As the second half of session begins, it is important for everyone to understand that during the first two months of session, ideas are introduced and explained. The final months are when all the hard decisions are really made. We have been discussing bills that propose to change the Indiana Code. As those bills get finalized, we will soon vote on the final versions. Making and changing law is not easy. Our forefathers intended for it to be a careful, deliberate process.
Friday of last week, I attended a recognition at Rochester Middle School along with Rep. Jack Jordan to participate in a national program naming RMS a “school to watch.” This program only recognizes 422 recipients across the U.S. and is based on academic results, community involvement and a myriad of other activities. It was enlightening to hear about the honor, listen to the school band and give some remarks of encouragement. I pointed out that Logansport High School has Jitka Nelson, the Indiana Teacher of the Year, and Galveston Elementary has Brenda Bowman, the Indiana Rural Teacher of the Year. Peru schools have also received high ratings. I want my colleagues to know that with so much recognition in our area of the state, these small, rural schools are doing a lot of things right. The results speak for themselves.
At the meeting, I spoke with Tammy Runkle Paul, a neighbor who teaches at RMS. She informed me that Indiana University Kokomo will be honoring her as a Distinguished Alumni in Education. I’ve known Tammy and her family all my life, and I’ve watched her grow up and become a terrific teacher and much more. My congratulations to Tammy. Well done!
I attended a meeting Thursday evening in Wabash County hosted by a group of property owners concerned about a proposed recreational trail along the Wabash River. The proposed trail would stretch from Huntington to Logansport. Some Miami County residents asked me to attend, even though the affected area, at this time, is from Lagro to Wabash, all in Wabash County. I asked to see the trail master plan, the anticipated route and how the public had been informed of the project. No one had seen a plan, route or been able to attend public hearings on this project. I told the group that any program of this size and scope, involving real estate owned by private citizens, must have full disclosure, consensus and buy-in from all affected. It is not a utility or state mandated project, so eminent domain and condemnation proceedings are not in order. Property owners are within their rights to stand up for the protection of their property from trespass of others. Taxpaying owners have rights, and they should not have to surrender those rights for “the greater good of society.” This controversy will continue until some compromise can be reached.
I’ve written many times about our three-legged dog, Buddy. A month ago, The Statehouse File did a video about Buddy and sent it out for other networks to run if they saw fit. I was notified of some broadcasts. This week, Nicole Hernandez, who traveled to our farm home, asked if she could come again and do another story – this time for a national program, Pet Pals TV. Of course we will accommodate her request. Buddy is a great dog, but he is beginning to need his own media agent!
As the second half of session continues, know your issues, watch the progress of legislation and stay in touch by email at h23@iga.in.gov or phone at 317-232-9981. It’s your state government.
More later,
Bill
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Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
A high-resolution photo of Friend can be downloaded by clicking here.
