Editorials
Dispatch center might be back on track
Things seem to be headed in the right direction with the governing board overseeing Cass County’s emergency communications center, and that’s great news.
For months, the board had been wrangling over the lack of compatibility between the software used by dispatchers and that used by the Logansport Police Department. The dispute led to a split between city and county representatives, and it put the board’s former chairman in the middle, trying to keep the peace and move the board forward.
Finally, both the board chairman and the communications center director resigned — the former in frustration, the latter to take another job.
The board by mid-December had reached a crisis stage. Its meetings were growing increasingly heated, and at least one disintegrated into chaos.
The board’s former chairman said publicly that he wasn’t sure the city and county could work together. Some were suggesting that the two entities should dissolve their partnership and go back to having their own dispatch centers.
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the board entered the new year with a new sense of mission.
Last week, the board formally agreed to hire Cass County resident Dan McDonald as the center’s new director, and it elected Commissioner Dave Arnold as its new chairman.
At least for now, board members appear to be working together. The constant bickering appears to be a thing of the past.
After the board had approved his hiring, McDonald said he wanted to resolve the software issues and move ahead in making the communications center a model for the rest of the state.
“As a mature group of people, we’re going to be forward thinking, and we’re going to provide the best possible service we can to the citizens and the officers, the firefighters and the medics,” he said.
Board members have expressed the hope that the center might eventually become a multi-county operation, and McDonald has said he hopes to move in that direction. That’s a worthy goal.
McDonald’s approach to his new job is a breath of fresh air. We wish him and the board well in their efforts.
- Editorials
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Sign case offers some valuable lessons
A downtown property owner is trying to win approval for a sign he built in violation of city regulations.
The case should provide some lessons for both the city and other property owners. -
Fair brings another record-setting auction
The annual Cass County 4-H Fair auction recognizes and rewards the county’s 4-H members for their hard work.
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An organization in need of help
The Emmaus Mission Center needs community support, whether in the form of time or resources.
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Prosecutors should send a clear message
An entertainment lawyer says he’s been swamped by unsolicited
offers to cash in on the story of the Barefoot Bandit. There’s no way the teenager or his mom should profit from the crimes he’s accused of committing.
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College transfer policies should be clear
While the college has transfer agreements with 65 universities, that
doesn’t always mean the credits students earn at Ivy Tech
Community College will transfer to those other institutions. State higher education officials need to find a way to make the process less difficult for students.
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Fire protection details should be spelled out
Officials for both the city and surrounding townships are putting together plans for fire protection after the first of the year.
It’s important for both entities to spell out their plans so that residents and businesses will know what to expect. -
Capturing the history of Cass County
A new set of interviews is set to begin to collect oral histories of Cass County. History is about more than just days and dates, and the personal experiences of those who have lived here can offer a genuine insight.
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Teaching children to love books
Cass County Reading Railroad staged a successful Storybook Festival last weekend at Spencer Park. The message the organization is working to deliver is a crucial one for Cass County’s economic future.
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Coping with cutbacks won’t be easy
More than 350 workers will lose their jobs as part of a planned restructuring at Logansport State Hospital.
Dealing with the impact of this decision will require a combined effort by local leaders. -
Don’t forget to move over and save lives
Indiana’s move-over law now requires motorists to pull over for utility vehicles. The law has saved an unknown number of lives of emergency responders and highway workers, and this will keep more workers safe.
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Sign case offers some valuable lessons
