Indiana politicians share
public's concerns, feelings
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
Local politicians join the nation in its sorrow
for the loss of life across the United States.
Sen. Ron Alting, R-22nd, said he was traveling
to the Indianapolis statehouse when he heard the news of the tragic
bombings Tuesday morning.
"Words can't describe how you feel," said Alting.
"You feel a sense of sadness that you can't be there to help. Who could
act this cowardly?"
Alting said that East Coast residents are not alone
in their despair.
"When Americans are hurt in a tragedy like this
we all feel it. I feel like I'm right there."
Alting has served as an officer in the Indiana
National Guard. He contacted the guard on Tuesday to volunteer his services
in case the Indiana guard was called to action. For now, however, the
guard is only on alert.
Americans should be optimistic, said Alting.
"I would tell you we'll prevail. We'll get through
this because we are Americans," said Alting. "We'll unite like we've
proven to in history. We'll find who did this and they will be punished."
Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-27th, said she was astounded
by the news as well and she hopes the attacks would not change American
boundaries.
"I hope that this does not force us to be a closed
society," said Klinker. "The fear that people will have when they get
on an airplane or travel to another country, that kind of devastating
thing, that really has not been a tremendous worry in the past."
Klinker said she believes the attacks may cause
war.
"I just fear that innocent people will be killed
in this situation — that innocent people will be killed trying
to get the perpetrator," said Klinker. "We ought to study this carefully
instead of reacting quickly."
Rep. Sue Scholer, R-26th, added that Hoosiers would
be affected by the attacks.
"It's going to have an impact on our county in
many different ways," said Scholer.
Scholer said she hopes that the attacks would make
people more conscious that this is something they must be aware of.
She said the Tippecanoe County community was fortunate in that it has
had, for many years, an ongoing discussion and plan for emergency situations
such as this.
"It's just kind of a wake up call for everybody,"
said Scholer.
West Lafayette mayor Sonya Margerum was stunned
by Tuesday's events.
"It's a horrible shock and I suppose one's worst
nightmare that this could be an attack on the United States," said Margerum.
"It was an utter disregard for life by the — I don't know what
you'd call them — hijackers."
Margerum said she had spoken with Lafayette officials
and she plans to join them in any action that would be taken.
"I feel sure that there will be perhaps a call
for blood and Red Cross donations to assist the victims," said Margerum.
Margerum joins Alting in his feeling that Americans
would persevere.
"I think people have to realize that the country
is still going to continue to operate. We are still a strong Democratic
country," said Margerum. "I do think that people need not to allow this
to disrupt the work of the country, otherwise they (the attackers) will
have succeeded."
Margerum said that she did believe a pause of a
day or two in regular activities would be appropriate.
Margerum said that before Tuesday she never thought
the West Lafayette area could be a target for attacks similar to those
in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.
"I would have said with full confidence a week
ago that we wouldn't be targeted, but I must admit that my confidence
has been shaken," said Margerum.
Alting agreed that he did not feel safe in lieu
of what happened.
"I don't think anyone's safe," said Alting. "I
know I can't wait to get home to be with my children and my wife."
Scholer and Klinker both said that people within
the West Lafayette and Lafayette area should have nothing to worry about.
"We're kind of out in the corn fields of Indiana,
not that we don't have important material here, but they tend to go
to larger cities," said Klinker.
West Lafayette city hall was not closed, but the
federal building in downtown Lafayette was closed. In addition, the
West Lafayette, Lafayette and Tippecanoe County school corporations
canceled all after school activities on Tuesday. While classes were
not canceled, some parents did come pick up their children early. Local
businesses, such as Tippecanoe Mall and Bank One in downtown Lafayette
were closed on Tuesday as well.
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