Rights Should Outweigh Expediency
There was an interesting conversation at the end of Culver’s April Plan Commission meeting. Some commission members were expressing their frustration at the time and expensive necessary to move buildings that have been deemed unsafe through the court proceedings. They wanted to explore ways to expedite this process.
The discussion revolved around the County-wide Unsafe Building Committee which was formed last year. The committee was formed with the intent of streamlining the process. The committee requested a judge cede jurisdiction to them and expedite the process of condemning property.
Note: This is what I heard at this Plan Commission meeting and others. I have no direct knowledge of how these cases have proceeded.
In most of these cases, the judge hearing the case had granted the property owner time to obtain an attorney, time to present their case and time to make improvements recommended by the committee. At times the judge had sided with the property owner on allowing them to make improvements in lieu of condemnation and reduced the extent of the improvements required.
Listening to this from the outside, I felt the goal of getting the property cleaned up or condemned is worth pursuing, but not at the expense of proper representation and property rights. Not to disparage the current committee, but I don’t think bureaucracy is a suitable substitute for an elected judge. The current committee may be knowledgeable in property rights, but there’s no guarantee that this would always be the case. It’s also unclear what the route to appeal is if the judge cedes authority to the committee. Since the complaints aired by the Plan Commission had to do with the length of process, I am concerned that the rights to due process could be hindered.
It will be interesting to see how this moves forward. I am concerned that this is a case of needing to be careful what you wish for… I don’t know that we want these powers to be unchecked. Thus my choice of title for this post, “Rights should outweigh Expediency…”
Congratulations Good Oil Company
Last year we were honored with a Half Century Award from the State of Indiana. (See previous post here.) IEDC and Governor Holcomb did a fine job with the presentation. I recently saw that friend of Easterday Construction, Good Oil Company, was honored in this year’s presentation on March 21st.
This from the official announcement: Good Oil Company, founded by Don O. Good Sr. in 1941, is a fuel jobber and owner of the Good To Go convenience store chain, which operates 16 retail locations and supplies more than 100 dealer locations. Along with giving back to the community through philanthropic events and sponsorships, Good Oil raised more than $40,000 this past summer for local schools through its “G.O. for School Safety” campaign.
78 years; Pulaski County
We hope the Good family had the same experience of pride we did standing on the stage with the Governor. Keeping any company going for decades is an accomplishment, but keeping family businesses going through multiple generations can be even more challenging. The acknowledgement of the State and our highest State Executive was heartwarming.
“Today we honor businesses that have helped lay a foundation for economic success in Indiana, maintaining operations for more than 50 to 100 years and creating long-term career opportunities for Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Through a strong dedication to their employees, their businesses and their communities, these companies exemplify the pioneering spirit and perseverance that will push our state forward for years to come.”
Warren Buffett Quote on Saving
“Do not save what is left after spending; instead spend what is left after saving”.
Congratulations to Jim Clevenger
Congratulations Jim! I’ve worked with you as Culver’s Town Attorney, Marshall County’s Attorney and briefly as MCEDC’s Attorney. I’ve always known you to be cautious and ethical, working to keep his clients out of trouble. No surprise that you were on the State’s Ethics Commission, though I didn’t know about it until seeing this award upon your exit from the Commission. 14 years! Way to go!
Best wishes for your next endeavor. Thanks for your years working to keep the State on the straight and narrow. Please keep up the good work and apply those principles here too!
Clip Wamsley
Claiborn M. “Clip” Wamsley has been a friend of Easterday Construction Co., Inc. for decades. We’re all saddened by his passing. We feel for all our friends at First National Bank of Monterey as they work through this loss.
Clip was an iconic character in our region, through his work in our communities, community organizations and schools. His story of working his way up from a teller to bank president is one of those inspirational tales that is hard to believe, but stands as a testament of what hard work, perseverance and loyalty can bring. He led the bank through much of their first 100 years and was there to celebrate their century mark in 2010.
Easterday Construction Co., Inc.’s ties to Clip and the First National Bank of Monterey (FNBM) have resulted in multiple collaborations. We built the Culver branch of FNBM as a new building when they expanded to Culver. When FNBM expanded to Winamac, we built an addition to that building. We completed an annex addition to the FNBM home office in Monterey and reworked the roof of the FNBM North Judson facility giving it an entirely new look. We have completed much of their maintenance and improvement work along the way.
We’re saddened by his passing and wish his wife, Alice, and the rest of his family peace and comfort.
