Editor, Times-Union: This Saturday morning, June 24, 500-550 athletes will converge on Winona Lake for the annual Optimist's Triathlon. I'm writing to remind everyone in the area of this event and the fact that these athletes will be on the Pierceton Road, from Winona Lake to Pierceton, on their bikes as part of this event.
Traffic is always a concern for everyone and this year it is even more so, due to the music festival at Grace College's athletic fields. I ask you to please do not travel on the Pierceton Road on Saturday morning and give the triathletes the opportunity to race safely. Many of these athletes train year round for triathlons and all we ask is to use this road once a year, from about 8-11AM on Saturday.
Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Steve Knouff
Silver Lake
Editor, Times-Union: I am the former council member the Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer referred to in the letter on 6-15-06. I do not want to get into a 'letter to the Editor war', but a few things need to be set straight.
As for any bad publicity, it can be directly attributed to the actions or lack there of from the Clerk-Treasurer and the Council. That is what prompted me to attend meetings and write letters. What has been stated in the letters can be confirmed by Town records, minutes of meetings and Times-Union reports.
I am glad Mrs. Glass stated the Police and Fire Departments "are far from being out of money". That was the point of the letter. There should not be a lack of funds unless they have over budgeted or over spent in other areas.
In Sept 2004, a Council member asked me if I would try to get the month-end reports because Mrs. Glass was not giving them to the Council. The cost of copies is 10 cents a page, which I paid in order to get the copies. After seeing the condition of the reports, I became concerned and continued getting them. The State Board of Accounts Audit Report justified my concerns. In Feb. 2005, Mrs Glass charged me 25 cents a copy, I believe to discourage me from requesting any more copies. I later received a refund. Things like the expenditures I have mentioned, the books not being balanced, bills not paid timely, bills paid before approval and proper procedures not being followed are reasons I have continued getting copies. Mrs. Glass made it a point to check on how much I have paid, but she didn't deduct the refund. I have no problem with paying for copies as it is extra revenue for the Town, but when I worked in the Clerk's office, there was no charge for copies of Town documents only for copies of personal papers.
I worked in the office four and a half years and served on the Council four years because I care about Silver Lake and that has not changed. During that time, I did my duties according to State Board of Accounts rules and State Codes. I had no intentions of running for a second term until being asked to do so. Since I wasn't re-elected, whenever I question something Mrs. Glass and/or the Council has or has not done, Mrs. Glass has accused me of holding a grudge and being a sore loser. I and other taxpayers have the right to expect honesty, accountibility and fiscal responsibility from those who were elected.
Brenda Wadkins
Rugby Club
Editor, Times-Union: The Warsaw Area High School Rugby Club has completed its fourth season of competitive rugby with some great individual and team results. The club, which is open to all high school aged students in the area, consists of both a boys and girls squad. The boys team finished the season 3rd in the State, making it to the semi finals. The girls team finished its season with a record of 4-4, despite losing seven starters from last seasons State championship team.
Five current players and one former player from the Warsaw girls squad played this past weekend for the Indiana Under 19 Select Side team which captured the Midwest co-championship. Juniors Wendy Weaver, Hollie Ormsby and Maude Marandet, sophomore Ashlie Montel, freshman Jordan Minear and '05 graduate Angele Marandet helped lead the all star team to a comeback victory over the Minnesota select side team, 22-10 and then defeated Allegheny (PA.) select side, 40-0 for a share of the Midwest honors. Wendy Weaver and junior Raquel Trejo were both honored by selection to the Coaches' All State team.
Congratulations to all the players, and thanks to all our sponsors and the players' parents for their support of our program and of their student athletes.
Information regarding high school rugby is available at our website: www.warsawrugby.com
