Letters to the Editor 12-16-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Health Care Thanks - Courtrooms To Classrooms - Democracy - Coroner - Roberts Decision - Sprewell Incident
Health Care Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County Inc., I would like to thank our community for this year's beautiful Christmas in the Park - Festival of Trees. The proceeds from this year's event support our programs: ParentShare, Bed and Britches, Etc. (BABE), and Mini-Grant program.
Personally, this has been a humbling experience for me. Never before have I been involved in an endeavor in which so many individuals, groups and business gave of their time and resources so freely and cheerfully. Whether it was a college student, corporate executive, restaurant owner, talented homemaker, etc., each gave freely to this undertaking. In many cases, it was a generous employer giving time to an employee to work on the project.
So whether you were a part of our wonderful committee, a tree designer, a sponsor, or donated in any way, or if you were a visitor to the Festival of Trees or purchased a ticket for the raffle tree, I can only say "thank you" with the hopes that these simple words will somehow express the tremendous amount of gratitude that they hold.
Julie Steele
Executive Director
Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County Inc.
Courtrooms To Classrooms
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to thank David C. Kolbe, prosecuting attorney of Kosciusko County; Robert Reneker, assistant to prosecutor; and Deb Pennington, victim's assistance, for their efforts in bringing Courtrooms to Classrooms to Madison Elementary School this fall. We were the first elementary school in Indiana to participate in this program. It was designed to provide students an opportunity to ask questions and learn from members of the judicial system. The students had lessons on the laws of our nation, state and county and how these laws influence their daily lives. They also learned new problem-solving techniques, ways to make healthy decisions, group dynamics (gangs) and new career options.
A very special thank-you to Mr. Reneker, who successfully led the classroom time each week with Mrs. Pennington assisting. The students responded with enthusiasm to their capable leadership. The lesson material was valuable and the relationships with the instructors were too.
Thanks for a wonderful and beneficial effort to help reach the goal of healthy, productive and law-abiding citizens.
Penny Cook
Pam Felton
Barb Swanson
Madison Elementary School
Democracy
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to comment on the situation in North Webster concerning the teacher who was overheard making stereotypical racial remarks. We have been reading daily, letters to the editor and the editor's comments. Calls and letters have been received by the school board members, superintendent and the teacher involved. Although the incident has had some unfortunate repercussions, it has provided a demonstration of democracy in action. We are very proud of the way people in this community have responded.
In a democracy the minority must convince the majority that change is necessary. This is happening here. Responsible leaders listen to the majority and in this instance the school board has responded by reinstating the teacher. The school board is also responding to the minority by instituting diversity training for this teacher and others, a plan which should be implemented in all companies for all people.
The public should also be commended for getting involved, researching, and voicing its opinion. Citizens in America are allowed the freedom to make many decisions for themselves, both wise and foolish. We don't want to lose this right. In a dictatorship, you have no choices to make and are allowed few acceptable thoughts. Thanks to the teachers, parents and others who teach responsibility for self and others, work ethics and kindness so we can make these wise decisions. If all the people in America would become more involved in their communites like you people of North Webster have done and do such things as write their congressman, our country would be a better place. You have taught good lessons to your children. Kudos to North Webster!
Anita and Dennis Wagoner
Leesburg
Coroner
Editor, Times-Union:Since when does the coroner make the choice what funeral home a body is to be taken?
My friend passed away at home and when the coroner came, he was corrected twice as to where my friend's body was to go. The wishes of my friend's mother were not even discussed.
Many thanks to the EMS, the police officer and Titus Funeral Home, who did their job well in our time of sorrow.
But as to the coroner, is this the way McHatton-Sadler get their business? In my opinion he was not professional in his duty and he is an elected official at that. Careful who you vote for next time.
Elaine C. Brenneman
Winona Lake
Roberts Decision
Editor, Times-Union:Sort of like kissing your sister. Phyllis kept her job, but she took a $6,000 hit and a generous serving of humiliation.
Many of Phyllis' friends were ecstatic that they had "won" her job back. Many are oblivious to the fact that star chamber proceedings on the school board were very much in operation and that the teacher corps remains very apprehensive about teaching any more cultural studies. There would be a concrete example of kids being hurt. We live in an unusually homogeneous community from a cross-cultural standpoint. When our graduates head for the big city, as they certainly will, they need to be aware of certain cultural realities.
When absolute monarchs (kings) ruled medievil Europe, the courts known as star-chamber "exercised wide civil and criminal jurisdiction and were characterized by secrecy, oppression and irresponsibility." Webster's dictionary goes on to explain that "it took centuries of bloody struggle to outlaw Star-Chamber Sessions, and establish the principle which requires judicial proceedings to be conducted in public. It still must be vigorously defended." It concludes by saying, "a legislative or executive body that holds closed meetings, especially city councils and school boards." Bingo!
Yes, I know that "the meeting" was held in public. I was there, and actually got immortalized on Channel 16 news that night, but surely you weren't naive enough to think that any decisions were made there were you?
We members of the community were allowed to whine and vent our spleens, but it had absolutely no bearing on the outcome. The official punishment was decided in advance in a plea bargain, behind closed doors. Go back and review the definition of Star-Chamber.
Again, fear rears its ugly head. When I pointed out this fast to a few of Phyllis' friends, I was asked not to rock the boat as they had been warned by either the superintendent or the board (or both) that if Mrs. Roberts did not humbly accept this compromise, they would fire her for good. They were afraid to elaborate for Mrs. Roberts' sake. Pathetic.
Wait a minute, where are we? I hate flag wavers who haven't paid the price, but I didn't spend 34 years in this country's uniform to live in a society driven by fear. I'm reasonably well traveled by this community's standards, and I noticed a heavy oppression of fear in East Germany before the wall fell, in the mountains of Iran just after the Gulf War, and on the temple mount in Jerusalem where Arabs were fighting each other. That same familiar odor is in the air in the school district.
Bottom line, this whole episode illustrates the importance of the study of liberal arts. As the philosopher George Santayona said, "Those who don't understand history are doomed to repeat it." It seems that our modern education programs at the undergraduate and graduate level simply cover the mechanics of teaching skills/or school administration. This "higher education" is no more than a trade school, such as wood shop, welding and even accounting, dentistry and medicine. We all need a remedial course in liberal arts.
Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." That was carved in the cornerstone of the library at my institution of higher learning. The cornerstone of the chapel said, "Christ, the Chief Corner Stone." I think that previous generations displayed a higher level of wisdom than we have been doing lately.
Now, are we all on the same page?
G. Thorpe Mitchell, Col. USAFR (Ret.)
Pastor, Northern Lakes Cathedral Of Praise
Syracuse
Sprewell Incident
Editor, Times-Union:As a high school athletic director, I am very disturbed by the Latrell Sprewell incident as well as the reaction by many involved and those who have become involved.
I stress with our athletes that their participation in our sports program is about learning life lessons like responsibility, commitment, respect and sportsmanship, to name a few.
Obviously, Mr. Sprewell has yet to learn many of these lessons. First, he has not truly accepted responsibility for his actions, rather claiming he is the victim in his token apology. He showed no commitment to his teammates, the Warriors' organization or their fans since he chose to pursue his own selfish personal agenda. He obviously had no respect for P.J. Carlesimo as a person or his coach. I do not believe I need to say anything with regard to the sportsmanship displayed. Unfortunately, those assembled on the dais for his news conference, his agent, some teammates, his lawyer, and the head of the players association evidently have not learned these lessons either since they were there to show support for him and thus the actions for which he has been "unjustly" punished. In addition, most of the questions by the media centered on his status as a "victim" rather than on his actions. The role these people and the media have played is equally as troubling to me as Sprewell's actions.
A growing number of professional athletes get themselves into similar situations, as which Mr. Sprewell finds himself, yet do not want to accept the responsibility and consequences for their actions. Charles Barkley has publicly stated he is not a role model and he does not think athletes should be role models. However, kids do look up to professional athletes and their behavior is affected by how these athletes behave both on and off the court or field, whether the athletes like it or not. If they cannot handle this responsibility, then do not sign endorsement contracts and take these kids' or their parents' money to wear your name on their back or your shoes.
Of greatest concern to me is the trickle-down effect this has on the behavior of high school, junior high and even elementary athletes. It makes my job, as well as that of many of my colleagues, as a school administrator even more difficult when we occasionally have to deal with negative behavior we know is the result of what the athlete knows a professional athlete has done and yet they see nothing wrong with what they have done.
In closing, I would say to Latrell Sprewell, Charles Barkley and the many other athletes we have read about in recent years, you are responsible for your actions and need to accept the consequences. As a professional athlete, you are extremely lucky and afforded a status that most of us never attain; however, with that comes a responsibility, not making excuses to your organization, teammates, fans and, most importantly, the young athletes of this country, for your actions.
Steve Shumaker
North Manchester
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- Health Care Thanks - Courtrooms To Classrooms - Democracy - Coroner - Roberts Decision - Sprewell Incident
Health Care Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County Inc., I would like to thank our community for this year's beautiful Christmas in the Park - Festival of Trees. The proceeds from this year's event support our programs: ParentShare, Bed and Britches, Etc. (BABE), and Mini-Grant program.
Personally, this has been a humbling experience for me. Never before have I been involved in an endeavor in which so many individuals, groups and business gave of their time and resources so freely and cheerfully. Whether it was a college student, corporate executive, restaurant owner, talented homemaker, etc., each gave freely to this undertaking. In many cases, it was a generous employer giving time to an employee to work on the project.
So whether you were a part of our wonderful committee, a tree designer, a sponsor, or donated in any way, or if you were a visitor to the Festival of Trees or purchased a ticket for the raffle tree, I can only say "thank you" with the hopes that these simple words will somehow express the tremendous amount of gratitude that they hold.
Julie Steele
Executive Director
Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County Inc.
Courtrooms To Classrooms
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to thank David C. Kolbe, prosecuting attorney of Kosciusko County; Robert Reneker, assistant to prosecutor; and Deb Pennington, victim's assistance, for their efforts in bringing Courtrooms to Classrooms to Madison Elementary School this fall. We were the first elementary school in Indiana to participate in this program. It was designed to provide students an opportunity to ask questions and learn from members of the judicial system. The students had lessons on the laws of our nation, state and county and how these laws influence their daily lives. They also learned new problem-solving techniques, ways to make healthy decisions, group dynamics (gangs) and new career options.
A very special thank-you to Mr. Reneker, who successfully led the classroom time each week with Mrs. Pennington assisting. The students responded with enthusiasm to their capable leadership. The lesson material was valuable and the relationships with the instructors were too.
Thanks for a wonderful and beneficial effort to help reach the goal of healthy, productive and law-abiding citizens.
Penny Cook
Pam Felton
Barb Swanson
Madison Elementary School
Democracy
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to comment on the situation in North Webster concerning the teacher who was overheard making stereotypical racial remarks. We have been reading daily, letters to the editor and the editor's comments. Calls and letters have been received by the school board members, superintendent and the teacher involved. Although the incident has had some unfortunate repercussions, it has provided a demonstration of democracy in action. We are very proud of the way people in this community have responded.
In a democracy the minority must convince the majority that change is necessary. This is happening here. Responsible leaders listen to the majority and in this instance the school board has responded by reinstating the teacher. The school board is also responding to the minority by instituting diversity training for this teacher and others, a plan which should be implemented in all companies for all people.
The public should also be commended for getting involved, researching, and voicing its opinion. Citizens in America are allowed the freedom to make many decisions for themselves, both wise and foolish. We don't want to lose this right. In a dictatorship, you have no choices to make and are allowed few acceptable thoughts. Thanks to the teachers, parents and others who teach responsibility for self and others, work ethics and kindness so we can make these wise decisions. If all the people in America would become more involved in their communites like you people of North Webster have done and do such things as write their congressman, our country would be a better place. You have taught good lessons to your children. Kudos to North Webster!
Anita and Dennis Wagoner
Leesburg
Coroner
Editor, Times-Union:Since when does the coroner make the choice what funeral home a body is to be taken?
My friend passed away at home and when the coroner came, he was corrected twice as to where my friend's body was to go. The wishes of my friend's mother were not even discussed.
Many thanks to the EMS, the police officer and Titus Funeral Home, who did their job well in our time of sorrow.
But as to the coroner, is this the way McHatton-Sadler get their business? In my opinion he was not professional in his duty and he is an elected official at that. Careful who you vote for next time.
Elaine C. Brenneman
Winona Lake
Roberts Decision
Editor, Times-Union:Sort of like kissing your sister. Phyllis kept her job, but she took a $6,000 hit and a generous serving of humiliation.
Many of Phyllis' friends were ecstatic that they had "won" her job back. Many are oblivious to the fact that star chamber proceedings on the school board were very much in operation and that the teacher corps remains very apprehensive about teaching any more cultural studies. There would be a concrete example of kids being hurt. We live in an unusually homogeneous community from a cross-cultural standpoint. When our graduates head for the big city, as they certainly will, they need to be aware of certain cultural realities.
When absolute monarchs (kings) ruled medievil Europe, the courts known as star-chamber "exercised wide civil and criminal jurisdiction and were characterized by secrecy, oppression and irresponsibility." Webster's dictionary goes on to explain that "it took centuries of bloody struggle to outlaw Star-Chamber Sessions, and establish the principle which requires judicial proceedings to be conducted in public. It still must be vigorously defended." It concludes by saying, "a legislative or executive body that holds closed meetings, especially city councils and school boards." Bingo!
Yes, I know that "the meeting" was held in public. I was there, and actually got immortalized on Channel 16 news that night, but surely you weren't naive enough to think that any decisions were made there were you?
We members of the community were allowed to whine and vent our spleens, but it had absolutely no bearing on the outcome. The official punishment was decided in advance in a plea bargain, behind closed doors. Go back and review the definition of Star-Chamber.
Again, fear rears its ugly head. When I pointed out this fast to a few of Phyllis' friends, I was asked not to rock the boat as they had been warned by either the superintendent or the board (or both) that if Mrs. Roberts did not humbly accept this compromise, they would fire her for good. They were afraid to elaborate for Mrs. Roberts' sake. Pathetic.
Wait a minute, where are we? I hate flag wavers who haven't paid the price, but I didn't spend 34 years in this country's uniform to live in a society driven by fear. I'm reasonably well traveled by this community's standards, and I noticed a heavy oppression of fear in East Germany before the wall fell, in the mountains of Iran just after the Gulf War, and on the temple mount in Jerusalem where Arabs were fighting each other. That same familiar odor is in the air in the school district.
Bottom line, this whole episode illustrates the importance of the study of liberal arts. As the philosopher George Santayona said, "Those who don't understand history are doomed to repeat it." It seems that our modern education programs at the undergraduate and graduate level simply cover the mechanics of teaching skills/or school administration. This "higher education" is no more than a trade school, such as wood shop, welding and even accounting, dentistry and medicine. We all need a remedial course in liberal arts.
Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." That was carved in the cornerstone of the library at my institution of higher learning. The cornerstone of the chapel said, "Christ, the Chief Corner Stone." I think that previous generations displayed a higher level of wisdom than we have been doing lately.
Now, are we all on the same page?
G. Thorpe Mitchell, Col. USAFR (Ret.)
Pastor, Northern Lakes Cathedral Of Praise
Syracuse
Sprewell Incident
Editor, Times-Union:As a high school athletic director, I am very disturbed by the Latrell Sprewell incident as well as the reaction by many involved and those who have become involved.
I stress with our athletes that their participation in our sports program is about learning life lessons like responsibility, commitment, respect and sportsmanship, to name a few.
Obviously, Mr. Sprewell has yet to learn many of these lessons. First, he has not truly accepted responsibility for his actions, rather claiming he is the victim in his token apology. He showed no commitment to his teammates, the Warriors' organization or their fans since he chose to pursue his own selfish personal agenda. He obviously had no respect for P.J. Carlesimo as a person or his coach. I do not believe I need to say anything with regard to the sportsmanship displayed. Unfortunately, those assembled on the dais for his news conference, his agent, some teammates, his lawyer, and the head of the players association evidently have not learned these lessons either since they were there to show support for him and thus the actions for which he has been "unjustly" punished. In addition, most of the questions by the media centered on his status as a "victim" rather than on his actions. The role these people and the media have played is equally as troubling to me as Sprewell's actions.
A growing number of professional athletes get themselves into similar situations, as which Mr. Sprewell finds himself, yet do not want to accept the responsibility and consequences for their actions. Charles Barkley has publicly stated he is not a role model and he does not think athletes should be role models. However, kids do look up to professional athletes and their behavior is affected by how these athletes behave both on and off the court or field, whether the athletes like it or not. If they cannot handle this responsibility, then do not sign endorsement contracts and take these kids' or their parents' money to wear your name on their back or your shoes.
Of greatest concern to me is the trickle-down effect this has on the behavior of high school, junior high and even elementary athletes. It makes my job, as well as that of many of my colleagues, as a school administrator even more difficult when we occasionally have to deal with negative behavior we know is the result of what the athlete knows a professional athlete has done and yet they see nothing wrong with what they have done.
In closing, I would say to Latrell Sprewell, Charles Barkley and the many other athletes we have read about in recent years, you are responsible for your actions and need to accept the consequences. As a professional athlete, you are extremely lucky and afforded a status that most of us never attain; however, with that comes a responsibility, not making excuses to your organization, teammates, fans and, most importantly, the young athletes of this country, for your actions.
Steve Shumaker
North Manchester
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