On Wednesday – Nov. 11 – America will honor its military veterans, past and present. The tradition started in 1919.
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 a day of “solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory” in World War I.
Thanks for your support
Army Pfc. Christopher J. Wright sends this Cheer from Iraq:
THE ISSUE
Chrysler’s five-year business plan.
OUR VIEW
A new transmission line could be in Kokomo’s future.
THE ISSUE
Displaying the American flag.
OUR VIEW
Do so with dignity and respect.
In spite of an overwhelming endorsement from medical experts, some folks continue to be skeptical about the flu vaccine.
THE ISSUE: Saturday’s marching band state finals
OUR VIEW: Western, Lewis Cass and Eastern deserve every accolade.
Even when she isn’t feeling the best due to her own problems, 12-year-old Kori Brown keeps planning, raising funds and working for others, especially those stricken with cancer.
Thanks for supporting Haven
Robert Croll, president of the Friends of Howard Haven, sends this Cheer:
Here’s another reminder that trick-or-treaters will be out in force Saturday night, so be careful out there.
Unfortunately, Logansport got a real-life reminder of the danger that goes along with the fun when two children ran in front of a pickup truck on the first night of trick-or-treating there two years ago. One of the youngsters wound up in a Fort Wayne hospital, and what had been an evening of fun turned into a nightmare for one family.
THE ISSUE
Wednesday’s announcement that Zuna Infotech has selected Kokomo as its headquarters.
OUR VIEW
We encourage company officials to spread the word that Kokomo is a fine place to do business.
Gov. Mitch Daniels will be remembered for his eagerness to try new things. From the lease of the Indiana Toll Road to the privatization of the welfare system, he has always looked for new approaches to the administration of state government.
Last month, we told you about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “FluView” – its weekly findings of influenza indicators across the U.S.
The Cowan-Brown family today continues its all-expenses-paid vacation at Disneyland, as skilled workers, community volunteers and the crew of TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” labor to complete a new home for the Bunker Hill residents.
Caught in act of kindness
Andrea Robertson of Russiaville sends this Cheer:
“Cheers to the sweet, older gentleman who quietly paid for breakfast at IHOP for my two little sons and I. He told his waitress that too often a ‘good mother’ goes unnoticed, but HE noticed. I am very humbled. It made my day, and it wasn’t lost on me.
Kokomo Gas & Fuel sent us an encouraging e-mail. The utility, serving 36,000 natural gas customers in a six-county area, expects home-heating bills to decrease more than 20 percent this winter.
This is National Teen Driver Safety Week, and the message is simple: Talking to your teen about safe driving can make a difference.
THE ISSUE: Braxton Shelton’s magical football season.
OUR VIEW: Tailback is a better person than a football player.
President must get priorities in order
President Obama, where are your priorities? You have trashed us to other nations. You spent nearly a million dollars flying to Denmark to try to obtain Chicago for the 2016 Olympics, and what a defeat you were handed! The U.S. was eliminated in the first round!
Throughout 2009, bad news regarding the economy has bombarded America.
Joanne Main of Kokomo sends this Cheer:
“Our family and 4-year-old grandson would like to say thank you very much to everyone who put an effort into finding our sheltie named Harley. We would like you all to know that he was returned to us on Oct. 10.
Dog’s return cheers family
Joanne Main of Kokomo sends this Cheer:
“Our family and 4-year-old grandson would like to say thank you very much to everyone who put an effort into finding our sheltie named Harley. We would like you all to know that he was returned to us on Oct. 10.
Players, coaches and fans got a scare recently when a Marion football player suffered a head injury during a game against Logansport.
President Barack Obama sounded just the right tone last week in reacting to news that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Indiana State Police have issued a reminder to motorists to keep an eye out for farm machinery.
KHS blood drive wins challenge
Suzy Wells of Kokomo-Center Schools sends this Cheer:
“I am so proud of the overwhelming support we received for Kokomo High School’s Indianapolis Colts Invitational Blood Drive Challenge. When we began organizing the event, we never imagined we would gain so much support.
Like many expectant parents, Hannah Harrell’s mother and father likely prayed for their baby’s health.
On Oct. 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire broke out, killing more than 250 people and leaving 100,000 homeless.
Newspapers can be forgiven for borrowing a line from Mark Twain: The report of our death has been greatly exaggerated.
A first public hearing on the City of Kokomo’s West Side Annexation plan could happen some time in November – a year and a half after Mayor Greg Goodnight proposed adding approximately 14,000 people and 14.2 square miles to the city.
Rae Ann Panther of Peru sends this Cheer:
“With a grateful heart and fond memories,
With the recent beating of a Greentown resident in her own home, I feel the need to let others know why and how to protect yourself and family whenever needed.
One year and two weeks ago, Taylor Johnson was slowing her vehicle for the four-way stop at Markland and Park avenues – and lost consciousness.
THE ISSUE: Flu season.
OUR VIEW: By using common sense, we’ll get through it with the least amount of pain possible.
Sunday, we broke the news that Tipton County is courting a solar-panel maker to take over the vacant Getrag Transmission Manufacturing plant at U.S. 31 and Ind. 28.
Attention, motorists: Harvest is about to begin in earnest, and the activities of farmers will force deer into other areas.
We know, it’s just September. Corn and beans remain in the fields, and many gardeners still are picking ripe tomatoes each day.
Eatery offers aid
Ike Tharp of Kokomo sends this Cheer for Richard’s Restaurant:
“I am writing to the tell the folks what a great establishment the Richard’s Restaurant is.
Two years ago, folks gathered in Greentown on a September Sunday to remember civilians, servicemen and servicewomen who had died since Sept. 11, 2001. Just 4 miles south, on Ind. 26, veterans of the Vietnam War were setting up camp at Veterans Park.
Early this month, Grand-Am Road Racing drivers and officials participated in a sanctioned test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
To hear Indiana’s top education official tell it, area school corporations have a lot of work to do to improve their students’ performance on ISTEP.
Hayes Brothers donates $1,334
Kelly Karickhoff, executive director of the Howard County Historical Society, sends this Cheer:
THE ISSUE
BMV’s facial recognition software.
OUR VIEW
This new process will make things more difficult for people trying to live in Indiana under assumed names.
THE ISSUE
The delayed bridge project near the Logansport State Hospital on Ind. 25.
OUR VIEW
Give yourself time to navigate construction.
YOU CAN HELP
For just $11 per month, you can sponsor a child in the “buddy bags” project. It provides school children with food each weekend. To get involved, contact Deanna Ancil of Project EAT at (765) 434-5057 or log on to kokomourbanoutreach.org.
Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is right. It’s time to shake up the way this state draws its congressional and legislative districts.
Last week marked the eighth anniversary of the terror attacks that changed forever the way the United States views the rest of the world.
This Cheer comes from the family of Douglas Hogan Jr.:
THE ISSUE: A new way of evaluating schools.
OUR VIEW: Such an approach will be good for schools and students.
THE ISSUE
Hoosier Heartland highway through Carroll County.
OUR VIEW
Two interchanges could provide safety and economic benefits.
Somehow, politics got involved in President Barack Obama’s plan to deliver a speech to America’s students on Tuesday.
Critics apparently feared that Obama planned to use his speech as a bully pulpit.
Bravo to Indiana University for coming up with a new program to reward students for good grades.
Dwight King of Kokomo sends this Cheer for Bona Vista:
Summer recess is almost over and Congress will return next week to Washington, D.C.
THE ISSUE: The economy.
OUR VIEW: There are signs that the worst is behind us.
Contributors and readers of our online community forum, Trib Talk, will notice it has been removed from our Web site, kokomotribune.com.
Supplies drive helps thousands of students
Esther Tressler, UAW Local 292 retiree, sends in this Cheer for School S.U.P.P.L.I.E.S and Shoe Distribution:
“The 13th year for the School S.U.P.P.L.I.E.S Program distribution held July 27 to 30 at UAW Local 685 presented 1253 children from 501 families with school supplies and backpacks. By the end of the week, 867 pairs of shoes had also been distributed.
Library needs to look at services
Okay I have a real problem with the Public Library. I do not understand how they have the money for a new library.
County governments, municipalities and school corporations across the state currently are cobbling together fiscal plans for 2010. And they’re in the grip of a powerful vise.
Congratulations to Friends of the Panhandle Pathway on their progress toward completing the first phase of a 21-mile trail.
On the day of the 2007 Campaign Celebration for the United Way of Howard County, agency president Lori Tate went to work knowing pledges were short $40,000 of a $2 million goal.
With Southeastern Schools starting Monday, every school corporation in the area will be in session, meaning it’s especially important for motorists to think about safe driving as children travel to and from school.
Robert L. Moloch of Kokomo sends this Cheer:
“I would like to give credit where credit is due to a local business.
THE ISSUE
Renovations at two area school districts.
Our view
Projects will improve learning environments.
THE ISSUE
The health-care debate’s “public option.”
OUR VIEW
Let your congressman or senators know your opinion.
By now, Howard County residents – particularly those who live east of Kokomo – know work has begun on the “bypass to the bypass.”
Cass County representatives got good news last week in a meeting to discuss progress on the final segment of the Hoosier Heartland.
It’s understandable if some who attended last week’s town hall meeting with U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly expected a donnybrook instead of debate. In the lead-up to the event, Internet sites and cable news channels had broadcast screamfests from similar meetings across the country.
A police officer stopped a night driver with an inoperative headlight. After the officer began chatting over the rolled-down window, he noticed a collection of knives in the back seat.
Michal Dawson of Kokomo sends this Cheer for Edgewood Place:
“Recently, I had the privilege of visiting and touring Edgewood Place, which is located on Center Road in Kokomo.
The current recession has hit everyone in numerous ways, and none of them for the better.
We’ve seen some of the nation’s largest banks, insurance companies and manufacturers bailed out by the federal government.
There are lots of scary reports circulating about what health-care reform will do. Perhaps the scariest is that the Obama administration’s plan will put the government in the business of euthanasia.
Last week’s meeting of the Galveston Town Council brought more positive signs that officials and residents will work together to address the issues facing the community.
In the Chicago area, we generally referred to carbonated soft drinks as “soda.” We might say “soda-pop” or “pop.” But we would never call an orange soda-pop a “coke,” as one might in central Indiana. “Coke” might refer to an off brand of cola, but it meant some kind of cola – usually “The Real Thing,” Coke itself. A Pepsi meant a Pepsi, an RC an RC, etc.
Karl Berron, CEO of the Indiana Association of Realtors, sent in this Cheer for Kokomo:
It’s good to see the U.S. Senate moving forward with a measure that would add $2 billion to the so-called “Cash for Clunkers” program.
The issue: Crime prevention and self-defense
Our view: Safety starts with paying attention to your surroudings
Have you wondered how you, as a parent, can improve your child’s vocabulary? What about helping your child improve academically?
‘What a joyful bunch’
Judith Ligon of Kokomo sends this Cheer:
“I wish to give a special cheers to Rebecca Gillum of Samaritan Caregivers for her effort to find someone to cut my monster hedge. Not only did she find someone, she found many someones ... many volunteers from the Redeemer Lutheran Church who came as part of their annual Mission Possible project. They cut the monster hedge, painted the house and garage, raked, pulled weeds and planted a perennial garden, etc., etc.
The greatest natural wonders on Earth are coming into focus.
THE ISSUE: Race relation.
OUR VIEW: The president has given us a recipe for improved race relations: Treat people as we would want to be treated.
Thanks to Governor Daniels and the Indiana Legislature, we finally have a workable property tax law.
THE ISSUE: Emergency loans to county taxing units.
OUR VIEW: State officials must waive the interest.
NASCAR commonly refers to its fairly new racer as the Car of Tomorrow – COT, for short.
The acronym seemed appropriate after the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. The tens of thousands of fans who attended that race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway could’ve used cots.
THE ISSUE
The local economy.
OUR VIEW
Spend $20 in the town on Aug. 20.
Sue Comerford of American Legion Post 6 sends this Cheer:
Looking back on what happened 40 years ago this week, it still seems like an amazing accomplishment.
It truly was, as astronaut Neil Armstrong put it, “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
THE ISSUE: Kokomo’s June unemployment figure of 20.0 percent.
Our view: The state collected the June numbers before Chrysler called back many of its Kokomo-area workers.
“I have spent May and June in St. Joseph Hospital and Waterford Place. While in the hospital, I received excellent care from nurse Gwen Frank of Logansport and Ellen James of Marion. And from Waterford Place, Missy Rhodes of Burlington.
It was three years ago. Tipton Sheriff’s Capt. Matt Thompson was killed in a motorcycle accident at an intersection in rural Tipton County.
Proponents are already gearing up for a fight in the Legislature next year over alcohol sales.
A group called Hoosiers for Beverage Choices says it wants to level the playing field on alcohol sales.
THE ISSUE: Discussions in Galveston.
Our view: Town leaders need to shift the energy exhibited in recent months in a positive direction.
This is the week every summer that Greentown comes alive. A small, quiet town – except during Friday night football games and whenever the high school marching band is practicing – the eastern Howard County community will reverberate with the sounds of the midway, demolition derby and nightly musical acts.
It’s not every day that an out-of-state businessman asks city officials to organize a town-hall-style meeting so he can explain to residents why he’s in town. But Variety Global Business Group isn’t your average business.
Fundraiser festive, fun
Jean McGroarty, executive director of the Kokomo Humane Society, sends this Cheer:
THE ISSUE
Indiana’s welfare program.
Our view
We applaud state officials for taking program complaints seriously.
THE ISSUE: Education funding.
OUR VIEW: The cost of a bad education can be far greater than the cost of a good one.
While discussing whether to approve the 2009-2010 Kokomo High School student handbook Monday, changes to school lunches tripped up the Kokomo School Board.
Last week marked the 233rd anniversary of a solemn pledge made by 56 brave men. They had grown tired of the tyrannical rule of an English king, and they signed what became known as the Declaration of Independence.
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