Stutzman’s votes disregard animal rights

I am extremely disappointed that the votes of a large and burgeoning portion of Rep. Marlin Stutzman’s constituency do not matter to him.

His advocacy for deregulation of the farm “industry” is revelatory of self-interest and the resultant desire to please only a certain segment of voters in order to assure his election to office. I received a canned letter from his office outlining why he sides with the agricultural voting bloc and caters to their support rather than insisting upon the humane treatment of animals – one of many replies received from him in recent months.

Remember that this Earth that we all have a stake in, generates – by the second – more and more individuals whose concern resides in kindness, a fair appraisal of environmental issues, and the welfare and yes, rights, of animals.

We shall not support any future candidacy of Stutzman’s. We shall urge others to look elsewhere for the prioritizing of intelligent, humane treatment of animals as well as respectful attention to those voters who have the good sense to care deeply and responsibly about all forms of life.

SUSIE DUNCAN SEXTON Columbia City

Mourdock extremism drives some to Donnelly

In reference to Rep. Marlin Stutzman’s June 15 quote: “(Richard Mourdock) has never been an extremist.” Really! Stutzman goes on to say Mourdock “was a conservative Republican before the tea party was even around, and he was tea party before it was even cool.”

I seem to remember before the May primary election that his purpose was to go to Washington, D.C. and fall right in step with the Boehner-Cantor-McConnell do-nothing far right-wing tea party.

No, being a tea partyer is not cool for a lot of us “old-time” Republicans. Does anyone have an extra “Republicans for Joe Donnelly” yard sign?

ANN WINEBRENNER Albion

Obama risks re-election in ignoring seniors

President Obama is trying awfully hard to ensure his re-election. He now approves of gay marriage, abortion rights, and went as far as allowing illegal immigrants to stay in our country. These new procedures that he has implemented may either help him or could backfire on his election.

Obama would have been safe had he looked to the greater voting power of the senior citizens. The senior citizens represent the majority of the votes in America. All Obama had to do was increase the Social Security cost of living that has been lowered during his term in office. This would be like a payout on Bush tax cut, and he probably would win.

There are lot of baby boomers who would vote for someone who cares about the elderly people.

DAVID DREFKE Fort Wayne

Riverfest provides enjoyment for all

I went to the third annual Riverfest; now I know what I missed by not going the previous two years.

It is a wonderful way to spend several hours or the whole day. There is something for everyone to do and enjoy. I took the pontoon ride down the river, and it was well worth the wait even though the wait was not very long. The event is free and parking is free; what more can you ask for? It was also nice to have the bottles of ice-cold water given to you for the asking to keep you refreshed.

Thanks to everyone who helped to put on such a nice day of fun on the river.

BETH ANN CHAMPION Fort Wayne

Maybe Romney has answer to vicious economic cycle

The average citizen is ignorant of how money works. The dollar is just a medium of exchange (a paper credit with changeable value). The value depends on two variable factors: 1) how many dollars are in circulation and 2) how many people are using them. Both may independently increase or decrease. Faced with economic collapse, government has just two options: 1) higher taxes on the wealthier or 2) printing more dollars, increasing national debt. Congress refused to raise taxes on the wealthier, so printing more money was the only option open.

The job of a CEO is to produce profits for stockholders. Stockholders reward the CEO with outrageous wages and benefits, expecting the CEO to transfer much wealth from the company into the accounts of stockholders, thus taking those dollars out of circulation, further necessitating that the government print more money, thereby increasing national debt again, again and again.

Perhaps former CEO Mitt Romney can tell us just how he is going to preserve our economy from such legal perpetual organized thieving of lower-class dollars without raising taxes on wealthier classes or raising the national debt.

RICHARD D. SLOAN Fort Wayne

Huntertown officials doing town disservice

This is in response to Pat Freck’s June 21 letter (“Fort Wayne springs surprise on Huntertown”): What about the attack on the ratepayers that the Huntertown council has sprung with all its frivolous spending in this past year? How about the approximately half a million or more they spent on the Johnson Road folly? How about letting the ratepayers know that the council is having a rate study done to do what? Lower our rates.

Council members were the ones who could not or would not negotiate with City Utilities. All this council has done is to waste, waste, waste our town’s money and resources. Just look at engineering and legal cost in the past year alone.

They are so blind as to what the people in this community want or need; it is sad. Council blames City Utilities for our problems when in fact the council has made no changes in its own rate structure to accommodate growth or to repair infrastructure. We have our own sewer overflow problems, and we apply for grants to do the work. There has been no fix to any of the old part of town made in years.

So before Freck tries to look and act like she is concerned about this town, maybe she and the council should look in the mirror first.

DAVE GARMAN Huntertown

Time zone debate constitutional issue

In the early 1770s the American colonies were a simmering cauldron of grievances. The Declaration of Independence has guided our democratic form of government for 236 years with each new state incorporating the Declaration’s principals into its own frame of government.

July 4 reminds us that constitutional benchmarks need to be checked to see whether they are being met. Perhaps not, at least if we take seriously the requirement that governments have the responsibility for the safety and well-being of their citizens. Thousands of Hoosiers are currently signing petitions giving Eastern time a big “F” for failure.

Indiana’s elected officials take an oath to support our constitution. Are they keeping their promise? Thousands of Hoosiers think they are not and have signed petitions in support of restoring Indiana to its original Central Time Zone. Petitions can be downloaded from www.hoosiersforcentraltime.com. Celebrate July 4 by joining fellow Hoosiers in letting our elected officials know that enough is enough!

SUE DILLON President, Central Time Coalition Carmel

Fireworks tips can prevent tragedy

As much as we all like to celebrate with consumer fireworks, we must be mindful of the dry conditions and the possibility that use of fireworks in dry weather conditions could spark an inadvertent fire.

Whether you intend to use consumer fireworks or not, the following general precautions make a good deal of sense anytime the conditions are particularly dry in your area.

•Use ashtrays instead of tossing burning cigarettes from cars.

•Trim back yard foliage, including tree branches overhanging the roof.

•Clean leaves and pine needles off the roof and out of the gutters.

•Store combustibles as far from the house as possible.

•Warn children about setting fires.

•Keep hoses in a convenient location where they are easily accessible.

When considering the use of consumer fireworks, there are several common-sense and logical steps one can take to ensure that a fireworks display in dry weather conditions can be safe, free from inadvertent fires and entertaining.

•Fireworks should be handled and fired only by sober adults.

•The shooting site should ideally be concrete, asphalt or dirt – a surface that will not burn.

•The fireworks should be kept away from wooded or grassy areas that would be susceptible to fire.

•Make sure all combustible grass, leaves and brush are cleaned from the launch area and in areas along the flight trajectory or fallout zone of fireworks.

•The launch area should be completely wet down before igniting any fireworks to ensure that inadvertent sparks in the immediate launch area do not catch the surrounding area on fire.

•An adult should be identified as the firefighter, whose job is to have a ready source of water available (a connected hose is best) and to watch the fireworks to make sure they come down cold and do not ignite any grass or brush fires.

WILLIAM A. WEIMER Vice president, Phantom Fireworks