Editor, Times-Union: Another season at the CCAC is drawing to a close, which means another season has passed without recognition by our county officials. Recognition in any form ... be it tangible or intangible.
This past weekend, 58 teams from five states converged on the CCAC for an NSA Class "D" National Regional tournament. That translates to over 800 people coming into Kosciusko County, eating in our city/county establishments and staying in our city/county hotels. This occurs 10-12 times over the course of a season in varying numbers. On top of that are the thousands of people from the local community who come out to this facility during the course of the week. Our county officials stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the impact this activity has on bringing revenue into the county.
The CCAC has become a great place for recreation for the families and individuals of Kosciusko County. We feel that this first year with our full-time director, Dave Kistler, was a successful one. We appreciate the many forms of assistance given us by the city and many individuals and businesses. During the winter months, the board of the CCAC will be looking at ways to improve the facilities and perhaps offer even more programs. We expect the next season to be an even better one.
Sibyl Nelson, President, CCAC
Clean Roads
Editor, Times-Union: Are the number of people diminishing from our society who care about our once "clean" roads? The amount of trash I see thrown from car windows daily is appalling!
Just in my travels to and from work, I see plastic pop bottles and countless fast food bags being tossed out the window.
I know the police have more important work to do than give fines for littering ... but does this need to happen to wake a few folks up?
What happened to being PROUD of our country?
Karen Fisher, Warsaw
Underage Drinking
Editor, Times-Union: As we enter the new school year, both students and parents will face challenges, have questions and learn to cope with the constant changes in the educational environment. For kids, the new school year means new classmates, friends and teachers ... perhaps even new schools and colleges. And for parents, it means addressing social pressures their child may face, adapting to what they consider fashion nightmares and helping kids make the right choices.
As parents ourselves, the men and women at Nelson Beverage, Warsaw's distributor for Anheuser-Busch beers, share other parents' concerns as we send our children off to school every day or off to college for an entire semester. And the best insurance policy we know of to ensure their safety is respectful, open and honest communication about the many challenges they will confront this fall and throughout the year. One such issue is underage drinking.
To help parents discuss this important subject with their children, we're pleased to offer "Family Talk About Drinking," a program developed in cooperation with family counseling, child psychology and alcohol treatment authorities. More than two million parents and educators nationwide have received "Family Talk." The program materials can be obtained free of charge by calling 800-359-TALK.
