Ockomon Has a Brilliant Idea

Kris Ockomon was sworn in yesterday and announced a college scholarship program. As reported by The Herald Bulletin:

The plan for the college tuition program Ockomon announced in his inaugural speech is to take tax revenue from Hoosier Park and direct it to helping city residents pay for college.

Ockomon said the program is modeled after a similar program in Hammond. The mayor said more details on the plan would come after he meets with the mayor of Hammond later this month.

“It’ll have a lot of restrictions,” Ockomon said. “But if you’re a resident here, you’re employed here, we want your children to go to school here.”

I call that brilliant. I see this as a step towards fostering a sense of community in Anderson. I see it as highlighting the academics needed for success instead basketball skills.

Mr. Ockomon also set the criterion for judging his term:

“The days of the individual are over,” Ockomon said. “It’s no longer about one person or one business or winning.”

I suspect he will pass the test as a leader for Anderson.