Letters to the Editor 05-09-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Budget - Career Day - Fire Thanks - Teachers Award - Hispanics - Poppy Days
Budget
Editor, Times-Union:Please allow me to explain the reasons why we, House Republicans, voted down the proposed budget last week.
All session our call for real property tax relief fell on deaf ears. The proposed budget did increase the homestead credit from 6 percent to 10 percent but would have expired in four years. I don't call that real relief. Secondly, the budget would have spent 18 percent more in the next two years than the last budget. With inflation running in the 3 percent range, why should we spend 18 percent more? Just because we have it doesn't mean we should spend it. Finally, we asked to see the budget at least two hours before we had to vote. In the past, under both Republican and Democrat leadership, we've been given the budget at the last minute, believed what they told us was in it, only to find out later after the vote the things they failed to tell us were in it, but by then it was too late to do anything about it. Never again! I got my copy of the budget at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday night and had to decide by midnight how to vote. It was easy to just say "no."
Gov. O'Bannon flew around the state criticizing us as irresponsible for killing the best budget he'd ever seen. A budget that spends down our balance from $1.8 billion to about $900 million may be "great" if you are on the receiving end, but hardly qualifies as great for us the taxpayers who have to foot the bill. Realistically, that budget can be cut $300 to $400 million and still have major increases in areas that are needed.
In the next few weeks, the news media will be very critical of us for "not getting our work done on time" and will constantly remind you of the $19,000 per day cost of a special session. To put things in perspective, the 1993 special session cost each Hoosier less than 9 cents each. By not allowing then-Gov. Bayh to raise taxes, the reason for the special session will cost much less than 9 cents per Hoosier. If we can cut out even only $100 million, that's a pretty good return on the investment.
The proposed budget had deficit spending of $145 per day per Hoosier for two years. That's obscene and I'm proud to have had a hand in stopping it. If you have any comments or suggestions, call my message mail at 372-0166 and I'll get back to you.
Dave Wolkins State Representative
Career Day
Editor, Times-Union:The counseling office of Warsaw Community High School would like to publicly thank all of the participants of our recent Career Day. Over 40 professionals from the Warsaw area and some from Fort Wayne came to speak to our juniors and seniors about their professions and to answer the students questions.
We feel very privileged that we live in a community that believes in its youth and their success in life. Thank you very much.
Rick Swaim, counselor Shilo Cowles, counseling intern
Fire Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:My children and I recently lost our home and possessions to fire. This was an experience no one should have to endure. It's turned our lives totally upside down. I'm just so thankful no one was hurt or killed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have given us a new start through their donations, love, and support. There have been so many people involved in helping us, I could never list them all.
To the man who rescued our dog, the firemen, police, churches, schools, organizations and concerned individuals in and around Winona Lake, I thank you all more than words could ever express.
It's just amazing to me how many people ] so many total strangers ] can be so unselfish and caring during an emergency. Heaven forbid anyone should have to go through this experience or any other tragedy during their lifetime, but let me assure you that in troubled times, there are people out there who can and will help you get back on your feet.
Again, to everyone involved, and you know who you are, we thank you so very much.
Terri Graves and family Warsaw (formerly of Winona Lake)
Teachers Award
Editor, Times-Union:On April 22, 1997, I was awarded the "Friend of Education" award by the Whitko School Board. Now that I have regained my composure, I want to share the "friend of education" distinction with its other recipients.
This is National Teacher Appreciation Week. We, in the Whitko School District, have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. Every school day in our four school buildings, a dedicated assembly of educated, caring, compassionate, spirit-filled, hard working, determined, honest people come together for one reason ] to educate and care for our students. In spite of all the local, state and national governments' talk about private schools, charter schools, vouchers, and the "failing public schools" our teachers come to work each day determined to make each day the best it can be for our students.
It was a huge honor for me to be named the Friend of Education but the honor belongs as well to the school board administrators, teachers and support staff people corporation-wide who open the school doors and their classrooms to those who can and want to volunteer. This is my thanks to all of you for opening your arms to the PTA and PTSAs in the district and for allowing volunteers to become full partners in educating our young people. Thank you for listening, for making suggestions, for caring, and for helping us know that what we think really matters.
In this Teacher Appreciation Week I want to share this honor with all the "first teachers" in our community ] the parents and friends of the church and family members who were the first ones to teach our young people. To them I say, "Don't stop now!" Our schools need you to stay in partnership with them from your student's first day in school to his last. Our schools are full of great kids who are doing well in part because of you, their "first teachers."
Last but not least, I want to thank my family and friends who pitched in and jumped on the PTA bandwagon on days when to all of us it seemed a little too high to jump. You, along with all those I've named here, are the true "friends of education." I am honored to be going the extra mile with and for all of you.
Beth Metzger Claypool
Hispanics
Editor, Times-Union:What an encouragement to go online and read of Warsaw's recent and successful Cinco de Mayo festival at Central Park. Moving to Warsaw from California several years ago, our children immediately noticed the lack of cultural diversity. Even when we discovered there was a larger Hispanic population in the county than we realized, it was also obvious those same residents kept a very low profile, possibly because of a lack of acceptance by the larger WASP population. While it's commendable that Warsaw, Milford and Winona Lake police departments have added Spanish-speaking officers, someone should offer to pay for sensitivity training classes for Sheriff Rovenstine for his comment that his department doesn't have any Spanish-speaking officers yet, but sometimes relies on "inmates" to translate. Way to destroy those stereotypes, Al!
Don Byers Rutherfordton, N.C.
Poppy Days
Editor, Times-Union: The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 49 of Warsaw, observed Poppy Days Friday and today. When you see a volunteer with a poppy can, please give generously and wear your poppy with pride.
A man walked down the street the other day. The ladies of the Auxiliary came his way. He took a poppy and gave them a dime. He mumbled, "Why do they take up my time?"
He put the poppy in the buttonhole of his coat, next to some pencils and other notes. When he got home he placed the poppy on the table. That red paper flower with a little white lable.
As he looked at the flower, as if inspired, he wondered "Who put this flower on this wire?" He's probably a man who once stood tall, and for his country he gave his all.
He might once have piloted a plane. Now gives his all just to walk with a cane. His strong hands were a sense of power. Now he makes this little red flower.
In our world we are busy with money and power, while this man's job is this little red flower. He still takes pride in what he has to do; petal by petal he maks this flower for you.
Next year when it comes to Poppy Day, I'll be glad to see the Auxiliary come my way. I'll cheerfully give to them generously, for the veteran making this flower could have been me.
Please remember our Veterans all around the country. Also remember our men and women who are still fighting in other countries so we can all live in peace.
Judy Metzger, President Unit 49, American Legion Auxiliary Warsaw
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- Budget - Career Day - Fire Thanks - Teachers Award - Hispanics - Poppy Days
Budget
Editor, Times-Union:Please allow me to explain the reasons why we, House Republicans, voted down the proposed budget last week.
All session our call for real property tax relief fell on deaf ears. The proposed budget did increase the homestead credit from 6 percent to 10 percent but would have expired in four years. I don't call that real relief. Secondly, the budget would have spent 18 percent more in the next two years than the last budget. With inflation running in the 3 percent range, why should we spend 18 percent more? Just because we have it doesn't mean we should spend it. Finally, we asked to see the budget at least two hours before we had to vote. In the past, under both Republican and Democrat leadership, we've been given the budget at the last minute, believed what they told us was in it, only to find out later after the vote the things they failed to tell us were in it, but by then it was too late to do anything about it. Never again! I got my copy of the budget at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday night and had to decide by midnight how to vote. It was easy to just say "no."
Gov. O'Bannon flew around the state criticizing us as irresponsible for killing the best budget he'd ever seen. A budget that spends down our balance from $1.8 billion to about $900 million may be "great" if you are on the receiving end, but hardly qualifies as great for us the taxpayers who have to foot the bill. Realistically, that budget can be cut $300 to $400 million and still have major increases in areas that are needed.
In the next few weeks, the news media will be very critical of us for "not getting our work done on time" and will constantly remind you of the $19,000 per day cost of a special session. To put things in perspective, the 1993 special session cost each Hoosier less than 9 cents each. By not allowing then-Gov. Bayh to raise taxes, the reason for the special session will cost much less than 9 cents per Hoosier. If we can cut out even only $100 million, that's a pretty good return on the investment.
The proposed budget had deficit spending of $145 per day per Hoosier for two years. That's obscene and I'm proud to have had a hand in stopping it. If you have any comments or suggestions, call my message mail at 372-0166 and I'll get back to you.
Dave Wolkins State Representative
Career Day
Editor, Times-Union:The counseling office of Warsaw Community High School would like to publicly thank all of the participants of our recent Career Day. Over 40 professionals from the Warsaw area and some from Fort Wayne came to speak to our juniors and seniors about their professions and to answer the students questions.
We feel very privileged that we live in a community that believes in its youth and their success in life. Thank you very much.
Rick Swaim, counselor Shilo Cowles, counseling intern
Fire Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:My children and I recently lost our home and possessions to fire. This was an experience no one should have to endure. It's turned our lives totally upside down. I'm just so thankful no one was hurt or killed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have given us a new start through their donations, love, and support. There have been so many people involved in helping us, I could never list them all.
To the man who rescued our dog, the firemen, police, churches, schools, organizations and concerned individuals in and around Winona Lake, I thank you all more than words could ever express.
It's just amazing to me how many people ] so many total strangers ] can be so unselfish and caring during an emergency. Heaven forbid anyone should have to go through this experience or any other tragedy during their lifetime, but let me assure you that in troubled times, there are people out there who can and will help you get back on your feet.
Again, to everyone involved, and you know who you are, we thank you so very much.
Terri Graves and family Warsaw (formerly of Winona Lake)
Teachers Award
Editor, Times-Union:On April 22, 1997, I was awarded the "Friend of Education" award by the Whitko School Board. Now that I have regained my composure, I want to share the "friend of education" distinction with its other recipients.
This is National Teacher Appreciation Week. We, in the Whitko School District, have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. Every school day in our four school buildings, a dedicated assembly of educated, caring, compassionate, spirit-filled, hard working, determined, honest people come together for one reason ] to educate and care for our students. In spite of all the local, state and national governments' talk about private schools, charter schools, vouchers, and the "failing public schools" our teachers come to work each day determined to make each day the best it can be for our students.
It was a huge honor for me to be named the Friend of Education but the honor belongs as well to the school board administrators, teachers and support staff people corporation-wide who open the school doors and their classrooms to those who can and want to volunteer. This is my thanks to all of you for opening your arms to the PTA and PTSAs in the district and for allowing volunteers to become full partners in educating our young people. Thank you for listening, for making suggestions, for caring, and for helping us know that what we think really matters.
In this Teacher Appreciation Week I want to share this honor with all the "first teachers" in our community ] the parents and friends of the church and family members who were the first ones to teach our young people. To them I say, "Don't stop now!" Our schools need you to stay in partnership with them from your student's first day in school to his last. Our schools are full of great kids who are doing well in part because of you, their "first teachers."
Last but not least, I want to thank my family and friends who pitched in and jumped on the PTA bandwagon on days when to all of us it seemed a little too high to jump. You, along with all those I've named here, are the true "friends of education." I am honored to be going the extra mile with and for all of you.
Beth Metzger Claypool
Hispanics
Editor, Times-Union:What an encouragement to go online and read of Warsaw's recent and successful Cinco de Mayo festival at Central Park. Moving to Warsaw from California several years ago, our children immediately noticed the lack of cultural diversity. Even when we discovered there was a larger Hispanic population in the county than we realized, it was also obvious those same residents kept a very low profile, possibly because of a lack of acceptance by the larger WASP population. While it's commendable that Warsaw, Milford and Winona Lake police departments have added Spanish-speaking officers, someone should offer to pay for sensitivity training classes for Sheriff Rovenstine for his comment that his department doesn't have any Spanish-speaking officers yet, but sometimes relies on "inmates" to translate. Way to destroy those stereotypes, Al!
Don Byers Rutherfordton, N.C.
Poppy Days
Editor, Times-Union: The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 49 of Warsaw, observed Poppy Days Friday and today. When you see a volunteer with a poppy can, please give generously and wear your poppy with pride.
A man walked down the street the other day. The ladies of the Auxiliary came his way. He took a poppy and gave them a dime. He mumbled, "Why do they take up my time?"
He put the poppy in the buttonhole of his coat, next to some pencils and other notes. When he got home he placed the poppy on the table. That red paper flower with a little white lable.
As he looked at the flower, as if inspired, he wondered "Who put this flower on this wire?" He's probably a man who once stood tall, and for his country he gave his all.
He might once have piloted a plane. Now gives his all just to walk with a cane. His strong hands were a sense of power. Now he makes this little red flower.
In our world we are busy with money and power, while this man's job is this little red flower. He still takes pride in what he has to do; petal by petal he maks this flower for you.
Next year when it comes to Poppy Day, I'll be glad to see the Auxiliary come my way. I'll cheerfully give to them generously, for the veteran making this flower could have been me.
Please remember our Veterans all around the country. Also remember our men and women who are still fighting in other countries so we can all live in peace.
Judy Metzger, President Unit 49, American Legion Auxiliary Warsaw
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