Since I have been a resident of Winona Lake, I have voted in all the local elections but have chosen to remain publicly silent on most issues. I have attended a few sessions of the town council, but I have usually left either discouraged or angry. I apologize to any one involved for my having left angry.
I am friends with several of the candidates and acquainted with most of the others. All are good people and have wide differences regarding how things in this town should be done. I write this at the risk of offending some of these people. I apologize if you are offended, but I do not apologize for my remarks.
Having said that, it is now time to speak. The two letters appearing in the Times-Union on May 1 from two members of our town council are both out of line and I am embarrassed to tell people that I actually live here. Obviously, I am not the only one who feels that way since there appear to be more "for sale" signs in this town that there are political campaign signs.
Mr. Carroll, you suggesting that a person with whom you disagree should leave, especially to go be a part of the mess in a community known for its problems, is over the line and should be beneath the dignity of a person holding public office, let one alone having the spiritual training you have been privileged to receive. You owe every citizen of this town, especially the Nelsons, an apology. I am appalled that you would let yourself write remarks like you did and then exercise enough poor judgment to allow those remarks to be printed for public view. Disagreeing with a person's point of view is one thing, but referring to people who might agree with his position as "cohorts" is extremely over the line.
Mr. Delp, if a person or group of people disagree on how an issue is being handled or managed, the people who question the issues are no more at fault for the expenses than the ones who hold the first position. Each party is responsible for presenting their point of view and the issues accurately, that's all. The litigation costs are because of disagreements in issues, not because one person or group is at fault. These upcoming elections are to elect council members who are supposed to represent us, not dictators with whom we are not allowed to disagree. If I chose, I could say that these costs are the fault of an unreasonable position taken by the majority of the town council members and that statement could be just as accurate. Again, if I so chose.
Here are a couple of things to review before I close. This is almost the same council that brought us the wonderful "1-hour" boat trailer ordinance - later modified. Also, we were told that we would have "random enforcement" of that particular ordinance. Also, in recent years we have seen a public boat ramp disappear, witnessed the "Lion's Club" debacle, and this list could go on.
Dennis Andrews
Winona Lake, via e-mail
Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely to the 500-word limit as stated in our letter's policy.
