Editor, Times-Union: I was gratified to read of the attention our local U.S. 30 death trap is receiving from the state and county officials. It is good to know that our elected and appointed public servants are listening to the concerns of the citizens and taking the kind of action needed to resolve this problem.
I was not at all surprised to read of the accident on Monday, which occurred despite the presence of two squad cars with emergency lights flashing. This accident points out the fact that the problem is deeper than just "poorly conceived lights" (Sheriff Rovenstine's words). The problem is also that motorists are not apprehensive about breaking the law on this stretch of highway. They do not seem to believe that our law enforcement officers will enforce the law consistently, aggressively and totally. They do not believe that speeding, running lights or driving dangerously will result in tickets, fines and jail time. Without this belief, lights and squad cars and studies will not resolve the problem.
To address Sheriff Rovenstine's question: "What more can we do?" The Sheriff is not old enough to remember when Highway 30 was originally made four lanes between Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. Those of us who are old enough remember that Columbia City had a similar problem. Their solution was strict enforcement and continuous police presence. Within a matter of weeks the Columbia City bypass was known by truck and auto drivers as a major "speed trap," and the problems were reduced significantly. Maybe this approach will work in Kosciusko County as well.
Perhaps it won't save lives, reduce property damage or improve our county's reputation for highway safety, but if nothing else I would suggest that strict enforcement of our traffic laws might go a long way towards paying for our jail expansion.
In my last letter on this subject, I said that voters will have an opportunity to elect the politicians who support this approach. Thus far, Jerry Patterson and Trish Brown have told me they support my position. I have heard nothing from other candidates.
Jerry Hogan, Warsaw
Chapman Rezoning
Editor, Times-Union: I was very disappointed on March 17 at the County Commissioner's meeting, as were many other Chapman Lake area residents. I am talking about the rezoning of 69 acres of farmland at CR 450N and 250E. It seems our elected officials do not care what their constituents want. With a petition of over 350 signatures against the rezoning and over 75 remonstrators present, they still passed the rezoning. The commissioners would not even defend their position. What kind of democracy is this?
Charlie Wappes did a wonderful job stating all of our concerns. We are concerned about the increased traffic on these already heavily traveled county roads; the unknown effects of many more septic tanks seeping into the water table of our spring-fed lake; and Leesburg and Harrison schools are almost at capacity, while the Atwood school has only half-full classes. Charlie also quoted a report from the governor's task force that recommended development next to existing sewer systems. There is no need for more housing in our area, there are at least 150 building lots within a 2-mile radius of this land. Last but not least, we chose to live in the country and resent the city being brought to us.
Unfortunately, it seems that we all wasted our time and effort, since the decision was already made long before the actual meeting. Many people tried to tell me that we were wasting our time, but I thought that our elected officials would pay attention to a large showing of public concern. I guess I am just pretty naive about politics.
There is another piece of land on the east side of the lake that the commissioners sent back to the Area Planning Committee. All of these same concerns are an issue for this land as well as some others. The planning commission voted 7 to 0 to recommend rejection of the rezoning. I hope that they stick with their original decision. Two wrongs will not make a right.
Becky Shroyer, Warsaw
Gatke Property
Editor, Times-Union: In a recent article in the Times-Union concerning the clean up of the Gatke property. In the view of this taxpayer, it is all cost and no benefit.
I propose that McKinley Street should be four-laned, from Center Street to Winona Avenue via the Gatke parking area. It would be less troublesome in the icy conditions in the winter and would relieve much of the traffic and congestion on Argonne Road. The proposed four-laning could be accomplished at no cost to the residents and would not disturb their property in any way by utilizing the railroad property down the center. A raised flower bed and ornamental lighting would beautify the section to everybody's benefit. McKinley Street could become McKinley Boulevard, the most beautiful street in town. It would also increase the property value in the area. Think it over.
Jim Hoffer, Warsaw
Vote
Editor, Times-Union: We all have one of the greatest privileges in this world. Many of you do not exercise it.
We can vote politicians in and we can vote them out. What other country can do this? The only thing wrong with this wonderful system is that many of you women and black people do not vote. Let's get some of this GOP "dead wood" out of their lucrative offices. Go down to our new city building and register and vote when it is time.
Albert G. Smith, Warsaw
Caregivers
Editor, Times-Union, Several months ago my mother, Jerri R. Martin, passed away. Myself, I am serving in the U.S. Navy stationed here at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif. During the last months of my mother's illness I was granted time to be home to help care for my mother. The huge undertaking was just a bit easier with the help of the hospice nurses, Caregivers and Chaplain. I was ever so blessed to be home during this time and would not have wanted to witness this event had it not been with the help, care and love from this wonderful organization. I will never forget you.
Bruce A. Tatman, Son of Jerri R. Martin, Stepson of Grover R. Martin
Traffic Justice
Editor, Times-Union: An open letter to state and county law enforcement:
Like everyone else, I was horrified at the car/semi fatality on U.S. 30 last week. One question... What happened to the trucker involved in the accident? On the recent accident on the Toll Road that killed three people, the trucker was taken to a South Bend hospital to be tested for drugs and alcohol. Was this done in the U.S. 30 fatality? KCH is quite capable of running such tests.
Was the trucker allowed to go on his way? According to the Times-Union, our prosecutor is waiting on an "accident report" before deciding whether to file charges. With four witnesses, one a police officer, willing to testify that the trucker ran a red light, it seems to me that said trucker should be residing in our county jail right now. I'm no lawyer, but vehicular homicide or involuntary manslaughter come to mind. Our county has lost a young woman with 50 years of life ahead of her!
And while we're on the subject, what happened to the trucker involved in the 1997 fatality where another young woman was killed? It seems to me that one way to prevent this kind of behavior by truckers, or any other driver, would be to crack down hard and make guilty drivers pay the penalty, and a stiff penalty at that. Word will get around. A driver's license is not a license to kill.
Dodie Stoops, Warsaw
Fire Aftermath
Editor, Times-Union: I want you to let the public know of the excellent job the Winona Lake Fire Department, EMS, Police Department, others who helped that we were not aware of, and retired Police Detective, Sgt. Gerald Oswalt, who came to our rescue in our major fire on April 1st. It was no April Fool's joke! Mr. Oswalt would not let us stay in our home for a minute when he spotted the smoke. I guess he knew better than we what damage smoke can do for one's lungs. We were breathing smoke for days after even though we were in it just a short time.
Special thanks to Kevin Gelbaugh for rescuing our cat "Morris" whom we had rescued from life in the alley just two years before. He is very special to us and we felt so badly that he had to stay in the house through it all. He is recuperating at Lake City Animal Clinic and they are giving him TLC in our place. The vet says he will be OK. Also, special thanks to Gary Nieter for taking the pictures so we have a remembrance of the traumatic occasion. We could not get to our cameras which were in the house and he knew that and took extra shots for us. His photography is the best we could ever hope for.
Everyone has been so kind to us through this all. We are fortunate to live in such a great community. We appreciate that and want others to know how grateful we are also. Thanks again for your excellent coverage and for being on the Internet. We have received calls from out of state because they saw it there.
Verna and Wilmer Bartel, Winona Lake
Breast Cancer
Editor, Times-Union: While the attempt to heighten breast cancer awareness is commendable, the upcoming plot in the "Funky Winkerbean" strip should get the facts right. Lisa is one of the last characters who would develop breast cancer. As a long time follower of the strip, I remember she had a child in high school. A first pregnancy that ends naturally in a birth is protective against breast cancer. Lisa's pregnancy and giving birth protected her. It is only when a first pregnancy is artificially interrupted, that the natural protective process is short circuited and a woman is set up for a higher risk of breast cancer. This is something worth doing, it should be done right.
