Letter: Get to know your elected officials’ stance on Mid-States Corridor
It was interesting to listen to the variety of public comments during the Jasper hearing for the Mid-States Corridor. While there were a great many people willing to share their opinion and position on the issue, what was missing was our elected officials.
Where was our Senator, State Senator, and State Representative?
Also absent were the corporations that are donating big money to see this road get built. Not that we would know who they are since the donor list is nothing but a black wall of redacted text.
The only locally elected official willing to speak appears to have no intention of running again.
The only person actually running for office we did hear from is Teresa Kendall, candidate for Indiana House of Representative District 63.
It is a healthy change to hear a candidate talk about an issue let alone have a position. We cannot be satisfied to elect folks without conversation and then complain about their positions.
To be clear, this frustration is not just about a Republican Super Highway. It is about every local issue from TIFs to public transportation to beautification projects to traffic lights to childcare. We must keep our elected leaders talking about issues, not only to keep us informed but to keep us informed about their positions.
We get the government we vote for and when we elect candidates without making them discuss real local issues we end up with officials that refuse to act like those issues are their responsibility.
Now with the Primary behind us, we know our candidates. Make them earn our votes by telling us where they stand. It is time to get our candidates and incumbents discussing our issues.
Finally, back to Teresa Kendall. She came out in strong opposition against the Mid-State Corridor for all the right reasons that you will hear her talk about. She has my vote.
As for me, I am Dennis Tedrow, I am running for Dubois County Council District 2 and I hope to earn your vote.
Dennis Tedrow, Jasper
You definitely will NOT be getting my vote. My votes are reserved for those who support the “Republican super highway” as you so eloquently pointed out. I have no use for politicians who twist everything to fit their agenda.
You do realize this country has a constitution right? You do realize it is written into that document to allow govt to use eminent domain as a way of continuing to make our country better even in the face of opposition from people like you.
Thank God that we are continuing on with a safer and better maintained highway vs the dangerous and overtaxed roads we have now.
The Midstates Corridor is road that was proposed over 40 years ago as I-67, and it still has as much opposition to it now as it had back then. Dubois County needs a better way to solve minor traffic issues that are caused by poor traffic management. Building a new terrain highway that takes out productive tax-paying farms is a poor solution. The private groups along with state legislators that have used their money and influence to start this project without any input from the public, have caused distrust and resentment in the public.
Thanks for your PERSONAL opinion. MSD1
I’m finally happy someone of the younger middle generation that is going to be running this country in the next 10-15 years is making a stand against the current reign of politicians. Why don’t we fix the currently roads so that they can further be used instead of being a road that isn’t gonna see a shovel for another 8-10 years.
What is going to be done to current infrastructure, the answer isn’t just to build another road and watch that one fail and cost the taxpayers billions of dollars in the long-run
To “MSD1” — the new corridor will NOT be safer. Look at the proven 11-year track record of the 4-lane US 231 from I-64 through Spencer County to the Ohio River. The proof is already there. We don’t need any vague studies to suggest it will be safer. Google “fatalities on US 231 Spencer County” to see how many people have lost their lives in just the relatively short time since the 4-lane was opened to traffic in Spring 2011. And you hide behind an anonymous pseudonym. Man-up and take responsibility for your comments, sign your full name or don’t bother commenting at all.
Sue Krampe, Ferdinand IN
I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS. WE THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, SHOULD HAVE A SAY SO. BUT THEY TOOK THAT AWAY FROM US WITH THE APPOINTED RDA’S, AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE NO CHANCE. BUT THIS IS THE LAST DANCE BEFORE IT MOVES FORWARD. YOUR COMMENTS SHOULD BE MADE ON MIDSTATESCORRIDOR.COM, OR BY PAPER FROM THE LIBRARY. WE SHOULD BE OUT TELLING OUR NEIGHBORS AND HANDING THESE FORMS OUT DOOR TO DOOR. REMINDER THAT LOOGOOTEE’S MAYOR IS HOSTING A TOWN HALL MEETING FOR ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AT ST JOHNS 6 PM TUES 5-9-22. PLEASE SHOW UP TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO!