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.

Misinformed

Normally I would not take the time nor give credence to letters to the editor concerning the County Highway Department; however I felt that I needed to clarify some of Darren Pullen's comments in reference to Burnett's Creek Arch. Mr. Pullen stated that I wanted to have Mr. Ratcliff 's property condemned because I had my "feelings hurt." That statement is almost laughable. The fact of the matter is I have no desire to see anyone's property ever taken away from them. I'm in no way a member of the historic society nor am I in favor of saving bridges simply because they are old.

Burnett's Creek Arch it is not my "pet arch project," as a mater of fact it was well underway prior to my becoming the highway superintendent. My responsibility to the county is to maintain the roads and bridges to the best of my department's ability and to conserve county resources. The current arch restoration project if completed can actually save the county money. Eighty percent of the current project funds are federal funds set aside for a restoration to repair it. If the arch is not repaired it will eventually collapse and the road will either need to be closed or a new bridge will need to be constructed. At that time the county will have to pay the total cost.

Now as for the potential lawsuit, it would be as a last resort. I don't want to take Mr. Ratcliff 's land, I only want access to be able to repair a damaged structure. My contention is, regardless of weather it will need to be replaced or repaired, the engineering firms and construction companies will need access.

Concerning the proposed park it does not fall under my department and I have no preference either way.

Ron Francis

superintendent Carroll County Highway

Dept.

Appreciates Wilson Bridge

A special thank you to the persons responsible for updating the Wilson Bridge on county road 300 N. It is so appreciated that the bridge remains a part of Carroll County and its history. If you have a chance, treat yourself to a peaceful scenic drive along 300 N in all seasons. What a beautiful sight.

Pam Minier

Camden

Is preserving Arch logical?

Arch logical?

When are the people of Carroll County going to face the reality that manmade structures such as bridges built in the day of horse and buggy travel were not intended to last forever!

The Burnett's Creek Arch (BCA) was built around 1838 as part of the Wabash and Erie Canal system (which was a failure by all accounts). Don't agree, well when was the last time you or your great-greatgreat grandparents took a trip on the canal?

According to published stories and comments from Ron Francis of the highway department there are plans to put ANOTHER county park at this site just a halfmile north of the existing French Post Park. There are two landowners on each side of the BCA and no one involved in the planning of this new park shared any of these plans with the owners of the land. I find this incredibly disturbing.

The blatant disrespect and disregard to the landowners is inexcusable and very much like the treatment given to the Native Americans that inhabited this land when it was taken for the original canal project. Think about how you would like it being done to you and your property.

Given Carroll County's current financial situation, the very last thing we need is another park (weren't they thinking of selling one in Deer Creek?). Haven't county officials been squabbling for months about shortage of funds and curtailing spending and cutting services to the bone? If I had a choice, I would rather have ambulance service restored to our county rather than another park that has to be stolen from the landowners and maintained at taxpayer expense.

By the way, take a drive on the Towpath or any county road in that area. Be sure to take note of all the large holes in the road, many that have been circled by orange paint! Maybe tax dollars would serve the taxpayers better if it were applied to the necessities.

Preserving history is wonderful when it is logical and for the greater good. It is time we looked to the future rather than trying to turn back time.

Chris Wagner

Lockport

Appreciates knowing Morris Buck

It is important to add my comments about Morris Buck. I worked at Indiana Beach in the uniform room while Maury worked there in the office. What a wonderful person he was, and I was shocked at reading about his death in the Comet last week. He was a great guy and a colorful figure at Indiana Beach.

I graduated from Delphi High School in 1946 and Maury asked me why he didn't have me as a student, and I was quick to inform him that he wasn't teaching there yet. Even though we had some very great teachers, I'm sorry to have missed having Maury as a teacher. I'm sure he was the very best. I told him one time I had my senior picture taken at his home on E. Main St. - used to be Rodkeys studio. He was a joy to know and work with, and I express my sympathy to all who knew him as well as his family. He will be missed greatly and I'm happy to have known him.

This is why I take the Carroll County Comet - you are great with all the news. I've subscribed to the Comet for years and have enjoyed my correspondence and all dealings with the Comet. I wouldn't want to miss my copy of the paper every week to read.

Camilla R. "Connie" Robeson, Monticello

Wants Carroll Manor to remain open

Who wants to keep Carroll Manor open? The churches donating money…the people donating garden vegetables…the people donating time for activities.

Where would the residents go who live there, a nursing home? They don't need that level of care because they can mostly take care of themselves. How much would it cost the state to put them in a nursing home? I doubt it would save any money. Plus, the residents would be totally dependent on the nursing home and would lose their only home.

Carroll Manor has been there over a 100 years. It would be a shame to just throw it away when its residents need it. I'll bet they don't cut our taxes if they close it.

Michael L. Colvin

Flora