Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Monday, April 18, 2011

Too many smoke

in Greene County

To the Editor:

Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health released its most recent state/county health rankings on March 31, 2011 (www.countyhealthrankings.org).

Health Outcomes are the primary ranking used to rank the overall health of counties. The county ranked number 1 is considered the healthiest county in the state. According to this report, Greene County ranked 80, of 92 counties. Of particular interest to Greene County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition (GCTPC) was the information on adult smoking: The National benchmark states that 15% of adults smoke, 25% of Hoosiers smoke, and in Greene County, 27% of adults smoke. This translates into higher long-term health related costs per county/state -- for both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke.

One way to improve Greene County's overall health is through strong smoke-free air policies. Hoosiers who live in counties with smoke-free air laws are less likely to smoke and be exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke. Our community's young people who grow up in a smoke-free community grow up in a healthier community and are less likely to start smoking.

GCTPC Coalition invites you to ask your state legislators (Bruce Borders, John Waterman, Matt Ubelhor, Lindel Hume, and Peggy Welch) to vote yes to adopting a strong, comprehensive, state-wide smoke free air policy. Having a strong state-wide policy will ensure that all business are treated equitably, all Hoosiers will work in healthier environments, and all Hoosiers will enjoy dining out in smoke free air.

If you are one of the 27% of Greene County residents who smoke and want to quit, please call the Indiana Tobacco Quitline -- a free, confidential service with professional quit coaches. That number is 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Nancy Cummings

GCTPC Coordinator

Bloomfield

Do we need another liquor license?

To the Editor:

The Greene Daily World recently reported that at the last Jasonville City Council meeting (April 11, 2011), a petition being circulated by Sharon Boyd was read, encouraging citizens to express favor of the Hacienda Don Jose Restaurant receiving a liquor license. It was also reported that council person, Peggy Sluder, stated that "There have not been any complaints from local churches."

I want to go on record as pastor of the Blessed Hope Baptist Church of Jasonville, that our church is adamantly against any more liquor licenses being issued for any business in Jasonville.

A generation ago, Jasonville had 12 establishments that sold liquor. With that came the reputation as a bar/booze community instead of a family oriented small town. That situation and reputation did not help the economy or the morality of Jasonville, but hurt it.

In recent years we were down to four establishments that sold liquor. It has now climbed to five establishments that sell liquor and if the Hacienda Don Jose Restaurant receives a liquor license, it would bring it up to six establishments that sell liquor. Enough is enough.

A state law prohibits the sale of liquor within 150 feet of a church. There is a church 125 feet from the Hacienda Don Jose Restaurant. This should make this a slam dunk to reject their application.

A petition against the issuing of a liquor license to the Hacienda Don Jose Restaurant can be signed at the Blessed Hope Baptist Church office located one mile south of Jasonville on S.R. 59, or at the office of the Bethel Baptist Church located four miles south of Jasonville on SR 59. These petitions will be presented to those representing the State Liquor Control Board who are scheduled to come to Jasonville on April 22 (Good Friday!) to review the situation.

Pastor Jerry Ross

Blessed Hope Baptist Church

Jasonville

L-S junior parents

say thank you

To the Editor:

The Linton-Stockton Junior Class Parent's Club would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those who donated and/or supported our Longaberger Basket Bingo fundraiser.

They are: Pizza Hut, Goosepond Pizza, Kevin Fischer DDS, Parkview Lanes, Linton Sporting Goods, Mercury Cleaners, Goody's, Advanced Auto, Pomp's Tires, Key Associates of Linton, Gibson County Coal, The Old Bank, Linton PC Repair, Brent and Chris Sparks, County Muffler, Arby's, R. Randall Baker Business Services, Anderson-Poindexter Funeral Home, Susie Wimmer - Thirty-One Sales Representative, The Watering Can, Karen Williams, Bloomfield State Bank, Donnie and Teresa Sloan, Doug and Stephanie Wasnidge, HI-99, Linton Cinemas, and Markle's Music.

A very special thank you goes to the Linton Elks Lodge. Without all of their hard work and support this event would not have been possible. You guys, and Candy, were great to work with.

Rennae Lehman

Linton-Stockton Junior Class Parent's Club