Anderson Car Show Downtown

We actually got a crowd downtown and lots of good looking cars - lots of Bel Airs for some reason. The pictures looking south were taken this morning when I dropped into the office. Those looking north were from this afternoon.




Ah, what a bit of sunshine will do for a day.




Not something seen every day - a 1960 Indy race car.

Andersonian Doing Good

A tip of my hat to CatherinePoole.com, Highland High School graduate and a friend.

Lafayette Doing Well - Lessons for Anderson?

From Masson’s Blog, Lafayette, Indiana: Rising Star :

"(H/t Thomas for this link). There is a report on newgeography.com that lists Lafayette as #1 in the nation for its improvement in the “Best Cities for Jobs” rankings."

Take a look and I think there are things we can do here. Plus we have a closer relationship with Indianapolis. Do we have the will and the imagination?

What Blackford County Schools Doing About Cost Savings

Blackford board votes to keep schools open; cut teacher jobs | thestarpress.com | The Star Press

It was a decision that followed the recommendation of Supt. Ken Kline, who called it the “least invasive” of seven options considered by the board in the last month as a cost-saving move. It will save the school corporation $239,257.

Four of the teachers will be cut from the current Montpelier School roster, while one other position will be eliminated at Northside and Southside elementaries in Hartford City.

Compare what Anderson did.

Anderson Fixing Up Grandview Restaurant?

The Herald Bulletin - Grandview restaurant proposals considered

Roger and Cheryl Moran, who own Moran’s Bar & Grill at 23rd and Pitt streets, and Cilantros Inc. turned in proposals before Tuesday’s park board meeting. The committee will look at which proposal would be more beneficial for the restaurant.

Representatives from Cilantros were not at the meeting, but the Morans said their proposal would include the owners themselves being at the facility at all times.

***

Although supporters of only one of the proposals were at the meeting, park board President Darin Foltz emphasized the board had not made up its mind on who would operate the restaurant.

The board will look at both proposals and weigh the fact that the Parks Department does not have funding to contribute to the project.

“We have basically no capital to contribute to this,” Foltz said.

Bright Goes to Washington

Give the Herald Bulletin's Bright unveils ‘Idea’ hybrid-electric car a read. It appears they actually sent a reporter to D.C. There is even a photo - a minivan with a different look.

They also have a website of their own here.

More news:
Bright Automotive unveils 100 mpg hybrid truck (AP)
Bright Automotive Unveils its "IDEA" (Inside Indiana Business)

Thank You, Tim Livesay

Lee’s Theater gets second chance

A month ago, Pendleton resident Tim Livesay purchased the building hoping to use it for his company, Low Cost Mobility Services.

When a location more suitable for Livesay’s needs became available, the businessman decided not to unload the theater, but to give it back to the community.

Though he has not yet removed the Lee’s Theater lettering from the building, Livesay has renamed the facility the Ridge Crossing Auditorium.

Now let us use it wisely and well.

Local Banks Doing Good

Local banks keep lending strong with TARP

First Merchants President and CEO Mike Rechin said that bank would probably repurchase its $116 million worth of stock within two or three years but had no immediate plans to do so, predicting the economy would not turn around in the next year.

“Our original interest was it gives you the capital to try to be an active lender in the community,” Rechin said. “I don’t think the balance of this year is likely to get a lot stronger economically, so I like having access to the capital.”

Locally, Mike Baker, who is regional president of First Merchants in the Madison County area, can use the extra capital to provide for any type of lending, from mortgages to small business loans.

Rechin said First Merchants, headquartered in Muncie, probably wouldn’t have a problem lending the money even if it didn’t participate in TARP, but the extra funds would help the bank if the recession continues.

“We were well capitalized before the money,” he said. “I don’t think we would have a problem, but the safety cushion that the excess capital provides makes me very confident that even if the recession lasts until 2010, that we’re going to continue to be a real consistent source of banking services for our customers.”

Anyone want to bet that their lending standards were a bit different than those used by Citigroup, Wells Fargo, etc?

Small Midwestern Cities Are Dying?

Oh, boy. Too many response I can make to this. Like, we did not know this? You think you have seen backwaters - wait till you see Elwood! (That is an inside joke for my Madison County readers.)

Seriously, we probably need to be reminded of this possibility. Keep us from the addiction of false nostalgia. Read the solutions, too.

Warning: Small Midwestern cities are dying:

"But a lot of them will decline into backwaters, cut out of the global conversation, lived in by people who are too poor, too uneducated to afford anything better," Longworth said. Some will become ghettos, he added.

In introducing Longworth, Tom Kinghorn, treasurer of Ball State University, said Longworth's book Caught in the Middle: American's Heartland in the Age of Globalism, was "heartbreakingly familiar to many of us." Kinghorn spoke of "failing schools," "hollowed-out cities," "sometimes clueless politicians" and other problems.

The reasons for the decline of the Rust Belt are well known, Longworth said. They include high wages and relatively low skills, the rise of the Sun Belt, the loss of jobs to Mexico, Japanese superiority in the making of automobile, televisions and other products and globalization, including the Internet and the addition of several billion new workers from relatively poor countries.

There are solutions offered and I think they could be implemented here:

Longworth offered some answers: new technology, including green energy like wind, solar and biofuels; community colleges that teach 21st century skills; communities like Steubenville, Ohio, that are willing to link to big cities, even those like Pittsburgh that are in other states; embracing immigrants and public transportation like high-speed and light rail.

"I'd like to see this Midwest region take a truly regional approach to its problems and solutions," Longworth said. "Some of the Midwest's tired old towns and cities may not survive in any real sense. But those that do won't do it by relying on their own dwindling resources, by staying proud and independent, by refusing cooperation with other towns and cities.

Our political leadership needs to realize we must change, that the idea that if you want change then leave the state is dead.

We need to ask why Anderson and Muncie do not collaborate more.

We need to ask if our schools are training us into this backwater or not.

Maybe This Is Why ACS Has Money Problems?

No, it is not the only reason and probably not a major reason, but come on - this kind of discount on the price of real estate says something aobut the business judgmetn of the ACS Board.


ACS land sale gets heated

Irma Stewart, the only black member of the ACS board, argued that it would contradict the board’s cost-saving efforts to hand land over for a fraction of the price, but board members P.T. Morgan and Keith Millikan spoke out in support of the sale.

“I do believe that we are in need of housing for the elderly,” Morgan said, arguing that the school district recently sold North Anderson Elementary School to the city parks department with the belief that it would better the community, much like an assisted-living facility would.

Due to its position on the west side of town, the assisted-living facility would likely serve Anderson’s black residents, but the idea of selling land at such a low cost did not sit well with Stewart. “You can always come up with a story that says we need to do this because it helps black people.”

What The GM Bankruptcy Could Do

I have made comment on here before about how dangerous will be a GM bankruptcy. Anderson's Herald Bulletin brought all this out quite well in GM bankruptcy would threaten city

Ward mentions companies in Anderson — like Taditel, on Eighth and John streets — that once were suppliers to GM and its affiliated companies. Now the companies are left with a large manufacturing capacity and no customers, forced to retool their business.

Many companies went under or took great hits when GM left town, but those that survived still stand to lose more if the auto giant goes bankrupt.

***

In Madison County, where 25,000 GM employees once worked, the buying power of the company’s retirees is great. Many made high wages as members of the United Auto Workers and have enjoyed comfortable retirements with their pensions.

GM’s bankruptcy, however, could put many of those retirees in a tight spot.

“We’ve got a situation that’s almost like a divorce, except for the fact that we’ve still got a huge payroll coming in here from retirees,” Ward said. “For the sake of everybody, I hope they don’t (file for bankruptcy), and I don’t know whether they will or not.”

GM has not said how its bankruptcy would affect retirees’ pensions, but Ward guesses it could involve a federal program that insures pensions, which likely would leave retirees with about half their monthly GM income.

***

Without pension dollars flowing to local retirees, businesses in Madison County that depend on that money could be in trouble.

“GM filing for complete bankruptcy would have a disastrous effect on elements of Anderson,” said city Economic Development Director Linda Dawson. “Any time you affect the income coming into your community through wages or retirement benefits, you affect the town and spending power. Obviously businesses are affected because they won’t be able to utilize those spending dollars that they’re used to depending upon. It ends up having a snowball effect.”

I hope this puts into perspective for those glibly telling us we - and that is the whole country - can afford a GM bankruptcy.

Reminder: On Tuesday Bright Automotive Takes Its Car to DC

Thanks to the Herald Bulletin for this reminder, Bright Automotive to debut its vehicle in D.C.

On Tuesday, Anderson-based Bright Automotive will unveil a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle it calls the “Idea” in Washington, D.C. The vehicle is expected to get 100 miles per gallon and was developed at Bright’s headquarters at the Flagship Enterprise Center.

But this makes me think that we have backed the R & D but not get the production.

Should Bright get the go-ahead to begin production, it will be looking for a permanent home and Staley believes it will take the cooperation of government officials at the local, state and federal levels to keep the company in Anderson.

Not coincidentally, several local officials will be accompanying the Bright contingent to Washington: Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson, Anderson Deputy Mayor Greg Graham, Rob Sparks of the Madison County Economic Development Corporation and Jerry Bridges of the Madison County Council of Governments.

“It’s ours to lose,” he said.

Assuming that this project is all it is being sold as being, what do we need to do to make sure we do not lose it?

What is Left of Guide Lamp

Or Fisher Guide. I guess I show my age by calling the place Guide Lamp. A little bit more fun with my digital camera. The first set of photos show the area west of Martin Luther King.






This set looks east from MLK.





What comes next?

Kevin Smith Is Back

Yes, our former may is to be found at Kevin Smith Reports

Kevin S. Smith was mayor of Anderson, Indiana for four progressive years, formerly president of the County Council, and now a business owner, media producer and radio host. He has much to observe about government, economic development,
taxation and quality of life -not to mention global news events that affect Hoosiers!

Anderson News: Anderson Antique Mall Coming Down

The Herald Bulletin reported on this last week under Downtown landmark set for demolition:

"The former Anderson Antique Mall, at the intersection of 14th and Main streets, will be demolished after the city takes bids for the project in May. The Anderson Redevelopment Commission approved on Tuesday the legal notice required for advertising for demolition bids.

The three-story brick building was an antique mall until about two years ago, Municipal Development Director Michael Widing said. Before that, it was a furniture store called Model Home Stores.

The city bought the property in November 2007 for $44,000, Widing said, but plans haven’t been completed for its use after the building is demolished.

“We’re still working on putting that together,” he said."

That last paragraph surprised me. I remember seeing a plan at City Hall for converting the entire block to some sort of bus/train complex. That makes sense is one looks at the condition of Pelletrino's and The Caboose. These bars have been shut down since Rodney Cummings shut them down in his prosecution of O'Neal.

O'Neal Money Spread Around

Authorities divvy up Neal's $2 million

Indianapolis attorney Greg Garrison's law firm, which represents Special Prosecutor Kit Crane, will receive 30 percent -- or $627,525 -- of the proceeds for his successful racketeering lawsuit against Neal.

I recall receiving a fundraiser flyer from Tom Chaille when he ran for judge. The fundraiser was at the home of Rodney Cummings and Greg Garrison was to appear. I will admit that I do not know if the fundraiser went off as planned or not. I did not go. Still something to think about. As a local attorney I could complain about our politicians sending money out of county, but they have bene doing this for all of my time here. I can think of three collection attorneys in Anderson who are Republicans who could have done this job. 

Wildlife in Anderson

I was thinking of calling this Hawk Meets Pigeon.

A little background, I am going to my office the evening of March 22 when I see this large bird on the sidewalk. I see it is a hawk and I go get the digital camera. The bird allowed me to walk up on it and so I started taking pictures.

If they are not terrible clear, I apologize. What you are seeing is an immature hawk feeding on a pigeon on the sidewalk of Eleventh Street between Meridian and Main Streets.
















Such was the death of a pigeon.

Did we lose something to Muncie? Conventions

We had the archery thing a few years ago. This is a different outfit. So why not Andreson?

Archers on target for spending? :

"Hundreds of young archers and their families were in Muncie on Friday for a tournament -- and potential tourism bonanza.
Advertisement

The Indiana Field Archery Association indoor competition -- which continues at the Horizon Convention Center today and Sunday with adult archers -- was predicted by convention center officials to contribute toward a local economic impact of $424,500, a total that included the archers plus another, smaller convention of Unitarian Universalists."

Anderson Biz Making News Wtih Electric Car

From The Indianapolis Star:

Anderson firm progressing on 100 mpg plug-in

"Anderson-based Bright Automotive will soon roll out the start-up company's made-in-Indiana plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that's capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon.

But the unveiling -- scheduled for April 21-- won't be in Central Indiana, but in Washington, D.C.

Executives of the 1-year-old company say their prototype vehicle deserves a bigger stage because of some of the landmark qualities, ranging from fuel efficiency to aerodynamics and 'clean-tech' design."

***

The company plans to create over 5,000 jobs by 2013.

Energy Systems Network CEO Paul Mitchell said he thinks the rollout "throws out the whole playbook of Detroit" in terms of the design an functionality.

Prick up your ears - Yes, we can do things like this in Anderson and in Indiana. Or to play on something from Cole Porter and President Obama, we can-can.

The Possible Successor to Judge Hopper

The choice is one of the six - so sayeth The Herald Bulletin in Daniels' office to consider six for county bench:

"Officials with the governor’s office said the final six would be interviewed this week, and a decision is expected to quickly follow."

***

Being interview for the opening are:

— Gregory K. Scott, 60, Republican. Scott served as a justice on the Colorado Supreme Court from 1993 to 2000. He was the executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission from 2005 to 2008. Scott is currently assistant to the president for diversity for Ivy Tech Community College.

— Rudolph R. Pyle III, 39, declined to provide his political affiliation. Pyle is currently a deputy prosecutor in Superior Court 1. A former state police trooper, he has clerked for the Indiana Court of Appeals. He has a master's degree in public policy.

— David A Happe, 38, Republican. Happe served as Anderson attorney under former Mayor Kevin Smith from January 2004 to January 2007. A former prosecutor and chief administrative public defender, he has worked in private practice since early 2007. He ran an unsuccessful campaign against Judge Thomas Clem in 2002 for Superior Court 5.

— William C. Davisson, 47, Republican. Davisson served as a Madison County Deputy Prosecutor from 1995 to 1996. He has worked in private practice since 1990. He unsuccessfully ran in November to unseat Superior Court 5 Judge Thomas Clem. He has also served as a judge pro tem.

— Rodney J. Cummings, 53, Republican. Cummings, Madison County’s prosecutor for 12 years, is currently director of trial advocacy for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. He is a former Anderson police officer, and prosecutes some homicide cases in Indianapolis. Cummings lost a bid to become judge of Madison Superior Court 2.

— John M. Blevins, declined to provide age, Republican. Blevins served three terms in the Indiana House of Representatives, 1972 through 1976. He lost a primary race against Thomas McMahan to be Anderson’s mayor in 1979. He lost another mayoral primary in 2003, against Smith. He currently works in private practice.

What most people do not realize is the sheer volume of cases going through this court. This is one of the two courts used chiefly by collection agencies and landlords. With any luck, the governor will appoint someone who understands the civil side of its case load. That means Happe. Davisson or Blevins. With what we have for a governor, I do not expect much.