EVENING NEWS CHEERS & JEERS: Sept. 5, 2009

CHEERS

... to Utica Preservation Association Inc. for the purchase of new cast-aluminum black antique street signs along Fourth Street. Each sign has “Historic Utica” engraved in gold lettering above the street name.

The goal of the Preservation Association is to continue purchasing signs for the entire town, one street at a time. If you would like to see the news signs, take a drive to Utica today for the annual Utica Homecoming Celebration at the Community Center.

— Community Editor Brenda Dorman



CHEERS

... to a court date finally being set for the case involving the town of Clarksville v. adult bookstore Theatair X.

It was nearly one year ago that the business was cited for staying open too late. Then, in May, Theatair X was levied more citations for various alleged code offenses.

The attorney for decade’s old Theatair X — long a source of interest and controversy — filed a motion to dismiss those citations, saying the town’s ordinance is unconstitutional.

The case has passed through three judges — all of whom recused themselves because of possible conflicts of interest — and been the subject of numerous media stories.

Sex sells, for sure. The Oct. 20 hearing in Salem is the next step to see if it also pays — to the tune of $2,500 per violation.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to Truancy Court. The new program is a cooperative effort between Clark County Superior Court No. 1 Judge Vicki Carmichael, the three county school corporations and the Clark County Department of Child Services. Its goal is make sure local children attend school.

Everyone has seen it: You’re driving down the street at noon on a Tuesday and there’s a kid whom you know should be in school strolling leisurely along. Two things pop into your mind, right? First, “why isn’t that kid in school?” And second, “where are their parents?”

Carmichael says truancy is a big problem in Clark County. Greater Clark County Schools Assistant Superintendent Travis Haire acknowledges the school district needs help from outside sources to combat that problem.

This partnership is a step in the right direction, holding parents and students accountable for a child’s excessive unexcused absences from school. Possible repercussions for truant students and their parents include jail time, fines and parenting classes, among other options.

Truant children have a lot of time on their hands. Kids their age are in school while they’re not. What inevitably happens is truant students wind up spending time with people they shouldn’t be spending time with, doing things they shouldn’t be doing.

Parents are responsible for the general well-being of their children. Making sure they are in school is part of that responsibility.

If parents don’t lead by example and don’t treat school like it’s important, then their children won’t treat it like it’s important, either.

— Presentation Editor Amy Huffman-Branham



CHEERS

... to the news that the removal of Ind. 62 and Salem-Noble Road intersection improvements — including turn lanes and traffic signals — from Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency’s to-do list won’t bring the project to a halt.

After some confusion this week, county, state and River Ridge Development Authority officials told The Evening News improvements are still planned and design work is under way.

Let’s hope the lanes are complete and lights hung before another tragic accident occurs in the area.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



JEERS

... to the fuss raised over the coming broadcast of a speech by President Barack Obama offered to schools. If you haven’t heard or read, Obama plans to deliver a speech at a Virginia high school Tuesday, which can be viewed at noon, if schools and teachers decide to show it.

From the over-the-top reaction of some — including political opponents, conservative pundits and some parents — you’d think the schools were piping back-to-back “Girls Gone Wild” DVDs into the schools.

The White House says the president plans to talk about the value of a good education and the hard work it takes to succeed. If that’s pushing his political agenda — as The Associated Press has reported some opposed to the broadcast have claimed — well, it’s a push some parents and students need.

It’s amazing what people get worked up about or will use to play politics, as Robert Gibbs, presidential spokesman noted in an AP article.

“I think we’ve reached a little bit of the silly season when the president of the United States can’t tell kids in school to study hard and stay in school,” he said.

Well put.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



Do you have someone or something to cheer or jeer? Submissions should be sent to Editor Shea Van Hoy at shea.vanhoy@newsandtribune.com or by mail at 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN, 47130.

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