Editor, Times-Union: One of the few charities that I contribute to is the Salvation Army. Over the years I have heard that more of your money, donated to the Salvation Army, goes to the needy for which it is intended, than in any other charity. While reading an impassioned plea recently, from the Salvation Army, for money to send a needy child to summer camp, I couldn't help but think about an item I read in a newspaper a few weeks ago. It was a list of some of the countries that received American dollars in 1997. At the top of the list was Israel with $1.2 billion. Also on the list was Russia with over $300 million. This money was taken from the American worker under the threat of seizure by the government of this country. If you don't think they would seize your property then stop paying taxes and see what happens. Does it bother anyone else that the American worker is being raped by his own government so they can throw his labor away like this? Does it bother anyone else that our government gave Israel and Russia enough of our money to send every truly needy child in this country to summer camp? It bothers me. We need to straighten this government out before it takes this whole country down the drain. Don't believe the balanced budget lies.
Charles Carnes Warsaw
Scholarship Pageant
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to take this opportunity to remind all girls between the ages of 16 and 20 that it is not too late. It is not too late to enter the 1998 Miss Kosciusko County Scholarship Pageant on June 26. This is not a beauty pageant nor is it a penny-a-vote competition. There is no swimsuit or talent competition. It is a scholarship pageant that emphasizes a girl's intelligence, poise and self-confidence as well as the importance of continuing one's education.
To the winner: I can guarantee a busy and fun-filled summer full of parades, the county fair and the state fair pageant. Other rewards include meeting a wonderful group of girls from the county and state, and of course the scholarship money towards the college of the winner's choice is always helpful.
Don't wait until it is too late. The entry deadline is June 6. For a complete set of rules, list of activities and application form, stop by the fair office, or for more information call Becky Thomas at 269-1823.
Hope to see you at the pageant!
Jamie Teel 1997 Kosciusko County Fair Queen
WalkAmerica
Editor, Times-Union: On April 26, at Edgewood Middle School, Warsaw, more than 400 people representing over 50 businesses and organizations from all areas of Kosciusko County took part in the annual "March of Dimes WalkAmerica." Their efforts and dedication to the March of Dimes helped raise over $34,000 by walking and raising money to "Fund Breakthroughs for Babies," and to continue the fight to prevent birth defects.
Each year over 150,000 babies are born with birth defects. The support from Kosciusko County has helped to continue the March of Dimes 60-year track record of success. Together we've funded lifesaving breakthroughs for babies such as the discovery of vaccines that protect every baby from polio, the establishment of regionalized neonatal intensive care unites to care for sick babies and research that led to the development of treatments like surfactant that helps babies breathe. These programs are made possible through the efforts of all walkers, volunteers and sponsors who participated in WalkAmerica.
We would like to thank the area residents, businesses and corporate sponsors for their continued support of the March of Dimes and for giving their time to help save babies' lives.
Kosciusko County WalkAmerica Committee
Kind Gesture
Editor, Times-Union: One weekend I made a trip to Hillcrest Cemetery, south of Pierceton, to my husband Emmit's grave. When I arrived it looked so nice, all the flags waving, but everything changed when there was no flag on my husband's grave. May 18th I brought it to the attention of the commander of the American Legion. So I want to thank Rex Menzie, the commander, for following me and personally putting a flag on the grave and the other two gentlemen for the salute. It turned a sad time into a very touching moment. And thanks to the young woman that rode with me that said a prayer.
Thank you very much. Willodean Epler Claypool
Thanks To Community
Editor, Times-Union: It was 40 years ago this Memorial Day weekend that as a 17-year-old, I left home in Pennsylvania to attend Grace College in the fall of 1958. I had $32 to my name. My first job that summer paid $15 a week plus room and board at the Winona Lake Christian Assembly.
I was privileged to have worked for the following companies: Gatke Corp., Da-Lite Screen, Arnolt Corp., Bet R' Way Janitors and Times-Union. Your jobs provided the necessary income to pay for the cost of school.
Brothers Jim and John Ebersole also moved to Warsaw. John and Andrea and their family still make Warsaw their home.
My story is not the only one. There are hundreds of other students who can thank the Warsaw, Winona Lake community for providing employment to help pay for their education. Thank you for giving a young man the opportunity for a college education.
George D. Ebersole Claysburg, Pa.
Kings Highway
Editor, Times-Union: Roses are red, Violets are blue. This should be said, My hat's off to you! Twas long to wait, But Kings Highway is great!
Mary Jane Sprong Warsaw
Betrayed
Editor, Times-Union: I don't know about others but for the first time in my life I feel really betrayed. I have spent a good part of my life defending the right of the American people to keep and bear arms and now it appears the very people I've been most concerned with are the very ones who will bring it all down.
In this past week alone there have been four incidents of young people taking firearms to school with the result of three dead and some 25 wounded. No society should, will or can tolerate such behavior and, unless it stops immediately, some very Draconian measures will be taken in an attempt to get things under control.
If you have firearms in your home for whatever reason, folks, please know where they are at all times and keep them secure. None of us would want to live with the knowledge that we were responsible for the death of a child.
Harold Kitson Warsaw
Drunk Driving
Editor, Times-Union: In regards to Bea Overmyer's probable cause article that was published April 30. It sounds to me that you're just angry you got caught drinking and driving! Instead of complaining about the law enforcement officers that were doing their job, you should be shaming yourself for breaking the law and putting innocent lives in danger!
By the way Bea, the definition of "Entrapment" is to put a person in a situation that he or she would normally not do. Example: A police officer sits with you at a bar, pours alcoholic beverages down your throat, gets you intoxicated then hands you the keys to your car and tells you to drive home only to have him stop and arrest you for crossing the center line - Don't think so! Next time you want to badmouth a police officer make sure 1. You didn't break the law 2. You have your facts straight and 3. You have stepped back, taken a look at yourself and realized what a great job the Syracuse Police Department is doing!
Some of our citizens have lost their precious children due to people like you who drink and drive!
Dallas Owens Sr. Warsaw
Warsaw Justice
Editor Times-Union: I have been following this past primary election probably more carefully than any election in the past, especially as it relates to the race for the prosecutor. I am proud to say I voted, although I am dismayed that voter turn-out appeared so low. I am also proud to say that the man for whom I voted won the Republican nomination, Chuck Waggoner.
Putting that aside, however, I want to voice that I am equally dismayed by the latest turn of events in that election; specifically, by the investigation into alleged electioneering by Chuck Waggoner and Dan Hampton.
What a world we live in! Where a Warsaw man can be charged with numerous charges of child molestation, be found guilty of them, and only be put in jail for a substantial length of time after repeatedly molesting a young girl over five years. I am glad to see the justice system working so efficiently that the same office is sure to bring down swift judgment on two candidates who had the disgrace to be thankful to poll workers and elderly women who need help walking.
What a nonsensical court system we sometimes have. I can only hope that the people in charge of this investigation have the common sense to put this matter to rest and start to investigate real cases.
As for Chuck Waggoner and Dan Hampton: Good for you for being some of the very few courteous and gracious leaders we have in this community!
