Letters to the Editor 12-27-2000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Help In The Snow - Poor Road Conditions - Thanks To KCH Staff - Samaritan - Carbon Monoxide - Winona Policy - Where Are The Plows?
Help In The Snow
Editor, Times-Union:I was cautiously driving home from Warsaw, on Ind. 5, last Thursday afternoon. The snow-covered roads north of Larwill had been scraped and salted, suitable for travel. However, coming toward me was a semi, moving much too fast for road and weather conditions. I had to jog over just a bit to give him more room, as this highway is very narrow. Before I knew what had happened, I was in a ditch, hopelessly stuck in a huge snow bank. Not only was the snow deep, the temperature was in the single digits - dangerously low to even be outside.
I panicked as I generally do at times like that. I wanted to get out and I wanted out now! What if I was trapped in and couldn't escape? What if no one even knew I was there? I instinctively jumped up and tried all the doors. Fortunately, I drive a Dodge Caravan with the extra door behind the driver. It opened and I was free. As I climbed out, I immediately looked into the compassionate faces of two 40ish women - could have been sisters. They first asked if I was injured, and, when I turned back to grab for my shovel, which I always have with me, one said, "Honey, you're not going to be able to dig yourself out of that."
I had no idea how badly I was stuck. (I later would find out it would take two days to loosen my van from its frozen grave.) She then told me to lock up and come with her. I grabbed my purse and keys and attempted to get up the hill. While she and the other woman joined hands, the one nearest me took my hand and we attempted to maneuver the trek up the steep embankment. Believe it or not, we began laughing as we were in over-waist-deep snow and not accustomed to doing rescues. As soon as I was on drier ground again, the same one said, "Go with him; he's going that way." I looked over and there was another driver in a vehicle waiting to assist. I had no idea who he was or even who they were, but I obediently did what I was told and climbed into the vehicle of a very kind young man. Within minutes I was home.
I don't know who these angels of mercy were, but they were there before I even had time to voice a prayer for help. They had no idea who they were helping, but that didn't seem to bother them. If you stopped to help me that day, I want to say, "Thank you so much." And if you ever stopped to help anyone, you deserve a pat on the back and a warm handshake. You can't imagine what that means to one in distress.
Donna J. Werstler
Larwill
Poor Road Conditions
Editor, Times-Union:Are the commissioners of Kosciusko County on vacation in Florida? Or perhaps they just don't get out too much.
I'm originally from this fine county, but I was appalled by the road conditions during my recent visit for the holidays. This county has always been known for welcoming visitors, but this holiday season I think thewelcome mat was yanked.
It seems all the surrounding counties had clean roads, but once you crossed the Kosciusko County line, forget it. It was just atrocious (for you commissioners, that means TERRIBLE). Old 30 east and west was nothing but a sheet of ice. And this is supposed to be a key part of Kosciusko infrastructure.
I would advise you to get out from your "ivory towers" and drive around the county. It is probably a very good guess the roads in front of YOUR houses were clean and passable.
Come on you ELECTED officials, you surely can motivate your road crews to improve their service to the county. Your taxpaying citizens and visitors deserve better.
Don L. Hurd
Burnettsville
via e-mail
Thanks To KCH Staff
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to express our appreciation to the staff, nurses and doctors of KCH. Our father was taken to the KCH emergency room on Dec. 8 after suffering a heart attack at his home. We also want to compliment the MTEMS staff on a job well done as they transported him to KCH.
The doctors, nurses and staff in the emergency room were excellent in their care for him and it was administered very professionally. We thank Dr. Coates for his candid professional analysis of our father's physical condition and the advice which he gave us. May God bless each of you as you continue your careers in the medical profession.
The Family of Russel Kelly
Forst Dunnuck
Etna Green
Samaritan
Editor, Times-Union:Who was that man in the green tractor?
I wish to thank the person who plowed several driveways in Atwood on Dec. 19th. this person went from driveway to driveway asking for no payment and leaving before anyone could find out who he was. In this day and age, it is rare to find anyone who will do simple acts of kindness, asking nothing in return. This is something from which several people are making a very lucrative business (plowing driveways). I thank this unknown good Samaritan on my behalf and on the behalf of all the other people who benefited from his kindness, some of whom are elderly. Thank you, sir, and Merry Christmas to you. I'm sure God will bless you.
Kay Creamer
Atwood
Carbon Monoxide
Editor, Times-Union:I am on a crusade because of an almost tragic thing that happened to our family.
On Friday, Dec. 15, we had a carbon monoxide scare that I want to share with you. I want to make everyone aware of how deadly it can be. I brought two of our grandchildren home to enjoy the afternoon. In about one hour, the children started acting tired and I put the 2-year-old on the sofa to sleep. Then our 5-year-old wanted to lay down and she began to act really strange. By now, I began to feel weak and tired. I got scared and somehow was able to call our neighbors to come over to help carry the children out of the house. As soon as we got them to fresh air we were a little better and the children were awake. Sometime in all of this I managed to call 911.
After a short stay at the hospital emergency room we are fine and much smarter on how deadly carbon monoxide can be. Another 15 minutes in the house and we would have died.
I cannot stress the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors and testing them regularly. We were unaware our alarm did not work because we had not tested it. There is no odor and testers will alarm you.
Our family is very thankful to the Plain Township EMS and Fire Department, the Multi-Township EMS and the staff in the emergency room at KCH. They were wonderful with the children. A very special thank you to our neighbors, Ron and Dee Vanderpool.
Please put carbon monoxide detectors in your home and test them as you do your smoke alarms.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Mary Carroll Jones
Warsaw
Winona Policy
Editor, Times-Union:In the last few months I have been made aware of a policy which the Winona Lake town board enforces that I feel is very callous. My sister, who had been a resident and homeowner in Winona Lake for over 30 years, passed away in October 1999. A couple of months after she died, I received a notice of sewage charges that were overdue for her home. I promptly went to the village offices and informed them that her home was vacant, the water was shut off to the home and therefore there was no sewage being generated. I said since this was the case I felt there should be no sewage charges incurred while this was the case. The lady I spoke with at the office informed me that there was nothing she could do but that I could write a letter to the town board. I waited some time before I did write a letter to them, their reply was in the form of a copy of the sewage ordinance which stated that charges continued unless the sewage line was disconnected. I pointed out in a subsequent letter that since the water was shut off, that should constitute a disconnection. I'm no rocket scientist, but I know if there is no water, then there is no sewage.
I attended a town board meeting to present my views but got the clear impression that my concerns were falling on deaf and uncaring ears. The village attorney made a point that a large percentage of a sewage bill was for maintenance of the facilities and not just for treatment of the sewage. It seems rather odd to me that the electric, gas, phone and water companies still have all their lines to maintain when their services are shut off, but there are no ongoing charges with them. They are utilities that are in business to make money for stockholders and yet they show far greater concern for their customers than a city operated utility does. Elkhart, Goshen and Bristol have told me that if a home is vacant and the water is shut off, sewage charges are suspended until such time that the water is turned back on. The major difference between these towns and Winona Lake concerning sewage is they have their own wastewater treatment. But, this means they have more facilities to maintain than Winona Lake, and yet do not charge when the water is shut off.
I am not pursuing this for any personal or family gain. Any fees that the town forces me to pay are coming out of monies that my sister left to a nonprofit institution in Winona Lake. Therefore, my pursuit of this matter is one strictly of principle and not for any monetary benefit to me or my family.
James Gunn
Goshen
Where Are The Plows?
Editor, Times-Union:Please tell me why the County Highway Dept. has not been out plowing back the snowdrifts or at least putting down sand and or sand and salt. We as tax payers deserve more for our money, It would help traffic move better and a lot safer. Kosciusko Co. seems to be worse than the surrounding counties. Let's get on the ball guys.
Sam Wilson
Warsaw
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- Help In The Snow - Poor Road Conditions - Thanks To KCH Staff - Samaritan - Carbon Monoxide - Winona Policy - Where Are The Plows?
Help In The Snow
Editor, Times-Union:I was cautiously driving home from Warsaw, on Ind. 5, last Thursday afternoon. The snow-covered roads north of Larwill had been scraped and salted, suitable for travel. However, coming toward me was a semi, moving much too fast for road and weather conditions. I had to jog over just a bit to give him more room, as this highway is very narrow. Before I knew what had happened, I was in a ditch, hopelessly stuck in a huge snow bank. Not only was the snow deep, the temperature was in the single digits - dangerously low to even be outside.
I panicked as I generally do at times like that. I wanted to get out and I wanted out now! What if I was trapped in and couldn't escape? What if no one even knew I was there? I instinctively jumped up and tried all the doors. Fortunately, I drive a Dodge Caravan with the extra door behind the driver. It opened and I was free. As I climbed out, I immediately looked into the compassionate faces of two 40ish women - could have been sisters. They first asked if I was injured, and, when I turned back to grab for my shovel, which I always have with me, one said, "Honey, you're not going to be able to dig yourself out of that."
I had no idea how badly I was stuck. (I later would find out it would take two days to loosen my van from its frozen grave.) She then told me to lock up and come with her. I grabbed my purse and keys and attempted to get up the hill. While she and the other woman joined hands, the one nearest me took my hand and we attempted to maneuver the trek up the steep embankment. Believe it or not, we began laughing as we were in over-waist-deep snow and not accustomed to doing rescues. As soon as I was on drier ground again, the same one said, "Go with him; he's going that way." I looked over and there was another driver in a vehicle waiting to assist. I had no idea who he was or even who they were, but I obediently did what I was told and climbed into the vehicle of a very kind young man. Within minutes I was home.
I don't know who these angels of mercy were, but they were there before I even had time to voice a prayer for help. They had no idea who they were helping, but that didn't seem to bother them. If you stopped to help me that day, I want to say, "Thank you so much." And if you ever stopped to help anyone, you deserve a pat on the back and a warm handshake. You can't imagine what that means to one in distress.
Donna J. Werstler
Larwill
Poor Road Conditions
Editor, Times-Union:Are the commissioners of Kosciusko County on vacation in Florida? Or perhaps they just don't get out too much.
I'm originally from this fine county, but I was appalled by the road conditions during my recent visit for the holidays. This county has always been known for welcoming visitors, but this holiday season I think thewelcome mat was yanked.
It seems all the surrounding counties had clean roads, but once you crossed the Kosciusko County line, forget it. It was just atrocious (for you commissioners, that means TERRIBLE). Old 30 east and west was nothing but a sheet of ice. And this is supposed to be a key part of Kosciusko infrastructure.
I would advise you to get out from your "ivory towers" and drive around the county. It is probably a very good guess the roads in front of YOUR houses were clean and passable.
Come on you ELECTED officials, you surely can motivate your road crews to improve their service to the county. Your taxpaying citizens and visitors deserve better.
Don L. Hurd
Burnettsville
via e-mail
Thanks To KCH Staff
Editor, Times-Union:We would like to express our appreciation to the staff, nurses and doctors of KCH. Our father was taken to the KCH emergency room on Dec. 8 after suffering a heart attack at his home. We also want to compliment the MTEMS staff on a job well done as they transported him to KCH.
The doctors, nurses and staff in the emergency room were excellent in their care for him and it was administered very professionally. We thank Dr. Coates for his candid professional analysis of our father's physical condition and the advice which he gave us. May God bless each of you as you continue your careers in the medical profession.
The Family of Russel Kelly
Forst Dunnuck
Etna Green
Samaritan
Editor, Times-Union:Who was that man in the green tractor?
I wish to thank the person who plowed several driveways in Atwood on Dec. 19th. this person went from driveway to driveway asking for no payment and leaving before anyone could find out who he was. In this day and age, it is rare to find anyone who will do simple acts of kindness, asking nothing in return. This is something from which several people are making a very lucrative business (plowing driveways). I thank this unknown good Samaritan on my behalf and on the behalf of all the other people who benefited from his kindness, some of whom are elderly. Thank you, sir, and Merry Christmas to you. I'm sure God will bless you.
Kay Creamer
Atwood
Carbon Monoxide
Editor, Times-Union:I am on a crusade because of an almost tragic thing that happened to our family.
On Friday, Dec. 15, we had a carbon monoxide scare that I want to share with you. I want to make everyone aware of how deadly it can be. I brought two of our grandchildren home to enjoy the afternoon. In about one hour, the children started acting tired and I put the 2-year-old on the sofa to sleep. Then our 5-year-old wanted to lay down and she began to act really strange. By now, I began to feel weak and tired. I got scared and somehow was able to call our neighbors to come over to help carry the children out of the house. As soon as we got them to fresh air we were a little better and the children were awake. Sometime in all of this I managed to call 911.
After a short stay at the hospital emergency room we are fine and much smarter on how deadly carbon monoxide can be. Another 15 minutes in the house and we would have died.
I cannot stress the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors and testing them regularly. We were unaware our alarm did not work because we had not tested it. There is no odor and testers will alarm you.
Our family is very thankful to the Plain Township EMS and Fire Department, the Multi-Township EMS and the staff in the emergency room at KCH. They were wonderful with the children. A very special thank you to our neighbors, Ron and Dee Vanderpool.
Please put carbon monoxide detectors in your home and test them as you do your smoke alarms.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Mary Carroll Jones
Warsaw
Winona Policy
Editor, Times-Union:In the last few months I have been made aware of a policy which the Winona Lake town board enforces that I feel is very callous. My sister, who had been a resident and homeowner in Winona Lake for over 30 years, passed away in October 1999. A couple of months after she died, I received a notice of sewage charges that were overdue for her home. I promptly went to the village offices and informed them that her home was vacant, the water was shut off to the home and therefore there was no sewage being generated. I said since this was the case I felt there should be no sewage charges incurred while this was the case. The lady I spoke with at the office informed me that there was nothing she could do but that I could write a letter to the town board. I waited some time before I did write a letter to them, their reply was in the form of a copy of the sewage ordinance which stated that charges continued unless the sewage line was disconnected. I pointed out in a subsequent letter that since the water was shut off, that should constitute a disconnection. I'm no rocket scientist, but I know if there is no water, then there is no sewage.
I attended a town board meeting to present my views but got the clear impression that my concerns were falling on deaf and uncaring ears. The village attorney made a point that a large percentage of a sewage bill was for maintenance of the facilities and not just for treatment of the sewage. It seems rather odd to me that the electric, gas, phone and water companies still have all their lines to maintain when their services are shut off, but there are no ongoing charges with them. They are utilities that are in business to make money for stockholders and yet they show far greater concern for their customers than a city operated utility does. Elkhart, Goshen and Bristol have told me that if a home is vacant and the water is shut off, sewage charges are suspended until such time that the water is turned back on. The major difference between these towns and Winona Lake concerning sewage is they have their own wastewater treatment. But, this means they have more facilities to maintain than Winona Lake, and yet do not charge when the water is shut off.
I am not pursuing this for any personal or family gain. Any fees that the town forces me to pay are coming out of monies that my sister left to a nonprofit institution in Winona Lake. Therefore, my pursuit of this matter is one strictly of principle and not for any monetary benefit to me or my family.
James Gunn
Goshen
Where Are The Plows?
Editor, Times-Union:Please tell me why the County Highway Dept. has not been out plowing back the snowdrifts or at least putting down sand and or sand and salt. We as tax payers deserve more for our money, It would help traffic move better and a lot safer. Kosciusko Co. seems to be worse than the surrounding counties. Let's get on the ball guys.
Sam Wilson
Warsaw
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