Greetings, one and all, and welcome! Correspondence has been steady of late, so let’s check the mail and see what’s up with The Roiling Hundreds!

uuu

n We must bring new businesses and industry to our community. If we’re ever to pay for future improvements to roads, water and sewage infrastructure, schools, parks, etc., we must have growth in this county. Rushville’s future as a viable town depends on it.

n I've seen RPD out in the county a lot lately. Do we not have enough deputies or do we just have too many officers on the city department? (Both departments frequently provide assistance to one another. kg)

n Let's see. 1) Move to Indy. 2) Higher mortgage payments. 3) Higher taxes. 4) Large, impersonal school. 5) Higher crime rates. 6) Live 10 miles away (if your lucky to find a safe neighborhood nearby) but takes 30 minutes to get to work — or willingly give up five hours of my week (extra drive time for me to commute to Rushville) so I can enjoy the benefits of a smaller town. 1) Variety of housing for all budgets (safe neighborhoods). 2) Lower crime rate. 3) Smaller schools. 4) Lower taxes (in proportion to Indy). I have plenty of friends who work in Indianapolis that spend as much time on the road as I do because of traffic. There is either no housing near the industrial parks or not anything safe enough to live in without bars on your doors and windows. Yes, I would love to have something closer, but nothing beats raising your family in Rush County and being part of a wonderful community of friends.

n Why doesn't the fire department have an open house? Could it be that they have to live in a dump for the 24 hours that each shift is there? I'm sure they are embarrassed when kids come up for Fire Prevention Week. These public servants spend 1/3 of their years and lives away from their family to be there for us at a moment’s notice. Why can't we, as tax payers, make their lives just as comfortable at their second home as their first?

n Gov. Daniels made a lot of sense in his speech. And it, ironically, hit home with his reference to new school construction. Gov. Daniels’ proposal provides a check and balance to any unwise or reckless decision by any local school board. With Daniels’ proposal, this state will finally have the remedy to rein-in out-of-control school boards.

n You know what would be nice? If people voted for people instead of parties. Both Democrats and Republicans have proven that some of them can do good things and plenty of both have proven that they can ruin a train wreck. While I'd like the most competent and informed people running city government in my home town, it's also important that they have good character. Also, having been to these meetings, I also know it's not rocket science. Most people with half a brain could do the job (although most who have served have more).

n It's truly sad how many of the old pioneer cemeteries have been neglected or forgotten. When they recently relocated a cemetery in Indianapolis, I couldn't help but wonder how many remains didn't make the move. Back in those days there were so many unmarked graves and now there will never be a clue who they were or where they are buried.

n KG, you state: “Anyone who can accurately predict the future 33 years from now must really have something on the ball.” Then let’s go the other direction. If the past is any indication, this county will continue to decrease in population and most likely will for the next 33 years. Which makes it extremely foolish to spend $25 million to erect new school buildings when there are already more-than-adequate school buildings in place.

uuu

Don’t forget to remember to write down your rants, raves, and/or random thoughts and to send them to me. You can do so via the U.S. Postal Service (Rushville Republican, Rants and Raves, P.O. Box 189, Rushville, IN 46173), fax (765-932-4358), e-mail (kevin.green@rushvillerepublican.com), through our Web site (www.rushvillerepublican.com – just “add a comment” to any posted story and it’s fair game), or just drop your legibly written comments off here at the office (306 N. Main Street, Rushville).

Until the next time, I’ll leave you with this:

“Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.” — Denis Waitley

Be good. kg



Kevin L. Green is the managing editor of the Rushville Republican. Look for “Rants, Raves and Random Thoughts” on Mondays and Thursdays. Add a comment at www.rushvillerepublican.com.