Editor, Times-Union: At the end of the every school day in America, approximately 6 million children move from their classroom to their after-school program, where they spend the next few hours getting homework help, eating a snack, getting some exercise, creating art, and more - all under the supervision of responsible adults. By contrast, about 14.3 million latchkey children are dismissed from school with no adult-supervised activity awaiting them.
In too many cases, the difference between the after-school haves and have-nots is that the have-nots don't have programs available to them. A recent study of after-school issues found that the parents of 15.3 million children say their children would participate if an after-school program were available. And why are programs not available? Money.
Two years ago, the federal government committed to steady and sensible growth in after-school funding, but it hasn't lived up to the commitment. The No Child Left Behind Act called for $2 billion in after-school funding for the coming year, but the President and Congress have never provided more than half that in any year since passing No Child Left Behind. That's a loss for all the communities and families here and across the country that need quality after-school and summer care.
That's why at the Boys & Girls Club, we do what we can to make sure our kids have the quality after-school care they need, to make sure at the end of the day when the dismissal bell rings, our Club is accessible to parents, teachers and children. For more information on how your child can be involved in Club activities, please call 574-268-1155.
Cindi Knepper Executive Director Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko County Inc.
Warsaw, via e-mail
Privacy Act Overused
Editor, Times-Union: I am writing in regards to the Privacy Act. I feel that it is now being used far beyond the original purposes.
I called Sprint today to report my elderly neighbors phone out of service. She has health issues and is hard of hearing. She had just told me she had just fallen before I came. She then tells me that her phone is dead and would I please call to report it. After finding out that she was OK from the fall, I came home and called Sprint. I gave her number and they told me that since I wasn't "an authorized person on her account" they could not help me.
What is the world coming to that a neighbor can't help a neighbor? I wasn't trying to get information or anything. If she were dying, would I not be able to help her?
Barbara Hull Warsaw, via e-mail
Give Locally First
Editor, Times-Union: The other day I witnessed a family begging for financial help because they were being evicted from their apartment. The next day I saw another woman pawning her wedding rings to help buy food for her three children. These incidents were not something I saw on CNN. I saw them with my own two eyes right here in Warsaw.
We have a tremendous need here locally for struggling families. Local churches are raising thousands of dollars to send to the Hurricane Katrina victims. This is nice but why aren't we raising this kind of money for the people right here in our own community?
Katrina victims are being given billions of federal government dollars as well as huge amounts of aid from other organizations across the world. With all the donations made right now, let us not forget our fellow neighbor right here in our hometown. If you are looking for a way to make a real difference in the lives of others, why not send a little relief to a local charity like Our Father's House or Combined Community Services. Don't worry, when you give locally you can still feel good about yourself and if you want, look good, too.
Tim Ellis Warsaw, via e-mail
Return Film, Please
Editor, Times-Union: To the thief that stole the stuff from our new house:
Please return the VCR tape and the 35mm film from our cameras. They don't mean anything to you, but they do to us! Please put it someplace where we can find them.
Larry Bennett Warsaw, via e-mail
What God Says
Editor, Times-Union: In the Sept. 9 Times-Union, a Lisa Rector says that I lack compassion and am disgustingly judgmental and even have unchristian-like sentiments. (But she isn't being judgmental?)
Why does she say this? It seems that I have found, from the Bible, that many would say is "God's Word," God's thinking about what He needs to with the cities of His sinful human beings.
Since I did not write any part of the Bible, but only say what it says, and don't have the ability or power to bring about the desolation of any city that is filled with sinful beings, isn't Ms. Rector also judging God for not having enough compassion? Isn't she also judging God for having disgusting unchristian-like sentiments?
And she says she prays to God! She prays to God that my thoughts and ideas (that must surely be God's thoughts and ideas since they have come from God's Word) can be "overshadowed" by the good works that have come from the people of Kosciusko County!
Another biblical truth dealing with human beings who "do it their way" (that should cause Ms. Rector to judge God and myself again): Scripture clearly says that a time comes when two-thirds of all humans beings will be "exterminated." (I only say what God says! Don't judge me!) Where will God's compassion be at that time? Why can't He be more like christians and never create any desolation?
Robert Stichter Milford, via e-mail
Traffic Lights
Editor, Times-Union: I was reading with great interest about the one-sided prepare-to-stop debate again.
What I can not understand is why INDOT will not do these dangerous intersections like a pilot program.
Believe it or not, some truck drivers are for safety. Since the truck drivers are the ones with stopping problems, why not listen to them? History has shown that lawbreakers and criminals have had an integral part in solving, or making it harder, to commit a crime against society.
As for the INDOT genius that just will not get it, let's try a warning sign on both sides of the road - this would mean if one light burnt out, you would have one still working. It is kind of like two traffic lights in each direction. Let's make this about safety, instead of the money-making or saving opportunities that our state prefers. Every idea that has come from state local government has not worked to date. Special circumstances dictate that we must try and do everything in our power to stop the death and carnage, that is taking our friends and loved ones from us. It is already illegal to run a stoplight, so new laws won't help. There is not anything that is perfect, or bullet proof. Semi truck drivers are not all criminals, or out trying to kill someone. The fact remains that truck drivers know that warning signs work the best at the most dangerous intersections, equipped with them.
Bryan Keim Warsaw, via e-mail
No Detail Needed
Editor, Times-Union: I am thoroughly disgusted in what I believed to be a family newspaper. If I wanted to read smut I would pick up the junk at the grocery store checkouts. Concerning the arrest of the minister on molestation charges, would it not have been enough to report it without going into graphic detail? People know what molestation is, they don't need a deed by deed description of what exactly went on. When the arrested was reported at the local YMCA, you never saw a need to go into detail -ÊI'm glad.
Also concerning another letter to the editor, written by Robert and Jodi Boggs. Many people wrote and tore them apart in their replies. But we had better wake up. Our God is a loving God, He's no fool. Judgment is coming. Did anyone ever read the Old Testament? God never changes!
Betty Kindig Silver Lake
Funeral Procession
Editor, Times-Union: On Sept. 3, we laid my father to rest, which in itself makes for a not-so-good day. During the funeral procession, on the way to Stony Point Cemetery, as we were traveling on U.S. 30 at the intersection of Ind. 15, two cars butted in the processional line of cars to turn onto Ind. 15, probably to go to Wal-Mart. One car passed in front of the hearse and the other car passed between the hearse and our car, where my mother and I were.
I think it is sad when people are in such a hurry that they can't show respect and wait until a funeral procession passes to go about their daily tasks.
My father was a Vietnam veteran who, as other Vietnam vets, never had much respect paid upon their return to the United States. I hope that the lady that passes between us and the hearse noticed the flag-draped casket in the back window and said a prayer for another fallen soldier that helped provide the freedom she has. Maybe she didn't see it because she, as was the other woman, was talking on her cell phone.
As we left the funeral home and were traveling down Harrison Street, I did see a young boy that was probably 9 or 10 riding his bike. He stopped riding and sat at the side of the street until the processional was by. To this boy, I want to say "Thank you" for showing respect. I think drivers should take a lesson from this young man. I hope that these women don't have to encounter this during the loss of their loved ones.
Eric Hoffhien Indianapolis P.S. I would like to say thank you to the Legion and the VFW for a wonderful and meaningful service at the cemetery and to the silent soldier that stood guard as we drove through.
Food For Thought
Editor, Times-Union: Last week, my Mom and I took a fun trip to Myrtle Beach to hang out with Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ophelia. We had fun and were fortunate to get the low impact of the storm. In some ways, I can understand what the survivors of Hurricane Katrina are feeling - when a storm looms that long overhead, it gets really depressing and at times worrisome not knowing what is next. We thank God for looking after us.
The point of this letter is to share two things. We were really impressed with the level of readiness that the Carolina Governments were prepared. There were clear road signs of how to evacuate and even the hotels were equipped to assist you. Until it is a Category 2 storm, they don't make you leave. While I don't recommend vacationing in a big storm like that, it was nice knowing that our safety was their first concern.
On the subject of red light running, we encountered this driving in South Carolina and wondered if this might be a consideration. When you go through a construction zone, as we all know, it is a double-fine zone, but South Carolina has more penalties than that. It says that for speeding, the cost is a $200 fine and 30 days in jail. Mom and I were discussing that the threat of 30 days in jail just for speeding was enough to get our attention. I don't have extra money nor can I afford the jail time, so I obeyed the law. We were wondering if the same notices would get the semi drivers attention also for running red lights? Even if a police officer wasn't there to "actually" catch the driver, can you imagine the blood pumping guilt that will have the truckers thinking twice when traveling through Warsaw, Indiana, on their next visit? The money from the fines can be put in a disaster fund for our area if, heaven forbid, we get hit with a natural tragedy. Food for thought.
