The attitude of Michigan City |
The attitude of Michigan City |
Sep 17 2007, 11:46 AM
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#1
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,460 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
I am going to admit my bias here quickly... I loved this letter. I was curious to hear other people'e impressions of it.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=49521.11 QUOTE Paul Venckus Writing a eulogy is very difficult. You reminisce about the past. Fun times. Sad times. Mostly good memories of days gone by. Recollections etched in our souls define much of who we are today. How quickly the days, then years slip away. I first met my friend 44 years ago when I was just 6. We had so much fun at school. Pine School, Barker, then Rogers. There was Shoreland Hills, the beach, skating, parades, fireworks, etc. Who can forget Mount Baldy, the zoo and Marquette Mall? I have this longing to somehow hold onto these memories as I try to write words of hope and meaning. Hope. Is there any hope? You see, my friend hasn't died yet. But I see the despair, the fear. The disease has spread to a point where only radical surgery can help. But my friend is in denial. She says things will be all right though disease ravages the very marrow of her being. It is a disease of quiet resignation. Of mindless hope that things might be better in the future. I am greatly saddened. I write that you may somehow help her. I know that you can help her. Unfortunately, I live too far away to be of any real help. But I deeply care about her. Who holds such a special place in my heart? Her name is Michigan City. These thoughts have been stirring for many years with each new visit deepening my convictions. I've been witnessing this slow decline for the past 30 years. Perhaps the final straw was the YMCA. A place where I learned the value of working hard toward goals from people like Paul Dimke. The countless hours I spent there as a youth. The place is now in the dark. Closed due to apathy. The teaching of toughness, being fair, and doing your best by people like Jerry Karstens seems to be from another era. The sports teams have sunk so far that losing by close margins is almost like a victory. Where is the pride in being your best? Where is the next Doug Adams? In addition, the amount of crime astonishes me. It is absolutely appalling. People move to thriving communities such as Chesterton or Valparaiso to raise their families. You have a phenomenal asset in Lake Michigan, but then there is the eyesore of NIPSCO. You have vast amounts of land use potential close to the Lake. Think Big. Think Great! You have thousands of good people who have slowly resigned themselves to the fact that the city is in decline and they're helpless to change things for the better. Michigan City, it doesn't have to be this way. Instead of being this decrepit shadow of a once vibrant city, why not strive to once again become this vibrant city? I know these words will anger some of you. I feel bad about that, but something has to change. Don't expect the politicians to save your city. You are responsible as residents of the city and you need leaders. People who truly have the best interests of the city and people at heart. People with courage, strength and conviction. These leaders may be teachers, businessmen or soccer moms. You need people pulling in the right direction with a much greater vision. I believe these people are already there. They just need to step forward. And these leaders will need your help. My father-in-law, Nate Winksi, was the type of person who truly cared about the community. Contribution and action were at the core of his character. People like him, his friends and peers, once made this community special. It is now time for a new generation of leaders to step forward. The children are out on the playgrounds, not realizing that their future is in your hands; I implore you to take these words to heart. Your future is sown in the decisions you make today. Paul Venckus is the owner of Aspen Polymers, Carmel, Ind., and member of the Rogers High School Class of 1976. His e-mail is paulvenckus@aol.com |
Sep 18 2007, 09:58 AM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 5,171 Joined: 11-December 06 From: Indiana Member No.: 10 |
Jenny, while I'm not going to get involved in the politics of this subject, I do want to say that I didn't see an insult toward Nate in Stumper's reply. I could be wrong, but what I interpreted is an insult toward Paul in the fact that he let everyone know that Nate is his father-in-law as a way to "look good" (I'm am a relative of this great man therefore I am a great man too) and Stumper was saying that if Paul is so great, he should come to MC and get his elbows greasy proving that he is at least half a great a man as Nate instead of sitting in High-Society Carmel whining about the demise of MC.
Jenny, I understand your touchiness by Stumper's reply and don't blame you. I would be defensive too if it were my family being insulted. Even if it were a relative I didn't care for much, it's MY relative and I can insult that person, but not you. Not saying you feel that way about Paul, just saying I understand your response. Stumper, I think maybe you should clarify yourself a little here. Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
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