Van Wert Voice Newspaper Launches Thursday

As we were sitting at the Elks Lodge on VW Decatur Rd on Monday May 14, 2007 9:30PM, we heard a vehicle accident. It happened at the dance business. I had an employee call 911 not knowing to what extent the injuries were. In waiting for emergency vehicles to arrive, I heard semi trucks use jake brakes, autos slam on brakes and crotch rockets decelerate to slow for the accident. Just questioning, would it be safer to have the speed limit reduced temporarily because the detour has increased
traffic on this stretch of road. I hope there were not any serious injuries. What can we do???

ilove thevoiceit has more then other one

What ever happened to this paper? I used to pick it up when I came through Van Wert just to read more of the bullshit that goes on in that crappy town.

They talked too much about Van Wert. They had folks write in and say bad things about Van Wert. If that happens here,..they get rid of the media source.

There is all kinds of bad stuff written about Van Wert on Topix. I very rarely, if at all, see anything good written about that town. I don't think anything good comes out of Van Wert anymore. Such a sad, sad little place. Nothing for kids to do, so they vandalize various places, put soap suds in the fountain from time to time and, oh yes, drugs. We certainly can't forget those now can we.

All kinds of great things happen in and around VW, but when all you can see is the down side of things then all you will see is the bad. People don't find good topics "interesting", it's much more satisfying to point your judgment at others and complain. There are bad things about this town just as there are good. It doesn't make you feel good about your own sad life when there are things other people are doing that are better though now does it? Why do you think there are so many involved in Hollywood drama and tabloid magazines sell so well? Because the grass always looks greener on your side of the fence when you can say "Well look at what's going on with that horrible Jon and Kate mess." and things of that nature. If you don't like living in VW then you should move, plain and simple. It would certainly rid this town of a bunch of whiners that's for sure.

Really?

Great things? Like what...businesses closing? No jobs? Rude and unprofessional police? An inept hospital? Bad schools? The only thing good in VW is the drugs. lol.

Then move. Find whatever city or town you think is going to be so much better. There is so much more to life, why live it in a place that you don't like? If you are the kind of person to say the only good thing is drugs then you're obviously the type who contributes to the downfall of the town. No wonder you have nothing good to say.

I know the previous message wasn't directed towards me and I don't live in Van Wert so I don't feel that I contribute to the downfall of the town, however, it is nice that you recognize that the town is indeed in a "downfall" pattern. It's too bad more of the people there didn't have your insight. You tell people that don't like it there to "move", that is just what the old fashioned people that run the town would want the people who want "change" to do. Move away so they can keep the town spinning into a downward spiral.

Tell me what IS good about Van Wert? You say others have nothing good to say, so tell us all, what IS good about the little town that can't? Seems the bad outweighs whatever good you might come up with. VW has more crime, more drugs floating around, a judicial system that is more than aloof, nothing for teens to do (which is why there is more crime & drugs ), not to mention there are more teen girls in that town that think the "in" thing to do, is have a little baby to tote around and show off on their MySpace and Facebook pages. Just wait till all those babies that have been being born to these teen moms grow up and want something to do in VW. THAT is something that will be interesting to watch from afar, because it's those babies parents...that are the drug users and crime makers that we see in the paper today. I'm sure they'll raise their children well, aren't you?

You can have that shit hole town. Burn in it

There are many good things about living in a small town, VW being one of them. The reason I said that if the previous people didn't like living here that they should move is twofold: As I mentioned, one of them said drugs was a great thing. That is the type of person no one wants living in their town. Secondly, if you're that unhappy living somewhere then I believe you should go where you would be happy and productive. Life is way too short to remain long-term in a place that you dislike.
What I like about living here is that crime, no matter what has been said, is relatively low. The crimes that are committed are mainly small infractions. I like knowing all of my neighbors and most of the people I see around town. I have a child in high school, one in middle school and one in elementary. They all are getting good educations and are involved in numerous activities. I like that their teachers know who I am and remember me by name, something small but also something that teachers in bigger cities can't do because there are too many kids in their classes. I like that the teachers here still give you their home phone numbers and are always willing to help even if that is after hours. I think that most of the people that live here would help out in a time of need for any crisis- look at what happened after the tornado. I also like that at most places of employment in the area (and I said most not all) they understand family comes first and when you need time off for your family they will find a way to help you out. Sometimes that may require you using vacation days or other paid time off, but of the employers I've had to work with I've found the majority of them to be very understanding.
I've lived in a large city. The people walk by you and don't even notice you're there. The rudeness is staggering and so many people do not seem genuinely happy. And crime? You think VW has a crime problem? Go live in a large city for a month and you'll see real crime.

"Nothing for teens to do" usually implies that said teen lacks the motivation or backing of a parent to get involved in extra-curricular activities. Both the middle school and high school have enough clubs and sports activities to participate in that no child should feel like there is "nothing to do". There are a couple of theater groups around town, there is 4H, church activities, part-time jobs, there is a video gaming group,the schools are always in need to kids to help out with the sports teams if they don't want to actually play, and there are many many places to volunteer to help others. The problem with the small number of kids in the area with "nothing to do" is that they don't actually WANT to do anything. Those are the kids that want "fun" to just come their way. Even if the town provided some kind of center with various activities (and we already do, they are called the YMCA and the YWCA) what would most likely happen is vandalism and violence from that small group of teens. You're going to face that anywhere.
What are the stats on pregnant teens in VW? I believe they are relatively low considering what I have actually seen. In speaking with guidance counselors last year about that very topic it seemed to me that VW is below the average for the same size of town in the teen pregnancy category. You should check that out.
Speaking of the judiciary, all I have to say about that is- if you think it's crooked then don't break the law. I find it truly hilarious when repeat offenders insist on being tried in another county because "the judge is unfair". Hey, how about the judge sees you in trouble every single year like clockwork and is tired of it? What comes around goes around, incompetent courts will pay eventually and when/if that happens everyone will know and it will be fixed. In the mean time maybe those people should motivate their kids to be involved and productive people and lead by example by not being arrested over and over.
I think the biggest issue we are dealing with right now is the number of people unemployed right now. Thankfully many of them have went back to school to earn a degree which will enable them to find better employment that in the end will make them happier anyhow. Many people work out of town, yet remain living here because VW is where they want to live. I have friends and neighbors that work in Fort Wayne, Lima, Defiance, Decatur, Woodburn...among other places. They don't want to live in those places, they want and choose to live here. I think that says a lot.

Nothing like blaming it on the kids.

You're implying I did that? What about '"Nothing for teens to do" usually implies that said teen lacks the motivation or backing of a parent to get involved in extra-curricular activities' points only to blaming kids? I'd say kids live what they learn and they learn that first and foremost at home.

wow

Officers Blackmore and Freeman discussed the Heroin use in VW. They were honest in saying that it is a problem that wont go away anytime soon and that there are people using and getting addicted that you wouldnt suspect. Freeman also stated that you dont just stop doing this drug, it takes intervention, either professional or prison time. A question to be asked is why are these people being given community control when sentenced in court? Where is the intervention in this? They are placed back into the community to get caught again a few days later, which did just happen to Lange from Convoy. Blackmore stated that there is more than one house in VW that they could go and get Herion from right now. Then why are you waiting to go get it? That might be the next hit that a kid overdoses or dies from. There needs to be a program for the ones hooked who want help, and for the ones that want to continue using and selling a long prison term is a good intervention. The Truth is out !

I have reason to believe that a few of the comments made by Officer Blackmore had a bit to do with my letter written on the guestbook at http://www.timesbulletin.com
When Cocaine was the big thing in VW I never once saw a newspaper article dedicated to it. Nor did I see one dedicated to Methamphetamine when that was the trend in town a few years ago.
With that argument aside I have a few things to say concerning this whole thing. The reason the courts are giving people community control rather than prison more often than not anymore is because prisons in every state in the country are packed full of people who are being charged with drug charges. Drug charges which are basically victimless crimes. The only people these people are hurting is themselves. No one is standing outside the schools handing out goody bags of drugs. 99 % of the people that are busted in Van Wert especially are people who are selling drugs to other addicts to support their own addictions. So rather than sending an addict to a prison system that is already filled to the breaking point they are giving them a chance on community control a.k.a. probation. Part of their probation stipulations may be to attend a rehab or other forms of drug classes or N.A. And of course weekly and random drug tests. Probationers are also given help to become employed. Addicts have a hell of a lot of a better chance to become rehabilitated on probation than they do in a cell.
A long prison term is a good intervention? Google prison recidivism rates and see if you come to the same conclusion.
The truth is out? What the hell does that mean? Drugs are everywhere. Since the beginning of time humans and animals alike have searched for ways to alter there senses. Like it or lump it, drugs are here to stay.
One day this country will realize that prohibition merely causes more death and more violence and more wasted tax dollars.
It is people like "The Truth" that are holding this country and our own personal freedoms at bay.

"Eric Draven" aka Johnny Murphy