Jobseeker wonders

how to get hired

I have heard a lot lately about how there are more people working and fewer people on unemployment. I think this is great news. I have been waiting patiently since August to find a new job and have been interviewed only three times and told that I am overqualified twice. I didn’t think that it would be that hard to get a job in Terre Haute, but I am finding out otherwise.

After graduating from North, I went on active duty in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer and I am a Gulf War vet. I then served in the Army Reserves and went to Honduras to build schools and bathrooms for the locals. After my eight-year commitment, I joined the Indiana National Guard and went to Atlanta, Ga., for a month to provide security during the 1996 Olympics.

I have 14 years experience in security both at the private and state level; I was a retail store department manager, assistant store manager and store manager. I have over 12 years’ experience in management and supervision, I have even graduated from state-sponsored supervisor classes and a leadership academy.

Out of the nearly 115 applications I have submitted I have  received only three replies. I wish I knew where all of the jobs were. I would gladly apply there.

— Steven Neice

Terre Haute

Improper use of

public property

As I perused my hometown paper I was taken aback to read the article entitled “He is Risen.”

A re-creation of Jesus Christ’s final days is being held on city property? Such tacit endorsement of one religion over another is bizarre — unless I have missed recent articles about Ashura or Passover festivities that were held on public property.

The separation of church and state is an inviolable part of this great nation — activities such as this should be limited to private property.

— Ryan Gottschling

Brooklyn, N.Y.

Position clarified

on downtown

sidewalk issue

There has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding the Board of Works decision to keep the sidewalks open during the annual Blues at the Crossroads, some of which has inaccurately portrayed me and my family as being opposed to the continuation of the annual festival. Consequently, I’ve decided to set the record straight.

For the past several years, the alleys allowing access to our downtown properties have been improperly barricaded by festival organizers without authorization by city officials despite our continued efforts to work directly with those responsible for the safety of our tenants living downtown. While apologetic, organizers continued their same course until confronted each year. As a result, we took our concerns to city officials along with our concerns that too many streets and sidewalks are closed at the same time for multiple events rather than spread those events out during multiple weekends which would enhance downtown activity.

The BPW listened to our concerns as well as others present and formed a community committee to study the issues. I was neither a part of the committee nor aware of their meetings. The result was that closing the alleys continued to be prohibited (which was always the policy) which hopefully re-emphasizes the festival organizers’ ability to arbitrarily close them. Each year we receive a substantial amount of calls from our downtown tenants who have been unable to access their homes. As their landlord, I am obligated to address their concerns. The committee also commented on the sidewalk closings which was of less concern to us providing our sidewalks aren’t closed which so far have not been. The organizers also aren’t allowed to close the drive-through or sidewalks around First Financial Bank either, nor should they be.

The current controversy  of closing the sidewalks around the festival don’t concern us since our businesses aren’t in that area provided patrons who want to walk down the sidewalk are allowed to do so without paying a fee to walk on the taxpayers’ property. Those businesses located in the area of the festival should decide that issue. It doesn’t involve us, although I think the BPW made the correct and legal decision. I doubt the government can authorize a private group to charge to use public property but whatever they decide is fine by me provided the alleys remain open for safety, our sidewalks remain unaffected and the public understands they can walk through the Festival to attend any of the businesses or through the festival without paying $20. 

— Mike Ellis

Terre Haute

Fencing no barrier

to Blues festival

The recent questions and discussion on resolving the differences between the Board of Works, the organizers of the Blues at the Crossroads festival and some local businesses on how to provide access to local businesses but still allow the festival to operate profitably has become spirited but sidetracked.

This won’t be solved by popular referendum. It can be solved on the person-to-person level among those who are directly involved. Most of those voicing opinions and solutions don’t really have all the facts. 

The fence that in the past provided the festival with needed security but which restricted access to those not wanting to attend the festival seems to be the primary issue. Both the board and the organizers have valid concerns. How this fence is erected is the starting point to resolving the problem.

Many people who have attended various festivals in the downtown area are unaware of how the fence appears. Do the festival organizers themselves actually do the fencing? No. Does some fencing company provide this service at a cost to the festivals? No. No one from Indianapolis or outside of the local community brings in men and equipment to do this huge task. The fencing provided to the Strassenfest, Oktoberfest, Altrusa Chili Cook-off, ISU Homecoming, Brickyard BBQ, numerous other Downtown events and the Blues at the Crossroads is provided at no charge by Dever Distributing Co.

Dever Distributing has for years worked closely with local groups, the Indiana State Excise Police and festival organizers to set up fencing that makes these events possible. Every single fence for all Blues Festivals has been setup by Dever Distributing. Dever Distributing has committed resources and manpower to support these community events. Our connection to these local events makes us proud to support Downtown Terre Haute. The commitment is still there to the Blues Festival.

There are ways to end this discussion without the need to rally the troops with “placards and slogans.” This won’t be solved by popular referendum. We can solve it on the person-to-person discussion among those who are directly involved. Dever Distributing can and will erect fencing that can accommodate all involved. We probably won’t be at the Boards of Works meeting on April 23, but I bet we will see you in September at another successful Blues at the Crossroads. But before that, let’s talk.

— Kevin Gillen

Dever Distributing Co.

Great support

for fundraiser

Delta Zeta chapter 3618 of Terre Haute and the Indiana Epsilon Sigma Alpha Membership want to thank the following businesses who helped make the Camp Riley Mystery Dinner a Huge Success.

They are: Baesler’s Market, Champion Awards, Coin Cottage, French Lick Springs Resorts, Goetz Printing, Hardwood Renovations LLC, Holiday Inn, M&J 12 Points Mall, Spence/Banks Oil, Tromp & Tread and Vicki Welsh American Family Insurance.

A Murder Mystery Dinner for Camp Riley, Riley Children’s Foundation took place on Friday, March 23, at the Terre Haute Holiday Inn, 3300 S. U.S. Highway 41. The Murder Mystery was titled “The Murder at the Wooden Parrot Tavern.” Our Pirate cast was: John Mullican, Terre Haute City Councilman and Goetz Printing, Marty “Party Marty” Combs, Crossroads Communications, Ron Prettyman, Indiana State University athletic director, Tom McClanahan, WTWO-TV, Kevin Orpurt, WTHI-TV, Duke Bennett, mayor of Terre Haute, Pam Bennett, first lady of Terre Haute and the mayor’s lovely wife; Heather LeBrun, a Camp Riley mother, Chelsea Backus, Riley Child’s Foundation, Tony Urso, Antique Wholesale, Debbie Frazier and Deb LeMay, ESA members. The Murder Mystery was presented like a 1940s radio show with the participants reading from a script that they had not seen until that night. A cash prize of $500 was awarded to Mary K. Kapco, which she donated $100 back to Camp Riley.

Col. John Newman of Shadow Auction Barn did a wonderful job for the live auction, with Tony Urso of Antique Wholesale as the ring person catching bids. Thanks also go out to the WTWO-TV and WTHI-TV for morning spots to promote our fundraiser, plus Marty “Party Marty” Combs of Crossroads Communications and Diane Cota of Hi-99 for mentioning us on the local radio stations.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) is an international service organization with chapters located throughout the state of Indiana with Delta Zeta 3618 chapter in Terre Haute. ESA of Indiana supports Camp Riley for Youth with physical disabilities at Bradford Woods located in Martinsville. We have supported Camp Riley for 48 years as a state project.

Camp Riley is an overnight camp for Indiana youth who have physical and mental disabilities. The cost for a child to attend a one-week session is approximately $1,800. The children who attend Camp Riley participate in activities, such as swimming, archery, crafts, ride horses, ride on a handicapped accessible pontoon boat, and achieve goals that normal children take for granted.

It also provides a reprieve for the parents who must give 24-hour care to these special needs children. No child is turned away from attending Camp Riley because of lack of funds. Therefore, the Riley Children’s Foundation is dependent upon organizations such as Indiana ESA for donations so that this tradition continues.

We raised $4,805 in support of Camp Riley. We do so they can. Thank you, Terre Haute, for all your support.

— Peggy Zimmer

Terre Haute

Look closely at Democrat ballot

Voters, political party affiliation can be used to understand the core beliefs of each candidate. Does that still hold true today? As I have been assisting my father on his campaign for County Council at- large, I question the true affiliation of some of the candidates on the Democratic ballot. The individuals all describe themselves with the same values. They are all honest and value integrity and will work hard for the people.

Today, I encourage you to ask yourself this, how will they really represent your party while in office? Are they a Republican running on a Democratic ballot? Do they hold true to the values they describe themselves with? What have they suddenly been doing to prepare for this race? Why are they really running for office? Has someone encouraged them to run on the ballot in an attempt to take another out? How will their vote affect you in your workplace or financially? Do you understand the difference between a Republican or Democrat?

I encourage you to get to know the real person on the ballot. Sadly enough, I believe that many on our ballot are not sure what party they belong to or why they have a genuine reason for running for office. Their beliefs and values aren’t in synch with political affiliation.

Democrats believe that business decisions should be guided by government officials and in the best interest of the working people. With this being said, take a look at the candidates on the Democratic ballot and who the individuals are that are supporting them. Do those individuals believe in the best interest of working people?

Ed Ping, a true Democrat, currently on the County Council, is a person who believes in equality of all people. He attended and spoke at each City Council meeting for the passage of the Responsible Bidder Ordinance.

With this being said, members of our local Chamber of Commerce were dissatisfied with the passing of the Responsible Bidder Ordinance. He voiced and signed oppositions against vouchers for Charter Schools. In 2011, he rallied at the state capital with all union brothers and sisters throughout our state. He encouraged county departments to stay within their budgets to avoid raising taxes.

So, today as you read this, when I say vote for an honest and experienced individual, I can support this with facts of his beliefs representing labor and our entire community. He is not a stranger to the struggles of the working class individual.

Ed Ping has stood behind his work to work for the majority not the minority of the community.

— Laura Wheeler

Terre Haute