Letters to the Editor

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. Letters must be 400 words or less in length. 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.

Exercise your right to be heard or don't complain!

If you are not aware that the state has granted a taxpayer petition to deny the county tax increase requested by our council (to be used for the jail), there is a state held hearing in the commissioners'office at the courthouse THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 27 AT 10 a.m. What with the new state "trending" program reassessing our property valuations YEARLY, wheel tax, large REMC increases, etc., can we afford a tax rate increase on top? There are many people on fixed incomes in this county that cannot. Let's all take responsibility to attend this state hearing Friday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. Otherwise, don't complain.

Shirley Inman,

Carroll County

More on PETS act

Alan Schultz's edition ofMidwest Memo, "This just in..." (Oct. 18) fails to recognize that the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards ("PETS") Act, recently signed into law by the President, following unanimous approval in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, will save pets and people when the next disaster strikes.

According to a Zogby International poll conducted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 61% of pet owners said they would refuse to evacuate ahead of a disaster if they could not take their pets with them. Requiring states to take into consideration the needs of people with pets and service animals in their disaster plans will prevent what happened to Roselyn Desrochers and untold others who were forced to choose between their own safety and that of their pets. Desrochers, who died while trying to carry her dogs to safety during Hurricane Katrina, stayed in harm's way because of her poor chances of finding a shelter that would accept her dogs.

The PETSActwill further prevent tragedies like this with the authorization of federal funds to help states create emergency shelters for people and their pets. By planning for the evacuation of pets and service animals, states will no longer endanger the lives of rescuers, pet guardians, and animals in the wake of a disaster.

The Humane Society of the United States applaudsCongress for its strong support of this effort to save people and their pets in the next disaster, and thanks the President for signing the PETS Act into law.

Michael Markarian Executive Vice President, External

Affairs The Humane Society of the United

States

Washington, DC

Takes issue with Thompson

The Monticello Herald Journal reported that during the candidate forum held Monday night, Tricia Thompson made the following statement: "It has become the reputation that if you want to commit a crime, come and do it in Carroll County...(citing methamphetamine, molestation and murder as examples.) Our neighboring counties, Tippecanoe and White, are much stricter on these issues, and that has caused their criminals to come to Carroll County." Ms. Thompson has made similar statements in the past.

Ms. Thompson's statement is not based upon fact. I am not aware of any evidence, and do not believe any exists, that criminals come to Carroll County more often than any other county. If Ms. Thompson would research this issue, shewould find that the vast majority of Carroll County crimes are committed by Carroll County residents, and the same would be true of White, Tippecanoe and all of the other counties in Indiana. She provides no documentation of her claim, yet she has made it many times.

Her failure to determine the facts beforemaking a decisionmakes her particularly unsuited for the position of prosecuting attorney. One of the primary obligations of a prosecutor is to ascertain the facts before making a decision. Otherwise, we are all subject to unwarranted prosecution by the state.

Ms. Thompson knows little about Carroll County and very little about major crime. To the best of my knowledge she has never tried a burglary, rape, murder or any other major felony. Her trial record is poor by any standard.

I believe it is fair to say that I have as much knowledge of Ms. Thompson's character as anyone in Carroll County. In my opinion, she is not trustworthy.

Rob Ives,

Flora