Published: August 19, 2008 10:29 pm            

Letters to the editor - Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008

Dispatch should staff Saturday

Once again, it is time for me to vent. This time about the Howard Senior Bus, aka The Spirit of Kokomo. Allow me to preface by stating that its driver staff is second to none. Their professionalism and dedication to safety should serve as the model for all transit drivers. My comments relate to the dispatch system.

What is wrong with the dispatch system? Most likely nothing, however, from what I keep hearing, they might have a problem with their computer system when pickup orders get lost between their phones and their drivers. It has happened to me more than once. So until the glitches are worked out, there will always be a problem.

There is, however, another problem. The bus system operates Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., except on certain designated holidays. Transportation is booked by telephone request at least 24 hours prior, no later than 2 p.m. However, it is a system that is flawed.

During the week, it is possible to check on a late or missed pickup, or to cancel a pickup by phoning the dispatcher. Saturday, however, is a steed of a different hue. On Saturday, there is no one on hand to cover the phone. No one to receive cancellations, no one to receive queries regarding missed pickups. I write from bitter experience.

Is there a solution to the problem? Perhaps. One person, paid or volunteer, who would be present, solely for the purpose of covering the phone could relay such information to the Saturday drivers.

Kenneth Crockett

Kokomo

People’s freedom worth preserving

In response to my published letter contrasting Democratic and Hoosier values, I received an anonymous response. I take it that the point being attempted is that Republicans do not represent Hoosier values. The closing sentence reads, “I find it amazing that the Republican Party claims to care so much about abortion, but doesn’t give a [expletive] about us killing thousands of children and babies in Iraq.”

Even though this is a complete non sequitur, I have given some thought to the Republicans’ historical involvement in wars resulting in the suffering and death of thousands. Around 1861, a Republican administration refused to refrain from military intervention and incursion into a largely Democratic South that insisted upon wrecking the Union and keeping a people in slavery. During the course of the conflict, thousands of babies, children, women and other non-combatants suffered and died. Such atrocity for the sake of maintaining a secure Union and freeing from bondage a people who should never have been in bondage! Yes, my anonymous author is certainly correct that for the sake of national security and the preservation and expansion of freedom into areas trapped in bondage by tyranny, Republicans place at risk “children and babies.”

If you believe that freedom from bondage is worth preserving, then think logically and vote accordingly.

Charles A. Layne

Bunker Hill

Prayer for jobless Delphi workers

Dear God,

The prophet Jeremiah prayed to you and said, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” Sometimes, Father, we forget that. We forget that you have a plan for our lives – and the lives of our families and friends.

Lord, you created us with the need to be responsible, to work, to provide for ourselves and others. You have closed the door where I now work, and I am unhappy about that. I felt secure and was pleased with my job. But it is gone. And I feel left in the lurch.

But you, O God, know my thoughts. You know the anxious thoughts of my family. And I know that I am not alone. Children, grandchildren, husbands, wives – so many are affected by these circumstances which are out of my control.

So I trust you, Lord, even though I do not understand. I rest in your will, knowing that you have my best interest at heart. Help me to draw near to you at this time – to know you better than I ever have.

Dear God, please give me wisdom as to the next step. What should I do? Where should I apply? What parameters should I set? Lord, please open up a new door of opportunity for me soon. And I pray the same for my colleagues.

Thank you for helping me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Ed Vasicek

Kokomo

        

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