The Independent-News, Volume 121, Number 5, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 15 June 1995 — Page 4

4

- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - JUNE 15, 1995

[ editorial

A GREEDY SOCIETY? Over the years, as progress is made in many ways, our society has also grown in another form . . . greed. Not all people are greedy, but certainly the greed of many has proven to force a change in a lot of ways we live and think. Webster defines greed as “Excessive desire for food or wealth”. We are more concerned about the latter, the wealth. Whether one wants to admit it or not, greed does enter many lives. Look at the way gambling has taken off . . . that desire for the “easy” money and life. Also, just pick up a newspaper anytime and you can read about ridiculous law suits where people and their attorneys are asking for unrealistic sums of money often for unreasonable reasons. And the bad part is, too often they get it. We are not begrudging anyone something truly earned or compensation for injuries, accident expenses, etc., but many of these ridiculous cases, such as the McDonald’s case where a lady spilled hot coffee on herself and was originally awarded between two and three million dollars, forces all of us to pay much higher insurance costs than we like and often can afford. The insurance and liability a person now has to carry to avoid being a victim of one of these cases, is tremendous. If you think this doesn’t affect you, remember the next time you pay about any bill for services or even many products, there is a liability charge hidden within the costs. This is especially true in medical expenses as well as about any service a person can purchase. Liability was one of the key reasons there was some question about the Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department and the setting off of fireworks for the 4th of July clebration. They did not flatly refuse ... in fact if other plans could not have been made, they were planning on doing it. But last year these firemen even had to “sign off” to have the supplier of the fireworks covered by insurance. And there is danger in any such act, especially when explosives are involved. We are glad to see it has all been taken care of as professionals will set off the fireworks display this year and we will continue to have our brilliant display to mark our Country’s birthday. The greed of some people affect us all . . . and affect us in ways we might not even think of . . . until we see and hear time and time again of these stories that vividly point out that we are in the midst of a lot of greedy people and our society reflects it in many ways.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE I

“Ln Response To A Concerned And Disappointed Citizen” Enough is enough! I for one am very upset with the way you speak of the men of the Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department. From the moment the call goes out that the men are needed, whether it is a major fire, trash fire or false alarm, these men put their lives on the line the moment they leave their home, work place or wherever they are at the time of the call. Never thinking “I can’t respond to the call for I might get hot, tired or dirty”, their concern is the fire and hoping no one is trapped or has perished. With three family members of mine on the Department, I say a special thank you everytime they arrive home safe after a call. For the past 26 years, 1 have set and watched these men shoot off the fireworks on the 4th of July. Also saying a special thank you at the end of the evening that my husband, son, son-in-law and all the other men were not burned by stray sparks or injured in any way while lighting the show. Being a volunteer fire department is just that, “volunteer”. No matter what generations they are from makes no difference, they are firemen and are there when needed. They stop what they are doing, leave their families behind and go to help someone in desperate need. I hope you never have to experience the tragedy of fire at your home or need the department for an emergency. You would really be surprised at the response you get from the great men of this community in your time of need. How dare you ask the people if these are the individuals they want to respond and depend on when a

home and lives are at stake. Don’t criticize them until you have walked in their ‘fire boots’. A fireman’s wife, mother and mother-in-law and proud of it. Margo Brems ’’Get More Facta” After reading trhe Voice of the People signed “A Concerned And Disappointed Citizen”, I was very offended. The person who wrote this letter is obviously not all that concerned or they would have gotten the facts before writing such a degrading letter. Whomever wrote this letter has no concept of the amount of time the Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department graciously gives this town. If this person had ever seen our fire department in action, they would never have posed a question as insulting as “does this sound like the type of individuals our community wants to depend on when our homes and our lives are at stake?” I can’t think of another fire department I would rather depend on. The men of this department give all they’ve got and somehow find a way to give more whenever they are called upon — day or night. The Concerned Citizen made our firemen sound like lazy, selfish people for wanting to spend the holiday with their families. Maybe if this person would have stopped their letter before criticizing our department, and if other citizens would show the fire department some appreciation and thanks for all their hard work each and every Fourth of July, our firemen would feel differently about the whole situation. I think the hard work of the firemen is taken for granted year after year by this community. I have sat watching the fireworks for more than five years without my husband as he helps set them off

every year. Each time a firework explodes close to the ground, the crowd laughs and cheers while the loved ones of the firemen listen in fear to a pager waiting for someone to let them know no one had been seriously hurt. The occasional pauses in the firework show brings shouts of disapproval from the crowd while the loved ones wait again hoping that the delay is not the result of an injury. This concerned citizen refers to the young men of their own generation not wanting to have a fireworks display. Instead of complaining, why not join the department to “step up and take responsibility to accept the role that has been passed down to them” and help set off the fireworks themself. The firemen of this town do a lot for this community and they don’t get much glory, but pay the price in time, sweat, and yes, sometimes blood. There may be some firemen who don’t want to be involved in the work of lighting off the fireworks, but the person who wrote this letter should not group all the firemen together in such a critical manner. It’s too bad the pride, honor and prestige of being a fireman is only recognized by a few citizens of this community, and I am proud to be one of them. In the words of our Concerned Citizen, “Hats off to these men!” Julie M. Brems “To Concerned And Disappointed Yes, There Will Be Fireworks” Once again someone has formed an opinion without knowing what they are talking about. The only thing we see they have correct is our name. That being the ‘Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department’. Let’s break that name down to what it means. Walkerton — This seems to be the only part we agree on. Volunteer — We believe this to mean that our members will help when they can. We stress to all persons when they join our department that their family comes first, their job comes next and then we expect them to serve the Fire Department. However, there has been many times members have put the department ahead of the other two. Fire — We know of no firefighter that has joined any department where part of their duties would be setting off fireworks, or, for that matter any other kind of community involvement, other than fire prevention and fire safety. That doesn’t mean that we don’t get involved in community projects, we do, and in many different forms. Department — This is the biggest disagreement we have. We believe this to mean one group, a single unit or however you want to write it. We do not have a group of old members and a group of young members. We are a united group of people who spend a large portion of our free time and some not so free time to help the Town of Walkerton, the surrounding area and all the people in it. Not only in fire supression but in many other areas. Also, at our business meetings when something like the fireworks is on the floor and there is a decision to be made, it is put to a vote and all (young and old) vote on it. Whatever the outcome of that vote, it is a department decision and we all live with it. The reasons we decided not to set off the fireworks and to have the selling company do it were several. The main reasons were liability and safety. But not one of the reasons had anything to do with the work involved or us getting dirty. Also, we left an opening, that had it come to not having fireworks this year because of the lighting of them, we were prepared to light them. But we knew this would not be a problem and worked with the person in charge of the purchase of them so that it wouldn’t be a problem and it wasn’t. The Town of Walkerton and Lincoln Township have one of the finest fire departments in the area. We wish we knew who you are, but

MEMORIES .... I FROM OUR FILES |

1985 NORTH LIBERTY YOUTH BEGIN NEW PROJECT — North Liberty young people have begun a project called “Hire A Kid — Save A Life” to help starving people in Ethiopis. The boys and girls will mow lawns, babysit, clean, wash cars, type, just about everything a young person can do. Half of the money will go to Ethiopia and the other since you didn’t have the nerve to sign your letter we don’t. If we knew, we would be glad to send someone to pick you up each time we have a dispatched call, work detail or training meeting. Then you could see first hand what the Town has to be proud of. Os course we have no way of controlling the time of our dispatched calls so we may have to wake you at some late hour of the night, and you may miss 1, 2 or more hours of sleep. Sometimes you may get home just in time to shower and go to work, a little tired. We believe you may just change you mind on how much work we do, especially the young members. But as before, we don’t do the job in age groups, we do it as a team. Feel free to contact any fire officer or member should you want more information on the Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department. Larry Dill, Chief John McGorvern, Asst. Chief Tod Brems, Asst. Chief Gene Brems, Capt. Jeff Hamilton, Capt. Jeff Baker, Lt. Brian Morris, Lt. “Fireworks” That’s what I saw, when 1 read the letter in the paper last week telling me that the firemen would not set off the great show on the Fourth of July. Immediately I called a member of the Friends of the Fourth. Jean Cole, a member of this hard working group, readily calmed my fears, by telling me that fireworks are definately in this year. Also that the firemen did not refuse to ignite them. For over 50 years the fireworks have been a community effort, including the Park Board, who have always set us the display. The letter writer seemed to want to cast doubts about the local fire department. Walkerton has much to be proud about its fire and street departments. I better brag about its police and sewer departments too. Walkerton has a lot to be proud and thankful for in the services that are provided for its residents. I know that we, who live in the area surrounding the town and have Walkerton electric service are very happy with the service that we receive. Be thankful Walkerton residents for all your perks that we in the rural areas do not have. Sincerely, Nedra Williams Choose Your Own Adventure At N. L. Library Readers in the 6th grade and up can participate in a reading program this summer and maybe win an adventure of their choice! For every 100 pages read you can fill out a “chance” ticket for an adventure. Ten different adventures are available including spending a day with a U 93 disc jockey, a free limo ride, a day with a zoo keeper, and free Silverhawk tickets. Stop by the Library to sign up! The smallest of all birds is the bee hummingbird, which is only two inches long.

half to the kid performing the job. Prospective employers should contact the group coordinator, Ms. Übon Patrick. She is matching up jobs with people who can perform them. The rate of pay is decided upon by the employer. The kids decided to help after seeing the vidoe tape of a “20/20” program about what the children of New York City did to help the starving children in Ethiopia. It should be understood, that the North Liberty program is not a school project and no school insurance is available. MISS FIRECRACKER AND MR. SPARKY CONTESTANTS — Featured this week are Jimmy Lowe, Bobby Denhart, Jason Skinner, Shayne Stratton, Susan Preston and Jayson Tompkins. 1970 THESPIAN SOCIETY TO PRESENT PLAY TWO EVENINGS - The John Glenn Thespian Society presents its third production for this year. The title of this new, hilarious comedy is “Don’t Drink The Water”, written by Woody Allen. This play takes place behind the iron curtain in an American Embassy. Starring in the play as the American tourists are Danny Stasko, Tonya Erickson and Lynn Stasko. Kevin Hanni plays the part of the ambassador’s son and Ron Johnson appears as the head of the Communist police. Also appearing are Garry Laßere, Tim Johnson, Don Hendricks, Jim Lute, Rick Pfeiffer, Jeff Marquardt, Jim Hartsough, Vicki Taylor and Sue Morris. NORTH LIBERTY TO GRADUATE 91 WEDNESDAY — Baccaulaureate services for the graduating class of 1970 from North Liberty High School will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the North Liberty High School auditorium. Commencement exercises will be held on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the North Liberty High School auditorium. FROM DAVE & RAY’S — T-Bone or Sirloin Steak, lb. $1.29; Porterhouse Steak, lb. $1.39; Canned Ham, 5 lb. can $4.69; Bonnie Bread 5 lb. Ivs. 89c; Cottage Cheese, lb. 29c; Florida sweet corn, 5 for 49c; Banquet dinners, each 39c; Folgers Instant Coffee, 10 oz. jar $1.19 with coupon. 1945 PLAYING AT THE RIALTO - June 10-11, “The Thin Man Goes Home”, with William Powell and Myrna Loy. Also news and novelty; June 12, double feature, Edward G. Robinson in “Mr. Winkle Goes To War” and “Dancing In Manhattan”, June 13-14, Walt Disney’s “Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs’ ’ • FROM LAFEBER & SON — Gold Medal Flour, 25 lb. bag $1.19; Northern Toilet Tissue, 5 rolls 23c; Fresh vegetables; Head Lettuce, 2 large heads 25c; Large Cucumbers, each 15c; Cauliflower, large head, 38c; Green Cabbage, 2 lbs. 15c; Leaf Lettuce, lb. 24c; Red Ripe Tomatoes, lb. 22c; Large Mangoes, 2 for 15c; Radishes, 2 bunches 15c. Toppy Catsup, 2 14-oz. bottles 29c; Simon’s Instant Coffee, 4 oz. glass 67c; Simon’s Peanut Butter, large 2 lb. glass 37c; Sunkist Sweet Oranges, doz. 33c. FROM MAIN STREET GOSSIP — A friend (name omitted) offered some addition to these wife-kissing problems. He told me his wife said he hadn’t any business kissing any woman but her, and he agreed. However, he said he felt there was a lot of difference between business and pleasure! Just one more observation on kissing and then we’ll leave it for fear someone gets the wrong impression and that is, when we see two women kissing we always think of two prizefighters shaking hands before the fight starts!