Editor, Times-Union: It has come to our attention that gambling devices, including those commonly known as "Cherry Masters," are starting to reappear locally. As you have previously reported, the use of such devices for gambling purposes is illegal, as is the simple possession of unlawful gambling materials.
Our offices will continue to uphold Indiana law in regards to these devices. Further, we warn anyone that possesses or uses these things that such activities will be investigated and could subject them to criminal charges. Private organizations, non-profit organizations and social clubs are always expected to abide by the law. There will be no exception to the enforcement of the law regarding these devices.
Charles R. Waggoner, Prosecutor
C. Aaron Rovenstine, Sheriff
Physics
Editor, Times-Union: Physics is the science dealing with principles of energy, force, matter and time. While many parts of physics seem unrelated, there is a single pattern basic to them all. It is the same for educational programs. Engineering is a profession putting scientific knowledge to practical use, like Mr. Yoder's Honors Physics class building cardboard boats. Tinkering means experimenting with ideas and finding out how they work in different combinations, with the purpose of finding uses for them. Einstein, Newton, Roentgen and Curie are physicists who tinkered, and their hands-on investigation applying their findings made them tops in their field. Mr. Yoder's boat project allows his students to tinker with concepts in physics they have learned, using them to solve problems and create a product that works. Such tinkering will enable these students to be successful at Purdue, IU, Ball State and even MIT.
A faulty O-ring brought down the Challenger, illustrating that there is a difference between theoretical designs and creating products that work under real conditions. Mr. Yoder has prepared himself as a scientist and an educator. He has crafted an excellent program giving up his prep period and taking on an additional class so that WCHS can offer honors physics. It is because of his unselfishness and professionalism that eager learners can become successful in science, engineering or in whatever field to which they aspire.
The educational focus of Warsaw schools is to help students use their minds well. This means encouraging them to think. The challenge is to involve teachers, parents, students and community professionals in the ongoing discussions concerning curriculum and standards, but this must be done in a positive manner with people gathering with mutual trust and taking responsible actions.
We invite you to be part of the dialogue Mr. Weihler, but this time you missed the boat!
Christine Foster, Teacher/WCHS, Warsaw
Fair Impeachment
Editor, Times-Union: From this common citizen's point of view, our Constitution seems to provide for an impeachment trial process that is primarily focused upon a situation where a President misbehaves.
The legislators bring charges but the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides in order to both prevent an overly ambitious vice president, who normally presides over the Senate, from assuring his ascendancy to the presidency and also to ensure that an appropriate and fair legal trial is held.
The Founding Fathers, however, omitted consideration and one improbable situation; if both the President and the Chief Justice endorsed or sought some radical action that the Legislative bodies rejected and felt that impeachment of both the Chief Justice and the President is necessary to protect our country.
If such an improbable situation where both a radical president and Supreme Court arises, it would seem wrong that a Senate acting as jury in an impeachment trial, should be presided over by the Chief Justice as specified by our Constitution.
Who then could preside? Who would be considered an impartial judge to preside at such a proceeding? Certainly not the Vice President. Certainly not the Chief Justice or the President or any member of Congress!
To cope with such a trial situation, I propose that a committee consisting of all of this nation's state governors be empowered to select and appoint a person whom they believe will impartially preside and lay down the rules of conduct needed for the conduction of a fair trial.
This suggestion is considered to be the only way a fair and impartial presiding person can be efficiently selected withing the framework of a republic form of government. Governors are elected by all citizens and such a body should be representative and impartial in decisions where any two branches of the Federal Government are being charged by impeachment proceedings.
Such a constitutional amendment should be considered before the need for it arises.
R.Bradt, Warsaw
Dog Ordinance
Editor, Times-Union: The latest news on the County dog ordinance.
On Jan. 19, I talked with Avis Gunter, commissioner of the south district.
Herschel: Why can't we have the county attorney take this to court? [laws presented to her]
Avis: We don't have a county attorney. Mr. Miner is the attorney for the commissioners only.
Herschel: He doesn't work for the auditor or anyone else? If they use him it costs extra?
Avis: Yes, they use him, but it's free gratis. The money we paid out for personal files of the county, is why it's so much.
Herschel: What can we expect from the county?
Avis: It is being looked into by a judge, the humane officer [Clase], and Mike Miner.
Herschel: What about the coon dogs?
Avis: The coon dogs are very expensive dogs and they [coon hunters] are afraid it might restrict their pleasure. I don't know about other districts, just the southern where I represent.
Herschel: I have heard they are a nuisance to some people there [Silver Lake, Palestine Lake].
Avis: I don't know that they are. It's not like you're in Fort Wayne or someplace like that where your lot is 60' X 132'.
Herschel: Avis, it's not the size of the property that counts. It's the size of the noise that they create.
On Jan. 20, I also talked with our new sheriff and captain. The sheriff confirmed that Mr. Miner and Mr. Clase [the animal control officer] are looking into the purposed dog nuisance ordinance.
So friends of the county, those are words of Avis Gunter [1-19-99] and the sheriff [1-20-99]. I guess we'll have to wait and see again.
If you are like-minded, want to get involved and have a noise problem, write to Friends of Fido, Box 25, Leesburg, IN 46538.
Herschel Rainwater, Leesburg
Is God Watching?
Editor, Times-Union: On Thursday, Jan. 21, Dale Bumpers, former Senator from the state of Arkansas, gave the closing speech in defense of President Clinton at the Senate impeachment trial.
By 5 a.m. the next morning, Americans had learned of the devastation caused by approximately 30 tornadoes ripping through 75 counties in Arkansas, resulting in 5 deaths and extensive property damage (AP Network News-WBCL Radio, Fort Wayne; See also Times-Union article of Friday, Jan. 22, page 10A).
Question: Does God know what is happening in Washington D.C.?
Phil Klatt, Warsaw
Family Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to thank everyone who has helped my family since our house was destroyed by a fire.
Whether you gave us clothes, food, toys for the children or your thoughts and prayers, your good deeds will not be forgotten.
I would especially like to thank everyone who understood about the loss of our family dog. Huckleberry meant a great deal to the children and myself.
It is nice to know that we live in such a caring community. Thank you.
Kristen Tucker, and family, Warsaw
Good Business
Editor, Times-Union: About one year ago, we had to have a new well drilled at our then recently purchased home. We paid an individual a large sum of money to provide the service. That individual subcontracted Paulus Well Drilling to do the actual drilling. Chris Paulus & Co. did their part but were never paid by the original contractor. The original contractor (not mentioned and no longer in business) clearly demonstrated the wrong way of doing business.
Now the right way ... after repeatedly contacting the original contractor about difficulties we were having, the individual blamed Mr. Paulus repeatedly but never helped us to resolve any problems we had. We then contacted Paulus ourselves and he has personally seen to it that the situation has been resolved. He has even offered to drill a new well for us, if necessary, to rectify the situation. It is easy to understand why the original contractor is now out of business and why Paulus Well Drilling is "Kosciusko County's oldest well drilling company." We want to thank Mr. Paulus for his Christian ethics and for demonstrating to us the right way of doing business!
