Over the last four years, I have been following local government spending and taxation. I have spoken about what I saw as problematic. This started with multiple letters to the editor about economic development income taxes and then transitioned to the effects tax increment financing has on local government. In recent months there has been…
The Jasper Chamber of Commerce works with businesses, merchants, and industry to advance the civic, economic, industrial, professional and cultural life in the City of Jasper, Indiana. Chambers of Commerce have contributed to the economic life of Indiana for more than a century – and the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and its members provide citizens…
In 2014, Huntingburg was awarded the Stellar Community designation by the State of Indiana. This designation is a partnership between the city and several state agencies that has allowed our community to move forward with the planning, design and engineering for several projects. Over the next couple of years, we will continue to advance our…
We are all focused on the presidential race with Trump, Cruz, Kasich, Hillary or Sanders. Let me remind you again, this is also the chance to fix a broken Congress, which is a third of the federal government. As of today, the average congressional approval rating is 14.5 percent. If you are like me, you are…
An open letter to the Jasper Library Board of Trustees, Greater Jasper Consolidated School System, City of Jasper and citizens of Jasper There is another scenario which should be studied before increasing our taxes by trying to repurpose an old site which will surely reveal many hidden, unidentified costs for the Jasper Library and Jasper…
There’s been a lot of talk lately about tax increment finance (TIF) districts and how Huntingburg has been using them lately. I think this is a healthy discussion that needs to be had. I think it’s important to step back and ask ourselves what the main goal of a TIF district is. TIFs should be…
Indian Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) appreciates the article, “Huntingburg Council: Solar Panels on Homes Could Face $50 Monthly Tariff”, written by Matthew Crane, as well as the online feedback from Huntingburg’s electric utility customers. As public power, we welcome a healthy and respectful dialogue with our member’s customers. There are a few points in the…
There are important decisions to be made in this election cycle regarding the candidates who can best represent us in Congress in the 8th district. One valuable way to learn about what candidates intend to do to promote our values and aspirations embedded in their policies is to participate in debates. Debates reveal the character…
At the Utility Board meeting on Tuesday, March 22, Doug Buresh, Senior Vice-President of Planning and Operations for Indiana Municipal Power Agency, was in attendance, at the request of Huntingburg Energy Superintendent John Reutepohler, to discuss residential solar use and how that might impact our utility. IMPA has been the city’s energy supplier since 2007….
I am a third generation Hoosier business owner. My four children are engaged in the business, making it a four generation family company. Long ago we committed to keep our business and raise our children in Dubois County, and as a result, have been very engaged in our community. For me, that engagement included eight…
