July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
City reprimands should be withdrawn (08/18/06)
Letter to the Editor
To the editor:
Over the past few months many letters to the editor have been written relating to (Portland) Mayor Bruce Hosier's mandate that city employees attend the funeral of Barbara Blackford. We believe that the mayor made this decision out of a desire to show respect for a long-time public employee. Public service today is a thankless job. Everyone is quick to criticize every decision.
Bob Brelsford is the immediate supervisor of several city employees. Each got a memo requiring their presence at both Barbara's viewing and funeral. Both were mandated. Employees believed their jobs depended on their attendance. Some, however, could not attend the funeral due to previous commitments. Bob not only attended the funeral, but he and his wife Kim worked at the dinner following.
Most of us would like to work for a person who would back us when he/she thought we had a valid grievance. Too often when we need the support, we find we're on our own. The employer may agree with us, but will not risk being at odds with his superiors. Bob Brelsford was willing to take action, say that the mayor had carried his authority too far and file a formal complaint on behalf of his employees.
We have known Bob for many years and have always found him to be a person of integrity. He has been a conscientious, hard-working employee, a credit to our community. We understand he has requested that the written reprimands placed in his and his employees' personnel records be removed. We believe this action should be taken.
Both men did what they deemed necessary and both need our support.
Rose Snow, Wilma Fowler, Gertrude Metz, Sue Bowers, Nancy Cheeseman, Marjorie Saxman, Mary Steveson and Roberta Lyons
Reading funding
To the editor:
When we think of what we wish for our children and the future of Indiana, we can all agree we want fluent, avid readers. To read, they must have access to books. To develop a passion for reading, they must have interesting, age-appropriate books - and let's be honest - current and appealing ones as well.
If Indiana schools are going to prepare our students to be competitive in this global society, they must have the resources necessary to encourage reading and vocabulary development. That is why the Indiana State Reading Association is joining a coalition of organizations to implore the 2007 Indiana General Assembly to reinstate the School Library Printed Materials Grant.
From 1997-2002, the Indiana General Assembly initiated this grant providing up to $6 million a year to purchase new books and other printed materials. When the School Library Printed Material Grant was eliminated in the 2002-2003 school year due to budgetary constraints, both book purchases and circulation declined dramatically.
Even more disturbing, prior to the 1997 dollar-for-dollar matching grant program, the average book on a school library shelf was printed in the 1960s.
The expense for this grant is a minimal investment in the future of our children and state.
According to the recent issue of Indiana Libraries, Indiana schools' expenditures for books are significantly below the national average with funding that won't even buy a single new book per student per year.
That may be partially why a 2001 national study by the University of Maryland reported 70 percent of eighth-grade students believe reading is boring, and more than 55 percent perform below a basic reading level.
To acquire the advanced reading skills necessary to succeed on high-stakes tests and in the workforce, current books are essential.
But more importantly, current books and newspapers are required to foster the love of reading and desire for a lifetime of success. Young readers must get the "feel" of reading by turning pages, curling up on the couch and being immersed in the wonder of the experience.
This just can't be done in front of a computer or handheld wireless device. Young adults need to realize books are portable too!
With a small investment in school library materials, we can cultivate readers and make Indiana's economic future brighter by strengthening the skills of its young citizens.
As the 2007 Indiana General Assembly gears up, Gov. Mitch Daniels, Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed and each legislator must make reinstating the School Library Printed Materials Grant a priority.
Libby Turner, president,
Indiana State
Reading Association[[In-content Ad]]
Over the past few months many letters to the editor have been written relating to (Portland) Mayor Bruce Hosier's mandate that city employees attend the funeral of Barbara Blackford. We believe that the mayor made this decision out of a desire to show respect for a long-time public employee. Public service today is a thankless job. Everyone is quick to criticize every decision.
Bob Brelsford is the immediate supervisor of several city employees. Each got a memo requiring their presence at both Barbara's viewing and funeral. Both were mandated. Employees believed their jobs depended on their attendance. Some, however, could not attend the funeral due to previous commitments. Bob not only attended the funeral, but he and his wife Kim worked at the dinner following.
Most of us would like to work for a person who would back us when he/she thought we had a valid grievance. Too often when we need the support, we find we're on our own. The employer may agree with us, but will not risk being at odds with his superiors. Bob Brelsford was willing to take action, say that the mayor had carried his authority too far and file a formal complaint on behalf of his employees.
We have known Bob for many years and have always found him to be a person of integrity. He has been a conscientious, hard-working employee, a credit to our community. We understand he has requested that the written reprimands placed in his and his employees' personnel records be removed. We believe this action should be taken.
Both men did what they deemed necessary and both need our support.
Rose Snow, Wilma Fowler, Gertrude Metz, Sue Bowers, Nancy Cheeseman, Marjorie Saxman, Mary Steveson and Roberta Lyons
Reading funding
To the editor:
When we think of what we wish for our children and the future of Indiana, we can all agree we want fluent, avid readers. To read, they must have access to books. To develop a passion for reading, they must have interesting, age-appropriate books - and let's be honest - current and appealing ones as well.
If Indiana schools are going to prepare our students to be competitive in this global society, they must have the resources necessary to encourage reading and vocabulary development. That is why the Indiana State Reading Association is joining a coalition of organizations to implore the 2007 Indiana General Assembly to reinstate the School Library Printed Materials Grant.
From 1997-2002, the Indiana General Assembly initiated this grant providing up to $6 million a year to purchase new books and other printed materials. When the School Library Printed Material Grant was eliminated in the 2002-2003 school year due to budgetary constraints, both book purchases and circulation declined dramatically.
Even more disturbing, prior to the 1997 dollar-for-dollar matching grant program, the average book on a school library shelf was printed in the 1960s.
The expense for this grant is a minimal investment in the future of our children and state.
According to the recent issue of Indiana Libraries, Indiana schools' expenditures for books are significantly below the national average with funding that won't even buy a single new book per student per year.
That may be partially why a 2001 national study by the University of Maryland reported 70 percent of eighth-grade students believe reading is boring, and more than 55 percent perform below a basic reading level.
To acquire the advanced reading skills necessary to succeed on high-stakes tests and in the workforce, current books are essential.
But more importantly, current books and newspapers are required to foster the love of reading and desire for a lifetime of success. Young readers must get the "feel" of reading by turning pages, curling up on the couch and being immersed in the wonder of the experience.
This just can't be done in front of a computer or handheld wireless device. Young adults need to realize books are portable too!
With a small investment in school library materials, we can cultivate readers and make Indiana's economic future brighter by strengthening the skills of its young citizens.
As the 2007 Indiana General Assembly gears up, Gov. Mitch Daniels, Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed and each legislator must make reinstating the School Library Printed Materials Grant a priority.
Libby Turner, president,
Indiana State
Reading Association[[In-content Ad]]
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