Editor, Times-Union: Around 2 p.m. on June 29, a hot, humid day, my car stopped running on State Road 15S and I coasted to the side of the road. As I was walking to a nearby house to use the phone for help, TC Engle noticed my stalled car and me walking. Even though she had her 6-year-old and 6-month-old children in her van, she stopped and let me use her mobile phone to call my husband. I was amazed at the knowledge she had about a car as she used my jumper cables to see if it would start.
About the time my husband arrived, Warsaw Police Officer Brian Hupp stopped to help. State Trooper Chad Larsh also stopped. Out in the extreme heat, they all tried to get my car started, to no avail. Officer Hupp contacted a tow truck and all three offered to stay with me and my husband until it arrived, but we said that wasn't necessary.
Too often we only read about criticism toward the police. I want to publicly thank everyone for their patience, kindness and assistance that day. They were all good Samaritans.
Jeanne Silveus, Warsaw
Loss Of Morals
Editor, Times-Union: The Republic of the United States of America is probably the only country in the world that was founded on the principles of the Bible and the Ten Commandments. If not the only country, at least it is the oldest one founded on those principles.
I hear people say stuff about the separation of church and state. This is nowhere to be found in the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights. As a matter of fact, not having a separation has for the better part of two centuries made a checks and balance system for those that would get morally out of line.
I do not know exactly when this separation occurred. But it came out of one of those liberal Supreme Court decisions.
Some other good examples of these liberal decisions are:
Those which do not allow you to spank or correct your child as punishment. Or does not allow the study of the Bible in the classroom or the posting of the Ten Commandments. Both of these might influence thinking.
The total result: We now have a government, at all levels, that has no idea whatsoever about the Constitution, or cares, and have no morals at all. Unfortunately, it has spilled over into big business, schools, etc.
We have upcoming generations of Americans that will be running our government and business leaders that will have no morals.
If you think the major media will help take care of the problem, forget it. Major television is part of the problem. It has far too many times re-written history to suit its own means.
It has created the atmosphere that allows a very few to impose their will on the vast majority.
Although, it must be pointed out that the majority is not always right, since they are swayed so easy.
Morals can not be legislated any more than common sense.
The loss of morals will wreck a country, history has proven this.
C.L. Alfred, Peru
Volleyball Coach
Editor, Times-Union: My two daughters have been in the Shankyou volleyball club for two years. They have learned valuable skills through the club. They have played in tournaments in Indianapolis against girls from all over the U.S. It is not just parents watching their children play volleyball. It is a great oppurtunity for the girls to have competition and to prepare them for higher levels of volleyball. Shirley Fleming is a very good volleyball coach, and I am sure that Warsaw will realize their mistake in losing her.
Jennifer Likens, via e-mail
More Volleyball Coach
Editor, Times-Union: I am writing regarding the hiring of Itanya Coon as head varsity coach of Warsaw. Let's get to the point ... I don't think hiring Coon was a very good decision. Since I don't have a daughter who attends Warsaw, I think I can safely say that I am fairly unbiased in my opinion. I am a certified official and former head coach of a varsity high school volleyball team.
I have never met Coon and I am fairly certain that she is a nice person with good intentions and I hope she does well. However, picking someone with no coaching experience is hardly a good decision. Girls volleyball is the second "biggest" girls sport at Warsaw behind basketball. Imagine if Dave Fulkerson picked all his coaches this way. How much of an uproar would it be if he hired the boys basketball coach this way? I highly doubt he would pick someone who did not have any experience or be so nonchalant about his decision. From reading stories in the Times-Union, the impression that I get from his statements is that he really doesn't care about volleyball, he seems more interested in finding someone he liked more outside of coaching.
He pointed to Coon's experience playing in college being equal to coaching experience. Playing college volleyball does not equate experience as far as coaching is concerned. From my experience as a official on both the national and small college level, almost anyone can play in college if they really wanted to. However, making a top-level team (i.e., Stanford, UCLA, Penn St.) is another story.
I don't have a problem with him not picking Shirley Fleming. That makes no difference. As an athletic director, you should pick candidates if you feel they can get the job done. From my point of view, I do not think this was done.
Michael Alejado, via e-mail
Council Candidate
Editor, Times-Union: As a candidate for City Council at large, my intent is to stroll the streets of Warsaw at Warsaw Days, wearing a campaign poster, also my clothes. My question is: "Will I need a sign permit if I stand in one place too long? Or can I forget the permit if I continue to stroll?"
Earl "Little Hawk's" Howard, Independent Candidate for City Council At Large
