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.

Keep Carroll Manor

It is with deepest sympathy for Carroll County that I write this letter. I was so saddened by last week's editorial in the Carroll County Comet. How could you be so uncaring to say pull the plug? The residents that receive your paper read it and then shared it with the others. You can imagine their dismay at the callousness of the article. Some of them have resided there for many years and this is truly their home. If they have to leave the community, you will literally be pulling the plug.

Carroll Manor is one of the best-kept secrets of Carroll County and I ask that you please visit and see for yourself. Those of you who are so fired up to close it cannot possibly have ever been here. It is a beautiful, historical building with a great story to tell. It is not a facility, it is a home.

We need to stop and think how many sad things have happened to us as a community in the last year. I sincerely believe that the Manor can be one of the assets, if given a chance. A new wing was added and hopefully the elevator will enable the second floor to be filled. I have been an employee for 10 years and I love my position there. I do not call it work. The residents are my family and I love them very much. Yes, it could be closed and sold, that would put a band-aid on some of the sore, but what will we get rid of next year?

We have heard from many caring people. I would ask all of us as a community to stop right now and say a prayer for the ones that have lost jobs, had to take cuts in pay and are just plain scared of what the future holds. We not only have county problems but also the closing of Peters Revington. Many people have been affected by these times. We can get through this but not if we are all fighting and pointing fingers.

We must stay focused on the good and not the bad.

Martha Martin

Delphi

Prefers television coverage to local paper

To everyone who watched Channel 18's coverage of Carroll Manor in Delphi on April 9, do hope you enjoyed it and will take the time to come to see for yourself what kind of home it really is.

But, for those who read the local Carroll County Comet on the same day, seems they feel they have the right to decide whether or not these residents should have the "plug pulled," because they are elderly and no longer a benefit. Am sure family and friends feel otherwise.

To Channel 18, thank you for the beautiful coverage and care of our elderly citizens. To the local community who agree with the damaging words of our local paper, I honestly cannot see how you can live with yourselves.

Carroll Manor, nor its residents, are responsible in any way for the financial fiasco created by our elected county government officials have gotten us into. Therefore, they should not be punished for the stupidity and greed caused.

Barbah Wine, Delphi

Proud Carroll Manor employee

Wants accountable county leadership

Thanks, Carroll County Comet for all the needed information each week. I know I speak for many taxpayers in Carroll County. We all deserve to know about our tax dollars being spent by the county. After all, we are the ones who help foot the bills.

County officials need to work together keeping good reports each month and a monthly balance at hand at all times. If something seems not right, check it out - don't let it ride for five years. We farmers would be out of business in short order if we didn't keep good records and balance our books each month. It is the taxpayers and others who elect county officials. We need to elect qualified people to handle the job, and who care about the county and spending tax dollars wisely. Everyone needs to be accountable at all times and want to inform the public.

This current situation is a disgrace for Carroll County.

Thanks again to the Comet for doing a great job reporting for all of us.

Joan McCain

Bringhurst

Appreciates Moore's service to county

I take exception to Rob Baker's statement regarding Phyllis Moore. I have known Phyllis and her husband, Don, for 55 years. They have always been honest, forthright individuals.

In my opinion, his remark demonstrates a total lack of respect and appreciation for her years of dedicated service, and her efforts to promote Carroll County.

Carl Perry

Rossville

Appreciates coverage

I just want to thank you and your staff for the excellent job in reporting on the courthouse problems. Not everyone can attend the meetings and at this crucial time everyone should know the where, what, who and when about all of this and through your reporting we are kept "updated."

Keep up the good work.

Myna Ruth Walters

Camden

Supports Carroll Manor

I grew up in Carroll County and many of my relatives have lived there all their lives. It was a wonderful place to grow up and call home. One of the things that I took pride is was the way the community would come together in times of crisis.

Having said that, I felt compelled to write a letter after reading many disturbing things in the Comet over the past few months.

The current financial state of the county has certainly brought out the worst in many folks. In particular, the absolute disregard for the employees and residents of Carroll Manor. For those in the community who feel this facility should have the "plug pulled"(even though the size of this budget would do little to affect the county's financial problems), I would ask that you remember this is more than a "facility", this is a place many elderly residents call home. I have visited Carroll Manor on many occasions and would strongly encourage those who have never been there to visit, meet the residents and the wonderful employees who care for them.

The administrators and employees of Carroll Manor continue to work diligently to reduce their cost in all areas. But at the end of the day, their primary responsibility is to provide a safe and healthy environment for the residents. Cutting staff levels too low would put the county, employees and especially the residents at risk. Nutritious meals and a clean environment are not areas that can be ignored in this type of home.

The entire county has felt the impact of incompetent financial management. Each department whose budget has been reduced and whose employees have experienced reductions should be given our support. I have seen and heard many other departments receive much support, but I have seen very little for our aging residents or their caregivers. I wrote this letter, in part, to send my support and encouragement out to those at Carroll Manor. We should all be working toward ensuring the very best care is given to these important members of our community.

I would like to think that Carroll County is a place where the wisdom that comes with aging is not only valued, but respected and protected. The recent events make me question whether this community really values its elderly residents or simply sees them as a burden.

Mitzi Hamilton

Canton, Ga.