July, 2008

The Wabash Plain Dealer describes the dedication ceremony held for Master Trooper Detective David E. Rich on Independence Day.  Representative Friend was among others who were in attendance for the baseball field dedication.

State Rep. William Friend was on hand to speak and present a flag that was flown at the State Capitol on Memorial Day in memory of Rich.

"David's influence will live on," said Friend. "I'm very pleased and excited that this community who lost a favorite son is able to honor his memory in this way."

Rich's brother Bob Rich was overwhelmed by the gesture.

iStockAnalyst shares the upsetting news of Monaco Coach’s layoffs. Representative Walorski stated that there were many causes, primarily oil prices, that affected the need for Monaco Coach to lay off several employees. She will push for legislation that will halt sales tax on RV’s.

Walorski sent a letter to the governor Thursday requesting state aid due to the elimination of 1,400 jobs at Monaco. Those jobs will be lost by mid-September.

"While there are many factors contributing to these layoffs, the high price of fuel is certainly at the top of the list, thus bottle-necking production. I have personally spoken to CEOs of RV companies that have stated that dealers are not restocking their inventories for fear that they will not move the units. One CEO described the industry as 'frozen,'" she said in the letter.

"I will be offering legislation in January, asking to suspend the sales tax on the purchase of RVs in Indiana, hoping to bump up production and bringing movement back into our Hoosier RV industry. I am hopeful you will be supportive of that concept."

State Rep. Randy Borror (R-Fort Wayne) said the highway is a great value for not only Southwestern Indiana, but the entire state. He commended Daniels for getting the funding for the project. He said in the past, hundreds of projects have been promised, planned and designed just to be pushed back because of lack of funding.

“Without Gov. Daniel's courage and determination, another 50 years or more could have passed before we celebrated a day like today,” Borror said.

The Journal Gazette briefs over the issues that Matt Bell and Dan Leonard are addressing this summer. Representative Bell will concentrate on alcohol sales, while Representative Leonard works to improve adult education.

• Alcoholic beverages – Reps. Matt Bell, R-Avilla, and Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, are among the committee members who will look at issues involving alcohol sales, including the history of the state’s alcoholic beverage laws. Stateline.org reports that lawmakers across the country are examining laws that date back to the repeal of Prohibition. This past week, Colorado became the 35th state to allow residents to buy alcohol on Sundays.

• Adult education – Rep. Dan Leonard, R-Huntington, will serve on a committee studying funding for adult education. The state’s Department of Education now oversees most programs, but there are efforts to move more money to the Department of Workforce Development, where some critics believe rural communities will be overlooked and basic skill programs will be lost in favor of job-training programs.

The Star Press shares the positive Republican atmosphere emitted by candidates at the county fair. Republican Ted Baker running for the Indiana House District 34 race mentioned his support for Republican leaders of Indiana.  Also, State Rep. Bill Davis, R-Portland, described that his focus would be on jobs and the economy for Hoosier voters.

The Herald Tribune posted that Representative Lehe attended a memorial ceremony for victims of terrorism.

Pepple's work isn't over, as he will open the presentation ceremony Saturday and ensure verything goes smoothly. His efforts will bring the fallen soldiers' families, dignitaries from White County, military attendees, fellow Rotarians (who will don white hats for the occasion), State Representative Don Lehe, State Senator Brandt Hershman, U.S. Representative Steve Buyer (who will also dedicate the memorial) and more.

According to The Chicago Tribune, State Rep. Greg Steuerwald and Senator Connie Lawson were in attendance for the achievement of Ronald Reagan Parkway near I-74.  
 

Local and state officials, including Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, and Rep. Greg Steuerwald, R-Avon, will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday to commemorate the completion of the work.

The project, which began last summer, is part of Gov. Mitch Daniels' Major Moves highway construction program.

The Greene County Daily World shares that the Community Focus Fund granted $1.5 million to disperse between Bloomfield, Odon, and West Terre Haute.  State Rep Bruce Borders and others were extremely grateful.

"I'm tickled pink for the residents of Bloomfield, Odon and West Terre Haute," said District 45 Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville). "These communities made it clear that these improvements were darned important to them. The state has agreed, and so do I. The lives of every family in these communities will be vastly improved as a result of these grants. For the citizens of West Terre Haute, in particular, this grant will help avoid some of the flooding that so recently devastated many of their lives."

The Bluffton News-Banner shares that State Representative Jeff Espich was one of the many who came to a session offered for the proposed food incubator in Bluffton. Representive Espich’s response to the idea is as follows.

State Representative Jeff Espich, who was in attendance at the early morning session, said that he sees a key ingredient to the success of the idea is to have the support of the existing local food processors.

Citing Pretzels, Inc. as an example, he asked “Is this going to help them grow and stay in Bluffton? Will it create new jobs?”

Espich questioned whether there are enough budding entrepreneurs in the area to support the project.

The Batesville Herald Tribune discusses the status of the Sunman Regional Sewer District.

“I took up a petition and went to the (June 3) meeting,” noted Donna McCool, Sunman. “We didn’t get any answers. We don’t know who is proposing it or what’s proposed .... (but) we would like to get it withdrawn permanently .... We’ve had Cleo Duncan’s support, and the (Ripley County) commissioners don’t think it’s necessary.”