.
As one who wrote about or knew about outstanding Warsaw H.S. athletes for more than 40 years, I repeat he was the best black athlete in WHS history.
Curtis "Gabby" Garber
Warsaw
Akron School Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Akron Elementary School thanks all of the Brownie Troops, Junior Troops, Daisy Troops and their leaders for the assistance they have provided this year in the school's participation in the Big G Boxtops for Education and Campbell's Labels for Education programs. By collecting, cutting, counting and bundling boxtops and labels, the students of Akron Elementary School will receive valuable educational materials and cash for purchasing playground equipment.
Thank you for providing this valuable service to Akron Elementary School. We couldn't run these programs without you!
Brett R. Boggs
Principal
Akron Elementary School
Pitzer Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:Warsaw is a great place to live! It is even a great place to die. On Easter Sunday about 15 minutes prior to our annual "Sonrise" service at First Christian Church, Danny Pitzer, our beloved associate minister, collapsed in the church building as he was preparing to don a costume for the program. Danny's wife, Marilyn, and Theresa Wilhite immediately began CPR while one of the men of the church ran across the street to seek assistance from the sheriff's department. Immediately Todd Sautter, Aaron Rovenstine and Chris McKeand responded and began resuscitation efforts. EMTs and the Warsaw fire department also responded within minutes to our call for help. In spite of all this timely, talented, dedicated assistance, Danny never regained consciousness. While preparing to minister in one of his favorite ways on Resurrection Sunday, Danny was unexpectedly and suddenly called to be with the Lord whom he gave his life faithfully serving. Easter - what a great day for your first day in heaven!
To say that we at First Christian miss Danny would be an understatement. He was a spiritual leader and moral example in this congregation for more than 12 years. We loved him deeply and always will! As Danny's co-minister and close friend and on behalf of the entire congregation at First Christian, I want to express our deep gratitude for those deputies, emergency medical technicians, firemen and the staff in the emergency room at Kosciusko Community Hospital who tried so desperately to spare the life of our friend and brother in Christ. They were marvelous! The doctor, the nurses and the chaplain, Randy Packer, were kind, understanding and supportive. We are so grateful to have such caring people in our town.
But they were not the end of the story. Within hours of Danny's death we began to receive calls, and by the following day, cards and letters from Christian people all over this community who were offering their prayer support and condolences to our congregation. Congregations from a variety of denominations expressed their love and support for our people during this difficult time. Not since the Dupin Crusade of 1994 have we seen this kind of unity amongst God's people in Warsaw. "Thank you," is so easy to say but it seems so inadequate to express our feelings of gratitude and fraternity to those churches who responded to our need for support and comfort during that week following Easter. We will never forget the way you stood by us - thank you!
Danny Pitzer was an amazing man. Danny was a gentleman in every sense of that word and he was loved by people all over this county whose homes and lives have been touched by his ministry. Danny loved children and literally gave the last few years of his life reaching out to the children of Kosciusko County on behalf of Jesus Christ. The effect of his ministry was so evident as approximately 1,000 people visited his family at the funeral home and our church auditorium was packed to the limits with a standing-room-only crowd for his memorial service. Among that number were many ministers from this community. Thank you, Warsaw, for helping us in our time of need and for helping us to celebrate the life and ministry of this unique man whose passing leaves us all a little poorer. But even in his death Danny's marvelous Christian spirit brought people of God together in a way which would have pleased Danny and which surely blessed the God he served so faithfully.
Ronnie Sams,
Senior Minister
First Christian Church
Warsaw
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