Editor, Times-Union: There are many needs that face our community and KABS is just one of those needs. I read in last week's paper, Thursday, Aug. 21, that there is a strong possibility KABS won't get the funding they need.
I would like the city of Warsaw to know how important our city transit system is to the people of this area. For many of us KABS is our only means of transportation for we cannot always depend on friends or family to go where we need to go and when to be there.
KABS not only serves Cardinal Center, they serve others as well. Parents use the bus to transport their children to and from school. We use the bus to go to the doctor, shopping and work.
Most of us cannot afford the expense of having our own car, therefore, we don't mind paying $2 bus fare per trip to use the bus.
I would encourage all KABS riders to contact all the city officials you can to tell them how important KABS is to you and why you use the bus. The city officials want to hear from you. They will have a better picture of the situation after they talk to you. Be bold - call them, talk to them. It's very important that you call. There will be a meeting at City Hall Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Please be there if at all possible.
To those of you who do not ride the bus and may think that this is not a big deal, I encourage you to get involved and find out for yourselves. Maybe, just maybe, if you did you would find out how important KABS is to this community.
County Commissioners: Brad Jackson, 457-5522; Eddie Creighton, 267-3101; Avis Gunter, 372-2433.
County Council: Jim Tranter, 834-2626; Harold Jones, 453-4331; Brad Tandy, 372-1701; John Kinsey, 268-9494; Tom Anglin, 858-2281; Lewis Bertsch, 267-8141; Kathryn Teel, 353-7101.
Ellen Netherland Winona Lake
Choice
Editor, Times-Union: Although the definition of freedom is subjective and therefore different for everyone, there must be some common elements. Of these common elements the word "choice" must fit somewhere. Choice implies a selection of a particular course of action or behavior. If you accept that choice is part of your definition of freedom, accept that choice does not guarantee only good results.
Lately, a particular group of people is being lambasted for their choice. This group is smokers. In my opinion, smoking is a bad choice. In the opinion of others, my consumption of hot dogs and Big Macs is a bad choice. Included in the new budget, praised by both Republicans and Democrats, is a tax on these smokers to help pay for uninsured children. While taxing one group and giving to another group is nothing new, this tax is certainly more blatant. If you value making choices with minimal government influence, weigh carefully how much of the smokers' freedom you are willing to restrict. If you do not value freedom, continue to support restricting the freedom of the pariah of the moment. Your turn to be pariah will come. This issue concerning smoking is not about what is right or wrong; it is about who decides what is right or wrong. Many patriots gave more than a few heartbeats in order for me to be as free as possible. It saddens me to see this erosion of liberty.
Chas Creekmore Pierceton
Fireman Remembered
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to share my thoughts on what happened during the past week.
Last Monday night, Jeff Sammons, a young firefighter, was killed during his duty. I knew him well. He was my brother-in-law's brother. Words cannot describe the pain I feel for the entire Sammons family. We have lost someone that had a special place in our lives. He was a special relative and a special friend. We love him.
The viewing was on Friday. Many, many people came to see this young man. A young man who gave his life to help others. As
I sat and cried, I can remember thinking how proud I was to know Jeff. He always had a smile and something to say. He would ask how things were going in your life and was always willing to tell you what was going on in his. Jeff was a man full of life. We will miss him very much. We love him.
The funeral was on Saturday. It was very honorable. There were so many public service vehicles that you couldn't count them all. There were also many servants in those vehicles. I felt proud to know Jeff, the firefighter. Something happened during the funeral that day that I will never forget. I watched as my brother-in-law, Tim Sammons, a deputy sheriff, walked up to Jeff and saluted him at the beginning of the service. I not only cried because of Tim losing his brother, but I cried because I felt honor and pride of having a brother-in-law like him.
I want the entire Sammons family to know that you had a wonderful son and brother. He will be missed greatly and he will always have a special place in my heart and others as well. I want the community to know that they have not only lost a public servant, but a loved one by all as well. Please keep the Sammons family in your prayers.
Shane Newsome Warsaw
Juveniles
Editor, Times-Union: We read the Times-Union paper daily. We often enjoy the news around the community. Although recently the Times-Union has been getting too personal. The most recent episode was the article titled "Chase Ends In Crash; No Injuries," giving a 17 years young teenager's name. I was under the impression you must be 18 years young to have your name printed under those circumstances. I understand I could be mistaken, but nowadays people seem to have no feelings for others in our community.
We would greatly understand if just the picture and story would have been published without using a name. I am most positive the families and friends of these young adults are already having a hard time coping, and by advertising the situation on the front page of the paper does not help matters. Next time while typing an article stop and think - what if that was your child? Nine times out of 10 you would stop typing.
