Letters to the Editor 11-03-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Don't Criticize Police - Time Debate's A Circus - More Red Light Debate - Agrees With Hite - Gloves Lost
Don't Criticize Police
Editor, Times-Union:I have been part of the Warsaw Police Citizen's Academy this fall and have gained invaluable information about the work that all of our law enforcement officers do in and for our community.
First and foremost, I have learned that the primary goal of any police officer is to come home safely to their family at the end of each day. How many of us even stop to consider this as a goal on our jobs?
Each and every time an officer makes a traffic stop they have to be and are prepared for a potentially dangerous situation. They do not know who is going to be in that vehicle and they are trained not to assume anything. The training that our officers have gone through and continue to go through is very thorough and they are confident in the work that they do.
If someone is holding a gun against an officer - real, fake or unloaded - the officer must assume that it is real with live ammunition. Remember their primary goal is go home safe to their families at the end of each day and to this end they are just doing their job. Our police officers have gone through extensive gun and weapon training and they do not take the use of the weapons that they carry lightly.
I rode along with a WPD officer, Corporal Brad Keller, a couple weeks ago and saw first hand the dedication and commitment that our police officers have for their job. We were called to the scene of an unfortunate accident that evening and Corporal Keller and the other officers who were present immediately had the scene surrounding the accident under control. They were holding the heart monitor and the IVs for the accident victim and ensuring a safe place for Samaritan to land. They were a vital part to helping the accident victim that evening.
Many of us have often thought negatively or critically about police officers, including myself. Unfortunately, police officers often seem to get the raw end of the deal. They get named in lawsuits because someone thinks they did not do something they were supposed to do or because they did do something they were supposed to do. From the media on down, we are often given the opinion, not the facts, about police officers. What right does the media or do any of us have to criticize an officer if we have never been in their shoes?
I hope that through this letter you have gained a stronger appreciation for our police officers. Whenever you have the opportunity I encourage you to thank a police officer. You might just make their day.
We can each help to make the job of police officers much easier and ensure that they will go home safely to their families at the end of each day simply by respecting and obeying the laws. I would also ask you to join with me in praying for our officers and their families.
Tami Miller
Winona Lake, via e-mail
Time Debate's A Circus
Editor, Times-Union:What a circus this whole daylight-saving thing has been. Proponents of daylight-saving time have tried to get it approved in Indiana for years. This time they got it because our new governor suggested it would fix all of our economic woes and because, for the first time, no preference of time zone was mentioned. The resulting chaos was unavoidable. Now the Eastern versus Central fight has been passed down to the counties. The way things are going, South Bend and Fort Wayne will be on separate time zones. Can you imagine that? Can this really result in economic salvation as promised? I have seen folks nearly come to blows in this argument: "I don't want my kids waiting for the bus in the dark."
"Well, I don't want to come home from work in the dark."
"Look at the rest of the country. They don't know what time it is here."
"Look at the rest of the country. Why would we want to be like them?"
The result of all of this was supposed to be that it would improve our lives. I think it has gone far enough that we can all see that, in the current direction things are going, it will not.
"What time is it in Muncie?"
"If it's 2 p.m. in Plymouth, what time is it in Columbia City?"
I'll tell you what time it is. It's time for a compromise: Instead of either/or, let's have both time zones. How about if Indiana is on Central Daylight time throughout the spring and summer. Then, when the rest of the country has to "fall back," we can just move to Eastern Standard time, much like what just happened Oct. 30. The next spring, we can switch back to Central time. This way we never have to change our clocks and we always know what time it is in Indiana. Yeah, that could work. The simplicity of it - it's brilliant. Why didn't we think of this before?
Chris Volkers
Winona Lake, via e-mail
More Red Light Debate
Editor, Times-Union:A Scripps Howard report (based on a Washington Post article--copy printed in this paper Oct. 10) would seem to indicate that photo-enforcement in Washington, D.C., in the past six years has been ineffective as a safety measure - simply a way for the District to raise $32 million.
The Washington Post is under very strong attack from many sides, including the nationally acclaimed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, for its reporting methods and their conclusions. Initial response indicates that, among other factors, a very significant increase in traffic volume was not taken into consideration. As one D.C. official also states, "The large number of citations issued during this time is a direct result of the severity of the red light running problem and driver behavior, not an attempt by the District to assess fines. No red light runners - no citations issued."
Efforts are being made to hold the Washington Post accountable for the damage wrought by their article.
Again, I encourage local folks to talk to officials in cities that are proving the value of photo enforcement. A list of these cities can be found at www.stopredlightrunning.com
As for the suggestion to "install the cameras or not," it is not so simple. State law must be changed before cameras even have the chance to prove their worth in Indiana. Efforts will continue to allow the use of cameras as a safety tool for our officers until cameras can actually prove their own worth in our state.
Ann Sweet
Spokesperson
National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running
Warsaw, via e-mail
Agrees With Hite
Editor, Times-Union:Dr. Hite, thank you for your courage to speak up. I, too, have been watching this case very closely. It saddens me to see how far to the left our state, and our country, is headed. I feel we are losing our right to freedom, and if something is not done soon, we will be no better off than some of our neighbors across the ocean who don't have the freedoms we do.
The good news is, I have had the privilege of working with legislators, and even Governor Daniels' office these past two years. I have seen them in action first hand. We have some wonderful legislators that see what direction our state is headed. They are trying to stop this rolling freight train towards liberalism. They do listen and I stand behind Dr. Hite and say, "Call your legislators." They are men and women like you and me, who will take the time to listen to you. If you do not know how to find your legislator, go to www.in.gov There you will find phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Or call 317-232-9856, you can ask for your legislator.
Also, I encourage you to inform your churches on what is happening in our state. If you do research as I have, you will see things happening in our state that will make your toes curl. We can't stick our heads in the sand any longer. We have to stand up and become active. If we don't, who will? The ICLU? Not while I have breath in me.
Most of all pray for your leaders. Pray for Brian Bosma and the several legislators mentioned in this lawsuit that they will not bow, bend or break under this pressure.
Monica Boyer
Warsaw
Gloves Lost
Editor, Times-Union:A few weeks ago, my son and I lost his football gloves after practice got over. It was dark and I went one way while he went another and we think the gloves fell out while I was heading home.
We lost them somewhere in the vicinity of Fribley Field. The gloves are rather pricey and I would love it if whoever found them could find it in their heart to return them. For the record, they are Cutter brand and are adult XL. They are black and white on the back and gray in the front. They also have his name in marker on the inside wrist band of both gloves. If anyone knows anything about these gloves, please contact me at 574-268-0423.
Phil Smith
Warsaw, via e-mail
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- Don't Criticize Police - Time Debate's A Circus - More Red Light Debate - Agrees With Hite - Gloves Lost
Don't Criticize Police
Editor, Times-Union:I have been part of the Warsaw Police Citizen's Academy this fall and have gained invaluable information about the work that all of our law enforcement officers do in and for our community.
First and foremost, I have learned that the primary goal of any police officer is to come home safely to their family at the end of each day. How many of us even stop to consider this as a goal on our jobs?
Each and every time an officer makes a traffic stop they have to be and are prepared for a potentially dangerous situation. They do not know who is going to be in that vehicle and they are trained not to assume anything. The training that our officers have gone through and continue to go through is very thorough and they are confident in the work that they do.
If someone is holding a gun against an officer - real, fake or unloaded - the officer must assume that it is real with live ammunition. Remember their primary goal is go home safe to their families at the end of each day and to this end they are just doing their job. Our police officers have gone through extensive gun and weapon training and they do not take the use of the weapons that they carry lightly.
I rode along with a WPD officer, Corporal Brad Keller, a couple weeks ago and saw first hand the dedication and commitment that our police officers have for their job. We were called to the scene of an unfortunate accident that evening and Corporal Keller and the other officers who were present immediately had the scene surrounding the accident under control. They were holding the heart monitor and the IVs for the accident victim and ensuring a safe place for Samaritan to land. They were a vital part to helping the accident victim that evening.
Many of us have often thought negatively or critically about police officers, including myself. Unfortunately, police officers often seem to get the raw end of the deal. They get named in lawsuits because someone thinks they did not do something they were supposed to do or because they did do something they were supposed to do. From the media on down, we are often given the opinion, not the facts, about police officers. What right does the media or do any of us have to criticize an officer if we have never been in their shoes?
I hope that through this letter you have gained a stronger appreciation for our police officers. Whenever you have the opportunity I encourage you to thank a police officer. You might just make their day.
We can each help to make the job of police officers much easier and ensure that they will go home safely to their families at the end of each day simply by respecting and obeying the laws. I would also ask you to join with me in praying for our officers and their families.
Tami Miller
Winona Lake, via e-mail
Time Debate's A Circus
Editor, Times-Union:What a circus this whole daylight-saving thing has been. Proponents of daylight-saving time have tried to get it approved in Indiana for years. This time they got it because our new governor suggested it would fix all of our economic woes and because, for the first time, no preference of time zone was mentioned. The resulting chaos was unavoidable. Now the Eastern versus Central fight has been passed down to the counties. The way things are going, South Bend and Fort Wayne will be on separate time zones. Can you imagine that? Can this really result in economic salvation as promised? I have seen folks nearly come to blows in this argument: "I don't want my kids waiting for the bus in the dark."
"Well, I don't want to come home from work in the dark."
"Look at the rest of the country. They don't know what time it is here."
"Look at the rest of the country. Why would we want to be like them?"
The result of all of this was supposed to be that it would improve our lives. I think it has gone far enough that we can all see that, in the current direction things are going, it will not.
"What time is it in Muncie?"
"If it's 2 p.m. in Plymouth, what time is it in Columbia City?"
I'll tell you what time it is. It's time for a compromise: Instead of either/or, let's have both time zones. How about if Indiana is on Central Daylight time throughout the spring and summer. Then, when the rest of the country has to "fall back," we can just move to Eastern Standard time, much like what just happened Oct. 30. The next spring, we can switch back to Central time. This way we never have to change our clocks and we always know what time it is in Indiana. Yeah, that could work. The simplicity of it - it's brilliant. Why didn't we think of this before?
Chris Volkers
Winona Lake, via e-mail
More Red Light Debate
Editor, Times-Union:A Scripps Howard report (based on a Washington Post article--copy printed in this paper Oct. 10) would seem to indicate that photo-enforcement in Washington, D.C., in the past six years has been ineffective as a safety measure - simply a way for the District to raise $32 million.
The Washington Post is under very strong attack from many sides, including the nationally acclaimed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, for its reporting methods and their conclusions. Initial response indicates that, among other factors, a very significant increase in traffic volume was not taken into consideration. As one D.C. official also states, "The large number of citations issued during this time is a direct result of the severity of the red light running problem and driver behavior, not an attempt by the District to assess fines. No red light runners - no citations issued."
Efforts are being made to hold the Washington Post accountable for the damage wrought by their article.
Again, I encourage local folks to talk to officials in cities that are proving the value of photo enforcement. A list of these cities can be found at www.stopredlightrunning.com
As for the suggestion to "install the cameras or not," it is not so simple. State law must be changed before cameras even have the chance to prove their worth in Indiana. Efforts will continue to allow the use of cameras as a safety tool for our officers until cameras can actually prove their own worth in our state.
Ann Sweet
Spokesperson
National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running
Warsaw, via e-mail
Agrees With Hite
Editor, Times-Union:Dr. Hite, thank you for your courage to speak up. I, too, have been watching this case very closely. It saddens me to see how far to the left our state, and our country, is headed. I feel we are losing our right to freedom, and if something is not done soon, we will be no better off than some of our neighbors across the ocean who don't have the freedoms we do.
The good news is, I have had the privilege of working with legislators, and even Governor Daniels' office these past two years. I have seen them in action first hand. We have some wonderful legislators that see what direction our state is headed. They are trying to stop this rolling freight train towards liberalism. They do listen and I stand behind Dr. Hite and say, "Call your legislators." They are men and women like you and me, who will take the time to listen to you. If you do not know how to find your legislator, go to www.in.gov There you will find phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Or call 317-232-9856, you can ask for your legislator.
Also, I encourage you to inform your churches on what is happening in our state. If you do research as I have, you will see things happening in our state that will make your toes curl. We can't stick our heads in the sand any longer. We have to stand up and become active. If we don't, who will? The ICLU? Not while I have breath in me.
Most of all pray for your leaders. Pray for Brian Bosma and the several legislators mentioned in this lawsuit that they will not bow, bend or break under this pressure.
Monica Boyer
Warsaw
Gloves Lost
Editor, Times-Union:A few weeks ago, my son and I lost his football gloves after practice got over. It was dark and I went one way while he went another and we think the gloves fell out while I was heading home.
We lost them somewhere in the vicinity of Fribley Field. The gloves are rather pricey and I would love it if whoever found them could find it in their heart to return them. For the record, they are Cutter brand and are adult XL. They are black and white on the back and gray in the front. They also have his name in marker on the inside wrist band of both gloves. If anyone knows anything about these gloves, please contact me at 574-268-0423.
Phil Smith
Warsaw, via e-mail
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