Letters to the Editor 10-27-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- GSA - Silver Lake Election - Cross Country - Miller For Governor - Thoughtful Stranger
GSA
Editor, Times-Union:Our community and high school have won a great addition. Unfortunately, we have been raised in a society raised to hate what we do not understand. GSA, the Gay Straight Alliance, is a harmless organization. A group of homosexual and heterosexual human beings trying to make the world a better place to live.
As a member of the straight side of GSA I know that the people who stand up freely against us have never been to a meeting, nor have they attempted to find anything out about us. The so-called "facts" they have stated are, in fact, fallacies. For example, someone told me when he or she found out that I was writing about this that, "Gay people are gross! All they do is hit on you and it's gross!" False. Not all gay people hit on you. Perhaps they are mistaking niceness for being "hit on." Hiding your sexual orientation makes you feel as if you are not a part of things and as if your relationships are not real. This leaves you with an overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation. One thing they may not know is that gay people are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide. Gay people make up one-third of all suicide attempts. Maybe they should think that through before they open their mouth to speak again.
GSA is a club where gay and straight people unit as one to talk about problems in our school community and world. We brainstorm to figure out what we can do as individuals and as a group to help change it.
Think about the 10 most important people in you life. One of them feels isolated as if you wouldn't love them if you knew that they were gay. People try to get gays to change to heterosexuality. Almost all try with their whole hearts, including asking God to change them. When the efforts fail, many feel suicide is the only way not to let their family down.
We don't want "special rights." We just want the right to love and be loved without fear of ridicule or discrimination. We aren't the enemy. The real enemies are those who teach hate instead of love. Being gay is hard. That is why GSA needs your support. All we want is our God-given right to live and to love with integrity and to take our place in the community as responsible neighbors and faithful friends.
We as a society have a great organization in our hands. We have won the war against hatred. "The closet is an awful place to die." It's time we take the blindfold of hate off our faces. Embrace the differences in others whether they be gay, bi, straight or anything else. Embrace them. Open up to them. Open the closet door and let them walk out into the world as the beautiful human beings they are and please remove the blindfold of hate.
Adriana Gutierrez
Warsaw
via e-mail
Silver Lake Election
Editor, Times-Union:Silver Lake has a golden opportunity coming this November. There are several seats in all different capacities up for election this year. There is a challenger for almost everyone. I think that if the town of Silver Lake wants to keep making good solid changes for their town, they need to actually know something about the people up for election.
Two former town board members are running. What did they do while once in office for the town? They planted some trees along Ind. 15 and bought a few new police cars with some grant money. Oh, and they also passed an ordinance to raise sewer/water bills and taxes in Silver Lake 5 percent each year. The other opponents, even the two former board members, have not attended the board meetings concerning Silver Lake School closing consistently. Now, if these are the people who want these positions after their mess has been cleaned up, maybe they shouldn't have made the mess in the first place!
Now, Gale Owens is running for re-election. What has Gale done to help improve Silver Lake? Let's see. He's helped push the board to release the 5 percent tax and utility raise on residents. Collaborated with fellow board members to remove the dilapidated filling station downtown and erect "Memory Park." Helped the town build a new and improved fire station. Served on the Save Our School committee to fight the WCS school board from closing Silver Lake Elementary. And helped to create a surplus in the revenue for the town. Not only is Gale a member of the Town Council, but he is also involved in many organizations and clubs in the town. He is a member of the Lions Club, has helped with and been member of the Silver Lake Days committee for many years. Helps hold a softball tourney in Silver Lake during the summer to raise money for the Aggie Dotson Diabetes Foundation. He has been coach, umpire and president of Silver Lake Youth League, many years serving in all aspects at once. Mr. Owens has already said and proven how much he loves this town. Let's keep him in office to see what else he can do to make Silver Lake an even better community!
J. Brown
Syracuse
via e-mail
Cross Country
Editor, Times-Union:I am the Mom of a Warsaw Boys Cross Country runner.
I am writing you to express my extreme disappointment with the Times-Union on their lack of coverage of the Cross Country season.
A week ago I called and personally spoke to the sports editor to express my disappointment. I was told that the sectionals would be covered and that the rest of the season would also be covered. Sectionals were covered and a nice write-up was done as well as pictures. For this we thank you. However, on Saturday the 18th at Oxbow when regionals were taking place, where was our coverage? Ryan Holbrook from Warsaw as well as Luke Stoffel from Wawasee both placed in the top 15 runners and move to semi-state. Rachel Stichter from Wawasee won her race and advances to semi-state. The Warsaw boys placed fifth and also advance to semi-state. Where was the coverage?
These 18 kids work so hard, probably harder than most sports. They run year around. During the summer, these kids were lifting weights and stretching in the morning and then running every evening. They practice every day after school, sometimes till 5:30 or 6 p.m. Sometimes on Saturdays. Then when Cross Country season is over, they continue to run to stay in shape for track season. They are up at 5 a.m. to work out before school. These kids are scholar athletes, making As and Bs, ranking high in their classes.
They are led by Coach Jim Mills, affectionately known as the "General." This man puts in more hours than I am able to count with these kids. He is not just their coach, he is their mentor, their friend and a fine example of a father. He not only cares about their running, he cares about their grades, their health and about the young men they are becoming. He was assisted this year by Scott Peters, a former runner and an example of the fine young men Coach Mills has molded over the years.
Cross Country is not just another sport to sweep under the carpet. And it is not just our school who suffers from your lack of coverage. It is too bad you couldn't be there to capture the Kodak moment of proud parents taking the team picture of the most awesome boys at WCHS! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments! Good luck at semi state! We will be there to cheer you on, but will the Times-Union?
Becky Ellington
(Jeremy's Mom)
Warsaw
via e-mail
Note: Coverage of the Oct. 18 Cross Country regional appeared on the front page of the Oct. 20 sports section. Our sports writer, Dale Hubler, attended the event. His coverage was comprehensive, including a narrative with quotes from coaches, plus a box with team scores, top 15 individuals and Warsaw and Wawasee finishers in both boys and girls. We devoted a full quarter-page to his story and box score. Hubler again attended cross country this weekend at IPFW in Fort Wayne. His story, along with photos by Times-Union photographer Gary Nieter, appears in today's edition.
Miller For Governor
Editor, Times-Union:My good friend Eric Miller is officially announcing his bid to become Indiana's next governor on Oct. 27 in a statewide rally to be held in Danville. After that rally, he and his campaign chairman, former Gov. Dr. Otis R. Bowen, will begin an extensive motor coach trip throughout Indiana announcing his candidacy. Their caravan will be in Warsaw on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. for his Kosciusko County announcement. This rally will be on the south steps of the Kosciusko County Courthouse. At 6:30 p.m., Martin Becker will be striking up the band to get us in the spirit. We will have live radio and television coverage along with newspaper coverage. There will be balloons, banners and bumper stickers.
Please join us as we support Eric Miller and thank him for the over 20 years he has devoted to bringing a conservative voice at our Indiana State House. During those years he has been:
A defender of our churches
An advocate for lower taxes
A leader in the pro-life agenda
A supporter of quality education for every child in Indiana
A supporter of creating and keeping good paying jobs in Indiana
At the rally, Doc Bowen will be speaking, telling why he is actively leading Eric's campaign.
Plan on attending this exciting event. See you on the 30th at 7 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Be there to meet and support Indiana's next governor.
John Elliott
A friend and strong supporter of Eric Miller
Warsaw
via e-mail
Thoughtful Stranger
Editor, Times-Union:My dad has spent the last nine months in Iraq, with the rest of his National Guard Unit, yet I and the rest of my siblings have not seen him in almost a year because of the training required by the unit before heading over to Iraq. Just this past Friday, the 17th of October, my dad's long-awaited return finally came. To celebrate, my whole family and I went out to the Boathouse Restaurant in Winona Lake, my dad wearing his uniform. After we had our share of food, dessert and drink, we had worked up quite the bill. Just as we were leaving, out waitress came up to my mother saying that our bill had already been paid. A gentleman, who wished to remain anonymous, had paid our bill! So as soon as I found this out, I needed to thank this thoughtful stranger. The only way I can think to thank this gentleman is by writing to you, the editor, wishing that somehow, someway, these feelings of gratitude will reach this good-hearted soul. So, to the beautiful stranger, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your generosity touched, as well as moved, our family's heart. May God bless you.
Amber Jewell
Etna Green
via e-mail
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- GSA - Silver Lake Election - Cross Country - Miller For Governor - Thoughtful Stranger
GSA
Editor, Times-Union:Our community and high school have won a great addition. Unfortunately, we have been raised in a society raised to hate what we do not understand. GSA, the Gay Straight Alliance, is a harmless organization. A group of homosexual and heterosexual human beings trying to make the world a better place to live.
As a member of the straight side of GSA I know that the people who stand up freely against us have never been to a meeting, nor have they attempted to find anything out about us. The so-called "facts" they have stated are, in fact, fallacies. For example, someone told me when he or she found out that I was writing about this that, "Gay people are gross! All they do is hit on you and it's gross!" False. Not all gay people hit on you. Perhaps they are mistaking niceness for being "hit on." Hiding your sexual orientation makes you feel as if you are not a part of things and as if your relationships are not real. This leaves you with an overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation. One thing they may not know is that gay people are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide. Gay people make up one-third of all suicide attempts. Maybe they should think that through before they open their mouth to speak again.
GSA is a club where gay and straight people unit as one to talk about problems in our school community and world. We brainstorm to figure out what we can do as individuals and as a group to help change it.
Think about the 10 most important people in you life. One of them feels isolated as if you wouldn't love them if you knew that they were gay. People try to get gays to change to heterosexuality. Almost all try with their whole hearts, including asking God to change them. When the efforts fail, many feel suicide is the only way not to let their family down.
We don't want "special rights." We just want the right to love and be loved without fear of ridicule or discrimination. We aren't the enemy. The real enemies are those who teach hate instead of love. Being gay is hard. That is why GSA needs your support. All we want is our God-given right to live and to love with integrity and to take our place in the community as responsible neighbors and faithful friends.
We as a society have a great organization in our hands. We have won the war against hatred. "The closet is an awful place to die." It's time we take the blindfold of hate off our faces. Embrace the differences in others whether they be gay, bi, straight or anything else. Embrace them. Open up to them. Open the closet door and let them walk out into the world as the beautiful human beings they are and please remove the blindfold of hate.
Adriana Gutierrez
Warsaw
via e-mail
Silver Lake Election
Editor, Times-Union:Silver Lake has a golden opportunity coming this November. There are several seats in all different capacities up for election this year. There is a challenger for almost everyone. I think that if the town of Silver Lake wants to keep making good solid changes for their town, they need to actually know something about the people up for election.
Two former town board members are running. What did they do while once in office for the town? They planted some trees along Ind. 15 and bought a few new police cars with some grant money. Oh, and they also passed an ordinance to raise sewer/water bills and taxes in Silver Lake 5 percent each year. The other opponents, even the two former board members, have not attended the board meetings concerning Silver Lake School closing consistently. Now, if these are the people who want these positions after their mess has been cleaned up, maybe they shouldn't have made the mess in the first place!
Now, Gale Owens is running for re-election. What has Gale done to help improve Silver Lake? Let's see. He's helped push the board to release the 5 percent tax and utility raise on residents. Collaborated with fellow board members to remove the dilapidated filling station downtown and erect "Memory Park." Helped the town build a new and improved fire station. Served on the Save Our School committee to fight the WCS school board from closing Silver Lake Elementary. And helped to create a surplus in the revenue for the town. Not only is Gale a member of the Town Council, but he is also involved in many organizations and clubs in the town. He is a member of the Lions Club, has helped with and been member of the Silver Lake Days committee for many years. Helps hold a softball tourney in Silver Lake during the summer to raise money for the Aggie Dotson Diabetes Foundation. He has been coach, umpire and president of Silver Lake Youth League, many years serving in all aspects at once. Mr. Owens has already said and proven how much he loves this town. Let's keep him in office to see what else he can do to make Silver Lake an even better community!
J. Brown
Syracuse
via e-mail
Cross Country
Editor, Times-Union:I am the Mom of a Warsaw Boys Cross Country runner.
I am writing you to express my extreme disappointment with the Times-Union on their lack of coverage of the Cross Country season.
A week ago I called and personally spoke to the sports editor to express my disappointment. I was told that the sectionals would be covered and that the rest of the season would also be covered. Sectionals were covered and a nice write-up was done as well as pictures. For this we thank you. However, on Saturday the 18th at Oxbow when regionals were taking place, where was our coverage? Ryan Holbrook from Warsaw as well as Luke Stoffel from Wawasee both placed in the top 15 runners and move to semi-state. Rachel Stichter from Wawasee won her race and advances to semi-state. The Warsaw boys placed fifth and also advance to semi-state. Where was the coverage?
These 18 kids work so hard, probably harder than most sports. They run year around. During the summer, these kids were lifting weights and stretching in the morning and then running every evening. They practice every day after school, sometimes till 5:30 or 6 p.m. Sometimes on Saturdays. Then when Cross Country season is over, they continue to run to stay in shape for track season. They are up at 5 a.m. to work out before school. These kids are scholar athletes, making As and Bs, ranking high in their classes.
They are led by Coach Jim Mills, affectionately known as the "General." This man puts in more hours than I am able to count with these kids. He is not just their coach, he is their mentor, their friend and a fine example of a father. He not only cares about their running, he cares about their grades, their health and about the young men they are becoming. He was assisted this year by Scott Peters, a former runner and an example of the fine young men Coach Mills has molded over the years.
Cross Country is not just another sport to sweep under the carpet. And it is not just our school who suffers from your lack of coverage. It is too bad you couldn't be there to capture the Kodak moment of proud parents taking the team picture of the most awesome boys at WCHS! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments! Good luck at semi state! We will be there to cheer you on, but will the Times-Union?
Becky Ellington
(Jeremy's Mom)
Warsaw
via e-mail
Note: Coverage of the Oct. 18 Cross Country regional appeared on the front page of the Oct. 20 sports section. Our sports writer, Dale Hubler, attended the event. His coverage was comprehensive, including a narrative with quotes from coaches, plus a box with team scores, top 15 individuals and Warsaw and Wawasee finishers in both boys and girls. We devoted a full quarter-page to his story and box score. Hubler again attended cross country this weekend at IPFW in Fort Wayne. His story, along with photos by Times-Union photographer Gary Nieter, appears in today's edition.
Miller For Governor
Editor, Times-Union:My good friend Eric Miller is officially announcing his bid to become Indiana's next governor on Oct. 27 in a statewide rally to be held in Danville. After that rally, he and his campaign chairman, former Gov. Dr. Otis R. Bowen, will begin an extensive motor coach trip throughout Indiana announcing his candidacy. Their caravan will be in Warsaw on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. for his Kosciusko County announcement. This rally will be on the south steps of the Kosciusko County Courthouse. At 6:30 p.m., Martin Becker will be striking up the band to get us in the spirit. We will have live radio and television coverage along with newspaper coverage. There will be balloons, banners and bumper stickers.
Please join us as we support Eric Miller and thank him for the over 20 years he has devoted to bringing a conservative voice at our Indiana State House. During those years he has been:
A defender of our churches
An advocate for lower taxes
A leader in the pro-life agenda
A supporter of quality education for every child in Indiana
A supporter of creating and keeping good paying jobs in Indiana
At the rally, Doc Bowen will be speaking, telling why he is actively leading Eric's campaign.
Plan on attending this exciting event. See you on the 30th at 7 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Be there to meet and support Indiana's next governor.
John Elliott
A friend and strong supporter of Eric Miller
Warsaw
via e-mail
Thoughtful Stranger
Editor, Times-Union:My dad has spent the last nine months in Iraq, with the rest of his National Guard Unit, yet I and the rest of my siblings have not seen him in almost a year because of the training required by the unit before heading over to Iraq. Just this past Friday, the 17th of October, my dad's long-awaited return finally came. To celebrate, my whole family and I went out to the Boathouse Restaurant in Winona Lake, my dad wearing his uniform. After we had our share of food, dessert and drink, we had worked up quite the bill. Just as we were leaving, out waitress came up to my mother saying that our bill had already been paid. A gentleman, who wished to remain anonymous, had paid our bill! So as soon as I found this out, I needed to thank this thoughtful stranger. The only way I can think to thank this gentleman is by writing to you, the editor, wishing that somehow, someway, these feelings of gratitude will reach this good-hearted soul. So, to the beautiful stranger, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your generosity touched, as well as moved, our family's heart. May God bless you.
Amber Jewell
Etna Green
via e-mail
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