PUBLIC FORUM: Certification matters in coroner's election

Opinion

Discussion

November 4, 2012

PUBLIC FORUM: Certification matters in coroner's election

Pharos-Tribune Sun Nov 04, 2012, 06:00 AM EST

— Every family can only hope and pray that they never need the personal service of a county coroner. It is by far the most traumatic time in one’s life and usually follows a sudden death or accident. An examination can occur at other times also.

Through my 24 years as a legislator, we had several times when the public, in various parts of our state, witnessed the sad results of not having the most competent and experienced investigation.

Case in point: An accident occurred on April 26, 2006, on Interstate 69, when seven young girls from Taylor University were involved in a tragic head-on collision with a semi. Five were killed instantly, and one of those killed was mistakenly identified as someone else. Whitney Cerak was pronounced dead, only later to be declared alive due to the coroner and crash scene investigators falsely identifying Whitney Cerak as Laura VanRyn.

As a result of this accident, some in the General Assembly proposed legislation to mandate certification and training to avoid this type of situation from occurring in the future.

We need the most qualified, experienced and certified coroner when it matters most. George Franklin is the only certified and fully qualified coroner candidate we have running.

Experience and certification does matter. George also has 23 years of police investigation, training and skills to know what to look for at an accident scene.

Please vote for George Franklin on Nov. 6.

Tom Weatherwax, former state senator

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

THORNS & ROSES: Week of May 16
May 17, 2013
WOLFSIE: Writing on the walls
Sometimes when I am trying to think of an idea for my column, I just stare at the wall. That’s not a bad thing, because on the wall in my home office is a collection of special pieces of memorabi-lia that inspire me to write, reminding me of the talented people I have had the privilege to meet.

May 17, 2013
HAYDEN: From good to great in education not the way
On the campaign trail last year and early into his administration, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said repeatedly that his goal as governor would be to take Indiana from “good to great.”

May 16, 2013
THEIR VIEW: Big Brother looms large in D.C.
The federal government, working under the cloak of secrecy, has been having a heyday at the expense of all Americans.
First we learn the IRS has been targeting conservatives — applications for tax-exempt status by tea party groups were wrongly singled out for extra scrutiny.

May 16, 2013
KITCHELL: Waste-to-energy a big waste of time
Had all of Logansport attended the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists Awards ceremony last month in Indianapolis, we all would have learned that the No. 1 editorial written in the state in the past year was about a subject that sounds familiar to Logansport residents.

May 15, 2013
THEIR VIEW: Keep teens safe on the roadways
Indiana was able to achieve welcome decreases in teen-driving deaths after adopting graduated driver’s license laws. But it appears some of the benefits of easing teen drivers more slowly into the responsibilities associated with driving are leveling off.

May 15, 2013
MARCUS: Where to put your money
Snail Smith’s real name is Stanley, but his contorted windup and slow pitches gave him the nickname, Snail, during his short baseball career.

May 14, 2013
THEIR VIEW: Indiana loses a respected leader
At a time when our nation was deeply divided by war, social upheaval and political corruption, Otis R. “Doc” Bowen brought stability to Indiana in his eight years as governor largely through the strength of his personal integrity. He was respected, revered even, not only by fellow Republicans but also by independents and Democrats for his deep commitment to the state and its people.

May 14, 2013
OUR VIEW: Mothers the greatest gift of all
Our mothers help guide us through the world around us, helping us sidestep disaster if at all possible. She holds our hand as we become the person we were meant to be. She knew us from the beginning, and if she had it her way, she’d know us to the very end.

May 12, 2013
PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor tells residents of positive change
When the residents of Logansport elected me as their new mayor in November 2011, it was truly an honor.
Our city was battling back from a devastating loss of 1,500 jobs in five years, a recession that wasn’t letting up on the household income of our residents, a divided fire protection commitment in our county and an overall sense of loss in our community.

May 12, 2013
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

PUBLIC FORUM: Certification matters in coroner's election

Do you think an Ohio prosecutor should seek the death penalty against the man accused of imprisoning three women at his home for about a decade and forcing them to suffer miscarriages?

Site Map

Contact Us