Editor, Times-Union: On Nov. 1, the Animal Welfare League will be taking over operation of the county animal shelter. At that time, this shelter could not possibly be entrusted to any more responsible and caring people. I have been extremely impressed with the men and women of the AWL since I joined 10 months ago. They are deeply concerned for every cat, dog, kitten and puppy living in this county.
The shelter, though operated by the AWL, really will belong to the animals. It is their home till adopted. The goal of the shelter will be to reduce euthanasia of animals 50 percent the first year and to make it a "no kill" (no adoptable animals ever being euthanized) within the next half year. This very ambitious goal, if achieved, will make this one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of shelters.
The AWL cannot accomplish this on its own. It will take volunteered time and financial help of many county residents and corporations. The greatest way each pet owner can help make our shelter a "no kill" shelter is for you to make it your priority to have your pets spayed or neutered. Though you may always have been able to find homes for the kittens and puppies born to your pets, please remember that that lowered the number of homes into which cats and dogs at the shelter at those times could be placed. Some of those put to death could have been saved if your pet had been spayed and not had those litters. We need to stop lowering the chances of shelter animals being adopted by having all pets spayed and neutered.
Another way you can help us reach the shelter goal is to donate money and supplies, volunteer time to help with chores at the shelter and heartily support fund raisers benefitting the shelter. Please join us for the animals' sake!
A major way to enable us to reach our ambitious goal is for some of the fine corporations in this county whose owners have a real heart for animals and have ample financial resources to donate equipment and perhaps sponsor a much-reduced or free-to-poor pet owners spay-neuter program (the Houston Rockets basketball team sponsors a free spay/neuter mobile unit for needy pet owners in Houston) in the name of your corporation. Please give generously.
This is an ambitious goal, but there are so many silently suffering animals who need our help so they can live! They did not ask to be born and do not deserve to have their lives snuffed out.
All of us together can accomplish this goal. It's the only truly humane thing to do. Thank you for taking this to heart and getting involved. The Animal Welfare League and the animals need you.
Chuck Orlando, Warsaw
Supports Bronsing
Editor, Times-Union: This letter is being written in support of Jeff Bronsing for sheriff in Kosciusko County. Jeff and I have been good friends for 16 years. Jeff and I met while I was the post commander of the Michigan State Police post in White Pigeon, Mich. We met through a mutual police friend that lived in Warsaw. As police officers, there was plenty for us to talk about. In addition, we were both certified scuba divers, and over the years, were able to do some diving together.
When I came down to visit Jeff, it was not unusual for me to ride around with him while he was on duty. It was my perception that Jeff was a very competent officer, performing his duties in an effective and efficient manner. The thing that really struck me, however, was how well Jeff got along with the people he had to deal with, both citizen and criminal. He approached each person in a friendly way, but could be firm when necessary. His rapport with other officers, both from his department and others, was excellent.
Over the years, it has become obvious to me that Jeff cares a great deal about his career, the sheriff department, and the community he serves. On a number of occasions, when I was staying over night and he was off duty, he would receive a call at home from the dispatcher requesting him to go out on an accident or some other call. He did not complain when he got these calls, but got up, put his uniform on, and responded to the complaint, whatever it turned out to be. Sometimes I would go with him. He always handled the situation with the same calm determination that he did when he was on regular duty. He always seemed glad to be able to help out and proud that he was working for the sheriff department.
On many occasions, we talked about police work in general, and our departments in particular. Jeff and I would compare notes and attempt to come up with creative ways to improve our departments and make them run more smoothly. We wanted to get more bang for the buck! He was always looking for ways to do the job better and provide more and better service for the community. He wished he was in a position to implement some of those ideas. I hoped he would be someday.
It is my strong belief that, given the opportunity, Jeff Bronsing would make a fine sheriff. He cares deeply about his department, his community, and the people who live in it. Jeff has 26 years with the department, working in many different assignments. His experience and maturity, his creative ideas, and his commitment to the citizens of Kosciusko County makes him a great candidate for sheriff. I encourage all to consider these things and give him your vote on election day!
Stephen D. McPherson, Lakeport, Mich.
Driver Education
Editor, Times-Union: We have completed another year of Driver Education at Tippecanoe Valley High School. This summer we trained approximately 125 students with both classroom training and actual driving experience. We were able to provide this training at a reasonable cost thanks to the support of some area businesses.
The students, staff and parents of Tippecanoe Valley would like to thank everyone for their support in providing cars for our students and for providing car washes for the driver ed cars.
Thanks again for your support of tomorrows drivers.
Richard K. Ralston, Drivers Education Coordinator
Thanks To Jefferson
Editor, Times-Union: To the Jefferson Elementary School Community:
The opportunity to take a new teaching position happened very quickly in the summer and left little time for needed good-byes to everyone. My 14 years teaching sixth grade will always be remembered for the good and the challenges, but mostly for the great students, parents and fellow staff members which touched my life in so many positive ways.
I wish I had the time to visit each and every one of you which showed such enormous support for me. I would expect that same kind of support would continue, for the support of a program should be for its ultimate benefits of children, not for the personalities of those implementing the program. It is, however, sometimes hard to separate the two, and thus the difficulty I faced separating myself from the Jefferson Community.
So ... many ask, "Why leave?" It's simple. As Jefferson continues to move in different directions, so too, should I. I desired a new challenge and the opportunity to advance myself personally and professionally. I came to you (Warsaw) to make a difference and I leave to make a difference somewhere else; a place where my new students and parents need me, what I have to offer, as much as I need them, and what they have to offer.
I do indeed think of those in Warsaw who were such an important part of my life. To the over 700 students with whom I had the distinction of being your teacher, thank you for teaching me and providing me with the greatest rewards a teacher could receive. I will miss your stopping by at the end of the day to say hello and to share memories of our school year together, your postcards from your trips to foreign countries, your phone calls when needing help for homework or a particular crisis in your life. Your email notes regarding assistance with those pesky term papers and research projects at college will also be missed, well, sort of! The algebra, geometry, chemistry and physics exam group study sessions (Keep the cold pizza!), the graduation announcements for high school and college, the wedding invitations and the announcements of the birth of your own children, even when many of you left my classroom over 14 years ago have all been priceless. Your staying in touch has meant the world to me as a teacher. So many wonderful memories!
I thank you from the heart and soul, as your teacher...
