We live during some of the most turbulent times. And political candidates
are using family values as a campaign issue. One need only look at the
breakdown of the nuclear family and the people who are being born without ever
having a chance to experience that feeling of a nuclear family. It is as if we
are existing in an era when there is no code of honor. No common courtesy. No
respect. No brotherhood. Consequently, Madison Avenue and society feverishly
look for a person who can be the guy on the white horse wearing a white hat.
The obvious choices have become politicians and even sports figures. One only
need look at the Glen Robinson situation to see the hunger for a role model to
surface in our area.
Recently the newspaper printed a name that was the true impetus behind this
letter. Roy Dominguez is the epitome of what a man should be. His parents and
family must be awful glad of "Mijo." He is like the ballplayer that is
described as having the "full package." Where the ballplayer is described as
having speed, power, good glove etc., Roy is honest, dedicated, intelligent,
classy and has his heart in the right place.
Dominguez ran one of the best and toughest campaigns this past May in his
bid to become Lake County sheriff and earned the respect of the political
kingpins. In Lake County the true test of a man's worth is his ability to
garner votes. Maybe it's a little cynical, but it's true. Dominguez has gone to
the mountain since the mountain didn't come to him. Most lawyers or men from
the academic world are reluctant to take off the gloves and do battle in the
precincts, but not Dominguez. My only hope is that Gov. Bayh looks over his
impeccable record and appoints him to the Superior Court bench. He would be an
excellent role model for the people in East Chicago.
Ricardo Moreno
East Chicago
My letter is in response to the letter from Jodi Louth, the director for
Citizens for Human Animal Treatment. I wonder why groups like hers stretch and
twist the truth to confuse the real issue at hand. Is it because the real truth
will work against them?
First, the morning dove is not the dove of peace. The dove of peace and love
is the white dove, not the grey morning dove! She also states that doves in two
states cannot be hunted. Then you must be able to hunt them in the other 48,
right?
Then she says the state is sponsoring this so-called massacre. These birds
are fast flying and quick. On an average, only one bird is killed for each six
shots fired by an experienced hunter, not someone who is just learning of the
great outdoors and respect for the bounty that nature has given to us.
She talks about tax dollars, but again fails to tell the whole truth.
Hunters have to buy a hunting license, the special stamps costing $50 or more.
Hunters also have to pay 11 percent special tax on all guns and ammunition they
buy that is used to fund all state and federal parks amounting to millions of
dollars each year. How much money does her group donate to help wildlife?
I have hunted since I was 9 years old and my two teenage daughters and
pre-teen son hunt with me. I have never seen them squeal with glee nor have
they heard me cheering them on when they are with me - they show great respect
for the outdoors and things we do. They are not being de-sensitized but
learning what life really is about.
In 1935 another person told half truths and said the year will go down in
history. For the first time a civilized nation had full gun registration - its
streets would be safer, its police more efficient and the world would follow
its lead into the future. His name ... Adolph Hitler.
Give all the facts and all the truths, Louth.
Bob Eshelman
Hobart
I want to thank The Times' tremendously skilled photography staff
including Yvette Dostani, Mike Zajakowski, John Watkins, Geoffrey Black, and
Jill Sagers for volunteering their time, knowledge and sweat in making the
Eyes of Gary photography class for grade school children a great success.
These talented photographers helped provide a shining light, except in the
darkroom, for all the children who participated. They received very positive
reinforcement as they learned and developed.
I am so thankful that they participated and look forward to the next Eyes
of Gary. Just as this note was sent via computer, perhaps we will be able to
demonstrate digital photography using computers the next time. Thanks again.
Ron Seman
Whiting
Thanks to Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission our area is about
to step up to the federal money trough. This time, it's to feed on $10 million
in Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act funds provided annually by
the highway administration for development of "alternative" transportation modes
The Clean Air Act mandates that areas in "non-attainment" on ozone emissions
reduce local automobile use. ISTEA provides funds to develop bike/hike trails
as one way to accomplish this. According to NIRPC, men in business suits,
secretaries in flowing skirts and steelworkers in metatarsal boots would pedal
to work each day, come rain or shine, if only they had a trail.
The 1990 census claimed more than 300,000 people daily travel from home to
work in Northwest Indiana. Of that number, only 500 of them do so by bicycle.
In statistical terms, the percentage of bicyclers to drivers is insignificant.
Yet local governments are encouraged to spend $42 million in federal money over
the next 20 years for trails along abandoned railroad corridors.
Even NIRPC concedes trail development will be extremely difficult to
accomplish. According to them, "Many landowners whose properties adjoin
abandoned railroad rights-of-way have shown that they are rightful heirs to
easement rights granted to (the railroad) a century ago ..." How does NIRPC
propose to divest these people of their property?
One NIRPC official recently lamented the general lack of support for the
bikeways plan outside Northwest Indiana's recreational biking community. I
remarked he shouldn't be surprised. If a responsible local government official
was given the choice between projects that are revenue generating (property
taxes), or revenue spending (trail maintenance, liability insurance and law
enforcement costs), which should the taxpayer expect him/her to choose?
Joanna Waugh
Porter
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