Editor, Times-Union: Ouch, did I step on someone's toes? I apologize! I am not in the habit of stepping on toes. However, those in responsible positions, i.e., "public servants," should shoulder responsibility for negligent action that impacts the livelihood of others, especially when those servants gain their livelihood from the public purse! For nine years my agent faithfully performed his duty until he changed addresses. No one disputes that he failed us when he neglected to pursue the reason "WHY" the Kosciusko County Treasurer's Office stopped sending tax statements. That's the question isn't it? WHY I am more than happy to explain "WHY" to the citizens of Kosciusko County!
My agent actually sent a change of address to the Kosciusko County Treasurer's Office on two legal documents of record, his "payment check" and the "tax statement" that came from that office. I have in my possession the canceled, stamped and endorsed (by the Treasurer) check complete with the change of address clearly marked on its face. Someone held the check in hand, but ignored the address change. I have photocopies of the Treasurer's tax statement stamped "paid" with the address change clearly marked on the document! Someone held the statement in hand and ignored the address change! Any citizen who wishes to examine this document may do so by request at the desk of the Treasurer, a matter of PUBLIC RECORD. I have eyewitnesses who saw me telephone (phone records will verify this too) the Auditor's Office regarding our address change to our current address. However, the Auditor's Office failed to notify me that anything was amiss with my property. Had the auditor's office done its job, I had ample time to file a "timely appeal" and win our case! Yes, we went to court three times and lost only because the personnel in the courthouse never acknowledged our address change or informed us of a problem even while speaking to them by telephone! That, my Kosciusko County taxpaying friend, is the "WHY" of our circumstance! Yes, the county is at fault! Yes, it did happen to me even though I fully exercised my right to telephone the courthouse! It is election time folks, please put responsible people into those offices in the courthouse. Remember, they work for you, but some may work against you!
Tom Huffman Sherman via e-mail
Memorial Day
Editor, Times-Union: May is here! The May flowers are starting to come out of their hibernation. This is a good month. You have Mothers Day, proms, graduations, the Indy 500, and Memorial Day is the start of three-day holidays.
Memorial Day is a lot more than watching a great race and outdoor barbecues! This is a day to remember all the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedom and those of other countries.
Right now we have lost quite a few military personnel in the fighting in Iraq. People in our country are asking why? But our military is made up of volunteers who chose to serve our country when and wherever the need arises. Our military has been protecting our freedoms since the Revolutionary War days.
May is also the time the American Legion Auxiliary distributes little red flowers called a poppy. They are worn to remember all veterans. They are made by veterans. the donations collected are used to help our veterans and their families. The Indiana Veterans Home in Lafayette and the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children's Home in Knightstown are a couple examples of where the monies go.
May 8th is Poppy Day in Warsaw. Distributing poppies is an Auxiliary project but the Warsaw "Legion Family" all help promote our endeavor. So when you see the volunteers with the poppies, please get yours!
We would like to see everyone in town wearing a poppy on Memorial Day. Also that weekend America is celebrating the World War II Memorial dedication in Washington, D.C. I can't think of a better way to honor all veterans than by wearing a poppy proudly!
