Who is that guy? Wow look at the gut on him...
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The Incredible Shrinking Project

Local News - Marion Chronicle Tribune - www.chronicle-tribune.com

Am I disappointed? A little. Am I more pleased that the school board listened to the community? Yes. I was also glad that, as a community, we could get through this without a lot of hard feelings. I would hope there is no remonstrance. I think the school board has shown, they are sensitive to the concerns of the community.

The bottom line is this. Oak Hill High School is in severe need of an upgrade in the Science, Physical Education and Special Education areas. This 9.75 million dollar project will accomplish that. I think the project as it stands now is strong on needs. I wish an auditorium was included, but I think the school board had a choice between an auditorium with the project, or killing the project.

And kudos to Carol Murphy and Scott Dubois for voting "no" because they felt the revised project cut too much. And if you missed Scott's speach about being short sighted, here's an excerpt from the Chronicle Tribune:

"The focus shifted from what might be best for the kids to what's best for the pocketbooks," Dubois said. "I didn't expect to see input from corporate boards or town (councils). I don't remember seeing this board telling those towns what to do. I worry about being short-sighted. I'm disappointed because I don't know if I've done what's best for kids."

I share Scott's concerns. The project, if everything goes as planned, should be finished by late 2007. Now if they could get the picture of that fat old guy off of the front page of the paper, I think they would sell more papers :)

The roadmap for conservatives to take back the Supreme Court

Supreme Court scenario scares Democrats, liberals

What a great opinion piece by Ken Bode. I have met Mr. Bode several times. A very nice gentleman. His analysis is valid. Will it happen? I don't think so... I think the president has a very long, very contentious, very nasty fight ahead of him.

Bob Kravitz does have a point...

After long review, stadium's a mistake

Love him or hate him (and most hate him) Bob Kravitz is right. The problem is, the process for the new Colts stadium is too far along. Or is it? (Maybe that's tomorrow's blog.) Here's an email I sent to Bob.

Bob,
You're right. The city and county need to get their houses in order as far as budget/services etc. The Legislature also needs to get its house in order as well. This follows the time honored tradition of flash prevailing over substance.

A couple of questions:

• 
  Why didn't the city of Indianapolis/Marion County plan for this long before now?
• 
  Shouldn't planners have already figured out where/how to expand the Dome. They didn't think the Colts would play there forever, did they?
• 
  What are the other alternatives besides expanding the Convention Center south to the RCA Dome property? How about building on the other side of the dome? A logistics challenge yes, but maybe something that is more "taxpayer friendly."
• 
  Would you feel the same way if "Indianapolis Works" had passed and they weren't laying off police officers? If the state didn't have a budget deficit?

Bob, I don't live in Marion County. I live in the wilds of North Central Indiana. Up here, things seem a bit more simple. The legislature needs to live within its budget. Politicians need to work together to get projects done. Paris Hilton is not the most important person in the world. True, our politicians have financial problems and our society isn't perfect. But it just seems Indianapolis got the "cart before the horse" when it comes to the new stadium.

I am a Republican, but I admire Bart Peterson for stepping aside to allow the Governor to take the lead on the stadium project. I just wish people could junk their political agendas and get things done for the people that elected them. What a novel concept.

I've said a lot, but the most important is "Well said, Bob. Well said."

Tim Rush
Converse, Indiana

Is the Space Program Worth It?

OrlandoSentinel.com: Columnists

Gee, is the space program worth it? I guess we don't want advancements in technology, computers, medicine, personal safety etc. The space program has been the engine behind technology in this country. We have to explore, we have to dream. Yes we have to take care of business here on earth. But we all benefit every day from the space program. Whether it's the air bags in your car, the velcro on your kids shoes, or the pacemaker in your grandfather's chest...we all benefit. I think this reporter wrote this column just to get a reaction. Or he may just be an empty headed liberal who only understands his selfishness.

This article is from the Orlando Sentinel. You will need a free membership to read it. (Sorry)

Oak Hill needs this project part 2

Last week, I was one of only two people to support the 15 million dollar Oak Hill High School renovation project at a public hearing. A vote on the project was tabled until July 19th. Most of the people who spoke against the project subscribed to one of two main schools of thought:

1. My kids went here 5/10/15/20 years ago and it was okay for them, so I think it's good enough now
2. I'm a farmer, this would raise my taxes too much.

It was pointed out to me that most of the people against the project no longer have kids active in the Oak Hill School System. Also, it was pointed out that most of the farmers against the project are well established farmers who run big "corporate" farms. I sympathize with those who think we should wait until the economy "gets better." I think it's as good as it is going to get, unless we do something to make things better. Who says this upgrade won't help us attract new business, new students and new tax dollars? If more people come to our community, our taxes should go down.

People don't understand how much the Oak Hill community has to lose if we don't build the project now. Interest rates are low. The economy in Grant County is coming back. Our high school has some serious problems that need to be fixed. An 800 seat auditorium might seem like a want, not a need. But have you ever been to a Christmas Program or an awards night in the crowded lecture area? Do you realize the school system could make money off of the auditorium renting it out for community events and shows? Do you know how much it would help our economic development efforts to show prospective businesses a high school with 21st century technology in the auditorium and the science labs instead of 1970's technology?

If you support the project, contact a school board member. Take 10 minutes and call them and say "I want you to know, I support the project." Most public boards only hear from people when they are against an issue. It will be refreshing for the school board members to hear from people who are for progress.

Toby Middlesworth, President (384-5572)
Scott Dubois, Vice President (395-3111)
Mark Johnson, Secretary (384-5476)
Dana Biggs, Member (395-1150)
Brian Middlesworth, Member (384-5696)
Carol Murphy, Member (384-7070)
Kevin Pearson, Member (664-8769)

Some gold in light of the failed New York 2012 Olympic Bid

ESPN.com - OLY - Rovell: New York's failure didn't cost the public

Here's a story from ESPN.com that deserves to be told about New York's failed 2012 Olympic Bid.

Why did New York's bid fail? Greed. The Greed of Cablevision Inc. and the Dolan Family who torpedoed the New York Jets' bid to build a stadium on the West side of Manhattan. If the Dolan Family couldn't make money off of building the stadium, no one could. Nice attitude. Do you know how much tourist money and economic development money you just cost New York? Nice. Then I hear this idiot Mike Greenberg on ESPN Radio talking about how the citizens of New York didn't want the Olympics because all those people would be an inconvenience for the locals. Oh, you get the opportunity to make some money and host a world class sporting event, but you don't want it because of increased traffic? I guess the people of New York are as greedy, stupid and insensitive as their stereotype. Sheesh. At least France didn't get the Olympics.