Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com coupled with responses by the newspaper’s editorial board.
About the ethics-lobby bill getting final state legislative approval:
* Ex-lawmakers get so many taxpayer supplied perks that they should either be denied working as a lobbyist entirely, or permanently forgo their perks.
* This piece of legislation is full of holes. Legislators should not be allowed to take any gifts, meals, or entertainment venues from lobbyists ever.
* Taking these bribes from lobbyists should be a felony. These miserable weasel politicians are destroying our state and country!
THB: And to think, the public elects these “weasels”!
About Hoosier Park filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy:
* No surprise here. $250 million in up-front gambling taxes is a killer. The state should have used a variable tax based on gambling revenues, not a stiff, up-front tax.
THB: Agreed, that $250 million licensing fee and the sour economy are a double whammy for Hoosier Park.
About Tony Bennett, Indiana’s superintendent of public instruction, criticizing the Anderson teachers union and AFT President Rick Muir’s public statement:
* Finally, someone from outside of Anderson gets it. I have said until the union is gone or at least significant changes made, along with a new board, nothing will get better. Mr. Muir, you said teachers have not gotten raises, but then a couple of paragraphs down (ACS official Kevin) Mr. Brown states at least half are subject to raises. Most of us don’t wear blinders.
* The real insult, Mr. Muir, is the education available in Anderson. Why is it an education can be had just about anywhere else for considerably less cost than ACS?
* Rick was 100 percent correct when he stated that the AFT member have made and are making concessions in order to aid the money situation in ACS. Here are several examples of items AFT members have decided on: no pay raise next year, to raise the class size for next year, and to pay more on insurance.
The real insult here is all the people commenting on a situation they know little about. Unless you are a member of the AFT or a teacher in ACS, you do not know of the cuts and concessions we take each day to educate the children of this community to the best of our ability.
* “What is an insult is the graduation rate and test scores!
THB: It’s a bad sign when “leaders” engage in such public bickering.
About the Madison County Council approving a $12.2 million tax abatement for Lapel manufacturer Owens-Brockway:
* Why does (County Councilman John) Bostic have to make a tax abatement a racial issue? If 8 percent of the company’s work force is minority, then that exceeds the minority population in Lapel and western Madison County.
THB: It is the job of elected officials to question the spending of taxpayers’ money. He also argued that tax abatements are “bankrupting this township.”
To add to the community discussion, click on the “Your Comment” box attached to articles published at www.theheraldbulletin.com.
Editorials
You Said It: About legislators' ethics, Hoosier Park and education
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Editorial: Sentencing should be determined by judge most familiar with case
We should show concern about the handling of a criminal’s recent case under the Madison County unified court system, a concept where judges share resources to help reduce costs, avoid backlogs and move cases forward.
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Editorial: 911 consolidation good for county
When it comes to emergencies, a fast and proper response is sometimes the difference between life and death. Therefore it is important for 911 services to be coordinated for the best response time. It’s even better if those services are consolidated with one location fielding calls from multiple areas.
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Editorial: On Valentine’s Day, indulge in selfishness of volunteering
In the final analysis, we’re all selfish beings. Everything we do, at its core, is motivated by what is good for us.
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You Said It: About roundabouts, Mayor Smith’s firings, recycling, State of City address
The bottom line in Mayor Kevin Smith’s State of the City address Tuesday during the Anderson Rotary Club’s luncheon at Anderson Country Club was simple: To attract investment, you have to make investments. (Article published Feb. 4.)
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Editorial: Firings show inability to turn foes into friends
Politics is a double-edged sword.
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Editorial: Help celebrate city's strong black history
Many times we overlook the small achievements of residents long gone who made a better Anderson for those of us alive today. There is no better time to recognize and cherish those stories than during Black History Month.
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Editorial: Madison County needs vision for future tourism
Slot machines, gospel music, a beautiful state park and candy are all thriving as destination sites. Now is the time to explore a way to connect these valuable attractions and encourage new ideas.
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Editorial: AHS grad rates moving up, must be pushed ever higher
A diploma is a must, but it has to mean something. Anderson High School must do this the right way, not cutting corners and passing students through classes, but making them accountable for learning the subject matter.
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Editorial: With changes to program, why not begin recycling?
The public has to understand the importance of recycling aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, newspapers and certain plastics. Besides minimizing a community’s waste, recycling saves energy, natural resources and the environment.
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Editorial: Reality returns after Super Bowl mania
While we loved what the Super Bowl did for our reputation, it’s time to get back to the real world. Let’s recap the lost week.
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