Letters to the Editor 12-15-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Property Tax Reform - Gift Of Sight - Man's World - Celebrate Christ's Birth - Good Doctors, Nurses - 'Bad Santa'
Property Tax Reform
Editor, Times-Union:On Dec. 5, the Indiana House of Representatives voted to pass Senate Bill 1, with a goal to provide supposed relief to property taxpayers throughout Indiana. Unfortunately, I feel that this bill does more harm than good, and does not provide the relief that taxpayers have been calling for, and because of that, I voted no on SB1.
The bill does provide some aspects of property tax reform that I agree with. The extension of the deadline to file for property tax credit and deadlines until Dec. 15 will provide help for thousands of Hoosiers, and I am pleased that we were able to address that issue positively. Also, the bill will allow those counties who have not gotten property tax bills sent out at this point to waive late penalties and permit installment payments for taxpayers. Finally, the bill will allow taxpayers to take an increased income tax deduction in 2004 for 2003 property taxes paid in 2004. This ensures that taxpayers won't lose part of their 2003 deduction because property tax bills were late in some counties. These are all positive moves in easing the burden of the Supreme Court-ordered reassessment on property taxpayers.
While this bill provides some support for taxpayers, in the long run it will do more harm than good. This bill will harm local governments by tying their hands when it comes to managing their budgets. It will be especially harmful to those local governments who were responsibly conservative in their budgeting process. By limiting local governments' ability to adjust levies on their own, and rescinding several key levy controls, such as buffer funds and banking of unused levy increases, this bill is handcuffing our local governments' ability to provide vital services to each and every one of us. This bill also makes it more difficult for school corporations to upgrade facilities and provide top quality education for Hoosier children. Local governments are the lifeblood of our communities. If we take away the tools they need to quickly respond to situations that arise locally, we do not only do those communities, but also the state as a whole, a great disservice.
While SB1 is touted as a relief for property taxpayers, the reality of the situation is that it will cause tax increases in the future. These tax increases will come in direct response to increased borrowing by local governments, schools and libraries that are harmed with the passage of this bill. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and at some point this increased borrowing will have to be paid back. Those paying it back will be the taxpayers of each community who were supposed to have relief from this bill, in the form of future tax increases down the road.
With property tax bills sent out in only 59 of the 92 counties in Indiana, there is still much information to be gathered about the reassessment. The debate on property taxes will continue on in the General Assembly during the upcoming session. There are already several bills on tap that will address many of the shortfalls of SB1. I look forward to participating in this debate and making sure that the voices of the citizens of District 22 will be heard in the House of Representatives. Please feel free to contact me about this or any other issue you may have. You can e-mail me at [email protected], call at 800-382-9841, or visit my web page at www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/homepages/r22/ to keep up with all the latest information from the Statehouse.
State Rep. Bill Ruppel
Indianapolis
via e-mail
Gift Of Sight
Editor, Times-Union:Are you having difficulty finding an appropriate gift for someone this holiday season? Why not give the gift of sight?
Gifts toward sight restoration can be given on behalf of friends or relatives in the form of a financial contribution to the Indiana Lions Eye Bank, Indiana University Medical Center, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Gifts may be made in memory of a deceased, in recognition of an anniversary or to assist in the work of the Eye Bank. An acknowledgement of the gift will be sent to both parties.
What more significant gift could one give than one toward the restoration of sight?
Berniece H. Dwyer
Milford
Man's World
Editor, Times-Union:I grew up in Warsaw and even though I now live on the East Coast, I continue to read your paper daily online to keep up with the local news. I read with great interest the editorial submitted by Dave Koontz titled "Abortion Misconceptions." I have a few basic questions for Dave... have you ever been pregnant? Will you ever be pregnant? Have you been raped or suffered through incest? What about your mother, wife, sisters or daughters? I would suggest you take all the energy you put into knocking women trying to help other women with female issues and contemplate the wrongs the health insurance industry promotes while enabling men to purchase Viagra pills through their health insurance plans while women continue to be denied compensation through their health insurance for birth control pills. This is all about procreation and taking responsibility for it, correct? It has been and continues to be a man's, man's, man's world, in the immortal words of legendary soul king James Brown.
Sarah Lowe
Chelmsford, Mass.
via e-mail
Celebrate Christ's Birth
Editor, Times-Union:If atheists oppose the erection of manger scenes, maybe we should present Christ's birth as a historical fact commemorated annually like Independence Day. If the public display of Christ's birth is forbidden, so should firing off fireworks on July 4th. If the Christ of Christmas is removed, why don't we remove Lincoln from Lincoln's birthday and Columbus from Columbus Day?
Christ's birth was the most important birth recorded because Christians believe God came in the flesh when he was born to Mary. Christ's death was the most important death because he had to die and shed his blood on the cross to forgive our sins and give us eternal life.
Dec. 25 isn't Santa Claus Day. Easter isn't Bunny Day. Yet both symbols are associated with those holidays. Christ's birth and resurrection from the dead are infinitely more important. They also are historical facts. If the ACLU opposes those historical events being celebrated publicly, let them oppose Memorial Day because it may offend pacifists who think we shouldn't have a day commemorating soldiers who fought and died for America.
The blood of patriots was shed to give America liberty. They helped give birth to this nation. The blood of Christ was shed to give Christians liberty. His birth is more significant than the birth of our nation.
Rick Badman
Peekskill, N.Y.
former Warsaw resident
Good Doctors, Nurses
Editor, Times-Union:Several years ago I was diagnosed and treated by Dr. Cross for breast cancer. He sent me to Indianapolis for chemotherapy. The treatments were successful and they were very considerate of me. Unfortunately the weather that winter was very bad and it was a long trip once a week. Just before Thanksgiving this year Dr. Krizmanich found cancer in my femur. Within hours I was receiving every test available to help with the diagnosis. Dr. VanNess implanted a port for my I.V.s, Dr. Conjalka and Dr. Gates at the new Center of Hope were planning my treatment and I was in KCH for surgery. Dr. Krizmanich implanted a rod in my leg to prevent a fracture and I recovered in the ICU. I am now about to start my treatment. The whole staff of the hospital were involved in my recovery and I cannot say enough about the care I received! The nurses anticipated my every need and did all they could to care for me. They were all so kind and skilled. How nice it is to have all this service available right at our door. The weather is again bad, but we don't have far to go for treatment. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. No one can know how much they mean until the need arises. God has been very good to us and I cannot thank the community enough for making it possible to be cared for by such good doctors and nurses.
Wilma Davenport
Warsaw
via e-mail
'Bad Santa'
Editor, Times-Union:Why should Hollywood stoop so low as to want to destroy the innocent, naive illusions of a little child? Some hard-crusted movie mogul has produced a film titled "Bad Santa," with actor Billy Bob Thornton depicting Santa Claus as being an obnoxious, foulmouthed drunk. The stupid thing about the movie "Bad Santa" is the fact that it is rated R. In other words, it's a motion picture involving Santa Claus, but it isn't fit for a child to view, so what is the purpose in producing it?
I reiterate, the film isn't fit for child absorption, and the R-rated material involved forbids a child to see the movie, but if a little one happened, by chance, to get in on the film, what would it do to his sweet, innocent, naive mind? Hollywood and all of its hard-shelled iconoclasts should let the little children have and enjoy their dreams and illusions as regards Santa Claus. You're a child only once, and if you find your happiness and your joy at Christmas through your belief in Santa Claus, then that's the way to go!
And another thing, little ones: if some older kid tries to tell you that there is no Santa Claus, don't you listen to him, for if you believe there is a Santa Claus, then there is a Santa Claus!
Don Kaiser
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
- Property Tax Reform - Gift Of Sight - Man's World - Celebrate Christ's Birth - Good Doctors, Nurses - 'Bad Santa'
Property Tax Reform
Editor, Times-Union:On Dec. 5, the Indiana House of Representatives voted to pass Senate Bill 1, with a goal to provide supposed relief to property taxpayers throughout Indiana. Unfortunately, I feel that this bill does more harm than good, and does not provide the relief that taxpayers have been calling for, and because of that, I voted no on SB1.
The bill does provide some aspects of property tax reform that I agree with. The extension of the deadline to file for property tax credit and deadlines until Dec. 15 will provide help for thousands of Hoosiers, and I am pleased that we were able to address that issue positively. Also, the bill will allow those counties who have not gotten property tax bills sent out at this point to waive late penalties and permit installment payments for taxpayers. Finally, the bill will allow taxpayers to take an increased income tax deduction in 2004 for 2003 property taxes paid in 2004. This ensures that taxpayers won't lose part of their 2003 deduction because property tax bills were late in some counties. These are all positive moves in easing the burden of the Supreme Court-ordered reassessment on property taxpayers.
While this bill provides some support for taxpayers, in the long run it will do more harm than good. This bill will harm local governments by tying their hands when it comes to managing their budgets. It will be especially harmful to those local governments who were responsibly conservative in their budgeting process. By limiting local governments' ability to adjust levies on their own, and rescinding several key levy controls, such as buffer funds and banking of unused levy increases, this bill is handcuffing our local governments' ability to provide vital services to each and every one of us. This bill also makes it more difficult for school corporations to upgrade facilities and provide top quality education for Hoosier children. Local governments are the lifeblood of our communities. If we take away the tools they need to quickly respond to situations that arise locally, we do not only do those communities, but also the state as a whole, a great disservice.
While SB1 is touted as a relief for property taxpayers, the reality of the situation is that it will cause tax increases in the future. These tax increases will come in direct response to increased borrowing by local governments, schools and libraries that are harmed with the passage of this bill. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and at some point this increased borrowing will have to be paid back. Those paying it back will be the taxpayers of each community who were supposed to have relief from this bill, in the form of future tax increases down the road.
With property tax bills sent out in only 59 of the 92 counties in Indiana, there is still much information to be gathered about the reassessment. The debate on property taxes will continue on in the General Assembly during the upcoming session. There are already several bills on tap that will address many of the shortfalls of SB1. I look forward to participating in this debate and making sure that the voices of the citizens of District 22 will be heard in the House of Representatives. Please feel free to contact me about this or any other issue you may have. You can e-mail me at [email protected], call at 800-382-9841, or visit my web page at www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/homepages/r22/ to keep up with all the latest information from the Statehouse.
State Rep. Bill Ruppel
Indianapolis
via e-mail
Gift Of Sight
Editor, Times-Union:Are you having difficulty finding an appropriate gift for someone this holiday season? Why not give the gift of sight?
Gifts toward sight restoration can be given on behalf of friends or relatives in the form of a financial contribution to the Indiana Lions Eye Bank, Indiana University Medical Center, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Gifts may be made in memory of a deceased, in recognition of an anniversary or to assist in the work of the Eye Bank. An acknowledgement of the gift will be sent to both parties.
What more significant gift could one give than one toward the restoration of sight?
Berniece H. Dwyer
Milford
Man's World
Editor, Times-Union:I grew up in Warsaw and even though I now live on the East Coast, I continue to read your paper daily online to keep up with the local news. I read with great interest the editorial submitted by Dave Koontz titled "Abortion Misconceptions." I have a few basic questions for Dave... have you ever been pregnant? Will you ever be pregnant? Have you been raped or suffered through incest? What about your mother, wife, sisters or daughters? I would suggest you take all the energy you put into knocking women trying to help other women with female issues and contemplate the wrongs the health insurance industry promotes while enabling men to purchase Viagra pills through their health insurance plans while women continue to be denied compensation through their health insurance for birth control pills. This is all about procreation and taking responsibility for it, correct? It has been and continues to be a man's, man's, man's world, in the immortal words of legendary soul king James Brown.
Sarah Lowe
Chelmsford, Mass.
via e-mail
Celebrate Christ's Birth
Editor, Times-Union:If atheists oppose the erection of manger scenes, maybe we should present Christ's birth as a historical fact commemorated annually like Independence Day. If the public display of Christ's birth is forbidden, so should firing off fireworks on July 4th. If the Christ of Christmas is removed, why don't we remove Lincoln from Lincoln's birthday and Columbus from Columbus Day?
Christ's birth was the most important birth recorded because Christians believe God came in the flesh when he was born to Mary. Christ's death was the most important death because he had to die and shed his blood on the cross to forgive our sins and give us eternal life.
Dec. 25 isn't Santa Claus Day. Easter isn't Bunny Day. Yet both symbols are associated with those holidays. Christ's birth and resurrection from the dead are infinitely more important. They also are historical facts. If the ACLU opposes those historical events being celebrated publicly, let them oppose Memorial Day because it may offend pacifists who think we shouldn't have a day commemorating soldiers who fought and died for America.
The blood of patriots was shed to give America liberty. They helped give birth to this nation. The blood of Christ was shed to give Christians liberty. His birth is more significant than the birth of our nation.
Rick Badman
Peekskill, N.Y.
former Warsaw resident
Good Doctors, Nurses
Editor, Times-Union:Several years ago I was diagnosed and treated by Dr. Cross for breast cancer. He sent me to Indianapolis for chemotherapy. The treatments were successful and they were very considerate of me. Unfortunately the weather that winter was very bad and it was a long trip once a week. Just before Thanksgiving this year Dr. Krizmanich found cancer in my femur. Within hours I was receiving every test available to help with the diagnosis. Dr. VanNess implanted a port for my I.V.s, Dr. Conjalka and Dr. Gates at the new Center of Hope were planning my treatment and I was in KCH for surgery. Dr. Krizmanich implanted a rod in my leg to prevent a fracture and I recovered in the ICU. I am now about to start my treatment. The whole staff of the hospital were involved in my recovery and I cannot say enough about the care I received! The nurses anticipated my every need and did all they could to care for me. They were all so kind and skilled. How nice it is to have all this service available right at our door. The weather is again bad, but we don't have far to go for treatment. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. No one can know how much they mean until the need arises. God has been very good to us and I cannot thank the community enough for making it possible to be cared for by such good doctors and nurses.
Wilma Davenport
Warsaw
via e-mail
'Bad Santa'
Editor, Times-Union:Why should Hollywood stoop so low as to want to destroy the innocent, naive illusions of a little child? Some hard-crusted movie mogul has produced a film titled "Bad Santa," with actor Billy Bob Thornton depicting Santa Claus as being an obnoxious, foulmouthed drunk. The stupid thing about the movie "Bad Santa" is the fact that it is rated R. In other words, it's a motion picture involving Santa Claus, but it isn't fit for a child to view, so what is the purpose in producing it?
I reiterate, the film isn't fit for child absorption, and the R-rated material involved forbids a child to see the movie, but if a little one happened, by chance, to get in on the film, what would it do to his sweet, innocent, naive mind? Hollywood and all of its hard-shelled iconoclasts should let the little children have and enjoy their dreams and illusions as regards Santa Claus. You're a child only once, and if you find your happiness and your joy at Christmas through your belief in Santa Claus, then that's the way to go!
And another thing, little ones: if some older kid tries to tell you that there is no Santa Claus, don't you listen to him, for if you believe there is a Santa Claus, then there is a Santa Claus!
Don Kaiser
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092