LaPaz Garden Court Inc. Open House

by

LaPaz Garden Court Inc. Open House announcement from the Pilot News November 6, 2010

Friday was the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the LaPaz Garden Court.  It’s always a great thing to go back and see how the facilities have been decorated, see the residents that have taken rooms and hear from all of those involved.  Dr. Ronald Liechty served as Master of Ceremony and as always, made everyone feel good about the work that it took to bring the project to completion.

We completed work on LaPaz Garden Court in mid-October and it is already 2/3rds full.  There was actually another resident signing up while the open house was in progress!

We were pleased that the H.U.D. representative for this job attended the ceremony.  This is the first time this has happened.  We were all pleased that she also had the opportunity to see the good that Garden Court has been able to do.  This would not be possible with out the grants from H.U.D.

LaPaz Garden Court is the 6th Garden Court project that Easterday Construction Co., Inc. has partnered with Garden Court, Inc. to complete.  While we have also worked on several of their other projects, we have completed six projects from start to finish in Argos, Bourbon, Knox, Plymouth, Mentone and now LaPaz.  We hope to be starting out 7th project with them, Culver Garden Court, within the next few weeks.

All of us at Easterday Construction are proud of our association with Garden Court, Inc. and we hope to continue our partnership into the future.

Community Conversation Follow-up

by
Recap of Community Conversation in the Pilot News, November 18, 2010

I was pleased to see a diverse representation of our County at the Community Conversation last Wednesday.  Unfortunately I had a prior commitment and was unable to participate in the entire program, but I was able to hear the keynote speaker, Richard Longworth, as he spoke about the challenges Marshall County faces.  He also took questions from the audience, which were insightful as well as indicative of where those in attendance thought we were headed.

Second Page of Pilot News Article

I hope this is the first of many such “conversations” about Marshall County’s direction for the future.  Plymouth has just completed a Wheels of Progress survey.  Culver’s Second Century Committee is in the process of reexamining their goals.  I’m sure the other communities in Marshall County have their own steering committees to plan for the future.  If I took anything out of the conversation Wednesday, it was that we all need to shake off the boundaries imposed by towns, counties and states.  We should allow ourselves to think regionally and market ourselves in the same manner.  Otherwise we will continue to  be left behind.  Mr. Longworth indicated that the Midwest didn’t just enter a recession two years ago, but is 30-40 years into a recession that could last a century if we’re not careful.  Something for all of us to think about!

Last Word on Walorski/Donnelly

by

The Walorski/DonnellyCongressional Race for the Indiana 2nd District was a pretty bitter fight.  It was a pretty tight race up to and including the final days of the race.  Interestingly, there was a Libertarian, Mark Vogel, in the race.  I consider myself fairly politically savy, but I was unaware the third candidate until the weekend before the election when I received a glossy mailer touting Mr. Vogel as the “true conservative” in the race.

Mark Vogel Campaign Flyer Front

Mark Vogel Campaign Flyer Back

Despite serious campaign fatigue it caught my eye because of some of the positions being proclaimed, such as abolishing the IRS and the income tax.  All of them were conservative to the extreme.

Looking at it a little further, another thing caught my eye… The return address:  The Indiana Democratic Party!

Whether you want to call it dirty pool or extremely smart politics, apparently the Indiana Democratic Party didn’t think Joe Donnelly could beat Jackie Walorski in a head to head battle, so chose to spend precious dollars on promoting the third candidate.  Also, it appears they were right since the majority of those voting did not vote for Mr. Donnelly.   According to Mr. Vogel’s website, the ad was sent without his knowledge or consent, nor was it sent with the consent of the Libertarian Party.  A complaint has been filed with the FEC for violations of Federal election laws.

Marshall County Community Conversation

by

Marshall County Economic Development Corp. (MCEDC) is co-sponsoring the Marshall County Community Conversation this Wednesday.  If you haven’t yet RSVP’d, I believe they will still take your reservation.  Please consider attending as this is an important meeting to determine the direction of Marshall County.  There is a key-note speaker and there will be panel discussion and break-out sessions.  This should be an educational experience for attendees as well as the co-sponsors.  Make your voice heard!

I continue to represent Culver on the Marshall County Economic Development Board.  If you are unable to attend, but have concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me and I will make sure your issues are considered.

Veterans Day 2010

by

Veterans Day (or Armistice Day or Remembrance Day if you prefer) is observed each November 11th in remembrance of the signing of the Armistice at the conclusion of World War I.  The formal signing occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.  While Armistice Day was celebrated for the first time the following year, 1919, it didn’t become an official U.S. Federal Holiday until 1926.  In 1954 it was formally changed to commemorate all veterans rather than just those who served in World War I.

May those who served that have passed before this day rest in peace and all those that are still with us that serve or have served enjoy the honor, admiration and respect they deserve from all of us. 

 To all veterans… Thank You.