CHEERS

... to members of The Evening News staff. The newspaper was notified this week of its Hoosier State Press Association 2009 Better Newspaper Contest award winners.

We don’t know the exact nature of the awards yet, but winners are Amy Huffman-Branham, Mike Hutsell, myself, and former reporter and now city of Charlestown employee, Matt Koesters. The Evening News also won for Best Ongoing News Coverage and Best Newspaper Design, which are staff designations.

We’ll find out more when we receive awards at the HSPA luncheon Dec. 5 in Indianapolis.

I’d like to personally and publicly thank the editorial staff here for all the hard work they do, whether it was recognized by an award this time around or not.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to the opportunity to be heard. Southern Indiana residents have a chance Monday evening to let the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission know how they feel about a proposed 38 percent hike in water rates, as has been requested by Indiana American Water Co. (see story on page A3 today).

From my past experience in covering such stories, public comment and the work of the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor — which advocates for the public in such rate requests — can go a long way in lowering that requested amount.

The IURC has its testimony already from Indiana American — in the form of the rate increase request — and now it’s your turn to speak out.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to North Clark Outreach Center and Kiwanis of Charlestown for again collecting and giving out hundreds of coats and jackets to needy families in the area earlier this week.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to the women who shared their stories of surviving breast cancer with reporter Tara Hettinger and agreed to be photographed by C.E. Branham. The accounts of courage and strength, as well as photos, can be seen in tomorrow’s edition.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to the resolution between Norton Healthcare and insurance provider Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The bitter battle left many people in need of health care paying out-of-network rates to see their regular doctor. And, jeers to it taking three months to get resolved.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



JEERS

... to the vandalism occurring in Jeffersonville parks. The damage includes graffiti, bent picnic tables, broken benches, fences nearly unbolted from the ground and damaged bathrooms.

Cheers to resident and parks facilities board member Sandy Knott for documenting the problems and bringing them to the City Council’s attention this week. Councilman Keith Fetz said he has been in contact with a company that makes cameras which would help combat the problem by keeping a close electronic eye on the parks.

Here’s a vote for seriously considering making that purchase.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



JEERS

... to Clark County’s budget woes. According to the most recent County Council budget meeting, there is as much as a $5.8 million gap in the requested budget — $18.7 million — and expected 2010 revenues — $12.9 million.

The county is finally discussing implementing a Local Option Income Tax, or LOIT, which would help, although not much for 2010. The question is, what took so long?

The answer is simple. When the state hamstrung local taxing entities with property tax reform and caps, it offered LOIT to the counties as a way to offset lost revenues.

With that, state lawmakers could say during election season, “we handled your property tax problem and didn’t raise taxes.”

The result is the county council now must raise taxes and take the fall for the state, because cutting one third of staff or services isn’t feasible.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy