Editor, Times-Union: I would like to personally thank every volunteer, and the companies that allowed these individuals time off, to staff the phones at our Junior Achievement Telethon held on March 2 and 3. It was a very successful campaign in which we raised over $33,000, thanks to the many business and community contributors. This was slightly less than our annual budget needs of $36,000.
JA reaches over 2,400 students within Kosciusko County. Over 120 volunteers from local businesses, serve as consultants and go into the classrooms teaching economics and business in a real life hands-on environment.
A special thank you goes to the campaign leaders and the chairperson for this event, Marcie Miller.
Rick Paczkowski, JA President
EDIT Vote
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to thank the county council for voting down the EDIT tax. As elected officials and servants of the people you must vote according to the wishes of the people you serve. I know some of you on the council believed we needed this additional tax but voted against it to please those you serve. For that I commend you.
I am happy to live and work here. I like Warsaw. It is not small town, but it isn't big city either. We don't have the high crime rate that comes with large cities, and I hope it stays that way. For those of you who want big city life, I suggest you relocate. Those of you who like this county as I do, I suggest we show our loyalty to our community by keeping our money here as much as possible rather than going to Ft. Wayne, South Bend, Elkhart, Chicago and Indy to do our shopping.
Our community is not going to stagnate as some try to make us believe. We have a very strong orthopedic industry along with a lot of other industry. Our many lakes also draw a lot of people to the area.
Thanks again council members for doing the right thing.
Deanna Newton, Warsaw
Dog Ordinance
Editor, Times-Union: Thank you, Mr. Miner, for your opinion relating to the tabled dog/nuisance ordinance - perhaps not!
Mr. Miner, on March 4, 1998, I asked this county for relief from barking dogs in my neighborhood. Since that day, I have got nothing but the run around, the stonewall. I have been put off, I have been lied to.
1) In April of last year you said there is a lack of county resources.
2) There is a general lack of evidence.
What a joke! Now, on March 17, 1999, the Times-Union, you quoted laws, those same laws I quoted a year ago, and to Avis Gunter on Jan. 19, 1999. At that time she told me that you, Mike Miner, Jerry Clase, and an unnamed judge were looking into this proposed ordinance. Also, a year ago, April 6, 1998, in the Times-Union, I stated that the state made it quite clear they are leaving up to the counties to pass their own ordinances to fit their own needs. We are a home rule state, as you know.
At this time, let me take you court side, folks - ball game or buck pass? Avis passes to Mike, Mike passes back to Avis. Go ahead, Mike, "ad nocumentum" and talk about placing a financial burden upon the taxpayers. I will talk about it with you, but only in the Times-Union, the paper of record.
I would like to quote Blacks Law Dictionary under "Disturbance of the peace:" Interruption of the peace, quiet and good order of a neighborhood or community, particularly by unnecessary and distracting noises; conduct which tends to annoy all good citizens and which does in fact annoy anyone present not favoring it. (com v. Orlando, Mass. 359 N.E. 2d810)
That means all noises, folks, not just dogs or motorcycles. Again, the job of the sheriff, first and foremost, is to keep the peace in the county.
If you call the Animal Control officer about a barking dog, he would say, sorry we don't have an ordinance to cover barking dogs. On barks the dog.
Commissioners, by not passing a good viable noise ordinance and then enforcing it, you are saying to the people of this county, "we only represent the people who have the loudest noises. You people that want peace and quiet don't count." No more delays. We ask for a decision at the next commissioners meeting. Yea or Nay. Commissioners, the ball is now in your court. If you throw the ball in our end of the court, so be it. Upset? You Bet! And tired of the same old rhetoric.
Herschel Rainwater P.S. (CCC) Concerned County Citizens will met April 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the C room of the Library. We would like to invite all the people upset about the Development vote on Tuesday the 16 to also be there.
