Published: November 29, 2007 12:17 am            

Letters to the editor - Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007

Voter OK for capital projects a good idea

This is in response to the article (Tribune, Nov. 5) concerning Governor Daniels’ proposal to require voter approval for local government and school construction projects.

God forbid that the ones paying the salaries of these school officials would be asked for their input for major construction projects!

And the very idea that the education officials would have the audacity to say some voters think only of their own pocketbooks! What class! Huh?

They forget if it wasn’t for our pocketbooks, they wouldn’t have a job!

We have been placing our money into a failing, defective system for years. It’s about time we have a say!

The school officials like the remonstrance process because they know that most taxpayers that oppose their never-ending projects don’t have the resources to hire a lawyer to fight their bureaucracy.

Explain to me why every grade school has to have candy and magazine sales so they can have the supplies that are supposed to be provided by the tax dollars that we pay to the educational system? Where is the 40 percent to 60 percent of our taxes going? “Something in Denmark stinks!”

And as long as we taxpayers keep footing the bill, without question or input, it will continue to escalate.

Jean Grant, Kokomo

Don’t be deceived by ‘Golden Compass’

I am a Christian mother and grandmother, and I want to encourage parents to stay away from the movie, “The Golden Compass.”

I really enjoy going to the movies, and I take my grandchildren also. This is not a movie that anyone should see, especially children.

The movie is adapted from the books, whose author has an atheistic agenda. I am praying that this movie will be a flop, and they will not make the two other movies from his books. But I also am praying for the author and the movie makers and stars of the movie. They are just being used and deceived.

Nicole Kidman is Catholic and said she wouldn’t be in a movie that was anti-God. We do need to pray for her and all of them, because some of them are just thinking of this as a fantasy movie. They are very wrong about that. It is not like “Narnia” or even “The Lord of the Rings.”

The director said he didn’t like those two movies. Yet he directed a movie like this.

Go to pluggedin.com and type in “The Golden Compass.” You will be shocked at what the author says in his books, which now are going to be movies.

Our children are worth protecting. They are going to be the leaders of this world someday. So what do we want them to have in their hearts, the love of God or believing a lie?

They depend on us to keep them from harm, and that means in every way. This movie is targeted for children, and it will deceive them with out our help.

As adults, we have to be the ones to stand up for what we know will harm them, and keep it out of their lives. So we have to be aware and not be deceived ourselves.

Remember to pray for Hollywood. God loves them as much as he does us.

Joey Wiebusch, Greentown

Firefighter drops suit against city

In December 2005, I filed a civil lawsuit against several members of Mayor Matt McKillip’s administration in which I felt I was wrongfully demoted. After careful consideration and discussion with family and friends, I have decided to withdraw my lawsuit in regards to this matter.

The majority of the people named in this lawsuit will no longer be employed by the City of Kokomo after Jan. 1, 2008. Mayor-elect Goodnight, the newly elected council and the citizens of Kokomo do not need to be burdened with the outgoing administration’s actions.

In closing, I would like to thank my family, friends and all others who supported me through this ordeal. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Kokomo Firefighters Local 396 for their continued support, and the objective and factual reporting by the Kokomo Perspective and the Kokomo Tribune throughout this time.

Scott Kern, Kokomo firefighter

Steel Parts must keep its promise

This letter is to let Steel Parts Corp. know we haven’t forgotten their promise to the retired people.

Last year, around this time, Steel Parts Corp. was sold, and they held a meeting and the retired people were told that they would keep their insurance and pension.

It was all made possible at the expense of the employees still working. They agreed to give up one dollar an hour, plus pay more for their insurance as well as give up some holiday and vacation pay. They agreed to this because they have family and friends who have retired from Steel Parts.

I personally talked with Mark Lee, president of the United Steelworkers Union, and he informed me that the money was in a trust fund and would be available soon, at a maximum of three months.

My husband has called Mr. Lee three times and left messages to call back. He has never returned one call ... out of sight, out of mind.

I remember the Tipton and Kokomo papers writing how other companies could learn from Steel Parts, on negotiation and how to take care of their retirees. I think someone should be investigating why Steel Parts had not kept their word.

The retired people gave Steel Parts their life of thirty or more years, and this is the thanks they get? Shame on Steel Parts.

Judy Parker, Tipton

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.