Letters to the Editor 11-15-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Animal Welfare - Zero Tolerance - Two-Party System - Helpful Public Servants - Good Job, ABC - Special Olympics
Animal Welfare
Editor, Times-Union:What is going on in this County with this "Animal Welfare League"? I am relatively new to the area and enjoy reading the Times-Union and specifically the "Letters to the Editor" but I am growing ever so tired of seeing letters about the Animal Welfare League.Ê Don't you people have anything better to do?
I think you are forgetting one important FACT when it comes to animals. THEY ARE ANIMALS! They don't mourn theirÊmother's or father's death, they don't plan for the future, they don't pay taxes and they certainly don't practice birth control. Therefore, we as humans mustÊcare for themÊbut we have limits as to what we can and can't do for the animal population as a whole.
I live in an area of the county (The BarbeeÊLakes Area) where we can't get our neighbors toÊkeep their properties clean and help contribute to the betterment of the community, let alone take care of their pets. I am sure this is the case in many areas of the county. WhyÊare you people spending so much time worrying about keeping unwanted pets alive when the problem is simply NOT going to go away until these people learn how to contribute to society in a positive manner. There is ONLY one answer in today's world. Put the unwanted pets to sleep. It's common sense really.
I have had numerous problems with unwanted pets in my area.Ê Feral cats are RUNNING WILD! They along with a few uncared-for dogs have decimated the local wild life population. Do we get any help from the county's animal control in this area? No.ÊWhat does the dog catcher tell me when I ask for his help? "Well, Mr. Willmann, it is your responsibility to capture these pets and take them to the Animal Shelter or call me to come and pick it up."ÊYeah, this is what I want to do ... spend my time chasing after and trying to catch dangerous animals.Ê
The feral cats have actually torn out numerous screens in my porch in an effort to get to my trash. What am I supposed to do?Ê You CAN'T catch a feral cat! I have resorted to setting traps for them and disposing of them in an appropriate manor. This may sound cruel, but what other answer is there? The county dog catcher certainly is not interested in helping. TheÊdogs, whose owners refuse to look after, constantly cruise the neighborhood tearing things up and killing all the squirrels and rabbits they can find. Is the Animal Welfare League concerned about these truly wild animals that are dying a painful and sometimes slow death? The wild animals are very welcome in this area but they are the ones paying the price (along with my screen porch).
ANY unwanted pet is better off dead. It's THAT simple. Being animals, and having no comprehension of "the future," they don't knowÊdeath is coming and don't suffer at all! Being a long time pet lover and having put numerous family pets to sleep, I know for a fact it is a very peaceful way to go. Maybe if we had less unwanted pets in the shelter, the county dog catcher could actually do his job and come out and catch these feral cats and unwanted dogs thus helping the wild life population recoup.Ê
The bottom line is ... We live in a society where too many anti-social people get a free ride and unfortunately they own pets.Ê Their pets and we citizens who actually play by the rules are the ones paying the price. The sooner these people who run the animal shelter realize this, the better. But I am sure they are too busy writing whining letters to the editor to notice the true problem.
Terry Willmann, Big Barbee resident, via e-mail
Zero Tolerance
Editor, Times-Union:WCHS, its management, teachers and board are proud of its "intolerance" to drugs and alcohol with the institution of the "365 Program." I invite parents, especially those who have not been directly involved in the program, to take another look at the message we are sending to our students and those coming into our community to live. This policy is meant to be a deterrent but it has become a punitive policy, stripping our students and parents of individual rights. As the policy has no redemptive value for students who make a bad decision, it says to our students, parents and community that we are taking the easy way out by kicking the offenders out of the system rather than saying they are worth the extra time and effort it takes to rehabilitate these students.
There is no doubt that underage drinking and illegal drug usage should be treated seriously and is punishable. The message that such behavior is wrong should be strong; however, the punishment should fit the crime, with the punishment escalating if the unacceptable behavior continues.
If a student is "caught" with alcohol or at a party where there is alcohol (whether the student has had any alcohol or not) the student is suspended from sports and extracurricular activities for 365 days, pending a review process. The student may be at a school or non-school activity when the behavior occurs. This policy discriminates against our future leaders -Êthose in sports and extracurricular activities - who are building a value system on how to deal with conflict and work together with others in their life. Also, as we remove offenders from activities that develop their character, we offer them free time - lots of free time - risking that unproductive behavior may get them into more trouble.
The policy is not equally enforced. Because it is so punitive, parents and students are lying or twisting facts in order to successfully avoid the penalty. Those who tell the truth and admit they're wrong are penalized with six-month to one-year suspensions. Teammates and coaches are reporting students as they witness incidents off school property. Names are also being picked out of newspaper reports before proper legal conviction is made.
Almost all other school systems are taking a better, more effective approach: three-game/activity suspension for the first offense, suspension for the season for the second offense, possibly with counseling. Repeated offenses result in a full-year suspension. This policy offers rehabilitation to students and sends the message to offenders that uncorrected behavior is not acceptable.
Also, let the law enforcement officials and parents deal with non-school activities. School officials should deal with behavior on campus and at off-campus school functions. Education and learning should be the school's number one priority for its students. Let's allow students to redeem themselves after making that first mistake so they can develop and mature into our future leaders in a positive way.
Sherri Milton, Warsaw
Two-Party System
Editor, Times-Union:Cheers for the political climate in Fort Wayne. For those interested in preserving democracy in America it was indeed heartening to witness the mayoral race in the city. It was a striking example of a political campaign that did not reek of mean-spiritedness and animosity. That in itself is admirable and seemingly rare. But also it illustrates that there are communities in Indiana that still have a two-party political system. Why this should be remarkable is hard to fathom since this is neither China, Indonesia, North Korea and the like, where one-party political systems are the norm. It also could be pointed out that there are many non-biased, searching and inquiring minds in this state who are independent. However, unlike New Hampshire, independents in Indiana are not permitted to vote in a primary and are therefore semi-disenfranchised, which some think should be unconstitutional.
At any rate, hooray for Fort Wayne!
Tam Vogel, via e-mail
Helpful Public Servants
Editor, Times-Union:I just want to thank those people that helped me off the porch Monday. The policeman, two ladies that stopped and the EMS. I am not good at remembering names but you know who you are. Thank you again. No broken bones but real big bruises.
Barbara Fawley, Warsaw
Good Job, ABC
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations to the Kosciusko County Alcohol Beverage Commission for their wisdom and courage in denying a new beer and wine dealer's permit to the Village Pantry. With the number of alcohol related accidents in our county, we should be making booze less available and certainly not more, especially when the business sells gasoline. Furthermore Marsh, who is owner of the Village Pantry, already has a beer and wine permit for their supermarket. Since they are both on the same property, it would seem that one permit would be sufficient.
It is sincerely hoped that when the petition is re-heard on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. you on the K.C. Beverage Commission will stand fast in what is best for our community and the youth by denying the petition.
Betty J. Koss, D.D.S., Leesburg
Special Olympics
Editor, Times-Union:The Special Olympics of Kosciusko County would like to thank so very many people for their support during our recent fund-raiser. The donations given far exceeded our expectations. Your help enabled us to become the top winners with over $1,900. This money is so helpful in making it possible for our Special Olympics athletes to be active in various sports. They will be traveling to Mishawaka for a bowling tournament Nov. 20 and, then the state finals Dec. 4.
Again, thank you everyone for your help and support and, most of all, for caring enough to help.
Manda Vuittonet, publicity coordinator, Kosciusko County Special Olympics
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- Animal Welfare - Zero Tolerance - Two-Party System - Helpful Public Servants - Good Job, ABC - Special Olympics
Animal Welfare
Editor, Times-Union:What is going on in this County with this "Animal Welfare League"? I am relatively new to the area and enjoy reading the Times-Union and specifically the "Letters to the Editor" but I am growing ever so tired of seeing letters about the Animal Welfare League.Ê Don't you people have anything better to do?
I think you are forgetting one important FACT when it comes to animals. THEY ARE ANIMALS! They don't mourn theirÊmother's or father's death, they don't plan for the future, they don't pay taxes and they certainly don't practice birth control. Therefore, we as humans mustÊcare for themÊbut we have limits as to what we can and can't do for the animal population as a whole.
I live in an area of the county (The BarbeeÊLakes Area) where we can't get our neighbors toÊkeep their properties clean and help contribute to the betterment of the community, let alone take care of their pets. I am sure this is the case in many areas of the county. WhyÊare you people spending so much time worrying about keeping unwanted pets alive when the problem is simply NOT going to go away until these people learn how to contribute to society in a positive manner. There is ONLY one answer in today's world. Put the unwanted pets to sleep. It's common sense really.
I have had numerous problems with unwanted pets in my area.Ê Feral cats are RUNNING WILD! They along with a few uncared-for dogs have decimated the local wild life population. Do we get any help from the county's animal control in this area? No.ÊWhat does the dog catcher tell me when I ask for his help? "Well, Mr. Willmann, it is your responsibility to capture these pets and take them to the Animal Shelter or call me to come and pick it up."ÊYeah, this is what I want to do ... spend my time chasing after and trying to catch dangerous animals.Ê
The feral cats have actually torn out numerous screens in my porch in an effort to get to my trash. What am I supposed to do?Ê You CAN'T catch a feral cat! I have resorted to setting traps for them and disposing of them in an appropriate manor. This may sound cruel, but what other answer is there? The county dog catcher certainly is not interested in helping. TheÊdogs, whose owners refuse to look after, constantly cruise the neighborhood tearing things up and killing all the squirrels and rabbits they can find. Is the Animal Welfare League concerned about these truly wild animals that are dying a painful and sometimes slow death? The wild animals are very welcome in this area but they are the ones paying the price (along with my screen porch).
ANY unwanted pet is better off dead. It's THAT simple. Being animals, and having no comprehension of "the future," they don't knowÊdeath is coming and don't suffer at all! Being a long time pet lover and having put numerous family pets to sleep, I know for a fact it is a very peaceful way to go. Maybe if we had less unwanted pets in the shelter, the county dog catcher could actually do his job and come out and catch these feral cats and unwanted dogs thus helping the wild life population recoup.Ê
The bottom line is ... We live in a society where too many anti-social people get a free ride and unfortunately they own pets.Ê Their pets and we citizens who actually play by the rules are the ones paying the price. The sooner these people who run the animal shelter realize this, the better. But I am sure they are too busy writing whining letters to the editor to notice the true problem.
Terry Willmann, Big Barbee resident, via e-mail
Zero Tolerance
Editor, Times-Union:WCHS, its management, teachers and board are proud of its "intolerance" to drugs and alcohol with the institution of the "365 Program." I invite parents, especially those who have not been directly involved in the program, to take another look at the message we are sending to our students and those coming into our community to live. This policy is meant to be a deterrent but it has become a punitive policy, stripping our students and parents of individual rights. As the policy has no redemptive value for students who make a bad decision, it says to our students, parents and community that we are taking the easy way out by kicking the offenders out of the system rather than saying they are worth the extra time and effort it takes to rehabilitate these students.
There is no doubt that underage drinking and illegal drug usage should be treated seriously and is punishable. The message that such behavior is wrong should be strong; however, the punishment should fit the crime, with the punishment escalating if the unacceptable behavior continues.
If a student is "caught" with alcohol or at a party where there is alcohol (whether the student has had any alcohol or not) the student is suspended from sports and extracurricular activities for 365 days, pending a review process. The student may be at a school or non-school activity when the behavior occurs. This policy discriminates against our future leaders -Êthose in sports and extracurricular activities - who are building a value system on how to deal with conflict and work together with others in their life. Also, as we remove offenders from activities that develop their character, we offer them free time - lots of free time - risking that unproductive behavior may get them into more trouble.
The policy is not equally enforced. Because it is so punitive, parents and students are lying or twisting facts in order to successfully avoid the penalty. Those who tell the truth and admit they're wrong are penalized with six-month to one-year suspensions. Teammates and coaches are reporting students as they witness incidents off school property. Names are also being picked out of newspaper reports before proper legal conviction is made.
Almost all other school systems are taking a better, more effective approach: three-game/activity suspension for the first offense, suspension for the season for the second offense, possibly with counseling. Repeated offenses result in a full-year suspension. This policy offers rehabilitation to students and sends the message to offenders that uncorrected behavior is not acceptable.
Also, let the law enforcement officials and parents deal with non-school activities. School officials should deal with behavior on campus and at off-campus school functions. Education and learning should be the school's number one priority for its students. Let's allow students to redeem themselves after making that first mistake so they can develop and mature into our future leaders in a positive way.
Sherri Milton, Warsaw
Two-Party System
Editor, Times-Union:Cheers for the political climate in Fort Wayne. For those interested in preserving democracy in America it was indeed heartening to witness the mayoral race in the city. It was a striking example of a political campaign that did not reek of mean-spiritedness and animosity. That in itself is admirable and seemingly rare. But also it illustrates that there are communities in Indiana that still have a two-party political system. Why this should be remarkable is hard to fathom since this is neither China, Indonesia, North Korea and the like, where one-party political systems are the norm. It also could be pointed out that there are many non-biased, searching and inquiring minds in this state who are independent. However, unlike New Hampshire, independents in Indiana are not permitted to vote in a primary and are therefore semi-disenfranchised, which some think should be unconstitutional.
At any rate, hooray for Fort Wayne!
Tam Vogel, via e-mail
Helpful Public Servants
Editor, Times-Union:I just want to thank those people that helped me off the porch Monday. The policeman, two ladies that stopped and the EMS. I am not good at remembering names but you know who you are. Thank you again. No broken bones but real big bruises.
Barbara Fawley, Warsaw
Good Job, ABC
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations to the Kosciusko County Alcohol Beverage Commission for their wisdom and courage in denying a new beer and wine dealer's permit to the Village Pantry. With the number of alcohol related accidents in our county, we should be making booze less available and certainly not more, especially when the business sells gasoline. Furthermore Marsh, who is owner of the Village Pantry, already has a beer and wine permit for their supermarket. Since they are both on the same property, it would seem that one permit would be sufficient.
It is sincerely hoped that when the petition is re-heard on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. you on the K.C. Beverage Commission will stand fast in what is best for our community and the youth by denying the petition.
Betty J. Koss, D.D.S., Leesburg
Special Olympics
Editor, Times-Union:The Special Olympics of Kosciusko County would like to thank so very many people for their support during our recent fund-raiser. The donations given far exceeded our expectations. Your help enabled us to become the top winners with over $1,900. This money is so helpful in making it possible for our Special Olympics athletes to be active in various sports. They will be traveling to Mishawaka for a bowling tournament Nov. 20 and, then the state finals Dec. 4.
Again, thank you everyone for your help and support and, most of all, for caring enough to help.
Manda Vuittonet, publicity coordinator, Kosciusko County Special Olympics
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