Letters to the Editor

TheCometwelcomes letters totheeditor responding toarticlesandeventsinthenews.Theymust includethe author'sname,addressandtelephonenumber.Theletter 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 theEditor,Comet,P.O.Box 26, Flora, IN 46929 or P.O. Box 179, Delphi, IN 46923; or fax574-967-3384or765-564-2010.By submittingaletter or opinion article, the author grants the Comet the right topublish,distribute,archiveorusetheworkinprint, electronic, on-line or other format.

Against proposed sewer

I own a summer place along the Tippecanoe River, below the Oakdale Dam. I am against the proposed sewer in Jefferson Township. This is being shoved down our throats by people who don't care about the citizens.

First of all, the commissioners should complain about the sewage that Monticello dumps in the lake and that flows into the Tippecanoe River. Why don't the commissioners go and sit up by the dam on a hot day and smell the stink.

These people who represent the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District don't care except to put money in their pockets.

Also, if the county is so hard up for money, why don't the county council members give their pay back to the county and work for free.

Herbert Ford

Walton

Education would benefit from adequate resources

Last week, the National Assessment Governing Board released scores for the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress in both reading and math. Indiana's fourth and eighth graders again outscored the national average in both areas. For 15 years now, Indiana students have outscored national averages on NAEP, often called the Nation's Report Card because it is the only nationally representative, continuing evaluation of the condition of education in the United States. For that reason, NEAP continues to serve as an accurate yardstick of student performance.

The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) applauds the gains in reading and math made by Hoosier students. It's clear that thanks to the efforts of educators across the state, our students are performing better.

However, even after the improved scores were released, many continue rehashing suggestions for improving schools, including reforming school curricula to reflect real-world teaching, developing partnerships between schools and the private sector, easing licensing requirements, boosting salaries for only a small segment of teachers and merit pay. The first three of these suggestions are already in place across the state.

The final two - tiered pay scales and merit pay - have never demonstrated improvement anywhere in the U.S. Teachers don't see teaching merely as a "job that anyone can do." They know that it is a professional commitment to children, families and communities that requires solid knowledge of content material and pedagogy (knowing how to teach). Teachers don't want to be in competition with each other over salary and benefits. They know firsthand that education is a shared responsibility between all the educational professionals in a building or in a district.

Critics of Indiana's public schools would perform a much greater service to Indiana's school children and education professionals if they were to advocate for reforms that actually work in improving student achievement: providing educators with the adequate resources and time needed to help our children. Students need a complete education - reading, math, art, social studies, science and various other subjects - taught by caring, qualified and competent teachers.

Of course, it goes without saying, but should be rep eated….PARENT INVOLVEMENT plays a significant role in student success as well! We applaud all parents who take an active role in their children's education!!!

Everyone needs to realize that when students' educations are supported by adequate resources they will all achieve what they are capable of achieving.

Linda Landes and the DCTAExecutive Board

Delphi Classroom Teachers'

Association, President

Disappointed by Delphi City Council action

It was disappointing to learn that the Delphi City Council took a position opposing the proposed location of a medical facility on PrinceWilliam Road at Summit Street. Since the matter was not on the agenda there was nobody to respond to neighbor concerns. Was the information given to nearby residents accurate? Did the city council have all the facts? It is doubtful, because a number of issues were only recently settled by North Central Health Services (NCHS).

The proposed 12,500 square foot building would serve a number of other social service organizations besides the Family Health Clinic of Carroll County at the four-acre site. CDC Resources, which has served Carroll County residents with developmental disabilities for over 40 years, is one of these agencies, as is Area IV Council on Aging, WIC, and CAP of Western Indiana.

In our case, we have needed a local office for some time to serve as a base for employment and community support staff working in the county. We already have a nearby group home on Riley Road and Carroll Village apartments in Flora where many of the 29 CDC employees work who live in the county.

However, we cannot realistically afford to build or rent a facility that would meet our needs given tight fiscal conditions. When NCHS expressed an interest in a Delphi project similar to the highly successful multiagency development at 18th and Union streets in Lafayette we were extremely interested because it offered an affordable facility with access to training and conference areas, plus to strengthen the cooperation that already existed between other local providers.

As a local Delphi resident, I respect the views of residents who may oppose this site but worry that NCHSmay just walk away if this location is not approved. They are prepared to construct a quality facility with a small footprint on a sizeable lot. The estimated project cost of $3,000,000 represents amajor grant to the community and the county. Delphi city leaders need to work with all parties towards a proactive solution rather than categorically rejecting the proposal site without any further engagement.

The south side access to our community is going to undergo much change with the Hoosier Heartland coming through in a few years. Shovel-ready commercial development options are relatively limited between the city and proposed route of the highway. I would deeply regret a missed opportunity of this magnitude for our city.

Michael Cruz,

Delphi,

Executive director

CDC Resources, Monticello

Don't like EMS cutbacks

We have been following the news on the EMS ambulance service. It upsets my family and me to learn that we are losing one of our ambulances out of the county, along with some of the paramedics and EMTs who have helped make this service what it is today.

We have used the ambulances a lot due to my mother's health and mine the past several years. We are concerned that if we need an ambulance that we are going to have to wait a little longer to get one, mainly if they are all out on a run.

I hope all other county residents will express their concerns just like we are.

JudithA.Walters

Delphi