> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Reader disagrees with column, supports mayor’s program



Debbie, Debbie. Normally, I agree and love your column, but “Fit to Be Tied,” published, July 19, I didn’t. As I get older and older I have become more conservative, but not this time.

Five years and seven months ago I had a heart attack at 54. I brought it on myself from years of eating fried foods and no exercise. God, I miss Harry Wilder’s cheeseburgers!

But like most men, I thought nothing like this would happen to me (great New Year’s, it was Dec.  29). Since then, I exercise every other day, (YMCA, I still hate it, but guilt is good). I eat no fried foods, no beef and watch everything (boring). Seriously, we and our children and grandchildren are becoming obese. And if anything can get us off our butts, I’m for it.

Mayor Mike Moore’s program is a much better way for government to spend money than some of the programs I’ve seen. And it could be “guilt of the mayor’s” for all his years serving fried chicken and J-boys to us all. Keep it up mayor, I might even make one of the classes.

Good luck, Debbie, I’ll still read your column next time.

— Richard Fach, Sellersburg



Let’s take back our country



Since our government is so dysfunctional maybe we should demand a vote on a new one. None of these clowns can agree on anything,

No taxes on the rich, no cut on military, no closing. Loopholes on big oil, cuts only to the poor, how about cuts to your salaries?

This is to be for the people, all of us, not just the rich. Those who signed a pledge for the taxes means for the rich. Vote these clowns out. Put the “we” back in Congress. Elect those who will vote for what is best for all, not just the rich few. Pay your fair share or leave our country.

I worked for wealthy people. They want to work you for little or nothing, just like other countries do. Put our country back for the majority not the few. Big money has ruined our county. Let’s take it back now.

— George L. Dorman, Clarksville



Clarksville needs to move on two issues



In the last round of elections we found and elected representatives to address the issues of voting by district and of having a town manager in Clarksville. Unfortunately, it has been six months and we have yet to see much action on either issue.

Let’s take the subject of voting by district. It appeared a majority of the candidates favored changing and with very good reasons. Prospective candidates are discouraged from running for office due to the time and money required to field a campaign all over town.

Further, councilmen can be elected wherein the people of the individual district don’t support the candidate, thus denying them their choice of representative. It would also preclude a dominant party from running the entire town.

All it takes is a vote to pass this and the district lines can be worked out later.

The second thing is recruiting and hiring a town manager. If you’ll take the time to do a quick Google search, you’ll find the many advantages other towns and cities are enjoying and which we have a dire need for. See this link for example: www.ilcma.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/362.

The most important and operative statement from the above link is this: “Day-to-day operations are managed by a professional who is educated and trained in current city and town management practices, state and federal laws and mandates, and cost-effective service delivery techniques.”

No one in this town has had the training and experience for this position. We do not want to repeat what happened years ago when a local person was put in this position. Another added benefit would be to allow the seven council members to act together without experiencing the problems that New Albany and Jeffersonville have had with a mayor and council setup.

— August Reiter, Clarksville