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.

The positive bipartisan effort by legislators to address the property tax issue has been refreshing during this year's General Assembly. Hoosiers have been very clear that this is a critical matter and improvement is necessary. The complexity of our tax system makes this a difficult process to analyze and understand the implications. Most of the attention has been on the certainty that we will get property tax relief; however, it is also clear that this will have major consequences for county government. The pace of this drive for change has not allowed for careful consideration of what might be lost in the effort. The old expression that the 'devil is in the details' comes to mind.

If state government imposes fiscal limitations on county government then we may lose some measure of local control. For over 40 years, Carroll County has provided funding to CDC Resources to serve local children and adults with developmental disabilities. Elected officials have seen the community need and consistently supported the organization. These funds, representing about 5% of our overall budget, help cover substantial losses in transportation,* enable the agency to fill large service gaps in state support and augment the basic array of programs in the community. The legislation is still fluid in Indianapolis but it appears as is if counties will experience a substantial reduction in revenue. This will compound the current situation in our county.

What could this mean for our county? Will local elected officials still be able to provide discretionary support for people with severe disabilities? Mental health funding by the county is state mandated, not so for services focused on those with cognitive disabilities. CDC's funding from the county has grown by roughly 1% a year over the past decade so we have been frugal stewards of community funds. Will the vulnerable population we serve be hurt as a result of unintended consequences? Does the Local Option Income Tax offer enough flexibility for county government? We need more answers to plan for the future and hope that our small but essential issue doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Michael Cruz,

Executive Director

CDC Resources *State reimbursement for round trip transportation is about 25% less now than in 1993 - despite regular inflation, rising fuel and wage pressures.

Success is a process

Congratulations to Coach Atwood, his coaching staff and volunteer coaches! It is great to see those who work hard get rewarded! What an awesome year the Delphi Wrestling Program has experienced! I think some people may overlook the success the wrestling program has had since Coach Atwood came to Delphi. The wrestling program is hardcore proof that when you have a coach and staff that dedicate themselves to their program 100%, the end result is success.

Mr. Atwood introduced all types of different wrestling opportunities for the athletes to explore beyond the school, promoted his sport down into the elementary and middle schools, and always found time to travel to watch the athletes perform. I am not exactly sure how long he has been here, but I certainly believe that he has taken the wrestling program to new heights.

What does this have to do with me, I have never had a son in wrestling you may ask?

One of the reasons for me writing is to remind people that longevity in coaches and teachers plays a HUGE success in our kids' future and the future of our school system. Every time a team gets a new coach, or a class gets a new teacher, it changes the flow of the season or class. Delphi is notorious for changing coaches and/or teachers on a regular basis. If you look back at some of the coaches and teachers that were a part of the Delphi school system for long periods of time you will see the success they had: coach/teacher Tony Berto, athletic director/coach Norm Ebrite, coach/teacher Mike Jones, coach/teacher Jim Lichtenberger, academic coach/teacher Joe Seurynck, and many more I have not mentioned.

These dedicated individuals were successful because they took the extra time for our children and/or teenagers. They saw the future and knew by vertically integrating their programs from the elementary schools through the high school they would build continuity and success. We need to make sure as taxpayers that our school board allows the teachers to do this as well. It is vital for the success of not only our sports teams, but also our students' education. Working towards a common goal is always successful.

Suzanne Hughes

Delphi