Letters to the Editor 08-26-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Rivers Initiative - NAFTA - Demo Highlight - CCS Says Thanks - KABS - Bike Path
Rivers Initiative
Editor, Times-Union:The comment period is over, but not the battle.
As I write, two of the three meetings about the American Heritage Rivers Initiative controversy have been completed. These meetings we were told belonged to the Wabash River Heritage trails commission and so what was promoted as "public input" became 10 minutes of questions. Then people were allowed to talk into tape recorders placed at various tables around the room. Hardly a public form of input.
This was the format at the meeting in Huntington on Aug. 18. Of the 80 or more people present, half decided to leave when they realized that they had effectively been muzzled. However, Americans are a hardy and persistent people; those present went home and talked among themselves. The next meeting at West Lafayette was a different story.
Before the DNR could exert its influence, an angry man who had attended the previous meeting stood and refused to be silenced; he gave testimony to the over 200 in attendance that the meeting was certainly not "public input." Armed DNR personnel surrounded him and were prepared to remove him, but the crowd voiced its disapproval. When they threatened to arrest him, another man stepped forward and offered to be arrested with him. Another stalemate! A Reverend Brown then came forward and suggested a prayer to begin the meeting properly. There were some who groaned aloud as if this were a travesty. Did not our forefathers begin all meetings with prayer? This time, the question period lasted 1-1/2 hours. Did anyone stay to be tape recorded? There was no need.
As to the presence of the armed DNR personnel - two stood before the audience with their arms crossed and their weapons visible. They had been ordered to take this position by the head of the DNR - Larry Macklin. One elderly lady stood and remarked that she felt threatened by their presence and shortly thereafter they were removed. At least six armed personnel of the DNR were stationed in various parts of the area, but not so conspicuous as to be threatening. All of this in a building that houses the West Lafayette Police Department directly upstairs.
Senator Mike Gery was there, but declined to enter the room, doing his usual quick exit before anyone could question him. Rep. Sheila Klinker said she was just there to observe. The next day's Journal Courier put out a statement by Lucky Neiburger of the Wabash Heritage River commission that "There are always going to be opponents to any initiative. Just the fact that there's so much vocal opposition here does not convince me that there's that much vocal opposition in the county." So much for public input.
Get busy, fellow Hoosiers - or get taken!
Marilyn Riggle
Battle Ground
NAFTA
Editor, Times-Union:NAFTA has been a disaster for American workers, the administration is seeking "fast track" authority to negotiate a NAFTA extension.
When NAFTA was originally passed, we were assured it would increase jobs by broading markets and increasing exports.
The only increase in exports has been 650,000 American jobs.
Major corporations are increasing profits by exporting our jobs to low-wage countries and placing ever increasing downward wage pressure on the ones that survive.
Good jobs that supported our families and communities are now being exported to workers that earn as little as 65 cents per hour.
NAFTA has devasted countless American families and American communities that relied on those jobs.
In this country, environmental standards have been set to protect the "global environment." What good does this do when our politicians make trade agreements that give U.S. companies an incentive to move production to countries with little or no environmental protection enforcement?
Take the time to call or write your senator and vote no on the fast track NAFTA authority.
Mike Wood
Warsaw
Demo Highlight
Editor, Times-Union:In reference to Potpourri, of this date (Aug. 23), "Demo Highlight" article stated that President Clinton's name was not mentioned. Correction, Dan. It was. Gov. O'Bannon did, in fact, speak of the president by name, in regard to the flooding in the southern part of Indiana and the emergency funding for the victims. This was done with no mention as to their political party affiliations. Also, please recall that the event was a county level event, not a federal level event. As to the "GOP Dinner" item - I'll bet the GOP didn't think the Demos would ever get solid enough to host such an event. Much less, have it turn out to be such an overwhelming success. Lastly, under "Advance Notice," I would think a lot less of the GOP if they were to support an admitted self-servicing candidate.
Dennis G. Lundgren
Warsaw
CCS Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Combined Community Services would like to thank the community for their generous donations of school supplies these past few weeks. These donations will enable students of low-income families to begin school with new supplies just like their classmates. This may seem like a small matter to many of us, but what a positive impact it can have on these students.
Thank you again, Kosciusko County, for your generosity. Together, we can make a difference.
CCS Staff
Warsaw
KABS
Editor, Times-Union:As a senior citizen, due to a recent bereavement, I've had to make some hard choices.
I could either stay in the rural area and not move anywhere, or move to town to avoid isolation.
The choices I had were either Columbia City or Warsaw.
Warsaw was my choice because of the KABS bus line. If I was ever unable to drive, I thought it would be an ideal source of transportation. Now I see where this option might no longer be available if the city and county don't provide some funds to keep the bus line running.
Too many seniors drive long past their capability because they don't want to burden their families with their transportation needs. They risk hurting themselves or someone else by driving with impaired vision and reaction time.
Also, if the elderly are unable to get out of their homes, isolation leads to early entrance into nursing homes. They just can't function well if they are alone too much.
I do note there is a chance that Greyhound or Trailways bus may return to service here. Let's hope so. If these lines do return to Warsaw, the public should use the bus on occasion, and leave their cars sit. Conservation of gas is not a bad idea anyhow. I know about the senior van, but their funds might run out too.
V. Elizabeth King
Warsaw
Bike Path
Editor, Times-Union:The Planning Commission seems to like the idea I presented several years ago when the athletic field was being planned (i.e., that children who formerly used Fisher Field would have need of a bike trail and walkway to get there safely and one might be routed alongside the then PA railroad trackway). However, I also noted that such would need lighting and police surveillance and maintenance. Also, such could prove quite costly as well as add other dangers.
There are a lot of ideas that would seem attractive (e.g., could the former inter-urban right-of-way to Goshen be resurrected as a safe way for bikers?). Again, this, if possible, would involve a lot of supervision and maintenance. Also, where is the line to be drawn for motorized vehicles, if any are permitted? Are motorized wheelchairs and bicycles? All terrains? Any vehicle that is prohibited on highways?
Every contemplated "improvement" has both attractive features and negative features and the latter inevitably add to community tax increases. This area has been overloading its taxpayers and rendering retail business less attractive because the "big spending" previous administration tended to do the popular attractive things that buy votes but neglected to mention that the resultant tax burden drive retail buyers to nearby less aggressive communities. Want cheaper gas? Go elsewhere! Want to start a new business and get your picture in the paper with the mayor? Fine, but when your business fails because of higher taxes and you need the mayor's help, where is he? (He probably is trying to figure out where to get more money to pay off the bond issues now or soon coming due to pay for Plank's fancification of Warsaw).
Does everyone benefit from the recent rapid expansions of this area, or is it only the Realtors and retailers and service companies? Think about this. Why have so many basic industries left town or just closed and have not been replaced? Is this the time to accelerate tax increases?
This on a smaller scale duplicates the irresponsibility our Congress used to have and that President Clinton still follows. Do we just waste public money on extravagances, or shouldn't we realize the consequences of overspending? Bike trails would be fine if maintenance were free and there were no minimum wage laws and if a lot of realities were ignored. Yes, we can dream, but also we need to wake up and face reality. Tomorrow we may have to create WPA projects if we don't stop creeping socialism and irresponsibility today.
Rex Bradt
Warsaw
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- Rivers Initiative - NAFTA - Demo Highlight - CCS Says Thanks - KABS - Bike Path
Rivers Initiative
Editor, Times-Union:The comment period is over, but not the battle.
As I write, two of the three meetings about the American Heritage Rivers Initiative controversy have been completed. These meetings we were told belonged to the Wabash River Heritage trails commission and so what was promoted as "public input" became 10 minutes of questions. Then people were allowed to talk into tape recorders placed at various tables around the room. Hardly a public form of input.
This was the format at the meeting in Huntington on Aug. 18. Of the 80 or more people present, half decided to leave when they realized that they had effectively been muzzled. However, Americans are a hardy and persistent people; those present went home and talked among themselves. The next meeting at West Lafayette was a different story.
Before the DNR could exert its influence, an angry man who had attended the previous meeting stood and refused to be silenced; he gave testimony to the over 200 in attendance that the meeting was certainly not "public input." Armed DNR personnel surrounded him and were prepared to remove him, but the crowd voiced its disapproval. When they threatened to arrest him, another man stepped forward and offered to be arrested with him. Another stalemate! A Reverend Brown then came forward and suggested a prayer to begin the meeting properly. There were some who groaned aloud as if this were a travesty. Did not our forefathers begin all meetings with prayer? This time, the question period lasted 1-1/2 hours. Did anyone stay to be tape recorded? There was no need.
As to the presence of the armed DNR personnel - two stood before the audience with their arms crossed and their weapons visible. They had been ordered to take this position by the head of the DNR - Larry Macklin. One elderly lady stood and remarked that she felt threatened by their presence and shortly thereafter they were removed. At least six armed personnel of the DNR were stationed in various parts of the area, but not so conspicuous as to be threatening. All of this in a building that houses the West Lafayette Police Department directly upstairs.
Senator Mike Gery was there, but declined to enter the room, doing his usual quick exit before anyone could question him. Rep. Sheila Klinker said she was just there to observe. The next day's Journal Courier put out a statement by Lucky Neiburger of the Wabash Heritage River commission that "There are always going to be opponents to any initiative. Just the fact that there's so much vocal opposition here does not convince me that there's that much vocal opposition in the county." So much for public input.
Get busy, fellow Hoosiers - or get taken!
Marilyn Riggle
Battle Ground
NAFTA
Editor, Times-Union:NAFTA has been a disaster for American workers, the administration is seeking "fast track" authority to negotiate a NAFTA extension.
When NAFTA was originally passed, we were assured it would increase jobs by broading markets and increasing exports.
The only increase in exports has been 650,000 American jobs.
Major corporations are increasing profits by exporting our jobs to low-wage countries and placing ever increasing downward wage pressure on the ones that survive.
Good jobs that supported our families and communities are now being exported to workers that earn as little as 65 cents per hour.
NAFTA has devasted countless American families and American communities that relied on those jobs.
In this country, environmental standards have been set to protect the "global environment." What good does this do when our politicians make trade agreements that give U.S. companies an incentive to move production to countries with little or no environmental protection enforcement?
Take the time to call or write your senator and vote no on the fast track NAFTA authority.
Mike Wood
Warsaw
Demo Highlight
Editor, Times-Union:In reference to Potpourri, of this date (Aug. 23), "Demo Highlight" article stated that President Clinton's name was not mentioned. Correction, Dan. It was. Gov. O'Bannon did, in fact, speak of the president by name, in regard to the flooding in the southern part of Indiana and the emergency funding for the victims. This was done with no mention as to their political party affiliations. Also, please recall that the event was a county level event, not a federal level event. As to the "GOP Dinner" item - I'll bet the GOP didn't think the Demos would ever get solid enough to host such an event. Much less, have it turn out to be such an overwhelming success. Lastly, under "Advance Notice," I would think a lot less of the GOP if they were to support an admitted self-servicing candidate.
Dennis G. Lundgren
Warsaw
CCS Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Combined Community Services would like to thank the community for their generous donations of school supplies these past few weeks. These donations will enable students of low-income families to begin school with new supplies just like their classmates. This may seem like a small matter to many of us, but what a positive impact it can have on these students.
Thank you again, Kosciusko County, for your generosity. Together, we can make a difference.
CCS Staff
Warsaw
KABS
Editor, Times-Union:As a senior citizen, due to a recent bereavement, I've had to make some hard choices.
I could either stay in the rural area and not move anywhere, or move to town to avoid isolation.
The choices I had were either Columbia City or Warsaw.
Warsaw was my choice because of the KABS bus line. If I was ever unable to drive, I thought it would be an ideal source of transportation. Now I see where this option might no longer be available if the city and county don't provide some funds to keep the bus line running.
Too many seniors drive long past their capability because they don't want to burden their families with their transportation needs. They risk hurting themselves or someone else by driving with impaired vision and reaction time.
Also, if the elderly are unable to get out of their homes, isolation leads to early entrance into nursing homes. They just can't function well if they are alone too much.
I do note there is a chance that Greyhound or Trailways bus may return to service here. Let's hope so. If these lines do return to Warsaw, the public should use the bus on occasion, and leave their cars sit. Conservation of gas is not a bad idea anyhow. I know about the senior van, but their funds might run out too.
V. Elizabeth King
Warsaw
Bike Path
Editor, Times-Union:The Planning Commission seems to like the idea I presented several years ago when the athletic field was being planned (i.e., that children who formerly used Fisher Field would have need of a bike trail and walkway to get there safely and one might be routed alongside the then PA railroad trackway). However, I also noted that such would need lighting and police surveillance and maintenance. Also, such could prove quite costly as well as add other dangers.
There are a lot of ideas that would seem attractive (e.g., could the former inter-urban right-of-way to Goshen be resurrected as a safe way for bikers?). Again, this, if possible, would involve a lot of supervision and maintenance. Also, where is the line to be drawn for motorized vehicles, if any are permitted? Are motorized wheelchairs and bicycles? All terrains? Any vehicle that is prohibited on highways?
Every contemplated "improvement" has both attractive features and negative features and the latter inevitably add to community tax increases. This area has been overloading its taxpayers and rendering retail business less attractive because the "big spending" previous administration tended to do the popular attractive things that buy votes but neglected to mention that the resultant tax burden drive retail buyers to nearby less aggressive communities. Want cheaper gas? Go elsewhere! Want to start a new business and get your picture in the paper with the mayor? Fine, but when your business fails because of higher taxes and you need the mayor's help, where is he? (He probably is trying to figure out where to get more money to pay off the bond issues now or soon coming due to pay for Plank's fancification of Warsaw).
Does everyone benefit from the recent rapid expansions of this area, or is it only the Realtors and retailers and service companies? Think about this. Why have so many basic industries left town or just closed and have not been replaced? Is this the time to accelerate tax increases?
This on a smaller scale duplicates the irresponsibility our Congress used to have and that President Clinton still follows. Do we just waste public money on extravagances, or shouldn't we realize the consequences of overspending? Bike trails would be fine if maintenance were free and there were no minimum wage laws and if a lot of realities were ignored. Yes, we can dream, but also we need to wake up and face reality. Tomorrow we may have to create WPA projects if we don't stop creeping socialism and irresponsibility today.
Rex Bradt
Warsaw
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