Editor, Times-Union: Education: 1. The cost of ... 2. The returns of ... 3. The owners of ... 4. The disparateness of it ...
5. The climate of it ... 6. The importance of it ... 7. The politics of it ... 8. The controller of it ... 9. The controversy of it ...
10. "What To Do" of it ... I have many thoughts on the above poses, and as would always be the case, they should give cause for debate.
As I was growing up, I heard from my dad (a railroad section foreman) that federal aid to education would take away freedoms - loss of local control - I think they were good words.
I would like to present the following to any who are involved in this most august of professional endeavors - students, teachers, parents, grandparents, citizens.
1. The cost is ... who really knows, what with all the non-educational services given.
2. The returns of ... basic reading, writing, arithmetic should be skills basic to moving on in school, college, business, industry.
3. The owners ... of education should be us, with the last decision word.
4. Disparateness ... inner city and outer city are, so we are told, at odds in funding, staffing and housing. This is cruelty.
5. The climate ... I guess to say "it used to be that" is not politically correct, but I don't feel I was harmed by saying Mr., Miss, Mrs., or by attending regularly. Heroes respected but not idolized. Our school home should be clean, ordered and inspirational.
6. The importance ... should not be in question; self-esteem is basic. Contributing one's learned talents to society, a privilege extended and accepted by educated citizens.
7. The politics of it ... much is spoken about "fixing" education systems, mainly how much money can/will be given - tax breaks. I add to politics - labor organization politics, more teachers, reduced classes cater to bureaucracy. Collecting money from teachers, custodians, administrators.
8. The controller ... I believe a city, town, district should control credentials of participants and type of housing, seems to me we have abdicated this control. So important a control - my thought!
9. The controversy of ... Japanese, French, Brit's are more demanding and more successful. Too much attention to extracurricular activities. Mississippi is short changed, California is over changed. Striking teachers - discipline. Too many controls - poor quality.
10. What to do?... that's my question to all of you.
My elementary and secondary instruction was in the Sidney, Ohio system. It was fun to be a part of the system but classrooms were for learning to grow and to cope. Maybe this is part of "What to do?"
Thanks for letting me wander.
B.J. Walker, Warsaw
Weather
Editor, Times-Union: In the past month, we have borne much inclement weather, weather that is often difficult to deal with and hard to take. Huge mounds of snow, and ice-covered streets and sidewalks can be hazardous, but like it or not, we must deal with such problems until the Good Lord decides to change matters.
I'd like to take a nostalgic trip, if I may, back to the 1930s and compare the winters of that era with the winters we endure today. Sixty years ago, weather conditions were much more consistent than they are today. In other words, in those days, when winter arrived - winter came to stay and, when spring followed - spring remained until summer arrived, with no atmospheric changes to disrupt the environment.
Believe me, in the '30s, we often had to deal with some very harsh, bitter winters. Zero weather would set in perhaps in late November, and last until March, along with great piles of snow that would lay on the ground for months at a time.
I especially recall the winter of 1930, when, in late December, a raging blizzard engulfed Kosciusko County. The storm arrived just a day or two before time for school exams; therefore, on the day of the snowstorm, school was dismissed early so the kids could arrive safely home. Furthermore, every kid became hilariously ecstatic over the fact that exams would be suspended until after Christmas. (Of course, after the holidays had passed, and those "cussed" examination papers popped up on January 2, feelings of happiness and joy among the young fry seemed to lessen somewhat.)
Six decades ago, much snow removal was accomplished by sheer "manpower," and not machinery. Driveways and sidewalks had to be dug out through hard, back-breaking, physical effort. In the '30s, there were very few, if any, of the snow-removing mechanisms that are prevalent today.
During those winters in the '30s, not only did we endure a rampant blizzard nearly every year, but sub-zero weather came upon us until the days and nights became so cold, and the stinging, frigid weather remained for so long, that ice on the lakes would freeze a foot thick. Then, if one cared to ice-fish, he could drive his car right out in the middle of the lake to do his fishing, with no fear of falling through. On the other hand, those thick slabs of ice that covered the lakes were chopped into big chunks, then they were stored in a bin filled with sawdust in the icehouse in town for distribution to those individuals who owned iceboxes. (Back in the '30s, not everyone had access to a refrigerator; therefore, many families depended greatly on a visit from the iceman.)
Most of us take for granted that, considering snow, ice and inclement weather in general, the months of January and February are the most difficult months in the year to cope with. On the other hand, in spite of its blustering winds and precarious snowstorms, we don't mind the month of March so much because March is a prelude to April, and April indicates showers, flowers and warm, sunny days.
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Animal Rescue
Editor, Times-Union: The people of this community have a wonderful opportunity to show how big their hearts are. As we enter 1999, and soon the millennium, we are inundated with a multitude of important, valuable "causes" to contribute to. As individuals, and as a community, we must search our minds and hearts and give generously where we can. For when you give, then and only then are your hands open to receive.
I am writing this as a plea for support of our county's Animal Rescue and Adoption Center. The Center is operated primarily on private donations and volunteer help. (The county contributes $30,000/yr. and the annual budget is somewhere at about $140,000/yr.) The Center simply cannot operate without this county's help, individually and collectively.
You can show support in many ways: volunteer time at the shelter, donate money or supplies, spay and neuter your own pets, get angry about animal abuse and demand that our county commissioners make laws prohibiting and punishing such behavior, volunteer in our education program, help with fund-raising efforts, encourage your employer to contribute, encourage your veterinarian to contribute. Veterinarians could donate medicine, services, advice and time. We know this is asking a lot, but there is so much work to be done.
We are all responsible for the "animal problem" here in our own community. If you're unaware of our animal problem, I invite you to visit the Center. It's not always an easy thing to do, it does break your heart and you do want to take them all home, but at least you'll be helping to make it better. We're not helpless. This is a monumental problem, but NOT unsolvable! However, you can only make a change when you get involved, and we need everyone to get involved! Whether you're a student, administrator, doctor, dentist, nurse, production worker, manager, executive or veterinarian - we need your compassion. The animals need it the most.
What an awesome, exemplary, groundbreaking animal shelter we could have here in Kosciusko County. Examine your own potential contribution and take some action. I guarantee you'll get something back. Giving is not a subtractive act, but a generative one.
The Center's phone number is 267-3008 and we are on CR 100S, behind Farm and Fleet.
Heidi Bailey, Warsaw
Hospice
Editor, Times-Union: Until a family has need for the services of Hospice, they cannot know of the tender loving care, or of the devotion of this very special team of nurses, caregivers and Chaplain. We found them to be dedicated to serving whatever, and whenever, the need for our loved one arose. May God bless each one of those special people, and may our community continue to support this wonderful organization.
Grover Martin and family of Jerri Martin,Warsaw
Snowstorm Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: I want to thank everyone who helped me during the snowstorm, you know who you are.
There were many of you that came after I called the mayors' office for help. The secretary in this town was very kind to me and many of you helped me. I was out of food, but was lucky that I still had heat and water. I guess paying taxes pays off in many ways. I want to thank all of you and I will pray for all of you. You were my blessings for the week. Thank you and God Bless all of you.
Lucille Priser, Warsaw
Campaign
Editor, Times-Union: So, you want campaign finance reform do you? Well you had better think about it. Campaign finance reform equals incumbent protection. In order to unseat an incumbent, one must wage a very aggressive campaign which, in this day and age, costs a lot of money. The incumbent on the other hand, unless they have done something very stupid, hardly needs campaign at all. He or she has the name recognition and many voters simply look for that.
OK, so you just don't want so much money spent then, pray tell, how is a challenger supposed to get his message out? If you want to know what it's like to have a message and lack the resources to make it known, talk to Rich Burkett. Lord knows he's been there often enough.
Not only are we going to limit the amount of money spent but we are going to control its source. No Pac money. No individual money. The only source will be from some form of public funds. In other words, the politicians and/or bureaucrats will decide who gets funds and who will not. We might as well do away with voting. The election is a done deal!
I think the dumbest statement made was that "contributions influence policies supported by lawmakers." Of course they do! That is what it's all about! If you are anti-abortion, you support anti-abortion candidates. If you're concerned with environmental issues, you support candidates that share your concerns and so on. Do you really want that taken away? Do you really want the state or federal bureaucracy deciding who can run and who can't? Because, make no mistake about it, if those funds must come from them they will find a way to control them.
