Editor, Times-Union: After reading the Court News in the Nov. 22 issue, I became rather upset and curious on what had taken place in the Circuit Court.
Listed were six people that had appeared for sentencing for possession of drugs. One was for dealing scheduled substances. One was for prescription fraud and the others were for methamphetamine.
After reading the punishments handed down from the court, I began to wonder what type of person the presiding judge is. Was he elected because he claimed to follow the "full extent" of the law or because voters believed he had a soft heart?
With methamphetamine use running rampant, over the counter medications being put "behind" the counter and the stealing of anhydrous ammonia from farmers, the laws and enforcement seem to be lacking in our county.
Doing the math, I found that the offenders were given a slap on the wrist for their actions, while the court supported the funding of administrative fees, probation fees and drug interdiction fees. No real punishment was handed down and a very minimal monthly fee for the offenders. The six offenders were sentenced to 12 years in jail or prison, with five years and five months suspended! Three will actually serve six years and seven months. Probation time amounted to 13 years and five months for all involved.
Adding up the various fees charged to all six accused, the results were as follows. Fines of $302, $600 for administrative costs, $600 initial costs plus $3,525 over the duration of probations for probation fees and $1,200 for drug interdiction fees. Total generated funds from six cases equals $6,227. Monthly income from probation fees averages out to $131.34.
The bottom line to this madness is for dealing dangerous drugs, your average time served is 13.16 months and 5.42 months suspended. Violators will spend, on average, $26.83 months on probation.
Does this relay the message to the accused as well as future drug offenders that we are serious? It seems more like an advertisement. "Want to deal or use drugs? Serve little time (if any) and monthly payments of only $25 per month or less!" Contact your local court system for details.
Perhaps it is time for a change somewhere?
Jim Walker Silver Lake
Remembering Food
Editor, Times-Union: Remembering good places to eat, like Biltz Restaurant at the entrance of Winona lake or Haney's Dairy Bar, good sundaes, etc.
How about the double-dip ice cream parlor on West Center Street. I would be delivering milk to Jet White grocery when Unique Bakery was taking real hard rolls out of the oven, I'd get a baker's dozen hot out of the oven. A.J. Bayne was the milk route driver, so I let him have two and I would finish them off along with a quart of chocolate milk and one-fourth pound of real butter. Good vittles.
Another good restaurant was at the intersection of Canal Street and Detroit Street. Can't think of the name, but they also had a good working man's lunch.
Paul's Restaurant on West Center Street had a good quick lunch also. Does anyone remember the arcade blog? They had a soda shop there. Also a candy store and I thought homemade candy.
One other place was Annie's next to the Centennial Theater. Very good hot popcorn and candy. I would get some before I'd take in the Saturday afternoon serial and show for 12 cents.
Well, I hope I've made you hungry. Bye for now.
David Runyan Warsaw
Happy Holidays
Editor, Times-Union: A few thoughts from the other side of the pew: Yes, it is a Christmas tree. "Holiday Tree" is simply a bad euphemism. We all know what it is, and no one is fooled by any other names, so let's all just call it a Christmas tree.
However, what is so offensive about giving an all-inclusive "Happy Holidays"? After all, Christmas isn't the only holiday celebrated in December. For instance, Jews around the world, including here in Warsaw, celebrate Hanukkah for eight nights during December. Stores that wish their patrons "Happy Holidays" are not trying to marginalize Christmas, they are simply trying to include and make feel welcome those customers who celebrate other observances.
Finally, it is worth noting that while "Jesus is the reason for the season," the only December holiday he likely celebrated was Hanukkah.
I ask that you be generous, inclusive, and understanding this holiday season and wish strangers you may meet a "Happy Holidays."
