April 11, 2008 05:43 pm
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Come see the masterpieces
Tom Tolen of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library sends this Cheer for Art Off the Square:
“Springtime in Howard County means flowers in bloom, new leaves on the trees and budding artists’ masterpieces on exhibit in Art Off the Square.
“Once again, the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library proudly hosts Tri Kappa Sorority’s showcase Art Off the Square. This impressive display of unique, whimsical and thought-provoking works of art, represented in a variety of mediums, features nearly 500 colorful works of art by young, talented Howard County student artists from grades four to 12.
“The exhibit begins in the library’s lobby and continues along the second-floor hallways and in the library’s Community Room.
“Thank you, Tri Kappa Sorority, for organizing this annual, spring exhibit, and we encourage everyone to support this creative collection of student art. Art Off the Square continues through April 23 and admission is free.”
Consequences of tax caps
Gordon Southern, director of the Walton Public Library, sends this Jeer for property tax caps:
“Our first concern at the Walton Public Library is and always has been serving our patrons with the latest releases in movies, books, games and magazines in a friendly, professional manner. Over the last few years, the library has greatly expanded in both floor space, size of collection and hours open. This has been accomplished in the face of rising costs and decreasing revenues.
“Taxes have become the new keyword to citizens. Both the 2007 and 2008 sessions of the General Assembly took actions that changed the property tax system. The net effect for homeowners and businesses may be reduced property taxes. The consequences for local units of government such as the library is devastating.
“Most of our revenue comes from property taxes and property tax replacement money. Property tax income is being delayed this year and reduced in future years. Property tax replacement money is being phased out. Most of the products and services at the library are free to the public, and that is the way it should be.
“In order to survive, the library is taking drastic measures, none of which include a decrease in books or movies. We are going to cut staff, reduce staff hours and cut hours open. This is not an easy thing for us to do, but a necessary one.
“We ask that our public bear with us during these difficult times.”
Blessing for the buried
Linda Grove, Liberty Township trustee, sends this Cheer for a Dan Minor:
“I would like to say thank you to Dan Minor, a land surveyor here in Howard County.
“Freeman Cemetery is a pioneer cemetery south of Greentown and dates back to 1847. Before 1847, roads followed the high grounds, so that meant Freeman Cemetery road was a quarter-mile farther north than the existing road today. Recently, when new ditch assessments were done, a local church that did not realize it owned the cemetery asked if the township would take on the cemetery, and I gladly said yes.
“Three years ago, Timon Pike of Kokomo took almost two years to restore this cemetery as an Eagle Scout project, and I wanted to keep it as nice as he left it.
“As the township general funds are always low, I asked Dan Minor if he would survey the cemetery for the township and church, and he immediately said yes after listening to the history and story of the cemetery. Today he dropped off a completed survey which I will deliver to the recorder.
“Thank you, Mr. Minor, for all of your personal time I know it took to do this land survey. In doing this, you unknowingly blessed the buried and their unknown families by having their final place on earth being properly taken care of and not forgotten.
“Many warm thanks.”
‘Where most want to be’
Pauline E. Lewis of Kokomo sends this Cheer to several care-givers:
“I was recently hospitalized at St. Joseph Hospital, where I received excellent and compassionate care from the staff on the fourth floor. Thank you.
“I would also like to thank all my care-givers, including Moore’s Home Health Care, the St. Joseph ambulance service, the city fire department, Lifeline, Dr. Diane Pfeifer, my Bible Baptist Church family and Guardian Angel Hospice. The help I have received from these care-givers has helped me stay in my own home, where I want to spend my remaining days on earth.
“Senior citizens, please write or call our senators, Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh, as well as Congressman Joe Donnelly to request they continue to work to increase the government funding to service agencies, so they can help the elderly safely stay in their own homes, where most people want to be.”
‘There but the grace of God ...’
The Rev. Ruth Lawson, executive director of Coordinated Assistance Ministries (CAM), sends this Cheer to WWKI and the community:
“CAM sees over 1,000 clients each year, but last week, one overwhelming need led us to go to WWKI and seek assistance from the community directly.
“Within one week, the financial crisis was met for a family, and their utility was kept on.
“This family was a classic CAM family – about to be homeless if assistance was not found, doing all the right things, veteran, working, on two-months sick leave without pay, has church family, married 12 years, three children, one ill, rent reasonable, wife going to school full time to be a teacher, no drinking or drugs involved, the salt of the earth facing a major financial crisis.
“You stepped up to the plate. Not only was the financial situation restored, but a physical and spiritual healing has occurred, and the father is back to work – not only in his job but assisting CAM last week when our van broke down.
“What if we missed two paychecks? There but the grace of God go I? And Jesus said, ‘Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to Me.’
“Thanks, WWKI, and thanks to the people of Howard, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Miami and Tipton counties.”
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