Letters: Why isn't public input reflected in Indiana's new redistricting maps?

In an article in Sunday’s Tribune regarding the new redistricting maps, Rep. Timothy Wesco, chair of the House Elections Committee, states that a lot of helpful feedback was gathered from Hoosiers who gave testimony at the public redistricting meetings held across the state.

I attended the meeting that was held in Goshen on Aug. 7. The feedback I heard was forthright and consistent. Everyone who testified implored members of the committee to draw the maps fairly to reflect an actual democratic process that would ensure that every Hoosier’s vote counted. From what I’ve read, testimonials at the other hearings were the same. So, if Wesco found the information he gathered at these hearings so helpful, why didn’t he use it when drawing his maps?

Mary Ellen Hegedus,

South Bend

Good for the goose?

  I read of the pay raises currently under consideration for our county officials — 73% and 51%, respectively, if not respectfully.

   I, too, receive a stipend from the government — my Social Security. Might I suggest those raises ought to match my own annual cost-of-living increase? Good for the goose and all that.

Jack Daly,

New Carlisle

Pray for success

Help stop shootings, murder and other crime in South Bend. Two powers control the world: God and Satan. If you move God out, who moves in? Satan will, and that is exactly what has happened to America. In 1963, the Supreme Court outlawed the Lord's Prayer in schools. America has since been on a steady downhill direction in morals, murders, rapes, shootings and crime. Satan is hate and crimes, but God is love.

Now, the solution would be to put God back in America and every household in South Bend. Every head of household should lead the family with the Lord's Prayer (it takes 30 seconds) and the Pledge of Allegiance (15 seconds) every day. God gives you 1,440 minutes every day. Would you give 45 seconds, plus five to 10 minutes to pray for America? 

I believe that if most South Bend households would participate, you would see most crimes disappear and families would love one another. This is a movement I would like to push. Please pray for success. America would look up to South Bend. 

Ralph Costello,

Plymouth