Letters to the Editor 05-29-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Awards - Taco Neck - Legion Dispute - Kolbe Questioned - Ice Rink
Awards
Editor, Times-Union:It was our pleasure as an athletic department to honor our scholar-athletes for the 1996-97 school year. These young adults excelled in the classroom and in their respective sports. These athletes maintained a cumulative 8.0 and above grade point average while representing Tippecanoe Valley. This year we recognized 107 student-athletes who achieved this status. Congratulations on a job well done.
Duane Burkhart, A.D. Scott Bibler, Assistant A.D. Peg Shewman, Athletic Secretary TVHS Coaching Staff
Taco Neck
Editor, Times-Union:After seeing the Taco Bell "taco neck syndrome" commercial for the umpteenth time, I feel compelled to express my anger at their insensitivity. The actors in the ad mimic a very real, painful and oftentimes disabling disorder called spasmodic torticollis, a form of dystonia. Unlike the actors in the commercial who are cured by eating a burrito or doing the exercises found on the place mats in the restaurant, we who are not acting must face the fact there is no cure and undergo injections of botulinum toxin in the neck muscles every three months and pray that it helps.
Incidentally, this is the same toxin reportedly chosen by Sadam Hussein for use in the Persian Gulf War because it is six million times more potent than rattlesnake venom.
If you or someone you know looks like the ad guys, please stay away from Taco Bell and instead call the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association at 800-HURTFUL.
Judy Nehls Warsaw
Legion Dispute
Editor, Times-Union:In 1993, the American Legion in North Webster began building a deck on the back of their building that extends onto the property of Covered Bridge Retreat. All of our attempts to halt this construction on our property were futile, even after sending them a copy of our deed. We had no option left other than to sue them, which has cost us approximately $15,000. We have endured their derision, verbal abuse and written slander (they called us a "quasi-religious" group in a newsletter to their membership). They have abused our property by allowing their patrons to use our parking lot and have made no effort to repair potholes or maintain the lot, as they carefully do so up to their own property line. About half of their customers use our driveway to enter the Legion. If they were good neighbors we would have no problem with sharing parking space at busy times, and we would appreciate doing the same.
Our concern with the deck, aside from trespassing, is that party noise, loud music, etc., interfere with our retreat center where we have families and church groups who come to Covered Bridge to study, rest and fellowship. And the animosity that exists between us is a sad commentary.
In March, the court determined that the Legion, indeed, is trespassing and they were ordered to tear down all construction back to their property line. Their leadership came to us personally and offered to buy our property on which they built for $7,000. This would not eliminate the problem. We offered to let them keep their porch if they would close it in to contain their activities and lease the land for $1 per year, if they paid our legal fees. They refused and counter offered $8,500, and offered to enter into another type of agreement for using the land, which could only be ended by litigation if they refused to contain their activities. They made no offer to close in the porch. Next, our lawyer agreed to donate almost $4,000 of his fee if the Legion would close in the structure and agree to lease the land. Their response to this was a decision to tear the addition down per court order.
We have difficulty believing that the entire membership and clientele of the Legion do not want to resolve this in a manner that both parties can enjoy their property. To throw away the money that has already gone into this construction and to spend so much more to remove it all, including the pilings driven into the ground under water and cement, seems to be a terrible waste of the members' money. And we are not even asking that they do so.
Now, what is fair? We have taken their abuse, harassment and trespass for four years and all we are asking is for them to pay the cost we had to pay to protect our property, which our veterans fought for our right to do. We will gain nothing financially, other than $1 per year. Our hope is and has always been that we could have and be good neighbors, that we could help them out, perhaps, with parking on busy nights or other cooperative ventures. We are not trying to change the activities of the Legion or infringed on their rights. And it has taken years, and hundreds of dollars we do not have, to protect our right to do the same thing.
While the rest of the world is fighting to the death over land, race, ethnic origin and the right to rule, it is too bad that neighbors in North Webster cannot settle differences in keeping with our American freedom to do so.
Rev. Jack and Suzy Scott Drs. Will and Sally Miller
Kolbe Questioned
Editor, Times-Union:Recently I received a puzzling letter at my home in Wyoming from Howard S. Grimm, the defense attorney for the boy who killed my brother in a 1996 automobile collision. How odd to hear from a person with whom I have no relationship whatsoever, and who has no legitimate reason to have my home address. Apparently this individual feels the need to "defend" the Kosciusko County prosecutor, David C. Kolbe, who would have been his courtroom opponent, had Mr. Kolbe not dismissed felony charges in this case. As an adult and a professional, Mr. Kolbe, can't you speak for yourself?
You received a copy of the letter, didn't you, Mr. Kolbe? Do you believe that the defense lawyer's compliments of you, dubious claims against my late brother, vaguely referenced "evidence" and derogatory assertions about me will substitute for the information I'm seeking from you? Are you sharing my address with others so they can invade my home on your behalf, avoiding the public dialogue that you yourself invited? Is this what you've chosen to do rather than provide answers, admit mistakes and make apologies?
Did you encourage or support Mr. Grimm in composing his original letter? Was it a collaborative effort between formerly opposing attorneys, now aligned to keep the truth muddled? When I initially made inquiries of Mr. Grimm regarding his correspondence, I received a brusque telefacsimile containing no information. Several days later, he sent a lengthy fax offering "simple" explanations. If my questions were so simple, why couldn't he answer them directly in the first place? Did the two of you need time to discuss his responses?
And why is my address ] which is irrelevant to the case against the boy who killed my brother ] available for anyone to see? Yet vital documents, such as your reconstructionist's report, were sequestered from my family (the victims) for months? It's interesting to note the types of information you've included in the file of your investigation. Funny ] I thought you were supposed to have focused on a fatal collision, not the sister of the deceased.
Regardless of Mr. Grimm's flattery of you and disparagement of me, the fact remains: You have refused, since January, to answer legitimate questions posed by my family. Why? Why is it vindictive to ask questions of an elected official and expect honest answers? Why is it offensive for a politician to be held accountable for his actions? And why is it acceptable for Mr. Grimm to inject inflammatory comments into my home, rather than using the forum you suggested? My questions to you in the newspaper are appropriate, given your voluntary choice to thrust yourself into the public eye by running for office. The defense attorney's letter to my home was inappropriate, uninvited and ultimately ineffective. If you want me to stop writing, here's a simple solution: Tell the truth. Don't hide behind court orders, spokesmen or spin doctors. Given that some of your secrets have already been uncovered, don't you think it's time to stop the games and just be honest?
The defense attorney ended his initial letter by expressing the hope that his words might "add another dimension" to my thinking about you. They certainly did. Along with the numerous concerns I already had, I now have many more. I am especially curious about the true nature of the relationship you have with the individual who penned those comments. What's really going on here, Mr. Kolbe?
Teresa Petrosky Wallace Casper, Wyo.
Ice Rink
Editor, Times-Union:The future of our indoor ice skating facility may possibly be ending. The outcome of previous Winona Lake Park Board metings has been ruled void and a new vote will be held June 3 at 7 p.m. The addition of new park board members have changed the size and representation on the board. The current situation has the board split as to renewing the lease for the quonset building. The loss of our lease will possibly end our rink capabilities. Please attend the park board meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the main building at Winona Lake Park.
Brian Smith Northern Lakes Skating Association Warsaw
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- Awards - Taco Neck - Legion Dispute - Kolbe Questioned - Ice Rink
Awards
Editor, Times-Union:It was our pleasure as an athletic department to honor our scholar-athletes for the 1996-97 school year. These young adults excelled in the classroom and in their respective sports. These athletes maintained a cumulative 8.0 and above grade point average while representing Tippecanoe Valley. This year we recognized 107 student-athletes who achieved this status. Congratulations on a job well done.
Duane Burkhart, A.D. Scott Bibler, Assistant A.D. Peg Shewman, Athletic Secretary TVHS Coaching Staff
Taco Neck
Editor, Times-Union:After seeing the Taco Bell "taco neck syndrome" commercial for the umpteenth time, I feel compelled to express my anger at their insensitivity. The actors in the ad mimic a very real, painful and oftentimes disabling disorder called spasmodic torticollis, a form of dystonia. Unlike the actors in the commercial who are cured by eating a burrito or doing the exercises found on the place mats in the restaurant, we who are not acting must face the fact there is no cure and undergo injections of botulinum toxin in the neck muscles every three months and pray that it helps.
Incidentally, this is the same toxin reportedly chosen by Sadam Hussein for use in the Persian Gulf War because it is six million times more potent than rattlesnake venom.
If you or someone you know looks like the ad guys, please stay away from Taco Bell and instead call the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association at 800-HURTFUL.
Judy Nehls Warsaw
Legion Dispute
Editor, Times-Union:In 1993, the American Legion in North Webster began building a deck on the back of their building that extends onto the property of Covered Bridge Retreat. All of our attempts to halt this construction on our property were futile, even after sending them a copy of our deed. We had no option left other than to sue them, which has cost us approximately $15,000. We have endured their derision, verbal abuse and written slander (they called us a "quasi-religious" group in a newsletter to their membership). They have abused our property by allowing their patrons to use our parking lot and have made no effort to repair potholes or maintain the lot, as they carefully do so up to their own property line. About half of their customers use our driveway to enter the Legion. If they were good neighbors we would have no problem with sharing parking space at busy times, and we would appreciate doing the same.
Our concern with the deck, aside from trespassing, is that party noise, loud music, etc., interfere with our retreat center where we have families and church groups who come to Covered Bridge to study, rest and fellowship. And the animosity that exists between us is a sad commentary.
In March, the court determined that the Legion, indeed, is trespassing and they were ordered to tear down all construction back to their property line. Their leadership came to us personally and offered to buy our property on which they built for $7,000. This would not eliminate the problem. We offered to let them keep their porch if they would close it in to contain their activities and lease the land for $1 per year, if they paid our legal fees. They refused and counter offered $8,500, and offered to enter into another type of agreement for using the land, which could only be ended by litigation if they refused to contain their activities. They made no offer to close in the porch. Next, our lawyer agreed to donate almost $4,000 of his fee if the Legion would close in the structure and agree to lease the land. Their response to this was a decision to tear the addition down per court order.
We have difficulty believing that the entire membership and clientele of the Legion do not want to resolve this in a manner that both parties can enjoy their property. To throw away the money that has already gone into this construction and to spend so much more to remove it all, including the pilings driven into the ground under water and cement, seems to be a terrible waste of the members' money. And we are not even asking that they do so.
Now, what is fair? We have taken their abuse, harassment and trespass for four years and all we are asking is for them to pay the cost we had to pay to protect our property, which our veterans fought for our right to do. We will gain nothing financially, other than $1 per year. Our hope is and has always been that we could have and be good neighbors, that we could help them out, perhaps, with parking on busy nights or other cooperative ventures. We are not trying to change the activities of the Legion or infringed on their rights. And it has taken years, and hundreds of dollars we do not have, to protect our right to do the same thing.
While the rest of the world is fighting to the death over land, race, ethnic origin and the right to rule, it is too bad that neighbors in North Webster cannot settle differences in keeping with our American freedom to do so.
Rev. Jack and Suzy Scott Drs. Will and Sally Miller
Kolbe Questioned
Editor, Times-Union:Recently I received a puzzling letter at my home in Wyoming from Howard S. Grimm, the defense attorney for the boy who killed my brother in a 1996 automobile collision. How odd to hear from a person with whom I have no relationship whatsoever, and who has no legitimate reason to have my home address. Apparently this individual feels the need to "defend" the Kosciusko County prosecutor, David C. Kolbe, who would have been his courtroom opponent, had Mr. Kolbe not dismissed felony charges in this case. As an adult and a professional, Mr. Kolbe, can't you speak for yourself?
You received a copy of the letter, didn't you, Mr. Kolbe? Do you believe that the defense lawyer's compliments of you, dubious claims against my late brother, vaguely referenced "evidence" and derogatory assertions about me will substitute for the information I'm seeking from you? Are you sharing my address with others so they can invade my home on your behalf, avoiding the public dialogue that you yourself invited? Is this what you've chosen to do rather than provide answers, admit mistakes and make apologies?
Did you encourage or support Mr. Grimm in composing his original letter? Was it a collaborative effort between formerly opposing attorneys, now aligned to keep the truth muddled? When I initially made inquiries of Mr. Grimm regarding his correspondence, I received a brusque telefacsimile containing no information. Several days later, he sent a lengthy fax offering "simple" explanations. If my questions were so simple, why couldn't he answer them directly in the first place? Did the two of you need time to discuss his responses?
And why is my address ] which is irrelevant to the case against the boy who killed my brother ] available for anyone to see? Yet vital documents, such as your reconstructionist's report, were sequestered from my family (the victims) for months? It's interesting to note the types of information you've included in the file of your investigation. Funny ] I thought you were supposed to have focused on a fatal collision, not the sister of the deceased.
Regardless of Mr. Grimm's flattery of you and disparagement of me, the fact remains: You have refused, since January, to answer legitimate questions posed by my family. Why? Why is it vindictive to ask questions of an elected official and expect honest answers? Why is it offensive for a politician to be held accountable for his actions? And why is it acceptable for Mr. Grimm to inject inflammatory comments into my home, rather than using the forum you suggested? My questions to you in the newspaper are appropriate, given your voluntary choice to thrust yourself into the public eye by running for office. The defense attorney's letter to my home was inappropriate, uninvited and ultimately ineffective. If you want me to stop writing, here's a simple solution: Tell the truth. Don't hide behind court orders, spokesmen or spin doctors. Given that some of your secrets have already been uncovered, don't you think it's time to stop the games and just be honest?
The defense attorney ended his initial letter by expressing the hope that his words might "add another dimension" to my thinking about you. They certainly did. Along with the numerous concerns I already had, I now have many more. I am especially curious about the true nature of the relationship you have with the individual who penned those comments. What's really going on here, Mr. Kolbe?
Teresa Petrosky Wallace Casper, Wyo.
Ice Rink
Editor, Times-Union:The future of our indoor ice skating facility may possibly be ending. The outcome of previous Winona Lake Park Board metings has been ruled void and a new vote will be held June 3 at 7 p.m. The addition of new park board members have changed the size and representation on the board. The current situation has the board split as to renewing the lease for the quonset building. The loss of our lease will possibly end our rink capabilities. Please attend the park board meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the main building at Winona Lake Park.
Brian Smith Northern Lakes Skating Association Warsaw
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