Letters to the Editor 08-26-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- FOP Clarifications - 'Bushed' Out - Thanks To Wagon Wheel - Offended By Marcus - Advice To Goofy
FOP Clarifications
Editor, Times-Union:Several people since last Friday have asked me what kind of operation is going on in Warsaw. They also have asked for clarification on where this money is supposed to come from and how. I will try to answer these questions for everyone who may have read our initial editorial.
We are a fairly political populace here in Kosciusko County; as such, votes are confused when the county administrator is granted so much power as to regularly deny proposals and requests made by duly elected officials. This is primarily the problem that we have encountered in the decision to throw away several hundred thousand dollars in grant monies awarded to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office and the people of Kosciusko County.
Sheriff Rovenstine was asked to justify the need for these officers but not asked about funding options. He was given a choice, one that no person would take because of the serious consequences. He could ask for a vote to hire the officers and accept the grant at the cost of taking away the raises (a $300 stipend to cover the cost of the insurance increases for 2004) for the entire county workforce. Sheriff Rovenstine was not allowed to explain that the Indiana Department of Corrections owes Kosciusko County $160 for services rendered. He could not express the monies which are also generated from the work release center should be considered possible incomes by which the county could fund these officers. These are funds that should benefit the Sheriff's Office, but in reality go into the general fund to be used in areas other than law enforcement.
Given the opportunity, the sheriff would have re-evaluated, re-worked his (Sheriff's Office) budget to find the monies needed for these officers. Sheriff Rovenstine is willing to retain a couple of vehicles that are due for rotation for an extra year, and his deputies favor that possibility for the benefits they would receive in additional manpower.
We need to find approximately $66,000 over a three-year period (approximately $33,000 per year) to contribute our match to this grant. The first year money for these officers has been approved and already included in the budget. What fiscal crisis has occurred to warrant the abandonment of these positions? The county is getting $160,000 from the D.O.C., which would be considered as the match. We must ask our County Council and County Commissioners to consult with Sheriff Rovenstine about these granted positions; he was elected to serve as our current sheriff, not Ron Robinson.
There is still time for the residents of Kosciusko County to sway the County Council and County Commissioners' decision on this matter. They would like to see a safe and efficient county the same as you and me. They, however, need to have your encouragement in reconsidering this situation. Please show your support at the Sept. 11 County Council meeting in Warsaw at the old courthouse at 7 p.m.
Travis C. Marsh, president, F.O.P. Lodge 149
Warsaw
'Bushed' Out
Editor, Times-Union:I had to laugh as I watched CNN news. The report stated gas prices to jump at the pump 1- to 15 cents a gallon because of the blackout last week. As I watched the report, the excuse is supply and demand and how the blackout put the oil industry behind the eight-ball. Well, the way I see it, the oil industry has put America behind the eight-ball since Bush has been in office. It's a downright dirty shame this administration, nor Congress or the Senate, has done nothing to control the industry from ripping off Americans! It's time for Americans to wake up and realize our government is ignoring domestic issues and has their nose in foreign issues. Our economy needs some serious attention and Bush just isn't getting it done! I for one am "Bushed" out.
John G. Doyle
Atwood
Thanks To Wagon Wheel
Editor, Times-Union:We are all lucky to have such a great theater here in Kosciusko County. The summer shows at the Wagon Wheel Theatre have been excellent. The entire cast, crew and people there have done a super job!
This venue is so close, no long trips, no traffic hassle or toll money. I hope the folks here will come out and see these wonderful shows next season!
This last show is a treat! You will sing, laugh, cry and enjoy each minute. What a great finale!
Thanks to all at the W.W.T. - this is truly a labor of love.
Karol Piecuch
Warsaw
Offended By Marcus
Editor, Times-Union:I just read the article by Morton Marcus which appeared in your Aug.23-24 weekend edition. I cannot believe you allow such a bigot to publish articles in your newspaper. His reference to fat people with overweight children was bad enough, but the rascist remarks regarding the tumbling act from Africa was sickening. I am sure Mr. Marcus finds his views amusing and considers himself quite the literary person - I find him offensive and ignorant. The space you allotted to him could have been used in a much more productive way. The editor and any member of your management team should be embarrassed by this man's methods of expressing himself.
Gaynell Elliott
Wabash
via e-mail
Advice To Goofy
Editor, Times-Union:I feel the Times-Union could do many of its readers a great favor it T-U would refuse to publish letters of the ilk that appeared in Thursday's edition. The writer of said letter wrote his vitriolic, venomous comments from his stupidity and complete ignorance!
To refer to one in authority as wearing Pampers on his head - to call the Attorney General "Mullah" (I'll bet the writer has no concept of "Mullah") - and to call the Secretary of Homeland Security "Baby Face" - then to compound his idiotic statements by "and wipe his behind when he's done," is certainly not conducive to decent correspondence!
I will not dignify the writer by printing his name, but I will question what this individual has ever offered to do, or has done, to help correct all those situations he whines about?
I will say this to the writer: Be very thankful you live in this USA, where you can still, with impunity, write all the garbage you wish, and have it published instead of being "thrown into a crocodile-infested river"!
Advice to Goofy - "Get off your duff - run for office - get elected - change everything."
Donald E. Guard, 1st Sgt. USMC (retired)
Leesburg
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- FOP Clarifications - 'Bushed' Out - Thanks To Wagon Wheel - Offended By Marcus - Advice To Goofy
FOP Clarifications
Editor, Times-Union:Several people since last Friday have asked me what kind of operation is going on in Warsaw. They also have asked for clarification on where this money is supposed to come from and how. I will try to answer these questions for everyone who may have read our initial editorial.
We are a fairly political populace here in Kosciusko County; as such, votes are confused when the county administrator is granted so much power as to regularly deny proposals and requests made by duly elected officials. This is primarily the problem that we have encountered in the decision to throw away several hundred thousand dollars in grant monies awarded to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office and the people of Kosciusko County.
Sheriff Rovenstine was asked to justify the need for these officers but not asked about funding options. He was given a choice, one that no person would take because of the serious consequences. He could ask for a vote to hire the officers and accept the grant at the cost of taking away the raises (a $300 stipend to cover the cost of the insurance increases for 2004) for the entire county workforce. Sheriff Rovenstine was not allowed to explain that the Indiana Department of Corrections owes Kosciusko County $160 for services rendered. He could not express the monies which are also generated from the work release center should be considered possible incomes by which the county could fund these officers. These are funds that should benefit the Sheriff's Office, but in reality go into the general fund to be used in areas other than law enforcement.
Given the opportunity, the sheriff would have re-evaluated, re-worked his (Sheriff's Office) budget to find the monies needed for these officers. Sheriff Rovenstine is willing to retain a couple of vehicles that are due for rotation for an extra year, and his deputies favor that possibility for the benefits they would receive in additional manpower.
We need to find approximately $66,000 over a three-year period (approximately $33,000 per year) to contribute our match to this grant. The first year money for these officers has been approved and already included in the budget. What fiscal crisis has occurred to warrant the abandonment of these positions? The county is getting $160,000 from the D.O.C., which would be considered as the match. We must ask our County Council and County Commissioners to consult with Sheriff Rovenstine about these granted positions; he was elected to serve as our current sheriff, not Ron Robinson.
There is still time for the residents of Kosciusko County to sway the County Council and County Commissioners' decision on this matter. They would like to see a safe and efficient county the same as you and me. They, however, need to have your encouragement in reconsidering this situation. Please show your support at the Sept. 11 County Council meeting in Warsaw at the old courthouse at 7 p.m.
Travis C. Marsh, president, F.O.P. Lodge 149
Warsaw
'Bushed' Out
Editor, Times-Union:I had to laugh as I watched CNN news. The report stated gas prices to jump at the pump 1- to 15 cents a gallon because of the blackout last week. As I watched the report, the excuse is supply and demand and how the blackout put the oil industry behind the eight-ball. Well, the way I see it, the oil industry has put America behind the eight-ball since Bush has been in office. It's a downright dirty shame this administration, nor Congress or the Senate, has done nothing to control the industry from ripping off Americans! It's time for Americans to wake up and realize our government is ignoring domestic issues and has their nose in foreign issues. Our economy needs some serious attention and Bush just isn't getting it done! I for one am "Bushed" out.
John G. Doyle
Atwood
Thanks To Wagon Wheel
Editor, Times-Union:We are all lucky to have such a great theater here in Kosciusko County. The summer shows at the Wagon Wheel Theatre have been excellent. The entire cast, crew and people there have done a super job!
This venue is so close, no long trips, no traffic hassle or toll money. I hope the folks here will come out and see these wonderful shows next season!
This last show is a treat! You will sing, laugh, cry and enjoy each minute. What a great finale!
Thanks to all at the W.W.T. - this is truly a labor of love.
Karol Piecuch
Warsaw
Offended By Marcus
Editor, Times-Union:I just read the article by Morton Marcus which appeared in your Aug.23-24 weekend edition. I cannot believe you allow such a bigot to publish articles in your newspaper. His reference to fat people with overweight children was bad enough, but the rascist remarks regarding the tumbling act from Africa was sickening. I am sure Mr. Marcus finds his views amusing and considers himself quite the literary person - I find him offensive and ignorant. The space you allotted to him could have been used in a much more productive way. The editor and any member of your management team should be embarrassed by this man's methods of expressing himself.
Gaynell Elliott
Wabash
via e-mail
Advice To Goofy
Editor, Times-Union:I feel the Times-Union could do many of its readers a great favor it T-U would refuse to publish letters of the ilk that appeared in Thursday's edition. The writer of said letter wrote his vitriolic, venomous comments from his stupidity and complete ignorance!
To refer to one in authority as wearing Pampers on his head - to call the Attorney General "Mullah" (I'll bet the writer has no concept of "Mullah") - and to call the Secretary of Homeland Security "Baby Face" - then to compound his idiotic statements by "and wipe his behind when he's done," is certainly not conducive to decent correspondence!
I will not dignify the writer by printing his name, but I will question what this individual has ever offered to do, or has done, to help correct all those situations he whines about?
I will say this to the writer: Be very thankful you live in this USA, where you can still, with impunity, write all the garbage you wish, and have it published instead of being "thrown into a crocodile-infested river"!
Advice to Goofy - "Get off your duff - run for office - get elected - change everything."
Donald E. Guard, 1st Sgt. USMC (retired)
Leesburg
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