Dr. Ronald Liechty

Rev. Dr. Ronald Liechty

Easterday Construction Co., Inc. lost another good friend last week with the passing of the Reverend Dr. Ronald Liechty.  As President of Garden Court, Ron was a client through the seven Garden Court projects Easterday Construction Co., Inc. has completed.  As often happens with good people, Ron also quickly became a friend.  You often hear the accolade, “He’s a gentleman and a scholar.”  That was Ron.

Along with our interaction on Garden Court projects I also had the opportunity to work with Ron through our mutual involvement in PIDCO, MCCF and the Community Resource Center.  Among various other groups to which Ron volunteered his time, Ron set the bar very high in his examples of volunteerism, philanthropy and community leadership.  I had the opportunity to attend his retirement party when he left the Presidency of Garden Court and his 80th birthday party.  The number of people in attendance at both events and the uproaring of goodwill shared there was testament to how he had touched many lives in the community.  Ron’s ability to lead and to find amicable resolutions will be missed.  I counted Ron as a personal friend who will not be replaceable.  I want to extend my personal condolences as well those of the Easterday Construction Co., Inc. family to Ron’s family.  I’m sure they’re aware of how many lives he’s touched but this is just a reminder of how he touched ours.

Affordable Housing Update

Culver took a step forward with their Affordable Housing Task Force on Wednesday March 11th.  Representatives from the Town Council, Redevelopment Commission, Plan Commission, Public Schools, Culver Academies and MCEDC met at the library to discuss the issues and goals regarding affordable housing.  With the exception of two with staff positions, all were volunteers from the community stepping up to try and make things better.

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Affordable Housing Conference

AHF BadgeOn behalf of the Town of Culver, I attended the Affordable Housing Finance Summit in Chicago last month.  It was a three day event, running from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon.  It consisted of a lot of interactive presentations as well as networking opportunities.  I have some experience dealing with HUD due to our Garden Court projects, but this was like taking a 200 level course when I really needed 101.  I do feel like I learned a lot, while it was painfully obvious that I have a lot more to learn.

The dream of “Affordable Housing”

Affordable Housing has long been a topic in Culver.  The issue has been further focused due to the completion of the Comprehensive Plan where affordable housing was addressed.  The recent tax abatement granted to Elkay where they pledged to add 100 new employees also makes housing a local priority.  This has also been a topic at several of the MCEDC Development for the Future meetings as other communities in Marshall County are recognizing the same need.  Overall, MCEDC is aware of current expansions that are projected to add 500-600 new jobs in the next 12-18 months.  Ginny Munroe, Culver Town Council President, asked me to be on a Task Force to address this issue for Culver.  When the advertisement for the Summit came up, I volunteered to attend on the Town’s behalf.

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