January 2010 Entries
Friday Jan. 29, 2010
That tug-of-war over property tax caps between local and state leaders continues.
Elkhart County, Goshen and Elkhart leaders have expressed ambivalence about caps, worried about the loss of property tax revenue. The local reps to the Indiana legislature, meanwhile, have spoken in favor of caps and moves to enshrine them in the state constitution.
Here’s the latest from Rep. Wes Culver, R-Goshen, coming from a press release Thursday:
“There have been some in local government that have said recently that the legislature isn’t working in the best interests of Hoosiers in regard to the issue...
Wednesday Jan. 27, 2010
One of the things I like about this job, newspaper reporting, is getting out there and pounding the pavement to find the real people impacted by whatever it is I'm writing about. The enthusiasm isn't always reciprocated, though.
I knocked on a few doors on U.S. 33 between C.R. 13 and C.R. 15 and one guy seemed like he hadn't had his morning coffee. I'm writing about the ongoing U.S. 33 upgrade there in all its warts and glory and wanted to get the take from those who live and work along the roadway.
"I'm...
Tuesday Jan. 26, 2010
The hubbub continues over Elkhart County’s stormwater fee, the annual payment — lambasted by some — that landowners make to help keep the rivers here clean.
County Commissioner Mike Yoder on Monday broached the notion of limiting where in Elkhart County the fee is applicable, which would result in its elimination altogether for some landowners. He was speaking at a meeting of the county’s stormwater management board, to which he belongs.
“That a motion?” answered Blake Doriot, the county surveyor and also a board member.
It wasn’t, but that didn’t stop the discussion.
Yoder mentioned...
Wednesday Jan. 13, 2009
If you’re a foodie and attend Elkhart County government’s annual summits read this and consider yourself warned.
If you’re a taxpayer eager for government to scale back spending, take heart.
With the skittish economy, county officials plan to hold their summit — when they discuss the key issues they’re facing — in a conference room at the Elkhart County jail.
That’s cheaper than the Essenhaus Conference Center in Middlebury, where it’s been held in years past. With times the way they are, you got to cut where you can.
That said, the quality of eats participants...
Thursday Jan. 7, 2009
Even the big trucks meant to keep the roadways clear of snow and ice for everyone else aren’t immune to the slippery conditions out there today.
Driving back to the office this afternoon from a meeting of Elkhart County leaders, I saw an Elkhart County plow stuck in the ditch east of Elkhart, just off C.R. 19 at the U.S. 20 crossing. Its front end was down in the ditch and its rear, passenger side tire was up in the air, just off the C.R. 19 shoulder. It looked as if it had skidded off...