Galveston

Opinion

Discussion

May 9, 2009

<b>Council should address issues</b>

Anonymous Pharos-Tribune Sat May 09, 2009, 06:41 PM EDT

You have to give the folks in Galveston credit for their tenacity.

For three straight months, they have turned out in huge numbers to demand that their elected leaders help them in cleaning up the town. A meeting last week drew more than 200 people.

Thankfully, the town council finally seems to be listening. After 90 minutes of discussion, the council agreed to consider joining an alliance with the Logansport and Cass County plan commission.

That would be a great first step.

Clearly, council members have been slow to grasp the situation. More than one has been heard to say that what one property owner does really should have no effect on anyone else.

That is clearly not the case. One house with a sofa on the front porch can create a negative image for the whole block. One business with junk piled in the parking lot can reflect poorly on the whole community.

Particularly when that business is owned by a member of the town council.

A representative of the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development turned out for last week’s meeting to explain new state laws that can be used to help clean up properties and to demolish or reuse abandoned buildings. The new laws speed up the process for communities to take over abandoned property. There are even grants available from the federal government to help with the costs.

First, though, the town needs a plan. That’s where the city-county planning commission comes in. The planning department says the town can obtain its services for $500 a year. All it takes is an application that could be approved in a matter of months.

The council should take that step. It should also get serious about addressing the concerns brought forward by local residents.

A committee formed last month to examine the issue of blocked sidewalks didn’t get around to having its first meeting until the day of the council meeting. That’s an insult to this group of concerned residents.

Perhaps town officials believe that if they drag their feet long enough, these unhappy residents will simply give up. Based on the size of the crowds at recent town council meetings, our guess is that’s not likely to happen.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Giving every child a chance
Students from Columbia Middle School delivered a message of inclusion in a play last weekend. The message is one that can’t be repeated too often.

February 2, 2012
Thorns & Roses
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E.
Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number.

February 2, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.

February 1, 2012
Testing lawmakers a good idea
A measure requiring drug testing for welfare recipients would also require drug testing for legislators. If lawmakers are going to impose such a requirement on welfare recipients, they should be willing to stand up to the same measure.

February 1, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.

January 31, 2012
Peru delivers important message
The city of Peru collected $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed. An aggressive enforcement effort can help the city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.

January 31, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.

January 30, 2012
Jail GED program a great step
The issue
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has begun offering GED
classes for its prisoners.

Our view
The department, and society at large, will see a huge return on that
investment.

January 30, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.

January 29, 2012
Ambulance services aren’t cheap
Cass County commissioners are looking at alternatives to the ambulance service provided by Logansport Memorial Hospital. Commissioners will be fortunate to find a less expensive alternative.

January 29, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Galveston

<b>Council should address issues</b>

Which team will you be cheering for in the Super Bowl?

Site Map

Contact Us