Editor, Times-Union: The words "never give up" are words of wisdom to me, especially this year in our General Assembly session.
Senate Bill 272, which I authored, deals with military bases and realigned bases like Grissom. The bill has secured incentives to create jobs, encourage investments and keep jobs in Indiana and was amended into House Bill 1365 during conference committee Tuesday.
I have worked hard on SB 272 this session, and the bill looked dead when the House or Representatives came to a standstill. I went back one more time, though, presented the entire concept to the conference committee, explained the importance and asked for their support.
A House committee made changes to my bill earlier in the process dealing with Crane and Technology Parks.
Because of changes I recommended to the committee, the Technology Park incentives will be applicable to all military bases in our state, including Grissom. This is a very important economic development tool for our state. Here's how the legislation looks now.
¥ Businesses located in a military base or a realigned base will receive a sales tax exemption on utilities.
¥ Businesses will receive an adjusted income tax rate of 5 percent, as opposed to the current 8.5 percent.
¥ Businesses that invest in these locations will also receive substantial cost credit for capital on number and types of jobs created.
Inventory tax breaks will disappear when that tax is eliminated from Indiana over the next few years. Since those breaks were a major incentives to draw businesses into realigned military bases, other tax breaks need to be provided.
Because I never gave up on SB 272, it looks as though those incentives will be provided, and our regional economy will receive a boost because of it.
State Sen. Thomas Weatherwax
Indianapolis via e-mail
Disaster Action Team
Editor, Times-Union: It is my privilege to serve as the volunteer chairman of the Disaster Action Team of The Kosciusko County Chapter of The American Red Cross.
It also is an honor to work with many dedicated volunteers who serve on our chapter board of directors, our disaster action team, our blood services team and in our Armed Forces Emergency Services Program. Our Red Cross Chapter also relies upon many volunteers to provide instruction in our lifesavving skills classes and water safety classes. Clearly, The American Red Cross could not successfully operate and carry out our mission without the services of thousands of volunteers!
As we approach the month of March, which has been designated "National Red Cross Month," it is very appropriate that we take the opportunity to recognize our local volunteers who faithfully support our Kosciusko County Chapter! Many people do not realize that when our local fire departments respond to a fire, the local Red Cross volunteers are often summoned to also respond to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families who have been impacted by the fire. In addition, assistance with food, water, coffee, etc., also is provided to the first responders while they carry out their responsibilities. Our Red Cross volunteers are "on call" 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and willingly respond to meet with those affected by a disaster. The volunteers will arrange immediate lodging, provide food, new clothing, assistance with prescription medications and eyeglasses and other personal items.
During our fiscal year 2003, our local chapter assisted a total of 92 individuals who suffered a significant loss through a local disaster, such as a single-family fire, that resulted in the loss of most or all of their possessions. Disaster financial assistance exceeded $43,000 and this assistance was provided free to those individuals receiving assistance. Much of this activity was coordinated and supported by our dedicated Red Cross volunteers who serve our local chapter.
Red Cross volunteers come in all "races, sizes, ages and gender," because everyone can be a volunteer. We have a job for you at our chapter, and I encourage you to contact us at 267-5244. It will be "the best job you ever had for which you were never paid!" except with a smile, handshake or hug when you reach out to help a fellow citizen in need of assistance! We really believe "that by working together, we can save a life!"
Danny Warrick Disaster Team Chairman Kosciusko County Chapter of The American Red Cross
Suffering Of Jesus
Editor, Times-Union: Much is being heard about "the suffering of Jesus" and putting the blame on the right people for that crucifixion. No matter who did it, it "hurt." But that "hurt" is long gone.
What about the "hurts" that he experiences at this time? According to Hebrews 6:4-6 there is a certain class of people who are recrucifying Jesus, over and over, at this very time! As they drive their spikes into his hands and feet and stab him with their spears, wouldn't it hurt just as much, now, as it did the first time he was crucified?
Why do the people of this certain class do their recrucifying of Jesus at this time? Is it not to have their continuing sins forgiven? But according to Hebrews 10:26, these people are not able to receive the forgiveness they want and expect.
Why would there be no forgiveness when recrucifying Jesus again? If it was right to have him suffer that first time, so sins could be forgiven, why wouldn't it be just as right to have him suffer over and over again, so sins can be forgiven? True, there would be the pain and suffering that he had experienced the first time. But he no longer has any blood in his veins! Since it takes the shedding of blood to have sins forgiven, there can be no forgiveness for those who recrucify Jesus! There no longer is any blood at the foot of the cross to either "cover up sins" or "wash them away" for a very large class of this world's human beings.
Robert Stichter Milford
Demo Invitation
Editor, Times-Union: Despite evidence to the contrary, ours is not a one-party county. There are plenty of good Democrats among your readership who, because they foresee the inevitable attacking backlash, refrain from voicing their opinions in this community. In a freedom-loving nation, this should never be the case. True Americans should welcome loyal opposition of all political stripes without feeling compelled to demonize them. How "American" is it to intimidate others into silence?
I am not naive enough to believe that the responsibility for this situation lies only with our Republican friends and neighbors. We Democrats bear an equal share of the blame. For, how "American" is it to keep your mouth shut when you honestly believe that your nation is going down the wrong path? How patriotic are we when we shrug our shoulders and avert our eyes, knowing in our very heart of hearts that all is not well? Can I honestly say "I love my country" if I quietly acquiesce to policies that I believe are harmful to it? We deserve the world we get when we just give up.
I encourage all my Democrat friends to get involved in our local party. Come out and meet other like-minded residents of our community and find out what you can do to make a difference. Whether you want to be actively involved or just share an hour or two talking politics over coffee, we want to meet and support you. We have a breakfast club that meets at 8 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. On March 6, we will meet at Teel's Family Restaurant in Mentone.
Michelle Boxell Kosciusko County Democrats, Vice-Chairman
Warsaw
Board Responds
Editor, Times-Union: It has been interesting and encouraging to follow the newspaper accounts of the Triton School Corporation's public hearings on the proposed renovation project. Wouldn't it be nice if our school corporation had a superintendent and board majority who would listen to the taxpayers? Our neighbors do.
Wouldn't it be nice to have the majority of our school board who would listen to the high-priced consulting firm's recommendations they hired to make logical decisions that affect the children of the outlying communities? Wouldn't it be nice to have a majority of our school board and superintendent who you could trust what they say and the decisions they make?
Our school board as a whole is more concerned about building high-priced athletic dressing rooms, ticket booths and restrooms than they are educational facilities. They have indebted the taxpayers to the point we cannot build on to or renovate some of our existing elementary buildings for education, but we can have a showcase athletic complex and technology building.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a recall/removal vote of the superintendent and majority of the board? Hopefully, the upcoming school board elections won't be too late.
We are no longer Warsaw Community Schools, our corporation has become the Warsaw-Winona Lake School Corporation, thanks to special interest groups.
I applaud the two elected board members who listen to the taxpayers and are fighting for our children's education.
I admire and commend the Triton Schools for their effort to work together and listen to the taxpayers in their communities. Wouldn't it be nice to live and serve in that type of community?
Dennis Rowland Claypool
Dangerous Dog
Editor, Times-Union: Came within 10 feet of being nailed by a pit bull last evening and that dog came within a heartbeat of having its head blown off.
When the police arrived, I was "strongly advised" not to discharge a firearm inside city limits.
Sorry about your ordinance, Warsaw, but no government can deny the right of self defense. If you don't want these God-awful animals shot in town, you had better do something about the animals.
