Defends sheriff’s handling of jail meals

There are so many people ready to give an opinion on how things should be done even though they do not have all of the facts. Before they offer their opinion they should do a little research and know all of the facts.

First, this is not a new thing with Sheriff Randle. This is how it has been handled for many, many years, and through many sheriffs. Second, this is how it is handled in many, if not most, of the counties of the state. Just because you have recently learned how the system works does not make it a new situation. Have you thought about researching how long this system has been in place and how it got established? Sheriff Randle did not come up with this system, he is just the first to be verbally abused because of it. Since when does being thrifty become a bad thing?

It would be great if the inmates and their families had to pay for the food that these inmates eat, but they do not. You and I, as taxpayers, are feeding them and I am glad that the sheriff does enough research to spend as little as possible and still provide better than the minimum requirements for these people.

The sheriff also makes sure he tries to keep the money spent on these meals local, as much as possible. He could spend all of the money allocated on out-oftown retailers and still go to the county for more money, but he does not. If you have ever been involved in ordering from one of the delivery retailers you would know that they charge two to three times more than what is currently spent. I also know that the local retailers appreciate his business.

The people of this community need to think before they act and know ALL of the facts. This situation is not as simple as some are trying to make you believe it is.

Jon Randle

Delphi

Set the record straight

I was quite disappointed to read the Comet’s editorial last week about Sen. Lugar making a “wrong choice” in hosting his constituent visit at the Freedom Center. As a board member of Freedom Mission, Inc., a notfor profit 501C(3) charitable organization that runs the Freedom Center, I feel compelled to set the record straight.

The Freedom Center is not “owned and operated” by First Assembly of God Church as reported. The First Assembly Church of Delphi did indeed purchase and set up this organization as a gift to the Delphi community.

Through this gift we are able to house Jacob’s Closet, a thrift store, Solomon’s Grille, a restaurant, and on Sundays, Living Stone Church calls the Freedom Center home.

The multi-denominational board members of Freedom Mission, Inc. consist of only two First Assembly members, Pastor Brent Oliver and Kathy Hyman, Tom Hesler, a member of Faith Baptist in Lafayette and Gil Smith, a member of Delphi United Methodist Church, round out the board.

We are proud to be a faith based organization, and will continue to offer programs that are a benefit to all of this community, and not of any particular church or political affiliation.

Over $2,500 has been given to community organizations through fundraisers held at the Freedom Center. Delphi Youth Baseball, Habitat for Humanity, and mission trips have all benefited. We have many plans for the portion of this building still needing renovated and hope to offer our community a book store and/or coffee shop in the future.

I hope this clarifies for the readers of the Comet who the Freedom Center is, and urge those with questions to stop in and visit. We welcome all denominations to access our facilities.

Gil Smith

Delphi

Tom Hesler

Delphi

Unhappy with highway department

On Dec. 11 my neighbor died of a massive heart attack. It took the ambulance a half-an-hour to reach my neighbor’s house due to hazardous road conditions. It would have taken only ten to fifteen minutes if the roads were clear. I find it really concerning that Bill Brown could find it so important to pave Carrollton and Towpath Roads, but he did not think to make sure the county highway department was budgeted for salt for the winter.

This county seems to be going downhill lately. I blame this on the commissioners for not keeping the highway department in check. I also blame the county highway superintendent and the engineer-in-training. In the past the county highway superintendent and the engineer, who were on salary, would go out on small runs like fallen tree limbs and other small jobs.

The new county highway superintendent and engineer-intraining don’t do this. Instead they keep a couple employees on call at all times. This has caused a lot of overtime which was not in the budget.

Of course with all the classes the county is paying for the engineer-in-training, that probably does not help the budget either.

Why would you put someone in a position they are not yet qualified for? I happen to know the answer to that question myself. It is because he used to work in a bar that is owned by Bill Brown. If anyone else is concerned with the way this county is being run, I ask that we all keep this in mind come election time.

April Shank

Delphi

Prayer for moral budget

On Nov. 14, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to join other Evangelical Christians in a prayer vigil for a moral budget. As a result of our time of prayer on the steps of the Cannon Office Building (where my 2nd District Representative Chris Chocola’s office is located), I was arrested for my civil disobedience of incommoding (blocking the entrance to the office building). I was willing to risk arrest because I believe the budget is a moral document and our U.S. Representatives are acting immorally when they propose cutting vital services such as food stamps, increasing co-payments for health care under Medicaid, cutting foster care benefits, child care enforcement and student loans for hard-working poor families and legal immigrants who are struggling to put food on the table. At the same time our legislators proposed budget cuts effecting over 220,000 economically stressed citizens, they passed a tax cut bill to extend cuts on capital gains and dividends that provides 80% of their benefits to the wealthiest 3% of households. While claiming to make a deficit reduction, the tax cuts actually increase the national debt in the future. I went to the “people’s House” last week to speak the Word of God and pray rather than merely accept business as usual.

We have heard a great deal about the “scandal of Christmas” this year. The scandal has nothing to do with whether you wish people a “Merry Christmas” or a “Happy Holiday.” The real scandal is the way the richest country on earth treats its poorest citizens and fails to recognize the God of creation will hold our nation’s leaders accountable for the disgrace of celebrating Christ’s birth without appreciating why he came—to bring peace on earth and good news to the poor.

There is no good news for 330,000 children in low-income working families not receiving cash assistance, not receiving child care as a result of work hour increases and TANF under-funding. There is no good news for thousands of low-income grandparents and other relatives providing foster care for abused and neglected children who will lose foster care benefits. There is no peace as long as our country continues an ill-conceived plan for imperialistic dominance in the world. God is not honored with words of praise with our lips if our lives do not represent the truth of his will for all creation.

As senators and representatives meet to resolve the differences between the House and Senate version of the Budget Reconciliation Act, I call on them to compromise on a version that maintains the current level of benefits of “the least of these” as Jesus called them— the poor, the widow and the homeless.

Joseph D. Huse

Flora

The Comet welcomes letters to the editor responding to articles and events in the news. They must include the author’s name, address and telephone number. The letter writer’s name and city/town will appear in the paper no exceptions. Please send your letters to: editor@carrollcountycomet. com; Letters to the Editor, Comet, P.O. Box 26, Flora, IN 46929 or P.O. Box 179, Delphi, IN 46923; or fax 574-967-3384 or 765-564-2010. By submitting a letter or opinion article, the author grants the Comet the right to publish, distribute, archive or use the work in print, electronic, on-line or other format.