Letters to the Editor 09-29-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- DNR Rule Changes - Right Wing ACLU - Hit-And-Run Accident Info Sought - Katrina - Cancer Society - Winona Politics
DNR Rule Changes
Editor, Times-Union:"The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State." These 17 clear words are found in Article 1, Section 32 of Indiana's Constitution. This basic freedom is found in our state's Bill of Rights alongside the free exercise and enjoyment of religious opinions, the free interchange of thought and opinion, and the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This past week, through a temporary rule modification, I did what I could to restore some of the personal freedom that had been taken away from the citizens of Indiana. While it opened up all Indiana Department of Natural Resources property to the legal possession of handguns under a validly issued handgun license and removed some restrictions on the legal possession of handguns during certain hunting or wildlife related activities, most of the media focus has been on state parks. I wanted to take this brief opportunity to discuss the rule changes as well as the safety and security of DNR properties.
These rule changes did not arise out of a security issue or because of any particular situation. Our parks are among the safest and most tranquil places in the state. Allowing citizens to exercise their constitutional rights by possessing a handgun will not change that. DNR law enforcement has no concerns with the rule changes and several states, including neighbors Ohio and Michigan, already allow for the possession of handguns by licensed individuals in their state parks. Every day each and every citizen of Indiana interacts with some of the 280,000-plus Hoosiers that have a handgun license. The right to carry a handgun that exists in Indiana has not caused problems in places like restaurants, grocery stores, churches, shopping malls, gas stations and movie theaters where law-abiding citizens take legal handguns every day. The state parks will be no different.
These rules were identified as we continue to review all of the rules and regulations applicable to the DNR. Upon these coming to my attention, I was surprised that the restrictions existed. There is no legislative directive that would lead one to believe that the DNR should adopt rules preventing individuals with valid handgun licenses from exercising that right on DNR land. In fact, our Indiana legislature has consistently supported the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Just in the last year, the legislature passed the "castle" doctrine as state law and made available to Indiana citizens the first-ever lifetime handgun license. These rule changes simply place DNR property in line with the rest of the state.
I then went back to the first words of this letter. The United States of America and the State of Indiana were founded upon a set of basic rights. Those rights are spelled out in their respective constitutions. I believe that we should do everything that we can to preserve all of the Bill of Rights. The Governor does as well and took an oath to do so. These rule changes help to restore some basic rights that should not have been restricted in the first place. The Bill of Rights is not a list to pick and choose from. They are interrelated and dependent upon each other to be effective and enduring. While the final decision will rest with the Natural Resource Commission after their public input process, I am proud to have been able to take this relatively small action to defend the freedom we all share. I hope that you can appreciate the value of protecting all of the Bill of Rights.
Kyle Hupfer, via e-mail
Director, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Right Wing ACLU
Editor, Times-Union:For once I agree with one of the right wingers.
When Leslie E. Swanson of Winona Lake slams the ACLU and the terrible things that it supports, I want to remind those on the left that the ACLU is also the organization that got Oliver North's conviction and prison term for lying to Congress and destruction of government documents overturned! In addition, the ACLU defended Rush Limbaugh in his fight to keep his medical records private while he was busy fighting his addiction to drugs. Face it, any organization that would defend the likes of Oliver North and Rush Limbaugh cannot be good!
Rick Woodward, via e-mail
Lexington, N.C.
formerly of Warsaw
Hit-And-Run Accident Info Sought
Editor, Times-Union:My father, James Gorski, was injured in a motorcycle accident Sept. 26 on Ind. 15S by the access road from Warsaw Community High School.Ê
A student car pulled out in front of him a half hour after school dismissal, causing my dad to lay down his 2002 Honda Goldwing to avoid colliding with the car. His bike slid and then flipped, throwing my dad to the road and causing serious injuries.Ê Patrolman Allen Danko responded.Ê
Witnesses have conflicting info on the vehicle that caused the accident and fled the scene.Ê
My father said it was a person of Hispanic descent, probably male. Other witnesses saw a white car or a tan car, foreign or a Ford. No plate info was recorded.
I would greatly appreciate information as to the car that fled the scene. Information can be given to the Warsaw Police Department.Ê
I live in Connecticut and am trying to coordinate support for my father as he and my stepmom live by themselves in Larwill.
If you have information about the hit-and-run driver, please call Warsaw police at 372-9515.
Chris Gorski
Connecticut, via e-mail
Katrina
Editor, Times-Union:Why haven't some of the people of New Orleans rebuilt yet?
I'll tell you why. It's because some of the people won't do anything and they are just waiting on the government to do all the work for them. I think those people should get up and do something to help themselves rebuild their houses and or communities. One statement I have about this is the Amish in New Orleans got up and rebuilt their homes and helped their neighbors rebuild their homes and I think the other people should do the same as the Amish families did.
That is my opinion of the Hurricane Katrina response. I wonder that if next year that those people will have rebuilt by then. I would think they would have rebuilt by then. While I agree that the government should help, they shouldn't be responsible for everything. I think the able people should help rebuild, but I know there are some people that aren't capable of helping, but some that are capable aren't pitching in to help rebuild their community.
Travis Adams, via e-mail
Akron
Cancer Society
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to invite you to the upcoming American Cancer Society meeting. We are really starting to plan for the 2007 Relay For Life Event. The event is scheduled to take place at the Kosciusko County fairgrounds May 5-6. We have generated a lot of great ideas so far, but could use everyone's help with making this the best year for raising dollars for finding cures for cancer and increasing cancer education to its highest level yet while having a great time doing it.
We are having a meeting for those who are interested in being a committee member Friday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be located at East of Chicago Pizza. We will be talking about the ACS kick-off and what fundraisers the teams can do this year. We still have many positions that could use dedicated volunteers to fill them. If you and/or a loved one would like to volunteer in finding a cure for cancer, please feel free to join the meeting.
I would also like to inform everyone that we have scheduled a team meeting Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. This meeting will focus on team development and what the teams are interested in doing for the ACS this year. This meeting will be located at the Buffalo Street Courthouse coffee across from the Warsaw courthouse.
We encourage everyone to attend the meetings if possible. Gather your family, friends and co-workers and make a difference this year. If you would like to volunteer but can not make the meetings, simply contact me and we can meet and discuss what you would like to do on the committee. My phone number is 574-268-5201 and my contact e-mail address is [email protected]
Rachel Gorman, via e-mail
2007 Relay For Life Chairman
Kosciusko County
Warsaw
Winona Politics
Editor, Times-Union:In my opinion, the Winona Lake Town Council focuses on individual rewards.
The story started when the town gave away 78 feet of Winona Lake frontage to one family claiming they had no choice because that family owned to the middle of the canal as did all the property owners along the canal. This was said at a public hearing requested by others and myself in a petition because we wanted the Lions Club property area to stay available to the public and the town said that just could not be possible. Besides being recorded at the public meeting, this statement was also published in the newspaper report on the meeting.
The next step was 16 property owners along the canal filing suit to have their rights in the property along the canal reconciled. This group represents the majority of the private property owners along the canal, with a few exceptions having other interests. The town has spent, to date, at least $60,000 of taxpayers money to try and prove they now own the streets and the canal, which is a big switch from their previous position concerning the family claiming the Lions Club property. This suit is currently in the Indiana Court of Appeals, with no resolution to date.
At the town council meeting Sept. 12, 2006, the council voted to spend $43,000 of the taxpayers money to build 700 feet of seawall along the west side of the canal. This benefits primarily one property owner along the canal. He had not joined the canal lawsuit. Could this be reward time? This expenditure only received three council member votes (Ortega, Lohse, Delp) with Carroll and Clevenger abstaining because of the pending lawsuit. This is the first time the town has ever actually paid for any of the canal's seawalls. The council knew it was going to pass before the vote as they had sent letters to boat space renters to move their boats early. The property owner getting the most benefit was heard commenting he had invested $1,250 in boat space rentals. At this rate, the taxpayers will recover their investment in a little over 34 years.
As taxpayers of Winona Lake, you should come to the council meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Maybe there is an individual reward program you can qualify for, also.
Jerry Nelson, via e-mail
Winona Lake
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- DNR Rule Changes - Right Wing ACLU - Hit-And-Run Accident Info Sought - Katrina - Cancer Society - Winona Politics
DNR Rule Changes
Editor, Times-Union:"The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State." These 17 clear words are found in Article 1, Section 32 of Indiana's Constitution. This basic freedom is found in our state's Bill of Rights alongside the free exercise and enjoyment of religious opinions, the free interchange of thought and opinion, and the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This past week, through a temporary rule modification, I did what I could to restore some of the personal freedom that had been taken away from the citizens of Indiana. While it opened up all Indiana Department of Natural Resources property to the legal possession of handguns under a validly issued handgun license and removed some restrictions on the legal possession of handguns during certain hunting or wildlife related activities, most of the media focus has been on state parks. I wanted to take this brief opportunity to discuss the rule changes as well as the safety and security of DNR properties.
These rule changes did not arise out of a security issue or because of any particular situation. Our parks are among the safest and most tranquil places in the state. Allowing citizens to exercise their constitutional rights by possessing a handgun will not change that. DNR law enforcement has no concerns with the rule changes and several states, including neighbors Ohio and Michigan, already allow for the possession of handguns by licensed individuals in their state parks. Every day each and every citizen of Indiana interacts with some of the 280,000-plus Hoosiers that have a handgun license. The right to carry a handgun that exists in Indiana has not caused problems in places like restaurants, grocery stores, churches, shopping malls, gas stations and movie theaters where law-abiding citizens take legal handguns every day. The state parks will be no different.
These rules were identified as we continue to review all of the rules and regulations applicable to the DNR. Upon these coming to my attention, I was surprised that the restrictions existed. There is no legislative directive that would lead one to believe that the DNR should adopt rules preventing individuals with valid handgun licenses from exercising that right on DNR land. In fact, our Indiana legislature has consistently supported the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Just in the last year, the legislature passed the "castle" doctrine as state law and made available to Indiana citizens the first-ever lifetime handgun license. These rule changes simply place DNR property in line with the rest of the state.
I then went back to the first words of this letter. The United States of America and the State of Indiana were founded upon a set of basic rights. Those rights are spelled out in their respective constitutions. I believe that we should do everything that we can to preserve all of the Bill of Rights. The Governor does as well and took an oath to do so. These rule changes help to restore some basic rights that should not have been restricted in the first place. The Bill of Rights is not a list to pick and choose from. They are interrelated and dependent upon each other to be effective and enduring. While the final decision will rest with the Natural Resource Commission after their public input process, I am proud to have been able to take this relatively small action to defend the freedom we all share. I hope that you can appreciate the value of protecting all of the Bill of Rights.
Kyle Hupfer, via e-mail
Director, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Right Wing ACLU
Editor, Times-Union:For once I agree with one of the right wingers.
When Leslie E. Swanson of Winona Lake slams the ACLU and the terrible things that it supports, I want to remind those on the left that the ACLU is also the organization that got Oliver North's conviction and prison term for lying to Congress and destruction of government documents overturned! In addition, the ACLU defended Rush Limbaugh in his fight to keep his medical records private while he was busy fighting his addiction to drugs. Face it, any organization that would defend the likes of Oliver North and Rush Limbaugh cannot be good!
Rick Woodward, via e-mail
Lexington, N.C.
formerly of Warsaw
Hit-And-Run Accident Info Sought
Editor, Times-Union:My father, James Gorski, was injured in a motorcycle accident Sept. 26 on Ind. 15S by the access road from Warsaw Community High School.Ê
A student car pulled out in front of him a half hour after school dismissal, causing my dad to lay down his 2002 Honda Goldwing to avoid colliding with the car. His bike slid and then flipped, throwing my dad to the road and causing serious injuries.Ê Patrolman Allen Danko responded.Ê
Witnesses have conflicting info on the vehicle that caused the accident and fled the scene.Ê
My father said it was a person of Hispanic descent, probably male. Other witnesses saw a white car or a tan car, foreign or a Ford. No plate info was recorded.
I would greatly appreciate information as to the car that fled the scene. Information can be given to the Warsaw Police Department.Ê
I live in Connecticut and am trying to coordinate support for my father as he and my stepmom live by themselves in Larwill.
If you have information about the hit-and-run driver, please call Warsaw police at 372-9515.
Chris Gorski
Connecticut, via e-mail
Katrina
Editor, Times-Union:Why haven't some of the people of New Orleans rebuilt yet?
I'll tell you why. It's because some of the people won't do anything and they are just waiting on the government to do all the work for them. I think those people should get up and do something to help themselves rebuild their houses and or communities. One statement I have about this is the Amish in New Orleans got up and rebuilt their homes and helped their neighbors rebuild their homes and I think the other people should do the same as the Amish families did.
That is my opinion of the Hurricane Katrina response. I wonder that if next year that those people will have rebuilt by then. I would think they would have rebuilt by then. While I agree that the government should help, they shouldn't be responsible for everything. I think the able people should help rebuild, but I know there are some people that aren't capable of helping, but some that are capable aren't pitching in to help rebuild their community.
Travis Adams, via e-mail
Akron
Cancer Society
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to invite you to the upcoming American Cancer Society meeting. We are really starting to plan for the 2007 Relay For Life Event. The event is scheduled to take place at the Kosciusko County fairgrounds May 5-6. We have generated a lot of great ideas so far, but could use everyone's help with making this the best year for raising dollars for finding cures for cancer and increasing cancer education to its highest level yet while having a great time doing it.
We are having a meeting for those who are interested in being a committee member Friday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be located at East of Chicago Pizza. We will be talking about the ACS kick-off and what fundraisers the teams can do this year. We still have many positions that could use dedicated volunteers to fill them. If you and/or a loved one would like to volunteer in finding a cure for cancer, please feel free to join the meeting.
I would also like to inform everyone that we have scheduled a team meeting Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. This meeting will focus on team development and what the teams are interested in doing for the ACS this year. This meeting will be located at the Buffalo Street Courthouse coffee across from the Warsaw courthouse.
We encourage everyone to attend the meetings if possible. Gather your family, friends and co-workers and make a difference this year. If you would like to volunteer but can not make the meetings, simply contact me and we can meet and discuss what you would like to do on the committee. My phone number is 574-268-5201 and my contact e-mail address is [email protected]
Rachel Gorman, via e-mail
2007 Relay For Life Chairman
Kosciusko County
Warsaw
Winona Politics
Editor, Times-Union:In my opinion, the Winona Lake Town Council focuses on individual rewards.
The story started when the town gave away 78 feet of Winona Lake frontage to one family claiming they had no choice because that family owned to the middle of the canal as did all the property owners along the canal. This was said at a public hearing requested by others and myself in a petition because we wanted the Lions Club property area to stay available to the public and the town said that just could not be possible. Besides being recorded at the public meeting, this statement was also published in the newspaper report on the meeting.
The next step was 16 property owners along the canal filing suit to have their rights in the property along the canal reconciled. This group represents the majority of the private property owners along the canal, with a few exceptions having other interests. The town has spent, to date, at least $60,000 of taxpayers money to try and prove they now own the streets and the canal, which is a big switch from their previous position concerning the family claiming the Lions Club property. This suit is currently in the Indiana Court of Appeals, with no resolution to date.
At the town council meeting Sept. 12, 2006, the council voted to spend $43,000 of the taxpayers money to build 700 feet of seawall along the west side of the canal. This benefits primarily one property owner along the canal. He had not joined the canal lawsuit. Could this be reward time? This expenditure only received three council member votes (Ortega, Lohse, Delp) with Carroll and Clevenger abstaining because of the pending lawsuit. This is the first time the town has ever actually paid for any of the canal's seawalls. The council knew it was going to pass before the vote as they had sent letters to boat space renters to move their boats early. The property owner getting the most benefit was heard commenting he had invested $1,250 in boat space rentals. At this rate, the taxpayers will recover their investment in a little over 34 years.
As taxpayers of Winona Lake, you should come to the council meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Maybe there is an individual reward program you can qualify for, also.
Jerry Nelson, via e-mail
Winona Lake
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