Published: August 28, 2008 07:51 pm            

Letters to the editor - Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

We must create jobs, while lowering taxes

So with the jobs crisis staring us in the face, how do our county officials handle this problem? They use 78 percent of the county’s EDIT money to pay the salaries of county employees.

So that means our county government spends, at best, 22 percent of economic development monies for the growth of our community.

The EDIT money is designed to create jobs by improving existing properties or areas to draw business and economic growth to our community. Simply put, EDIT monies are designed for jobs!

As jobs have left, growth is at a standstill, and during these tough times, our county’s leadership wants to contemplate providing full-time benefits to part-time attorneys.

And when the well is dry, how do they respond? Let’s create a new COIT tax to build a new wing on the jail. Simply a knee-jerk reaction to a decision without giving any regard to the taxpayers.

Is overcrowding an issue at the Howard County Jail? Yes, it is, but it is an issue throughout the United States, and the studies have shown that more than 60 percent of all people incarcerated are non-violent offenders.

So my next question would be, does the answer lay with the court systems to get some of these non-violent offenders out of jail and placed on in-home or extended probation? By adding an additional wing to the jail, you just have created a huge tax burden that will never go away. Once the inmates are housed, you have to feed them, provide health care, staff that portion of the jail with correctional officers, salaries, insurance, additional equipment, etc.

I’m not pointing the finger, I just think there are creative and new ideas that can be explored before making knee-jerk reactions which cost the taxpayers thousands if not millions of dollars.

Howard County government has an obligation to people, to maintain jobs and bring new jobs to our community, while coming up with creative ideas to keep taxes low. We can change the economic and general well-being of our county, towns and cities, so let your voices be heard. We deserve better, and please remember to register to vote before Oct. 6.

James P. Lushin

County Council

at-large candidate

Let’s recognize valor of injured soldiers

You know, I’ve read a lot of the editorials about the servicemen who have been killed in the line of duty in Iraq, and God love them, they have served their country well and I praise them for that. And I think it is fine and fitting that these heroes are recognized for their valor. But has it ever occurred to anyone that the valor and recognition of the ones who have survived the agony and pain of the war by being maimed and forbidden of a fruitful life by roadside bombs, etc.? No!

So there are 3,500 to 4,500 troops that have been lost, and I think that there should be a recognition of them. But I think it is only a decent, humane gesture that the American people, even though we do not agree with the administration on this war, should at least acknowledge these men (probably about 35,000 to 45,000) who have served in the armed forces.

Throughout these stupid wars that have not gained us one single thing, other than killing, maiming and some people getting fat off warring.

Read the Bible. These wars and wars to come have been happening since 4000 B.C., and they will never stop until the Day of Reckoning. And if you don’t think this will happen, read Matthew from the Bible. Believe it!

I am not a Bible-thumper, but I do believe this is going to happen. And soon! God help us all!

Darrell Thomas

Kokomo

        

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