Sign does disservice to memorial bridge
The new MLK Memorial Bridge leading into town is a very impressive gateway. Those responsible for the design and execution should be proud as can be. It is exactly what a municipal project should be, with one small exception: the big, ugly sign that states the obvious.
When you go to the Washington Monument, you will not find a banner stating “The Washington Monument.” If you go to Mount Rushmore, you will not see “Mount Rushmore” carved in stone below the dramatic presidential profiles. And, if you stand before that impressive statue of a seated Lincoln, you won’t see a “Lincoln Memorial” button on his lapel.
A few years ago I visited Montgomery, Ala. I stood at the base of the hill below the majestic and imposing Statehouse that once housed the government of the Confederacy, and a century later, the administration of Gov. George Wallace. To my right was the plain, simple, humble Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. From that church, through the guidance of King, came a force that brought the Statehouse, and the traditions it stood for, to its knees.
There isn’t a sign on the outside proclaiming “The Martin Luther King Memorial Church.” I imagine if there were, he would find it embarrassing.
MARK MEYER Fort Wayne
Fries, Moss suffer loss of credibility
Regarding Republican County Councilman Paul Moss’ traffic stop, I wonder if the outcome of this event would have been different if the elected person pulled over had been a Democrat?
The buck stops at the feet of Sheriff Ken Fries. He booted this one, but then so did Paul Moss when he placed a call to Fries “to expedite the matter.”
Whatever future political aspirations Fries may have, he will not get my vote – nor will Moss. Allen County residents deserve better than what either of them has shown in this incident.
NANCY LAWRENCE Fort Wayne
True unemployment numbers being hidden
I’ve been wondering about the unemployment rate that the government puts out each month.
Forgetting about the fact that they revise the previous month’s figures, the way this is done is to take the “unemployed” number and divide that by the “workforce” number. On May 31 the official unemployed number was 12,552,212 and the U.S. workforce was 142,059,626. Using the formula, that makes the unemployment rate 8.8 percent. Maybe they use an average number.
On usdebtclock.org the actual unemployed is 22,261,370. That comes out to be 15.7 percent.
My mom used to say, “Figures never lie but liars are always figuring.”
RUSSELL RILEY Fort Wayne
State hoards its surplus; residents suffer shortages
State funding to public schools has been cut, but Indiana has a $1.7 billion surplus. Teachers are not getting the raises they deserve because there is no money; however, Indiana has a $1.7 billion surplus. Instructional aides for special needs students have been reduced due to lack of funding; however, Indiana has a $1.7 billion surplus. Group homes for those adults and children with disabilities are closing due to the lack of funding; however, Indiana has a $1.7 billion surplus.
So I ask: What’s wrong with this picture?
JUDY BOLINGER Fort Wayne
