Letters to the editor, April 18
Thanks to those who answer when you call 911
The week of April 11-17, 2021 is celebrated as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Emergencies that require law enforcement, fire or emergency medical services at any time. It is the job of public safety telecommunicators to provide a continuous link from those in need to the emergency services providers who respond to these needs. Prompt response of law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property. The safety our law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services depends in part on the accurate information obtained from people who contact the Delaware County Emergency Communications Center. You work to provide a 24-hour-a-day service and you are the first contact people have with emergency services.
Public Safety Telecommunicators are a lifeline for our law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services by monitoring their activities by radio, telephone, mobile data terminals and providing them up-to-date and accurate information ensuring their safety and assisting in the task at hand. Each one of you exhibits compassion, understanding and professionalism while performing your duties as a telecommunicator. The administrative staff and shift supervisors are also highly valued for their efficient performance of organizational skills, maintaining compliance, and industry standards, and day-to-day operations of the dispatch center.
The past year has not been easy due to many factors. You are all to be commended for your contributions in keeping law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services personnel safe as well as the citizens and visitors to Delaware County, the City of Muncie and surrounding towns. Thank you.
Paul Singleton
Executive Director, Delaware County Emergency Communications Center
How to raise funds for good projects
As more legislation from the Biden administration arrives for votes, I expect Greg Pence, Mike Braun and Todd Young will say we can’t afford these important measures to help people. Here are some ways to raise lots of funds for good projects, listed in a tweet by economist and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich: Repealing Trump tax cuts: $500B; Raising the top marginal tax rate by 1%: $123B; Wealth tax: $2.75T; Wall St transaction tax: $777B; Eliminating loopholes: $119B; Funding the IRS: $1.75T. That’s a total of $6 trillion. That’s nearly one-third of our entire GDP. The problem isn’t lack of money. The problem is Republican's lack of empathy, vision, and belief of good government. Hint: If you help people, they will vote for you and voter suppression isn’t necessary to keep you in power.
Jennifer Rice-Snow
Muncie
Polarization of 'truth' must be met head on
Impressing the concept of conduct and accountability in the offices of politics should be of paramount importance in a state that entrusts its voice to elected representatives. The current state of our nation's vulnerable democracy gives a shocking visual of unparalleled proportions.
Unprincipled politicians use their constituency’s lack of education and mixed with inadequate protection laws spurn on those who want to misuse their constitutional powers. Their grandeur only fuels the disillusionment and effectively partitions the people. The use of doublespeak, mass and misinformation further exacerbate issues that have been debated since the founding of this country.
The issue lies not just with the people voting in these megalomaniacs but also with the established laws set in place nearly three centuries ago. Current laws do very little to safeguard and prevent the erosion of our most basic freedoms.
Those officials speaking and acting with impunity represent classes which differ from everyday Americans drastically. These people rely upon vast amounts of wealth and social standing but the only way to hold them responsible is to strip away the characteristics which make them powerful.
This polarization of “truth” must be met head on and it's our duty as citizens to not be gullible sheep. Educate your mind and advocate for yourself to meet conclusions that you aren’t comfortable with. Break with populism and lead yourself to a healthier and more inclusive frame of mind.
Trevor Wayne Stahl
Muncie
Thoughts about DST, class basketball and more
Thoughts? Do we really need daylight saving time? Farmers don't, drive-in movies, don't. and if we have a time in Indiana, shouldn't it be Central time zone? Why do we have class basketball? We just had state finals and NO one was talking high school basketball round here. Put it on a referendum and let the people decide, but I think its too late, been here too long, and no one likes change.
Why is the campground at Prairie Creek off limits sometimes; isn't it a public place? Someone explain that one to me. Last comment, I wish more people would fly American flags, I consider it an honor to fly mine. Thanks for listening.
Bruce Beekman
Muncie
How to send a letter to the editor
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