Editor, Times-Union: This Saturday is the annual Optimists triathlon in Winona Lake and I am writing this letter to ask motorists to please avoid driving on the Pierceton Road this Saturday morning. There could very well be around 500 athletes taking part in this triathlon and that means a lot of bicycles on Pierceton Road starting at 8 a.m. All I'm asking is that you avoid that area for only a few hours, one day a year. The athletes and the race organizers will all be very grateful.
Better yet, come into Winona Lake before the 8 a.m. start and watch the triathlon. If you've never seen one, this is a great opportunity to see what they're all about. And you won't find a better place to be a spectator than in the Village at Winona.
So please, if at all possible, avoid driving between Winona Lake and Pierceton Saturday morning. It will be so much safer, and fun, for the athletes. One of them might be your neighbor.
Steve Knouff Warsaw via e-mail
Honest Teen
Dear Editor, I wanted to write a public thank-you and tell the Times-Union what a wonderful and honest employee they have working for them.
Her name is Amber Vanderpool and she is 15 years old.
My husband and I own a business here in Warsaw, Acey's Trophies, and I was going to make a deposit to our bank one day this week and somehow I dropped some of my deposit. Well, right away I was aware of it, but could only find a small portion of it.
After looking for quite some time, a young girl's voice from behind me asked, "Excuse me, did you lose something?"
I told her she would never believe it but I had somehow not been able to find my deposit I was to make.
I couldn't believe the honesty this young girl had.
She delivers nespapers and was on her route.
I offered her a reward for returning the money. She refused and said it wasn't necessary, she and her mom were going to turn it in to the police station.
I insisted she take the reward and complimented her that she had done a very nice and mature thing.
I'm so thankful there are still good honest people. Looks like her parents have done a wonderful job instilling values and honesty with her.
Thanks again, Amber. Teresa Lisenbee Warsaw
KCH
Editor, Times-Union: Recently I was at Kosciusko Community Hospital as a patient and received very good care. And the meals were delicious. Thank you to them.
Mary Jane Sprong Warsaw
Congrats To BZA
Editor, Times-Union: Congratulations to the BZA on approving the sign for Lake Village Shopping Center. I would hope our local government would realize most of the shops in that area are locally owned and need the local government to assist them. They are not "big" enough for the tax abatements, etc., that are passed on to other employers. These smaller stores provide jobs in our community and an alternative shopping experience. We need to keep the locally owned shops in that area in the public eye. Although I did not attend the meeting, your coverage in the Times-Union leads me to believe Mike Valentine hit the nail on the head with his statement. I do not see how he was out of order. Some east side businesses have had to close. Proves his point of an entire economic unit that needs signage.
Mr. Valentine is aware of what is happening in his community, and made a truthful (albeit probably not tactful) statement. Unfortunately, it seems the teamwork in local government is lacking. Too bad, the east side of Warsaw could use their help. To their credit, it does sound like the right decision was made, despite all the bickering. Ms. Snyder pointed out the big ugly shopping centers are the first thing people see coming from Fort Wayne. I agree. The Kmart shopping center is improving the eyesore image by replace the concrete "bollards" with landscaping, plus the merchants there are making sure the individual stores are kept up. However, the old Wal-Mart is getting to be quite an eyesore. Rumor has it Wal-Mart will not allow any competitor to lease the building (the building is only useful to a competitor). Our local government should at least make them clean up the area to reflect a positive image of Warsaw. Soon the east side will look like Scottsdale Mall in South Bend or Southtown Mall in Fort Wayne. Warsaw is too great of a community to have that type of image.
Rhonda Elliott Tippecanoe via e-mail
Etna Twp. Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: The Etna Twp. First Responders would like to thank the Etna Green Community, Etna Township Community, various businesses and many others for the thoughtful and generous donations we've received towards the purchase of our Rescue truck and it's equipment. The purchase has been made and we hope to have it in service soon. You people are what makes our community great! Thank you so much for your support!
Kevin Smith Sr. President Etna Township First Responders
Cry For Help
Dear Editor, This letter is in response to recent sad events in Warsaw. Never having written to the editor before, I now feel compelled to do so.
On Memorial Day, Tara Likens was killed in a car accident that involved five other young people. The vehicle was driven by a teenager. It was later reported in the Times-Union that this teen tested positive for marijuana at the time of the accident. This week police reports in the paper stated he was charged with events related to alcohol consumption and operation of a vehicle.
Isn't it obvious that this young man has a problem and is acting out as a cry for help? Aren't we obligated as a community to assist him to find the help or treatment he needs? At 17, he still has the chance to find a more positive path in his life. We must help him do that before more heartbreak and tragedy occurs.
It is so easy to read a newspaper headline and simply move on to the next page. Having known the young woman who died brings this sad story chillingly close to home. As we mourn her lost chance at life, we must ensure it won't happen again.
