Editor, Times-Union: Until recently, I had never written a letter to the editor, now I find reason twice in just a few weeks. EDIT was defeated again and I applaud the councilmen that had the courage to take a stand against it. I am, however, embarrassed at the juvenile reaction of Brent Wilcoxson & the Winona Lake Council. The article in Wednesdays' Times-Union left them looking like a bunch of 6-year-olds that just had their money and Kosciusko County Council took it away. EDIT would have been my money and everyone in the county. I am a Winona Lake resident against EDIT and know I'm far from being the only one. Also, being a Winona Lake resident, I must say that I use Warsaw City streets and county roads more than Winona Lake streets. I would think Mr. Wilcoxson does the same. Perhaps he should devise a pro-rata schedule that would reimburse the higher user the $25 per car. I think Mr. Wilcoxson could then send more Winona Lake money to Warsaw and the county. (OR maybe we need another new sewage meter.)
Sewage brings another topic. As I understand, Warsaw sewage rates are under $20 per month residential. For this money, Warsaw supplies the sewage plant, sewer lines and upkeep. Winona Lake charges me $31 per month of which $15 goes to Warsaw. Winona Lake gets $16 per month per residential customer just to maintain sewer lines. We are being double charged which I feel warrants a discussion with the State Attorney Generals Office. Either Winona Lake should turn the entire sewage operation over to Warsaw, which would lower rates to Warsaw residential rates, or Winona needs to put off other projects and get serious about a sewage plant and let Warsaw wonder where they are going to replace the lost revenue. Either way, Warsaw residents will see an increase in sewage rates. Everything is exactly as it should be given the circumstances.
Jack Hyden, Winona Lake
Social Work Month
Editor, Times-Union: March is Professional Social Work Month, and the vision behind social work is helping people help themselves.
Students involved in the new social work major at Grace College have been learning about the important roles social workers have in our communities and how we can integrate our Christian faith in our social work practice. Developing knowledge of this profession brings us greater appreciation of the hard work and discipline that makes an effective social worker.
The Grace College social work majors join employers in recognizing social workers as trained, educated professionals who provide compassionate, effective services in ways that enhance our community. Each day, social workers in corporations, schools, mental health centers, health care settings, nursing homes, and public and private agencies make a real difference in the lives of their clients. Social workers empower the vulnerable, oppressed and people living in poverty by helping them cope with or prevent problems.
Please join the Social Work Student Organization of Grace College in applauding the nation's half a million professional social workers.
Jodi Bontrager, President Grace College Social Work Student Organization
Wawasee Snow Days
Editor, Times-Union: Although I do not have a student enrolled in the Wawasee School corporation, I did have a graduate from Wawasee High School. I fail to see the importance of the snow make up days as dictated by Mr. Stock. I feel that the professionals employed by Wawasee School Corporation are more than capable of providing the students enrolled the necessary education prior to June 10, 1999. If the school year needs to be continued in order to provide for missed days due to snow cancellations then perhaps the school board needs to look further into the teaching that is provided year round.
Jane Kuilema, North Webster
Wawasee Grandparent
Editor, Times-Union: As a grandparent of a student at Wawasee High School, I fail to see the importance of not taking advantage of the waiver available from the state to excuse students from making up the snow days. Certainly the teachers and staff at the school corporation are capable of making modifications in their lesson plans to adjust for the lost days. Let's give some credit to the professionals that teach our students on a daily basis. If the students have not learned what they need by the end of May, certainly attending until June 10 won't help.
The corporation needs to look at more than making up a few days, but at the problems this extension of the school year may cause for students, employees and parents.
Juanita Waltz, North Webster
U.S. 30
Editor, Times-Union: As a productive, income-earning citizen, I wish to thank the County Council for not imposing another unfair "progressive" tax on my hard-earned earnings.
If Mayor Wiggins and the Warsaw City Council believe they need more revenue for the city, I would like to propose a means to raise this revenue: Enforce the traffic laws on U. S. 30. If the police department would station an officer on the highway 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and strictly enforce the law, the revenue generated from citations would most likely pay for new sewers, a new waste treatment center, and will fund the CCAC without the help of the county.
And we might experience residual benefits as well, such as lives saved, injuries reduced and property damage minimized. I intend to vote for whatever politician supports this proposal. I would be interested in hearing from the candidates.
Jerry Hogan, Warsaw
Timely Article
Editor, Times-Union: The family of Cory Schanbacher wishes to thank the staff writer David Slone for the excellent coverage of this story! After his interview with Cory's mother and uncle, a cardiologist called us from Mayo Clinic. He said the operation would take place April 6. Cory would be at Mayo Clinic for at least a week if everything went as planned. There would be a six-week recover period at home for Cory.
