Editor, Times-Union: In response to Mr. Leedy's letter to the editor regarding the Extended Area Service between Atwood and Warsaw, we completely understand your feelings regarding paying for an exchange that you have infrequent occasion to call. When we moved to our Leesburg home seven years ago, we were forced to accept the fact that if we wanted to have a phone in our home, we would have to pay for an Atwood exchange. Similarly, we have infrequent occasion to call Atwood and Etna Green. We would be absolutely thrilled to see a service established allowing us to call family, schools, doctors' offices, the hospital in Warsaw just to name a few, without paying long distance charges. In a perfect world, we would have a Leesburg exchange, but if this is the best that can be done, we support the Extended Area Service between Atwood and Warsaw. We also would urge every subscriber to vote. A simple majority of customers returning the ballots will determine whether EAS between Atwood and Warsaw will be established.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Hatcher, Leesburg
Snow Removal
Editor, Times-Union: Again, as happens with every major snow storm, the City of Warsaw's Street Department responded with amazing speed and tenacity. We on the East end of the city found the east/west streets were being plowed on a regular basis even during the height of the storm on Saturday afternoon and evening in order for emergency vehicles to have alternate routes.
On Sunday, while tending to emergencies of citizens snowed in, I found the north/south streets being plowed and the downtown being cleaned up. Growing up in and around Warsaw for most of my 40 something years, I had never seen this much snow in the downtown, and was impressed on how quickly the street department was removing it. And all this was happening as the County Highway Department was pulling their plows off the roads. I commend the City of Warsaw Street Department and all its employees. Even trash service was postponed only a day, mine was picked up at its normal time on Tuesday. I felt I was getting the service I pay my property taxes for.
Private snow removal companies were out in force on Sunday, clearing businesses, private drives and even going out into the county and plowing private roads in subdivisions. On Monday noon and afternoon, while checking on private citizens and tending to their emergencies, I found that the county had plowed single lanes on the county highways and primary roads. But they had not touched many of the secondary roads or subdivisions. As I attempted to access my mother's home in a subdivision barely 400 yards from the Warsaw City Limits, I found that this subdivision with over 40 homes had not even had one pass with a snowplow through it. As I drove past other subdivisions to the southeast of Warsaw/Winona Lake, I realized that private individuals had cleared paths for the county's residents to access the county highways, as the county had not made any attempt. A lot of citizens were not so lucky, nor could afford to pay private companies to plow them out.
As was said over WRSW radio numerous times, the City had declared a snow emergency, surrounding counties and communities declared snow emergencies, but this county remained silent. Businesses and manufacturing facilities by the score recognized the seriousness of this storm and the threat to these business' employees. Many put their production on hold, or gave their employees the option to come to work if they could do so safely. But others, in an uncaring manner, have chosen to penalize their employees for not coming to work. I believe the management of those companies have very little or no idea of what was actually going on out in the county this last weekend. These companies should reconsider on how the attendance, or lack of it, should be addressed.
To our local governments and services, be you elected, appointed or employed: Remember that any government exists to serve and to be of service for its constituents. This is why we pay property taxes. The City of Warsaw's recent performance sets a standard as to good service. But even that good performance has its drawbacks; if you give great service on a regular basis, it will soon be taken for granted. But when poor service is given, you will be criticized, cursed, and reminded of it over and over. You must use the poor service periods as a reminder that you have and WILL do better in the future.
There were a lot of acts of kindness and good deeds by many people during this emergency. Those acts and efforts are greatly appreciated by those affected. You all know who you are. We, the community, thank you.
Sign me as an ... Observer, Bruce A. Woodward, Warsaw
