STAFF REPORTS
newsroom@newsandtribune.com
JEFFERSONVILLE — CHEERS ...
to Wilson Elementary School for winning the Greater Clark County Schools boys’ basketball elementary tournament Thursday night. The Wildcats cruised to a 47-25 win over Bridgepoint Elementary School behind the trio of Cameron Northern, Michael Byrnes and Michael Minton, who scored 42 of those points. Also, congratulations to the two other teams in the final four along with Wilson and Bridgepoint — Utica and Thomas Jefferson elementaries.
— Editor Shea Van Hoy
CHEERS
... to the city of Jeffersonville for its common-sense approach to employing more fit and healthy public safety personnel.
Jeffersonville’s newly imposed minimum fitness standards for firefighters and some police officers shouldn’t be confused as a negative by anyone, including labor representatives. Requiring a healthier and more fit group of individuals charged with resident safety is sound logic.
By the nature of their chosen profession, firefighters and police officers are forced into action. These new minimum standards will not only give our citizenry a stronger sense of security, but each person who meets the standard can know he or she has what it takes to perform at a high level.
We doubt there is intent on the city’s part to use the new standards as a means of forcing anyone out of a job, which appears to be the primary concern of fire and police union representatives. Expectations are high for men and women in these positions. The public deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing they’ll be able to perform when duty calls.
— Publisher Bill Hanson
CHEERS
... to recently retired Jeffersonville Police Department Detective Capt. Charlie Thompson for 32 years of service with the city’s police department. He’s definitely one of the good guys.
Although he’s been criticized by some over the years for his directness and sometimes less than politically correct approach to things, I’ve always found his tell-it-like-it-is nature to be quite refreshing. And, yes, oftentimes amusing. His dogged nature and zeal for the job were reassuring, and he will be missed on the force.
I think Thompson said it best himself in an interview with The Evening News on his final day with the department last week. “Sometimes, I spoke out a little more than I should,” Thompson said. ... I was never one to sit on the sidelines. I’m going to get in the game.” Thanks for playing, Charlie. Good luck.
— Presentation Editor Amy Huffman-Branham
CHEERS
... to the family of the late Joe Huber Jr., a Southern Indiana legend. His family accepted and celebrated his induction Thursday night into the Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana Business Hall of Fame in Louisville.
It’s no small honor for the founder of Huber Family Farms and Restaurant in Starlight — one of the unofficial founders of agri-tourism. Huber Jr. joins the likes of Col. Harland Sanders, Jim Beam and John “Bud” Hillerich, of Louisville Slugger fame.
— Editor Shea Van Hoy
CHEERS
... to the city of Charlestown for putting forth a plan to actually lower sewer rates at a time when Jeffersonville and New Albany residents are facing about 70 percent increases implemented in increments over the next few years.
The federal government has played a large role in the increases in Jeffersonville and New Albany through consent decrees with the Environmental Protection Agency regarding sewer overflows — which spill raw sewage into waterways. Charlestown officials pegged its savings, in part, to being able to complete mandates from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management related to sewer overflows from manholes on its own. The reality is, not many people care about the hows and whys of their sewer bill. They’re simply happy it’s going down.
— Editor Shea Van Hoy
CHEERS
... to sunshine, cowboy boots and chocolate pie. Especially the sun. Finally.
— Presentation Editor Amy Huffman-Branham
CHEERS
... to the crack of the bat. Spring Training baseball games have arrived.
— Editor Shea Van Hoy
READER CHEERS
... to Applebee’s in Clarksville for allowing Cub Scout Pack 6 in Sellersburg to host a pancake fundraiser Feb. 6. It was a cold, snowy morning and the store manager and staff greeted us at 7:30 a.m. with smiles on their face. They were very friendly and helpful. Thank you to everyone that came and enjoyed pancakes and supported our pack. Applebee’s is being very generous to host the pancakes breakfasts, please support them when you are looking for a place to eat lunch or dinner.
— Crissy Knox, committee chair, and Jon Tucker, Cubmaster, Pack 6, Sellersburg
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.
