Kindness Counts, Too, WL
April 26, 2023 at 7:09 p.m.
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I’m a lifetime resident of Winona Lake, Indiana, and am thankful for my town and the rich heritage it possesses. Recently, HGTV even selected Warsaw/Winona Lake as “the most charming small town in Indiana.” HGTV said, “Spend a day relaxing by beautiful Winona Lake in Warsaw, Indiana, and leave time to wander through the beautiful, historic Village at Winona.” Yes, I would agree that my town of Winona Lake is indeed charming!
I grew up living on Wooster Road and am now thankful to have my own place in Winona Lake. For the most part, in my younger years, I knew only the innocence of my town and the residents who live here with me. I wasn’t aware of the politics, power and/or prestige that some possess, but I knew of the honor, understanding, support, respect, and kindness shown by those in my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods.
Yes, the Town of Winona Lake is charming, but in recent weeks I’ve been asking myself if we still possess kindness. My question stems from the lack of kindness shown to our town’s clerk-treasurer, Laurie Renier. Recent articles in the Times-Union, and comments made by town leaders therein, have shown a negative attitude and tone toward a town employee who is doing her best to provide a much-needed financial service to our community. The talking behind her back, general negativity, putting her on the defense, and bearish attitudes toward her saddens me. Bashing her publicly in the newspaper and in general gossip and placing campaign signs for her opponent on public town property is so disappointing. A recent editorial suggested that town leaders and employees were “shocked” at Mrs. Renier’s job performance. Quite honestly, I’m “shocked” that people, leaders and others in my community would bash a town employee as such. All of this comes across as bullying, and I’m disappointed. I’ve been praying for Laurie that she would rise above these attitudes as she walks into work each day.
I don’t possess power or prestige, but I always hope to be kind and respectful toward others within my charming community of Winona Lake.
As I understand it, there have been some employee changes in the office in recent months, leaving Mrs. Renier to pull together some areas of the department in a quick minute. Her experience alone as our county assessor, her time working for former clerk-treasurer Kent Adams, and her continuing education and training at the state level is reason enough to support her at the ballot box. Laurie is our knowledgeable, experienced, and hard-working clerk-treasure, and I’m pleased to show her support. And a bonus quality of Laurie Renier? She’s humble and kind!
Amy Miller
Winona Lake, via email
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I’m a lifetime resident of Winona Lake, Indiana, and am thankful for my town and the rich heritage it possesses. Recently, HGTV even selected Warsaw/Winona Lake as “the most charming small town in Indiana.” HGTV said, “Spend a day relaxing by beautiful Winona Lake in Warsaw, Indiana, and leave time to wander through the beautiful, historic Village at Winona.” Yes, I would agree that my town of Winona Lake is indeed charming!
I grew up living on Wooster Road and am now thankful to have my own place in Winona Lake. For the most part, in my younger years, I knew only the innocence of my town and the residents who live here with me. I wasn’t aware of the politics, power and/or prestige that some possess, but I knew of the honor, understanding, support, respect, and kindness shown by those in my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods.
Yes, the Town of Winona Lake is charming, but in recent weeks I’ve been asking myself if we still possess kindness. My question stems from the lack of kindness shown to our town’s clerk-treasurer, Laurie Renier. Recent articles in the Times-Union, and comments made by town leaders therein, have shown a negative attitude and tone toward a town employee who is doing her best to provide a much-needed financial service to our community. The talking behind her back, general negativity, putting her on the defense, and bearish attitudes toward her saddens me. Bashing her publicly in the newspaper and in general gossip and placing campaign signs for her opponent on public town property is so disappointing. A recent editorial suggested that town leaders and employees were “shocked” at Mrs. Renier’s job performance. Quite honestly, I’m “shocked” that people, leaders and others in my community would bash a town employee as such. All of this comes across as bullying, and I’m disappointed. I’ve been praying for Laurie that she would rise above these attitudes as she walks into work each day.
I don’t possess power or prestige, but I always hope to be kind and respectful toward others within my charming community of Winona Lake.
As I understand it, there have been some employee changes in the office in recent months, leaving Mrs. Renier to pull together some areas of the department in a quick minute. Her experience alone as our county assessor, her time working for former clerk-treasurer Kent Adams, and her continuing education and training at the state level is reason enough to support her at the ballot box. Laurie is our knowledgeable, experienced, and hard-working clerk-treasure, and I’m pleased to show her support. And a bonus quality of Laurie Renier? She’s humble and kind!
Amy Miller
Winona Lake, via email
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