Editor, Times-Union: I'm the very proud mother of three terrific sons who will most likely be finished with Warsaw Community Schools before the new expansion plans are completed. But after experiencing how a portion of this proposal would have enhanced their education, I truly understand how important this is to the future students and the future of the community. I'm concerned about our present dilemma of dealing with our lack of adequate facilities for our performing arts programs. Now is the time.
I found it unfortunate that the board members only allowed 10 minutes for the three performing arts directors to provide their presentation. It's very difficult to visualize so much information, condensed into such a short amount of time, which didn't allow for much explanation.
The cost of the auditorium has gone from approximately $2 million when the high school was built, to $7 million today. Taking into consideration what was proposed at that time would not have been adequate for what is needed and planned for now, if the Performing Arts Center was put off, what would the cost be to complete it in the future? What would the interest rates be at that time? Probably not this low. Now is the time.
Why is the Performing Arts Center taking a back seat and being left to be financed through community businesses in Dr. Harman's proposal? I think there are other options that need looked at. Why not one of the other sections of this package be considered for community businesses to finance? Perhaps a business near one of the new proposed schools would donate money to upgrade the present school, to keep it in the present location if that is the strong desire of the community. Or local businesses could be approached to fund a section of the new school. What about the athletic fields?
I don't like sending the message that an upgraded weight room, wrestling room or athletic fields are a priority over the Performing Arts Center. They are equally important. This message strongly enhances what many already believe is priority - athletics are cool and the arts are not. Perhaps if the Performing Arts Center advanced to priority status in this package, eventually so would the attitude toward the students involved in this area. Maybe then more students would feel comfortable in finding the arts their place to belong - to be someone and be respected for their efforts. They deserve to feel good about their talents and expand them, too. I'm in favor of adequately advancing in ALL proposed areas, to be attractive to students, good teachers, community businesses and their future potentials for growth. If we're not moving forward, then we're moving backward. I don't want my children to have it as good as I did. I want them to have it BETTER. Now is the time.
I appreciate the support that Dr. Harman and Mr. Crousore (among others) have shown toward the band program. Now I think it's time they show the entire community.
Pattie Weaver Warsaw
Wonderful Strangers
Editor, Times-Union: I thought it would be a good idea to put some good news in the paper. No whining, no complaining, no talk about "politically correct."
Just a confirmation about how good most people really are. Last week I met three wonderful strangers within one-half hour. My neighbor and I had gone for a long bike ride, and on the way home a big beautiful dog insisted on following us. He was a really nice dog, but we wanted him to go back to his home. I stopped at a house about a mile down the road and knocked on the door. A lady answered, I told her about the dog and asked if she would just hold him till we could get away and hopefully he would go back home. This wonderful lady got down on the grass and held this big dog (he had no collar). We rode away as fast as we could, but about two miles down the road, he was with us again. We headed back and met another lady coming out of her driveway. I stopped her, told her our tale and again asked for help. She locked the dog in her garage and allowed me to use her "facilities." As I headed out to join my neighbor, a lady had stopped to make sure he was not injured, as he was sitting by the side of the road beside his bike waiting for me.
This is truly the spirit of Americans, and I am proud to be one. Thank you to these wonderful, thoughtful ladies, and you know who you are.
Carole Gilbert North Webster via e-mail
Grateful To Be Alive
Editor, Times-Union: I am very grateful to be alive to write this letter. This past Monday afternoon I was waiting first in line at the red light at the intersection of Center Street and Route 30 to cross over into the Center Center shopping area. My heavenly father prompted me to hesitate stepping on the gas when the light turned green. If I would have started out immediately or even several seconds later, which I usually do, I would be dead.
Looking straight ahead as my light turned green, I couldn't see, even in my peripheral vision, the two west bound semi trucks, single file, roaring toward the intersection because they were that far back. They didn't even pretend to try to slow down, let alone stop. And they didn't try to warn us by laying on their horns. I regret that I didn't follow them to get their license numbers.
If we can't protect the lives of our residents from the speeding, law-breaking truckers, maybe building overpasses along Route 30 would solve the problem. It would be expensive, but at least people would be alive to pay the taxes. Or how about this - put a toll on trucks passing through to pay for the protection.
Miriam Pacheco Winona Lake via e-mail
Honesty
Editor, Times-Union: I have always considered myself an "honest" person. When I look in the mirror I can honestly say that I try to be considerate of others and respect other people's opinions, feelings and genuine personality differences. I try not to get upset when other people do not follow the same rules in their lives, HOWEVER, I am a little disturbed by some recent incidents that have occurred in my life, my family's life.
My husband was recently at the YMCA and because they are re-habing their men's bathroom he had to use the family area to change in and out of the workout attire. It was very early in the morning and for some reason he wasn't thinking right and left his brand-new running shoes in the bathroom. I told him not to get upset because they will be returned. I mean, really, who would keep someone's hard-earned, brand-new tennis shoes? Well, my perfect ideal view of the world is crushed! No one returned them, they stole them, yes stole them.
Today we went to Wal-Mart and when I was loading the cart with one hand and my 9-month-old in the other, the cart rolled away and that must have been when his brand-new white sweatshirt fell off of the cart. Again, I thought, someone must hand in the sweatshirt? Right? Well, wrong. I have checked with the store three times now and no one handed in my son's new sweatshirt, purchased from Wal-Mart. It is amazing to me that people can pick up a "lost" item and see the value in their eyes and then steal it. Is it really worth it, looking in the mirror and seeing a person who likes taking valuables from other people?
Janet Dietrich Warsaw via e-mail Student Athletes Editor, Times-Union: In response to Mr. Richardson's letter, I would like to invite him to attend any of Warsaw Community High School's sports awards programs and see that well over half of the student athletes are honor students.
Obvisously he has confused WCHS athletes with either a college or a NFL team. The Warsaw coaching staff always stresses good grades and citizenship in the young women and men in athletics. WCHS has a great athletic department, and I am proud to have my children in it. Please get the facts straight beofore you insult a generation of outstanding young people.
Bob Ferguson Leesburg via e-mail
Educational Priorities
Editor, Times-Union: While reading the paper on November 6th, I read the article titled "WCS Holds Hearing on $41-Million Building Project," and found out that our football team is getting a new stadium. Half of me wanted to laugh, and the other half of me wanted to cry. I compete on the Warsaw High School Spell Bowl Team. We have shirts that are at least five or six years old, extremely faded, and that are all two sizes too big. I compete on the Warsaw High School Academic Super Bowl Social Studies Team. We use those same shirts. Last year, I competed for the Warsaw High School Speech Team. Two other students on the team and I earned the privilege to represent our school at the State competition in Indianapolis. What did we get for our hard work?
Warsaw High School does not have a Speech team this year, because the administration could not find a single person to coach. The Warsaw High School Football team, which has at least six or seven coaches, as a reward for not making state, gets not only to keep their team, but also to have a new stadium. The motto on Warsaw High School's web page states "Together In Growth through EDUCATION and Responsibility for Student success." It seems to me like someone's priorities are in the wrong place. But then again, I'm just a nerd who likes academic competition, so I guess my opinion doesn't really matter.
Luke Harris Class of 2002 Co-Captain of Warsaw High School Spell Bowl Team
