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Post by jean on Sept 18, 2014 9:25:56 GMT -5
The following is a letter to the editor in today's Greensburg Daily News of 9-18-14 by Arlene Cook. My Kudos to Arlene for an excellent and " ON TARGET" letter to the editor. Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 1:53 pm We all heard outside money is used to develop the four locations (old YMCA and building beside, hotel, building behind). Now my question, how much will the development cost Greensburg? Is federal government, politicians, and local politicians trying to pull a fast one on our citizens? I would like to know definite plans about what the building will be used to house what folks? We have 60% children in our schools with subsidized lunches. Employment in Greensburg consists of part time jobs, employment under 30 hours. Yet it was reported in the Greensburg paper that Decatur County has one of the lowest employment number in Indiana. This is fuzzy math. Face it - something does not jive. Now back to my concern, someone must have some plans for the four locations when you see a lot of empty homes. Outside money? Don't that seem strange for our wonderful town of Greensburg? Is there plans to bring in illegals and force Greensburg to use our dollars that is badly needed for our student and people here in Greensburg. Yes, I am christian. Sincerely, Arlene A. Cook www.greensburgdailynews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article_802d9994-f5fc-51d3-836c-ec7dd6042bd3.html |
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Post by M Jean Johannigman on Sept 18, 2014 20:30:22 GMT -5
At the February 28th IHCDA Board of Directors Meeting, chaired by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, the Real Estate Department presented their recommendations for the 2013 RHTC Awards. With over sixty-one applications received in November requesting $51.7 million in credits, the RHTC program is highly competitive. The projects selected for $14.3 million in RHTC funding are highlighted below which, collectively will provide over 800 additional units of affordable housing options for residents throughout Indiana. 4. Historic Greensburg Square- 40 units Rehabilitation Location: Greensburg (Decatur County) Developer: Housing Partnerships, Inc. Amount of Credits: $763,139 Additional IHCDA Funding: Development Fund loan: $400,000 & HOME loan: $400,000 www.in.gov/ihcda/images/Special_IHCDA_Info_2.28.13.pdf |
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Post by Hoosier Hillbilly on Sept 19, 2014 12:15:37 GMT -5
At the February 28th IHCDA Board of Directors Meeting, chaired by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, the Real Estate Department presented their recommendations for the 2013 RHTC Awards. With over sixty-one applications received in November requesting $51.7 million in credits, the RHTC program is highly competitive. The projects selected for $14.3 million in RHTC funding are highlighted below which, collectively will provide over 800 additional units of affordable housing options for residents throughout Indiana. 4. Historic Greensburg Square- 40 units Rehabilitation Location: Greensburg (Decatur County) Developer: Housing Partnerships, Inc. Amount of Credits: $763,139 Additional IHCDA Funding: Development Fund loan: $400,000 & HOME loan: $400,000 www.in.gov/ihcda/images/Special_IHCDA_Info_2.28.13.pdfAlways Thinking |
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Post by jean on Sept 19, 2014 12:15:38 GMT -5
At the February 28th IHCDA Board of Directors Meeting, chaired by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, the Real Estate Department presented their recommendations for the 2013 RHTC Awards. With over sixty-one applications received in November requesting $51.7 million in credits, the RHTC program is highly competitive. The projects selected for $14.3 million in RHTC funding are highlighted below which, collectively will provide over 800 additional units of affordable housing options for residents throughout Indiana. 4. Historic Greensburg Square- 40 units Rehabilitation Location: Greensburg (Decatur County) Developer: Housing Partnerships, Inc. Amount of Credits: $763,139 Additional IHCDA Funding: Development Fund loan: $400,000 & HOME loan: $400,000 www.in.gov/ihcda/images/Special_IHCDA_Info_2.28.13.pdf |
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Post by jean on Sept 25, 2014 8:02:57 GMT -5
As a business owner , there was a time to have a "build it and they will come" approach. Those times have come and gone. With the trillions this nation is in debt, and funds drying up.....now is the time for fiscal responsibility and maintaining a cushion for our community. I wrote the following letter to the editor with that in mind and it is in today's Greensburg Daily News. Here is that letter: Maintain or build Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 3:30 pm Dear Editor: I read with great interest an excellent article in the 9/23/14 Greensburg Daily News titled: "Rising costs; lower revenues hampering road repairs" by Boris Ladwig. Anyone who has not read this article needs to make sure to do so. Basically this article sites a real problem in that Federal and State revenues that are redistributed from the gas tax to local municipalities for road repair and repaving have been drastically cut. It sites how other cities have designated property tax funds for road paving to combat the problem but that those that choose to do this cannot go beyond their normal tax levy but have to take the funds they designate by cutting somewhere else in the budget. Then some of our elected city officials go on to say how we have "rainy day funds", "riverboat funds", and "Economic Development Income Tax" (EDIT) funds (and EDIT taxes come out of our paycheck under the county tax) that they intend to utilize to see that the problem with our roads and the funding is addressed? First of all the economy from the top to the bottom is in a serious mess to the tune of trillions of dollars. If Federal and State funds are drying up...what does that indicate? What would be the fiscally responsible steps that we should consider from those indications? What do we do in our own homes if we don't have the money to pay our bills? We cut back. In light of the reduced funding on state and federal levels....why are we building a NEW road north of town, which will also need maintained, or a proposed 32 million dollar airport expansion which will also need to be maintained, in the name of economic development, when our unemployment rate according to a 9/23/14 Daily News article is the lowest it has been in six years? Why are we looking to funds that are for "a rainy day" and insulation against this down drop in the economy ? Why are we not cutting spending instead? What is more important? Maintaining our current infrastructure OR building a new road complete with a roundabout and an airport expansion that stats have shown is not a need but a want. Jean Johannigman Greensburg www.greensburgdailynews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article_9012c546-253b-5336-9c25-aa790ef1d436.html |
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Post by jean on Sept 25, 2014 9:30:10 GMT -5
State lawmakers are in D.C. for a (nearly) impossible task: Persuading Congress to do something A crew of state lawmakers from across the nation is spending Thursday in Washington to ask Congress to do something. The eight state legislators are in town to meet with their federal counterparts — as well as White House and Transportation Department staff — to coax out an extension of highway funding, which the administration says will begin to dry up next month. The issue is a top priority for state legislators, Bruce Starr, a Republican state senator from Oregon and the president of the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislators, told a handful of reporters ahead of the group’s meetings on Capitol Hill and at the White House. The politically sensitive federal gas tax — which hasn’t been increased in more than two decades — is a key source of income for the Highway Trust Fund, which helps states pay for highway, bridge and transit projects. As a result, federal lawmakers have had to come up with increasingly creative and difficult ways to keep it solvent. In a letter this week to the leaders of each party in both houses, NCSL and six other state and local associations called on Congress to agree on a long-term solution. If Congress fails to act, the fund will begin to dry up, forcing state transportation officials to stop or alter plans for new projects. In Oregon, the Transportation Department has plans to halt all new projects, Starr said. “[In] West Virginia, it’s the same thing,” state Sen. Robert Plymale (D) said. “They put a halt on new ones. But existing, they told contractors that they can proceed, but we can pay as we go as the money can come in.” The lawmakers from eight states shared their frustrations Thursday morning, noting how long-term uncertainty about the status of the fund, which provides most states with about half their transportation funding, can create months-long delays in some places and have economic ripple effects. “In a state like Indiana, where you have a window of construction — six months usually, six-seven months if you’re lucky — then when we have to start canceling projects, which is what we’re going to do in Indiana as a result of all of this,” Indiana state Rep. Terri Austin (D) said. “You can’t just pick those back up when Congress says, ‘Oh, yeah, we’re going to solve this.’” The private sector can spend significant time bidding and preparing for projects, only to be told it has to wait for funding to come through, she said. “It really creates an unhealthy process.” Years of federal gridlock have also led some states to prepare better contingency plans. “In Utah, over the last three years, we convened a committee specifically to address the projected scenarios — what happens if all federal funding dries up, what does a state do?” said state Sen. Curt Bramble (R). “It’s broader than just transportation.” An expansion of Interstate 15 — the largest infrastructure project in Utah’s history — was funded entirely by the state “because we couldn’t rely on the federal government,” Bramble said. The other state legislators on the D.C. visit are Sens. Scott Dibble (D) from Minnesota, Ellen Roberts (R) from Colorado, Michael Vehle (R) from South Dakota and John Watkins (R) from Virginia. www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/07/10/state-lawmakers-are-in-d-c-for-a-nearly-impossible-task-get-congress-to-do-something/ |
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Post by jean on Sept 25, 2014 10:08:35 GMT -5
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Post by jean on Oct 16, 2014 8:12:11 GMT -5
The following is a letter to the editor in today's Greensburg Daily News of 10-16-14. I must say I totally agree with this woman's take on our current political system. Politicians are responsible to those they represent Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 3:40 pm Dear Editor: I’ve been a registered voter for more than fifty years and I’ve always believed that those who are seeking a public office have committed themselves to serve and represent “we, the people” … and that, by electing them to that office, we expect them to be our voice in local, state and national government. Just recently, some concerned citizens requested a meeting with Rep. Tom Saunders of District 54, (Henry, Rush and Wayne Counties) and they were denied that request. He refused to meet with them, to listen to their concerns and to answer their questions, stating, “It is pointless.” So, are we to assume that because he has no opposition in that race, neither does he feel an obligation to answer to his constituents? A few weeks prior to that, Rep. Cindy Ziemke from District 55, (Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Ripley and Rush Counties) did agree to meet with some of her constituents, at which time she made the statement that she would “vote on issues according to her own opinion and beliefs, and not be influenced by what anyone else thought.” Meaning, to those people who elected her to that office, it doesn’t matter what you think. Are these the kind of representatives we want in our state government? In our local government? Do we want them to speak for us? People, it’s time we make our own voices heard! Get involved, find out what the issues are, find out who the candidates are and where they stand on certain issues. If their opinions differ from yours, then you can be assured they’re not going to speak for you. Look at their past voting records; learn as much as you can about them. Don’t allow your vote on Nov. 4 to be determined by either the donkey or the elephant on your ballot! Flood the phone lines and mailboxes of our Senators and Representatives when you have questions or concerns. And most important of all, hold their feet to the fire and make them accountable for how they represent you. Otherwise, remind them that they can be replaced and you will work toward that end. Let’s get rid of the “professional politicians” and replace them with true patriots. Glenna Edwards Brookville www.greensburgdailynews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article_4bcd2ebe-b0e8-5f00-b88e-5ff1fe0d26c6.html |
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Post by jean on Nov 4, 2014 10:03:13 GMT -5
BRAVO! GO CLAIRE! How good is the drop in unemployment? Dear Editor: I recently read that the unemployment rate had dropped to 5.9 percent. This may appear to sound good until you look into the data. More and more newly employed people are being hired on as indefinite temporary workers. Lower wages and almost no benefits are being offered. That means less independent living and fewer big ticket purchases such as new cars and homes. Several Greensburg factories have managements that have adopted the attitude that less training and uninspired temporary workers without benefits are a huge cost savings to their bottom line. Having a waterwheel or temporary workers (that can have over an 80 percent turnover rate) seems to be acceptable. When a company is “fine” with throwing away $1.9 million dollars’ worth of scrap in just four months, but yet will not hold their managers accountable, it appears odd at best. When these managers still receive their massive bonuses every three months, it makes you scratch your head. Some workers, who are dealing with this situation, are trying to respond by saying that they need to have the minimum wage raised to $15 an hour. I had a dear friend named Dave Rand and he was convinced that a revolution was coming to America. Honestly, I can see the day when that may happen, but the trigger will not be [people] discontent with government. I believe the catalyst will be when people are told that their breakfast burrito (that used to be $1) now costs $9 and can only be afforded by a few in management. Question: Does that 5.9 percent still sound good? Claire Gooddey www.greensburgdailynews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/how-good-is-the-drop-in-unemployment/article_36bf35c6-259f-53e8-8148-69e6796cb8fd.html |
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Post by jean on Feb 3, 2015 9:34:49 GMT -5
Reaching our leaders Dear Editor: I just sent an e-mail to our Mayor here in Greensburg,In. His secretary let me know that they had received my e-mail. The next day I get a letter from our city Attorney telling me “Please do not contact the Mayor or any other City employee with these requests. You may direct them to my attention at the address or electronic address listed below and I will see that they are dealt with appropriately”. We are talking about our Mayor. Why can I not write to our Mayor? Is this not a violation of Freedom of Speech? Hershel Houk Greensburg www.greensburgdailynews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/lack-of-freedom-of-speech/article_228cdd0e-4392-55ac-819f-449fbc622265.html |
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Post by jean on Feb 5, 2015 9:06:32 GMT -5
This is a letter to the Editor in todays 2/5/15 Greensburg Daily News
Splainin' called for?
Dear Editor;
I was dumbfounded to learn of Hershel Houk's experience upon contacting the Greensburg mayor. I have never heard of such a shield formed around a mayor, particularly the mayor of a small town.
Mike Pavey, the mayor of Rushville, welcomes e-mails and offers helpful and cordial responses to all of them. It's fair to note that he was just re-elected.
Note that I have no idea of the content of Mr. Houk's letter, which may have contributed to the city's response, but I doubt that content was sufficiently offensive to warrant the city's reaction.
I believe the mayor has some 'splainin' to do to his constituents.
Best regards,
Norm Voiles
Native of Decatur County;
Resident of Rush County
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Post by jean on Feb 12, 2015 9:51:35 GMT -5
This is a letter to the editor in the 2-12-15 Greensburg Daily News
Enlightened
Dear Editor:
In my brief letter "Splainin' called for?", I noted that I had no idea as to the content of Herschel Houk's letter to the mayor which led to the foofaraw.
I also neglected to mention that Gary Herbert is a friend of mine of long standing.
With those two elements in mind, I now declare that the situation has been thoroughly explained to me through a lengthy phone call from the mayor.
I also learned that this is just the latest development in what has been a long-time ongoing controversy.
So, I asked for some "splainin,' got full "splainin," and I'm very satisfied with the mayor's and the city's position.
I did suggest that the city attorney should probably refrain from sending mail which doesn't fully explain the earlier events which create a need for the wording in said mail. In this event, that led to writing a letter that could conceivably be used in a negative manner. Of course, the city attorney's letter was intended solely for Mr. Houk, who already knew the history of the controversy, and was not intended for the general public, who did not.
Nuf sed.
Norm Voiles
Native of Decatur County;
Resident of Rush County.
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Post by jean on Feb 17, 2015 9:06:54 GMT -5
Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 7:00 am Letter to the editor Communication issues Dear Editor: Regarding an ongoing dispute between the mayor and Mr. Houk, former resident Norm Voiles recently wrote a published letter to the editor. It raises some issues. Did the mayor communicate to Mr. Voiles what Mr. Houk communicated to him? If so, then isn’t Mr. Voiles a part of the general public? If not, then did Mr. Voiles solicit for hearing Mr. Houk’s position? In that Mr. Houk initiated the public conversation in this newspaper, and the mayor occupies a public position, then why should Gary Herbert’s perception be kept under wraps? What does he have to say in private that he can’t say in public? Why do I ask this series of questions? There is a Supreme Court ruling, that eludes me now, which states that one purpose of free speech is to persuade the government in the adoption of one’s own opinion as becoming official policy. In that regard, then the public should consider if Mr. Houk’s approach to the mayor is, in fact, out of line and really warrants the protection of law the city attorney’s letter to him suggests. Jeff MartinWhiteland www.greensburgdailynews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/communication-issues/article_12b63494-2942-5705-bee9-8a101ad059b9.html |
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Post by jean on Feb 19, 2015 8:54:07 GMT -5
Letter to the Editor Greensburg Daily News : 2/19/15
Reports hould be accessible
Dear Editor:
This is a response to Mr. Jeff Martin. Thank you for realizing there is more to the problem of the Mayor not wanting to answer my three simple questions.
While I was watching the last redevelopment meeting on Jan. 28, I noticed the president say she had e-mailed a fund report. Could I get a copy of that report?
Also she mentioned a Project Claims report, could I get a copy of that?
our Would it be possible that I get on the mailing list for all of these reports?
No one has contacted me from any city official to date except from the lawyer for the mayor on Feb.14. Lawyer said he would have an answer for me by 13.
Here is his reply: I have forwarded your request to the entire Redevelopment Commission as I stated that I would. One of the members would like greater specificty in your request as there are two "fund reports" and the member is unclear as to which one you are requesting. I had hoped to get to the bottom of the inquiry without necessarily troubling you with the request for greater specificity, but as we are at this juncture, I guess I have no choice.
Please provide greater specificty as to your request as to which fund report you are requesting. Thank you and have a nice weekend.
I, like you, Mr Martin want to know what is wrong with a citizen of Greensburg getting access to public documents. What are they trying to hide?
Hershel Houk
Greensburg
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