(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) It’s pretty easy for me to become cynical, but down deep, I’m an idealistic optimist. For proof, you only have to consider my lifelong devotion to God’s favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. That’s why it’s hard for me to admit that I believe … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) There’s a perception that everything to do with public education is inherently broken and desperately needs to be fixed. Generally, people making that statement have what they believe to be an obvious solution that’s being ignored by clueless school boards and bureaucratic administrators. … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) First off, my sincere admiration to everyone who had the interest and the courage to put their names on the ballot during the recent primary. Whether you were new to the process or seeking reelection, you joined a remarkably tiny percentage of the … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) Hendricks County has changed a lot over the last 25 years, and its local governments have done the same. Just how much change has there been? It probably won’t surprise you to know that voter records are stored digitally. That wasn’t the case … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) Tuesday, May 19 marks the beginning of the filing period for people who have decided to run for a seat on their community’s school board. Between then and noon on Thursday, June 18, anyone who wants to serve on the board for one … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) I know, it’s not all that exciting. Short lists of names you don’t really know but recognize from those annoying yard signs. Running for offices that – well, you’re not quite sure just what it is they do. And why do we need … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) If you’ve motored west on I-74 by Crawfordsville in recent years, you may have seen the billboard. It claimed zoning doesn’t prevent problems, but only creates them. Billboard company owners have a vested interest in disliking zoning. They want to erect more billboards, … Read more
(As published in Inside Indiana Business, 4/22/26) By now, most business owners have experimented with using AI to generate some form of marketing content. A blog post here, a few social media updates there, maybe even a first draft of a white paper or case study. And in many cases, the reaction is the same: … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) Over the past two years, I’ve used this space as a way to help readers develop a deeper understanding of how local government works and how they can play a role in helping their local governments better serve residents and the communities they … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) They walk through the campus dining hall doors for the first time, into something like Willy Wonka’s awesome factory. Everywhere they turn, they see different types of foods, including many of their favorites. Pizza and burgers, to be sure, but also stir-fry, sushi, … Read more