Old saying doesn't apply (11/29/2008)

To the editor:

In a recent agreement, a local resident has been assessed a fine of $10,000 for owning illegal gambling machines. On the surface this seems a tad extreme. What surprised me was conversation at a local coffee shop following this story. I overheard people say he had "bought his way out of jail" and that " it must be nice to be able to buy your way out of jail time like that." And the old standard, "when you have money you can get away with anything."

This line of reasoning simply amazes me. We are wrangling with issues such as jail overcrowding. We are told that we are in a predicament where our jail, which was touted as a "state of the art facility" as recently as the late 1980's, is now just terribly inadequate and we must spend countless millions to rectify this.

Are the same people stating that he bought his way out of jail, the ones who  complain about spending so much to update our jail? If so, do you really think that putting a guy in jail who simply owned the same machines that have been in clubs and bars for years and years, really belongs in jail?

Think this through. We cannot have it both ways. The jail should be utilized to contain those who really belong there. I fail to see how some guy who simply owned a few machines which, up until very recently, were very commonplace around here, belongs in our terribly inadequate, outdated and overcrowded jail.

By the way, no, I am not a personal friend of the defendant, and am not justifying his actions here. I would be willing to bet, however, that the defense of this case and the ensuing fine, have indeed been a financial hardship on him, so the overheard line about "the rich buying their way out of jail time" most likely does not apply in this case.

Respectfully,

James D. Fulks III

Dunkirk

Thanks given

To the editor:

Thank you once again, Jay County.

In spite of the stress of difficult economic times, you graciously donated wonderful items, attended the benefit auction and purchased items, or you simply came and enjoyed the ambiance of the evening. Because of your kind participation, the annual Holiday Benefit Auction was a success.

Over 200 people attended the 26th annual auction at Arts Place, where $18,798.50 was raised for programming and services such as Innovations, MusicWorks and Arts in the Parks. The auction is the kick-off event for the annual fundraising campaign.

The success of the auction was attributable to many people, and some we would like to recognize are:

•The numerous business and individuals who donated sale items, door prizes and cash.

•The many volunteers who solicited donations.

•Loy Realty and Auction, Doug and Gary Loy and staff for providing auctioneering services.

•Co-chairs, Sara Farris and Becky Hinkle.

•Delta Theta Tau Sorority for all of their help both for setting up and running items on Friday.

Pam Schemenaur for baking dozens of cookies.

•Arts Place Board of directors and Lisa Barnett, Tyson Foods, for preparing the food; First Merchants Bank for sponsoring our reception; Coca-Cola Bottling; and Jay County Beverage (Ted and Cheryl Miller) for their generous donations to the refreshments.

•Wine stewards Jim Burk and Paula Fifer.

•The staff of Arts Place.

•Most importantly, the very enthusiastic and generous crowd that attended this year's auction.

Sincerely,

Sara Farris and Becky Hinkle, co-chairs, along with Sue Burk, regional grants and development director, for the Arts Place staff[[In-content Ad]]