(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) Not that long ago, the family of a seventh-grader in Hamilton County sued their son’s school district and lost. The parents’ grievance was that the boy was not allowed to bring his emotional support chicken to his middle-school classes. No, I’m not making … Read more
(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.) Whenever asked to speak to a community group about serving on the school board, I’d describe it as a terrible job that nobody should be required to handle. The comment always provoked some polite chuckles, and I’d respond by stating I was completely … Read more
The Facebook chatter page was all abuzz about some improvement the town’s council had approved and the impact it might have on the community’s property tax rate. One commenter was especially furious that taxpayers were being asked to pony up for yet another project, and demanded, “Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for that. … Read more
Yes, I mean you. The person who is reading these words. I want you to give some thought to doing something you’ve probably never considered. I’d like you to think about running for elected office. Hey, I understand you’re not a politician and have no desire to become one. That’s okay, because our communities don’t … Read more
A couple decades ago, I coauthored the centennial history of Plainfield’s library. In preparation, I spent weeks sifting through a century’s worth of materials, from board meeting minutes to vintage items promoting then-new services (like access to that nifty Internet contraption). I was amused to discover that one issue floated to the top of everyone’s … Read more
December first was a Monday in 1958, and as the clock made its slow journey to dismissal time that afternoon, the elementary school’s students were getting antsy. There were 1,600 of them crammed into the school that month, reflecting the peak years of the Baby Boom. Sometime around 2:20, a small fire of unknown origin … Read more
The answer to that question might surprise a lot of people. It’s zero. Aren’t any registered Democrats, either. That’s because Indiana law doesn’t call for registering voters by their preferred political party. You might believe you’re a Registered Republican, but it’s true only in your mind, because there’s really no such thing here in Hoosierland. … Read more
If you use social media chatter group posts as a gauge, one of the biggest frustrations of Hendricks County residents involves anything to do with roads. Why doesn’t Avon do something about that horrible traffic on 36? Can’t Plainfield adjust the timing on those stoplights on 40? How come roads always get built or expanded … Read more
When I became a school board member, I shared the attitude I’m sure many of you have about school athletics – that the emphasis and support school leaders grant it should instead be redirected toward academics. Full disclosure: I’ve never been an athlete. In fact, I was the kid who was always picked last, and … Read more
Whenever longtime Plainfield Town Manager Rich Carlucci would call his Avon counterpart, Tom Klein, he’d ask how things were going “up there in North Plainfield.” While the athletes from each town’s high school may be fierce rivals, the two managers simply enjoyed ribbing each other. They also shared mutual respect and a willingness to help … Read more