Letters to the Editor 05-04-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Etna Green Officials - Breaking The Law - Know The Facts - Don't Hate - Day Of Prayer
Etna Green Officials
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in regards to one sent in from Mr. Clark. I wasn't exactly sure why he was so angry with the Bakers or Eileen. I figured it had to be more than Mr. Baker taking two-hour lunches and Mrs. Baker being mean (as you say), so when I was in town over the weekend I asked a few people what it was all about.
Several said it was probably about the utility rates being high. He brought it up at a town meeting. If this is it, I agree, utilities are high. My wife had a small shop in town for the last three years so I compared Etna Green to our home electric bills, which is REMC, and found Etna Green was slightly less per kilowatt. So, although utilities are high, I don't believe it's any worse in Etna Green than anywhere else. In case you haven't noticed, energy prices have skyrocketed in the last several years.
As far as what they are paid, I think they are paid fairly. I, for one, wouldn't be able to put up with all of us complaining about utility bills that Laura can do nothing about.
As for Barry, I have told him I wouldn't want to go out in a storm and risk my life to fix power lines. He could make more money elsewhere with his training and license, but he likes working in his hometown.
Lucky for us he is willing to put up with people like you. The reason you see him take long lunches or days off is because the town asks him to take time off instead of paying him overtime when he has to work nights or weekends.
Etna Green employees, town council and council president ... keep up the good work.
Scott Kauffman, via e-mail
Bourbon
Breaking The Law
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is written in response to Lisa Rector's letter in Tuesday's Times-Union and all letters concerning racism and illegal immigration in the past few weeks.
First of all, Ms. Rector, racism is not a new concept in the United States so don't act so shocked. Have you ever heard of a group called the Ku Klux Klan, or maybe the term "segregation?" I don't think people try to come off as racists but on the contrary they are just frustrated with the current situation concerning illegal immigration. I am one of those people. I consider myself the complete opposite of a racist with many friends of other cultures, however the given situation does frustrate me quite a bit.
Now onto the main subject on everyone's mind, illegal immigration. First, back up to the word, "illegal." Webster's Dictionary defines the word as follows: forbidden by law or statute.
The U.S. has laws in place that says you are to be deported if you are an illegal alien. Let's say I go up to a woman on the streets and rob her, later I am apprehended. I would be in jail since I did something illegal, correct? However, when immigrants without the proper papers come to the United States they are committing a crime by passing over our border illegally. Why can't we do something about the 11 million aliens we know about? They are breaking our laws and not paying for it when our own corrections facilities continue to fill with our own citizens. But they insist they are being trampled on?
Another thing that blows my mind is that I recently read over the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I did not find the place where it gave non-citizens the right to assemble peacefully. So what was all that about on Monday?
In Mexico, illegal immigration is a felony. Aliens are arrested without deportation hearings, which are granted here. All types of government bureaus are allowed to apprehend aliens, even citizens can make arrests if so warranted. And they think we're strict?
On a local scale, our own mayor, Ernie Wiggins, was quoted saying, "Warsaw needs to learn the Spanish Language." Mr. Wiggins, I also recently reviewed the United States Census from 2000, granted the numbers will have changed, but the projections were off only by a few hundred people from 2000. Please answer this, why would Warsaw's population need to cater to the 5.6 percent that speaks English less than "very well"?
Basically, I think everyone agrees something should be done, whether granting them temporary citizenship (not in favor) or deportation. The aliens should have to go through the process of becoming a legal citizen if they want to stay, simple as that. These are my opinions and thoughts and I predict opposition, but I think it was something that needed to be said without heavily racial comments such as Mr. Metzger's.
Nate Bickel, via e-mail
Warsaw
Know The Facts
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is addressed to Mr. Yohey's comments in Thursday's letters to the editor.
First of all, you really shouldn't condemn someone without knowing all the facts. Do you really know "Big Money" is behind a candidate? Do you really know if a sheriff's department is in the "back pocket of a few people"? Making accusations does not help anyone, especially at election time. If you have facts, please present them to the public. If not, why throw stones at any candidate?
You're entitled to vote May 2 and voice your opinion on that day. Your support will be greatly appreciated by whomever you vote for.
By the way, Times-Union, I'm surprised that you would print this.
Danny Conkling, via e-mail
North Webster
Don't Hate
Editor, Times-Union:I must take issue with the opinion article that was printed in the May 1 issue of your paper titled "Drivers and Language."
I don't work for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or any other government agency, nor do I have anything to do with how, why, or what the Indiana written driver's test consists of. I'm an ordinary "Joe" among the rest of the "normal" people in this area.
Have you ever driven at night, in the rain, in the snow, with the bright sun in your eyes? The lettering on traffic signs is not always easy to read until you're fairly close. But you know what? The BMV sure had a good idea when they (or whoever it may have been) came up with the idea to standardize sign shapes, and colors. You can make out the shape of a sign and its color much quicker and easier, even in daylight. Making it especially helpful to senior citizens and those with sight problems. And if you've passed your written test at the BMV, you probably understand that those shapes and colors are trying to tell you something. I realize this may debunk the grand conspiracy that was implied in the "Drivers and Language" article that you printed this past Monday, but you know some things really do have a simple answer.
I have seen a few of Mr. Metzger's articles published in your newspaper lately, and I've read a couple of the responses. I believe in treating people with dignity and worth, and that all people have a mind, body, soul and feelings. I believe that as a human being, all of us simply want to feel cared for. We are at our best when we have people in our lives that actively care for us. And I believe that to plot, work against and hate another person, group of persons, an entire race of persons, and even every race of persons other than your own, is unreasonable and completely incomprehensible to most sane people.
The KKK has stated that their fight is somehow God ordained, encouraged, and justified. Which god are they referring to because my God was very clear in saying that we are to hate no one, we are to love everyone. And since many members of the KKK state a belief in God, just who is it that they feel is responsible for making people of different races? And just what do you suppose God might have to say about this unbridled hatred carried out with His "blessing"? If the KKK, skinheads and other groups who feel they are "enlightened" and belong on a pedestal would work as hard to care about people as hating people, they might move mountains. We can hate plenty of things that people do, and still love the person that they are. There isn't a parent alive that can't understand that.
Roger Kaufman, via e-mail
Milford
Day Of Prayer
Editor, Times-Union:Today is designated National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force seeks to not only foster unity within the Christian church and to encourage and emphasize prayer and respect among all people regardless of denomination or creed, but also to encourage each of us to be wise stewards of God's resources and provision.
We hope that each of you will participate in the National Day of Prayer and pray for our world, nation and neighbors. In doing so, we hope that you will offer prayer and support for Combined Community Services Inc. and the work that CCS does for our neighbors in need each and every day.
Finally, the local National Day of Prayer event sponsored by the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association at Center Lake Pavilion in Center Lake Park in Warsaw was held at noon today.
Dana Leon Huffer
Pastor Debbie Lowe
CCS board members, via e-mail
Warsaw
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- Etna Green Officials - Breaking The Law - Know The Facts - Don't Hate - Day Of Prayer
Etna Green Officials
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in regards to one sent in from Mr. Clark. I wasn't exactly sure why he was so angry with the Bakers or Eileen. I figured it had to be more than Mr. Baker taking two-hour lunches and Mrs. Baker being mean (as you say), so when I was in town over the weekend I asked a few people what it was all about.
Several said it was probably about the utility rates being high. He brought it up at a town meeting. If this is it, I agree, utilities are high. My wife had a small shop in town for the last three years so I compared Etna Green to our home electric bills, which is REMC, and found Etna Green was slightly less per kilowatt. So, although utilities are high, I don't believe it's any worse in Etna Green than anywhere else. In case you haven't noticed, energy prices have skyrocketed in the last several years.
As far as what they are paid, I think they are paid fairly. I, for one, wouldn't be able to put up with all of us complaining about utility bills that Laura can do nothing about.
As for Barry, I have told him I wouldn't want to go out in a storm and risk my life to fix power lines. He could make more money elsewhere with his training and license, but he likes working in his hometown.
Lucky for us he is willing to put up with people like you. The reason you see him take long lunches or days off is because the town asks him to take time off instead of paying him overtime when he has to work nights or weekends.
Etna Green employees, town council and council president ... keep up the good work.
Scott Kauffman, via e-mail
Bourbon
Breaking The Law
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is written in response to Lisa Rector's letter in Tuesday's Times-Union and all letters concerning racism and illegal immigration in the past few weeks.
First of all, Ms. Rector, racism is not a new concept in the United States so don't act so shocked. Have you ever heard of a group called the Ku Klux Klan, or maybe the term "segregation?" I don't think people try to come off as racists but on the contrary they are just frustrated with the current situation concerning illegal immigration. I am one of those people. I consider myself the complete opposite of a racist with many friends of other cultures, however the given situation does frustrate me quite a bit.
Now onto the main subject on everyone's mind, illegal immigration. First, back up to the word, "illegal." Webster's Dictionary defines the word as follows: forbidden by law or statute.
The U.S. has laws in place that says you are to be deported if you are an illegal alien. Let's say I go up to a woman on the streets and rob her, later I am apprehended. I would be in jail since I did something illegal, correct? However, when immigrants without the proper papers come to the United States they are committing a crime by passing over our border illegally. Why can't we do something about the 11 million aliens we know about? They are breaking our laws and not paying for it when our own corrections facilities continue to fill with our own citizens. But they insist they are being trampled on?
Another thing that blows my mind is that I recently read over the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I did not find the place where it gave non-citizens the right to assemble peacefully. So what was all that about on Monday?
In Mexico, illegal immigration is a felony. Aliens are arrested without deportation hearings, which are granted here. All types of government bureaus are allowed to apprehend aliens, even citizens can make arrests if so warranted. And they think we're strict?
On a local scale, our own mayor, Ernie Wiggins, was quoted saying, "Warsaw needs to learn the Spanish Language." Mr. Wiggins, I also recently reviewed the United States Census from 2000, granted the numbers will have changed, but the projections were off only by a few hundred people from 2000. Please answer this, why would Warsaw's population need to cater to the 5.6 percent that speaks English less than "very well"?
Basically, I think everyone agrees something should be done, whether granting them temporary citizenship (not in favor) or deportation. The aliens should have to go through the process of becoming a legal citizen if they want to stay, simple as that. These are my opinions and thoughts and I predict opposition, but I think it was something that needed to be said without heavily racial comments such as Mr. Metzger's.
Nate Bickel, via e-mail
Warsaw
Know The Facts
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is addressed to Mr. Yohey's comments in Thursday's letters to the editor.
First of all, you really shouldn't condemn someone without knowing all the facts. Do you really know "Big Money" is behind a candidate? Do you really know if a sheriff's department is in the "back pocket of a few people"? Making accusations does not help anyone, especially at election time. If you have facts, please present them to the public. If not, why throw stones at any candidate?
You're entitled to vote May 2 and voice your opinion on that day. Your support will be greatly appreciated by whomever you vote for.
By the way, Times-Union, I'm surprised that you would print this.
Danny Conkling, via e-mail
North Webster
Don't Hate
Editor, Times-Union:I must take issue with the opinion article that was printed in the May 1 issue of your paper titled "Drivers and Language."
I don't work for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or any other government agency, nor do I have anything to do with how, why, or what the Indiana written driver's test consists of. I'm an ordinary "Joe" among the rest of the "normal" people in this area.
Have you ever driven at night, in the rain, in the snow, with the bright sun in your eyes? The lettering on traffic signs is not always easy to read until you're fairly close. But you know what? The BMV sure had a good idea when they (or whoever it may have been) came up with the idea to standardize sign shapes, and colors. You can make out the shape of a sign and its color much quicker and easier, even in daylight. Making it especially helpful to senior citizens and those with sight problems. And if you've passed your written test at the BMV, you probably understand that those shapes and colors are trying to tell you something. I realize this may debunk the grand conspiracy that was implied in the "Drivers and Language" article that you printed this past Monday, but you know some things really do have a simple answer.
I have seen a few of Mr. Metzger's articles published in your newspaper lately, and I've read a couple of the responses. I believe in treating people with dignity and worth, and that all people have a mind, body, soul and feelings. I believe that as a human being, all of us simply want to feel cared for. We are at our best when we have people in our lives that actively care for us. And I believe that to plot, work against and hate another person, group of persons, an entire race of persons, and even every race of persons other than your own, is unreasonable and completely incomprehensible to most sane people.
The KKK has stated that their fight is somehow God ordained, encouraged, and justified. Which god are they referring to because my God was very clear in saying that we are to hate no one, we are to love everyone. And since many members of the KKK state a belief in God, just who is it that they feel is responsible for making people of different races? And just what do you suppose God might have to say about this unbridled hatred carried out with His "blessing"? If the KKK, skinheads and other groups who feel they are "enlightened" and belong on a pedestal would work as hard to care about people as hating people, they might move mountains. We can hate plenty of things that people do, and still love the person that they are. There isn't a parent alive that can't understand that.
Roger Kaufman, via e-mail
Milford
Day Of Prayer
Editor, Times-Union:Today is designated National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force seeks to not only foster unity within the Christian church and to encourage and emphasize prayer and respect among all people regardless of denomination or creed, but also to encourage each of us to be wise stewards of God's resources and provision.
We hope that each of you will participate in the National Day of Prayer and pray for our world, nation and neighbors. In doing so, we hope that you will offer prayer and support for Combined Community Services Inc. and the work that CCS does for our neighbors in need each and every day.
Finally, the local National Day of Prayer event sponsored by the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association at Center Lake Pavilion in Center Lake Park in Warsaw was held at noon today.
Dana Leon Huffer
Pastor Debbie Lowe
CCS board members, via e-mail
Warsaw
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