Published: June 24, 2007 08:50 pm            

Reader's Forum: Sunday, June 24

Long, hot wait for train exposes ongoing dilemma

It was a hot Saturday afternoon, with temperatures well into the 90s when the Mayor’s Ride, a motorcycle event started by Mayor Jim Jenkins years ago, headed west on Margaret Avenue headed by two motorcycle police units.

All looked well until accosted by the “horn of the dilemma.” Yes, the railroad crossing at 19th and Margaret and the horn of a train. The trouble was, yes, you guessed it, they all were stopped by a train. You see, trains do not usually stop for emergency police vehicles or people out to have a pleasant afternoon.

So, some chose to head up the various side streets to access 19th street and head north, led by one gentleman appearing especially peeved, as he headed north on 21st Street, gray hair blowing in the breeze, his female companion on behind, no doubt seeking a quick way out of the sun or perhaps a gentleman’s room to relieve his aching bladder. You know a 1200 Harley-Davidson easily will do 70 mph in second gear, and although he was not going that fast, he could have effortlessly. Unlike many seeking a way around the train, these were law-abiding people out seeking an afternoon of fun riding together in no hurry to be anywhere fast.

Nevertheless, the majority waited, shut down their machines and took the opportunity to socialize or to seek shade beneath a nearby tree while they waited 20-30 minutes for the train to clear the crossing, no doubt stimulated by a radio call from a police motorcycle unit to a police dispatcher, who in turn called a train dispatcher who then called the necessary individuals to see that the train was moved.

So this is the horn of the dilemma.

The railroad may be moved east, someday, but for today the plans of many, even the plans of an annual public event by the local city government, got stuck on the horn of this particular dilemma. It was no more pleasant for them than it is for the rest of us. The people in the south end of town, even the people who rode for miles to attend this event, are not the types who demand immediate gratification. They only seek a way around the habitually blocked railroad crossing like the rest of us.

So, to the powers that be, whom we gave a resounding vote of confidence in the last city primary election, could we please have a plan that will provide a grade separation at 19th and Margaret if the railroad is NOT moved in say the next 20 years or so? Waiting for the railroad to be moved out east of the city is just as bad as waiting for the train to move when you need to be somewhere on time. Yes, they are similar except for one small detail.

You know that that train will move, eventually. However, the railroad crossing may NEVER be moved, and we currently have no Plan B for that eventuality.

— John Garner

Terre Haute



River foot bridge a wonderful idea

Along with mountains and oceans, few natural resources are as lovely and intriguing as rivers.

And guess what? We have the Wabash River!

So, let’s enjoy its beauty not only from the shore, but also from a foot bridge. It can be built for safety as well as beauty and delight. A swamp walk, a coffee shop or restaurant, a bench or two might appear on the west bank, as well as a better glimpse of birds and other wild life.

A walk to nowhere? No way! Indeed I’m looking forward to it. Please?

— Lou Petrulis

Terre Haute

City needs update on hospital project

It was just about a year ago that the debate about closing Seventh Street was heating up. “Save 7th Street” yard signs and bumper stickers were appearing. There was a series of meetings at the Landsbaum Center, Collett Park and Maple Avenue Church to discuss the proposal.

In the end, the City Council voted to abandon one block of Seventh Street to allow Union Hospital to construct a magnificent “world-class” hospital that was billed as the singe biggest construction project in Terre Haute history at $178 million.

Most of us resigned ourselves to live with that decision. But, the farther we get from the original closing date of March, 2007, the more we wonder what is really going on.

Lorie Heber of Union Hospital was recently quoted in the minutes of the Terre Haute Neighborhood Partnership meeting as saying that the financial arrangement with Clarian had fallen apart, but that other financing had been arranged and the hospital would be built exactly as planned. Is that still the case? The rumors that are floating around the community would indicate otherwise.

What Union Hospital sold us was a $178 million project with 350 all-private rooms. It was explained that this “world-class” facility would bring a higher level of health care to Terre Haute and create the largest medical facility between Indianapolis and St. Louis. It was explained that “all-private rooms” was the standard for all future hospital construction. To accomplish this it was necessary to allow them to build across Seventh Street.

So, where are they now? The rumors coming out of major contractor circles indicate that the project may have been drastically scaled back from $178M to $75M. The 350 beds, all in private rooms, may actually be much less than 350 with many being semi-private rather than private. (What happened to the all-private room standard for hospital construction?) Another rumor is that the building may not be six-story, or that the top floors may be left unfinished.

We all know that relying on rumors for information is risky at best. It is time for the administration of Union Hospital to come forward at tell us in specific terms exactly where they are with this project. And if the current plans are significantly different than what they sold to the City Council last fall, then perhaps the City Council should revisit their decision to close North Seventh Street for this project.

— Jim Jeffers

Terre Haute



Hate crimes law should be expanded

One in six hate crimes is motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

We have had a federal hate crimes law on the books since 1969, yet it has never included crimes targeting victims because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

The job of the U.S. government, first and foremost, is to protect all Americans — whether they’re black, Christian, disabled, or gay.

The Matthew Shepard Act (S1105) is a bipartisan bill that would expand the definition of hate crimes to include violent attacks based on a victim’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

It would also provide funding to help law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes.

The Matthew Shepard Act would only apply to violent attacks based on the victim’s gender, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity. It does NOT criminalize thoughts or free speech.

This legislation has been endorsed by over 230 civic, religious and law enforcement organizations.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 68 percent of Americans — cutting across race, religion, and ideology — favor strengthening laws to give local police and sheriff’s departments the tools and resources they need to prevent and prosecute heinous acts of prejudice.

This law is not special treatment. It would make sure Americans across the spectrum — black or white, Christian or Muslim, gay or straight, male or female — are protected. It comes down to ensuring that NO American may be targeted for violence because of who they are.

— Autumn Breske

Terre Haute



Immigration bill bad public policy

Here is one place where I part ways with Bush and the Democrats — illegal immigration. Illegal is by definition against the law. Despite what the media has attempted by using other classifications, they are here illegally and should not receive any of the benefits of our safety net, nor should they have their behavior validated by a liberal Congress and Bush.

The plans on the table are ridiculous at face value, yet have a fair possibility of becoming law. Basically, amnesty is granted and all the illegals pay a $5,000 fine and get a “permanent-temporary visa.” It is temporary in that you cannot renew it after you die. How is that for congressional sidestepping?

Any odds on payments being made after they receive the visas? The biggest problem is despite all the BS about “illegals taking jobs Americans won’t,” what the illegals have done in many industries is drive down wages. Supply and demand economics simply puts “wages are determined by available employees and available jobs.”

If you have a large number of unskilled laborers available (illegals), wages will be driven down. Ask Mohawk industries or Swift & Co. who are both being sued for that very thing using RICO law.

The second pile of manure being spread is “if they are legal, they will add to the tax base.” That is true only in that they will add a number of taxpayers. Total revenue is another story. These are overwhelmingly unskilled workers and therefore pay little in taxes, yet will take advantage of the social services. Current estimates are a negative of $19,700 per immigrant. Remember, that is to the tune of 12-20 million illegals, so get out your calculator. No wonder emergency rooms and other social services in our border states are shutting down.

I know, I know, many immigrants are hard-working, good people, but this has to stop and now. Those here are not going to be mass deported. That is a given, but some steps must be taken. First the border needs to be shut, especially in a post 9/11 world. Second, we need to deport any Illegals committing crimes. Those committing misdemeanors deported immediately; those committing felonies get no bail and are deported after serving their sentence.

We also need to immediately stop the policy of those “born here” becoming immediate citizens. If you are here legally, that is fine, but if illegal, then your child is as well. That may sound harsh to the child, but it will deter a huge amount of our border problems.

Last, we need to insist those remaining integrate into society. That means no more dual language. If they want to be Americans, then be Americans. English competency should be a major prerequisite for any stay.

There should also be an extended period required to prove worthy of citizenship — five to 10 years of good behavior after admitting and registering as here illegally. Social services must also be limited to those who have registered.

If you cannot show you have registered, then you get no medical help, no food stamps, no anything, and if you are found unregistered, you are deported.

Our country is facing a crisis from this issue and our politicians, Bush and the Democrats, are wobbling around it and we will pay a heavy price for it.

— Michael C. Sherrill

Marshall, Ill.



Memories relived at State High reunion

This past weekend State High held their all-school reunion and I wanted to thank each and every member of the organizing committee for a job well done. As the years go by, it is such a delight to be able to relive memories of times gone by when things were so much simpler and easier.

We talked about the changes downtown and how we always went to the Terre Haute House coffee shop on Friday nights after our basketball games. Some of us remember the Goodie Shop and I was lucky enough to be able to tell everyone about the wonderful restoration of that building (now the Ohio Building). We also talked about the Indiana Theatre (owned by Roger Aleshire who went to State High, as did his mother, Lana).

Many topics were discussed and we again solved the problems of the world as we once did so long ago in Dr. Englland’s classes. Our teachers were remembered with joy and love including Miss Williams, Miss Pearman, Mr. Miller, Miss Pound and Mrs. Kelso. We were lucky to have Mr. Gardner, our business and general math teacher, come in person. It was such a treat to see him and his wife.

Again, my thanks to the reunion committee. I had a wonderful time and I am looking forward to the next reunion in about two years. If anyone who attended State High (Laboratory School) didn’t receive an invitation and would like to be included in the next reunion, please send me your address or e-mail address to sthomas71@verizon.net.

— Shirley Winney Thomas

Brazil



Schulte helped us learn how to think

I would like to comment on the letter from my Schulte High classmate, Gene Muccolini. Gene was always a person with strong opinions.

I also am no admirer of George W. Bush, but politics aside, there is one very important thing I want to say about our years at Schulte High School.

Our principal, the Rev. Joseph Beechem, always stressed that the main mission of the Schulte faculty was to teach us how to think — not WHAT to think, but HOW to think. He wanted us to be able to make informed opinions and decisions for ourselves. I feel that Schulte served us well in that regard.

The Class of 1957 probably has as wide a range of opinions as any other group of Americans, but my point is that we have come to those opinions after careful thought and study and reflection, just as we were taught to do.

It was a joy to attend Schulte High School and it was a delight to come back and celebrate that period of our lives after 50 years apart. I left Terre Haute when I was 19 years old but it will always hold a special place in my heart, as will all my classmates no matter what their political philosophies.

— Margaret Blueher Birge

Schulte Class of 1957



Bricks to those who ignore traffic laws

The Tribune-Star on Saturday had a “bricks” comment on people who don’t slow down for construction zones. How about a comment on people that will not obey the traffic laws for any reason, and getting a ticket is just a inconvenient joke?

This weekend, while on the southbound side of the North Third overpass, a white SUV with blue municipal plates passed me in excess of 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. (OK, I was doing 45, just trying to keep from getting run over.) There was a Terre Haute city policeman sitting at the bottom of that overpass, watching for speeders, but failed to notice a three-ton truck bearing down on him.

How about here on Haythorne? Speeds of 65 mph in that 40 zone are nothing. I have seen over 70 on that city/county stretch of road.

Those drivers deserves a brick.

— Van Cottom

Terre Haute



Thanks to all who helped with event

We want to thank all those business people in and around Terre Haute and the Vigo County Public Library staff for putting up posters to help publicize our “Pets with People Photo Day” on June 9; to thank Dawn Ellen Studios for the superb photographic work; to thank Julie and her terrific staff at Pet Food Center who have been so supportive and were so great with the parade of somewhat cooperative pets; and to thank the people who came in and made the day with their adorable, sweet, curmudgeonly, precious cats and dogs!

We thank you for your donations and support of our efforts to see the cats and kittens of Vigo County cared for, kept healthy and loved throughout all of their nine lives. And to the cats and dogs who participated, you were all such fun to meet and get to know. Thank you all for making our first official fund-raiser a truly enjoyable event.

— Lauren and John McBride,

Directors Ouabache Valley Felines & Friends

Terre Haute



Another successful Strassenfest in city

Large crowds and mostly clear weather favored our 30th annual Strassenfest held the last weekend in April in downtown Terre Haute. Many people contributed to its success.

Members of the German Oberlandler Club thank Dave Adams, Gary Carpenter and Clabber Girl for making the new location work, and Dever Distributing, Gordon Foods and the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department. We also appreciate the coverage given by WTHI-TV, WTWO-TV, Hi 99 and The River, all of whom broadcast live from the site, the Tribune-Star and many other Wabash Valley newspapers and radio stations for their promotion of the festival.

Frances Sanders Memorial Scholarships were awarded to students Agatha Chojnacki (Indiana State University) and David Korff (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) at the event.

We invite everyone to return for more good food and music at our 35th Oktoberfest on Sept. 13-15 at the same location — Clabber Girl Festival Marketplace.

— Charles “Al” Brown, president

German Oberlandler Club

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.