Letters to the Editor 06-25-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Silver Lake Thanks - Preventable Tragedy - Trader Days Success
Silver Lake Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the entire Silver Lake Days Committee, I would like to thank everyone who attended and helped with the annual Silver Lake Days Festival. Thanks go to so many people ... from the judges of our annual parade to the area radio stations and newspapers for their fine coverage. We could not have done it without you. Thanks to all the local clubs for their assistance, the area law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS departments ... the list goes on and on. Thanks to the queen contestants who raised over $3,500 during the annual queen contest. That money will be distributed to local organizations in Silver Lake. Special thanks to the Silver Lake Police Department, the Silver Lake Fire Department and to the town employees for all their assistance. Another special group we rely on each year is those area merchants who make monetary donations to the festival. The festival definitely would not be possible without their continued financial support. Special thanks to ParKan and Lake City Bank for underwriting this year's parade broadcast. Lastly, to the festival committee itself, a big thank-you. You are the ones who truly make it happen!
Marlin J. Carr
Member
Silver Lake Days Festival Committee
Preventable Tragedy
Editor, Times-Union:We are the parents of Tara Likens. Our daughter was killed recently in a tragic accident that could have been prevented. Please understand that this letter is being written by grieving parents. While we know nothing we do or say will bring our child back to us, it is our prayer that by writing this letter, other parents may be spared the grief our family has endured.
As Bill O'Reilly always says, " Let's present the facts and let the audience decide." So here are the facts, as we know them, about a certain teenager in our community ...
He was driving a car full of unrestrained passengers at a rate of speed estimated by the police at 106 mph.
He tested positive for marijuana on the night of the accident.
He lived and our daughter died.
The week following our daughter's funeral, he and three others were confronted by an administrator at the WCHS graduation ceremony. Police were called and he admitted smoking marijuana. One of the others was charged.
On June 16, he was charged with underage drinking and was the passenger in a car that was allegedly drag racing.
It appears that he feels no remorse for the behavior that led to Tara's death. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Reckless driving while under the influence of drugs is not an "accident."
Our daughter's life was tragically ended on May 27, 2003. She will never get married, have children, join the Air Force or any of the things she had planned for her life. Please do not let this happen to you. Know where your children are and whom they are with. Stress to them not to take off in cars with people they don't know. Ask them questions about their friends. Don't be afraid to say no. Ask your local prosecutor and the police department what they are doing to prevent another tragedy from happening. Pray that another family isn't going to have to go through what we have been through. Thank you for your prayers, support and acts of kindness over these last few weeks.
Terry and Marti Likens
North Webster
via e-mail
Trader Days Success
Editor, Times-Union:Last month's Oswego Trader Days was the most successful in it's ten-year history. There are many people who contributed to this year's event, but special recognition needs to go to the Lion President, Larry McCleary.
There were various contests held at Trader Days, such as Mountain Man, Archery, and the Black Powder Shoot.
The Mountain Man Contest was won by Dan Nelson, with Larry McCleary placing second and Mike Murphy coming in third.
In the Archery event, Jim Elis was the winner, Dan Nelson was second and Mike Murphy was third. Max Egolf won the Black Powder Shoot, with Mike Murphy coming in second and Chris Cook placing third.
A Best of Camp award was given to Mike Murphy and Chris Cook.
Next year's Oswego Trader Days will again be held the third weekend in May.
Ken Fawley
Pierceton
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- Silver Lake Thanks - Preventable Tragedy - Trader Days Success
Silver Lake Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the entire Silver Lake Days Committee, I would like to thank everyone who attended and helped with the annual Silver Lake Days Festival. Thanks go to so many people ... from the judges of our annual parade to the area radio stations and newspapers for their fine coverage. We could not have done it without you. Thanks to all the local clubs for their assistance, the area law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS departments ... the list goes on and on. Thanks to the queen contestants who raised over $3,500 during the annual queen contest. That money will be distributed to local organizations in Silver Lake. Special thanks to the Silver Lake Police Department, the Silver Lake Fire Department and to the town employees for all their assistance. Another special group we rely on each year is those area merchants who make monetary donations to the festival. The festival definitely would not be possible without their continued financial support. Special thanks to ParKan and Lake City Bank for underwriting this year's parade broadcast. Lastly, to the festival committee itself, a big thank-you. You are the ones who truly make it happen!
Marlin J. Carr
Member
Silver Lake Days Festival Committee
Preventable Tragedy
Editor, Times-Union:We are the parents of Tara Likens. Our daughter was killed recently in a tragic accident that could have been prevented. Please understand that this letter is being written by grieving parents. While we know nothing we do or say will bring our child back to us, it is our prayer that by writing this letter, other parents may be spared the grief our family has endured.
As Bill O'Reilly always says, " Let's present the facts and let the audience decide." So here are the facts, as we know them, about a certain teenager in our community ...
He was driving a car full of unrestrained passengers at a rate of speed estimated by the police at 106 mph.
He tested positive for marijuana on the night of the accident.
He lived and our daughter died.
The week following our daughter's funeral, he and three others were confronted by an administrator at the WCHS graduation ceremony. Police were called and he admitted smoking marijuana. One of the others was charged.
On June 16, he was charged with underage drinking and was the passenger in a car that was allegedly drag racing.
It appears that he feels no remorse for the behavior that led to Tara's death. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Reckless driving while under the influence of drugs is not an "accident."
Our daughter's life was tragically ended on May 27, 2003. She will never get married, have children, join the Air Force or any of the things she had planned for her life. Please do not let this happen to you. Know where your children are and whom they are with. Stress to them not to take off in cars with people they don't know. Ask them questions about their friends. Don't be afraid to say no. Ask your local prosecutor and the police department what they are doing to prevent another tragedy from happening. Pray that another family isn't going to have to go through what we have been through. Thank you for your prayers, support and acts of kindness over these last few weeks.
Terry and Marti Likens
North Webster
via e-mail
Trader Days Success
Editor, Times-Union:Last month's Oswego Trader Days was the most successful in it's ten-year history. There are many people who contributed to this year's event, but special recognition needs to go to the Lion President, Larry McCleary.
There were various contests held at Trader Days, such as Mountain Man, Archery, and the Black Powder Shoot.
The Mountain Man Contest was won by Dan Nelson, with Larry McCleary placing second and Mike Murphy coming in third.
In the Archery event, Jim Elis was the winner, Dan Nelson was second and Mike Murphy was third. Max Egolf won the Black Powder Shoot, with Mike Murphy coming in second and Chris Cook placing third.
A Best of Camp award was given to Mike Murphy and Chris Cook.
Next year's Oswego Trader Days will again be held the third weekend in May.
Ken Fawley
Pierceton
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