Reader explains choice of party

I was talking with a friend the other day and telling him about my meeting with John Gregg. In the middle of the conversation, he asked me: Why are you a Democrat?

I would like to share that answer with you.

After college, I got a position at Logansport State Hospital (where I have worked for almost 27 years). I believed my job was to serve and protect those individuals suffering from mental illness and the community.

The past 8 years have been the worst that I have worked through in my career. Privitatization, bean counters and mismanagament to state resources have alomst decayed the system I believe in.

The difference between Democrats and Republicans is as simple as it is complex to me.

Republicans are “I” people. I can not afford to pay for the mentally ill, the old, the veterans (who have served our country), the benefits for those who work for me, the money to improve our educational system and furthermore it is not and should not be my responsibility to worry about such things.

Democrats are “we” people. They understand that the constitution starts out by saying, “We the people of the United States of America.”

They believe that in order to be the best and most productive society in the world we must take care of those who cannot take care of themselves and grow a strong working class base for those who do the menial tasks in our society.

In the patient library at Logansport State Hospital hangs a quote from Thurgood Marshall, “People are people. Strike them and they will cry out; cut them and they will bleed; starve them and they will wither away and die, but treat them with respect and decency and give them equal access to the levers of power and attend to their asperations and grievances, and they will flourish and grow.” These words to me are what the Democratic Party is about.

In November, when we go to vote, we need all the “we” people we can get. That is why I am a Democrat!

Rick Ricks, Logansport

Neighborhood plan topic of meeting

The city of Logansport is holding a public meeting on the proposed redevelopment plan for the neighborhood north of Ottawa Road between Clifton and Michigan avenues and south of Jackson Street.

We will be going through an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the area.

Please join us at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in conference room D/E at Logansport Memorial Hospital. We are excited to learn more about this area through the involvement of the community.

For more information, please call me at 574-753-7775.

Arin Shaver, director, Logansport/Cass County/Walton Planning Department

Celebrating success helping Hoosiers

In Indiana, we have set a goal of reaching higher in building a well-educated workforce. With growing national and international competition, the economic well-being of our citizens and our state is increasingly tied to this goal. Yet, unfortunately, Indiana ranks a dismal 40th in terms of college attainment, according to the Lumina Foundation.

This is why WGU Indiana was created two years ago by executive order of Gov. Mitch Daniels — to expand higher education options and access for Indiana residents, particularly for those who require affordability and flexibility to complete the degrees they started years ago.

I firmly believe that WGU Indiana complements our other fine academic institutions in this state by making going to college more affordable and convenient for working adults, while taking full advantage of the technology and innovation of online learning here in the 21st Century.

So congratulations to the students, alumni and faculty of WGU Indiana on their two-year anniversary. There are many achievements worth celebrating, including the fact that WGU Indiana’s enrollment now tops 2,600 students statewide, and there are or have been students and graduates from all 92 counties in Indiana. WGU has quickly earned a reputation for producing highly qualified graduates who have the skills employers need. In a 2011 survey by Harris Interactive, 98 percent of employers who had hired WGU graduates said that graduates met or exceeded their expectations; 100 percent would not hesitate to hire another WGU Indiana graduate.

It is certainly clear: college completion counts. The lifetime earning potential of a student who does not complete higher education is more than $1 million less than an individual with a college degree, according to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Perhaps more important is the sense of satisfaction and pride college graduates feel when they can say “I did it!” There is no question that the benefits of completing college are enormous for graduates, their employers and the community.

Again, congratulations to WGU Indiana, Indiana’s eighth state university. Let’s encourage those who once started down the path of a college degree to complete that journey. Let’s inspire them to make the investment that will pay dividends for long after. And let’s make this a sustaining legacy in Indiana.

Allison Barber, chancellor, WGU Indiana

Thimlars create great restaurant

Roses to the Thimlars, who had the insight to take the old Firestone building and turn it into a most impressive restaurant for Logansport. They always had a wonderful vision at the Country View, and they have carried that vision to this new chapter in their lives.

They took an old building that is part of Logansport’s history and turned it into a gorgeous restaurant that Logansport so badly needed. They are to be commended for all their hard work.

Betty J. Denton, Logansport

Thanks for support of golf tournament

We would like to thank Kim and Brad Darche, all the hole sponsors, all the players, Dykeman Golf Course, and everyone associated with the Harvey Darche Memorial Golf Tournament for the nice gift you gave to Jasmine.

The money will be put toward her college education.

We would also like to thank Worly’s Inn for the great food after the tournament.

Thanks again to everyone!

Jasmine Schlick and family, Royal Center

Thanks for help with celebration

Thank you so much for all the 80th birthday cards that I received. It was amazing to hear from so many old friends.

I just can’t express my gratitude enough for your thoughtfulness.

Harold Keith Slusher, Anamosa, Iowa, formerly of Walton

Thanks for support in time of grief

The family of Mary Alice Jones would like to thank Father Michael McKinney and Deacon and Mrs. Juan Rodriguez for their visits and prayers; Dr. and Mrs. David Morrical; the staff at Miller’s Merry Manor; Guardian Angels Hospice Care; Kroeger Funeral Home; All Saints Ladies for the funeral dinner; and all those who visited Mary Alice at the nursing home, brought food, sent cards or prayed for Mary Alice and her family during a difficult time.

We truly appreciate the thoughtfulness shown to our family.

Mary Ellen Roller and Michael B. Jones, Logansport