Editor, Times-Union: My name is Cedric Poage. I think that being drug free is a good policy for everyone to follow. If you are not drug free, you will not have a very successful career, because you will not pass your drug test. People are not bad if they choose not to be drug free, but in my opinion they are not making the right choice. I know a few people that smoke and drink, but I still treat them with respect, just like any other adult. Most people that smoke die of lung cancer or some lung problem. If no one would smoke or drink, that would make me very happy.
I hope the next generation of people make the right choice of being drug free. When people make the wrong choice it makes me sad. When the DARE officers come into our school I know that they will try to help us kids along to make the right choice. My friends are helping me to support DARE. I like to do DARE activities, because they are fun, and still they have something to do with being drug free. I really like to hear the kids say they're drug free. When kids joke around about being drug free I feel sad. I choose to be drug free, because I want to have a bright future. What really makes me happy is when an adult chooses to be drug free. I hope that the towns of Claypool, Warsaw, Silver Lake and Winona Lake feel the same way that I do about drug free. When people read this letter I hope that it has an influence on your lives. When someone chooses to be drug free, they are making a commitment. I have a wish about being drug free that I hope will someday come true. I have chosen to be drug free, why shouldn't you?
Cedric Poage, Claypool Elementary - 5th grade
Butterfly
Editor, Times-Union: As most of you know, "The Butterfly" suffered a tragic loss when their building burned down a few weeks ago. It is a frightening thing to watch your building and business burn to the ground.
My wife and I were in a remodeling project and "The Butterfly" was installing surround sound in our living room. All the wiring was completed and we were scheduled to have the speakers installed on Tuesday after the fire. With all that was going on with the fire, the loss of their building, insurance and all the other worries and grieving from a fire of this magnitude, we received a message from "The Butterfly" on Monday that we were still on their schedule and they would be doing the finish work as soon as they could get in new supplies. One week later "Butterfly" was at our home finishing our surround sound and other electronic connections.
Thank you Jay Warnacut, Steve Sahagun and Rob Miller for your professionalism, dedication to your business and thoughtful and caring attitude to all your customers. Your building may be gone but your business is still as good as ever.
