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.

Reliable help is available

We're a pair of Tippecanoe River flood victims that has had to deal with bad insurance companies and adjusters. After the January flood, we were terribly overwhelmed with the destruction of our home; we didn't know where to start. I was able to make a phone call to Heartland, Inc. in Lafayette, and within an hour they had a couple of staff members at my door, giving us much-needed advice and direction.

The very next day, in subzero weather, they had a full crew out to help us begin the process of sorting, saving, and pitching. The company's owner, Bane, has walked us through each step with the insurance company, and Eddie and the staff have gone out of their way to assist us with county permit issues and the rounding up of reliable subcontractors.

We can't recommend a better bunch of people. So, fellow flood victims, if you are still in need or overwhelmed with flood damage recovery, Heartland is the company to call. They're first-rate.

Mike and Barb Young

Tecumseh Bend

Concerned about cuts in public safety

I am a paramedic who works in a surrounding county and I also try to help out in my own county to cover for sick days and vacation. I know that the county budget for this year is going to be tight and there are some pretty great cuts that need to be made. My question is, why does it always seem that public safety gets the greatest amount of cuts?

My family resides here in Carroll County and I care a great deal about their safety. I believe that we have one of the best EMS systems around and I also believe that our county sheriff's department does a good job. I believe that there are only two county officers on duty at a time and for a county this size, sometimes I do not think it is enough, but I understand that is what this county can afford to do.

With no hospital in this county, the EMS has saved the lives of a number of people. The issue that I have is that everyone in the county has the potential to use this service.

In the June 13, 2007, issue of the Comet I read that there is $455,000 budgeted by the county for Carroll Manor, so it obviously does not pay for itself. Martha Lewis, who manages the facility, stated in the Nov. 7, 2007, issue that there are only 19 other facilities that are like this one. According to www.stats.indiana.edu our population in 2006 was 20,556, which is 73rd out of 92 counties. Does this mean that the 19 counties that are smaller than us have already abandoned these county homes? How many of the 20-25 residents who reside at Carroll Manor are from Carroll County? Is this $455,000 including the salaries for the people who work there?

If we would stop funding a facility that we probably do not need, we would put a great dent in the $1.8 million that we have to cut from the budget.

I know that the county received a grant for an elevator that was recently installed in Carroll Manor and we would have to pay back the matching part of the grant if the grant requirements are not met. Cutting this amount out of the budget would pay for itself in a year or two. And there is the possibility that IPC would purchase the land and that would help out with the debt.

I understand that all departments in the county will see cuts, but do the public safety ones have to be cut so much? I rest easy at night or when I am away from home knowing that we have the quality of sheriff's department and EMS that we do in this county.

Derek Jackson

Flora