Editor, Times-Union: In 1990, the Warsaw Community High School Girls Softball Team won the state championship. They did this without a diamond to practice or play on. The season after winning, the school system had too many expenses, so all the team was provided was a grassy area where the team could play. Coach Rod Yoder and the parents proceeded to provide the labor and the money to build the diamond, install the backstop, find bleachers, lights and a scoreboard for the diamond. Perhaps the school could provide the football team with the land after they win the state championship and the coach and parents could provide the money and labor for the stadium?
Barbara E. Kintzel Warsaw via e-mail
Concerned About Warsaw's Proposed Athletic Facilities
Editor, Times-Union: It is with great concern that I write this letter in response to the $10-million football stadium and athletic facilities. I am a 21-year-old United States Marine stationed over in Okinawa, Japan. I was born and raised in Warsaw and I am a graduate of Warsaw Community High School. Having participated in athletics all four years at the school, no one feels more loyalty to their school and the teams associated with it. However, I am sickened at the gross misplacement of funds in a day when you have men like myself overseas in a time of war, fighting to keep you free so that you may have the right to choose to waste your money. As I look around over here I see kids that just left home, many of which originate from our town or towns very close by, and their families back in Warsaw probably won't be having Thanksgiving due to finances, and the Marines who are affected would love to help, but you try aiding your family when you are barely paid enough to aid yourself. We will not have a Thanksgiving this year, much less a Christmas, but feel no pity for us for we have chosen to do what strikes fear in others. It has been two years since I was in Warsaw and I remember families that were struggling to make ends meet, families who had tragedy occur and left them just shy of destitute. Wouldn't these funds be better placed to put food in these people's mouths and clothes on their backs? And I know there are other worthy charities in our fine city who would benefit from this $10 million you throw around without cause or concern. I hope you think about my words, and if you build your stadium, when you see the soup kitchens full and small children who won't experience the holidays like you, whose pockets are apparently lined with gold, will hope you have a sense of pride in your actions. When you look at the American flag flying high at your new stadium, remember the Marine/s who did not and do not approve of your actions.
Lt. Cpl. Jerry D. Wilkins U.S. Marine Corps Military Police
via e-mail
Build It All
Editor, Times-Union: Gary, Gary, Gary, is this becoming an annual event? You trashing Warsaw hoping to upgrade their sports facilities. Now Gary, you know that I have always, and still believe that you hate Warsaw, and most of all, Warsaw sports. Whitko and Tippecanoe Valley added new facilities and sports facilities. Wawasee added a middle school and new sports facilities, including a second pool. Did you write an article?
Now there's one thing that confuses me. You write, and I quote, "do we really need a football stadium?" Gary, why do you use the world "we?" You're in the Wawasee school district. You have been relentless in your claim that the Warsaw paper is not a Warsaw paper. The last time you wrote an article about Warsaw's sports facilities, I tried to correct you. So, let's try again. The $5.28 million is not just for football, it also contains a track facility to be used by the track team and about 800 physical education students per year. Put a price on that. It also said in your article, Gary, "do we need a $1.91 million weight room?" There's that "we" again. You left out that it also includes a wrestling facility. The number of kids who will benefit from this facility is fantastic!
In your articles, you state concerns about athletes being treated better than students. Well, that's subjective, but surely not as subjective as say rich over poor, or maybe smart over stupid or maybe society's biggest injustice, pretty people over ugly people. Tell me that's not done a billion times a day. It's hard to make the world perfect.
Warsaw's debt percentage is fantastic! Even with the proposed improvements Warsaw's debt percentage will blow the state average away. So, Warsaw go for it! Take advantage of the 40-year low interest rates and save our blessed community millions in interest. Let our students and student athletes benefit from our community's fortunate wealth. I know Warsaw's teachers, coaches, parents and community are proud to try to raise well-rounded kids. I'm so happy for schools like Whitko, Tippecanoe Valley and Gary's school district, Wawasee, for their new facilities. Gary, I hope you can be happy for Warsaw's kids if they can get their facilities.
Jeff Johnson Warsaw Note: The exact quote was, "Do we really need the kind of facilities that are being proposed? Do we need a football stadium that seats 4,500 at a cost of $5.28 million?" I am unaware of any new athletic facilties recently constructed or proposed at other area school corporations.
