Published: October 08, 2008 08:54 pm            

Letters to the editor - Thursday, Oct. 9, 2009

On Stoplight City, spending, Grissom

Three points to the reporters of “Public Eye” in the Sept. 21 issue:

Point one: to “The new bridge to nowhere.” I say, hurray for the article on Grissom Aeroplex.

During my term on the Chamber board, the government was closing down the Grissom Air Base and selling off much of the base, leaving a great void in the area. Several plans were discussed to utilize this great facility. This was when the Grissom Aeroplex was formed. I made an effort to get the Chamber to consider supporting the idea of the three cities, Kokomo, Peru and Logansport, combining their municipal airports into one Grissom Tri-City County Airport. This central airport would save the taxpayers plus have a first-class airport serving each city with easier and better access than they have presently.

The three cities could pool their costs of running their own small airports and save, I am sure, over one-half of their present costs plus have a first-class Tri-County facility. Being in a central location, it would grow into one of the best airports in the state or surrounding states. Think of that possibility. But the idea would have its problems. The local politicians of each county or city would have to give up some of their control and that is enough to ground this flight, or start a war.

Point two: to “Who cares about Kokomo?”

During my business years I traveled much of the Midwest, and when I mentioned Kokomo, I got one of two answers: Kokomo Beach or Stoplight City. Never did I hear the City of Firsts, which seems to be only the locals talk about. Even today, my friends and acquaintances in Florida, where I enjoy spending some time, seem pleased to point out that they (and there are several) try to bypass Kokomo when they travel from Michigan to Florida, so it is not news of what others think about our town. My answer to those comments about Stoplight City is, “I think the travelers on U.S. 31 are lucky, because I heard that the city fathers are discussing the idea of putting up parking meters at each stoplight, but they can’t figure out how to space them to get every traveler lined up to pay.”

Point three: “All over a thousand bucks.”

According to your article, one-half of the responsibly elected officials don’t understand the word “negotiation” to save the taxpayers money. It seems they only understand the art of politics. In other words, give, give, give. Give the departments what they ask for to cover their budget “needed to serve the people.” It is easier to give than spend time to review the budget or ask for budget cuts. Don’t they understand that budgets are made to fill the desires of the department heads, to make their jobs easier and to look good to the public? If the total budget is not spent, there will be no increase the following year. Every year ending, there is a mad rush made to spend all money that may be left over. It seems to be a sin to have money left over in the budget. Government spending is liken unto a fire – never full – will consume all that is fed into it – always needing more to continue – never filling. The argument is always, “The people demand this service and we have to give it to them.”

To this I say, hogwash.

Ted L. Tate

Kokomo

In America, our foundation is life

The foundation of a house, while not glamorous or thought of often after the house is built, is the backbone and strength of the house.

The second floor of a home, usually the bedrooms, is important for rest and relaxation critical to sustaining us in this life. The first floor, with its kitchen, dining room and living room, is also important in sustaining us with our gatherings as family and enjoying the company of good friends and neighbors. But without the foundation, all is tenuous at best and soon to collapse upon itself. The foundation and what sometimes is contained within it – the furnace, hot-water heater, electrical panel – while not a gathering place or a place to build memories, is critical to the lifeblood of what goes on above.

And so it is with life itself. The foundation of life on this earth needs to be protected and maintained. When life is protected and hailed as our cherished foundation, all else grows in richness. Jobs, the environment, health care, educational – all these critical ideas and purposes become better understood when life has been given the place of its honor and true meaning.

If we as a nation do not protect our foundation – which is life – with liberty as the first floor and the pursuit of happiness as the second floor, all will soon collapse. Say goodbye to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

May God have mercy on us as we continue to build on a foundation – a solid foundation of life. “A wise people will build their houses on a solid foundation, for when the storms come the house will remain, but for those who do not build on a solid foundation, when the storms come all will be lost.”

For all those whose lives have been lost because of a culture of death, I apologize for not doing more or speaking out more often. Please forgive me and those who continue to turn away from this modern-day holocaust.

Bruce LeClerc

Kokomo

        

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