Letters to the Editor 11-05-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Abuse Cases - Censorship - Thanks To Rakers - Oakwood Cemetery
Abuse Cases
Editor, Times-Union:Why is it that when something happens once unintentionally, it is often blown out of proportion? Yet, when the same incident occurs, numerous times, nothing is done to stop it. The cases I am speaking of are child abuse cases in Kosciusko and Whitley counties. I think that if social workers want to really pride themselves in the thought of providing safety to children in need,they can take care of these special cases where nothing is done. Nothing is done about the cases where extreme blows to the body are suffered, yet when it's a simple scratch, foster parents are found. My friend was abused yesterday by her father. She appeared at school, with bruises on her body, a swollen and discolored eye and random marks across her face. Our principals, teachers and faculty are supposed to be in tune with the needs of students. Why didn't anyone recognize the signs, when her feeble, "I fell" story, which is used almost biweekly, again surfaced. I'm not writing to condemn the school systems, but to encourage them.
Teenagers, if you have friends who you know are being mistreated at home, tell an adult, teacher, or pastor you trust. It is against the law to withhold information in a situation like that. I know that if I were the one who was being phyisically, sexually or mentally abused, I would takecomfort in the fact that I have friends who I know would tell someone to get me out of that terrible situation. A good friend wouldn't let you live that way.
Melinda Salmons, age 15
Claypool
via e-mail
Censorship
Editor, Times Union:"Let it be known that censorship is alive and well in Warsaw, Indiana." Says a local high school student. HA, honey, censorship is EVERYWHERE! Young girls are sent home from school because of a rule of censorship, usually known as a dress code. President Bush reads from a teleprompter, because he is reading a speech that was prepared for him by a team of people that have to watch what he says and censor him so that the nation loves him. I can understand your being upset for your play being cut, but I'm sure it was not worth the effort to write your letter.
Last year, during the Tri Kappa art show, I had an installation piece that I lovingly called "macabre." This little set of mine displayed all the artwork that I had entered into the show, as well as being a piece of artwork itself. Due to the high content of faux blood in the piece, I was forced to remove several items from it. Only because a single teacher, who will remain nameless, was offended. Sure I was mad, but very thankful that I was able to display at all. In the same sense, you should be upset that your show was cut, but still be thankful that you were allowed to direct at all, or even stay in the theater program.
I attended WCHS, and participated in the Theater Department. It was the best time of my life. I too experienced parts of shows and characters being cut, but I understood the reasons and didn't object to it, only because my opportunity to participate was granted by the department personnel, and it could be taken from me, as could it be taken from you. Arguing your point is all well and good, but there is a point where it becomes malicious and inappropriate, that is where I believe you are headed. So in all, I think you've abused your constitutional rights, in writing an absurd letter, which reaped only negative feedback from the majority of the community.
Know your rights, but also know when pull their card. The school provided the rules that allowed your show to be cut, and you agreed to abide by those rule when you registered for school.
Philip Dillon
University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne
via e-mail
Thanks To Rakers
Editor, Times-Union:When I walked out to the mailbox to get my mail late Saturday afternoon, the thousands of leaves that covered my whole front lawn were piled neatly in several stacks out at the curb. I quickly called my next door neighbor when I saw that her leaves were also raked into neat piles. I asked her if she knew who raked the leaves. She said that she happened to look out the window and a group of about 10 young teenagers were busy at work. They told her they wanted no pay, that they were just "having fun."
Although I don't know any of your names or where your group was from, I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate so much what you did. I am very sorry I did not see all of you to thank you personally, but I want you all to know how grateful and appreciative I am for the help you gave to me and to others on our street and wherever else you did your good deeds.
And most of all, I wanted our community to know that there are good, caring young people, and I am very proud that they live in our town.
P.S. If any of you wish to call me, so I can thank you personally, or plan to come over and I will make you some hot chocolate or brownies (your choice), I would be happy to do so. My telephone number is 267-3202.
Thanks again for your kindness.
Elaine Bell
Warsaw
Oakwood Cemetery
Editor, Times-Union:I have many ancestors buried in Oakwood Cemetery, the last being my mother, buried spring 2001. I received permission from the sexton and planted a dogwood last fall, carefully following all cemetery rules. We spoke several times.
Within months, a deer snapped off the treetop. I was not notified by Oakwood, nor was I told before planting that deer were an issue. Relatives notified me, and I called the office again, who confirmed deer damaged the tree. This spring, happily, the stump was putting forth shoots. I sunk a heavy-wire green plant stand over and around it, within the mulched area, for protection. Relatives kept me updated over the summer; the shoots were still growing.
I just visited Saturday, 10-26-02. Everything was gone, even the carefully prepared mulched area. Monday, when I called the sexton asking why I did not receive even a simple call prior, was met with, "he can't be responsible to keep track of all the relatives who plant things for those buried in the cemetery," "they can't guarantee anything" and "there is no deer problem." Not once did I hear any expression of sympathy. He says he removed it because it was dead, did so two months ago and yes, the stand is in his office.
The only suggestions given, if I were to risk re-planting again, was using a plastic trunk wrap or to buy a larger tree. I asked about using tall metal stakes within the mulched area for better protection, as even this small tree and preparation was not inexpensive. The sexton then exaggerated my words saying, "Well, I can't let you put a 4-foot fence around it" and "whatever you do, it better not be in the way of the mowers."
This all raises many questions for me, and I think for the citizens of Warsaw. Could the city provide a few temporary metal tree guards for relatives? Or help families defray the "risk" of planting larger trees by access to the city wholesale nursery rate? Is sensitivity to the relatives of the deceased not part of a sexton's job?
And, since the tree was on a vacant family plot observing all "mower rules," isn't then the removal of it, and/or taking of items within this area without prior relative permission, in itself vandalism?
Barbara McCoy
Indianapolis, via e-mail
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- Abuse Cases - Censorship - Thanks To Rakers - Oakwood Cemetery
Abuse Cases
Editor, Times-Union:Why is it that when something happens once unintentionally, it is often blown out of proportion? Yet, when the same incident occurs, numerous times, nothing is done to stop it. The cases I am speaking of are child abuse cases in Kosciusko and Whitley counties. I think that if social workers want to really pride themselves in the thought of providing safety to children in need,they can take care of these special cases where nothing is done. Nothing is done about the cases where extreme blows to the body are suffered, yet when it's a simple scratch, foster parents are found. My friend was abused yesterday by her father. She appeared at school, with bruises on her body, a swollen and discolored eye and random marks across her face. Our principals, teachers and faculty are supposed to be in tune with the needs of students. Why didn't anyone recognize the signs, when her feeble, "I fell" story, which is used almost biweekly, again surfaced. I'm not writing to condemn the school systems, but to encourage them.
Teenagers, if you have friends who you know are being mistreated at home, tell an adult, teacher, or pastor you trust. It is against the law to withhold information in a situation like that. I know that if I were the one who was being phyisically, sexually or mentally abused, I would takecomfort in the fact that I have friends who I know would tell someone to get me out of that terrible situation. A good friend wouldn't let you live that way.
Melinda Salmons, age 15
Claypool
via e-mail
Censorship
Editor, Times Union:"Let it be known that censorship is alive and well in Warsaw, Indiana." Says a local high school student. HA, honey, censorship is EVERYWHERE! Young girls are sent home from school because of a rule of censorship, usually known as a dress code. President Bush reads from a teleprompter, because he is reading a speech that was prepared for him by a team of people that have to watch what he says and censor him so that the nation loves him. I can understand your being upset for your play being cut, but I'm sure it was not worth the effort to write your letter.
Last year, during the Tri Kappa art show, I had an installation piece that I lovingly called "macabre." This little set of mine displayed all the artwork that I had entered into the show, as well as being a piece of artwork itself. Due to the high content of faux blood in the piece, I was forced to remove several items from it. Only because a single teacher, who will remain nameless, was offended. Sure I was mad, but very thankful that I was able to display at all. In the same sense, you should be upset that your show was cut, but still be thankful that you were allowed to direct at all, or even stay in the theater program.
I attended WCHS, and participated in the Theater Department. It was the best time of my life. I too experienced parts of shows and characters being cut, but I understood the reasons and didn't object to it, only because my opportunity to participate was granted by the department personnel, and it could be taken from me, as could it be taken from you. Arguing your point is all well and good, but there is a point where it becomes malicious and inappropriate, that is where I believe you are headed. So in all, I think you've abused your constitutional rights, in writing an absurd letter, which reaped only negative feedback from the majority of the community.
Know your rights, but also know when pull their card. The school provided the rules that allowed your show to be cut, and you agreed to abide by those rule when you registered for school.
Philip Dillon
University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne
via e-mail
Thanks To Rakers
Editor, Times-Union:When I walked out to the mailbox to get my mail late Saturday afternoon, the thousands of leaves that covered my whole front lawn were piled neatly in several stacks out at the curb. I quickly called my next door neighbor when I saw that her leaves were also raked into neat piles. I asked her if she knew who raked the leaves. She said that she happened to look out the window and a group of about 10 young teenagers were busy at work. They told her they wanted no pay, that they were just "having fun."
Although I don't know any of your names or where your group was from, I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate so much what you did. I am very sorry I did not see all of you to thank you personally, but I want you all to know how grateful and appreciative I am for the help you gave to me and to others on our street and wherever else you did your good deeds.
And most of all, I wanted our community to know that there are good, caring young people, and I am very proud that they live in our town.
P.S. If any of you wish to call me, so I can thank you personally, or plan to come over and I will make you some hot chocolate or brownies (your choice), I would be happy to do so. My telephone number is 267-3202.
Thanks again for your kindness.
Elaine Bell
Warsaw
Oakwood Cemetery
Editor, Times-Union:I have many ancestors buried in Oakwood Cemetery, the last being my mother, buried spring 2001. I received permission from the sexton and planted a dogwood last fall, carefully following all cemetery rules. We spoke several times.
Within months, a deer snapped off the treetop. I was not notified by Oakwood, nor was I told before planting that deer were an issue. Relatives notified me, and I called the office again, who confirmed deer damaged the tree. This spring, happily, the stump was putting forth shoots. I sunk a heavy-wire green plant stand over and around it, within the mulched area, for protection. Relatives kept me updated over the summer; the shoots were still growing.
I just visited Saturday, 10-26-02. Everything was gone, even the carefully prepared mulched area. Monday, when I called the sexton asking why I did not receive even a simple call prior, was met with, "he can't be responsible to keep track of all the relatives who plant things for those buried in the cemetery," "they can't guarantee anything" and "there is no deer problem." Not once did I hear any expression of sympathy. He says he removed it because it was dead, did so two months ago and yes, the stand is in his office.
The only suggestions given, if I were to risk re-planting again, was using a plastic trunk wrap or to buy a larger tree. I asked about using tall metal stakes within the mulched area for better protection, as even this small tree and preparation was not inexpensive. The sexton then exaggerated my words saying, "Well, I can't let you put a 4-foot fence around it" and "whatever you do, it better not be in the way of the mowers."
This all raises many questions for me, and I think for the citizens of Warsaw. Could the city provide a few temporary metal tree guards for relatives? Or help families defray the "risk" of planting larger trees by access to the city wholesale nursery rate? Is sensitivity to the relatives of the deceased not part of a sexton's job?
And, since the tree was on a vacant family plot observing all "mower rules," isn't then the removal of it, and/or taking of items within this area without prior relative permission, in itself vandalism?
Barbara McCoy
Indianapolis, via e-mail
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