TERRE HAUTE —
Choose for health on smoking issue
Vigo County Commissioners have an important decision to make — will they be leaders or followers?
In the coming days, county commissioners are expected to take a vote on whether to adopt a smoke-free policy that is stronger than the state’s. The comprehensive policy on the table would include prohibiting smoking in restaurants and bars and would protect hundreds of workers and patrons from the deadly effects of secondhand smoke.
The American Lung Association in Indiana strongly supports this policy and hopes that Vigo County will put public health first and lead the way for a smoke-free Indiana. Additionally, the future of a smoke-free Terre Haute, set to go into effect July 1, lies fragilely in the mix while opponents wait to see who will set the status quo.
There is no arguing with science. Secondhand smoke kills. It causes cancer, disease, and has damaged the lives of far too many of our friends and family members to be ignored in the name of perceived profit.
The onus then lies with Vigo County — will you follow the state with a watered down plan or lead your community with a comprehensive policy? We eagerly await your choice.
— Alison Martin
Executive Director
American Lung Association
in Indiana
Indianapolis
Why can’t people care for own kids?
I would like to thank Mr. Majewski for his letter to the editor on June 17. He came up with facts I did not know. I agree with him that no way should the state be involved in making decisions on who has children. I agree that education is a great equalizer.
However, I never mentioned color of skin, hair color or even mental shortcomings. I would like to go on record that I do not even care if the kids are ugly. You can have all the children you want as long as I don’t have to pay for them.
The simple answer is, if you are unable to take care of your offspring and teach them to be self-sufficient, do not have them. To force your neighbor to use his hard-earned assets to take care of your shortcomings is shame on you.
True or not, I read an article that it costs $250,000 to raise a child. The individual that had 30 children on welfare would cost us taxpayers, per that article, $7.5 million, and there are millions on welfare.
Statistics have shown that this group produces more welfare children, is more likely to be involved in crime and has a higher rate of being a school dropout. Mr. Majewski, education is a wonderful thing, but if you are unable to get them to stay in school and study, what do you do?
— Sam Wallace
Casey




