Letters to the Editor 10-05-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Roemer Responds - Miller Says Thanks - Prime Time Blame - School Costs - Thanks To Phil Tom - Grace Says Thanks - Thanks To Firemen
Roemer Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to respond to Robert Villa's recent letter. I strongly support tax cuts, tax simplification and IRS reform - and have consistently voted for them.
I believe tax simplification and continued tax relief are important for working Americans and their families. This position is reflected in my voting record. First, I have opposed any tax increases.
Second, on Sept. 26, I supported legislation that would cut taxes by $80 billion over the next five years. Among its provisions, this measure would end the marriage penalty, allow self-employed individuals to deduct 100 percent of health insurance premiums, increase the earnings limit for Social Security, and provide tax incentives for pre-paid college tuition plans.
Third, I have supported previous tax relief efforts. In 1997, as part of the balanced budget law, I voted to provide over $95 billion in tax relief over five years. This measure included an increase to the child care tax credit, expanded student loan deductions, increased the exemption for inheritance taxes, cut the capitals gains tax rate, and expanded IRAs.
Finally, earlier this year I also voted to reform the IRS, including provisions to establish an oversight board, streamline the tax filing system, and shift the burden of proof from taxpayers to the IRS.
Tim Roemer, Member of Congress
Miller Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing this letter to commend and recognize several members from our surrounding community.
This year has been full of challenges for me - beginning with the diagnosis of breast cancer in March. However, I discovered a new interest, tandem cycling. I embarked on a physical and mental road to recovery. My vehicle was a tandem bike.
It is this last endeavor that I would like to elaborate on. We had over 300 disabled athletes from 25 countries around the world. The athletes were divided into four categories: amputees, wheelchair (hand cyclist) athletes, cerebral palsy athletes, and athletes who are blind or visually impaired. It was wonderful to be a member of such a diverse group. Regardless if someone brought home a medal or not, they still received a priceless experience.
In the road race, my pilot, Charlie Heggem, and I finished as the highest placing U.S. team. In the time trial we finished sixth. On the velodrome in the pursuit we finished 7th - knocking 15 seconds off of our time from nationals. It is amazing how training and proper equipment can make a positive impact on a performance. The next destination on my road to recovery is a 300 mile mountain bike race across Costa Rica in three days. Not only will this be a physical challenge, but it is an opportunity to promote disability awareness.
My ultimate goal is to qualify for the paralympics in Sydney in 2000. I have begun training and will continue to do so by competing and putting in lots of miles.
The achievements I have made would not have been possible without the support I received from our community and its members. They deserve to be commended and recognized for being instrumental and supportive.
First of all, I must thank my family for always being there for me, never giving up, and always encouraging me to set expectations.
I'd like to thank everyone for introducing me to cycling, for all the hours of training, for servicing my bike and for providing transportation.
I am very proud to be able to write this letter to express my appreciation toward our community members. I am looking forward to the future. I have goals and expectations to pursue, but most of all, I would like to give back to our community.
I believe that tandem cycling can be rewarding for a lot of people - especially women with breast cancer since the person in the back (the stoker) is not required to use a lot of upper body strength. I encourage everyone to find out for yourself. If you have any questions concerning tandem cycling, opportunities for people who are disabled, or you are interested in learning about something new, please feel free to contact me.
Lori M. Miller, Warsaw
Prime Time Blame
Editor, Times-Union:I've been reading the letters to the editor in the Times-Union. I'm up to here, reading about how the President is corrupting our children. Did anyone watch the new shows on channel 16 Monday nite like "Friends" and the rest of the line up of new shows? They said ass three times and the big S.O.B. word. The girls wear very low cut dresses and talk about "sex" all the time. The children watch these shows all the time and this is OK? This is prime time. The president has nothing to do with these shows. Quit blaming him for the morals of our children or the lack of. I'll probably hear about this but it's the truth. Put the blame where it belongs.
Lorene Taylor, Pierceton
School Costs
Editor, Times-Union:The article a few weeks ago, "School Expenses," by Sandra Sharp was an eye opener. I don't blame her for feeling astounded over the fact that she had to pay the exorbitant fee of $125 to get her son into the 7th grade.
I graduated 60 years ago, and during the early '30s when I entered the 7th grade, if a pupil had offered $125 as an enrollment fee, the faculty members would have gotten it in their heads that the intention of the pupil was to buy the school building.
In the 1930s, during the depression when money was scarce, we scholars dealt in secondhand textbooks, "hand-me-downs," so to speak. For example: when a child started to school, he wasn't forced to pay a big price for book rentals. Instead, he bought the books he needed from a member of the class ahead of him, and he bought the books he needed from a member of the class ahead of him, and he bought them for what we would now consider "chicken feed." For instance, a secondhand reader could be purchased for as little as 60 or 70 cents, an arithmetic or a speller for the same price; in fact, during the '30s, a student could buy all of the school texts he needed for only a few dollars, although, with secondhand books there could be somewhat of a problem. They might be badly marked up with "doodles," or crazy little sayings scribbled either on the flyleaf of a text, or along the margin of a page.
On the flyleaf, there could be scrawled some pupil's idea as to what the initials of democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt's "National Recovery Administration" meant. For example: instead of NRA standing for "National Recovery Administration" a pupil could imply that it stood for "Nice Red Apples," or "No Rats Allowed," or "No Republicans Allowed;" however, no matter how much the book had been desecrated from all types of "doodling" and scribblings, if the text was readable, that's all that mattered.
In the 1930s, not only were school books cheap, but so were the extra essentials. One could acquire a lead pencil for 1 cent, a yellow tablet or notebook could be had for 5 cents, crayons were 10 cents a box, and a good eraser could be purchased for 5 cents.
Many years ago, not only school texts and other school supplies were inexpensive, but so was a school lunch. Often, members of the "Domestic Science" class (now referred to as "Home Ec.") would prepare hamburgers and sell them for the very modest price of 8 cents, or two for 15 cents; furthermore, one could buy a big, fat "Eskimo Pie" for a nickel; so, you see, for 20 cents a student could enjoy a good, nourishing noon snack.
As regards school apparel - Sandra Sharp mentioned the excessive price that she had to pay not only for enrolling her son, but revealed that she had to shell out for special school garb that a parent of today is demanded to purchase for his child to wear during certain scholastic physical endeavors. In my day, we didn't have to buy special uniforms for school, except, whenever a youth played on the basketball team, he was required to either purchase, or rent a uniform - I can't remember which - for only a few dollars, or buy a pair of gym shoes that could be attained for a couple of dollars.
Yes, that $125 that Sandra Sharp refers to in her article would have gone a long way six decades ago. It's rather diverting to compare prices that stand today, with those that prevailed 60 years ago.
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Thanks To Phil Tom
Editor, Times-Union:The following letter is in reference to the articles you have written on the controversy surrounding the selling of vegetables by Phil Tom on State Road 13.
I've worked with Phil Tom on his vegetable farm the past few years. God has been very good to us, given us good fresh produce to share with everyone at a reasonable price.
Last Saturday we gave our produce away (free). There were so many people that needed it. One lady came and got food for 25 people that needed help. Another lady with children came and had very little for her children to eat. How could we not help?
I only wish the trustee Mr. Alley, Mr. Miner, the farmer and his wife and the highway department that installed the no stopping, no standing, no parking signs would have been there. They would have seen all these people go away with smiles on their faces. We also had the privilege of knowing that we were doing what God intended us to do helping each other.
I thought the trustee was supposed to help people and would have supported an effort to lighten the load. Give these people a break. Let's all do our part, let's not turn our back on our fellow human beings.
We feel the issue in this matter is the farmer and his wife directly to the north of the cemetery on 13 wants to sell produce and we are taking their customers.
Thank you Mr. Spalding for your coming out this year and also Saturday. May God bless you all.
Sarah Richcreek, Larwill
Grace Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Grace College and Seminary has received valuable help from many friends over the past few years.
The Board of Trustees for Grace College and Seminary wishes to thank the Winona Restoration Partners for providing a lease arrangements for the use of the Mount Memorial building in Winona Lake. The facility is being used for Art, Education and Social Sciences departments.
It is an exceptional facility both in beauty and in function. The renovation captures a classic educational feel with wide open hallways and classrooms. Yet the facility is also very contemporary. I was able to be in the Art gallery room when two sophomores from the Art department first viewed the room. It is impossible to capture their expression in words. In their view, that one room provided more space than was available to the whole department in past years.
We are keenly aware that this facility would not have been available to us if it had not been for the work of the Winona Restoration Partners. And as an educational community that lives within the community of Winona Lake we thank the Winona Restoration Partners for the amazing transformation that has been going on in Winona. Their service to Winona Lake is greatly appreciated.
Westminster Hall is a beautiful facility providing dorm space as well as space for student life and community meetings. The 4 million dollar capital campaign is the largest capital campaign in the history of Grace College and Seminary.
A group of community leaders were willing to stand with us as we sought to raise the fund necessary to purchase and renovate the building. The board of trustees for Grace College and Seminary wishes to thank the members of the Westminster steering committee for their fine and patient work on the school's behalf. They also want to thank the president of Grace Schools for his leadership through this project. When it began, Westminster really was an unbelievable project. The unbelievable has happened by God's grace through our friends. Thank you for your help.
Rev. Thomas D. Avey
Chair, Board of Trustees, Grace College and Seminary
Thanks To Firemen
Editor, Times-Union:As "Downtown" merchants we want to extend our appreciation to the group of dedicated young men that worked so hard battling the recent fire.
Your efforts saved many of us the same dilemma that now faces Butterfly and Warsaw Tool.
The dedication that each of you has chosen to commit too, to maintain your high degree of readiness and efficiency requires long hours away from your family, a realization that each of you are "called" to perform this very dangerous job, and with the constant reminder that one mistake could be very tragic.
As we find in the Bible both in 2nd Samuel and 1 Chronicles that David called his fighting men the Mighty Men of God. It is with respect and admiration that we at In The Garden Bookstore & Gift Shop call each of you, because of your strength, loyalties and faithfulness to your jobs as fire fighters the Mighty Men of Warsaw.
Our prayers are that you will continue to be blessed, and receive constant protection.
Thomas C. and Connie J. Ice
Caretakers, In the Garden Bookstore & Gift Shop
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E-Editions
- Roemer Responds - Miller Says Thanks - Prime Time Blame - School Costs - Thanks To Phil Tom - Grace Says Thanks - Thanks To Firemen
Roemer Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to respond to Robert Villa's recent letter. I strongly support tax cuts, tax simplification and IRS reform - and have consistently voted for them.
I believe tax simplification and continued tax relief are important for working Americans and their families. This position is reflected in my voting record. First, I have opposed any tax increases.
Second, on Sept. 26, I supported legislation that would cut taxes by $80 billion over the next five years. Among its provisions, this measure would end the marriage penalty, allow self-employed individuals to deduct 100 percent of health insurance premiums, increase the earnings limit for Social Security, and provide tax incentives for pre-paid college tuition plans.
Third, I have supported previous tax relief efforts. In 1997, as part of the balanced budget law, I voted to provide over $95 billion in tax relief over five years. This measure included an increase to the child care tax credit, expanded student loan deductions, increased the exemption for inheritance taxes, cut the capitals gains tax rate, and expanded IRAs.
Finally, earlier this year I also voted to reform the IRS, including provisions to establish an oversight board, streamline the tax filing system, and shift the burden of proof from taxpayers to the IRS.
Tim Roemer, Member of Congress
Miller Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing this letter to commend and recognize several members from our surrounding community.
This year has been full of challenges for me - beginning with the diagnosis of breast cancer in March. However, I discovered a new interest, tandem cycling. I embarked on a physical and mental road to recovery. My vehicle was a tandem bike.
It is this last endeavor that I would like to elaborate on. We had over 300 disabled athletes from 25 countries around the world. The athletes were divided into four categories: amputees, wheelchair (hand cyclist) athletes, cerebral palsy athletes, and athletes who are blind or visually impaired. It was wonderful to be a member of such a diverse group. Regardless if someone brought home a medal or not, they still received a priceless experience.
In the road race, my pilot, Charlie Heggem, and I finished as the highest placing U.S. team. In the time trial we finished sixth. On the velodrome in the pursuit we finished 7th - knocking 15 seconds off of our time from nationals. It is amazing how training and proper equipment can make a positive impact on a performance. The next destination on my road to recovery is a 300 mile mountain bike race across Costa Rica in three days. Not only will this be a physical challenge, but it is an opportunity to promote disability awareness.
My ultimate goal is to qualify for the paralympics in Sydney in 2000. I have begun training and will continue to do so by competing and putting in lots of miles.
The achievements I have made would not have been possible without the support I received from our community and its members. They deserve to be commended and recognized for being instrumental and supportive.
First of all, I must thank my family for always being there for me, never giving up, and always encouraging me to set expectations.
I'd like to thank everyone for introducing me to cycling, for all the hours of training, for servicing my bike and for providing transportation.
I am very proud to be able to write this letter to express my appreciation toward our community members. I am looking forward to the future. I have goals and expectations to pursue, but most of all, I would like to give back to our community.
I believe that tandem cycling can be rewarding for a lot of people - especially women with breast cancer since the person in the back (the stoker) is not required to use a lot of upper body strength. I encourage everyone to find out for yourself. If you have any questions concerning tandem cycling, opportunities for people who are disabled, or you are interested in learning about something new, please feel free to contact me.
Lori M. Miller, Warsaw
Prime Time Blame
Editor, Times-Union:I've been reading the letters to the editor in the Times-Union. I'm up to here, reading about how the President is corrupting our children. Did anyone watch the new shows on channel 16 Monday nite like "Friends" and the rest of the line up of new shows? They said ass three times and the big S.O.B. word. The girls wear very low cut dresses and talk about "sex" all the time. The children watch these shows all the time and this is OK? This is prime time. The president has nothing to do with these shows. Quit blaming him for the morals of our children or the lack of. I'll probably hear about this but it's the truth. Put the blame where it belongs.
Lorene Taylor, Pierceton
School Costs
Editor, Times-Union:The article a few weeks ago, "School Expenses," by Sandra Sharp was an eye opener. I don't blame her for feeling astounded over the fact that she had to pay the exorbitant fee of $125 to get her son into the 7th grade.
I graduated 60 years ago, and during the early '30s when I entered the 7th grade, if a pupil had offered $125 as an enrollment fee, the faculty members would have gotten it in their heads that the intention of the pupil was to buy the school building.
In the 1930s, during the depression when money was scarce, we scholars dealt in secondhand textbooks, "hand-me-downs," so to speak. For example: when a child started to school, he wasn't forced to pay a big price for book rentals. Instead, he bought the books he needed from a member of the class ahead of him, and he bought the books he needed from a member of the class ahead of him, and he bought them for what we would now consider "chicken feed." For instance, a secondhand reader could be purchased for as little as 60 or 70 cents, an arithmetic or a speller for the same price; in fact, during the '30s, a student could buy all of the school texts he needed for only a few dollars, although, with secondhand books there could be somewhat of a problem. They might be badly marked up with "doodles," or crazy little sayings scribbled either on the flyleaf of a text, or along the margin of a page.
On the flyleaf, there could be scrawled some pupil's idea as to what the initials of democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt's "National Recovery Administration" meant. For example: instead of NRA standing for "National Recovery Administration" a pupil could imply that it stood for "Nice Red Apples," or "No Rats Allowed," or "No Republicans Allowed;" however, no matter how much the book had been desecrated from all types of "doodling" and scribblings, if the text was readable, that's all that mattered.
In the 1930s, not only were school books cheap, but so were the extra essentials. One could acquire a lead pencil for 1 cent, a yellow tablet or notebook could be had for 5 cents, crayons were 10 cents a box, and a good eraser could be purchased for 5 cents.
Many years ago, not only school texts and other school supplies were inexpensive, but so was a school lunch. Often, members of the "Domestic Science" class (now referred to as "Home Ec.") would prepare hamburgers and sell them for the very modest price of 8 cents, or two for 15 cents; furthermore, one could buy a big, fat "Eskimo Pie" for a nickel; so, you see, for 20 cents a student could enjoy a good, nourishing noon snack.
As regards school apparel - Sandra Sharp mentioned the excessive price that she had to pay not only for enrolling her son, but revealed that she had to shell out for special school garb that a parent of today is demanded to purchase for his child to wear during certain scholastic physical endeavors. In my day, we didn't have to buy special uniforms for school, except, whenever a youth played on the basketball team, he was required to either purchase, or rent a uniform - I can't remember which - for only a few dollars, or buy a pair of gym shoes that could be attained for a couple of dollars.
Yes, that $125 that Sandra Sharp refers to in her article would have gone a long way six decades ago. It's rather diverting to compare prices that stand today, with those that prevailed 60 years ago.
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Thanks To Phil Tom
Editor, Times-Union:The following letter is in reference to the articles you have written on the controversy surrounding the selling of vegetables by Phil Tom on State Road 13.
I've worked with Phil Tom on his vegetable farm the past few years. God has been very good to us, given us good fresh produce to share with everyone at a reasonable price.
Last Saturday we gave our produce away (free). There were so many people that needed it. One lady came and got food for 25 people that needed help. Another lady with children came and had very little for her children to eat. How could we not help?
I only wish the trustee Mr. Alley, Mr. Miner, the farmer and his wife and the highway department that installed the no stopping, no standing, no parking signs would have been there. They would have seen all these people go away with smiles on their faces. We also had the privilege of knowing that we were doing what God intended us to do helping each other.
I thought the trustee was supposed to help people and would have supported an effort to lighten the load. Give these people a break. Let's all do our part, let's not turn our back on our fellow human beings.
We feel the issue in this matter is the farmer and his wife directly to the north of the cemetery on 13 wants to sell produce and we are taking their customers.
Thank you Mr. Spalding for your coming out this year and also Saturday. May God bless you all.
Sarah Richcreek, Larwill
Grace Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Grace College and Seminary has received valuable help from many friends over the past few years.
The Board of Trustees for Grace College and Seminary wishes to thank the Winona Restoration Partners for providing a lease arrangements for the use of the Mount Memorial building in Winona Lake. The facility is being used for Art, Education and Social Sciences departments.
It is an exceptional facility both in beauty and in function. The renovation captures a classic educational feel with wide open hallways and classrooms. Yet the facility is also very contemporary. I was able to be in the Art gallery room when two sophomores from the Art department first viewed the room. It is impossible to capture their expression in words. In their view, that one room provided more space than was available to the whole department in past years.
We are keenly aware that this facility would not have been available to us if it had not been for the work of the Winona Restoration Partners. And as an educational community that lives within the community of Winona Lake we thank the Winona Restoration Partners for the amazing transformation that has been going on in Winona. Their service to Winona Lake is greatly appreciated.
Westminster Hall is a beautiful facility providing dorm space as well as space for student life and community meetings. The 4 million dollar capital campaign is the largest capital campaign in the history of Grace College and Seminary.
A group of community leaders were willing to stand with us as we sought to raise the fund necessary to purchase and renovate the building. The board of trustees for Grace College and Seminary wishes to thank the members of the Westminster steering committee for their fine and patient work on the school's behalf. They also want to thank the president of Grace Schools for his leadership through this project. When it began, Westminster really was an unbelievable project. The unbelievable has happened by God's grace through our friends. Thank you for your help.
Rev. Thomas D. Avey
Chair, Board of Trustees, Grace College and Seminary
Thanks To Firemen
Editor, Times-Union:As "Downtown" merchants we want to extend our appreciation to the group of dedicated young men that worked so hard battling the recent fire.
Your efforts saved many of us the same dilemma that now faces Butterfly and Warsaw Tool.
The dedication that each of you has chosen to commit too, to maintain your high degree of readiness and efficiency requires long hours away from your family, a realization that each of you are "called" to perform this very dangerous job, and with the constant reminder that one mistake could be very tragic.
As we find in the Bible both in 2nd Samuel and 1 Chronicles that David called his fighting men the Mighty Men of God. It is with respect and admiration that we at In The Garden Bookstore & Gift Shop call each of you, because of your strength, loyalties and faithfulness to your jobs as fire fighters the Mighty Men of Warsaw.
Our prayers are that you will continue to be blessed, and receive constant protection.
Thomas C. and Connie J. Ice
Caretakers, In the Garden Bookstore & Gift Shop
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