> SOUTHERN INDIANA — JEERS

… to all of the residents in Clark and Floyd counties who didn’t bother to vote in Tuesday’s primary election. Neither county managed to turn out 18 percent of registered voters at the polls. That’s just embarrassing. It kind of makes you wonder what so many people had to do that was more important. May I suggest that you go into your Blackberry or iPhone or whatever right now and clear 10 minutes out of your schedule for Nov. 6 so you’ll have time to vote in the General Election. We will, after all, be choosing a new president. How many things are more important than that?

— Amy Huffman-Branham, Assistant Editor



JEERS

... To the person who decided to break off a limb from a newly planted tree along 13th Street in New Albany. Along with the new sidewalks recently constructed, trees were also planted which helps beautify the S. Ellen Jones neighborhood. There are a lot of great things happening in that neighborhood, but for some reason, someone decided to break off a limb. The tree is still standing, and hopefully this was just an isolated incident. While kids may be to blame, that is no excuse. We have to take pride in our area and respect others. A lesson many of us learned growing up. Unfortunately, it may be a lesson many parents no longer teach. Don’t destroy public property!

— Chris Morris, Assistant Editor



CHEERS

… to Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore’s plans for a new park and community garden on the corner of Middle Road and Allison Lane. I have lived in Jeffersonville for more than a decade and that spot has been an overgrown, unsightly mess the entire time. It’s about time someone decided to do something about it.

Double cheers, especially, to the community garden aspect of the project. The proximity of the park and gardens to apartment complexes and townhomes will give residents a special place that is sometimes sacrificed with apartment living. If appropriately taken advantage of, the project will give residents something to be proud of and has the potential to build friendships and a neighborly spirit.

— Amy Huffman-Branham, Assistant Editor



JEERS

... to the resolution introduced by Jeffersonville City Councilman Dennis Julius — and eventually passed 7-1 by the city council — on Monday asking for a delay in the construction of the downtown portion of the Ohio River Bridges project. Really? As if we haven’t waited long enough already.

While it is responsible to recognize and be concerned over the possible impact the project and tolls could have on Jeffersonville it’s also important for the council to recognize its role in the process. — Which is basically to wait for it to happen like the rest of us.

I do not dispute the east end bridge is the most important part of the project. And I agree the east end bridge should have been built first, perhaps to the result that a downtown bridge isn’t needed after all. But those positions have been argued and a decision has been made.

The governors of two states, along with representatives from each state, have been responsible for working together to oversee and give authority to this project and its details. They have done that. I seriously doubt any scenario would be without some hesitation or potential drawback for some involved community or another. When you’re trying to accomplish something this big, compromise has to be part of the final solution.

The city council’s resolution is little more than posturing for some politicians who can tell their constituents that they tried to stop the bridge and tolls — all the while hoping the public actually believes the city council had any authority in the matter to begin with — which it doesn’t.

We’re far beyond the point for this now. It’s time to move forward with the project, embrace the enormous positive impact it will have on Jeffersonville and figure out a way to live with the rest and make the most of it.

— Amy Huffman-Branham, Assistant Editor



JEERS

... to the Clarksville Town Council for passing a pretty much identical stupid resolution regarding the bridges project as the Jeffersonville Council did on Monday.

— Amy Huffman-Branham, Assistant Editor



CHEERS

... To the 1,048 men and women who graduated from Indiana University Southeast on May 7. What a great accomplishment. IUS is such a tremendous asset to this community. Many of those who graduated this year will stay in the area, become future leaders and contribute to society in a positive way. We truly are lucky to have Indiana University in our own backyard. Congratulations again on a great accomplishment.

— Chris Morris, Assistant Editor



READER JEERS

… to the NBC interviewer [from last weekend’s Kentucky Derby coverage] who kept pushing Bodie Baffert, age 6, out of the way to get to his father, Bob. It was very obnoxious!

— Steve Voelker, Jeffersonville