Letters to the Editor 06-08-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Worst Two Weeks - Veterans Remembered - God Loves You - Thanks To A Veteran - Beheading Video - Election Year Talk - Apology Requested
Worst Two Weeks
Editor, Times-Union:Two weeks ago I was released from my place of employment after nearly 26 years of service due to workforce reductions. As I walked away from the place I had known as home away from home along with a number of other dedicated employees, I could not help but be saddened by what I saw happen. There seemed to be no heart or feelings for those people who had dedicated their lives to this company. I thought to myself is there no more compassion and caring for our fellow human beings anymore?
Then the next week my brother Todd's short life was ended in a tragic accident. It was then and there my question was answered with such overwhelming clarity I am still in awe by what I experienced.
The outpouring of compassion, love and caring for Todd's family has been beyond belief. From the donations of food and money, to the offers of people's personal time to help where they could from friends, neighbors, family and strangers. To Dr. Pitts and Dr. Scott, who each made separate house calls to the family's residence to perform a check-up on the 8-week-old baby because she had a cold, to each of them counseling Brenda on her tragic loss. In this day and age I did not think doctors still made house calls. To the entire Katris family and their wonderful staffs at the Boathouse and American Table restaurants. To the motorcycle gang and all of their support and thoughtfulness. To the employees of Zimmer Inc. for their numerous donations of food and monetary gifts to the family. To John Sadler and the McHatton Sadler family. To Melanie, Sandra, Anita, Kassie and the rest of Brenda's close friends that helped with the three small children and have been there 24 hours a day for Brenda. To Todd and Brenda's neighbors and friends of the Woodland Hills estates, you are a great group of neighbors. To all of my and Todd's co-workers and friends for all of their caring and support. To Pastor Ruberg of the Riverview Community Church and his congregation for their support. And to anyone I may have unintentionally missed.
When it comes to compassion and caring of your fellow humans, each of you have set the bar very high for the rest of us to shoot for. Each of you truly are the leaders of our community and I say thank you from the bottom of my heart to every one of you that has been here for the family during this loss. What I have seen and experienced over the last week has made me a better person and I will strive to be as good of a person as each of you have been. You have been unbelievable. May God bless you all.
As I write this letter and the curtain falls on what may be the worst two weeks of my life, I cannot help but sit here and think to myself how lucky and blessed I am!
Tony Miller
Warsaw
via e-mail
Veterans Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:Kudos to Teresa Smith for her great articles about WWII veterans. I want to thank her for her time and effort in conducting my interview and the write-up of my story. Also thanks to those who sponsored the events on May 29 and to the planning committee. A special thanks to Ken Locke for his tireless work to make the day a success.
James R. Smith
World War II Veteran
via e-mail
God Loves You
Editor, Times-Union:You and I are like God. God is Spirit. You are spirit ... You are a spirit in a human body ... for a physical lifetime, and beyond into everlasting life.
God made you for fellowship with him and to glorify him. You can never be satisfied in life here without relating to God. Just as iron is attracted to a magnet, your soul, in hunger for fulfillment, can only find it in its creator God.
Even as you read this, you realize that there is something deep inside you which will not be satisfied until you pray, as did King David long ago, "O God, You are my God ... my soul thirsts for You." Psalm 5l.
Now, think of God, loving you so much, wanting you to be his child so much, that, although you have wandered away from him in life and living, he sent Jesus to make the way open for you to come back close to him.
"The Passion of the Christ" movie reveals this great love of God for you and me. It remains for you and me to accept God's love, by accepting what God's son Jesus did to clear away all the wrong you and I have done, and by faith, leap gladly to God by accepting Jesus.
Friend, don't let doubt and delay keep you from this decision, for they can! They are the greatest tools the adversary, the devil, can use to defeat you, by telling you to put off a decision. "Put it off. Plenty of time yet. Maybe tomorrow."
Just pray "God be merciful to me a sinner and save me now" He will because He loves you so much, my brother or sister, or youth or child.
C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Thanks To A Veteran
Editor, Times-Union:Hearty kudos to Theresa Smith for her terrific series of interviews with the WWII veterans. I spent 12 years of my working life in the same building with Don Frantz and never knew of his valor and sacrifice for his country. I missed the opportunity to say this to him directly, so I'm saying it now. Thanks, Don.
Michael Myers
Elkhart
via e-mail
Beheading Video
Editor, Times-Union:Attached is a letter the CCQE sent to Dr. McGuire, Dr. Brumfield and all WCS board members. To date, neither CCQE nor the parent has received any communication from the school addressing this extremely serious issue. If you are the parent of a child who witnessed this video, please attend the next WCS board meeting so this issue may be addressed in detail.
May 27, 2004
Dr. Jennifer Brumfield
1 Tiger Lane
Warsaw IN 46580
Dear Dr. Brumfield:
Re: Beheading video shown to Warsaw Community High School students by substitute teacher.
On Friday, May 14, 2004, a substitute teacher made the "beheading video" available to multiple classes at Warsaw Community High School. On Monday, May 17, 2004, at least one concerned parent reported the issue to Dr. Brumfield, who said she was not aware of the situation. When given the name of the substitute, she commented that she was not surprised. She further stated that she would investigate the situation and contact the parent later that day. At the Warsaw Community School board meeting that evening, nothing was said about the incident until a parent questioned the resolution of the situation. Dr. McGuire said they were all aware of the situation and a timely resolution to the issue would be sought. A parent asked that he be kept informed regarding the status of the situation.
It was reported to the CCQE that thus far, minimal counseling by a career counselor was available to the students. In light of this, we have several questions.
What has been done to train teachers and substitutes regarding such issues?
How are teachers trained to recognize Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc.?
Once PTSD, etc., is suspected, what steps are taken?
What outside resources do you intend to use to help these students?
Does the school system have a policy that delineates what commitments parents can expect from the school system in situations like this?
Does the school system have a policy that delineates expectations of teachers?
These are a few of the issues that need to be addressed with the parents whose children were involved in this unfortunate incident. However, timely communication is perhaps the most critical missing component. Parents need to know quickly what they can expect from the school system when their child is in crisis.
Due to the sensitivity of the subject, we would appreciate a timely response to this letter.
Becky Thomas
CCQE Chairperson
via e-mail
Election Year Talk
Editor, Times-Union:Here we are in an election year and are getting a lot of talk without much factual information. Our current governor keeps saying he and his cohort are cutting the costs of government, but he never gives us any specifics. The other candidate for governor says he is taking business away from non-Indiana firms and giving them to Indiana firms for government needs. This sounds great, but I believe that big items are acquired through competitive bidding. Is he also inferring that Indiana firms are not to do business outside Indiana? An attorney general candidate claims he got the law to stop telemarketers from calling us, and also has a lady claiming that it is the best law ever passed in Indiana. I believe the legislature enacts laws and the governor signs them into law. While I like having the telemarketing restricted, there surely are other laws that are equal to or better. A much needed law is one that restricts the amount of advertising politicians do. By the time election in November comes around, we have heard it so much that we are sick and tired of them and I truly believe many people do not vote for this reason. There is no sound reason for radio and television advertising be for more than 30 days before the election, and no more than three ads per day. A candidate who cannot give us his or her qualifications in this length of time is not who we the people should hire anyway.
Fred R. Yohey
Warsaw
Apology Requested
Editor, Times-Union:My brother recently passed away in a tragic accident. A day after we buried him, my younger brother was talking to a friend who told him a teacher at the middle school attacked my deceased brother's character. My family requested an apology from the teacher and the school for allowing a teacher to defame his character in front of at least two class periods. How can a school who states that they don't put up with any type of discrimination when a teacher can discriminate against a family and a deceased individual? The family then called the superintendent, who told us that it was up to the principal as to our public apology. We then were declined our apology. The teacher in question has no place to discriminate against a person. In closing, all my family is asking is to have a public apology in the paper from Edgewood Middle School to our satisfaction. Thank you for your time.
On behalf of all Jamin Dilley's family
Lindsey Wells
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
- Worst Two Weeks - Veterans Remembered - God Loves You - Thanks To A Veteran - Beheading Video - Election Year Talk - Apology Requested
Worst Two Weeks
Editor, Times-Union:Two weeks ago I was released from my place of employment after nearly 26 years of service due to workforce reductions. As I walked away from the place I had known as home away from home along with a number of other dedicated employees, I could not help but be saddened by what I saw happen. There seemed to be no heart or feelings for those people who had dedicated their lives to this company. I thought to myself is there no more compassion and caring for our fellow human beings anymore?
Then the next week my brother Todd's short life was ended in a tragic accident. It was then and there my question was answered with such overwhelming clarity I am still in awe by what I experienced.
The outpouring of compassion, love and caring for Todd's family has been beyond belief. From the donations of food and money, to the offers of people's personal time to help where they could from friends, neighbors, family and strangers. To Dr. Pitts and Dr. Scott, who each made separate house calls to the family's residence to perform a check-up on the 8-week-old baby because she had a cold, to each of them counseling Brenda on her tragic loss. In this day and age I did not think doctors still made house calls. To the entire Katris family and their wonderful staffs at the Boathouse and American Table restaurants. To the motorcycle gang and all of their support and thoughtfulness. To the employees of Zimmer Inc. for their numerous donations of food and monetary gifts to the family. To John Sadler and the McHatton Sadler family. To Melanie, Sandra, Anita, Kassie and the rest of Brenda's close friends that helped with the three small children and have been there 24 hours a day for Brenda. To Todd and Brenda's neighbors and friends of the Woodland Hills estates, you are a great group of neighbors. To all of my and Todd's co-workers and friends for all of their caring and support. To Pastor Ruberg of the Riverview Community Church and his congregation for their support. And to anyone I may have unintentionally missed.
When it comes to compassion and caring of your fellow humans, each of you have set the bar very high for the rest of us to shoot for. Each of you truly are the leaders of our community and I say thank you from the bottom of my heart to every one of you that has been here for the family during this loss. What I have seen and experienced over the last week has made me a better person and I will strive to be as good of a person as each of you have been. You have been unbelievable. May God bless you all.
As I write this letter and the curtain falls on what may be the worst two weeks of my life, I cannot help but sit here and think to myself how lucky and blessed I am!
Tony Miller
Warsaw
via e-mail
Veterans Remembered
Editor, Times-Union:Kudos to Teresa Smith for her great articles about WWII veterans. I want to thank her for her time and effort in conducting my interview and the write-up of my story. Also thanks to those who sponsored the events on May 29 and to the planning committee. A special thanks to Ken Locke for his tireless work to make the day a success.
James R. Smith
World War II Veteran
via e-mail
God Loves You
Editor, Times-Union:You and I are like God. God is Spirit. You are spirit ... You are a spirit in a human body ... for a physical lifetime, and beyond into everlasting life.
God made you for fellowship with him and to glorify him. You can never be satisfied in life here without relating to God. Just as iron is attracted to a magnet, your soul, in hunger for fulfillment, can only find it in its creator God.
Even as you read this, you realize that there is something deep inside you which will not be satisfied until you pray, as did King David long ago, "O God, You are my God ... my soul thirsts for You." Psalm 5l.
Now, think of God, loving you so much, wanting you to be his child so much, that, although you have wandered away from him in life and living, he sent Jesus to make the way open for you to come back close to him.
"The Passion of the Christ" movie reveals this great love of God for you and me. It remains for you and me to accept God's love, by accepting what God's son Jesus did to clear away all the wrong you and I have done, and by faith, leap gladly to God by accepting Jesus.
Friend, don't let doubt and delay keep you from this decision, for they can! They are the greatest tools the adversary, the devil, can use to defeat you, by telling you to put off a decision. "Put it off. Plenty of time yet. Maybe tomorrow."
Just pray "God be merciful to me a sinner and save me now" He will because He loves you so much, my brother or sister, or youth or child.
C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Thanks To A Veteran
Editor, Times-Union:Hearty kudos to Theresa Smith for her terrific series of interviews with the WWII veterans. I spent 12 years of my working life in the same building with Don Frantz and never knew of his valor and sacrifice for his country. I missed the opportunity to say this to him directly, so I'm saying it now. Thanks, Don.
Michael Myers
Elkhart
via e-mail
Beheading Video
Editor, Times-Union:Attached is a letter the CCQE sent to Dr. McGuire, Dr. Brumfield and all WCS board members. To date, neither CCQE nor the parent has received any communication from the school addressing this extremely serious issue. If you are the parent of a child who witnessed this video, please attend the next WCS board meeting so this issue may be addressed in detail.
May 27, 2004
Dr. Jennifer Brumfield
1 Tiger Lane
Warsaw IN 46580
Dear Dr. Brumfield:
Re: Beheading video shown to Warsaw Community High School students by substitute teacher.
On Friday, May 14, 2004, a substitute teacher made the "beheading video" available to multiple classes at Warsaw Community High School. On Monday, May 17, 2004, at least one concerned parent reported the issue to Dr. Brumfield, who said she was not aware of the situation. When given the name of the substitute, she commented that she was not surprised. She further stated that she would investigate the situation and contact the parent later that day. At the Warsaw Community School board meeting that evening, nothing was said about the incident until a parent questioned the resolution of the situation. Dr. McGuire said they were all aware of the situation and a timely resolution to the issue would be sought. A parent asked that he be kept informed regarding the status of the situation.
It was reported to the CCQE that thus far, minimal counseling by a career counselor was available to the students. In light of this, we have several questions.
What has been done to train teachers and substitutes regarding such issues?
How are teachers trained to recognize Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc.?
Once PTSD, etc., is suspected, what steps are taken?
What outside resources do you intend to use to help these students?
Does the school system have a policy that delineates what commitments parents can expect from the school system in situations like this?
Does the school system have a policy that delineates expectations of teachers?
These are a few of the issues that need to be addressed with the parents whose children were involved in this unfortunate incident. However, timely communication is perhaps the most critical missing component. Parents need to know quickly what they can expect from the school system when their child is in crisis.
Due to the sensitivity of the subject, we would appreciate a timely response to this letter.
Becky Thomas
CCQE Chairperson
via e-mail
Election Year Talk
Editor, Times-Union:Here we are in an election year and are getting a lot of talk without much factual information. Our current governor keeps saying he and his cohort are cutting the costs of government, but he never gives us any specifics. The other candidate for governor says he is taking business away from non-Indiana firms and giving them to Indiana firms for government needs. This sounds great, but I believe that big items are acquired through competitive bidding. Is he also inferring that Indiana firms are not to do business outside Indiana? An attorney general candidate claims he got the law to stop telemarketers from calling us, and also has a lady claiming that it is the best law ever passed in Indiana. I believe the legislature enacts laws and the governor signs them into law. While I like having the telemarketing restricted, there surely are other laws that are equal to or better. A much needed law is one that restricts the amount of advertising politicians do. By the time election in November comes around, we have heard it so much that we are sick and tired of them and I truly believe many people do not vote for this reason. There is no sound reason for radio and television advertising be for more than 30 days before the election, and no more than three ads per day. A candidate who cannot give us his or her qualifications in this length of time is not who we the people should hire anyway.
Fred R. Yohey
Warsaw
Apology Requested
Editor, Times-Union:My brother recently passed away in a tragic accident. A day after we buried him, my younger brother was talking to a friend who told him a teacher at the middle school attacked my deceased brother's character. My family requested an apology from the teacher and the school for allowing a teacher to defame his character in front of at least two class periods. How can a school who states that they don't put up with any type of discrimination when a teacher can discriminate against a family and a deceased individual? The family then called the superintendent, who told us that it was up to the principal as to our public apology. We then were declined our apology. The teacher in question has no place to discriminate against a person. In closing, all my family is asking is to have a public apology in the paper from Edgewood Middle School to our satisfaction. Thank you for your time.
On behalf of all Jamin Dilley's family
Lindsey Wells
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092