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.
Opinion
Galveston
<b>Council should address issues</b>
- Opinion
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An outstanding community effort
United Way of Cass County announced this week that it had raised more than $600,000 in its most recent campaign. The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity of local residents and to the great work of the United Way and its member agencies.
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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. -
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.
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White should not return to office
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Even in names, Eli beats Peyton
Columnist Dave Kitchell looks at the names of Cass County's babies in 2011 - and the effect they may have had on the Super Bowl.
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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.
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A grand success for Indianapolis
The just-ended Super Bowl was the result of decades of preparation. Indianapolis left a great impression on the thousands of visitors who descended on the city.
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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.
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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.
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