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Letters to the editor

Club members are students, too


To the Editor:

I have nothing against athletes. "Athlete of the Week" is a good feature of the paper so athleticism can be acknowledged. Athletes are recognized for their ability to play sports well.

"Student of the month" also is good for students. Teachers recommend students who they think deserve recognition. Their choice has very little to do with grade point average.

Have you thought about the students who aren't athletes or on the high honor rolls?

There are students who commit themselves to clubs and organizations but are not involved in sports.

Do you know how hard students in organizations work? They prepare for local, state, and national conventions and organize events for club members.

I have been told that students in clubs and/or organizations do not publicize their achievements therefore they are not acknowledged.

I know that Key Club, FEA, FFA, and FCCLA have publicized accomplishments and activities.

Being one of the people who is dedicated to clubs and not sports, I know firsthand how the above mentioned people feel.

Maybe next time you decide to do something new in the paper to promote schools you will think a little harder about those who are not athletically involved and more about the students who work at making school a better place on the inside.

Jessica Bernhardt

Marion

Commissioner responds to letter


To the Editor:

I would like to respond to Jerry Plett's letter in the Feb. 2 issue of the Marion County Record.

The first comment was his problem relative to the wellness program wherein county employees can join a volunteer program that promotes a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, non-smoking, using seat belts while driving etc.), and are rewarded by a paid day of vacation once a year. It would take an employee six-plus months of meeting the requirements to earn this day.

Plett comments that he considers it irresponsible to do this.

This sort of program of rewarding employees for healthy lifestyles has been in place for numerous years throughout the government and private sector of this nation. It has many facets including company gyms, pools, sports facilities, dietary training, and so forth.

The end result is people living healthier lifestyles have less time off the job due to illness, less doctor visits and major illnesses, without incurring higher and higher insurance costs and resultant increases in premiums.

These programs are an attempt to keep health care costs down. Please note this program is being done on a trial basis to determine if it is worth the cost.

Plett was amazed about the irresponsibility of government officials to assume they can disperse tax-payers' money at their own discretion.

That is precisely what government officials in certain capacities are elected to do. If they do not do it in a responsible matter they can be replaced (elections).

Plett commented that everywhere he looked taxes were going up. I agree.

Increasing costs, declining tax base, and declining population will cause that every time.

There are two ways to reverse this trend, and they are to increase the tax base or decrease services. Both are more difficult than they sound and Plett is welcome to join any number of committees struggling with trying to accomplish this.

Plett just missed a golden opportunity to clean out government at the federal, state, and local levels — the 2004 elections.

If one looks at all the un-opposed candidates at all levels and limited (better than usual, but limited) voter turn-out, there seems to be little public support for replacing government officials from "top to bottom."

A single individual can make a difference by running for office, working with groups trying to get out the vote, encouraging others to run for office, and so forth.

A letter to the editor about this concept three months after the elections is of little use.

Permit me another farm analogy to respond to the "foolish farmer" analogy Plett used.

Government is about level of commitment.

A pig's level of commitment to a ham and egg breakfast is much more than that of the chicken.

If a person thinks he has the answers to all the problems faced by government officials, he/she should run for office — voice their views and opinions up front and see if the majority agree with them and then live with the results — the willingness to step forward with your views and run for office thus risking rejection, that's commitment to better government.

One other thing Mr. Plett, contrary to your statement, I am concerned about your welfare and that of all citizens of Marion County.

Dan Holub

Marion

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