The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 39, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 20 February 1992 — Page 4

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_ THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - FEBRUARY 20. 1992

I U EDITORIALS |

J. YOUR CHANCE TO BE HEARD We would like to once again remind our readers briefly about an opportunity we offer them and one that gives them a chance to be heard. We are talking about our "Voice Os The People’’ column. This opportunity is here for all to use, *ith of course, certain guidelines and restrictions. First of all, let us state that the articles that appear in the "Voice” column are the opinions of the writers and do not reflect the views of this newspaper. These articles are subject to editing or refusal by this paper. We do like to keep them as close to the way submitted as possible, but sometimes some type of editing must be done. We will not publish any article or pan of one that may be liable as the newspaper is responsible regardless of who submits the article. We do prefer to publish the name of the author, but will withhold it upon request. It is imperative however, that we know the name of the person submitting such articles and if it comes through the mail, some way must be asailable for us to contact the author for our own protection. Anonymous articles will not be published. The "Voice” column gains in popularity whenever a controversial matter is being considered usually by a governmental agency, such as the school board, town board, etc. It is sometimes almost amazing what various people read into the same matter and expressing their opinion often sheds a different light on various subjects. In any case, your opinion is welcome through this source and we encourage you to not only read these opinions, but use this way of conveying your ideas and thoughts yourself. All we basically ask is the article be signed by the writer, legible (double space typing preferred but not neccessary), as brief as can be and yet tell your story and not be defamatory or possibly liable to any other person. This column of our newspaper is actually yours . . . yours to use and to enjoy.

"Patron* of John Glean School Corp.” This letter is to inform you of action being taken by your school board which we feel is not in the best interest of the community. As most patrons know, our school board has voted to build a new middle school even though an apparent majority of taxpaying citizens oppose the project. A group representing the opposition has, over the past 18 months, asked a series of questions regarding: 1. The ability of the taxpayers to pay for this project. 2. The escalating budgets. 3. Efficient use of current facilities. 4. Future projects. 5. Use of the abandoned building. 6. Prioritized list of major repairs. 7. Total school tax rates. 8. Cost for replacement of displaced athletic facilities. 9. Redistricting of students. 10. 6-7-8 Middle School vs. 7-8 Junior High. 11. Sharing of some High School /Middle School facilities and staff. 12. Team teaching vs. standard class arrangements. Plus a host of other important issues. This board has refused to answer our questions, and meet with our group to discuss specific issues. It is a fairly well known fact that the "John Glenn Taxpayers for Education," has been opposed to the current proposed project. However, we are not adverse to any and all solutions to the "overcrowding" that this and previous boards has created. We have offered numerous times to meet on or off the record to discuss these critical issues. Our last such offer was for the first week in February, however. we were again denied. The most recent, and in our opinion, most blatant decision this board has made concerns the timing of this project. Option *1 would be to follow the natural course of events, which means that a lease hearing and subsequent remonstrance period

would not occur until AugustSeptember of 1992. By then all details of the project would be factual, including but not limited to, final design and cost estimates. Option #2 involves holding the lease hearing in March or early April before any truly accurate estimate of cost can be determined. This would commit our corporation to the project without adequate information for securing financing. The present board has chosen to promote Option #2. Why? Option #2 would allow the present board to "fast track" this project and force their design on our patrons, before the upcoming school board election. It is evident they are aware that a change in board members would probably stop the current project. Between now and the election, an additional 5125,000 - $150,000 will most likely be spent. By delaying this project until after the election, the board would save these funds from being needlessly spent should this venture be overruled. Temporarily halting the project will not significantly change the construction start date should a new board decide to proceed with the current proposal. We urge you, the school partons, to stand up and let your voices be heard. Stop this board from acting irresponsibly with your hard earned tax dollars. You alone have the influence that this group must respect, your right to voice your opinion publicly, and your right to vote. If you are not registered to vote, do so now. Whether you agree or disagree with this proposition your only true voice is your vote. Don't waste it. TAXPAYERS FOR EDUCATION "Set The Record Straight” Each week 1 look forward with great anticipation to receiving my Walkerton Independent News because I know people use it as an outlet to voice their opinions on issues that are facing the school board each week. 1 have made it very clear that I want to hear your thoughts and will ' take the time necessary for you to communicate your thoughts to me. But at least be willing to listen to my thoughts and reasoning before i you take cheap shots at my 1 character or assume there are ulI tenor motives behind mv actions.

Now, let's set the record straight. I'm not sure where Mr. Dolph (who does not live in the John Glenn School District) got his information. If he is getting it from the court house in each county like he says, then he needs to check a little closer, because I paid a lot more in Polk Township taxes than he is telling everyone. I believe that my personal business should have little to do with whether or not I’m qualified to be a board member. By the w ay, since almost 80% of the money it takes to run the schools everyday comes from the state, maybe we should be comparing income and sales taxes paid every year. Since most farm items are sales tax exempt, and if what Mr. Dolph says about farmers income is true, maybe we should look for people who pay the most total taxes to be our school board members. As my one child would say. "NOT”!!! A special note to the group who call themselves "Taxpayers For Education” or maybe a better title would be “Taxpayers Against A New School Since It's Not Going To Be In North Liberty” with the "People Against Anything That Might Impact Their Taxes." I have told the leaders that I am very interested in their ideas on how we might solve our school over-crowd-ing and middle school facilities deficiency without building a new school. You say you have away to do this but only want to bring these ideas forward at the tax hearing. Well, now you will have your chance. The recent moves the school board took have given you the opportunity to do this before we spend $400,000 of the taxpayers money on an idea that yon say is a waste of money. I challenge you to bring these ideas forward for all to review and investigate as we have ours. If you are afraid that building a new school will cause your property taxes to skyrocket, you are not alone. Ail of us are concerned about the impact this school will have on our taxes. So, I encourage everyone to attend the March 3, 1992. meeting at the John Glenn High School. David W. Hostetler "Something New In Town” If you like tropical fish, there's a new place in town to buy them and all the extra's. Fred and Mary Newland have turned a hobby into a business, out on Adams Street. 1 sure don't know much about tropical fish or fish aquariums, but Fred and Mary do! Go on out and check them out, just be careful at the railroad tracks. Ron and Sally Fox are really going to town on The Brass Lion Shop for Women. Everytime I sneak in for a look, it's different. Last Wednesday, Jon Smith, Roy and 1 went to Indianapolis for Fifth District Day. We enjoyed a nice luncheon and listened to many speakers, including Senator Bill Alexa, Senator Betty Lawson, Rep. Gary Cook, and a lot of people that I didn't know, but Ido now. We wandered through the Capitol Building watching sessions of both the House and Senate. There were a large number of people visiting that day. There were two hundred Pages on duty. I really had a great people watching day! If you have the opportunity to take this trip, do it! Last night (Monday), 1 attended the Walkerton Town Board meeting. It is always an interesting experience for me. You people in Walkerton should visit your town meetings. The panel is always interested in your input. They need to know your feelings to better govern the Town. 1, also think that the board should have their minutes published as soon as possible in the local newspaper. This is the droopy month of February’ and 1 am always looking for ways to brighten up the gloomy days. On Monday 1 also went to the Walkerton Sale Barn, 1 think everyone in the area and out were there. We are looking for a young (

bull. 1 found tulips in bloom, and of course I bought them. Today they are opening more and more. To get a better deal, 1 had to buy at least one white one to go along with my purple one. No, we didn't get the bull. Roy and 1 ran into Shawn Bridwell, one of Roy’s Boy Scouts, who had read my letter on the Blue and Gold dinner. He is interested in becoming active in Boy Scouts as an adult leader. So if any of you leaders are interested, grab him! On March 21, the 1.0.0. F. is planning a good food time. There will be ham and beans and lots of good eating. Keep that date open. Sincerly, Nedra Williams “Tyson Trial” The editorial pertaining to the Mike Tyson rape trial that appeared in the February 13th edition of The Independent-News portrayed a very biased, chauvinistic, and basically uninformed judgment of Tyson's victim, Desiree Washington. The editorial insinuated that Washington brought the rape upon herself through her actions, actions that were in "bad taste,” according to The Independent-News. Obviously, Washington did not use good judgment when she went to Tyson’s hotel room. A rape, however, is still a crime and is punishable by law. For once, the legal system worked when it convicted Tyson, yet The IndependentNews seems to hold the view that the crime is somehow deserving of the victim. Nobody deserves to be raped — no matter what the circumstances! Rape is an act of violence of rage. It is a crime that carries with it a terrible psychological aftermath for its victim. It is time that the public and, especially, the media recognize the fact that most rapes are acquaintance rapes: acts of violence committed by someone the victim knows. Acquaintance rapes are not committed in dark alleys by unknown assailants; they occur most often when the victim is in a compromising position, vulnerable to someone he or she knows. Putting oneself in a compromising position, however, is still not deserving of rape. It is true that Washington is not a heroine. She is simply a young woman who made a terrible mistake that will affect her for the rest of her life. Her behavior should not be emulated by others, but by making her rape public, she has educated millions of other young women who may now think twice about putting themselves in such a position. Rapists are violent criminals who need to be stopped. Education is the way to combat rape. Education cannot occur, however, when the media still uses outdated analogies such as, "What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” To use the editor’s own phraseology, it seems like the point of the editorial was, to say the least, in very bad taste and judgment. Sincerely, Jennifer Rush “ Willingness To Serve” in response to Mr. Dolph’s letter in the February 13th IndependentNews — are we to understand from his letter that, in his opinion, only people who pay a large amount in property taxes should be allowed to run for election to the school board. Is money the only barometer of a person's worthiness to seek public office? What about integrity and a willingness to serve the public. From what I’ve seen over the last few years, being on the John Glenn School Corp. School Board is a pretty thankless job. These people asked for our votes because they had a desire to work to help our children get the quality education they deserve. They are to be commended, not condemmed and continually belittled. As one of the parents of three of those "kids" Mr Dolph refers to, we pay taxes too! Granted, we don't pay as much for our 2'/i acres

as a farmer does with a farm, but we didn't choose to live on a farm or own farmland. No one likes to see our farmers having such a terrible time of things. We all wish our economic climate was better and that our farmers got what they truly deserve for all their hard work. Our school board members are trying to do their job within the existing system. Mr. Dolph seems to be dissatisfied with that funding system. Perhaps he should run for Congress, so he could affect a change from the inside. My husband and I chose to live in this area shortly after our oldest son started school. We have never regretted making that move. No school system is without problems. We, along with many other parents, choose to concentrate our efforts in a positive way, doing what we can to help our teachers and administrators provide all of our children with the best opportunity for a quality education that we can provide. Any investment, whether it be financial or otherwise, is worth the effort. Any investment in our children’s education is an investment in our future. Sincerely, Lynn M. Schmidt ‘‘Pay Their Fair Share” To the school board: Why should a senior citizen and a major taxpayer be obligated to pay taxes on these schools. It's taxation without representation. The folks that have big families should be obligated to pay their fair share of taxes. If they don't care to pay. they should dry up and blow away. 1 know of one family that has five children. Take that times $2,900.00 and you have $14,500.00. and they’re paying $1,450.00 per year. Talk about better education I think they should go back to school and take a course in arithmetic. We the taxpayers are a victim of circumstance. This school situation is another 1928-1929 deal. It's build bigger and better schools, out do other schools in building and say when they are done, "see what we have done”. We as taxpayers are left with the burden to carry the load of paying the taxes. If you freeloaders pay your fair share of taxes, the rest of the taxpayers would shoulder their responsibility. Come on get with it. Remember you should have thought of the taxes and responsibility when you are havng these kids. It’s not their fault they're here, it’s yours. You just blacked out. Ed Dolph A Polk Tow nship Taxpayer DIVISION OF FISH A WILDLIFE HIRES NEW BIOLOGISTS The DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife welcomes three new biologists into its ranks. Rick Ward is the new district biologist for District 1 in northwestern Indiana. District 1 covers Lake, Porter, St. Joseph, Starke, Marshall and Elkhart counties. Ward replaces former district wildlife biologist David Whittlesey. As district biologist. Ward works with landowners to manage fish and wildlife on private property. He is stationed at Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area in LaPorte. Ward is the former assistant property manager at Jasper-Pula-ski Fish and Wildlife Area and has worked for the Division of Fish and Wildlife since he was graduated from Ball State University in 1979. He also has worked as a laborer and assistant property manager at Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area in Huma. Ward, his wife Kathy and two daughters live in Knox. Ward's district office address is Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area. 5344 S. Huff Rd., LaPorte, IN 46350 and the phone number is 219-393-9324. Always keep cultured buttermilk chilled. If ft becomes warm, ft may separate If ft does—stir ft