Editor, Times-Union: I've been waiting to write this because I wanted to see what kind of reaction/comments the residents of Allen County had in the Journal Gazette after the Mosely murder trial. In case you didn't see any of it, a Fort Wayne police officer was charged with murder, tried and acquitted. I'm sure the prosecutor felt he had a good case based on the evidence, witnesses, etc. But he lost and Mosely was acquitted. Strange thing is, not one Allen County resident wrote a letter to the editor bashing the prosecutor! Could it be the Allen County residents realize that all prosecutors lose some cases, even big ones that involve murder, even when to the public, it seems a cut-and-dried case. I've seen articles written to the Times-Union by people that said when Hearn was prosecutor (back when it was a part-time job) he didn't lose any cases. Somehow I really doubt the validity of that statement unless, of course, he didn't have any to prosecute! And other letters written by people stating their outrage of the trial who knew no more or less than anyone else, except for the defense and prosecutor and investigators, of course. I seriously doubt any of those people attended the trial. But they all became armchair prosecutors and assumed that Jason did it and got off. Even Jason's defense attorney wrote and said Jason would have been acquitted had he gone to trial. Are all you armchair prosecutors wrong about that, too? It's a fact of life that all cases are not solved quickly and sometimes not at all, but you better believe Chuck Waggoner did his job and did it well. The fact is that Chuck Waggoner prosecuted this case with the same integrity and professionalism he has for all his cases for the past three and one half years. The biggest difference about this case and the others isn't that the accused was acquitted, the biggest thing is that it is close to election time and other candidates can use it to their advantage. Have you ever wondered why Chuck hasn't responded to any of the derogatory letters? Could it be because it is still an open case and he can't make a lot of comments about it? Could it be that he is a true professional with honesty and integrity on his side and he knows ALL the facts in this case, unlike the majority of us? If you want to have the best prosecutor with the most experience for the job as it now exists, if you want your prosecutor to be a leader with a vision for the future for a better Kosciusko County, re-elect Chuck Waggoner.
Donald K. Wiesehan Sr. Claypool via e-mail
Vote For Hearn
Editor, Times-Union: The voters of Kosciusko County have an important decision to make in the upcoming election. The race for the prosecutor's office should be a concern to everyone. I have worked with Steve Hearn during my 28 years in law enforcement in Kosciusko County, both as a criminal investigator with the Sheriff's Department and as an investigator for the prosecutor's office. As a police officer, working with Steve is a pleasure, he has the ability to prepare a good case and to present it to the court in a professional manner. The police officers of this county deserve a prosecutor they have confidence in. A vote for Steve Hearn will mean criminals will again fear the justice system in Kosciusko County.
Stan Holderman Warsaw via e-mail
Museum Volunteers
Editor, Times-Union: Although blessings are usually counted at Thanksgiving, at the Old Jail Museum we give thanks all year long for the dedicated men and women who serve as our volunteers.
When these folks come in the door, each brings a unique gift to share. Sometimes it's a welcome smile, a laugh or a funny story. Some bring a cake or cookies, a book or a special treasure for us to admire. Others help with hammer and nails, a needle or a paint brush. But each one also comes with their own special story, be it of long ago school days, family histories or knowledge of events that have or are currently taking place about us.
So now, during Volunteer Recognition time, it is to all those dear folks that we give our heart-felt "thank you" for adding to the rich heritage of Kosciusko County.
Jeanne E. Jones Director Kosciusko County Historical Society
Don't Forget Our Pets
Editor, Times-Union: Don't forget our pets. With all the beautiful parks in Warsaw for everyone to enjoy, it seems a shame that members of the canine family have no such place to call their own.
Many towns and cities provide areas for people to exercise their animals. At the "doggie park" they also provide containers so that the dog waste can be picked up by the owners and placed in the special containers. This, of course, would be a requirement.
One such place that might be used for this dog park is on Pike Lake, east of the Fireman's Building. It's already fenced. If that site is not available for this use, perhaps somewhere else in that area could be used.
Let the Warsaw Parks Department know you are interested in this type of park. Send a letter to the Parks Department office, 117 E. Canal St., Warsaw, or call 372-9554.
Attend the Parks Department meeting May 21 at 5:15 p.m. at the Girl Scout Cabin, Nye Park, 117 E. Canal St., Warsaw, and lend support to this issue.
Lin and Bonnie Kellem Warsaw
Supports Gervasi
Editor, Times-Union: Mary Gervasi is running for the office of Turkey Creek Township Assessor on the Republican ballot. I know how difficult it is to be informed about various candidates for public office positions, so I hope this letter will help those Turkey Creek Township taxpayers who would like to know more about Mary's abilities and qualifications before they make their final decision on May 7.
Mary came to work for me in 1991 as a deputy assessor and, due to her computer abilities, taxpayer assistance and problem solving (to name a few), in 1993 she became the chief deputy in the Wayne Township Assessor's office. In 1999 we learned that Susan Myrick, the Turkey Creek Township Assessor, wanted to retire, but there was no one from her office who was willing and/or able to take the position. Mary's interest in the job was received with great enthusiasm by Mrs. Myrick, not only because of Mary's above-mentioned abilities, but also because she was a State of Indiana Certified Level II Appraiser - a fact which to this day is extremely important to a township assessor's office. She was willing to relocate to Syracuse and was appointed to this position by the Republican leadership in 1999 and has diligently, competently and faithfully served the taxpayers in her township.
The challenges that are ahead of us as trustees and township assessors are tremendous - implementing this court-ordered statewide reassessment is proving to be a massive job. Even though I have never been a resident of Turkey Creek Township, because of her qualifications, work ethic, integrity and honesty, I believe that Mary Gervasi is the better choice for the office of Turkey Creek Township Assessor.
Kristy Mayer Wayne Township Assessor
Treasurer Follows Law
Editor, Times-Union: This letter is in response to Julia Gilman's letter to the editor on Thursday. In her letter she stated that the treasurer of Kosciusko County has a policy that can affect any taxpayer. She then tried to explain how it is run.
Here's how it really works and what she failed to say in her letter.
First of all, it is not the treasurer's policy that controls office procedures. We are governed and audited by State Board of Accounts to see that we are following all Indiana laws. There are many IC codes we must follow, such as not taking post-dated checks, and our software is in compliance with Indiana law to take penalty and delinquency first. We are also required by law to use official United States Postal Service postmarks. All of these factors have entered into her problems of paying taxes from previous years.
We attempt to inform and cooperate with taxpayers and their problems, but some issues cannot be resolved in the taxpayer's favor, as we must follow the law.
Stephanie A. Esenwein Kosciusko County Treasurer
Thanks To Firemen, EMTs
Editor, Times-Union: My sister-in-law, Lynn Drudge, was involved in a car accident on the Packerton Road May 1, 2002. She had 2 dogs with her in the car. I would like to say a special thank you to the Sidney Firemen for being so kind to the dogs and myself. My sister-in-law was transported to the hospital and they watched over the dogs until I arrived at the scene.
They carried them to the car for me and helped to calm me down. They turned my car around in the line of traffic and were very caring.
Firemen and emergency personnel are very special people. Thank you again, Sidney Firemen, for being so kind.
Peggy Boggs North Manchester
Leesburg Parade
Editor, Times-Union: Plans are being made for the Leesburg community Memorial Day parade and service on May 27. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. from the the Leesburg Town Hall and proceed to the Leesburg Cemetery. All youth should bring their entries to the south side of VanBuren Street, in front of the Town Hall for judging by 10:15 a.m. All other entries are to meet on North Pearl Street.
The service at the Leesburg cemetery will be at 11 a.m.
All children, adults, businesses and organizations of the community are invited to participate. For more information, call Sandra Allen, 453-3834, or Sue Charlton, 453-3011.
Sue Charlton Leesburg
Wrestling Tournament Done Right
Editor, Times-Union: I want to congratulate Denny Lewis and NorthWood High School on putting on a first rate wrestling tournament, April 27, 2002. I have been to many wrestling tournaments over the years and this one by far is the best run. My son wrestled three matches starting at 9 a.m. and we were walking out of the door at 10:20 a.m. I realize that this was not a USA Wrestling sanctioned meet, but the freestyle wrestling tournaments and organizations could help advance the sport of wrestling by following Mr Lewis' format. All the younger kids wrestled first thing in the day while the older age groups were told that their wrestling would not begin until 11 a.m. It is a detriment to our sport the amount of time that a family must devote each Saturday because most freestyle tournaments start with weigh-ins at 7 a.m. and there are many times that, 1) a wrestler may not wrestle for four hours after they weigh in, and 2) the tournament is not concluded until sometime well after 4 p.m. This is such a long day for the kids, parents, workers and everyone involved. I believe that because of how long the day can be at wrestling tournaments that we are turning away many families who would otherwise, if the day was not so long, choose to become part of our wrestling family/community. We all need to look at how our tournaments can be run more efficiently and one way is to duplicate what Mr. Lewis has chosen to do, wrestle in two groups. I encourage anyone interested in looking at attempting to shorten the tournament day and improve our sport to contact him or I.
