Published: March 05, 2008 05:53 pm            

LETTERS: Thursday, March 6

Shelter leader solicits winter aid, and offers thanks



We have a new addition at Haven House Services, he is nine days old. Our oldest resident, Ms. Elsie, just moved into supported housing for the elderly and she was 76 years old.

We have a family from Washington County, 24 people from Floyd County (four from Georgetown, 20 from New Albany), seven from Charlestown, eight from Louisville, and 43 from Jeffersonville and Clark County.

They share one thing in common. They live at the Williams Emergency Housing Center and they number 82. As we have struggled this winter, we have also served.

Several items are needed desperately, besides money which is always needed. They are:

• Toilet paper

• Kleenex

• Cleaning supplies

• Newborn baby diapers

• Coffee

• Paper cups, plates, and flatware

• Two mens’ coats, size 4XL

• A family has obtained housing and needs dishes, pots and pans, and household supplies.

Donations can be delivered to 1727 Green Street, Jeffersonville, 47130, call 285-1197 for more information, or deliver to Bennett House, 3928 Horn Ave., New Albany, 47150, Attn: Carol.

With your generosity this year, we have served so many with so little. Many of you came and helped.

Rodney and Cindy Redden of New Albany, and their entire family, came to serve Christmas dinner and instead of buying presents for each other they bought five to six presents for each of the children and adults in the shelter. It was overwhelming. The Redden family came and Steve Voelker played Santa Claus for the people at the shelter. As they dined together, our residents felt like one of their family members. We cannot thank you enough for that.

There were so many just like the Reddens this year who brought coats, clothing, gifts, food, money and kindness. We thank you for all you do and all you have done for the truly neediest of our community. Please know how much that means to us.

— Barbara Anderson, Haven House Services







Reader: Happy with Clarksville activities



I am writing to compliment the Clarksville Parks Department on their creative and well-planned child and family activities. From hay rides to bus rides, bowling to Bass Pro, our family has participated in many of the events over the past five years.

Not only are these diverse events offered at a very nominal cost, they are well-supervised, clean, organized and a great deal of fun. We truly appreciate the effort that the Parks Department staff puts into their jobs, and the money that Clarksville gives to make the Parks Department one of the best. In this world, it is nice to know that children and families have options for inexpensive, safe fun. Thank you to everyone involved.

— Nancy Cox, New Albany





Jacobi: Police and media must communicate





Editor’s Note: In the interest of full disclosure, Jacobi is a candidate in the Clark County Superior 2 Judge race.



I would like to see a public information policy emerge from the recent controversy between the Clarksville Police Department and The Evening News.

Striking a balance between the public right to know when violent crime occurs and maintaining the confidentiality of a police investigation requires public input.

The lapse of time between the reporting of a violent rape of a 16-year-old female by five suspects during the after hours on the grounds of Parkwood Elementary School and the media reporting of the crime is upsetting to parents and to the public. The lack of immediate media reporting lowers public confidence in local law enforcement.

Good law enforcement benefits from an informed public. Timely press coverage helps police to identify key witnesses, information and possible suspects. The media needs police cooperation to keep the story accurate. Many cases have been solved with public feedback from good media accounts. Several popular television shows have been devoted to apprehending fugitives and local crimestoppers has been a staple for many years.

When the situation cools between the Clarksville Police Chief Dwight Ingle and Evening News Publisher John Tucker, perhaps they could hammer out a comprehensive media policy with public input. Presently, this may seem unlikely. However, such a policy is needed and it could be a model for other police departments.

As the prosecuting attorney from 1983-1989, I worked many homicides, sexual assaults and violent crimes with the Clarksville Police Department. I found then-Detective Ingle to be diligent and honorable. Chief Ingle has always demonstrated respect and sensitivity for victims of violent crime.

As a responsible parent, John Tucker is justifiably concerned for the safety of his two school-age children. This attack occurred after hours behind a local school. Tucker expressed his outrage that information of this crime was not disseminated to the media in an appropriate way to inform the unsuspecting public.

Creating a comprehensive media policy will not be easy. But, asking the police chief and the publisher to begin the process would be a good start. The safety of our citizens deserves this kind of decisive action. Victims and their families will benefit as well.

Maintaining the public confidence in local law enforcement is a worthy goal for everyone.

— Jerry Jacobi, Senior Judge, Jeffersonville

        

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