Letters to the Editor 05-20-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Class Motto - Library Privilege - No Moderate - Redeemer School - Chief's Resignation - Poppy Donations
Class Motto
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to give a standing ovation to Tippecanoe Valley's class of 2005. I love their motto, but more importantly, love their courage to be themselves.
Like Ms. Gamble, I read it in an entirely different way than Duane, and other people that called us after the announcements were mailed. I took it to mean, "Be real, don't be fake. If you can't be yourself to get someone's approval, they just aren't worth the effort."
In this world, it is hard enough to be yourself at 25, 30 and 40, let alone at 18. Way to go class of 2005! You are already ahead of the game. To Lacey Shewman, senior class president: Lacey, your response was superb. You should be very proud of yourself, your classmates, and all that the class of 2005 has accomplished.
I know I am proud to be related to you! To Camron Parker: You do have the courage to stand for that which you believe. I see it every day in your faith and commitment to God, and your dedication to everything you do.
If Dr. Seuss hadn't already written those words, I can truly see you writing them now. You are an excellent role model to your brothers and sisters, and your dad and I are so very proud of you. We love you!
Class of 2005: Keep up the good work. Live your motto every day of your life, you'll do fine.
Sherri Parker
(Camron Parker's step-mother, Lacey Shewman's aunt)
Garrett, via e-mail
!enbd
Driving Problems
Editor, Times-Union:
I would like to add some things to the letter sent by G.H. Grubbs on Tueday.
Another major problem I see everyday is drivers running stop signs. One intersection that this happens at, is the CRs 700W and 700S intersection, south of Burket.
On Valentines Day of this year, one of my granddaughters had her car totaled by someone who ran that stop sign. Everyday I see people running that stop, plus a few others. The use of turn signals must not be one of the major points of instruction when people learn to drive, because they are used at the wrong point on the road or not at all.
Finally, let's talk about cell phones, (no pun intended). It's time for a law to be passed that makes it illegal to drive and talk at the same time. I've lost count of how many times I have had to dodge drivers who cross the center line or cut corners to short because they are only using one hand to drive.
I waited on a woman for over three minutes one day to pull into a parking space because she wouldn't put her phone down. G.H. talked about tailgaiting. That happens alot, because if you don't drive 60 to 65 mph, you will get run over by someone who is always in a very big hurry to get somewhere.
One last item that needs to be addressed, is that two-wheeled drivers will be out in full force soon, both motorized and non. Let's be careful out there and have a safe summer and beyond.
R.Dickey Claypool
Library Privilege
Editor, Times-Union:This is an old issue but an ever-present one. People who live in a town such as Warsaw or North Manchester have free access to their public library.
They have the privilege of checking out books, videos and other educational materials. Since my family lives in rural Kosciusko County, we do not have the privilege of checking out these same books, videos or other educational materials unless we pay a fee.
I thought it important enough to go ahead and pay the fee the past two years so that my grandson could have access to a public library and learn the benefits of it. We live about half way between Warsaw and North Manchester so I chose to go to the library at North Manchester. The fee was $60 for a whole year.
We enjoyed the freedom of being able to function like the local people who do not pay a fee. My renewal notice came and the fee had gone up to $100 for a year. I inquired about the reason for such a hefty hike and was told that the state board had given permission to the libraries to raise their fees as they saw fit.
It was even suggested that the fee reflect the same amount as the tax the local people pay. While I was getting the information on the rate hike, another of the people who work for the library told me that she had been to a meeting in another town and they were considering not letting anyone except the local people attend their free programs.
I understand that libraries have expenses but I do not understand why rural county dwellers do not have a library tax if that is what is needed so we can enjoy the same privileges as the town people.
I looked up the definition of public and found several meanings. Three of these were, open to all persons, owned by a community, and for the good of all mankind.
I am wondering if Andrew Carnegie made any kind of distinction about rural or town people when he so generously gave money to have 2,509 public libraries built?
Marjorie Vance
Claypool, via e-mail
No Moderate
Editor, Times-Union:Now wait, Matt. How did I get in this? I've just been sitting here minding my own business and next thing I know you're calling me names.
Do I call you a conservative? My friends consider me to be slightly to the right of Atilla the Hun and I like that.
The only thing that surprised me about Don's letter was that it took so long for him to lose his temper. Did you really think we would allow President Bush to be called evil without saying anything?
As much as the conservatives disliked Bill Clinton, I don't recall anyone ever calling him evil. Talk about divisive. Clinton was without doubt the most divisive president in our history. In fact, much of what we're seeing today can be tracked back to him. As a matter of fact, just a couple weeks ago you scolded some of those people for getting carried away with that sort of thing.
Bush is not evil and you know it. Hitler was evil and anyone that wants to compare President Bush to Adolf Hitler needs some real help.
I hope you don't expect me to start using your "big-boy" phrases. I don't have that kind of education. In fact, I thought that was the purpose of "letters." It gives those of us not in the journalistic community a chance to say something.
By the way, I bought a new mini-14 this spring. Next time you're this way, give me a call. We'll take it to the range, burn lots of powder, have lots of fun.
Harold L. Kitson
Warsaw
Redeemer School
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is to express how I feel about the situation my son and our family has been placed in with the closing of Redeemer Lutheran School.
My son attends pre-school at this school and he has been blessed with a wonderful teacher who has taught him so much, from his ABCs to tying his shoes, but the far most important subject he has been taught is God.
It was so awesome for me as a mother when he came home and was able to tell me what the true meaning of Easter is, not about candy and the Easter bunny. He learned the true meaning of why we celebrate this holiday, that Christ died for us and that on Easter Sunday he rose.
At Redeemer he has the opportunity to learn one on one with his teacher. He now does not have a choice, the church members have decided to close his school. Next year he will be going to a public school where they are not able to talk about God.
He won't learn the real meaning of the holiday's, he won't learn the reason we were created. I know this letter is not going to keep the school open, but please remember what you are doing to the children that did attend Redeemer Lutheran School. They now will not have the opportunity to learn about God in a school setting
Sincerely,
Angie Shaw
Warsaw, via e-mail
Chief's Resignation
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to speak of my feelings to the Syracuse Town Council regarding Chief Perzanowski's resignation.
First, I am a dispatcher for the Syracuse Police Department. I learned of his resignation and felt as if I had been kicked in the teeth, again.
Some people, whether it's the public or town council, don't understand the feeling of "family" that we feel within the department. They are our brothers and sisters. When something like this happens, it is a feeling of loss. We work together so closely, every day/night. Our chief is our backbone. If they take away our backbone, we cannot stand tall. With him as our chief, we were never alone. He is a man of his word and he makes that known.
The town council seems to think that we can "afford" not to fill the two officer positions. They seem to think that the town of Syracuse closes up after dark. That is the biggest misconception! They don't seem to understand that, yes, we can call for back-up from Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, but nine times out of 10 they are in Warsaw and will take 20-30 minutes to respond. We can call North Webster, but that takes approximately 10 minutes. The same with Milford. In that 10 minutes, a whole lot can go wrong. If there is a fight at a local bar, and the officer calls for back-up, that 10 minutes can mean life or death.
If it is a domestic situation, like the one we had out at Enchanted Hills last year, when a shootout ensued, that 10 minutes could have been detrimental to an officer's safety. We need the two officer positions filled. There is no question about that.
These officers will be the ones who offer help to the council's family when they have a prowler cornered in their homes. What are they going to do if there is only one officer to respond and he is too busy at the local bar breaking up a knife fight? Or working an accident? Or taking a drunk driver to jail? Will they then change their minds on whether or not to hire officers for the two positions that left us short staffed? Is it going to take something bad to happen to one of their families to change their minds? I certainly hope not.
I would like to extend an open invitation to any member of the Syracuse Town Council. They are invited to join me in dispatch on any third shift that I am working, on any weekend, during the summer. They will see pretty quickly how stuff can hit the fan in a really big way, at the drop of a hat. I think that it should be a prerequisite in order to be on the town council. They should all have to sit in dispatch for a certain number of hours on each shift. As a matter of fact I think that they should have to spend a certain number of hours in each department of all of the town's departments before taking seat at the podium. All departments ... street department, water department, dispatch, police ride alongs, everything. Then they actually have seen and been a part of it all, so that they can make better informed decisions when need be. That is only fair. Otherwise they are making decisions based on hypothetical means.
Tonya Andrews
Syracuse Police Dispatcher
Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely to the 500-word limit stated in our Letters Policy.
Poppy Donations
Editor, Times-Union:On May 21, Warsaw's Legion family members will be on street corners and at various businesses with poppy donation cans.
The small red-paper flowers are made by veterans. The donations collected are used to help other veterans, their families and children of veterans.
Remember all our military personnel fighting and dying for freedom for us and other people around the world.
Wear a poppy with pride - honoring all our veterans - living and dead. Show people you care and remember what they fought for.
Show your support for our troops. Attend the Memorial Day service at Oakwood May 30 and wear a poppy on your lapel. Our Mayor Ernie Wiggins and BOW members helped launch our Poppy Day campaign. Now it's time everyone joined them.
Also, fly your flags on Memorial day to show support for our troops and remembrance of our veterans.
Sandy Hubler
Unit 49 American Legion Auxiliary President
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E-Editions
- Class Motto - Library Privilege - No Moderate - Redeemer School - Chief's Resignation - Poppy Donations
Class Motto
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to give a standing ovation to Tippecanoe Valley's class of 2005. I love their motto, but more importantly, love their courage to be themselves.
Like Ms. Gamble, I read it in an entirely different way than Duane, and other people that called us after the announcements were mailed. I took it to mean, "Be real, don't be fake. If you can't be yourself to get someone's approval, they just aren't worth the effort."
In this world, it is hard enough to be yourself at 25, 30 and 40, let alone at 18. Way to go class of 2005! You are already ahead of the game. To Lacey Shewman, senior class president: Lacey, your response was superb. You should be very proud of yourself, your classmates, and all that the class of 2005 has accomplished.
I know I am proud to be related to you! To Camron Parker: You do have the courage to stand for that which you believe. I see it every day in your faith and commitment to God, and your dedication to everything you do.
If Dr. Seuss hadn't already written those words, I can truly see you writing them now. You are an excellent role model to your brothers and sisters, and your dad and I are so very proud of you. We love you!
Class of 2005: Keep up the good work. Live your motto every day of your life, you'll do fine.
Sherri Parker
(Camron Parker's step-mother, Lacey Shewman's aunt)
Garrett, via e-mail
!enbd
Driving Problems
Editor, Times-Union:
I would like to add some things to the letter sent by G.H. Grubbs on Tueday.
Another major problem I see everyday is drivers running stop signs. One intersection that this happens at, is the CRs 700W and 700S intersection, south of Burket.
On Valentines Day of this year, one of my granddaughters had her car totaled by someone who ran that stop sign. Everyday I see people running that stop, plus a few others. The use of turn signals must not be one of the major points of instruction when people learn to drive, because they are used at the wrong point on the road or not at all.
Finally, let's talk about cell phones, (no pun intended). It's time for a law to be passed that makes it illegal to drive and talk at the same time. I've lost count of how many times I have had to dodge drivers who cross the center line or cut corners to short because they are only using one hand to drive.
I waited on a woman for over three minutes one day to pull into a parking space because she wouldn't put her phone down. G.H. talked about tailgaiting. That happens alot, because if you don't drive 60 to 65 mph, you will get run over by someone who is always in a very big hurry to get somewhere.
One last item that needs to be addressed, is that two-wheeled drivers will be out in full force soon, both motorized and non. Let's be careful out there and have a safe summer and beyond.
R.Dickey Claypool
Library Privilege
Editor, Times-Union:This is an old issue but an ever-present one. People who live in a town such as Warsaw or North Manchester have free access to their public library.
They have the privilege of checking out books, videos and other educational materials. Since my family lives in rural Kosciusko County, we do not have the privilege of checking out these same books, videos or other educational materials unless we pay a fee.
I thought it important enough to go ahead and pay the fee the past two years so that my grandson could have access to a public library and learn the benefits of it. We live about half way between Warsaw and North Manchester so I chose to go to the library at North Manchester. The fee was $60 for a whole year.
We enjoyed the freedom of being able to function like the local people who do not pay a fee. My renewal notice came and the fee had gone up to $100 for a year. I inquired about the reason for such a hefty hike and was told that the state board had given permission to the libraries to raise their fees as they saw fit.
It was even suggested that the fee reflect the same amount as the tax the local people pay. While I was getting the information on the rate hike, another of the people who work for the library told me that she had been to a meeting in another town and they were considering not letting anyone except the local people attend their free programs.
I understand that libraries have expenses but I do not understand why rural county dwellers do not have a library tax if that is what is needed so we can enjoy the same privileges as the town people.
I looked up the definition of public and found several meanings. Three of these were, open to all persons, owned by a community, and for the good of all mankind.
I am wondering if Andrew Carnegie made any kind of distinction about rural or town people when he so generously gave money to have 2,509 public libraries built?
Marjorie Vance
Claypool, via e-mail
No Moderate
Editor, Times-Union:Now wait, Matt. How did I get in this? I've just been sitting here minding my own business and next thing I know you're calling me names.
Do I call you a conservative? My friends consider me to be slightly to the right of Atilla the Hun and I like that.
The only thing that surprised me about Don's letter was that it took so long for him to lose his temper. Did you really think we would allow President Bush to be called evil without saying anything?
As much as the conservatives disliked Bill Clinton, I don't recall anyone ever calling him evil. Talk about divisive. Clinton was without doubt the most divisive president in our history. In fact, much of what we're seeing today can be tracked back to him. As a matter of fact, just a couple weeks ago you scolded some of those people for getting carried away with that sort of thing.
Bush is not evil and you know it. Hitler was evil and anyone that wants to compare President Bush to Adolf Hitler needs some real help.
I hope you don't expect me to start using your "big-boy" phrases. I don't have that kind of education. In fact, I thought that was the purpose of "letters." It gives those of us not in the journalistic community a chance to say something.
By the way, I bought a new mini-14 this spring. Next time you're this way, give me a call. We'll take it to the range, burn lots of powder, have lots of fun.
Harold L. Kitson
Warsaw
Redeemer School
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is to express how I feel about the situation my son and our family has been placed in with the closing of Redeemer Lutheran School.
My son attends pre-school at this school and he has been blessed with a wonderful teacher who has taught him so much, from his ABCs to tying his shoes, but the far most important subject he has been taught is God.
It was so awesome for me as a mother when he came home and was able to tell me what the true meaning of Easter is, not about candy and the Easter bunny. He learned the true meaning of why we celebrate this holiday, that Christ died for us and that on Easter Sunday he rose.
At Redeemer he has the opportunity to learn one on one with his teacher. He now does not have a choice, the church members have decided to close his school. Next year he will be going to a public school where they are not able to talk about God.
He won't learn the real meaning of the holiday's, he won't learn the reason we were created. I know this letter is not going to keep the school open, but please remember what you are doing to the children that did attend Redeemer Lutheran School. They now will not have the opportunity to learn about God in a school setting
Sincerely,
Angie Shaw
Warsaw, via e-mail
Chief's Resignation
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to speak of my feelings to the Syracuse Town Council regarding Chief Perzanowski's resignation.
First, I am a dispatcher for the Syracuse Police Department. I learned of his resignation and felt as if I had been kicked in the teeth, again.
Some people, whether it's the public or town council, don't understand the feeling of "family" that we feel within the department. They are our brothers and sisters. When something like this happens, it is a feeling of loss. We work together so closely, every day/night. Our chief is our backbone. If they take away our backbone, we cannot stand tall. With him as our chief, we were never alone. He is a man of his word and he makes that known.
The town council seems to think that we can "afford" not to fill the two officer positions. They seem to think that the town of Syracuse closes up after dark. That is the biggest misconception! They don't seem to understand that, yes, we can call for back-up from Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, but nine times out of 10 they are in Warsaw and will take 20-30 minutes to respond. We can call North Webster, but that takes approximately 10 minutes. The same with Milford. In that 10 minutes, a whole lot can go wrong. If there is a fight at a local bar, and the officer calls for back-up, that 10 minutes can mean life or death.
If it is a domestic situation, like the one we had out at Enchanted Hills last year, when a shootout ensued, that 10 minutes could have been detrimental to an officer's safety. We need the two officer positions filled. There is no question about that.
These officers will be the ones who offer help to the council's family when they have a prowler cornered in their homes. What are they going to do if there is only one officer to respond and he is too busy at the local bar breaking up a knife fight? Or working an accident? Or taking a drunk driver to jail? Will they then change their minds on whether or not to hire officers for the two positions that left us short staffed? Is it going to take something bad to happen to one of their families to change their minds? I certainly hope not.
I would like to extend an open invitation to any member of the Syracuse Town Council. They are invited to join me in dispatch on any third shift that I am working, on any weekend, during the summer. They will see pretty quickly how stuff can hit the fan in a really big way, at the drop of a hat. I think that it should be a prerequisite in order to be on the town council. They should all have to sit in dispatch for a certain number of hours on each shift. As a matter of fact I think that they should have to spend a certain number of hours in each department of all of the town's departments before taking seat at the podium. All departments ... street department, water department, dispatch, police ride alongs, everything. Then they actually have seen and been a part of it all, so that they can make better informed decisions when need be. That is only fair. Otherwise they are making decisions based on hypothetical means.
Tonya Andrews
Syracuse Police Dispatcher
Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely to the 500-word limit stated in our Letters Policy.
Poppy Donations
Editor, Times-Union:On May 21, Warsaw's Legion family members will be on street corners and at various businesses with poppy donation cans.
The small red-paper flowers are made by veterans. The donations collected are used to help other veterans, their families and children of veterans.
Remember all our military personnel fighting and dying for freedom for us and other people around the world.
Wear a poppy with pride - honoring all our veterans - living and dead. Show people you care and remember what they fought for.
Show your support for our troops. Attend the Memorial Day service at Oakwood May 30 and wear a poppy on your lapel. Our Mayor Ernie Wiggins and BOW members helped launch our Poppy Day campaign. Now it's time everyone joined them.
Also, fly your flags on Memorial day to show support for our troops and remembrance of our veterans.
Sandy Hubler
Unit 49 American Legion Auxiliary President
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