June, 2008

Amazon.com announced plans this week to hire several hundred full-time positions for the new distribution center in Whitestown, northwest of Indianapolis. The online retailer plans to open the 600,000-square-feet center in Boone County in order to meet its Midwest demands.

The announcement caught the attention of Jacque Clements, candidate running to fill Senator Jim Buck’s seat as State Representative in House District 38.

Wthitv.com reports that the flood caused destruction to Greene County’s water systems, sewer plants, roads and bridges. State Representative Bruce Borders points out that it will take a vast amount of money to repair the damages.

"We have roads that are washed out," said State Representative Bruce Borders of Jasonville, "We have railroad tracks like right here south of Worthington that are washed out, and it's going to be millions upon millions of dollars in repairs."

WTHR – Indianapolis declares that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help flood victims understand their financing and disaster relief options. Representative Woody Burton remarked on the constituents and their need for information.

"We came down Thursday and you just saw the looks on these people's faces. They just looked like they were lost," said Rep. Woody Burton (R-Greenwood). "We're just trying to figure out ways to give them as much information as possible. This is gonna be kind of a town hall information type meeting. We've got a lot of people here from all of us in government including Congressman Buyer and FSSA."

The Greene County Daily World reports on State Representative Bruce Borders’ activities encouraging the residents of Jasonville despite recent flooding.

Borders agreed with Cox and French that having the Lakers still playing in the baseball tourney has been healing and encouraging to the town.

"This could be our year. We've got a good chance of winning the whole thing. I'm not just saying that. The Lakers are really peaking at the right time. They have really gelled at the right time," the Republican state representative said.

Most of the town's restaurants have been closed since Saturday.

The Reporter-Times reports on the meeting for flood-victim residents of Martinsville, held last Thursday. State Representative Ralph Foley was there to answer resident concerns.

Several were unhappy the police were unable to stop landlords from throwing away their possessions.

A number asked if they could get their rent money back so they could find another home.

State Rep. Foley, who is also an attorney, said under normal conditions, a landlord has to file an eviction suit in court to get a tenant out. He said there may be some rental leases that give landlords the right to do what they are doing. Without seeing the leases, Foley said didn’t know their specific terms.

The Noblesville Ledger tells about the numerous achievements that Nancy Chance has done for the city of Noblesville.  She has been recognized with several awards and can now add the Pinnacle Award to her list.  State Representative Kathy Richardson helped in recognizing Chance for her award.

"I'm very humbled," Chance said after learning she had won the Pinnacle Award. She had been invited to attend the chamber lunch by a friend, State Rep. Kathy Richardson of Noblesville, who kept the honor a surprise.