Sewer propopsal maintains choice

I do not want any waters to be polluted. I support reasonable restrictions on my freedoms and reasonable actions to maintain a healthy and safe environment. If someone has a failing or failed on-site septic system, they should immediately correct that condition. In 1997 the EPA and Congress issued a finding that private on-site septic systems that were properly sited, installed and maintained provided home owners a viable method to dispose of waste.

Many regional waste districts, in my opinion, are so intent on eliminating all on-site systems, regardless of working status, that they disregard the opinions of others more learned than I that adding sewers alone will not improve the water quality.

There is a bill in the Indiana House to correct a legislative action that allowed sewer districts unchecked powers to force a homeowner to connect and pay fees, even if the homeowner’s septic system is operating properly. House Bill 1225 would allow Hoosiers the freedom to choose whether they connect to a district sewer system, as long as the current system is functioning within established guidelines. If your system is in a state of failure, as I read the bill, a homeowner would be required to correct any deficiencies or connect.

I ask that you contact your state senator and make your voice heard for the cause of freedom. You can also sign a statewide petition opposing mandatory sewer connection using http://indianafreedoms.org.

JIM SALWAY Fremont

Videotape vital for whistleblowers

In reference to Senate Bill 184, which would make it illegal to secretly videotape while visiting an agricultural operation: One of the proponents of this bill, Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, said: “They are videotaping when they see something bad going on – even if the farmer is working to rectify it.”

Something “bad” could only mean inhumane treatment of farm animals and/or improper handling practices of meat, which could easily endanger the human consumer.

Places where videotaping is illegal: Libya, Syria … the United States? Frightening!

Whistleblowers, keep them honest.

KAREN BUBB Fort Wayne

City’s theater scene invigorating

Fort Wayne is fortunate to have so much theater talent. Most recently, the one-man/-woman shows at First Presbyterian Theater are outstanding. Nancy Kartholl playing Anne Hathaway in “Shakespeare’s Will” is as close to a perfect theater experience as ever could be, and I look forward to seeing the next one, “The Year of Magical Thinking.”

Do treat yourself to the wonderful shows in our community!

RUTH BAKER Fort Wayne

Gingrich’s history is consistent

As Michele Bachmann might say, Newt Gingrich has a lot of “cheat-spa.”

A bipartisan House committee sanctioned him for ethics violations (meaning he cheated). He cheated on his first wife with his second wife, and he cheated on his second wife with his third wife. He delivered divorce details to his first wife in her hospital bed. And these are just the things we know about.

Now he is running for the Republican nomination for president and blasts the media for their “despicable” behavior in bringing up his past, and he is doing it with a straight face. That’s “cheat-spa.”

Imagine what Republicans would be saying if Gingrich’s behavior had been committed by a Democrat and the “liberal media” did not bring it up.

I predict if he is elected president, halfway through his term Gingrich will dump the Republicans for some younger, prettier third party.

GARY COPELAND Fort Wayne

Chimps mistreated for our entertainment

Millions will tune in today to Super Bowl XLVI, and many will be watching the usual lineup of contenders for the funniest TV commercial. Among those will be an ad from CareerBuilder featuring a frustrated office worker as he watches the antics of his “co-workers,” played by live juvenile chimpanzees.

By and watching this commercial people will be sending a message to CareerBuilder that their archaic, ignorant use of these sentient, endangered animals is not only OK, it was a financially sound decision.

Experts agree these young “actors” suffer a lot of pain behind the fake smiles shown in these commercials. These young animals, born in captivity for profit, are removed from their mothers at a very early age and are rarely, if ever, given the stimulation necessary to endure a healthy life past their six- or seven-year career in entertainment. These animals will go on to live 30 to 60 years lacking the social skills necessary to be integrated into more well-adjusted and established zoo populations. Black Pine Animal Sanctuary is home to Indiana’s sole chimpanzee, Tarzan, one of hundreds of outcasts from the entertainment industry.

You can make a difference. Listen to the experts. Overcome the trend that shows that public perception of chimpanzees is that they are not endangered, that their wild populations must be stable (they are not). Making them the butt of the joke for our entertainment is not OK. Tune out when CareerBuilder’s commercial airs and help turn the tide for these animals. Tarzan and all those like him will be counting on you!

LORI GAGEN Executive director Black Pine Animal Sanctuary

Eliminate fraud, waste to fix ‘entitlements’

I feel compelled to let you know some of the things on my mind concerning my Social Security and Medicare.

People keep calling these benefits “entitlements” as if I never contributed anything toward these funds that I and millions of others entrusted our government with until we reached our senior years. And it was not like we had a choice as to whether we wanted to contribute.

We constantly hear how Social Security is going broke. Social Security can be fixed by returning all the funds that are owed to it by almost all of the other departments of the federal government and screening more carefully the people who are on the Social Security disability.

Look at and stop the fraud that the medical community gleans from Medicare each year. Stop the unreasonable amounts that the medical community charges for some of the simplest of procedures.

It seems that nothing is being done to fix any of these things. All the politicians worry about is campaigning to get re-elected. Their job is representing the wishes of their constituents for the betterment of all the people they represent. It makes me feel sorry that I gave up six years of my young life for a country whose leaders don’t give a damn!

Will this ever change or will this country follow the path that the Romans did? The ball is in your court.

EDWARD STEGER Fort Wayne

2/2 perfect time for gun awareness

Instead of watching “Groundhog Day” over and over, I would like to propose a new tradition for Feb. 2. I feel it would be entirely appropriate to use the second day of the second month to celebrate the Second Amendment.

I would suggest getting a few $2 bills. We could spend them, use them for tips, or ask for them in change on that day to remind people of this important right.

We could also fold one into a ribbon shape and pin it to our lapel to raise awareness. It might also be a good day to safely enjoy shooting sports. And those who have a permit to carry could exercise their right to keep and bear arms.

THOMAS BRINDLE Fort Wayne

Why no anthem before IPFW game?

I had the opportunity to attend the Jan. 14 IPFW basketball game that was played at the Coliseum, and all I can say is what a giant disappointment. No national anthem before the game. In fact, I do not recall even seeing an American flag, which are normally in plain view for all of the Komets events that I have attended.

On a side note, they played a bunch of really bad rap music to make up for it.

I definitely do not see another reason to attend one of these events.

MICHAEL COLGATE Fort Wayne

Deer’s final moments unnecessarily cruel

About 7a.m. Jan. 11 my daughter hit a deer on Meyer Road between New Haven Avenue and Moeller Road. She immediately called 911 then called me. The deer was lying in the road. After about 10 minutes the police arrived, then more police. Four different police officers from Fort Wayne arrived, along with an employee from animal control. The deer was lying in the roadway in obvious distress as they discussed the situation.

At one point a rope was thrown around the suffering deer’s neck and he was dragged off the roadway. After more discussion and continued suffering for the deer, the deer was dragged another 10 yards before an officer took a shotgun and put the animal out of its misery. The animal suffered for close to 30 minutes.

My daughter’s car sustained more than $4,200 worth of damage; however, she was more upset over witnessing the cruelty toward the deer than the damage to her vehicle.

Certainly there are measures already in place when a deer is struck in the city limits. It shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes of watching an animal suffer and all of these police officers to discuss the procedures, let alone dragging the animal around on two different occasions while it was already distressed and in obvious pain.

BOB WIEGMAN Monroeville