Letters to the Editor 07-01-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Drunk Driving - Gun Control - FOP Thanks
Drunk Driving
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations to Debra Drudge. Of all the controversy over inequities in Indiana law regarding consequences for causing another's death, hers makes the most sense. Why? Because she will be giving input to our lawmakers "... in hopes that the laws will be changed to make the punishments fit the crimes and the criminals."
I only ask that we all ALSO consider this inequity - that regarding another death on our local highways. On Oct. 27, 1997, Shawnee Ulrey, age 21, crossing U.S. 30 west of Warsaw, was struck by a semi running a red light. Inequity: Although the semi driver was clearly in the wrong as verified by many witnesses, he did not test positive for drugs or alcohol and apparently was not speeding. Therefore the grand jury that was convened could not charge him with intent to kill. This driver has not been charged at all and probably will eventually be charged only with running a stop light. Where is the justice in this?
Miss Ulrey's family is grieving also and faces years of dealing with their loss. Will they hurt any less because the semi driver had not been drinking?
To Debra Drudge, please see what you can get accomplished to ensure all persons are held accountable ANY TIME they cause another's death on the highway. I know I plan to, and I urge all caring persons to approach our congressional leaders in the same way. Simply getting behind the wheel of a vehicle should be an acknowledgement by the driver that he could cause harm to another person - and our laws should deal with that fact more consistently.
Wilbur Martin
Leesburg
Gun Control
Editor, Times-Union:Reverend Leroy Wise had an interesting piece on one of the local radio stations the other day. I only caught part of it on the radio, so I had to obtain a copy of the script, which took a while. I'm sure it's history by now, but, as you know, I just can't let things like this alone.
It goes like this:
"Next time you open your refrigerator, notice the door. There's no latch. It's held shut by a magnetic strip. That's because some children died by getting locked inside refrigerators. We changed refrigerators because they were a danger to children.
"Today, children are facing something far more dangerous. Every day, 14 children die in our country because of gun violence. That's right, 14. Every day. They get shot by accident. Murdered. And the vast majority of children who attempt suicide do so with guns. You might know someone who's been touched by gun violence. Maybe it's time to make some changes. To make guns less accessible to our children.
"Do you have children? Do you own a gun? Maybe it's time to make some changes. Make sure your child doesn't become one of the 14 children a day who die from gun violence."
Well, Rev. Wise, that's all very nice, but rather vague. Just what sort of changes do you propose? If you're proposing more responsibility on the part of adults, then I'm in your corner. But if, as I suspect, you're proposing even more restrictions on law abiding citizens, then I'll fight you tooth and nail! Just as I do people who attack the First Amendment. We either stand our ground together, Rev. Wise, or the liberals will chop us up piece-meal.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
FOP Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 149 of Kosciusko County would like to thank all those who contributed to and attended our recent Grand Ole Opry Show. This show raises funds for our lodge to fund activities for youth in our county's communities. We appreciate the past 25 years of dedication by our community, and we enjoy seeing many of the same people there year after year. Proceeds from the show help fund two major projects by our lodge - local support of Little League baseball, and the C.O. Mollenhour Conservation Camp at McClure Lake in southern Kosciusko County.
We would like to give special thanks to those giving generous donations of materials needed to refurbish a cabin at the Conservation Camp. Donations over the years have made C.O. Mollenhour camp a safe, fun and successful week for many of our county's kids.
Reid Piper
President
Kosciusko FOP Lodge 149
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- Drunk Driving - Gun Control - FOP Thanks
Drunk Driving
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations to Debra Drudge. Of all the controversy over inequities in Indiana law regarding consequences for causing another's death, hers makes the most sense. Why? Because she will be giving input to our lawmakers "... in hopes that the laws will be changed to make the punishments fit the crimes and the criminals."
I only ask that we all ALSO consider this inequity - that regarding another death on our local highways. On Oct. 27, 1997, Shawnee Ulrey, age 21, crossing U.S. 30 west of Warsaw, was struck by a semi running a red light. Inequity: Although the semi driver was clearly in the wrong as verified by many witnesses, he did not test positive for drugs or alcohol and apparently was not speeding. Therefore the grand jury that was convened could not charge him with intent to kill. This driver has not been charged at all and probably will eventually be charged only with running a stop light. Where is the justice in this?
Miss Ulrey's family is grieving also and faces years of dealing with their loss. Will they hurt any less because the semi driver had not been drinking?
To Debra Drudge, please see what you can get accomplished to ensure all persons are held accountable ANY TIME they cause another's death on the highway. I know I plan to, and I urge all caring persons to approach our congressional leaders in the same way. Simply getting behind the wheel of a vehicle should be an acknowledgement by the driver that he could cause harm to another person - and our laws should deal with that fact more consistently.
Wilbur Martin
Leesburg
Gun Control
Editor, Times-Union:Reverend Leroy Wise had an interesting piece on one of the local radio stations the other day. I only caught part of it on the radio, so I had to obtain a copy of the script, which took a while. I'm sure it's history by now, but, as you know, I just can't let things like this alone.
It goes like this:
"Next time you open your refrigerator, notice the door. There's no latch. It's held shut by a magnetic strip. That's because some children died by getting locked inside refrigerators. We changed refrigerators because they were a danger to children.
"Today, children are facing something far more dangerous. Every day, 14 children die in our country because of gun violence. That's right, 14. Every day. They get shot by accident. Murdered. And the vast majority of children who attempt suicide do so with guns. You might know someone who's been touched by gun violence. Maybe it's time to make some changes. To make guns less accessible to our children.
"Do you have children? Do you own a gun? Maybe it's time to make some changes. Make sure your child doesn't become one of the 14 children a day who die from gun violence."
Well, Rev. Wise, that's all very nice, but rather vague. Just what sort of changes do you propose? If you're proposing more responsibility on the part of adults, then I'm in your corner. But if, as I suspect, you're proposing even more restrictions on law abiding citizens, then I'll fight you tooth and nail! Just as I do people who attack the First Amendment. We either stand our ground together, Rev. Wise, or the liberals will chop us up piece-meal.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
FOP Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 149 of Kosciusko County would like to thank all those who contributed to and attended our recent Grand Ole Opry Show. This show raises funds for our lodge to fund activities for youth in our county's communities. We appreciate the past 25 years of dedication by our community, and we enjoy seeing many of the same people there year after year. Proceeds from the show help fund two major projects by our lodge - local support of Little League baseball, and the C.O. Mollenhour Conservation Camp at McClure Lake in southern Kosciusko County.
We would like to give special thanks to those giving generous donations of materials needed to refurbish a cabin at the Conservation Camp. Donations over the years have made C.O. Mollenhour camp a safe, fun and successful week for many of our county's kids.
Reid Piper
President
Kosciusko FOP Lodge 149
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