Editor, Times-Union: Don't fret and worry about higher property taxes. There are a couple of things that we the people can do. If property taxes have doubled and tripled, then we the people should demand double and triple the service.
We the people can also go to the voting booths and vote out the entire state government and replace them with people who will get rid of property taxes forever.
Then replace the property taxes with a higher state sales tax. Maybe 7 or 8 percent. Then under the constitution of the United States, we the people can choose to buy things and pay the higher sales tax, or we the people can choose not to buy things and not pay the higher sales tax.
I feel the state government is violating my rights. Maybe it's time to put the entire government on a fixed income. Stop spending. Where is the $2-billion surplus that Mr. O'Bannon and crew spent? Now we the people have to pay for that in higher property taxes. Have a nice day.
Michael L. Stevens Pierceton via e-mail
Good Samaritan
Editor, Times-Union: Today as the wind chills here in our lovely town of Warsaw plummeted to the single digits, I found myself stranded on the side of the road in need of a phone. I was driving out in the country when I heard a loud pop and felt my car shift its weight. I pulled off to the side of road to give my car an inspection. It was then I realized my tire was flat.
It was a fairly heavy traffic area, so I assumed once I turned on my flashers I could get someone to stop, hopefully with a cell phone. Three police officers passed me, I assume they didn't see me for they never slowed down. Numerous cars kept whizzing by, some smiled, some drivers gave a weak smile. After about 15 minutes, a car pulled up beside me and the driver rolled his window down and asked if I needed help. I asked him if he had a cell phone so I could get someone out to change my tire. He said he could go to his house, which was close by, and make the call for me. He even offered to change the tire for me. He left me to go and make the call and returned only moments later to tell me help was on the way. When he came back, he handed me a can of Fix A Flat, just to be helpful.
I wanted to say thank you to my good Samaritan. His name was Andy Jagger. What this gentlemen didn't know is how much he really helped me. I have asthma and being out in this cold weather is not a good thing. Had I been forced to walk to a phone in the cold, I would have had an asthma attack.
Also, in the backseat of my car with a flat tire was a baby, my daughter who requires a wheelchair, and my son. I had been wondering how in the world I was going to walk for help with an infant in my arms, push my daughter's wheelchair and keep my son from being too close to the traffic that was whizzing by. But I didn't have to worry about that because this gentlemen took the time to stop. So, thanks, Andy Jagger, for stopping. Thank you, for helping this mom not to have to struggle with a baby, a wheelchair and a curious 6-year-old boy. Only God knows what could have happened if you hadn't had the kindness to take a moment out of your day.
There are many reasons we shouldn't stop to help someone. Safety is always in the back of our minds, as well it should be. However, today opened my eyes to how many times I, too, have seen someone on the side of the road and just assumed they would get help. I am a woman, so I stop for no one! It's just too risky. But I could have gone to wherever I was going and called the police to let them know someone was out in the cold on the side of the road and ask them to check it out. It's really sad to think of how busy we all get, to just assume the world will take care of itself. To those of you I have passed by, and assumed all was well with your world, forgive me.
Again, thank you to Andy. It may seem like a simple thing he did, but if it was simple, then why didn't anyone else take the time to do it? May God richly bless you and yours.
Andra M Barker Leesburg via e-mail
Format Change
Editor, Times-Union: A holiday message to the management of Q101 FM:
Ho Ho, Hum. Nap time. With your recent change of format you are now indistinguishable from nearly every other radio station in northern Indiana.
Thank you for the previous four years of stimulating listening, from a member of the Baby-Boomer demographic.
Mary Wise Warsaw
Act Of Kindness
Editor, Times-Union: This letter is in response to a gentleman's act of kindness on Sunday, 12/14/03.
Dear sir: We don't know your name, but we so appreciate the fact that despite road conditions you stopped to assist a young mom and three of her children. She had just slid off the road in her van, (near Tippy Lake), and was attempting to walk home. You stopped and offered assistance in the form of a ride. She arrived safely home and was able to call two friends to remove the van from where it sat off the road. This young lady is my wife, Angie. While I was at church in our second service, she was taking three of our kids home. I had no idea of what had happened until after I arrived home, experiencing my own "adventure" on our slick, snow- and ice-covered roads. I am extremely grateful for your act of kindness. It is nice to see such things time and time again in our community. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Pastor Mark Kelly Associate Pastor Calvary Baptist Church Leesburg via e-mail
Dr. Will Be Missed
Editor, Times-Union: It is with heartfelt sadness that I'm writing this letter to let everyone know that Warsaw is losing a champion of people and medicine this week. Dr. Wendall Garcia has been a respected and loved physician for several years, while working at MedStat. Although his primary responsibility has been the care of occupational health injuries and ailments, he has managed to acquire a following of patients that have returned time and again for the care and compassion that he has provided through the years. He has been an advocate for our Hispanic community, who have relied on his understanding and honesty.
Dr. Garcia has been a teacher, friend and respected coworker to those of us that know him best. We have witnessed the dedication and commitment to his patients, his coworkers and the medical care that he has provided. We are all better at what we do and who we are for having the opportunity to work alongside him. Our community is better for his influences as a physician and citizen.
The excellent medical care provided at MedStat is due entirely to the staff that greets patients as they walk in the door, to the nursing staff, radiology staff, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants and physicians, both past and present. Dr. Garcia has been a vital part of that team and his loss will be felt by all.
I know that I can speak for all of those staff members, when I say that it has been an honor and privilege to know Wendall Garcia, work with him and be his friend.
We wish you the best, G! Lori Pollock Warsaw via e-mail
Free Potatoes
Editor, Times-Union: On Nov. 28, Kosciusko REMC and Society of St. Andrew combined efforts to bring 50,000 pounds of potatoes to Kosciusko County. In just 2-1/2 hours, the spuds from Maine were successfully distributed to area food agencies, soup kitchens and church food pantries, as well as to individuals in need. We are proud to have been able to sponsor the undertaking, but realize it would not have been possible without the help of many organizations and individuals.
Firstly, we would like to thank the church organizations, food agencies and community members who took part in this first potato giveaway. It is our hope that this produce will help give the hungry in our area some cheer and hope this holiday season.
We also would like to express our gratitude to the Boy Scout Troops 715 and 761, the Pleasant Grove Church United Methodist Men and the Kosciusko REMC employees who volunteered their time to help unload and distribute the many bags of potatoes. We truly appreciate your willingness to contribute to this project.
Finally, we owe our thanks to the Times-Union and other area media for their help in communicating the details of the event to the public.
Again, we thank all those who contributed to the success of the potato giveaway. Our hope is that, contingent upon the availability of transportation grants and potatoes, this may become an annual event.
