Explanation for IPFW, anthem
In response to Michael Colgate’s Feb. 5 letter regarding “lack of anthem” before the Jan. 14 IPFW game: IPFW played a doubleheader against Oakland that day. My guess is that, like me, Colgate did not arrive for the first game but only for the men’s game which followed the women’s game. The same flag, in plain view for Komets games, is also in plain view at all IPFW games played at the Coliseum. The “bad rap music” referred to must be the recorded music played during warm-ups; I assume the players get to choose the music they warm up to. Once the game starts the IPFW pep band takes over and they do a terrific job (including the playing of the national anthem).
IPFW basketball is one of the best-kept secrets in Fort Wayne; I hope Colgate gives it another try (I did notice that no mention was made of the exciting and high-caliber game that was played that night).
DAVE FIANDT Fort Wayne
Official does Huntertown disservice
As a Huntertown resident, I have concerns about our current town clerk-treasurer, David Rudolph.
He has some health issues, and in October of last year these health issues began affecting his job. I sincerely wish him well but also feel that, if he cannot perform his duties, he should step down. He has not attended a Town Council meeting since October; according to Indiana Code 36-5-6-6, a town clerk’s duties include recording proceedings of legislative body meetings. In fact, the Town Council and residents of Huntertown were instructed, per a letter from his family, to contact his lawyer with any “questions concerning the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office.”
We continue to pay his $55,000 a year salary. Now we are also paying a deputy clerk-treasurer to do his job. No one has been told when, if at all, Rudolph will be able to resume his responsibilities.
When I started looking into Rudolph’s record as clerk-treasurer, I became aware that he has been costing us a lot of money his whole time as clerk-treasurer. According to the State Board of Accounts examination filed Nov. 15, 2011, Rudolph, acting as Huntertown treasurer, accumulated $1,675 in late fees to the IRS. We paid an additional $176 in late fees to the Indiana Department of Revenue. The audit also contains other shortcomings about his service as Huntertown clerk-treasurer. This information is available at the SBOA website under audits in Allen County, year ending 2010. The 2011 information is found at the end of the report.
If you are a Huntertown resident and have concerns about this situation, please voice your concerns to the Town Council. Their contact information can be found at www.huntertown.org.
JACQUELYN TRACEY Huntertown
‘GOP’ can’t issue legislative fines
I would like to take exception to your headline on Jan. 19 regarding Indiana’s General Assembly, which read: “Democrats issued fines from GOP.”
The GOP could not issue nor collect fines from anyone. However, a duly elected state legislature could, and should, have power to fine or sanction legislators who are derelict in their duty to perform the people’s business.
We should remember these same legislators left the state last year to avoid a needed quorum and postpone a vote. This year they stayed in the building but still refused to come to the assembly, avoiding a debate and vote they may find distasteful. Are there any other jobs where one can get paid for not showing up for work?
Win, lose or draw, isn’t this why we the people pay their salary? Sounds like sour grapes and poor judgment to me.
DAVID G. McCOMAS Fort Wayne
Vote ‘nope’ on Obama
Gregg Bender’s Jan. 28 cartoon depicts President Obama’s State of the Union focusing on “hope,” and Mitch Daniels’ rebuttal shows “nope.” They should have read “fantasy” v. “reality.”
For the past three years we have heard the same rhetoric from the president. His results speak for themselves: $5 trillion added to the deficit, a failed stimulus package and a divided country. Daniels spoke the truth about hard choices that we need to make to stop this spiraling decline of our country.
Obama’s speech at Disney World the previous week was the right setting for his “fantasy” speech. He should have skipped the joint session of Congress and used the time to play another round of golf or plan his next vacation to Hawaii.
The “nope” heading in the cartoon is what I hope people decide in November when they see Obama’s name on the ballot.
DAVID SMITH Fort Wayne
