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Letters to the editor: Oct. 17

12:43 PM, Oct. 16, 2013  |  Comments

Give real reason for booting Benton superintendent

As time goes by, it seems that the course of action in conflict is to light a tiny spark and fan the flames until the smoke clouds the issue completely. I am specifically using this comparison to the conflict between the Benton school board and its action against Superintendent Destin Haas.

Haas has admitted to plagiarism. I wonder if that's the true issue. Is it grounds for the kind of treatment Haas appears to be getting from the school board?

I've attended activities in Benton County for years. I have never heard a negative word about Haas. I have heard that he truly cares about the schools and the community. It's said that more than once, Haas has gone to an area business and paid a struggling family's bill with his own money, asking to remain anonymous. I've also heard that he can walk through the halls at school and greet each student by name. That's a man of integrity.

After my grandson was gravely injured and on life support, Haas called and asked permission to come to the hospital. He held Cole's hand and cried along with the family. He then offered a beautiful prayer and gave each of us his condolences. The next day, an article appeared in the paper reporting Cole's passing and that Haas had arranged for counselors to be at the school for anyone who needed them. Again, a man of integrity.

My plea to the school board would be fore them to show the same integrity. If Haas has done something to jeopardize the safety of the students or compromise the morals of the community, then be forthright enough to spell it out. Don't continue to chip away at someone who is greatly admired and who has done so much for the corporation and community.

Mr. Haas, my prayers for healing and redemption are with you and your family.

Karen Rodgers


Raise debt ceiling, open the government

To Rep. Todd Rokita: I read an article this morning indicating you believe it would be economically beneficial for the country to not raise the debt ceiling. You suggest that the nation could halt all government spending and focus solely on paying down the national debt. The prospect of this plan terrifies me.

I am a faculty member at Purdue University, and as a longtime representative of Lafayette, I am sure that you appreciate Purdue's importance for the economic livelihood of surrounding communities.

As one of the region's premiere research universities, Purdue's success depends in large part on government support from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. Should government spending be halted - as you suggest - much of the groundbreaking research being conducted at Purdue would end. This would permanently cripple Purdue's standing as a research institution. Laboratories would be shut down, faculty would be forced to leave the university and students would choose to enroll elsewhere. To put it simply, Purdue as we know it would cease to exist. The damage would take decades to undo, if it could be undone at all.

By suggesting that we stop all government spending, you are in effect suggesting that we cripple the economic livelihood of the Lafayette area not just for the "here and now," but also for generations to come. I implore you to consider other options. The debt ceiling needs to be raised, and the government needs to continue to meet its obligations - both by paying its debts and supporting its people.

Daniel Foti


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