Letters to the Editor 11-20-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Dog Shot - Hunter Responsibility - Child Support - Break Turkey Tradition - Early Legislative Session - Food Bank Needs Help
Dog Shot
Editor, Times-Union:Someone tried to kill my dog. I don't know who did it. Mom saw my dog on the hill and ran out to catch him just in time. I started crying because mom said he had been shot. Mom grabbed my brother's blanket to wrap around him and we got in the van. I couldn't stop crying. We got to the vet and I was so angry I could burst.
When we got home my other dog jumped in the van and sniffed Aussie's blood.
We tried to give her a piece of cheese, but she put it in her mouth and spit it out. Cheese is Aussie's favorite treat. She refused to eat it.
My dog means a lot to me. I am very angry with the person who tried to kill my dog I don't ever want to feel like that again, it just hurts too much.
Liz Miller, 11
Sixth grade
TVMS
Hunter Responsibility
Editor, Times-Union:Dr. Sasso said, "Someone tried to kill this dog." My 11-year-old daughter and I were holding the 3-year-old Australian shepherd, although he was already sleepy due to the drugs to sedate him for the surgery he would need to attempt to repair the damage of the deer slug that had passed through his back. The entrance wound was on his right shoulder, the larger exit on his left. Liz stayed quiet as the vet examined the wounds.
My 4-year-old asked why someone would shoot his dog. I don't know what to tell him. My best guess would be the dog made a deer run, and ruined the hunter's shot. So that hunter shot this family's ball-chasing dog.
I am not opposed to hunting; there is more venison on my table than beef. Liz's first steak she learned to cook is venison. It's not the hunting, but who is hunting. To any hunter who would do anything so unscrupulous, this loses everyone the opportunity to hunt.
Perhaps to our indictment, this did not likely happen on our property, the dog came across from the east side of CR 450W, to return to the children who had called him for 45 minutes. He was not contained, as our 180-plus acres allow some room to run. I also trust that those who hunt our property would not perpetrate this on our family. We trust those who hunt our property enough that Liz called to let them know what had happened.
I have had hunters complain before about people not allowing open hunting on their land. My land will never be "open." I have no reason to allow people with no tie to my land hunt, especially after this experience. Hunters, if you enjoy the sport, respect those who may affect your hunting privileges, and you may not know who that may be.
Teresa Miller
Claypool
via e-mail
Child Support
Editor, Times-Union:I called the prosecuting attorney's child support office today and got more of a run around.
I told them that I have had to go with a collection agency to get support and wanted to know why they couldn't get support out of him. I was told sarcasticaly, "Then why don't you keep using them." Well, listen and I will tell you why. They collect only arrears. No current!
They also take 25 percent of each check. She said, "That was your choice to go with them." I told her that was because her office won't do anything to collect from the non-custodial parent. I have got nothing but the run-around. Every time I call, my caseworker is "not available." I have left several messages. I never get a return call. I have filled out paperwork and it's lost. They have the same information that the collection agency has, because I was the one that had to give it to them. So I know the child support office has it, too. It only took the collection agency two months to get him to start paying. No current support has been paid since March 10, 2003. It was only for a partial payment.
ÊHe was very far behind even before that payment. In 12 years, IÊhave never received his tax check. I just can't understand how two nearby counties you only have to be $1,000 behind and you're looking at jail time. They don't let these parents get as far behind as Kosciusko County. I know this information for a fact because my brother-in-law is a sheriff in one of those counties and he went clear to Georgia to get a non-custodial parent for only owing $1,000 and he went to jail. Trust me, I've been very tempted to move and have my case changed over to that county.
ÊI will give one compliment to a former employee of the prosecuting Attorney's office. Kelly Ambrose. When she worked at the office, she was right on him. After four weeks, the letters were out and she stayed on it. She got results! I wish she would come back.
ÊBefore you think I'm just another complaining parent just wanting money, I want you to knowÊthat we are on the receiving end of this issue. My husband pays support for his oldest son and we know what it's like. But the difference is that we gladly pay it. We love him and we make sure his mother receives this money.
ÊIn the paper a few weeks ago it stated Indiana was one of lowest at collecting child support. That was no shock to me and several other parents in this county. I hope we can start seeing some results soon.
Lowellita Miller
Silver Lake
via e-mail
Break Turkey Tradition
Editor, Times-Union:Each year, to provide the centerpiece for a single meal, approximately 312 million turkeys are purposely mutilated without the use of anesthesia or pain killers, crammed tightly into huge sunless warehouses to be fattened, and finally, hauled off to face a terrifying and brutal death. Benjamin Franklin's choice for our national bird was the wild turkey. He admired them for their intelligence, curiosity, social natures and beauty. The factory farm industry has taken this once delicate bird and created a miserable being so large that it struggles just to support its own weight; an animal prone to numerous diseases; a genetically manipulated bird so vastly different from its ancestors that it can no longer procreate naturally. "Tradition" is just not reason enough for me to be a part of the immense suffering these gentle creatures endure on today's corporate farms. With all the greed and violence in the world today, compassion seems to have all but disappeared. Respect for all life, human and non, is crucial for the survival of the planet we share, and the easiest place to start is your own dinner plate. Please consider the compassionate alternatives this Thanksgiving.
Heather Leughmyer
Columbia City
via e-mail
Early Legislative Session
Editor, Times-Union:The Indiana General Assembly is getting a head start this year on the 2004 legislative session. Ordinarily, the Legislature convenes for one day on the third Tuesday in November, called Organization Day, in order to meet and do general "housekeeping" business. This year, legislators will hold committee meetings and session for several weeks in order to tackle property tax problems and attempt to ease the burden for those homeowners, farmers and employers hit hard by the reassessment.
Due to the court-ordered property tax reassessment, some problems have surfaced in a few counties around the state. During the last several weeks, members of the Senate Finance Committee met in several counties around the state to gather information in order to evaluate state policy on property taxes.
Senate Bill 1 includes many of the ideas citizens offered on ways to help address the problems they are experiencing. Some of the provisions of SB 1 include:
¥ Allowing counties to waive penalties assessed for late payment of property taxes
¥ Allowing taxpayers to pay their property taxes in installments
¥ Extending the filing deadline for existing property tax deductions and exemptions
¥ Requiring approval from elected officials of significant property tax increases by non-elected boards, such as libraries
¥ Streamlining the property tax appeal process to make it easier for taxpayers
¥ Requiring assessors to use the most favorable assessment method for rental properties
¥ Repealing local governments' ability to raise and spend excess levies and requiring any excess funds to be used to reduce future levies
Senate Bill 1 mostly will focus on local government, where the reassessment was conducted. During the 2002 special session, legislators addressed issues from the state level in anticipation of reassessment and passed a bill that shifted the property tax burden to sales and gaming taxes in order to generate an additional $1 billion in tax relief for property owners.
Property taxes are very complex compared to other ways government programs and services are financed. The complexity is reflected in the many proposals to give property tax relief to certain groups of taxpayers. In the Senate, our goal is to be careful that we do not shift millions of dollars in tax burdens to other taxpayer groups such as farmers, other homeowners and businesses.
We want to be fair and do what's right for Hoosier citizens. About half of the 92 counties have not received their tax bills, including two of the most populated counties in Indiana, Allen and Lake counties. There are no quick and easy solutions. It will be difficult to make fundamental changes in the tax structure until the reassessment process is completed in all counties, expected sometime next year.
We will be working in the next few weeks to solve those problems that can be fixed immediately. We'll continue to study the situation and work toward solutions that reflect the concerns of all citizens across Indiana.
Adams represents Senate District 9, which includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
State Sen. Kent Adams
Indianapolis
via e-mail
Food Bank Needs Help
Editor, Times-Union:Volunteers for the Pierceton Food Bank recently announced the Food Bank is in desperate need of help. As the winter closes in, there is far from enough food to go around to those in need. Members of the Pierceton Lions Club along with other members of the community donate their time to help with the food bank. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough food to go around.
Many of us tend to forget about the communities outside Warsaw and the fact that they need help as much as those in the larger communities. When you are purchasing groceries for your family, how about purchasing a few extra things to donate to the Pierceton food bank? An entire case of macaroni and cheese is only about $5. Just think what that $5 donation can do!
If you can't get around to purchase food for the food bank, how about sending a check for volunteers to purchase needed items for you. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. The address for the food bank is: Washington Township Trustee Office, Pierceton, IN 46562. Be sure to put "For Food Bank" on the memo line of your check.
Thank you on behalf of the Pierceton Lions Club and all other volunteers of the Food Bank.
Suzi Ashby
Pierceton Lions Club
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- Dog Shot - Hunter Responsibility - Child Support - Break Turkey Tradition - Early Legislative Session - Food Bank Needs Help
Dog Shot
Editor, Times-Union:Someone tried to kill my dog. I don't know who did it. Mom saw my dog on the hill and ran out to catch him just in time. I started crying because mom said he had been shot. Mom grabbed my brother's blanket to wrap around him and we got in the van. I couldn't stop crying. We got to the vet and I was so angry I could burst.
When we got home my other dog jumped in the van and sniffed Aussie's blood.
We tried to give her a piece of cheese, but she put it in her mouth and spit it out. Cheese is Aussie's favorite treat. She refused to eat it.
My dog means a lot to me. I am very angry with the person who tried to kill my dog I don't ever want to feel like that again, it just hurts too much.
Liz Miller, 11
Sixth grade
TVMS
Hunter Responsibility
Editor, Times-Union:Dr. Sasso said, "Someone tried to kill this dog." My 11-year-old daughter and I were holding the 3-year-old Australian shepherd, although he was already sleepy due to the drugs to sedate him for the surgery he would need to attempt to repair the damage of the deer slug that had passed through his back. The entrance wound was on his right shoulder, the larger exit on his left. Liz stayed quiet as the vet examined the wounds.
My 4-year-old asked why someone would shoot his dog. I don't know what to tell him. My best guess would be the dog made a deer run, and ruined the hunter's shot. So that hunter shot this family's ball-chasing dog.
I am not opposed to hunting; there is more venison on my table than beef. Liz's first steak she learned to cook is venison. It's not the hunting, but who is hunting. To any hunter who would do anything so unscrupulous, this loses everyone the opportunity to hunt.
Perhaps to our indictment, this did not likely happen on our property, the dog came across from the east side of CR 450W, to return to the children who had called him for 45 minutes. He was not contained, as our 180-plus acres allow some room to run. I also trust that those who hunt our property would not perpetrate this on our family. We trust those who hunt our property enough that Liz called to let them know what had happened.
I have had hunters complain before about people not allowing open hunting on their land. My land will never be "open." I have no reason to allow people with no tie to my land hunt, especially after this experience. Hunters, if you enjoy the sport, respect those who may affect your hunting privileges, and you may not know who that may be.
Teresa Miller
Claypool
via e-mail
Child Support
Editor, Times-Union:I called the prosecuting attorney's child support office today and got more of a run around.
I told them that I have had to go with a collection agency to get support and wanted to know why they couldn't get support out of him. I was told sarcasticaly, "Then why don't you keep using them." Well, listen and I will tell you why. They collect only arrears. No current!
They also take 25 percent of each check. She said, "That was your choice to go with them." I told her that was because her office won't do anything to collect from the non-custodial parent. I have got nothing but the run-around. Every time I call, my caseworker is "not available." I have left several messages. I never get a return call. I have filled out paperwork and it's lost. They have the same information that the collection agency has, because I was the one that had to give it to them. So I know the child support office has it, too. It only took the collection agency two months to get him to start paying. No current support has been paid since March 10, 2003. It was only for a partial payment.
ÊHe was very far behind even before that payment. In 12 years, IÊhave never received his tax check. I just can't understand how two nearby counties you only have to be $1,000 behind and you're looking at jail time. They don't let these parents get as far behind as Kosciusko County. I know this information for a fact because my brother-in-law is a sheriff in one of those counties and he went clear to Georgia to get a non-custodial parent for only owing $1,000 and he went to jail. Trust me, I've been very tempted to move and have my case changed over to that county.
ÊI will give one compliment to a former employee of the prosecuting Attorney's office. Kelly Ambrose. When she worked at the office, she was right on him. After four weeks, the letters were out and she stayed on it. She got results! I wish she would come back.
ÊBefore you think I'm just another complaining parent just wanting money, I want you to knowÊthat we are on the receiving end of this issue. My husband pays support for his oldest son and we know what it's like. But the difference is that we gladly pay it. We love him and we make sure his mother receives this money.
ÊIn the paper a few weeks ago it stated Indiana was one of lowest at collecting child support. That was no shock to me and several other parents in this county. I hope we can start seeing some results soon.
Lowellita Miller
Silver Lake
via e-mail
Break Turkey Tradition
Editor, Times-Union:Each year, to provide the centerpiece for a single meal, approximately 312 million turkeys are purposely mutilated without the use of anesthesia or pain killers, crammed tightly into huge sunless warehouses to be fattened, and finally, hauled off to face a terrifying and brutal death. Benjamin Franklin's choice for our national bird was the wild turkey. He admired them for their intelligence, curiosity, social natures and beauty. The factory farm industry has taken this once delicate bird and created a miserable being so large that it struggles just to support its own weight; an animal prone to numerous diseases; a genetically manipulated bird so vastly different from its ancestors that it can no longer procreate naturally. "Tradition" is just not reason enough for me to be a part of the immense suffering these gentle creatures endure on today's corporate farms. With all the greed and violence in the world today, compassion seems to have all but disappeared. Respect for all life, human and non, is crucial for the survival of the planet we share, and the easiest place to start is your own dinner plate. Please consider the compassionate alternatives this Thanksgiving.
Heather Leughmyer
Columbia City
via e-mail
Early Legislative Session
Editor, Times-Union:The Indiana General Assembly is getting a head start this year on the 2004 legislative session. Ordinarily, the Legislature convenes for one day on the third Tuesday in November, called Organization Day, in order to meet and do general "housekeeping" business. This year, legislators will hold committee meetings and session for several weeks in order to tackle property tax problems and attempt to ease the burden for those homeowners, farmers and employers hit hard by the reassessment.
Due to the court-ordered property tax reassessment, some problems have surfaced in a few counties around the state. During the last several weeks, members of the Senate Finance Committee met in several counties around the state to gather information in order to evaluate state policy on property taxes.
Senate Bill 1 includes many of the ideas citizens offered on ways to help address the problems they are experiencing. Some of the provisions of SB 1 include:
¥ Allowing counties to waive penalties assessed for late payment of property taxes
¥ Allowing taxpayers to pay their property taxes in installments
¥ Extending the filing deadline for existing property tax deductions and exemptions
¥ Requiring approval from elected officials of significant property tax increases by non-elected boards, such as libraries
¥ Streamlining the property tax appeal process to make it easier for taxpayers
¥ Requiring assessors to use the most favorable assessment method for rental properties
¥ Repealing local governments' ability to raise and spend excess levies and requiring any excess funds to be used to reduce future levies
Senate Bill 1 mostly will focus on local government, where the reassessment was conducted. During the 2002 special session, legislators addressed issues from the state level in anticipation of reassessment and passed a bill that shifted the property tax burden to sales and gaming taxes in order to generate an additional $1 billion in tax relief for property owners.
Property taxes are very complex compared to other ways government programs and services are financed. The complexity is reflected in the many proposals to give property tax relief to certain groups of taxpayers. In the Senate, our goal is to be careful that we do not shift millions of dollars in tax burdens to other taxpayer groups such as farmers, other homeowners and businesses.
We want to be fair and do what's right for Hoosier citizens. About half of the 92 counties have not received their tax bills, including two of the most populated counties in Indiana, Allen and Lake counties. There are no quick and easy solutions. It will be difficult to make fundamental changes in the tax structure until the reassessment process is completed in all counties, expected sometime next year.
We will be working in the next few weeks to solve those problems that can be fixed immediately. We'll continue to study the situation and work toward solutions that reflect the concerns of all citizens across Indiana.
Adams represents Senate District 9, which includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
State Sen. Kent Adams
Indianapolis
via e-mail
Food Bank Needs Help
Editor, Times-Union:Volunteers for the Pierceton Food Bank recently announced the Food Bank is in desperate need of help. As the winter closes in, there is far from enough food to go around to those in need. Members of the Pierceton Lions Club along with other members of the community donate their time to help with the food bank. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough food to go around.
Many of us tend to forget about the communities outside Warsaw and the fact that they need help as much as those in the larger communities. When you are purchasing groceries for your family, how about purchasing a few extra things to donate to the Pierceton food bank? An entire case of macaroni and cheese is only about $5. Just think what that $5 donation can do!
If you can't get around to purchase food for the food bank, how about sending a check for volunteers to purchase needed items for you. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. The address for the food bank is: Washington Township Trustee Office, Pierceton, IN 46562. Be sure to put "For Food Bank" on the memo line of your check.
Thank you on behalf of the Pierceton Lions Club and all other volunteers of the Food Bank.
Suzi Ashby
Pierceton Lions Club
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