Letter: Interlocal agreement raises questions

Interlocal Agreement? Sounds like an extortion attempt by INDOT to get Jasper, Huntingburg and Dubois County to enter another agreement to fund another Mid-States Corridor study. This time the goal is to study if assuming responsibility for the repair and maintenance of US 231 would have a cost impact to the cities and county. Even to the most casual observer the answer is obvious; yes, it will cost the cities and county a pretty penny to assume maintenance and repairs obligations for US 231.

It appears INDOT is using the $75 million it has budgeted for repairs and maintenance for US 231 to convince Huntingburg, Jasper and Dubois County to take over US 231 maintenance now. INDOT is indicating to these entities that INDOT will pay for US 231 for the next 10 years if they take the highway today. Why is INDOT pushing this? 

First, there’s only $50 million available for Dunois County, as the other $25 million is for repairs and maintenance north of Haysville. Mayor Elkins pointed this out at the latest Huntingburg City Council meeting. Good job, Mayor.

Second, Dubois County has already opted out of the Interlocal Agreement. What do they know that we don’t?

Next, INDOT is “threatening” that if the cities and county don’t accept their offer now, they will be forced to take possession of US 231, with no INDOT monies, if the Mid-States Corridor is built.

Why is INDOT in such a hurry to relinquish US 231? We all know INDOT is facing a billion dollar budget shortfall in the next year without the cost of the Mid-States Corridor. Money is allocated for US 231 maintenance/improvements now and heaven knows the repairs are needed. What is INDOT’s goal? Could it be they are trying to move money around for the Mid-States Corridor?

Speaking of money, I recently requested a copy of the private donors to the Mid-States Corridor RDA. Mr. Mark Schroeder was kind enough to forward a 75% redacted list of donors. That’s right, the list was almost completely blacked out. Mr. Schroeder did provide the pertinent I.C. 5-14-3-4(b)(15) law allowing donors to keep their identities secret. The Indiana General Assembly, in 2007, decided this anonymity would better serve RDA projects because it could encourage donations and would balance transparency versus privacy. Really? Encourage donations? Balancing transparency with privacy?

The General Assembly recognized that some individuals or companies may be more willing to support public projects (such as infrastructure, development, or cultural initiatives) if they can remain anonymous. Without this protection, potential donors might be deterred by publicity, requests for further contributions, or political controversy. Really? What civic-minded person would not want to be known for their generosity?

Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA). is built on the principle of transparency, yet it carves out specific exemptions when disclosure could undermine broader policy goals (in this case, encouraging voluntary donations). So, the General Assembly decided that donating to public projects is better kept secret than being transparent. This really seems to be the height of hypocrisy. Secrets in funding public projects? What could go wrong? What subterfuge could happen? Whose nests could be feathered? This should make any reasonable person question the intent behind any and all RDAs.

The Mid-State Corridor and its RDA really is a secret cabal. We, the people and taxpayers, don’t know who is involved. We don’t know if their involvement is for the good of the community or for their own benefit.

Now, more than ever, we the people must stand together against the Mid-States Corridor and its RDA. We have seen that they will use the law and even attempt to distort its meaning so that it benefits only themselves. Do not go quietly into the night, do not allow more intrusions into our lives. Do not sell your land or your home to them, never. We must fight them tooth and nail to preserve our way of life.

Jim Arvin
Rutherford Township
Martin County

To clarify, this is not Mr. Jim Arvin of Jasper, the former CEO of Jasper Desk