Letters to the Editor 04-30-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- After-Prom - Safe Haven - BABE Thanks - Silent Majority
After-Prom
Editor, Times-Union:The WCHS Parent Teacher Organization is again sponsoring the after-prom at the career center gym at the high school on May 11 from 12:30 to 3:30 a.m. All WCHS juniors, seniors and their dates are invited to attend, whether or not they attend the prom. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased at the WCHS bookstore.
A variety of activities are planned: karaoke, casino games, video games, "Sumo wresting" and a hypnotist. An auction will be held where students can use the play money they win during the evening to bid on various items that have been donated by businesses and individuals from our community. There will also be door prizes given away throughout the night.
The PTO is working to provide a safe and fun event for our students. The after-prom committee thanks all who have helped organize, plan and chaperone. We especially thank our local businesses and individuals who contributed prizes. Please encourage your student to attend what has become a tradition at WCHS.
Susan Handel WCHS after-prom
Safe Haven
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in regards to the letter by Josh Lee.
My name is Keith Vant Hoff. I am 40 years old. I've been clean for a whole lot of 24 hours. For the last two years, I've been reading in the paper saying teens this, teens that. Our society today is saying that teen-agers are no good.
I'm really tired of hearing this. I have a harder time with parents than I do with young people. Older people judge you by your hair, tattoos, the car you drive, and where you live.
Besides that, I thought that God was the only one that could judge us. I wasn't aware that he left us in charge of that.
It is by the grace of God that I am clean for today and I can try and tell you what I am doing for your kids today.
With the help of some good people from the probation department that believed in me and what I wanted to do, I have now been running a program on Friday nights for over two years from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the AA building. When we started, we had all kinds of room. Now we have young people standing or sitting in chairs and on the floor.
We talk about drugs, alcohol or other problems they may have today. I also try and make sure they don't turn out like I did. Yes, I am one of those people that you judge for their tattoos and said I would never amount to anything. I try to get these kids to work with their heart, not their brain.
Then I went one step further. I needed some place for these young people to go that has games, pop and some place that was theirs.
You people that live in Warsaw know all the empty buildings in town. For a year I wanted anybody to help by donating some space for these young people to have some place of their own. No one wanted to help. Until I met the mayor, Jeff Plank. He gave me Tony Ciriello, who is in charge of the DARE program and the FOP. To Tony and Jeff, from all the kids and myself, thank you very much. We'd also like to thank all of the FOP members.
Now on Saturday we have a club called Safe Haven, which has pool tables, games, pop and food. If you ever need someone to talk to confidentially, we'll be there. The money they make off the games is 50/50 with Jack F. Eiser (Fort Wayne) (Bill). Thank you guys very much for your trust and your support. The money these young people make goes into an account so that they can go on a weekend trip and things like this. For in the summer, something other than hanging out on the streets. Safe Haven is open from 2 to 11 p.m. You know we even had a hard time getting some of the stores to hang our flyers. The new mayor and Times-Union are supposed to do a story soon on our club. We'll see.
One more thing before I go ] my best friend, my brother, Don French, and I do this for free. Not his kids, not my kids ] our kids.
Don and I have invested a lot of time into our kids, the club and the people. On Friday nights and all day Saturdays, we are there for no cost to you. So if you want to know more about Safe Haven, call Keith Vant Hoff at 269-1902.
Remember, if we were perfect we would not be here. So if you want to help, don't say anything at all.
Keith Vant Hoff Warsaw
BABE Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County Inc., I wish to thank the community for the outpouring of goodwill and generosity during the recent opening of the BABE Boutique. In this time when public figures and politicians are diligently promoting the spirit of volunteerism, I am proud to be in a community where giving of one's self and resources is a way of life. Thank you to the many groups and individuals who donated baby items and time to get the boutique set up. A special thank-you to our "Beautiful Babies," who raised over $1,500 in a penny-per-vote contest ] money that will be used to assist other "beautiful babies" to have a healthy and happy start in life. Thank you, each one of you, for embracing this positive and powerful program.
Julie Steele Executive Director
Silent Majority
Editor, Times-Union:I have been thinking about my response to Gary Gerard's question, "Where is the outraged silent majority?" What I think is of no question but how could I say it so that those in silent majority would listen? I don't believe I have succeeded ] here goes anyway.
Imagine yourself an average person (remember I said imagine, I am in no way speaking of any person living or dead). You work, pay expenses, have a spouse, (maybe the second or third) kid, pets, two cars (one's a beater) etc. By the time most people of average faith and morality deal with the everyday stream of inequities and crap that comes with association with schools, co-workers, service people, bosses, authorities, agencies (I could go on but you get the idea), we become a little jaded, or maybe it's just numb.
We know that the LP guy shouldn't have crossed the lawn, or the kid shouldn't have been written up when the teacher's actions were unreasonable, we know it's not right to restrict gun ownership based on misdemeanor convictions, we know. In the first two instances fear of retaliation is enough to silence most complaints; the third is another matter.
It's not too realistic to expect people to be vocal enough to be heard over the din of network news distortions. The media is the voice of the people and it's obvious that ratings take priority over information. The people's voice isn't going to produce average, unsensational, everyday value views; if it's not extreme it won't sell.
The writer that disagreed with Gary's article probably agrees with "Bill" that Tony Lake was treated unfairly, the poor man was hounded. The truth is that Mr. Lake was in charge when his subordinates decided that he didn't need to know something. This cry of "I didn't know, not my fault," is becoming very popular among certain groups of elected and appointed officials.
In my book you are responsible for all the actions of all your subordinates. It's always been that way; this helps to ensure that we have leaders, not just managers. The popular notion spread by the liberal side of the media is that nothing is anyone's fault, there's always an excuse. I've had enough excuses but there seems no escape.
It's time to start placing the blame and demanding restitution. You can bet if a gun owner allows a child to be killed by an unattended weapon he will be prosecuted, as he should be. However, each year four to five times as many kids die from not being properly restrained in a car than from all gun accidents. Why are we not prosecuting these people? They are blatantly guilty of negligence causing death.
All this rambling leads to one thing. No one is going to continue to voice opinions they can't get an echo on. There is no middle-of-the-road representation, no champion of the ordinary, and heaven forbid anyone defend the Constitution without interpreting it for us first.
I guess I'm saying, yes Gary, we are out here, we are outraged but the other side is desperate, determined and much, much louder. We are silent only because extreme sells, if you're not weird you'll get no attention.
Jeff Harding Warsaw
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- After-Prom - Safe Haven - BABE Thanks - Silent Majority
After-Prom
Editor, Times-Union:The WCHS Parent Teacher Organization is again sponsoring the after-prom at the career center gym at the high school on May 11 from 12:30 to 3:30 a.m. All WCHS juniors, seniors and their dates are invited to attend, whether or not they attend the prom. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased at the WCHS bookstore.
A variety of activities are planned: karaoke, casino games, video games, "Sumo wresting" and a hypnotist. An auction will be held where students can use the play money they win during the evening to bid on various items that have been donated by businesses and individuals from our community. There will also be door prizes given away throughout the night.
The PTO is working to provide a safe and fun event for our students. The after-prom committee thanks all who have helped organize, plan and chaperone. We especially thank our local businesses and individuals who contributed prizes. Please encourage your student to attend what has become a tradition at WCHS.
Susan Handel WCHS after-prom
Safe Haven
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in regards to the letter by Josh Lee.
My name is Keith Vant Hoff. I am 40 years old. I've been clean for a whole lot of 24 hours. For the last two years, I've been reading in the paper saying teens this, teens that. Our society today is saying that teen-agers are no good.
I'm really tired of hearing this. I have a harder time with parents than I do with young people. Older people judge you by your hair, tattoos, the car you drive, and where you live.
Besides that, I thought that God was the only one that could judge us. I wasn't aware that he left us in charge of that.
It is by the grace of God that I am clean for today and I can try and tell you what I am doing for your kids today.
With the help of some good people from the probation department that believed in me and what I wanted to do, I have now been running a program on Friday nights for over two years from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the AA building. When we started, we had all kinds of room. Now we have young people standing or sitting in chairs and on the floor.
We talk about drugs, alcohol or other problems they may have today. I also try and make sure they don't turn out like I did. Yes, I am one of those people that you judge for their tattoos and said I would never amount to anything. I try to get these kids to work with their heart, not their brain.
Then I went one step further. I needed some place for these young people to go that has games, pop and some place that was theirs.
You people that live in Warsaw know all the empty buildings in town. For a year I wanted anybody to help by donating some space for these young people to have some place of their own. No one wanted to help. Until I met the mayor, Jeff Plank. He gave me Tony Ciriello, who is in charge of the DARE program and the FOP. To Tony and Jeff, from all the kids and myself, thank you very much. We'd also like to thank all of the FOP members.
Now on Saturday we have a club called Safe Haven, which has pool tables, games, pop and food. If you ever need someone to talk to confidentially, we'll be there. The money they make off the games is 50/50 with Jack F. Eiser (Fort Wayne) (Bill). Thank you guys very much for your trust and your support. The money these young people make goes into an account so that they can go on a weekend trip and things like this. For in the summer, something other than hanging out on the streets. Safe Haven is open from 2 to 11 p.m. You know we even had a hard time getting some of the stores to hang our flyers. The new mayor and Times-Union are supposed to do a story soon on our club. We'll see.
One more thing before I go ] my best friend, my brother, Don French, and I do this for free. Not his kids, not my kids ] our kids.
Don and I have invested a lot of time into our kids, the club and the people. On Friday nights and all day Saturdays, we are there for no cost to you. So if you want to know more about Safe Haven, call Keith Vant Hoff at 269-1902.
Remember, if we were perfect we would not be here. So if you want to help, don't say anything at all.
Keith Vant Hoff Warsaw
BABE Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County Inc., I wish to thank the community for the outpouring of goodwill and generosity during the recent opening of the BABE Boutique. In this time when public figures and politicians are diligently promoting the spirit of volunteerism, I am proud to be in a community where giving of one's self and resources is a way of life. Thank you to the many groups and individuals who donated baby items and time to get the boutique set up. A special thank-you to our "Beautiful Babies," who raised over $1,500 in a penny-per-vote contest ] money that will be used to assist other "beautiful babies" to have a healthy and happy start in life. Thank you, each one of you, for embracing this positive and powerful program.
Julie Steele Executive Director
Silent Majority
Editor, Times-Union:I have been thinking about my response to Gary Gerard's question, "Where is the outraged silent majority?" What I think is of no question but how could I say it so that those in silent majority would listen? I don't believe I have succeeded ] here goes anyway.
Imagine yourself an average person (remember I said imagine, I am in no way speaking of any person living or dead). You work, pay expenses, have a spouse, (maybe the second or third) kid, pets, two cars (one's a beater) etc. By the time most people of average faith and morality deal with the everyday stream of inequities and crap that comes with association with schools, co-workers, service people, bosses, authorities, agencies (I could go on but you get the idea), we become a little jaded, or maybe it's just numb.
We know that the LP guy shouldn't have crossed the lawn, or the kid shouldn't have been written up when the teacher's actions were unreasonable, we know it's not right to restrict gun ownership based on misdemeanor convictions, we know. In the first two instances fear of retaliation is enough to silence most complaints; the third is another matter.
It's not too realistic to expect people to be vocal enough to be heard over the din of network news distortions. The media is the voice of the people and it's obvious that ratings take priority over information. The people's voice isn't going to produce average, unsensational, everyday value views; if it's not extreme it won't sell.
The writer that disagreed with Gary's article probably agrees with "Bill" that Tony Lake was treated unfairly, the poor man was hounded. The truth is that Mr. Lake was in charge when his subordinates decided that he didn't need to know something. This cry of "I didn't know, not my fault," is becoming very popular among certain groups of elected and appointed officials.
In my book you are responsible for all the actions of all your subordinates. It's always been that way; this helps to ensure that we have leaders, not just managers. The popular notion spread by the liberal side of the media is that nothing is anyone's fault, there's always an excuse. I've had enough excuses but there seems no escape.
It's time to start placing the blame and demanding restitution. You can bet if a gun owner allows a child to be killed by an unattended weapon he will be prosecuted, as he should be. However, each year four to five times as many kids die from not being properly restrained in a car than from all gun accidents. Why are we not prosecuting these people? They are blatantly guilty of negligence causing death.
All this rambling leads to one thing. No one is going to continue to voice opinions they can't get an echo on. There is no middle-of-the-road representation, no champion of the ordinary, and heaven forbid anyone defend the Constitution without interpreting it for us first.
I guess I'm saying, yes Gary, we are out here, we are outraged but the other side is desperate, determined and much, much louder. We are silent only because extreme sells, if you're not weird you'll get no attention.
Jeff Harding Warsaw
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