Letters to the Editor 09-16-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Secret Deal? - No Wasted Votes - News From The Front - Poor Analogy - Homecoming Parade Thanks - Winona Clarification - Honoring A Grandfather - Nexrad Open House - Dog Stolen
Secret Deal?
Editor, Times-Union:How could we have the legal, required public hearing regarding lakefront Winona Lake property the Lions' Club is on when none of the parties can freely talk because it is like a "secret deal developed in the back room"?
The lawsuit between the Lions' Club and the town of Winona Lake is of great interest to me a citizen, voter and taxpayer in the town of Winona Lake. In trying to obtain information about this suit, I have found that the special appointed judge, Douglas B. Morton, of the Fulton Circuit Court, ordered mediation, which is a process where the parties sit down in secret to work out a deal. This process may work well between private individuals, but when a public government entity is involved, it leads to the exclusion of the concerned citizens of that entity. Information and agreements cannot be discussed in public until they have been concluded, so citizens have no input in the final results. The state of Indiana (Indiana Open Meetings Act) and the federal government (Freedom of Information Act) have gone to great lengths to keep government agencies from acting in secret.
Special Judge Morton, I knew we would lose some freedoms after Sept. 11, 2001, to protect our well-being, but at no time, did I feel, as a citizen of the town of Winona Lake, I would lose "government of the people, by the people and for the people which should not perish from the Earth." This Lions Club case has opened up a can of worms as everyone of the approximate 26 owners of land along the canal now know they too, like LeMasters, have owned to the middle of the canal from the moment they bought their property. Ending a lawsuit such as this in secret mediation is most likely the beginning of many more at the costly expense of the town of Winona Lake.
Jerry Nelson
Winona Lake
via e-mail
No Wasted Votes
Editor, Times-Union:With the election rapidly approaching we are starting to hear the whine of the two major parties. "Don't waste your vote on a third party candidate." If either of the two parties would run someone fit to elect they wouldn't have to worry about third parties. The Democrats and Republicans will not give you a choice of "None of the above." They are afraid to. Whether your candidate wins or loses is not all there is to your vote. Your vote tells those who are elected how you feel about the way the government is being run. If you vote Democrat or Republican they can only assume that you want higher taxes, bigger government, more bureaucracies, less freedom, government interference in your life such as no smoking laws, seatbelt laws, helmet laws, speed limits by intimidation from Washington, etc. I could fill my allotted space with examples. If you don't believe that is what you get when you elect a Democrat or Republican then you must not be paying attention.
I will be voting Libertarian in the upcoming election. My candidate may not get elected, but whoever does will know that not all of us are willing to give up our freedom for a bunch of sorry promises that will not or cannot be kept.
Charles Carnes
Warsaw
News From The Front
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you for running the reports from Pfc. Jonathan Springer. It is refreshing to read some good news from Iraq. It is too bad the media in general doesn't tell us about some of the good things that happen instead of focusing on all the bad things that happen. Thank you for the support you are giving our troops by printing the reports from Pfc. Springer.
Lyle E. Williams
World War II veteran
Warsaw
via e-mail
Poor Analogy
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to address the young lady from Ball State University.
I appreciated your candor and willingness to speak your mind. However, to put the label of liberal on our Lord Jesus is a fearful move. For while Jesus sought out the lowest of the low, he didn't insist the government do his bidding, but encouraged his disciples to follow his example of their own volition. While he stood up for the downtrodden, he didn't insist that the government tax the people to see that His desires were accomplished. To follow Christ is a personal responsibility. God gives us no credit for the money the government takes from us and gives to others.
As for Christ's life of joy, you need to take a closer look at the gospels. The Bible describes Christ as a "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." He was rejected of men, a prophet without honor in his own country. He preached a gospel of repentance to a hard-hearted people. Jesus wept and eventually faced an agonizing death on the cross. The good news of grace, salvation and resounding joy did not spring forth until after his death and resurrection, for this was the work of the cross.
As for his lack of fear of doing something wrong, that was because he knew the true difference between right and wrong and was willing to act on it. I believe Michael Helton's letter reflects his frustration with the Democratic Party's deliberate neglect of dealing with this issue of right and wrong. Remember, to be a Christian (Christ-like) you need to start by knowing who Christ is and what he taught.
Let me close by saying that while Christ was a caring and compassionate man, he also showed a different kind of hospitality toward willful sinners, for he drove them out of his father's house with a whip. I'm sorry, but your view of Christ as a class-A hippie may not be the best analogy.
John Burtoft
Warsaw
via e-mail
Homecoming Parade Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the freshman class of Warsaw Community High School, I would like to publicly thank Clint Whitney for the use of his hay wagon for our homecoming parade. We would also like to thank Merl Heckaman of Gragg Equipment, for the use of his truck and Tarkio Road Bike Shop for the use of their stationary bike trainer. We had a great time and appreciate your part in making our homecoming events memorable.
Mallory Kendall
Freshman class president
Warsaw Community High School
Winona Clarification
Editor, Times-Union:The article written by Teresa Smith in regards to "Winona Hears Input On Fate Of Lions Building" was very accurate and presented both sides of the issue. If I may, I would like to clarify my statements that were reported in the article. The essence of my comments was: I remonstrated (wrote a letter) against the vacation of an easement a couple years ago. The council noted my opinion and then voted to vacate, which is what they should have done. I was only one property owner. They were looking out for the best interest of the whole community. This property is now on the tax roles and the owners have increased the property value with additional construction.
My other point was I admire and respect the council for looking out for the community as a whole and doing the best for everyone, not just one person or a small group. I did not take it personal nor did I treat them disrespectfully, I admired them for their professionalism and their stand for the whole community. Thank you for offering this venue to our community that enables us to communicate and gives me the ability to clarify my comments.
Retha Hicks
Winona Lake
Honoring A Grandfather
Editor, Times-Union:During the days of FDR, my grandfather was elected to the office of county commissioner middle district as a Democrat. Very few, if any other Democrats, have held that office. I thought about voting for the Democrat presidential candidate in the next election to honor my grandfather; but not this time. Maybe I can find another way to pay my respects to Fred Ringenberg.
Bob Plummer
Warsaw
via e-mail
Nexrad Open House
Editor, Times-Union:The Northern Indiana National Weather Service, between Syracuse and North Webster, would like to thank everyone that attended our open house on Aug. 28. More than 1,000 people toured our office to see the vast array of technology we use to serve two and a quarter million people in northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northwest Ohio.
We'd also like to thank everyone for their selfless volunteer assistance during the event. We have a great community, the staff at the National Weather Service offices feels very fortunate to work in Kosciusko County, with a Syracuse address and North Webster telephone number.
Michael Sabones
Meteorologist-in-Charge
National Weather Service
Northern Indiana Office
Dog Stolen
Editor, Times-Union:This is for the person that took my dog from the Beaver Dam area. Sir has been taken since Aug. 31. I've been to every dog pound between here and Fort Wayne. He is loved and missed by my family and grandbabies. Rumor has it that you're not a dog person. No matter, it was not nice. My neighbors even miss the pooch. If anyone has seen him I wish they would call the Warsaw dog pound. Mr. Ellis is about three feet tall, white chest marked like a collie (but short hair), poofie tail, overly friendly, loved kids and adults. He has an overbite, sleeps on his back and snorts. I believe if anyone has seen him, would remember him. So please help Sir to come home or help me find the person who took him. I will have them prosecuted.
Ellis family
Beaver Dam
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- Secret Deal? - No Wasted Votes - News From The Front - Poor Analogy - Homecoming Parade Thanks - Winona Clarification - Honoring A Grandfather - Nexrad Open House - Dog Stolen
Secret Deal?
Editor, Times-Union:How could we have the legal, required public hearing regarding lakefront Winona Lake property the Lions' Club is on when none of the parties can freely talk because it is like a "secret deal developed in the back room"?
The lawsuit between the Lions' Club and the town of Winona Lake is of great interest to me a citizen, voter and taxpayer in the town of Winona Lake. In trying to obtain information about this suit, I have found that the special appointed judge, Douglas B. Morton, of the Fulton Circuit Court, ordered mediation, which is a process where the parties sit down in secret to work out a deal. This process may work well between private individuals, but when a public government entity is involved, it leads to the exclusion of the concerned citizens of that entity. Information and agreements cannot be discussed in public until they have been concluded, so citizens have no input in the final results. The state of Indiana (Indiana Open Meetings Act) and the federal government (Freedom of Information Act) have gone to great lengths to keep government agencies from acting in secret.
Special Judge Morton, I knew we would lose some freedoms after Sept. 11, 2001, to protect our well-being, but at no time, did I feel, as a citizen of the town of Winona Lake, I would lose "government of the people, by the people and for the people which should not perish from the Earth." This Lions Club case has opened up a can of worms as everyone of the approximate 26 owners of land along the canal now know they too, like LeMasters, have owned to the middle of the canal from the moment they bought their property. Ending a lawsuit such as this in secret mediation is most likely the beginning of many more at the costly expense of the town of Winona Lake.
Jerry Nelson
Winona Lake
via e-mail
No Wasted Votes
Editor, Times-Union:With the election rapidly approaching we are starting to hear the whine of the two major parties. "Don't waste your vote on a third party candidate." If either of the two parties would run someone fit to elect they wouldn't have to worry about third parties. The Democrats and Republicans will not give you a choice of "None of the above." They are afraid to. Whether your candidate wins or loses is not all there is to your vote. Your vote tells those who are elected how you feel about the way the government is being run. If you vote Democrat or Republican they can only assume that you want higher taxes, bigger government, more bureaucracies, less freedom, government interference in your life such as no smoking laws, seatbelt laws, helmet laws, speed limits by intimidation from Washington, etc. I could fill my allotted space with examples. If you don't believe that is what you get when you elect a Democrat or Republican then you must not be paying attention.
I will be voting Libertarian in the upcoming election. My candidate may not get elected, but whoever does will know that not all of us are willing to give up our freedom for a bunch of sorry promises that will not or cannot be kept.
Charles Carnes
Warsaw
News From The Front
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you for running the reports from Pfc. Jonathan Springer. It is refreshing to read some good news from Iraq. It is too bad the media in general doesn't tell us about some of the good things that happen instead of focusing on all the bad things that happen. Thank you for the support you are giving our troops by printing the reports from Pfc. Springer.
Lyle E. Williams
World War II veteran
Warsaw
via e-mail
Poor Analogy
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to address the young lady from Ball State University.
I appreciated your candor and willingness to speak your mind. However, to put the label of liberal on our Lord Jesus is a fearful move. For while Jesus sought out the lowest of the low, he didn't insist the government do his bidding, but encouraged his disciples to follow his example of their own volition. While he stood up for the downtrodden, he didn't insist that the government tax the people to see that His desires were accomplished. To follow Christ is a personal responsibility. God gives us no credit for the money the government takes from us and gives to others.
As for Christ's life of joy, you need to take a closer look at the gospels. The Bible describes Christ as a "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." He was rejected of men, a prophet without honor in his own country. He preached a gospel of repentance to a hard-hearted people. Jesus wept and eventually faced an agonizing death on the cross. The good news of grace, salvation and resounding joy did not spring forth until after his death and resurrection, for this was the work of the cross.
As for his lack of fear of doing something wrong, that was because he knew the true difference between right and wrong and was willing to act on it. I believe Michael Helton's letter reflects his frustration with the Democratic Party's deliberate neglect of dealing with this issue of right and wrong. Remember, to be a Christian (Christ-like) you need to start by knowing who Christ is and what he taught.
Let me close by saying that while Christ was a caring and compassionate man, he also showed a different kind of hospitality toward willful sinners, for he drove them out of his father's house with a whip. I'm sorry, but your view of Christ as a class-A hippie may not be the best analogy.
John Burtoft
Warsaw
via e-mail
Homecoming Parade Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the freshman class of Warsaw Community High School, I would like to publicly thank Clint Whitney for the use of his hay wagon for our homecoming parade. We would also like to thank Merl Heckaman of Gragg Equipment, for the use of his truck and Tarkio Road Bike Shop for the use of their stationary bike trainer. We had a great time and appreciate your part in making our homecoming events memorable.
Mallory Kendall
Freshman class president
Warsaw Community High School
Winona Clarification
Editor, Times-Union:The article written by Teresa Smith in regards to "Winona Hears Input On Fate Of Lions Building" was very accurate and presented both sides of the issue. If I may, I would like to clarify my statements that were reported in the article. The essence of my comments was: I remonstrated (wrote a letter) against the vacation of an easement a couple years ago. The council noted my opinion and then voted to vacate, which is what they should have done. I was only one property owner. They were looking out for the best interest of the whole community. This property is now on the tax roles and the owners have increased the property value with additional construction.
My other point was I admire and respect the council for looking out for the community as a whole and doing the best for everyone, not just one person or a small group. I did not take it personal nor did I treat them disrespectfully, I admired them for their professionalism and their stand for the whole community. Thank you for offering this venue to our community that enables us to communicate and gives me the ability to clarify my comments.
Retha Hicks
Winona Lake
Honoring A Grandfather
Editor, Times-Union:During the days of FDR, my grandfather was elected to the office of county commissioner middle district as a Democrat. Very few, if any other Democrats, have held that office. I thought about voting for the Democrat presidential candidate in the next election to honor my grandfather; but not this time. Maybe I can find another way to pay my respects to Fred Ringenberg.
Bob Plummer
Warsaw
via e-mail
Nexrad Open House
Editor, Times-Union:The Northern Indiana National Weather Service, between Syracuse and North Webster, would like to thank everyone that attended our open house on Aug. 28. More than 1,000 people toured our office to see the vast array of technology we use to serve two and a quarter million people in northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northwest Ohio.
We'd also like to thank everyone for their selfless volunteer assistance during the event. We have a great community, the staff at the National Weather Service offices feels very fortunate to work in Kosciusko County, with a Syracuse address and North Webster telephone number.
Michael Sabones
Meteorologist-in-Charge
National Weather Service
Northern Indiana Office
Dog Stolen
Editor, Times-Union:This is for the person that took my dog from the Beaver Dam area. Sir has been taken since Aug. 31. I've been to every dog pound between here and Fort Wayne. He is loved and missed by my family and grandbabies. Rumor has it that you're not a dog person. No matter, it was not nice. My neighbors even miss the pooch. If anyone has seen him I wish they would call the Warsaw dog pound. Mr. Ellis is about three feet tall, white chest marked like a collie (but short hair), poofie tail, overly friendly, loved kids and adults. He has an overbite, sleeps on his back and snorts. I believe if anyone has seen him, would remember him. So please help Sir to come home or help me find the person who took him. I will have them prosecuted.
Ellis family
Beaver Dam
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