Letters -- Nov. 8, 2002

By Journal Times readers

Friday, November 8, 2002 10:30 AM CST

"I was there to dance and that is all I did. I paid $15 to get in and now I will have to pay $968 to leave the place?" -- Andy Nelson on rave party citations

Upset over police raid

When looking at the flyer for the "drug party" as David Steinkraus put it in his article "Police corral hundreds at rave party" (Nov. 4, 2002) you will see that it states that all people entering the building will be searched and that no drugs or weapons will be allowed in the building and no alcohol for people under the age of 21. When I got there I did not see any drug usage or sale and was fine with that. It was all about having a fun time for most of us. Three or four people bring drugs and ruin it for the rest of us.

"It was a rave, a type of party known for a mix of music and recreational drugs such as Ecstasy, police said."

Raves are known for this sure, but anyone who has actually been to one knows that it isn't as bad as made out to be. Bars are known to cause drunk drivers. Anyone going to get busted for that? Probably not. Most people (not all as that would be a lie) aren't there for drugs. I'm sure a few people were doing it, but why hand out tickets for everyone there? As you can see our tax dollars are well spent keeping kids from doing anything on a Saturday night that might be remotely fun.

I don't do drugs and I don't see why dancing at a party where someone is would be a crime. Everyone there was issued tickets for $968 for "disorderly conduct, unruly house controlled substances." I don't see how my conduct was unruly. When they police told us to sit, I sat; when they told us to move, I moved. How is that unruly? I was there to dance and that is all I did. I paid $15 to get in and now I will have to pay $968 to leave the place? Explain how that is fair. I for one will be showing up in court with the hundreds of others at that party and it will most likely cost you more in tax dollars to do that than they will make in tickets. And for what? Just to keep kids on the street where they don't get caught. If Racine would have posted police inside the place I would doubt that any of this would have happened. Help us have a good time and stay off the streets instead or punishing us for finding something to do on a Saturday night.

Andy Nelson

Union Grove

Hit and run accident

On Friday Oct. 25th, our car was rear-ended and totaled by someone driving a white pick-up truck, possibly a Ford 150. The accident occurred in Sturtevant on Highway 11 (Durand Ave) near Willow Road at approximately 11:30 p.m.

The truck fled the scene and continued to head east on Durand toward Racine. If anyone has seen a white pickup truck with front-end damage or has any information regarding this driver, please call (262) 497-7192. Thank you.

K. Flynn

Caledonia

Dismayed by election results

I am writing in regards to Tuesday's election. I am in shock, that someone with a formal education that ended in high school is representing me in the state Senate.

Cathy Stepp only has a high school understanding of economics and fiscal policy, yet she was somehow seen as a viable candidate. This was due in large part because of her party affiliation and her support from various big businesses around our community. It is true that she has had experience with her construction business. Building homes and being capable to decide on policies such as education, tax levies, and the best way to stimulate economic growth are completely unrelated.

I was also surprised to learn that state

Rep. Bonnie Ladwig had won re-election. I thought that her indictment in the caucus scandal would be serious enough for voters in Caledonia to cast her out of office. To end on a positive note I would like to thank Kim Plache for her many years of service to the Racine community.

Morgan Coyle

5832 5 Mile Road

A negative campaign

"Stepp said she expected a close race. She said her margin of victory came from the positive campaign she ran -- and the negative campaign run by Plache" -- The Journal Times, 11/06/02. Positive campaign? I fear that our new state senator does not have a hold on reality? Of the barrage of Stepp ads and mailings to which I was exposed the lion's share featured Plache.

Craig E. Edwards

700 Waters Edge Road, Caledonia

Abortion killing our country

Legal abortion is killing our country. Abortion is being used by Americans to kill our future workers and taxpayers. Without future workers and taxpayers, all future government benefits are for nil. Legal abortion effects the security of our country. At this time, there are not enough 18 to 26 year old males for conscription even for a Korean or Vietnam type war. There are 17,000 American military in South Korea today, a hot spot for sure, would we be able to send replacements for these men and women without the draft?

Yes, we have been legally aborting our future for 29 years. All I have to say is thanks to all you abortion advocates for the demise of a once great nation; the U.S.A.

Patricia Radke

4909 Charles St., Racine

Help county's homeless women

There are down and out homeless women in Racine County struggling everyday to survive this reality of poverty. I would stress the importance of need to a "homeless person." Homeward Bound has the facility available, and gives a homeless woman and her children a chance at survival and a life that is full of blessings and fulfillment.

We encourage financial support services and emotional support (counseling) services. The staff is inspirational to us and our only source of hope. There is an impact when the women at the shelter encourages each other. These relationships give us a sense of quality to our lives, as opposed to having no one, left alone to dealing with poverty, loneliness, and abandonment issues. The poverty issue is tough enough to deal with alone. Single parents especially need help. To do it alone is too difficult and in some cases impossible.

Interpersonal skills, better job skills, and responsibility is an outcome to a sad, unhopeful situation. After taking that fall to becoming homeless we have no choice but to pick the pieces up and start over again. We need time to regroup maintaining our health emotionally, physically, and mentally. Big successes happen to the women. We become a successful individual ready, able and equipped to deal with the stresses of life and to meet the challenges of daily living. Everyday is a stepping stone and a goal accomplished towards our future from the help of Homeward Bound.

Laurie Johnson

2225 Layard St., Racine

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