DEAR EDITOR:
People sometimes say that my generation (I speak of the present youth) expects everything to be given to them. I would not disagree with that entirely. Lately I have seen a generation as well; a generation that is beginning to only care about themselves rather than the good of others. I am talking about the Jefferson schools ongoing levy crisis.
I am a recent graduate of St. John’s and a proud Blue Jay but I also have many friends that have graduated from Jefferson; ones that I still see on a day-to-day basis. I have sat around multiple times and talked about Jefferson’s levy problems with them. 
Lately, I have read some interesting opinions in the paper regarding this topic. Opinions such as how Jefferson will spend their money, why they need the money and even asking why they need so many school buildings? 
What is with the abundance of questioning? Why do people feel the need to make a simple issue suddenly complex?
I respect both sides’ views on this issue but my point is this: Education is the most powerful thing on earth and so is the youth of a nation. Truly, what is more important than gaining knowledge? Also, the youth are the future. Do you really want them to grow up in a town that is divided on an issue simply because of money (increase in taxes)? 
This entire levy debate has been taken way too far and should have been taken care of early on, in an adult fashion. So much has happened over this debate that it has put some people in very difficult situations as to which side to support. Jefferson and St. John’s should have no reason what so ever to be divided. 
To those that have provoked the outburst from this levy, I say this to you; “Get over yourselves.” People need to start and look at the big picture. What is good for the town? What is good for the public school that supports over half the town? What is good for others?!
To put it simply, as the famous Beatles hit goes; “Come together, right now, over me!”  
Support your neighbors — and support your schools!
Jay Clark

DEAR EDITOR,
The 2011 Summer Reading Program has drawn to a close and so I am taking this opportunity to give readers an overview of the events and fun we had this summer at the library.  254 K-5, 90 preschoolers and 17 tweens and teens joined the program this year. We held 38 events over the eight-week program with a total attendance of 1,830. The K-5 graders kept track of the minutes they read with their Reading Record and earned attendance to the pool party for reading at least 90 minutes a week. The total number of minutes reported was 156,028 or about 2,600 hours.
We had many special guests to our programs: storyteller Rita Thelan, naturalist Mark Mohr, professor and native of China Hui Shen and the preschooler’s favorite, Llama Llama. Families were entertained by comedian and magician Jason Abbott. My favorite part of his show was his escape from a strait jacket (after said strait jacket was strapped on by Mrs. Jester – she was a good sport).
I’d like to recognize and thank the library staff for doing lots of behind the scenes work from setting up tables and chairs, to decorating, to working the busy counter, to planning and making crafts. Cathy Hellman is an invaluable helper, often taking an idea and working out the ‘how to.’ Lots of small pieces go into making our program run smoothly and be fun.
Our volunteers were priceless: Sally Kiggins, Sharon Closson, Sue Wildermuth, Victoria Recker, Jessica Recker, Kathleen Wreede, Teresa Pohlman, Allison Gerberick, Madison Spring, Claire Sensabaugh, Tyler Shaeffer, and Caleb Lucas. I appreciate the way they do the unglamorous jobs with a smile and a large dose of patience.
And finally, thank you to the parents for letting us borrow your kids a little each week. I appreciate how they are always well behaved, how well they listen, and their enthusiasm. They are a testament to the families’ commitment in our community.
Sincerely
Denise Cressman
children’s librarian
Delphos Public Library

DEAR EDITOR:
Greg Miller’s letter to the editor asked a question of how much this school tax special election costs. After speaking with the Allen and Van Wert county boards of elections, the answer is around $15,000.
We could have shared this expense with other issues and levies in our area if we waited until November but now, we will be paying this amount ourselves. Could this extra money be used for something more worthy, like pay to participate?
Sincerely,
Charlie Luersman

__PUBLIC__DEAR EDITOR,
Here we go again. Another attempt by our local school board and administration to increase our taxes. This time by a special election. This is the only special election in this area that I am aware of.
This time, the taxes will cover all incomes, not just earned income, even though it has been lowered to .5 percent (for now). To you seniors and retirees, that means taxing social security, pensions, interest on savings and any investment incomes. This as the federal government is talking cuts in Social Security and Medicare.
Last election the school board was asking seniors and retirees to vote for the levy because it would not affect them. This time it will effect everyone. You would think that after the last tax levy was “soundly” defeated, the school board and administration would have gotten the message: “No new taxes.”
I don’t think they have any idea what to do; better to raise taxes than confront the issues. No one said it would be easy. Just do like every other business or industry and work within your budget. It takes much less effort to raise taxes than to face some difficult issues.
At present, the Delphos Public School system has five buildings to educate our students: Franklin Elementary, Jefferson Middle School, Landeck Elementary, Jefferson Senior High and the Superintendent’s office (across from the middle school building). Do we really need five school buildings? This seems to be an issue that none of the school board or administration want to “touch.” Consider the duplication of work, administration, teachers, maintenance, cafeteria staff, upkeep, utilities, etc. Which brings up another point. Do part time employees receive fringe benefits? What about some of the stipends that are paid to administrators and staff just to increase their salaries (e.g. Asbestos Monitor or Coordinator). I thought we had taken care of the asbestos problem and removal years ago (as part of one of several existing bond issues).
Granted there have been cuts in personnel but that’s another question. If the income tax passes will those persons be returned to the staff? If we are able to educate our students without them, did we need them in the first place? As I had stated in my last letter regarding this issue, most public institutions (including schools) are overstaffed and under-utilized. The list of questions could go on and on.
It is my opinion, and that of others that have approached me about this tax levy, that there is still much more to be done before taxes are increased.
One last thought. Why are we having a special election for this issue and what did it cost? I am figuring thousands of dollars (monies that according to the school administration financials we can’t afford to spend to begin with). Why not wait until the November general election. I think that they figured that the majority of voters would not take the time to vote on this one issue.
Be sure to vote on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Greg Miller,
Delphos

DEAR EDITOR:
President Obama is threatening the most vulnerable members of our society by telling them he will not allow them to get their Social Security checks. He is lying. Social
Security checks are sent 4-5 days before the third as it takes time for transfer to bank (or mail) so he would have to stop them before the deadline.
This is reprehensible. You can be sure every congress member will get their pay checks.
He is doing this because senior citizens are voters and usually vote Republican.
Pass this on, please, so that no one is worried about their money. 
This is not acceptable.
Also, members of the armed services should not have to suffer.
Edythe Dean
Fort Jennings