Good people
To the Editor:
I was sorry to hear about the passing of your grandpa, Harold Tague. He and your Grandma were two of the nicest people I ever met, plus they were good farmers.
During the severe drought in 1983 I had several Holsteins and little hay. You and I were talking one day and you mentioned Grandpa Tague had some baled hay he would sell. So you and I made the trip to Cambridge City. Grandpa showed us his hay and insisted I bring a few bales home to see how the cows liked it. As we were leaving Grandma Tague came out with two sandwiches for us so we wouldn’t get hungry on the way home.
I never forgot how nice they were to us and they were two of the most dedicated to agriculture that I will ever meet.
Charlie Haskell
Near Bennington
P.S. If there is any farming in heaven I am sure Grandpa and Grandma will be involved.
Good laugh
To the Editor:
We would say now that the people of the county have had a good laugh about the horse, buggy and nature which is horse poop. It seems to us that you few people who run things as you like would be more concerned about the important things of our county.
As for us we enjoy seeing the horse and buggy on the roads. It reminds us of the good old days when people were at peace with their neighbors. We are taxpaying citizens like everyone else. Please consider others before you make a decision.
Renzie and Elva Powell, Sr.
Scotts Ridge Road
Unfair ordinance
To the Editor:
For the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about the new county ordinance and the ignorance and bigotry of some of the members of our community.
I have read the Letters to the Editor from people opposing this ordinance. I’m wondering who thought this was a good idea. Why haven’t there been any letters in favor of the ordinance? Surely the County Commissioners didn’t come up with this because they were having a slow week.
I think it is very unfair that a family of Amish who might have several members with buggies would have to tag them all. This could add up to several hundred dollars for vehicles that travel very few miles.
As far as the manure in the road, let’s be serious. I drive a school bus over several roads in this county and very seldom do I see any horse manure. In fact, last week I saw absolutely none. The next time I pull my manure spreader from one field to another and manure gets on the road, am I going to be in trouble: Do I have to clean it off the road?
Who is going to enforce this ordinance? Are our county deputies going to pull up behind an Amish family with siren blaring and scare the horse, possibly causing an accident? Are they then going to raise the horse’s hooves to check the horseshoes? (How much will this special training cost?) Are we once again going to make Switzerland County the laughing stock of the tristate area?
I find it hard to believe that there aren’t more important things in this county to worry about. While Jefferson County is putting drug dealers in prison we’re harassing a small group of peace loving, hardworking people.
I can’t understand why this small group of people are being singled out. You don’t see Amish buggies lined up at the welfare office every month. You don’t see their names in the arrest record. You don’t see their children in foster care.
What you do see are a group of people who mind their own business, take care of their families, take care of their homes, open new businesses, work hard and contribute in a positive way to our community.
As for myself, I will still hitch up my buggy on a nice Sunday afternoon and take my grandchildren for a ride./ There won’t be a tag on my buggy and there might be poop on the roads. If that bothers you maybe you should move to the city. All you have to worry about there are dodging bullets and neighbors who don’t care about you.
I would also like to know as a voter of this county, why didn’t I or anyone else know about this ordinance and vote on it? I also want you to know, I voted for commissioners last election, but will vote different next election.
Charlie Jester
Moorefield
P.S. Nathan, if I come to the parade this year you can still hitch a ride. As long as we stay on the state road we’ll be fine.
Discrimination
Dear Editor:
Have the commissioners learned from their blunder, passing an ordinance which is very unpopular with the people?
In my opinion, Ordinance No. 12-17-07-1, smacks of discrimination, against one group of people and their religious expression. It occurs to me that the “Horse and Buggy” is an essential part of the Amish religious culture.
Safety when traveling on the highway should be the prevailing concern. The horseshoe is the key, the most important factor. The surface of the road is secondary. (Rubber shoes are simply ludicrous.) I, myself, have experienced riding on the county roads which seem more slippery than others. My horse slipped and nearly went down. Fortunately he recovered and we were not injured. Consider that in other areas, the road surface is roughened as a safety feature.
This is a rural county. Farming is still widespread. I cannot understand the phobia in regard to horse manure. There is no need to swerve to avoid a few “road apples.” there is no risk in running over it. I find it disconcerting to think that the Amish horses have to be bagged. In my opinion, they have “animal rights.” That is not so far fetched in this day and age.
Licensing, in my opinion, is unwarranted and certainly excessive. To ask the sheriff to enforce this ordinance is mind baffling. Let the sheriff do his job as required now. Ask the sheriff to apprehend the speeders, drunk drivers, car thieves, drug pushers, robbers, burglars and litterers, etc. He has more than enough to do.
Clearly, the general public needed the opportunity to be heard before any ordinance of this nature be enacted.
Respect the Amish. They are bringing business and tourism to Switzerland County. Rescind this ordinance.
Rita Vannatter
Near Mount Sterling