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.

Believes sentence them to prison. I believe a prison

should be reserved for those who

was unfair

have little to no possibility of

I was sentenced in Carroll

rehabilitation. Unfortunately, we County on Nov. 4, 2004. I pled

don’t even try to help the troubled guilty to three class D felonies. I

people in our society. We just lock was a first-time offender, 27 years

them up and throw away the key, old, had no points on my drivers’

and call it justice. Too many times license, and was attending college.

this method hasn’t worked. We I was told by my court-appointed

know this because how many people attorney to accept the plea bargain

get released from prison and because it was the only offer I

re-offend? A lot. would get.

Lisa Thompson-Tedrow

I was sentenced to three years

Delphi for each of the three charges. I was

devastated. My sentence was all

Progress or destruction? suspended, except for one year. I

served the year on house arrest

If we recall correctly, this all

and started two years of supervised

started this past summer with a

probation.

costly feasibility study conducted

You would think I committed

to either straighten or widen the

existing roads in the area near murder or something. My charges

Camden. The idea was to extend were possession of a legend drug

75 north from Camden for travelers (a pill). Intimidation on a police

to reach State Road 25. officer was the second charge. (Do

Most people in this area you believe a girl in hand cuffs can

believed it was a sound idea and intimidate an officer?) The third

most had no objections. After the charge was possession of a controlled

study came out, wow, most residents substance (also a pill).

were surprised to see that it

Do you think I would have

was more than a simple widening received less time if I would have

project; it has several drastic

had a paid attorney? Absolutely!

routes of a major highway. And

Would I have received less time if

now, behold, an industrial park?

it had not been an election year?

We have lived in this area (within

You bet. Do you think I would

a mile of the proposed routes)

have received less time if I was

all our lives, as have most of our

willing to give up a name of the

neighbors. We use these roads

person who provided me with the

everyday and know who else uses

pills? You know it.

them and why. Trust us, extending

the highway will not significantly

My driver’s license was suspended

increase the traffic. The only thing for six months. I can’t finish

it will effect is the amount of semitrucks my college education because

looking for a seemingly I am no longer eligible for a grant.

easier route. Do we really need I had stable employment at

more trucks going by our school McDonald’s, but when I applied

crossings in Camden? And to the for management I was fired

town of Camden, how will this because corporate didn’t like that I

bring prosperity to you. There’s had felonies. I was employee of

not even a local gas station to fuel the month, and had just been

the traffic.

rewarded for being mentioned by

As for the feasibility study to

name from our mystery shopper.

widen a road that turns into a

Finding employment will be very

major highway and then an industrial

difficult.

park, we think they have tried

I deserved to be punished, but I

to break us in gradually. Also, this

think I was treated harshly. To

all began with the recommendations

think I have eight to 11 years

from outside consultants and

hanging over my head is overwhelming.

interests. What do they know

It’s not over until it’s

about this area? Or is it just dollar

signs they are seeing? over.

We, the residents of the area that

For those who don’t know, if an

would be effected, live here for a officer smells alcohol, it is probable

reason. It has been a quiet, peaceful, cause to search your vehicle. I

and non-invaded area for learned the hard way. My blood

years. If you want to put in an alcohol level was .03, so you don’t

industrial park, put it through your have to be drunk to lose your

house and land. As for all the so rights.

called jobs it will create, what

I don’t see myself as a criminal.

about all the unoccupied factories I am an addict. It’s a crime to use

now in Delphi and Flora? Is this

drugs. I need help for my addiction.

going to create jobs for local people?

Punishing me won’t help

anyone or anything. Why can’t I

If we can’t find the tax dollars to

just get help for my problem? I

fund a new jail or improve our

believe I can be rehabilitated. I

existing roads how can we add a

think different types of criminals

new burden to our taxes? Also, the

environmental impact this will can be helped instead of sending

have on our farm-land, forests, creeks, and wildlife doesn’t sound much like progression. One cannot recover from land destruction.

Yes, we think that someone is trying to sneak this one in at our expense. How would you like to be uprooted from your way of life, losing your house and land? To those who say we cannot afford not to do this, consider what it will be if we do.

Mark and Susan McCarty

Eileen and Steve McCarty Kenneth D. and Nomie McCarty Chris and Nancy Winberg Charles Robert and Diane

McCarty

Roberta C. Winberg

Thoughts on son’s trial

Patrick Manahan, you are an outstanding attorney and we wish God’s richest blessings as you continue to serve the public.

Family and friends, you cannot begin to know what a humbling experience this has been to think that our peace and joy have come because you took the time, sacrificing part of your day to lift this family up in prayer. You sustained us throughout this past year.

Robert Ives, the barometer to what degree you set a person’s arrest, who gets what class felony, is confusing to say the least. Researching your history, it’s clear that you want all accused to take the plea bargain superhighway. This affords a person a much smaller sentence and still gives you opportunity to pat yourself on the back - proof by your remarks after every sentencing. Your clear message sentences a murderer to serve five years, much less than my son. My son turned down no less than four plea bargains, a gamble that cost him much more time, but left his integrity intact. His children, the motivating factor to take it to trial, have lost their dad, but we will never let them forget why they should hold their heads up and be proud of him. On judgment day, when you stand before the Almighty God, your plea bargains will fall on deaf ears. His word is very clear; you being lukewarm just might very well get you spewed out of heaven.

Darrel Noonkester, say what you mean, but above all else, please mean what you say. Never will I ever waste your time and mine again. False hopes are worse than broken promises. I allowed my naiveté to cloud my judgment; it will not happen again. I realize now that the door to your office swings only one way.

Our family holds fast to God’s word. We hold fast to our family and friends. We hold fast to tomorrow.

Cathi Woodward

Flora