Letters to the Editor 07-22-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Animal Welfare League - 'American Pie' - Fair Memories - Supports Coach Choice - Thanks For Honesty
Animal Welfare League
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you, Warsaw, for being so generous and compassionate! Donations to the Animal Welfare League (AWL) have greatly increased in recent weeks due, largely, to all of the publicity. It has consisted of funds, puppy food, toys, etc. - all of the things we need. One particular contribution was very touching from a young girl who knocked on doors in her neighborhood asking for money for us. She brought us a plastic bag full of money and said she didn't know how much was there, but she just wanted to help the animals. She had received $27 for her heartfelt efforts. An organization such as ours depends on active participation within the community in areas of membership, volunteer workers, donations of money and food, etc. This has been happening. Unfortunately, this has not been enough and we need financial help from the county.
Their initial annual contribution of $30,000 has proved to be woefully inadequate. Currently we are in the process of providing to the County Commissioners a budget of our needs for the year 2000, which will enable us to continue to care for the animals in the best way possible.
It is the goal of the AWL to build a shelter large enough to house many more animals than we can provide for at present. It would be designed to provide for more comfort for the animals, as well as the employees and the volunteers. To answer your question in your July 17 column as to what the AWL would have done with the $208,000 ... We would have invested it in our building fund, possibly using part of it to purchase land at a suitable site. Our present building fund is slowly growing, but could be greatly enhanced if we were to receive contributions of stock that has appreciated in price. The donors would not have to pay any capital gains taxes on these increases, plus would receive a nice charitable deduction.
The realistic definition of a "no-kill" policy is that as few animals as possible are euthanized. Having larger facilities, an active spay/neuter program and increased adoptions all go a long way toward attaining this goal.
We do not agree that "government" is better able to handle the problem than the private sector. Since we took over the shelter (Nov. 1, 1998) we have adopted out more animals then ever before and euthanized less. However, government can help our dedication with sufficient funds.
It is the animals we are helping.
Robert Brilliandt, treasurer, Animal Welfare League
'American Pie'
Editor, Times-Union:This past week, I was invited by a group of friends, one year older than myself, to attend the movie "American Pie" now showing in Warsaw.
Upon approaching the door, I read that you must be 17 to view this particular film and, from what I have heard of the film, a rating is probably very appropriate.
Now, although I am [almost] 16, such a sign did not sway me from wanting to see the film, as both my parents and I were previously aware it contained such things.
I marched to the telephone and called my mother so that she could come to grant permission for me to view this film.
She arrived shortly afterward, came in and informed the manager that I was her daughter; she was aware of the content of the film; believed I was mature enough to watch it; and thus granted her permission.
She was then informed that I could not view the film unless she came in with me and viewed it, and that her spoken permission simply was not good enough.
Now myself, not being a parent or knowing the point of view of other parents, felt that such an illogical refusal was equal to the theater informing my mother that her judgment as a parent was not good enough.
Being a teen-ager, I am fully aware that my judgment skills are most definitely painted with flaws, but to tell a mother that her instinct pertaining to her child is not acceptable is outrageous.
There is a point where establishments of youth attraction overstep their place and try to make decisions that are not theirs to make.
Do I believe that there are bad parents? Yes, of course.
Do I believe that good parents can make bad decisions? Most definitely.
But I ask parents - because of this, would you expect your rights to decide what is best for your child to be taken out of your hands?
If somebody were to tell you that you couldn't allow your teen-ager to wear an outfit unless you wore it too, would you not look at them as though they were mad?
When someone becomes a teen-ager, we are automatically set aside as a different generation. Why should you have to partake in our actions if you are fully aware of them?
If your 15-year-old son likes to rollerblade, do you strap on some skates? If they like to play video games, do you also sit in front of the TV for hours?
You should decide what we play and where we skate, not be forced to do it yourself.
I believe the movie theater installed this rule so that parents do not become enraged that their child viewed an "R" movie.
If you want to enrage parents, tell them that they don't know how to parent their children.
I am not suggesting that the theater remove the viewing regulation. Just make it a little more logical.
"Must be 17 to view 'R' rated films. 13-15 must have parental permission. 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult."
Maha Ibrahim, Warsaw
Fair Memories
Editor, Times-Union:The recent county fair brings back memories of those days of long ago when the Kosciusko County (Free) Fair was held uptown on the streets of Warsaw.
Especially the older people loved the fair when it took place uptown. Many senior citizens would drive up Center Street as close to Buffalo as they could get, so they wouldn't have to walk so far to reach the Midway (which was on Buffalo). The elderly citizens, whenever they grew tired from walking up and down the Midway, could occupy a bench on the courthouse lawn, go shopping, or attend the Strand or Centennial Theatre.
Yes, the elderly truly enjoyed the fair when it took place up on the street. I particularly remember of having heard about the "old codger" who got a big kick from attending the "girlie" show and, after having gone in and seen the "sights," he came back out with a mischievous smile and said: "That's as close to heaven as I'll ever get!" (But, what his wife said, I can't imagine!).
And how the kids loved the fair! Back in the 1930s, youngsters lived for the county fair. Of course, during the week in the daytime, kids had to attend school. For in the '30s, the Kosciusko County Fair wasn't held until the latter part of September. But on Friday night and all day Saturday, the kids had a big time taking advantage of the Midway and all of those rides that used to thrill and excite! We youngsters especially loved the swings and we'd take our seats, and the swings would fly so high that our legs would jut out until we felt that our feet were touching the sky and I can still feel my stomach turn as the Ferris wheel plunged downward. After a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl, I would sometimes zigzag from dizziness like an intoxicated pig who had just eaten the fermented applesauce.
I mentioned the fact that in the '30s, the county fair wasn't conducted until the last of September, which means that through those years, a fair attendant spent many a cold night at the fair.
I recall that in 1938, my church (Leesburg United Methodist) sponsored a tent at the fair where they sold food. They hired me to sleep in the tent all week, at $1 per night, so I could keep an eye on things and I snoozed in my clothes under two quilts to keep from freezing.
I recall that on a Saturday night in 1938, the September weather was so frigid that I wore my top coat to the fair and I also recall a touching incident involving a matter of food which occurred at the church stand. I can still remember a cold, ragged little boy who, with a weary and hungry look, sauntered up to the church tent, seated himself, put down a nickel and asked for a bowl of soup. Well, one of the church ladies gave him a large bowl of soup, along with as many crackers as he could devour. Having witnessed that hungry, impoverished, scantily clad child gobbling down the soup made me realize just how fortunate I was to have clothes on my back and plenty of food at home.
Yes, there are lots of memories involving street fairs of the past. The last Kosciusko County Fair held on the street took place 57 years ago (1942). Then there were no more Kosciusko County Fairs until the termination of World War II (1945), when the county fair was first held on the fairgrounds east of town.
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Supports Coach Choice
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in regard to the coaching position given to Itanya Coon.
I am in favor of athletic director David Fulkerson's choice in giving her the position as head coach. First of all, I would like to say that he had good intentions for the players when he chose her as the new head coach. He felt she would be fair and he knew she would make the girls work hard for their positions and for the team. I think we should stop worrying about who got the job and who didn't and start focusing on the team and the girls.
As a community, we should be supportive of the team and the coach. I know Coach Coon does not have the experience everyone would like her to, but she will do her best and if people would believe in her she would do a much better job at it. I think the focus should be put back on playing hard, playing as a team, having fun and should not be so heavily weighted upon winning or losing or who is coach. I have many friends that play for this volleyball team that do not have any complaints about the coaching. If the players do not have complaints why should anyone else. All I am saying is that we should give her a chance and be supportive of her and her team.
Holli Koser, Warsaw
Thanks For Honesty
Editor, Times-Union:A kind, honest person found my lost purse and turned it in to "lost and found."
Saturday after leaving Wal-Mart, I was shocked to realize I had no purse. I returned in just 5 or 6 minutes to retrieve it at the Wal-Mart service counter.
I want to express my thanks to such a fine person and say "God Bless You."
Mabel Ibach, Warsaw
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- Animal Welfare League - 'American Pie' - Fair Memories - Supports Coach Choice - Thanks For Honesty
Animal Welfare League
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you, Warsaw, for being so generous and compassionate! Donations to the Animal Welfare League (AWL) have greatly increased in recent weeks due, largely, to all of the publicity. It has consisted of funds, puppy food, toys, etc. - all of the things we need. One particular contribution was very touching from a young girl who knocked on doors in her neighborhood asking for money for us. She brought us a plastic bag full of money and said she didn't know how much was there, but she just wanted to help the animals. She had received $27 for her heartfelt efforts. An organization such as ours depends on active participation within the community in areas of membership, volunteer workers, donations of money and food, etc. This has been happening. Unfortunately, this has not been enough and we need financial help from the county.
Their initial annual contribution of $30,000 has proved to be woefully inadequate. Currently we are in the process of providing to the County Commissioners a budget of our needs for the year 2000, which will enable us to continue to care for the animals in the best way possible.
It is the goal of the AWL to build a shelter large enough to house many more animals than we can provide for at present. It would be designed to provide for more comfort for the animals, as well as the employees and the volunteers. To answer your question in your July 17 column as to what the AWL would have done with the $208,000 ... We would have invested it in our building fund, possibly using part of it to purchase land at a suitable site. Our present building fund is slowly growing, but could be greatly enhanced if we were to receive contributions of stock that has appreciated in price. The donors would not have to pay any capital gains taxes on these increases, plus would receive a nice charitable deduction.
The realistic definition of a "no-kill" policy is that as few animals as possible are euthanized. Having larger facilities, an active spay/neuter program and increased adoptions all go a long way toward attaining this goal.
We do not agree that "government" is better able to handle the problem than the private sector. Since we took over the shelter (Nov. 1, 1998) we have adopted out more animals then ever before and euthanized less. However, government can help our dedication with sufficient funds.
It is the animals we are helping.
Robert Brilliandt, treasurer, Animal Welfare League
'American Pie'
Editor, Times-Union:This past week, I was invited by a group of friends, one year older than myself, to attend the movie "American Pie" now showing in Warsaw.
Upon approaching the door, I read that you must be 17 to view this particular film and, from what I have heard of the film, a rating is probably very appropriate.
Now, although I am [almost] 16, such a sign did not sway me from wanting to see the film, as both my parents and I were previously aware it contained such things.
I marched to the telephone and called my mother so that she could come to grant permission for me to view this film.
She arrived shortly afterward, came in and informed the manager that I was her daughter; she was aware of the content of the film; believed I was mature enough to watch it; and thus granted her permission.
She was then informed that I could not view the film unless she came in with me and viewed it, and that her spoken permission simply was not good enough.
Now myself, not being a parent or knowing the point of view of other parents, felt that such an illogical refusal was equal to the theater informing my mother that her judgment as a parent was not good enough.
Being a teen-ager, I am fully aware that my judgment skills are most definitely painted with flaws, but to tell a mother that her instinct pertaining to her child is not acceptable is outrageous.
There is a point where establishments of youth attraction overstep their place and try to make decisions that are not theirs to make.
Do I believe that there are bad parents? Yes, of course.
Do I believe that good parents can make bad decisions? Most definitely.
But I ask parents - because of this, would you expect your rights to decide what is best for your child to be taken out of your hands?
If somebody were to tell you that you couldn't allow your teen-ager to wear an outfit unless you wore it too, would you not look at them as though they were mad?
When someone becomes a teen-ager, we are automatically set aside as a different generation. Why should you have to partake in our actions if you are fully aware of them?
If your 15-year-old son likes to rollerblade, do you strap on some skates? If they like to play video games, do you also sit in front of the TV for hours?
You should decide what we play and where we skate, not be forced to do it yourself.
I believe the movie theater installed this rule so that parents do not become enraged that their child viewed an "R" movie.
If you want to enrage parents, tell them that they don't know how to parent their children.
I am not suggesting that the theater remove the viewing regulation. Just make it a little more logical.
"Must be 17 to view 'R' rated films. 13-15 must have parental permission. 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult."
Maha Ibrahim, Warsaw
Fair Memories
Editor, Times-Union:The recent county fair brings back memories of those days of long ago when the Kosciusko County (Free) Fair was held uptown on the streets of Warsaw.
Especially the older people loved the fair when it took place uptown. Many senior citizens would drive up Center Street as close to Buffalo as they could get, so they wouldn't have to walk so far to reach the Midway (which was on Buffalo). The elderly citizens, whenever they grew tired from walking up and down the Midway, could occupy a bench on the courthouse lawn, go shopping, or attend the Strand or Centennial Theatre.
Yes, the elderly truly enjoyed the fair when it took place up on the street. I particularly remember of having heard about the "old codger" who got a big kick from attending the "girlie" show and, after having gone in and seen the "sights," he came back out with a mischievous smile and said: "That's as close to heaven as I'll ever get!" (But, what his wife said, I can't imagine!).
And how the kids loved the fair! Back in the 1930s, youngsters lived for the county fair. Of course, during the week in the daytime, kids had to attend school. For in the '30s, the Kosciusko County Fair wasn't held until the latter part of September. But on Friday night and all day Saturday, the kids had a big time taking advantage of the Midway and all of those rides that used to thrill and excite! We youngsters especially loved the swings and we'd take our seats, and the swings would fly so high that our legs would jut out until we felt that our feet were touching the sky and I can still feel my stomach turn as the Ferris wheel plunged downward. After a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl, I would sometimes zigzag from dizziness like an intoxicated pig who had just eaten the fermented applesauce.
I mentioned the fact that in the '30s, the county fair wasn't conducted until the last of September, which means that through those years, a fair attendant spent many a cold night at the fair.
I recall that in 1938, my church (Leesburg United Methodist) sponsored a tent at the fair where they sold food. They hired me to sleep in the tent all week, at $1 per night, so I could keep an eye on things and I snoozed in my clothes under two quilts to keep from freezing.
I recall that on a Saturday night in 1938, the September weather was so frigid that I wore my top coat to the fair and I also recall a touching incident involving a matter of food which occurred at the church stand. I can still remember a cold, ragged little boy who, with a weary and hungry look, sauntered up to the church tent, seated himself, put down a nickel and asked for a bowl of soup. Well, one of the church ladies gave him a large bowl of soup, along with as many crackers as he could devour. Having witnessed that hungry, impoverished, scantily clad child gobbling down the soup made me realize just how fortunate I was to have clothes on my back and plenty of food at home.
Yes, there are lots of memories involving street fairs of the past. The last Kosciusko County Fair held on the street took place 57 years ago (1942). Then there were no more Kosciusko County Fairs until the termination of World War II (1945), when the county fair was first held on the fairgrounds east of town.
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Supports Coach Choice
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in regard to the coaching position given to Itanya Coon.
I am in favor of athletic director David Fulkerson's choice in giving her the position as head coach. First of all, I would like to say that he had good intentions for the players when he chose her as the new head coach. He felt she would be fair and he knew she would make the girls work hard for their positions and for the team. I think we should stop worrying about who got the job and who didn't and start focusing on the team and the girls.
As a community, we should be supportive of the team and the coach. I know Coach Coon does not have the experience everyone would like her to, but she will do her best and if people would believe in her she would do a much better job at it. I think the focus should be put back on playing hard, playing as a team, having fun and should not be so heavily weighted upon winning or losing or who is coach. I have many friends that play for this volleyball team that do not have any complaints about the coaching. If the players do not have complaints why should anyone else. All I am saying is that we should give her a chance and be supportive of her and her team.
Holli Koser, Warsaw
Thanks For Honesty
Editor, Times-Union:A kind, honest person found my lost purse and turned it in to "lost and found."
Saturday after leaving Wal-Mart, I was shocked to realize I had no purse. I returned in just 5 or 6 minutes to retrieve it at the Wal-Mart service counter.
I want to express my thanks to such a fine person and say "God Bless You."
Mabel Ibach, Warsaw
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