News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Letters

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
July 6, 2012

READERS’ FORUM: July 6, 2012

The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — New complex will destroy Woodgate subdivision

Terre Haute has worked a long time at improving its image of the ’40s and ’50s. We have many things to be proud of in the city, a big one was cleaning up Wabash Avenue and bringing it back to life. Terre Haute was once again becoming a nice place to live and raise a family.

That is until now. A select few have decided that they want more money, without considering how adversely they would affect our town. And with the help of maneuvering some key officials, they are getting the job accomplished. I am referring to the decision to allow Cobblestone Crossing to build two-story apartments next to established subdivisions. They are destroying Woodgate. Other subdivisions will also be negatively affected.

We would welcome Cobblestone’s expansion with open arms if they would have stuck to their originally approved plans of single-story condos and homes. They could at least now put up a decorative wall or fence and landscape their borders, as well as offer better security for this area. They plan to do nothing, and county officials let them get away with all this.

I invite you to attend a future meeting with your county commissioners with us and you will see. At a June 19 meeting, the commissioners sat dumbfounded, refusing to respond when presented with clear evidence that they (and Area Planning) bungled the rezoning process that allowed for multi-story apartment buildings built within 25 feet (a long jump shot) from neighbors’ property lines with no transitions or buffers and guaranteeing no notification or input from impacted residents in Woodgate. These commissioners enjoy their nice, quiet neighborhoods and admitted they wouldn’t like to have these monstrosities in their back yards. Yet they do nothing.

Just so you’ll know, these two-story apartment buildings are built on mounds of dirt where the rain water will flow right into Woodgate, flooding yards, crawl spaces and basements. Many of our own neighbors do not realize the problems they will face in the very near future.

Look back at Southwood subdivision's history of flooding until a huge drainage ditch was built. Cobblestone says they have a retention pond for the run off, yet the drain pipe sticks too far up in the air, rendering it non-functional. They did not even put swells around their property for the water to run off.

Some have called the Cobblestone development an example of economic progress. It might bring short-term jobs, but the commissioners and the powers behind Cobblestone clearly do not have the long-term interests of the county’s residents in mind. Cobblestone’s expansion will rapidly decay the quality of life in Woodgate, a crown jewel of south Terre Haute.

What happened to the vision and leadership that had begun to change Terre Haute? Terre Haute and Vigo County deserve better.

—Steve McCain

Woodgate Resident for 17 years

Terre Haute



In defense of our public employees

I am writing this letter in support of my fellow public sector employees. I have been employed by the United States government for 24 years. I am a third-generation public servant, but I fear that there will not be a fourth generation of my immediate family to enter government service.

The baseless and wanton attacks on public servants as a whole in the media and in the political realm have led me to this conclusion. Public employees in this area process Social Security claims, collect taxes, guard violent offenders, respond to fire and emergency calls and protect life and property at all hours of the day and night.

We did not enter into these positions in search of riches. We took them because we wanted to make a contribution to society. However, we still have to provide for our own families. Many public servants have a difficult time making ends meet, and with the focus on our supposedly “extravagant” pay and benefits, it makes it difficult to align reality with political expediency.

Our elected leaders need to realize that their short-term benefits in the polls will have long-term consequences. The next generation of public servants may not materialize. Perhaps that is ultimately what some of them want to happen.

— Shawn Kennedy

Sullivan



Qualifications are the key, not titles

This is in response to the article by reporter Arthur Foulkes published on June 26 titled “Fire union arguing ‘bump rights’ issue.”

Does it make a difference that she was a “female?” She is a member of the bargaining unit and has the same rights as a “male” firefighter. Gender has nothing to do with what is earned by a person, male or female. The female firefighters are good at their jobs and just as qualified as their male counterparts. If Mr. Fisher is a qualified paramedic or Advanced EMT then I hope he will use the best person for the job, not just a person who carries a certain title.

Dedication and ability should be considered. Titles don’t make a person more qualified.

There are many people who carry a title who cannot do what is required of them. It is just who they know.

— Judy Liston

Terre Haute



Insults no way to garner respect

I thought Ron Mott’s article on respect was hilarious and clever. He begins by pointing out how he always understood the meaning of respect and then proceeds to insult a president.

But the best part came when he insulted the entire state of South Carolina. Then he continues as if nothing happened.

What a hoot! Keep up the good work, Ron.

— Mike Collins

West Terre Haute

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Letters
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50 Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy Today in History May 23
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News