Letters to the Editor

Watch out for

educational quake

To the Editor:

9.0 educational earthquake: As we view the terrible destruction caused by Japan's earthquake, we must know that even greater damage was caused by the follow-up tsunami and pending nuclear disaster.

In Indiana, we have an opportunity to avoid such fate. It's not the wrath of nature, but that of the state Republicans as they attack the future of our children and grandchildren.

Even the most cowardly of us would not stand by and knowingly allow an attacker to harm a child. A less obvious assault is under way in Indiana. Gov. Mitch Daniels and his Republican legislators are pulling money away from rural and inner-city schools, and giving it to the richer suburban schools. This reverse Robin Hood effect is why our local schools are forced to RIF (reduction-in-force/lay-offs) so much staff.

As a retired grandparent this angers me greatly. Things aren't always what they appear to be. I don't think Gov. Daniels hates kids, but maybe he is just willing to sacrifice them for his greater cause. He wants to break the backs of unions, or anything close to a union. He wants a scapegoat, so he is attacking collective bargaining, promoting vouchers, and promoting less effective charter schools.

His actions are the earthquake, and the tsunami will be felt for an entire generation. These cutbacks, the reverse Robin Hood effect, will essentially result in less opportunity to learn for our current and future students. Thereby reducing their ability throughout life to earn higher income.

This educational tsunami won't be as immediate as in Japan, but this short-sightedness will cost our students, and thereby our entire state forever. Less income per capita means fewer future taxes for the state to operate. These cutbacks are a tragedy waiting to happen. We can't allow this.

Your children, your grandchildren, and my grandchildren can't afford for us to do nothing. Would you allow a stronger, larger, more powerful bully to terrorize and harm our children? I hope not! That's exactly what's happening.

We must make our feelings known. It's time to tell our elected officials to unpucker their lips, pry then off the backside of our governor, and use them to speak out in favor of the people who voted to put them in office. There will be another election soon and we won't forget. Let your voices be heard.

Don't let your complacency be misconstrued as approval. Call your representative, call the statehouse, call the governor, write an editorial, just do something to show your children and grandchildren that you love them. Don't accept this backdoor attack on them without a fight.

God be with us.

Steven W. Walton

Linton

Thank you for

helping library

To the Editor:

The Linton Public Library held a Chair-ity auction in November 2010 to raise funds to help meet a match for a USDA grant that was awarded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The award for the decorated and donated chair that received the highest bid went to Vicki Doris and Main Street Gifts. Along with a small book sale, the library raised just over $1,000 toward their match. The funds were used to purchase the last of the needed shelving from the move into their new building in 2007.

With the grant and matching funds, the library was also able to purchase more of the end caps which help stabilize the shelving.

Others who decorated and donated chairs were: Linton-Stockton High School Honor Society members, Becky Deischer, Switz City First Christian Church, Linton-Stockton High School Art Club members, Francisco de Borja Coffee Shop, Linton McDonald's, Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce, The Old Bank & Co. Restaurant, Gamma Rho Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority, Greene County Daily World, Linton Public Library Mosaic Class, Francis' Jewel Box, Busy Bees Quilting Fabrics, Pro Bass Shop of Linton, Linton Civitan Club, Tawni Prudhomme, Linton Tri Kappa Associates, Edward Jones, Bloomfield State Bank, two Linton Library Board Members, Brooks Benefiel, Boat House Antiques, Diana's Paint & Wallpaper, Connie Goodman, Sonna Berghaier, and Robin Crago.

The library most heartily thanks each and every one who worked so hard and so fast on chairs for this auction. We had a lot of fun with this and plan to repeat the project again.

Shelley Williams

Linton Public Library Director