We wish to thank all the voters that came out last Tuesday to vote in the primary election. Although we both lost the chance to run in November, we do really appreciate all the confidence that was placed in us by a large number of Tippecanoe Township voters. It was very heart-warming to see that, even though we have been here such a short time and many do not know us, we were given your trust and we will not soon forget that.
A special note to "a concerned neighbor," we appreciate your information and concern; however, we were not able to utilize this information and hope that in the future, it won't be necessary.
We do plan on running again in four years and would hope that you would support us at that time. Again, thanks to everyone that voted, even if you didn't vote for us, it's nice that people take the time to voice their concerns in how the government is run today. May God bless you.
Janice and Thomas Williams
Pierceton via e-mail
More Warning Needed
Editor, Times-Union: Our family lives south of Warsaw, just off of County Farm Road. We have been saddened as many in Warsaw have been by the number of fatalities at the crossroad of 300S and County Farm Road. We noticed this week that there are new stop signs at this crossing, which we totally support. But we do have a concern.
We have traveled this road, and crossed this intersection, many times this week. We have noticed that many people are running this new stop sign, just because they don't see it in time and are unaware of the change. (You see their brakes or shocked faces as they realize what they've done.) While there is a "Stop Ahead" sign with an orange flag, it is easily missed at night. This is insufficient warning of this new four-way stop.
When we contacted the county highway engineer about our concern, he said that a flasher, even a portable temporary one, at a new stop sign is not conventional. He felt that this intersection should be no different than any we would come to any other place in the country. His advice was to drive defensively. He also felt that because the highway department had put a notice in the paper about the new sign, people should be aware of the new situation. So there will be no flashers, not even temporary ones, during this transition phase.
Our concern is the number of college students moving home for the summer, people who will be back visiting who grew up here, as well as the rest of us who just need the caution that comes from seeing a flashing light up ahead. Warn your family members of this corner. We don't need any more accidents!
Jan and Gib Knoop Claypool via e-mail
Non Sequitur
Editor, Times-Union: Waaay back when I was a student at Beaver Dam, we had a rather slow kid whose main contribution to the class was that he helped us learn a new term, "non sequitur." Now, after all those years, 55 of them in fact, I see the term could be used by a latter day Hoosier.
Harold Kitson wrote, "About as bad as a gun dealer I heard of once who brags of having voted for Bill Clinton twice. Some people are just too stupid to be in business."
With no regard for context he tied telemarketers to gun dealers without disparaging the gun dealers. Then he tied the whole shebang to the last elected president, Bill Clinton.
Methinks he's been listening to LIMBAWWWW too much.
Keith Taylor San Diego via e-mail
View On Terrorists
Editor, Times-Union: My view of the war on terrorists.
My church has a "Military Support Group" of which I am very proud. We write letters and send "care" packages to those who are serving our country and are affiliated with our church.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, the United States entered into a long and terrible war to rid the world of an enemy who wanted to destroy our way of life. Many people feel that the attack on Sept. 11, 2001, was another Pearl Harbor and are willing to make sacrifices to rid the world of these terrorists. Past history has taught us that turning our backs on evil only makes the problem worse.
The wars that the United States has fought have been to secure our own freedom and for the liberation of countries from the oppression of dictators and oppressive ways of life. We are the only country who gives assistance to rebuilding lives and economies to help those countries work for a more democratic government.
So far Afghanistan is already showing signs of progress. Their society is becoming freer to have what the people want, women are free to not wear the veil, they can go to school and families are getting better medical treatment. Other countries are working with us to locate and remove other terrorists. This has been done in Spain, Germany, Israel and Palestine.
These terrorists must be located and identified. They are an evil force that needs to be dealt with. Good can overcome evil or we can let evil overcome good. We are in the best position to finish the job now.
It seems that ministers today do not talk about Satan enough and how he uses the minds of people to do his dirty work.
Many of the prophecies of the Bible have come true. The prophecies of the present and the future will also come true. No United States, United Nations or coalition government will be able to stop them. God is still creator and He can do what He wants. If it is time for a prophecy to come true - SO BE IT!
Joyce A. Phaneuf North Webster
Legion Auxiliary
Editor, Times-Union: Dear Former Auxiliary Member:
Our records indicate that for some reason you have not renewed your membership in the American Legion Auxiliary. I would like to encourage you to call or visit your local unit and once again be a member of the American Legion Family.
The American Legion Auxiliary has a lot to offer its members, we are also a main support for the American Legion and their programs.
Believe it or not, just being a paid up member helps us show Congress that the American Legion Auxiliary cares about our military personnel and their families. Because there is strength in numbers, when the American Legion Auxiliary speaks, people listen.
the Auxiliary is very proud of their work in local, state and national programs. Our children and youth program is one of the best in the country. Americanism is one of our major focuses. Fighting for veterans' rights and a decent way of life for our military personnel and their families is very important, now more than ever.
You could again be a part of the American Legion Family and help with these efforts and more, with your paid up membership. I will be working with northern department membership chairman, Bonnie Fox, throughout the Second District. We want to help strengthen membership in existing units. We want and need you. Please consider rejoining the world's largest women's patriotic organization.
Please feel to contact your local American Legion Auxiliary unit or me with any questions, comments or concerns you may have.
Nancy Benac 2nd District President Portage
Kids Are Cruel
Editor, Times-Union: It is part of human nature to care for someone in need. When someone falls ill, we stay and tend to their needs. When someone finally passes on, we grieve for them. When someone is endlessly tortured, and suffers a fate far worse than death, we laugh and mock. It's sad to say, but true, cruelty is another part of human nature. Schools are becoming huge breeding grounds for hate and discrimination. Kids are constantly laughed at or teased just because of the way they look or dress. Sometimes teasing gets so bad that suicide becomes more and more appealing to a troubled youth. Being an individual is no longer acceptable in schools.
Many people already know what I'm saying, but yet nothing is really changing. The few groups that do fight social injustice receive little or no help from the public. Many people are so caught up in the terrors overseas that they fail to notice the terror that lies only a few blocks away, right in the public schools. If we want to fight social injustice, then we need to fight discrimination with the thought of equality for everyone.
When kids become so caught up in the newest fashion trends, they fail to notice who the person really is. America has the saying, United We Stand, Divided We Fall, if we do nothing any longer the next generation of America will be divided.
Thomas Gronendyke Seventh-grader at Wawasee Middle School
via e-mail
Leesburg PTO Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: On behalf of the Leesburg Elementary PTO, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers and staff of Leesburg Elementary School. This past week we celebrated Teacher Appreciation at Leesburg. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful team of individuals guiding our children! Each and every day our teachers and staff give a piece of themselves unconditionally to every child, this is a true example of what a successful learning environment should be. I would like to personally give thanks to all the gracious businesses that donated door prizes. Also, a huge thank-you goes out to those wonderful parents who delivered special treats each day for our teachers and staff. I urge all parents to participate, volunteer and be involved in your local schools, the return on your investment will be priceless!
Patti Hanson Leesburg Elementary PTO via e-mail
Peers Educating Peers
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this first year of Peers Educating Peers about Positive Values possible at the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. I feel that everyone from the student body to the school administrators and school board have greatly supported me in my endeavor into the advancement of abstinence education in the corporation and have all strengthened our schools by their support.
A special thanks need to go to the sponsors and volunteers of the program. These wonderful people have dedicated much of their time and their lives throughout the past school year to help in every way possible.
Thanks also to the TVSC Safe and Drug Free Local Advisory Committee for their financial support to the program. And finally a very special thanks goes to all of the peer mentors and to their parents for making this such a successful year.
Thank you so much for caring about the education of our youth and for their moral choices in life. Each of you are making a positive difference in our school corporation and our community!
