Editor, Times-Union: How come Northern Indiana doesn't get it?
It's a simple question I have been asking myself since the debate of the Claypool biofuels plant came up to discussion. Now Milford, a largely agricultural community, doesn't get it either. Instead, I see complaints and concerns with no hard evidence backing these claims up.
I love America and the democratic process where everyone has a right to speak their mind, but give me facts, give me hard evidence. I have seen nothing. Why is that? Well, because there is no evidence that the ethanol plant will be nothing more than cheaper, cleaner burning fuel for a community. The people who are against the plant claim it will lower property values, be bad for farmers, and hurt the economy of the communities around the plant. How? Please explain to me how something that is so good could be so bad.
The facts of the matter are: It will increase property values of land around the plant and also farmland around the community. Farmers will be paid a higher premium for their crops. Restaurants and convenience stores, not to mention local grocery stores and others, will benefit from workers coming in and also truck drivers that will be coming in to haul the fuel and grain going to the plant.
When it comes to the pollution issue that I have read so much about, where is your information coming from? I have searched through numerous databases of scientific research to find nothing claiming that this will be harmful to you, your children or wildlife. I have one article talking about the smell from these plants; however, it was written in the mid- to late-1980s. Anybody who knows anything about scientific research papers knows that anything older than 10 years old is out-dated and not scientifically sound. (For those who are at odds with my language, the last part means the data is essentially no good.) Like I said for the Claypool plant, research all sides, and again at the end of this I will put some nice easy to read references for you to check out.
Finally, I recently read and heard that the Wawasee School Board recently heard from the Northern Lakes Area Concerned Citizens Association and voted to write a letter to the county to oppose the plant. Why is the school board getting involved? I would imagine there are greater things of concern to the corporation than worrying about an ethanol plant. I would also like to thank Mr. Brian Dawes for being the first person to actually want to get information from the other side of the fence before making a decision.
The fact of the matter is, the ethanol plant will most likely go in to Milford and there really isn't much people can do than get used to it. As I said I would, below is a list of Web sites for you to check out so you can be better informed and make the right decision before you throw the idea under the bus. Also, if anyone wants to contact me, feel free to, I am open to anyone who doesn't get the idea of ethanol and how it can help.
www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/ethanol.html - US Dept. of Energy
www.ethanol.org - American Coalition for Ethanol
www.e85fuel.com/index.php National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
http://ethanolmarketplace.com/ Ethanol and Biofuels News
www.ethanolrfa.org/ Renewable Fuels Association
Brad Clayton, via e-mail Oklahoma State University-Stillwater undergrad
Plant and Soil Sciences - Crop Sciences
Wawasee High School graduate, former Wawasee FFA member
Indiana Business
Editor, Times-Union: "Open for business" is a term frequently utilized in describing business expansion and attraction efforts. Not only are the entryways wide open in northern Indiana, but good news in our area has been accompanied by a series of positive economic development announcements from throughout the state.
While challenges remain and the economic health of our local communities and region is paramount, the well-being of our state should not be overlooked. A strong Indiana will only help create a better northern Indiana.
From newcomers Honda in Greensburg and Nestle in Anderson to expansions at Jeffboat in Jeffersonville and Rolls-Royce in Indianapolis, our state government and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. are on a winning streak. International investment continues to be a key driver as Indiana strives to separate itself from the pack of competing states.
While South Bend has been the proud home of the state's only ethanol facility - New Energy Corp. - for more than 20 years, a variety of new ethanol and biodiesel facilities will complement New Energy and provide a major agricultural and economic boost.
The IEDC has been proactively working with existing companies, as well as those interested in moving to the state. State and local officials have more tools available for these businesses, state agencies are working with companies instead of against them and continued infrastructure improvements are on the way. And state government has a balanced budget, no small feat.
Other states are looking at what's taking place in Indiana. It's been a while since that has been the case.
Legislators have made bold, not always popular, decisions the last two years. They've done so in the effort to lift our state out of the economic doldrums. Indiana must continue to take innovative, decisive action in developing the best possible business climate. Others - on the regional, national and international levels - are doing the same.
Indiana has an accelerating growth economic plan in place that focuses on innovation, talent and investment. It will take additional time and effort, but our state is on the road to success. Optimism is deservedly at a very high level.
Michael L. Kubacki, via e-mail
Chairman, president and CEO
Lake City Bank Warsaw
Vote!
Editor, Times-Union: Are you tired of the political ads yet? I am afraid they drive a lot of voters away. Contrary to what some say, your vote does count!
On the non-presidential elections, we are lucky to get 45 percent of the eligible voters out. Most of those that do vote are hardliners for their party. Just a small number of independent voters can change the outcome.
Don't know who to vote for? In my opinion, it's simple. If you like the way things are going, vote for the person who is already in office. If not, vote them out!
The important thing is vote!
Thomas L Sutton, via e-mail
Warsaw
Ruppel Failure
Editor, Times-Union: One vote put the state on daylight-saving time. And that one vote came from Rep. Bill Ruppel. Remember that on Nov. 7.
I attended a town hall meeting with 30 of Rep. Ruppel's constituents last year and asked him why he voted for daylight-saving time when weeks before he sent out letters stating the consensus represented in his district showed 60 percent were against daylight-saving time. His response was that he had "last minute" information that the consensus was now a 50/50 split.
His correct and representing vote should have been to abstain. Representation is why we voters elect people to office and 50 percent of us feel Rep. Ruppel has failed us. And, if you think about it, he really failed all of us by not abstaining his (our) vote.
Jon Korejwa, via e-mail Syracuse
Church Practice
Editor, Times-Union: It has come to our attention that a church is practicing a policy that can be potentially harmful.
It seems they are disfellowshipping those who are contrary to their beliefs on same-sex relationships, divorce, etc. Also, we have found out that one of the former members who was disfellowshipped, was denied offering a prayer to God during a Sunday school class. Also, we have found out that they are still taking this person's money while keeping her away from participating in public prayers.
Is this Christianity? How may people have been turned away from this church and then have become not only spiritually bereft but suicidal?
Have we learned nothing from the deaths of Matthew Shepherd, Teena Brandon and others who have died at the hands of homophobic "Christians"?
This must stop. People are dying.
Mary Geyer, via e-mail Warsaw
Time To
Ditch Mitch Editor, Times-Union: For sale or lease - state Of Indiana - Contact Mitch Daniels.
Mitch is now importing 1,200 prisoners from California. How many of them will decide to stay here in Indiana when released? How many will commit another crime here and become the burden on Indiana taxpayers? Mitch doesn't care, he won't continue to live in Indiana when he's no longer governor. How much more of Indiana will he sell before he leaves? It's time to ditch Mitch before he sells it all.
