Energizing Indiana Seminar

by

I attended an Energizing Indiana Seminar on Tuesday in South Bend presented by the Indiana Energy Association.  In our area, the partners that we work with are NIPSCO and AEP.  (Marshall County REMC has programs as well, but opted out of IURC (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission) due to what they felt were onerous reporting and oversight requirements and the associated costs.)  There are quite a few incentive programs available to businesses and residential customers as well.  Unlike some of the tax incentive programs such as EPAct, these programs provide checks directly from the Utility Companies which means municipalities and other tax exempt entities should be able to take advantage of them as well.

Many of these programs encourage renovations that will pay savings dividends on their own.  (Green That Saves Green!)  The incentives are there to give the extra kick to encourage implementing them now.   I am planning on researching this further and I will include details here, but if you’re interested in pursuing this, please contact us and we can look into your specific situation now!

Election Day!

by

Just a reminder to GET OUT AND VOTE!!!  I was to my polling place just before noon and if the number of signatures I saw in the book are any indication, the turnout is going to be light.  It’s a sad commentary when the news polls show Congress and the President with approval ratings in the basement, but then when citizens have a chance for input in the elections they can’t be bothered.  The majority of seats up for consideration in this primary election are for State and Local positions.  Not as controversial, but still important.  I told you why I was supporting Francis Ellert previously here.  There are many other important candidates to support on the ballot as well.

As a closing note, please make your vote an informed vote.   Even at this late hour it’s not too late to find out about the candidates and vote responsibly.  If you’re not going to do that, then I retract my opening request.  I should have said, Get out and Vote…  RESPONSIBLY!

Chandel-Air

by

Would you like the air movement benefits of a ceiling fan, but you don’t like the look of paddle fans?  An option would be a Chandel-Air from Meyda Custom Lighting.  The Chandel-Air integrates lighting and ceiling fan technology in various new styles and configurations.

The Whispering Pines model to the right is just one of dozens available at their site, ranging in sizes from 36″ to 60″ in diameter.  They can accommodate flat or vaulted ceilings and have both LED and incandescent lighitng options.  They can also customize fixtures to meet the needs of specific applications.

Meyda makes a wide range of other products as well in unique forms.  Check them out!

Ellert for State Representative

by
Kevin Berger presenting ABC's endorsement and check to Francis Ellert at Coca-Cola Bottling in Plymouth

I had the opportunity to meet with Francis Ellert recently and present him with a check and endorsement from Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana (ABC).  Easterday Construction has been a member of ABC for nearly three decades and I have served on the organization’s State Board of Directors through four terms.  Francis has attended several ABC events and the organization has found him to be a like-minded individual that will fit well in representing our Free Enterprise cause.  I consider Francis a personal friend and I was pleased to be able to relay our support. 

This is Francis’s second run at the Indiana House District 17 position.  I supported him in his first run (see here) and will do so again this time.  Currently he has a primary challenger, but no Democrats have filed to run for the position in the Fall.  Turnout will still be important in the primary.  Since the Republican candidate  for President has been decided before the Indiana primary, it’s important to  make your voice heard in this local issue.

Lest you think voting isn’t important in the primary, there seems to be a real divide in the campaigning.  I see very few Harman signs in the Culver area where Francis is well represented.  I see mostly Harman signs in the Bremen area where Tim is well known.  Culver in particularly shouldn’t be complacent and assume that Francis has it sewn up!  We need to get out the vote and support him.

I can’t say anything bad about Tim Harman.  From what I know of him, he is a good person, has run a clean campaign and has the best interests of District 17 at heart.  But he’s not the known candidate that Francis is.  Francis ran a hard campaign against Nancy Dembowski in 2010 and I think he benefited from it.  Not only did it help him better define his positions, but it helped him make contacts that will be crucial when he joins the General Assembly next year.  Those contacts are what have garnered the support of the Indiana Chamber, the Indiana Manufacturers Association and the Indiana Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

Please consider helping me support Francis in the primary.  In less than a week we’ll be making this choice.  I can’t tell you how much I  look forward to voting for a candidate that I can truly support rather than choosing the lesser of evils.  I don’t think Francis tells election fairy tales.

Kevin