Kevin Brinegar
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Politics over policy. It’s nothing new in debates at the local, state or federal levels of government. But that doesn’t mean we should condone it; in fact, we should fight against it.
The policy in this case is a better way to deliver poor relief and fire protection services that are currently housed at the woefully ineffective township level. The beginning of the remedy, as outlined in Senate Bill 240, eliminates little used but well compensated (in some cases) township advisory boards and gives county councils binding authority over township budgets to ensure your taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently. SB 240 also addresses nepotism that is all too rampant in township government.
The politics is in House Bill 1181, disguised as reform in calling for 1,006 separate township by township referendum elections to determine the fate of individual townships. If enacted as is, this would simply make a bad situation worse. It would create a confusing patchwork of township and county control. Whether it passes or not, it allows House members who voted for it to say they “gave it the old Statehouse try” while campaigning for re-election this spring and fall.
We need our elected representatives to do better. We send them to Indianapolis from all corners of the state to represent us. Township offices that practice rampant nepotism, spend more in administrative costs than actual poor relief provided and even use your tax dollars to pad trustees’ own pockets are not in everyone’s best interests.
Find out where your legislators stand on local government reform. If they support SB 240, thank them. If they don’t, tell them to seriously consider SB 240 and the start of meaningful local government reform. It’s their job to represent you, not the townships.
Letters
Viewpoint: Time for meaningful local government reform
SB 240 also addresses nepotism that is all too rampant in township government
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Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
To save America some money — by acclimation of course — let’s not have a presidential election in 2012. We already have a good president who will do his best to kill all Republican bills (DOA) and, consequently, create more good-paying jobs in the $30 per hour range.
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Letter: Gingrich cashes in on political amnesia
Rasmussen says that Romney has flattened nationally. Why?
Two reasons seem to tell the tale. Gingrich has shown that he will fight, and Romney is a Mormon, believed to be a “cult” by a majority of evangelicals. -
Letter: Hiring Winkler not wise spending
As a taxpayer I want to know that my taxes are being spent wisely. Hiring Greg Winkler at a salary of $126,000 is not wise spending.
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Letter: Bill of Rights being nullified by new law
President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act on New Year’s Eve. I doubt many Americans noticed its implications because they do not yet comprehend the big picture. This law, coupled with the Patriot Act, is paving the way for America’s direction toward tyranny.
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Letter: $14 trillion debt started by previous president
I’m a proud atheist who’s lucky enough to know the difference between fact and fantasy.
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Letter: Economy putting people in the gutters
We are now getting the results of putting people in the gutters. We need to take a second look at our government and its policies. It’s not working.
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Viewpoint: Look at Creation Museum from an educational, scientific perspective
I encourage any and all who have interest in this vitally important topic to “go to the source,” to invest the time and energy into exploring The Creation Museum for themselves.
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Letter: Blame the voters for our Congress
Why is insider trading legal for Congress and illegal for the rest of us? They make and enact laws for all of us, but then exempt members of Congress. Somehow this doesn’t seem to pass the smell test.
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Letter: Smith’s firings appear vindictive
Anderson is a city of negative publicity and actions. Why else is Sears leaving? Can we stand four years of vindictive actions and negative reporting?
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Letter: Planned devaluation of dollar is coming
I’ve submitted letters regarding the existence of a global elite for years now. I’m now submitting another one in which I hope readers will take note of.
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Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
