Editor, Times-Union: Last Tuesday we attended the meeting of the Winona Lake Town Board, when it was voted to close off a part of Chestnut Avenue to accommodate future customers who will be staying at the old Winona Hotel after it has been modernized. Actually, it is only about 200 yards that will be closed to make a parking lot for the hotel. The rest of Chestnut will be open, the same as it is now.
This letter is just to say thank you, Lord, for sending us people like Brent Wilcoxson and Dane Miller. They are the ones who have taken the heat, complaints, and put up the money to change things. Others seem to find something wrong with everything they do.
As a citizen of this town for many years, I have watched in despair as conditions grew worse and worse. I served eight years on the town board and know what a thankless job it can be - especially recently when we seemed to be approaching slum conditions in certain neighborhoods. Finally, somebody has come along and is doing something about it. I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the good work, Brent and Dane. A little thanks would be appropriate, instead of so much criticism.
Winona can be a fine place again in a few years when all the plans are finally worked out, and it will be a pleasure again to be a citizen of this town.
Blaine Mikesell
KABS
Editor, Times-Union: It is sad about Kabs bus. This is so important to our community. Our senior citizens are very happy that we have transportation for so many to be able for our KABS service. The children also. And we appreciate the preople who drive the buses. They are so caring and considerate for all.
Be careful of the commission and council - they, the senior citizens, do have a lot when it's time for election.
Kay Zentz Warsaw
KABS Again
Editor, Times-Union: Once again I am writing to urge the city council and county alike to reconsider their vote. For one reason, the members were not all present according to the report. I do thank Avis Gunter for trying to support the facts. With so many people who need the bus service, it seems to me it's something that's needed in this town - not just lightly tossed aside. Most of us seniors have paid taxes in this county and town all our lives and it seems we should have some consideration now that we can't drive anymore. Maybe someone will read this and join our cause.
Lillian Vogt Warsaw
Seizure Laws
Editor, Times-Union: A few years ago the federal government instituted a practice where private property could be confiscated from those who were dealing in drugs, without due process of law.
This opened Pandora's Box for confiscating property for other infractions of the law, without due process. Now some want to confiscate vehicles for an infraction of the law. Where will it stop? It will not affect me or you, but what offense will next be instituted for the taking of private property? When will the next offense or infraction of the law be considered so bad, and there will be one that a person would have their property confiscated without due process of law? They did not confiscate O.J. Simpson's property when he was convicted in Civil Court, he is losing his property, being forced to sell it to pay the judgments against him, but it was done in a court of law. I think these people should be punished and taken to court to pay for their offense, whatever that may be. It won't affect me this time, I don't drink, smoke or use drugs, but what will it be next time?
It has been said that bad things happen because good people do not take any action (until it is too late). Not a direct connection, but people in Germany took no action until it was too late. They didn't think it could happen in their country, but it did. Our country is over 200 years old and we think it can't happen here, but it can. I have great hope and belief that it will not happen here, but we have lost a lot of freedoms since our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were written. You should read them, and be informed. They will impress you. An article by Charlie Reese in a recent article in the Times-Union said, "Well, I don't want any part of a new world order of global civilization. I'll settle for the plain old constitutional republic that our revolution produced. That no longer exists either, except in form, but it at least is worth restoring. I hope you notice that all these folks who talk about globalism or new world orders never seem to get around to talking about the principles of the American Revolution - liberty, unalienable rights and self-government."
The Constitution of the United States - Amendment 5: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless upon a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Taking of private property can cause loss and hardship to a husband, wife, children, and parents, when they have not been guilty of any wrongdoing. It is also possible for a police department to be over zealous since the sale from the property can be used by the department to increase their budget which may be short on funds. Let's have the courts decide the penalties to be assessed and abide by the Constitution.
