Editor, Times-Union: Do you have even the faintest recollection of your high school civic class? Remember how it was driven home over and over again: "The workings of democracy meant the greatest good for the greatest number of people" and "One man, one vote?" So far as I know, despite all the perversions of the democratic process in this country, we do not stuff the ballot box. Accordingly your vote and mine are as powerful as, say, Bill Gates' is. Just like they said in civic class - one man, one vote. Would you agree there is nothing quite so chilling to an incumbent as the thought of not being re-elected? That principle translates into people power but only if it is used. It is readily apparent that officeholders count on citizen apathy; otherwise why would they feel they can get away with such outrageously self-serving behavior?
Scheduled to come before Congress the first week in March is the McCain-Feingold bill on campaign finance reform (John McCain, R-Ariz., and Russ Feingold, D-Wis.). It has considerable bipartisan support probably because they know the hundreds of thousands of you's and me's are watching closely as to who does what. It is far from a done deal. Thoughtful Americans know how urgently this reform is needed. It is the perceived citizen outrage which has brought this even as far as this stage and for all we know it could merely be political posturing on the part of both sides of the aisle. But you and I need not reach this stage again. And we need to be realistic. We did not get into this shape overnight and the remedies for these perversions will not make them disappear at the stroke of a pen. Nevertheless, a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The only way to begin is to begin!
If you are appalled with the demeaning, mean-spirited half-truths/untruths we are subjected to during campaigns, which seem never-ending, pick up the phone: Dick Lugar, 202-224-3121; Dan Coats, 202-224-5623. If your work schedule does not permit phoning during business hours, pick up a pen: Lugar, 306 Hart Senate Building, Washington DC, 20515; Coats, 404 Russell Senate Building, Washington DC, 20515. If you have electronic capabilities I would think they might have a web address.
The status quo can be changed - but only you and I can make it happen. But better get a wiggle on!
Tam Vogel Winona Lake
Unethical Behavior
Editor, Times-Union: This letter is to people who paid their Sprint phone bill in Warsaw, and who are now forced to mail it to the company, all the way to Atlanta, Ga. This means the payment will have to be mailed approximately one week prior to its due date to assure it will arrive there on time. To let your voice be heard, call 800-989-4350. Maybe if enough of us complain we'll get Sprint to at least put a drop-off box in Warsaw. This would help those of us who pay our bills in person, in cash (locally), and to make sure it gets paid on time. Especially those of us on fixed incomes, or those without checking accounts. It is too bad that big, monopoly-type businesses such as Sprint and NIPSCO can't think about the customers that pay their wages, as well as make these companies the profitable businesses they are.
Cathy L. Lundgren Warsaw
School Spirit
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to address this letter to the entire staff, student body and parents of students at Wawasee High School. I am a 1977 graduate of Wawasee High School.
The last two years I have been at numerous girls' varsity basketball games, both home and away. A lot of things have changed since I was in high school. What has happened to the spirit of the students? I am ashamed of the lack of support that the students show for their team. Is this a direct reflection shown by the lack of support from the faculty? The cheerleaders look, act and sound like they are embarrassed to be in front of people. I talked with a current varsity cheerleader at a recent game. When I asked her if she was cheering that game she replied, "yes, I guess it's my turn," almost like she did not want to be out there cheering for her team and school. There is absolutely no crowd participation during the cheers being led by the cheerleaders. The director of the cheerleaders needs to take a serious look at the program and get people involved that want to cheer and motivate their team to victory. It is very easy to see that visiting teams and other home teams have more enthusiastic crowds. I believe this enthusiasm and support comes directly from parents and school faculty. It is my opinion that the parents and faculty of Wawasee High School need to increase their support for this girls basketball program. It is not fair to the athletes who work hard every day in practice and each game. They deserve a heck of a lot more support than I have witnessed the last several years.
Next, I believe the athletic director needs to take a hard look at the coaching staff presently in place for the girls basketball program. The players deserve the best possible coaching that is available to the school. Player development should be top priority. What I observed at the final sectional game against Lakeland was unbelievable. Why on earth would a coaching staff only 15 points behind with more than three minutes remaining in the game not have the starting lineup or the next best players on the court? There have been greater comebacks than that in Indiana basketball history. Why did this coaching staff give up and bench their best players? The coaching staff could have let the best players battle it out to the end to have a peace of mind that they were given the chance to win the ball game. Come on for crying out loud, it was Sectional Tourney Time!
For myself and others that feel the same way about the current state of girls basketball at Wawasee High School, Wake Up People!
S. Wilson Granger
Taking A Stand
Editor, Times-Union: Teresa Petrosky Wallace is my niece. She's a strong, intelligent woman who isn't afraid to stand up for the "little guy" even if it means taking criticism from folks who don't agree with her. The "little guy" right now is her own family being pushed aside by a powerful prosecutor. I can tell you, though, that she would stand up for your family, my family, or any family being treated this way. I can also vouch for her when she says that several people are concerned about David Kolbe's performance. Some of them talked to me personally. I've read all of Teresa's letters, as well as Mr. Kolbe's letters. I've looked at court papers, and even talked to the prosecutor myself. I've seen his inconsistencies first hand. Teresa Wallace isn't "making up facts" as Daniel Stevens said. She's telling the truth.
The others who've had run-ins with the prosecutor probably have their reasons for not "going public" with their stories. Maybe they don't think they're good enough writers. Maybe they're still involved in the court system. Maybe they think people will get upset with them for speaking out. Maybe they think their small voices won't make a difference. Maybe they don't realize that several small voices together can make a pretty loud noise!
My niece has shown the courage and determination that many of us wish we had. She's taken a firm stand against inappropriate behavior by an elected official. Many people complain about politicians, but few seem willing to do anything. Maybe if more of us would do what Teresa is doing, public servants would think twice before stepping on us "little people." I wonder if Mr. Kolbe is being a little more careful about mistreating people these days, since someone stood up to him and publicly called him on it.
The truth about the prosecutor's handling of the Petrosky case wouldn't hurt anyone, would it? Even if you're one of Mr. Kolbe's fans, don't you wonder why it's been so difficult, and why it's taken so long for him to answer the family's questions? The people who have written to complain about Teresa seem to think it's terrible that she's sent several letters, but think it's perfectly fine for the prosecutor to avoid being honest with her family. How could any reasonable voter say that fairness and truthfulness with victims don't matter? It just doesn't make any sense.
Marilyn Saner Akron
Road Improvement
Editor, Times-Union: This is the voice of Lane B61 H Little Barbee Lake and I wonder if there is a good samaritan out there someplace that can hear me, as the good county certainly can't. Our road desperately needs to be graded and stoned. The good senior citizens that live on this road are all on fixed incomes and cannot afford to maintain this road on their own. Last year each one paid $100 apiece to have several loads of stone put down - that is now pushed off to the sides from the heavy traffic on what the county keeps telling us is a "Private Road" even though we have a full turnaround and we all pay our taxes including county tax on.
This term private road has to be some old grandfather law from fifty years ago - that there has to be somewhere, somehow, someway that the old folks can get changed. The holes in this road get so bad over the constant use and really takes its toll on the cars that have to travel it.
Who do I turn to? One of the good citizens even wrote a letter to the governor - who in turn answered with a letter to the county road supervisor even though this is not his job capacity.
The county road supervisor gave the same old tired answer this is a "Private Road." Maybe there is someone out there that is smarter and wiser than I am that can tell me who to go to next as I am in desperate need of help again. This is supposed to be a loving community of people helping each other. Where are our loving politicians who have the voice and heart to do something for me? Thank you for taking the time to read my plight. I would sure appreciate some answers and some help - I am not looking to be paved just graded and stoned as all the other roads to the left and the right of us and surrounding us.
