Letters to the Editor 12-17-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Anorexia Nervosa - Dangerous Intersection - Tiger Coaches - Candleria - Teen Indoctrination - Prosecutor Questions - Christmas Concert - Holiday Parade
Anorexia Nervosa
Editor, Times-Union:A couple of nights ago I watched a special on the life of Karen Carpenter. She was a pop star that died at the age of 32 of anorexia nervosa.
I had this condition myself eight years ago. It is more than just a condition. It is a bondage of your mind that manifests itself in your body.
This time of year (holidays) is the most dreaded to one in this prison. Prison, my mind had prison bars around it. I couldn't escape on my own. It had gone beyond dieting. I was compelled to over exercise.
Food became my enemy. Family became my enemy. The more they begged me to eat the more I lashed out at them in anger.
If I felt I had overdone it one day, I would back down a couple hundred calories the next day. I was actually punishing myself.
I had a fear of food. I would worry and fret all of November and December because I knew people would be watching what I ate.
I weighed myself morning and night. Sometimes morning, noon and night. I always thought I looked fat, no matter how thin I was.
I fought even the thought of food. I worried about chewing a stick of gum because it had eight calories in it.
I would nervously study my clothes to see how they were fitting me day to day.
All my relationships with family and friends were disintegrating. So the more I stayed to myself, the better, I thought.
You see, once you've believed the lie that you're worthless, have failed at life and have lost control of that life, you will believe any thing else the devil tells you.
So you try to control the only thing you can - your body. But the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to kill you.
Are these thoughts you've had? Are you in this prison, Please get help! Fast!
I praise the Lord that he set me free, and he desires to set you free, too.
Your soul and spirit are crying out for help. You just want to be loved just as you are.
Start listening to what your family and friends are telling you.
Jesus Christ loves you just the way you are. He'll take your life and make it something beautiful. All you have to do is call to him and ask him - he's right there next to you, waiting.
Cling on to him, your family, and get into a Bible-believing church.
I praise the Lord that I woke up before physical damage was done. I am praying for you, whoever you are.
Kristi Belcher
Tippecanoe
Dangerous Intersection
Editor, Times-Union:I guess what I'm doing is asking for your help in researching something. I drive on Ind. 15 daily to go to work and turn off on County Road 400N at the Racquet Club to cut over to U.S. 30E. There have been many times that people get so close to my rear bumper as I'm turning and I am wondering how you go about asking the highway to put a right turn lane there, so you can get out of the way and not worry abut getting hit from behind, especially by a semi. Right now there are nothing but big holes there and you can't get over until you get right to the road or you'd break an axle on your vehicle. I would appreciate your help in finding out for me what I can do or who I can write to get help in this matter. I wrote to your paper because I'm sure that there are other people who feel this same way. Thanks for your help!
Sally Goon
Leesburg
Tiger Coaches
Editor, Times-Union:The Warsaw Community High School boys basketball program is truly number one in the state, and I salute Al Rhodes and his fine staff for making it and keeping it the best.
It is interesting to note, however, the comments attributed to a prior coach, Jimmy Miller, who apparently believes we were shooting at peach baskets and using basketballs with laces until he came to Warsaw.
A look at the record would show, for example, that in 1976, the spring of the year Jimmy arrived in Warsaw, the Tigers won the Elkhart regional in route to the Fort Wayne semi-state under the direction of the late Ike Tallman. In 1973 Coach Tallman's Warsaw team defeated Coach Miller's Penn team in the Elkhart regional; and prior to that during the '60s the Tigers were frequent sectional champions and many times highly rated in state polls with Boag Johnson as coach.
Jimmy was also a good coach, but he shouldn't think he invented the game, or winning basketball games, as far as Warsaw Community High School is concerned.
Tom Sittler
Silver Lake
Candleria
Editor, Times-Union:The committee for the 1997 Leesburg Candleria was extremely pleased with the community involvement in making their little town so beautiful Saturday evening, Dec. 13th.
The committee wishes to express its appreciation to the many volunteers that helped with the preparation of the lighting of Leesburg.
Appreciation is also expressed to those contributing toward the candleria expenses.
A special thank-you to those providing music, Santa and the Leesburg Elementary School for the open house.
Many residents expressed their pleasure of the beauty of Leesburg at this special time of year. The younger children as they worked along with those "older" persons expressed their pleasure of working as a team.
Thank you all for making this a special evening in Leesburg.
Leesburg Candleria Committee
Sandra Allen and Sue Charlton
Committee Members
Teen Indoctrination
Editor, Times-Union:An article I read today has prompted me to write a letter I've been considering for quite some time. The article was written by Mona Charen and she just flat blames Hollywood for much of the teen-age violence we see today. Her primary case in point being Michael Carneal and his claiming to have been inspired by a movie called "The Basketball Diaries." Now I am no psychologist so I have no idea as to how much of this is simple hogwash but I have wondered about this for some time.
As I have said before, it is absolutely imperative for the American people to be disarmed in order to bring about the one-world government the liberals have pushed for so long. But how to accomplish this? The anti-gunners have been at work since around 1930 but virtually nothing has been accomplished. By a vast majority the people still support the Second Amendment. Some way must be found to break that grip.
So what is it that most Americans hold above everything else in this world? How about our children? Nothing panics an adult like the thought their children may be in danger. But in this society of everyone crying wolf, proof is required.
Now this is going to sound rather paranoid and I certainly have no proof, but I am convinced that nowhere in this country is liberalism more apparent than in Hollywood and no group has more influence. Hollywood has been molding public opinion for virtually as long as movies have existed and has become quite proficient at the fine art of brainwash. So with an agenda and the resources at their command might it not be possible to push a few tormented teen-agers over the brink and might that not be the straw that finally breaks the back of the Second Amendment? I don't know. As I said, I have no proof. I only know the thought has crossed my mind and it scares the h*** out of me at times.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
Prosecutor Questions
Editor, Times-Union:"I'm leaning toward seeking a second term in office," said Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe in a November 1996 Times-Union news article. Just two months ago, he stated that he "always planned to serve one term," and gave his "full endorsement" in next year's race to his chief deputy prosecutor. Based upon his recent self-promoting letters to the editor, it appears that Mr. Kolbe has now started his re-election campaign. Does the current prosecutor have as much difficulty with decision making as he does with honesty?
While Mr. Kolbe brags about the large number of felony charges his office has filed, it's important to remember that "charges filed" is an irrelevant statistic. He "filed" felony charges against the boy who killed my brother in a totally preventable automobile collision in April of 1996. After conducting virtually no investigation, and blindly accepting the dubious claims of the defense attorney, Mr. Kolbe dropped those charges. How many of his other 1,242 felony charges did he later drop, reduce or plea bargain down to nothing? In addition, Kosciusko County has been growing over the past few years (Times-Union, 11-25-97), and increases in population often bring increases in crime. Thus, Mr. Kolbe is seemingly hiding some pieces of the big picture. Hmmmm...this sounds familiar.
In his comments about the Courtrooms to Classrooms project, the prosecutor states that teaching "proper values" and "respect for one another" are among the program's goals. Would "honesty" be included in those values? Does "respect" involve admitting mistakes and making apologies? During the 10 months since Mr. Kolbe misrepresented information to my family, several individuals have contacted us with horror stories of their own about the treatment they've received from this elected official. One call came directly to me in Wyoming. The individual wished to remain anonymous, but offered details about the prosecutor that few people could have known. Was it someone on his own staff, perhaps? Another lawyer? A second elected official who works closely with him? What's going on in the Kosciusko County prosecutor's office that would lead someone to locate the phone number of a woman 1,300 miles away, and provide information about possible unprofessional behavior on the part of the prosecuting attorney? It seems that the Petroskys are not the only people questioning Mr. Kolbe's integrity.
How can David Kolbe be trusted to hold criminals accountable for their inappropriate actions when he arrogantly refuses to take responsibility for his own? How can he be expected to make law-breakers pay their debts to society, when he cannot bring himself to make even the smallest of amends? Surely Kosciusko County can do better.
If Mr. Kolbe wishes to be re-elected, he must be honest with voters - no more slanting, no more spinning, no more back-peddling. Perhaps he could start with my brother's widow. She still casts her ballot in Kosciusko County.
Teresa Petrosky Wallace
Casper, Wyo.
Christmas Concert
Editor, Times-Union:On Wednesday Dec. 10, the Edgewood and Lakeview middle schools gave a Christmas band concert. As a parent of a seventh- grade Lakeview student I sat in awe of how hard all these students have worked. Not only did these kids play their heart out, but they also shared, along with their families, their Christmas traditions.
Some of these students even shared their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ during the program. I applaud your enthusiasm and courage to share these with the audience.
I get so tired of hearing about all the gangs and delinquents that have infiltrated our schools. It was so refreshing to see these young people, of both schools, put their energy into something worthwhile.
I'd also like to express my gratitude to the band instructors for an outstanding job done with these students.
As parents we sometimes forget to say thank-you for teaching our young people. Not only music, but respect for authority and each other.
Thank you for a wonderful night of enjoyment! It made our Christmas so special.
God bless
Laura Sowers
Warsaw
Holiday Parade
Editor, Times-Union:As a participant in the first lighted Hometown Holiday parade in downtown Warsaw, I want to commend all those involved in its organization and operation. Special hats off to Keith Reinholt, who did a terrific job in lining us all up and getting us off and on our way. It was wonderful to see the great turnout all along the parade route and throughout the downtown area. Highlighting our beautiful downtown during the holiday season with parades, carriage rides and numerous other activities will become, I hope, an annual tradition. A big thanks to REMC, who sponsored the first-place trophy in the parade and which was won by The New F Troop - the Newfoundland dog group - which included many of my friends and family as handlers. We were all greatly appreciative of the award and look forward to returning next year.
Bill Harris
Winona Lake
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- Anorexia Nervosa - Dangerous Intersection - Tiger Coaches - Candleria - Teen Indoctrination - Prosecutor Questions - Christmas Concert - Holiday Parade
Anorexia Nervosa
Editor, Times-Union:A couple of nights ago I watched a special on the life of Karen Carpenter. She was a pop star that died at the age of 32 of anorexia nervosa.
I had this condition myself eight years ago. It is more than just a condition. It is a bondage of your mind that manifests itself in your body.
This time of year (holidays) is the most dreaded to one in this prison. Prison, my mind had prison bars around it. I couldn't escape on my own. It had gone beyond dieting. I was compelled to over exercise.
Food became my enemy. Family became my enemy. The more they begged me to eat the more I lashed out at them in anger.
If I felt I had overdone it one day, I would back down a couple hundred calories the next day. I was actually punishing myself.
I had a fear of food. I would worry and fret all of November and December because I knew people would be watching what I ate.
I weighed myself morning and night. Sometimes morning, noon and night. I always thought I looked fat, no matter how thin I was.
I fought even the thought of food. I worried about chewing a stick of gum because it had eight calories in it.
I would nervously study my clothes to see how they were fitting me day to day.
All my relationships with family and friends were disintegrating. So the more I stayed to myself, the better, I thought.
You see, once you've believed the lie that you're worthless, have failed at life and have lost control of that life, you will believe any thing else the devil tells you.
So you try to control the only thing you can - your body. But the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to kill you.
Are these thoughts you've had? Are you in this prison, Please get help! Fast!
I praise the Lord that he set me free, and he desires to set you free, too.
Your soul and spirit are crying out for help. You just want to be loved just as you are.
Start listening to what your family and friends are telling you.
Jesus Christ loves you just the way you are. He'll take your life and make it something beautiful. All you have to do is call to him and ask him - he's right there next to you, waiting.
Cling on to him, your family, and get into a Bible-believing church.
I praise the Lord that I woke up before physical damage was done. I am praying for you, whoever you are.
Kristi Belcher
Tippecanoe
Dangerous Intersection
Editor, Times-Union:I guess what I'm doing is asking for your help in researching something. I drive on Ind. 15 daily to go to work and turn off on County Road 400N at the Racquet Club to cut over to U.S. 30E. There have been many times that people get so close to my rear bumper as I'm turning and I am wondering how you go about asking the highway to put a right turn lane there, so you can get out of the way and not worry abut getting hit from behind, especially by a semi. Right now there are nothing but big holes there and you can't get over until you get right to the road or you'd break an axle on your vehicle. I would appreciate your help in finding out for me what I can do or who I can write to get help in this matter. I wrote to your paper because I'm sure that there are other people who feel this same way. Thanks for your help!
Sally Goon
Leesburg
Tiger Coaches
Editor, Times-Union:The Warsaw Community High School boys basketball program is truly number one in the state, and I salute Al Rhodes and his fine staff for making it and keeping it the best.
It is interesting to note, however, the comments attributed to a prior coach, Jimmy Miller, who apparently believes we were shooting at peach baskets and using basketballs with laces until he came to Warsaw.
A look at the record would show, for example, that in 1976, the spring of the year Jimmy arrived in Warsaw, the Tigers won the Elkhart regional in route to the Fort Wayne semi-state under the direction of the late Ike Tallman. In 1973 Coach Tallman's Warsaw team defeated Coach Miller's Penn team in the Elkhart regional; and prior to that during the '60s the Tigers were frequent sectional champions and many times highly rated in state polls with Boag Johnson as coach.
Jimmy was also a good coach, but he shouldn't think he invented the game, or winning basketball games, as far as Warsaw Community High School is concerned.
Tom Sittler
Silver Lake
Candleria
Editor, Times-Union:The committee for the 1997 Leesburg Candleria was extremely pleased with the community involvement in making their little town so beautiful Saturday evening, Dec. 13th.
The committee wishes to express its appreciation to the many volunteers that helped with the preparation of the lighting of Leesburg.
Appreciation is also expressed to those contributing toward the candleria expenses.
A special thank-you to those providing music, Santa and the Leesburg Elementary School for the open house.
Many residents expressed their pleasure of the beauty of Leesburg at this special time of year. The younger children as they worked along with those "older" persons expressed their pleasure of working as a team.
Thank you all for making this a special evening in Leesburg.
Leesburg Candleria Committee
Sandra Allen and Sue Charlton
Committee Members
Teen Indoctrination
Editor, Times-Union:An article I read today has prompted me to write a letter I've been considering for quite some time. The article was written by Mona Charen and she just flat blames Hollywood for much of the teen-age violence we see today. Her primary case in point being Michael Carneal and his claiming to have been inspired by a movie called "The Basketball Diaries." Now I am no psychologist so I have no idea as to how much of this is simple hogwash but I have wondered about this for some time.
As I have said before, it is absolutely imperative for the American people to be disarmed in order to bring about the one-world government the liberals have pushed for so long. But how to accomplish this? The anti-gunners have been at work since around 1930 but virtually nothing has been accomplished. By a vast majority the people still support the Second Amendment. Some way must be found to break that grip.
So what is it that most Americans hold above everything else in this world? How about our children? Nothing panics an adult like the thought their children may be in danger. But in this society of everyone crying wolf, proof is required.
Now this is going to sound rather paranoid and I certainly have no proof, but I am convinced that nowhere in this country is liberalism more apparent than in Hollywood and no group has more influence. Hollywood has been molding public opinion for virtually as long as movies have existed and has become quite proficient at the fine art of brainwash. So with an agenda and the resources at their command might it not be possible to push a few tormented teen-agers over the brink and might that not be the straw that finally breaks the back of the Second Amendment? I don't know. As I said, I have no proof. I only know the thought has crossed my mind and it scares the h*** out of me at times.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
Prosecutor Questions
Editor, Times-Union:"I'm leaning toward seeking a second term in office," said Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe in a November 1996 Times-Union news article. Just two months ago, he stated that he "always planned to serve one term," and gave his "full endorsement" in next year's race to his chief deputy prosecutor. Based upon his recent self-promoting letters to the editor, it appears that Mr. Kolbe has now started his re-election campaign. Does the current prosecutor have as much difficulty with decision making as he does with honesty?
While Mr. Kolbe brags about the large number of felony charges his office has filed, it's important to remember that "charges filed" is an irrelevant statistic. He "filed" felony charges against the boy who killed my brother in a totally preventable automobile collision in April of 1996. After conducting virtually no investigation, and blindly accepting the dubious claims of the defense attorney, Mr. Kolbe dropped those charges. How many of his other 1,242 felony charges did he later drop, reduce or plea bargain down to nothing? In addition, Kosciusko County has been growing over the past few years (Times-Union, 11-25-97), and increases in population often bring increases in crime. Thus, Mr. Kolbe is seemingly hiding some pieces of the big picture. Hmmmm...this sounds familiar.
In his comments about the Courtrooms to Classrooms project, the prosecutor states that teaching "proper values" and "respect for one another" are among the program's goals. Would "honesty" be included in those values? Does "respect" involve admitting mistakes and making apologies? During the 10 months since Mr. Kolbe misrepresented information to my family, several individuals have contacted us with horror stories of their own about the treatment they've received from this elected official. One call came directly to me in Wyoming. The individual wished to remain anonymous, but offered details about the prosecutor that few people could have known. Was it someone on his own staff, perhaps? Another lawyer? A second elected official who works closely with him? What's going on in the Kosciusko County prosecutor's office that would lead someone to locate the phone number of a woman 1,300 miles away, and provide information about possible unprofessional behavior on the part of the prosecuting attorney? It seems that the Petroskys are not the only people questioning Mr. Kolbe's integrity.
How can David Kolbe be trusted to hold criminals accountable for their inappropriate actions when he arrogantly refuses to take responsibility for his own? How can he be expected to make law-breakers pay their debts to society, when he cannot bring himself to make even the smallest of amends? Surely Kosciusko County can do better.
If Mr. Kolbe wishes to be re-elected, he must be honest with voters - no more slanting, no more spinning, no more back-peddling. Perhaps he could start with my brother's widow. She still casts her ballot in Kosciusko County.
Teresa Petrosky Wallace
Casper, Wyo.
Christmas Concert
Editor, Times-Union:On Wednesday Dec. 10, the Edgewood and Lakeview middle schools gave a Christmas band concert. As a parent of a seventh- grade Lakeview student I sat in awe of how hard all these students have worked. Not only did these kids play their heart out, but they also shared, along with their families, their Christmas traditions.
Some of these students even shared their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ during the program. I applaud your enthusiasm and courage to share these with the audience.
I get so tired of hearing about all the gangs and delinquents that have infiltrated our schools. It was so refreshing to see these young people, of both schools, put their energy into something worthwhile.
I'd also like to express my gratitude to the band instructors for an outstanding job done with these students.
As parents we sometimes forget to say thank-you for teaching our young people. Not only music, but respect for authority and each other.
Thank you for a wonderful night of enjoyment! It made our Christmas so special.
God bless
Laura Sowers
Warsaw
Holiday Parade
Editor, Times-Union:As a participant in the first lighted Hometown Holiday parade in downtown Warsaw, I want to commend all those involved in its organization and operation. Special hats off to Keith Reinholt, who did a terrific job in lining us all up and getting us off and on our way. It was wonderful to see the great turnout all along the parade route and throughout the downtown area. Highlighting our beautiful downtown during the holiday season with parades, carriage rides and numerous other activities will become, I hope, an annual tradition. A big thanks to REMC, who sponsored the first-place trophy in the parade and which was won by The New F Troop - the Newfoundland dog group - which included many of my friends and family as handlers. We were all greatly appreciative of the award and look forward to returning next year.
Bill Harris
Winona Lake
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