Letters to the Editor 10-20-2000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Silver Lake School - Freedom For Everyone - Incensed - Lake City Skiers - Warsaw Zoning - Military Readiness - Stop Rambling II
Silver Lake School
Editor, Times-Union:Re: Silver Lake school closing, town meeting, Oct. 16
I went to this meeting thinking that as a town we were going to raise questions and concerns about the closing of the school, maybe come up with some solutions. Even though we expressed our questions and concerns at this meeting and there were a lot of good questions, we did not have a discussion. Instead, we had people there that are outside of our community running/dictating this meeting. If they wanted to be there, fine, but they should not have been in charge of this meeting. Instead, we should have had someone from our town writing down our questions and concerns, then presenting them to the board for answers. When we did raise the questions to the people that were there, they gave us a run-around and no answers. So to you, the Community-Based Planning Committee, I give you some of the questions. I am planning to be at the board meeting in November. If you cannot answer these questions now, please try to have the answers at the board meeting so we can see why you would want to take this school out of our community.
1) What is wrong with Silver Lake Elementary? We need a detailed list, handicapped accessibility, etc.
2) If you plan to keep class size down, then you still need the staff. Where are the savings?
3) Do children, K-6, in smaller schools do better academically than the larger schools?
4) Why is the cost of Claypool's total so much higher than ours? They only have 11 more students than we do. Claypool's cost is $707,081; Silver Lake's is $616,466 - a difference of $90,615 a year.
5) Why can't Claypool be on the same cost/ADM as we are? Our ADM is $3,800, times Claypool's 173 students is $658.265. That's a difference of $48,816 from their $707,081 per year.
6) (a) Bus rides to and from Claypool?
(b) Isn't it bad enough we put our 12- to 14-year-olds on the bus for two hours out of their day? Most of them get up between 5 and 5:30 a.m. That is earlier than most of you and their teachers.
(c) So you want to put 5- to 11-year-olds on a bus 1/2-hour to 45 minutes longer than they are? Than they should be? Now K-6 can get up at 6:30 a.m.
(d) Are you going to apologize to teachers? Well, teachers, we are sorry, but the cranky tired children that normally start in seventh grade will now begin in K-6.
7) If we, the community, find a way to raise the money for the charges or get volunteers to fix them, would you leave us alone?
These are only some of the questions. I'm sure we can come up with more. I would like to see the town of Silver Lake have another meeting before the November board meeting without those people running/dictating the meeting. They can come, listen, but they should not speak. This is in no way an attack on Claypool. These are merely questions we deserve to have answered.
Angela Fulton
Silver Lake
Freedom For Everyone
Editor, Times-Union:I'm sure Deanna isn't going to need my help, but Ms. Cripe's letter made me rather angry and I feel compelled to say something. Ms. Cripe, I will give you the same advice I gave Don Guard some time back. Before reading "letters" scan the signatures, if you see Deanna's name, skip that one. She's bound to say something you don't want to hear.
Where do you elitists get off telling people to shut up? If you don't like a person's opinion, you politely express your opposing view, but if "get a life" is the best you can do, I question your so-called "intelligent society."
If you choose to support immoral lifestyles and unconstitutional viewpoints, that's your right but, politically correct or not, the First Amendment applies just as much to Deanna as it does to you and your elitists' "intelligent society."
And by the way, last I heard Deanna has two jobs but still has time to get involved.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
Incensed
Editor, Times-Union:In reading the letter about Repulicans in Tuesday's newspaper. I was incensed! I am a Democrat and have voted Republican for years! I have great sources for my news! They include Fox News on my dish network and Rush Limbaugh on my radio. I also hear the other biased reports on other sources! I suggest that person should check them out!
Marjorie Taylor
Warsaw
Via e-mail
Lake City Skiers
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to publicly express my deep appreciation to the Lake City Skiers. Not only did they provide a wonderful adventure for myself and my two grandchildren, they gave me new hope that there are still people strong enough to stand up for what they believe is morally right.
I traveled from the South Bend area with my two grandchildren Saturday night so that they could ride through the Haunted Forest, sponsored by the Lake City Skiers. As we drove we discussed whether or not I should ride with them. They thought that they were old enough to ride alone. However, I was concerned that what they might see would be too frightening without the reassurance of my presence.
As we arrived and were walking in, we passed people who were walking out talking about what scared them and what was good, which really excited my grandchildren. But I overhead someone mention a boy getting thrown off the wagon, which really concerned me because I thought they were implying that someone was literally thrown from the wagon during the ride. Worried about our safety I asked someone what had happened.
As it turned out, there had been a teenager escorted off the wagon and out of the ride because they had used language and actions that were suggestive and very inappropriate. I had not even considered the possibility of my two grandchildren sitting beside someone who might use profane language or act foolishly throughout the entire ride. And with me not there to instill that those actions or words were not appropriate, what they could have seen or heard on the wagon might have left an even more damaging image on them than what they saw outside of the wagon. So my hat goes off to the Lake City Skiers for having the courage to stand up for what is right and giving me the assurance that, even if I had let my two grandchildren ride by themselves, there would still be someone looking out for their best interests. Who knows? Maybe if more people were less tolerant and forced others into being held accountable for their actions, we could slow down the moral decline.
As for the Haunted Forest and the performance that the Lake City Skiers give, I would highly recommend that if you haven't yet taken your children or grandchildren through it, you should take the opportunity that these people have provided for you. It is obvious that a lot of hard work and dedication have been given in order for you to have a safe place to go for some Halloween entertainment.
Edith Colfax
South Bend
Warsaw Zoning
Editor, Times-Union:I have tried to figure out why our Warsaw zoning ordinances can be enforced by Jeff Noffsinger one way on the east end of Shady Lane and another way on the west end. Last October, I asked Mr. Noffsinger for a permit to build a pole barn on a lot next to my house. I was told he could not issue the permit unless I connected the lot with the lot my house was on so that it was one lot. Then the pole barn would be considered an accessory building. I could not build unless there was a house on the lot in an area zoned single family.
Now, here is the part I can't figure out. On the east end of Shady Lane, Mr. Noffsinger is recommending that a pole barn can be built. This lot does not have a house on it. The owner's house is not next to his lot like mine is. His house is across the road on the lake. How can this be? Is it because I don't have political clout? Is it because I live on the other end of Shady Lane and not on the lake?
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Noffsinger is a part of your administration. Maybe you can find out for me.
Jim & Mary Lou Porter
Warsaw
Military Readiness
Editor, Times-Union:Name this country: 709,000 regular, active duty service personnel; 293,000 reserve troops; eight standing Army divisions; 20 Air Force and Navy air wings with 2,000 combat aircraft; 232 strategic bombers; 13 strategic ballistic missile submarines with 3,114 nuclear warheads on 232 missiles; 500 ICBMs with 1,950 warheads; four aircraft carriers; and 200 surface combat ships and submarines, plus all the support bases, shipyards and logistical assets needed to sustain such a naval force.
Is this country Russia? No. Red China? No. Great Britain? Wrong again. USA? Hardly.
Give up? Well, don't feel too bad if you are unable to identify this global superpower because this country no longer exists. It has vanished. These are the American military forces that have disappeared since the 1992 election of Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Their drawdown has cut the nation's military by one-third and both the Navy and Air Force are below the personnel levels mandated by law and below the levels called for by the national military strategy.
Sleep well, America! Vote for Bush in November!
Wanda J. Brown
Warsaw
Stop Rambling II
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Cathy Cripe's letter titled "Stop Rambling," congratulations, Cathy. I'm sure you spoke for the entire county and I couldn't agree with you more.
Sandy Harrell
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
- Silver Lake School - Freedom For Everyone - Incensed - Lake City Skiers - Warsaw Zoning - Military Readiness - Stop Rambling II
Silver Lake School
Editor, Times-Union:Re: Silver Lake school closing, town meeting, Oct. 16
I went to this meeting thinking that as a town we were going to raise questions and concerns about the closing of the school, maybe come up with some solutions. Even though we expressed our questions and concerns at this meeting and there were a lot of good questions, we did not have a discussion. Instead, we had people there that are outside of our community running/dictating this meeting. If they wanted to be there, fine, but they should not have been in charge of this meeting. Instead, we should have had someone from our town writing down our questions and concerns, then presenting them to the board for answers. When we did raise the questions to the people that were there, they gave us a run-around and no answers. So to you, the Community-Based Planning Committee, I give you some of the questions. I am planning to be at the board meeting in November. If you cannot answer these questions now, please try to have the answers at the board meeting so we can see why you would want to take this school out of our community.
1) What is wrong with Silver Lake Elementary? We need a detailed list, handicapped accessibility, etc.
2) If you plan to keep class size down, then you still need the staff. Where are the savings?
3) Do children, K-6, in smaller schools do better academically than the larger schools?
4) Why is the cost of Claypool's total so much higher than ours? They only have 11 more students than we do. Claypool's cost is $707,081; Silver Lake's is $616,466 - a difference of $90,615 a year.
5) Why can't Claypool be on the same cost/ADM as we are? Our ADM is $3,800, times Claypool's 173 students is $658.265. That's a difference of $48,816 from their $707,081 per year.
6) (a) Bus rides to and from Claypool?
(b) Isn't it bad enough we put our 12- to 14-year-olds on the bus for two hours out of their day? Most of them get up between 5 and 5:30 a.m. That is earlier than most of you and their teachers.
(c) So you want to put 5- to 11-year-olds on a bus 1/2-hour to 45 minutes longer than they are? Than they should be? Now K-6 can get up at 6:30 a.m.
(d) Are you going to apologize to teachers? Well, teachers, we are sorry, but the cranky tired children that normally start in seventh grade will now begin in K-6.
7) If we, the community, find a way to raise the money for the charges or get volunteers to fix them, would you leave us alone?
These are only some of the questions. I'm sure we can come up with more. I would like to see the town of Silver Lake have another meeting before the November board meeting without those people running/dictating the meeting. They can come, listen, but they should not speak. This is in no way an attack on Claypool. These are merely questions we deserve to have answered.
Angela Fulton
Silver Lake
Freedom For Everyone
Editor, Times-Union:I'm sure Deanna isn't going to need my help, but Ms. Cripe's letter made me rather angry and I feel compelled to say something. Ms. Cripe, I will give you the same advice I gave Don Guard some time back. Before reading "letters" scan the signatures, if you see Deanna's name, skip that one. She's bound to say something you don't want to hear.
Where do you elitists get off telling people to shut up? If you don't like a person's opinion, you politely express your opposing view, but if "get a life" is the best you can do, I question your so-called "intelligent society."
If you choose to support immoral lifestyles and unconstitutional viewpoints, that's your right but, politically correct or not, the First Amendment applies just as much to Deanna as it does to you and your elitists' "intelligent society."
And by the way, last I heard Deanna has two jobs but still has time to get involved.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
Incensed
Editor, Times-Union:In reading the letter about Repulicans in Tuesday's newspaper. I was incensed! I am a Democrat and have voted Republican for years! I have great sources for my news! They include Fox News on my dish network and Rush Limbaugh on my radio. I also hear the other biased reports on other sources! I suggest that person should check them out!
Marjorie Taylor
Warsaw
Via e-mail
Lake City Skiers
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to publicly express my deep appreciation to the Lake City Skiers. Not only did they provide a wonderful adventure for myself and my two grandchildren, they gave me new hope that there are still people strong enough to stand up for what they believe is morally right.
I traveled from the South Bend area with my two grandchildren Saturday night so that they could ride through the Haunted Forest, sponsored by the Lake City Skiers. As we drove we discussed whether or not I should ride with them. They thought that they were old enough to ride alone. However, I was concerned that what they might see would be too frightening without the reassurance of my presence.
As we arrived and were walking in, we passed people who were walking out talking about what scared them and what was good, which really excited my grandchildren. But I overhead someone mention a boy getting thrown off the wagon, which really concerned me because I thought they were implying that someone was literally thrown from the wagon during the ride. Worried about our safety I asked someone what had happened.
As it turned out, there had been a teenager escorted off the wagon and out of the ride because they had used language and actions that were suggestive and very inappropriate. I had not even considered the possibility of my two grandchildren sitting beside someone who might use profane language or act foolishly throughout the entire ride. And with me not there to instill that those actions or words were not appropriate, what they could have seen or heard on the wagon might have left an even more damaging image on them than what they saw outside of the wagon. So my hat goes off to the Lake City Skiers for having the courage to stand up for what is right and giving me the assurance that, even if I had let my two grandchildren ride by themselves, there would still be someone looking out for their best interests. Who knows? Maybe if more people were less tolerant and forced others into being held accountable for their actions, we could slow down the moral decline.
As for the Haunted Forest and the performance that the Lake City Skiers give, I would highly recommend that if you haven't yet taken your children or grandchildren through it, you should take the opportunity that these people have provided for you. It is obvious that a lot of hard work and dedication have been given in order for you to have a safe place to go for some Halloween entertainment.
Edith Colfax
South Bend
Warsaw Zoning
Editor, Times-Union:I have tried to figure out why our Warsaw zoning ordinances can be enforced by Jeff Noffsinger one way on the east end of Shady Lane and another way on the west end. Last October, I asked Mr. Noffsinger for a permit to build a pole barn on a lot next to my house. I was told he could not issue the permit unless I connected the lot with the lot my house was on so that it was one lot. Then the pole barn would be considered an accessory building. I could not build unless there was a house on the lot in an area zoned single family.
Now, here is the part I can't figure out. On the east end of Shady Lane, Mr. Noffsinger is recommending that a pole barn can be built. This lot does not have a house on it. The owner's house is not next to his lot like mine is. His house is across the road on the lake. How can this be? Is it because I don't have political clout? Is it because I live on the other end of Shady Lane and not on the lake?
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Noffsinger is a part of your administration. Maybe you can find out for me.
Jim & Mary Lou Porter
Warsaw
Military Readiness
Editor, Times-Union:Name this country: 709,000 regular, active duty service personnel; 293,000 reserve troops; eight standing Army divisions; 20 Air Force and Navy air wings with 2,000 combat aircraft; 232 strategic bombers; 13 strategic ballistic missile submarines with 3,114 nuclear warheads on 232 missiles; 500 ICBMs with 1,950 warheads; four aircraft carriers; and 200 surface combat ships and submarines, plus all the support bases, shipyards and logistical assets needed to sustain such a naval force.
Is this country Russia? No. Red China? No. Great Britain? Wrong again. USA? Hardly.
Give up? Well, don't feel too bad if you are unable to identify this global superpower because this country no longer exists. It has vanished. These are the American military forces that have disappeared since the 1992 election of Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Their drawdown has cut the nation's military by one-third and both the Navy and Air Force are below the personnel levels mandated by law and below the levels called for by the national military strategy.
Sleep well, America! Vote for Bush in November!
Wanda J. Brown
Warsaw
Stop Rambling II
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Cathy Cripe's letter titled "Stop Rambling," congratulations, Cathy. I'm sure you spoke for the entire county and I couldn't agree with you more.
Sandy Harrell
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092