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Gun Laws Won't Stop School Shootings

Another school shooting.Another round of gun laws. That's the way things seem to be playing out these days.Lots of people are calling for a bunch of new laws to restrict guns in one way or another. And the U.S.Senate obliged them this week with some new gun laws. But there are tons of laws already on the books. Laws that restrict the sale of guns to anyone under age 18.Laws that restrict the sale of anything other than a shotgun or rifle to anyone under age 21.Laws that spell out who needs to have a license to sell firearms.There's a whole column of small print listing "prohibited categories of persons" who aren't allowed to purchase any firearms or ammunition."Prohibited persons" include anyone convicted of a crime, drug users, anyone adjudicated mentally defective, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged veterans. All in all there are some 20,000 gun laws on the books. With that many laws, one would think there would be lots of convictions.Not so.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Tax Cuts Can Be A Good Thing

It's funny to listen to politicians talk about taxes. This is really at the forefront of politics these days because W is proposing a tax cut. The funny part is because W has been running all around the country trying to justify it, trying to convince taxpayers that it's OK. That's funny. It's funny because a tax cut needs no justification. I guess I look at taxes and government differently than a lot of people. I look at taxes and government in terms of "owing."Everybody says we "owe" taxes.That means we owe the government, because government collects the taxes. So what does "owe" mean? It means "to be under obligation to pay or repay in return for something received" or "to be indebted to" or "to be in debt." So essentially when we pay taxes our government is telling us that we are indebted to it.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Pension Default Should Raise Red Flag

I think the United Airlines pension default was under reported. It was the largest pension default in U.S.history and it really didn't seem to bother anybody, except maybe some pension administration-type people. And that's kind of strange because the pension default affects everybody - well, everybody who pays taxes, I should say. And it certainly has the potential to affect everybody else indirectly as it ripples through the economy. For the record, a federal judge, in a bankruptcy filing, allowed United to dump its pension obligation to 134,000 current and retired employees in the lap of the federal government. That's because United's pension fund is upside down to the tune of about $6.6 billion. That's right.United has pension obligations of $6.6 billion that they can't afford to pay. So now the burden of paying for those pension plans falls on the federal government. US Airways did the same thing not so long ago, only on a much smaller scale.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

It's Hard Not To Resist Change

This is a column for all of those who resist change. I am one of those people to a small degree, but I would like to dedicate this column to my wife, Mary. Generally, I think, most people do not like change.They like the status quo.If it ain't broke, don't fix it, the old saying goes. We are creatures of habit and most of us have a certain way we expect things to be.It makes us comfortable. I understand that. There was a time when I resisted change.But I learned my lesson.It was back when autofocus cameras first came out.I resisted.I thought autofocus would somehow limit my creative control.I was wrong.Finally, after the world of newspaper photography had passed me by, I switched.What a fool I was.I can't imagine taking pictures without it. Our photographer, Gary Nieter, was the same way about autofocus.He learned, too.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Zoning Board Denies Variance Request

Officials of the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously denied a petition from Joe Jarboe Thursday. Board members were leery of complications that could have occurred from the variance request. Randy Hershberger, of Coach House Garages, represented the Jarboes during the meeting and requested a 10-foot setback variance for the property, located at 112 Boydston Street. The request would have allowed the Jarboes to construct a garage on the northwest corner of the premises.One reason the board members opposed the matter was due to limited space between the garage and an adjacent road in construction plans. Hershberger reported the land north of the property is a retention area, and said he anticipated no conflicts for neighbors if the garage were to be built. Member Bruce Woodward said the area could potentially become a thoroughfare for a subdivision, yet to be completed.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Kohl's Plat Goes Before Plan Commission Tuesday

Final plans for a new Kohl's store north of Warsaw will go before the Warsaw Plan Commission Tuesday.If approved, Kohl's plans to build a 68,750-square-foot facility on the property at the corner of Ind.15N and CR 300N, just north of the Wal-Mart and Lowe's shopping area. Plans include 5.858 acres for the Kohl's store and parking and three adjacent outlots for future building not included in the initial plans.The parking lot will be accessed from two entrances on CR 300N.A new road, Sheldon Street, proposed to run parallel with Ind.15N to the west of the new development, may provide a third entrance to the area. No entrances to any of the building sites are planned from Ind.15N.Planned entrances from CR 300W and associated changes to the county road will meet the requirements of a traffic study conducted for the addition of the Kohl's store.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Triton Works On Retirement Plan

BOURBON - The Triton School Board approved three resolutions Monday dealing with the reorganization of Triton School Corp.'s retirement and severance plan.Triton schools have been working since 2000 to meet Indiana's mandate that all school systems must be prepared to forward pay retirement/severance plans for employees by Dec.31.The schools must begin to forward pay Dec.31, 2004. The resolutions passed Monday were a bond resolution, authorization of a hearing on additional appropriations and a tax neutrality resolution.According to schools superintendent Ted Chittum, the resolutions put the school corporation in a position to sell bonds in February or March, which will allow them to comply with the new state mandates. Chittum said with the new system of forward paying retirement/severance benefits, the school corporation will know exactly what their costs in that area will be each year and employees will have more control over their benefits.
TIM ROBERTSON, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Maurice Beer Ends Long Career Of Public Service

MILFORD - If there's one word that can be used to describe retiring Kosciusko County Councilman Maurice Beer, that word is modest. He was hesitant about having a feature story written about him.He relented, but agreed to it only after his last Kosciusko County Council meeting.After the interview, he said, "Don't make a big deal out of it." Besides modest, those who know Beer have many other kind words to say about him. "He is one of the nicest, kindest men I've ever met in my life," said Aaron Rovenstine, Kosciusko County sheriff. Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell said, "Maurice was always a very dedicated public servant, always caring about the people, never jumping to conclusions, and knowing all the facts before he made a decision." Beer was born four miles west of Milford on June 21, 1922."I grew up in the Depression time.We had plenty of food, but not many dollars," he said during the interview Monday morning at his Milford home.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program Reaches Out To Area's Needy Children

Along with the familiar Red Kettles, the Angel Tree program is one of The Salvation Army's highest profile Christmas efforts. Angel Tree was created by The Salvation Army in 1979 by Majors Charles and Shirley White when they worked with a Virginia shopping mall to provide clothing and toys for children at Christmas time. The program got its name because the Whites identified the wishes of local children by writing their gift needs on Hallmark greeting cards featuring pictures of angels and placing them on a Christmas tree at the mall.Thanks to the Whites, who were assigned by The Army to the Lynchburg area at the time, more than 700 children had a brighter Christmas that first year. Three years later, when the Whites were transferred to Nashville, Tenn., Angel Tree was launched in Music City during the 1982 Christmas season.WMS radio, which airs the Grand Ol' Opry, came on board that year as the first Angel Tree co-sponsor in the United States.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Signs EMS Contract With M-TEMS

SILVER LAKE - Beginning Jan.1, Multi-Township EMS will be the emergency care service provider for Silver Lake. Thursday night, the Silver Lake Town Council approved and signed a contract with MTEMS for 2006. By signing the contract, the town agreed to provide an ambulance base with garage space for one ambulance, a day room, a kitchenette, sleeping quarters for two paramedics or advanced EMTs, a restroom and a storage area. In return, the town will receive 24-hour service with one ambulance in town at all times.At least one paramedic and one advanced EMT will be on duty 24 hours a day as well. MTEMS will be responsible for utility expenses, property/liability damage and maintenance and repairs on the building. The town will pay MTEMS $2,000 for the year of service, payable in two installments in 2006.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Some Things Are Difficult To Understand

Here are some things I just don't get. I was perusing the court news in our newspaper the other day. I read about guy who was sentenced for possession of child pornography. He got sentenced to two years with six months suspended. My reporter said the court file noted that the guy invited a couple teenagers (under 18) to have sex at his home. He videotaped them and himself as he watched and (how do I put this delicately) touched himself. Then I read about the guy who sold a half gram of cocaine.(That's like 1/56th of an ounce.) He got four years. Now, I don't know if these guys were repeat offenders or not or if there were mitigating or aggravating circumstances or what. But over the years in watching our court news, it seems as if people who molest or exploit kids or beat their wives seem to get lighter sentences than people who possess or sell small amounts of drugs. I don't get that.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Appointments Made To County Boards

Kosciusko County Commissioners Ron Truex and Avis Gunter met Tuesday to appoint new members to county boards for 2006. Cynthia J.Thornburg was reinstated to the Turkey Creek Township Library Board, and Richard Shipley and Gerald "Jake" Bitner will remain on the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.John Elliott and Jan Carter also were reappointed to the Kosciusko County Recreation and Visitors Commission. The commissioners selected County Surveyor Dick Kemper over Kelly Easterday for a position on the county's Area Plan Commission, with Truex saying "the expertise of the surveyor was critical" in the decision-making process.Gunter also was named to serve on the commission. In other issues, Plan Commission Director Dan Richard presented a request from Vasilios Batalis for the rezoning of land to industrial 2 in Wayne Township.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Don't Believe What Political Ads Tell You

This is the year we elect a president, and the advertising campaigns have already begun. Here's some advice. Don't believe what the politicians say in their 30-second spots on primetime television.A lot of the time they're twisting or misrepresenting the facts.Sometimes they're just lying to you. It would be nice if somebody, either the national media or the politicians themselves, would just tell us the facts surrounding any given issue.Then, armed with facts, we could determine whose position we like the best. But that never happens. Instead of telling us the facts surrounding Medicare, for example, the media tell us what Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Newt Gingrich and David Bonior say about Medicare. And they all spin it to make their position sound good.They don't let facts get in the way of a good soundbite. A classic example is an ad airing right now, sponsored by the AFL-CIO.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Messengers From Above Have A Prominent Role In Christmas Story

Angels will be seen across the country this Christmas season as decorations on trees, pictures on walls and drawings on Christmas cards. In the Bible, angels heralded the birth of Christ as messengers of God. "The angel said to her, 'Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you.You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.'" Luke 1:30-31. Cheryl Phillips, clerk-treasurer of Mentone, is a believer in angels.She wears a small angel pin on her clothes everyday and everywhere. "It's something that has kind of been there ever since I was a kid," Phillips said. "Sometimes people look at me and think I have a bug on my shoulder until they get close. "I feel more comfortable with the angel on my shoulder.I feel lost without it.I keep it on my shoulder as a reminder of Christ," she said. People are more aware of angels during the holiday season, Phillips said.She said angels help put Christ into Christmas.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Parks Dept. Planning Christmas Party

Carriage rides, pictures with Santa and children's crafts are all a part of this year's Community Christmas Party. The Warsaw Parks Department will hold its "Christmas Countdown" Community Christmas Party Dec.15 from 6 to 8 p.m.at Center Lake Pavilion. "The event is an opportunity for families to spend time together in a holiday setting," said Activities Director Janelle Wilson. The event is free and participants can take a carriage ride through Central Park for $3 per person.Children 3 and younger will be able to ride at no charge. The ride will allow those who participate to enjoy lighted displays and decorations in Central Park. There are more than 150,000 lights in Central Park, according to Park Superintendent Jon Garber.
JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Couple Faces Charges In Odometer Altering

After a bust by the Indiana State Police Wednesday, a Warsaw couple faces multiple felony charges for their alleged involvement in a used vehicle sales scam. Investigators say Karen N.Gottschalk, 37, and Chad A.Gottschalk, 38, both of 2028 S.Maple Run, Warsaw, allegedly tampered with odometers, forged titles and documents and misrepresented sales to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles for at least 100 vehicles throughout the United States. Police went to Grossnickle Eye Center Wednesday morning and took Karen Gottschalk into custody.She faces seven counts of forgery (Class C felonies), two counts of theft (Class D felonies) and two counts of odometer altering/odometer fraud (Class D felonies).Indiana State Police Sgt.Lou Brown said Karen Gottschalk was cooperating with police Wednesday morning and answering questions for investigators.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Some Things I Just Don't Get

Here are some things I just don't get. Reparations For Slavery Slavery was a sad, awful, moral calamity in American history.No question.But this whole notion of making companies of today pay for the sins of long-dead predecessors seems counterproductive to me. Proponents of the lawsuit against railroad giant CSX, Aetna Insurance and FleetBoston financial services group say those companies have been profiting from slavery for more than two centuries. The suit was filed on behalf of 35 million American descendants of African slaves. The suit claims there may be as many as 1,000 unidentified companies that benefited from slavery between 1619 and 1865.A request for class action status means the plaintiffs want to add more companies to the list of defendants. Those companies should have to compensate the descendants of those slaves, is the basic premise of the suit.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

These Guys (And Gals) Are Good

I play golf, so I have a pretty good idea how difficult it is to play well. Just when you think you've got things going your way and you're hitting it pretty good, the wheels fall off. That's why I am so awed by professional golfers.Their ability to consistently make good golf shots blows me away. I mean, some of the slam dunks in the NBA are pretty amazing. The 515-foot homer and the 95-mph fastball are really impressive. But here's the thing about golf as it relates to the average Joe. No matter how hard I try or how much I practice, I could never dunk a basketball or throw a baseball 95 mph. But hit a big high draw down the middle of the fairway with my driver just like a PGA pro? I can do that once in a while. Or hit a nice high approach shot 18 inches from the cup from 130 yards away just like a PGA pro.I can do that, too - once in a while. Golf is the only sport where I can perform just like a pro, albeit rarely and intermittently.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Changes Personal Patrol Vehicle Policy

Warsaw City Council approved a change in the police department's Personal Patrol Vehicle Program Monday, allowing family members to ride in the vehicles when the officer is off duty. The motion to approve the change was made by a longtime opponent of the program - Councilman Dewey Lawshe. "After talking with Chief (Stephen) Foster, I'm going to make a turnaround.I'm convinced he will strictly enforce the rules of the program," he said."Wile I've been against this program in the past, I believe we should give him the opportunity to make it work." The change in the PPV program also encourages the officers participating in the program to park their vehicles on the street during daylight hours when not on duty.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WHA Works To Correct Financial Reporting

Corrections to financial reports of the Warsaw Housing Authority delayed approval of the reports at Monday's board of directors meeting.A special meeting is set for next Monday to accept those reports. According to Angie Shirk, executive director of the WHA, the board's treasurer, Sherri Ruggier-Milton, wants the agency's accountant to do the reports differently because the allocations are not as they should be.However, the accountant is not sure what changes are needed and Ruggier-Milton did not attend Monday's meeting due to illness. Shirk said the changes are simple enough to take care of over the telephone, but would need to be handled by Ruggier-Milton. The WHA board will meet at 5:15 p.m.Monday in the law offices of Lemon, Armey, Hearn & Leininger to approve the corrected financials.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016
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