The Greentown Grapevine – 2007-05, 14:05

              Volume 14, Issue 5 “ A Paper for the People” May 2007 -
Governor Daniels Visits Eastern High School
Indiana Governor Mitch
Daniels took questions from
students in Eastern High School
who assembled in the
Performing Arts Center on
April 10. He opened by saying
he is visiting schools to speak
in favor of full- day
kindergarten. He said real
education takes place in today’s
kindergarten, not just
babysitting. He also said he is
interested in building the kind
of state where people will
“ want to live and work, a place
of opportunity and hope”. He
wants to have a state which
offers a variety of jobs. The
questions were on a broad
spectrum of issues
Aaron Pullen asked the
governor what he has done for
the state. Daniels replied that
his administration has restored
financial integrity to state
government.
Michelle Carpenter asked
what he has learned by
traveling the state. He said he
learns something new each day.
Some of the best learning has
been when he stays in people’s
homes.
Adam Goebel asked about the
governor’s opinion of religion
in schools. Daniels said he is a
Christian but the state has
people of many different faiths
and of no faith, and he observes
a scrupulous separation
between personal views of faith
and public responsibility to
treat all equally. He said it is
not the government’s place to
establish a religion and this
applies to schools as well.
Mallory Huggins asked for his
thoughts on No Child Left
Behind. ’ He said he agrees that
measuring progress should be
done. “ If you’re not keeping
score, you’re just practicing”.
He went on to say that when
you do that measurement, you
have to look at subgroups such
as minorities and special
education students. He said the
program is being reviewed.
Tyler Echelbarger asked
Daniels’ views on illegal
immigration. He said the
existing laws need to be
enforced. He said he approves
of legal immigration and
encourages it for people who
are willing to obey the law,
learn English, or at least be sure
their children learn English. He
said we are a county of
immigrants, that our ancestors
came from someplace. He said,
“ I hope we are always the kind
of country people are trying. to
get into, not get out of.
Chelsea McAnich asked if he
thinks the media is telling teens
they are overweight and that it
could cause anorexia. He said,
“ We are overweight. Too much
weight, over years, can have
bad results, but it is not good to
overcorrect either.”
Cody Sheridan asked about
Daniels’ plans for re- election.
He said he hasn’t decided
whether to run. He said he
hopes some of the students will
decide to run for office.
Baxter Howell asked if
Daniels thought students should
have a say in school hiring. He
said definitely not and gave
examples of some things which
require a certain age or
experience.
Senior Ashley Scott, who
plans to be a Special Education
teacher, asked if there is a
teacher shortage. Daniels said,
“ Not at the moment but I’d like
there to be a teacher shortage if
we could have more teachers
per student.
Cole Bennett asked the
governor’s opinion of gay
marriage. He said he believes
in the traditional marriage
“ between a man and a women”
but other relationships should
not be a cause for discrim-ination.
In a related question by
Rob Smith about companies
giving benefits to gay couples,
Daniels said it is the right of
those companies to give
benefits to same- sex couples if
they want.
Greg Bulin asked if daylight
saving time is making a
difference. Daniels said it
definitely is, that centers like
the new Wal- Mart distribution
center in Gas City and FedEx
run on tight schedules and not
having to change their
schedules twice a year has
Kipp McClain and Adam Willis were among the students who greeted the Governor
after the question- and- answer session.
saved them money.
When asked about his
feelings about abortion, Daniels
said he is against it and
supports right to life. He also
said, “ I believe this is the kind
of question which will be
resolved in the hearts of
people.”
Ryan Karn asked how
biodiesel fuel will affect the
state. Daniels said that, along
with ethanol, it is a major part
of Indiana’s future.
Sit This One Out
Those who look forward to
going to the polls and
participating in elections may
suffer from withdrawal this
year, as they do every four
years. Greentown area
residents can go about their
usual activities on this Primary
Election Day, May 8; there are
no county or town elections to
be held. The only voting in the
county will be for certain
Kokomo offices. In November,
elections will be held for
Greentown Town Council and
Clerk- Treasurer, likewise for
Kokomo and Russiaville
offices. But for those outside
the limits of those towns and
city, there will not be an
oppor@ nity to vote until May
2008.
To check on voter registration
or other registration questions,
call the Voter Registration
o f f i c e at 456- 22 19.
R e g i s t r a t i o n s c a n be
accomplished at that office or at
the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
office.
Debut of Historic Trail-to
Be May 5
Which is Greentown’s only
building on the National
Register of Historic Places?
Where was the stating rink?
Where was the opera house?
Where was the original Town
Hall? Can you find a cornice in
downtown Greentown? Can
you find examples of Dutch
Colonial Revival, Craftsman,
and Romanesque architecture in
downtown Greentown? What
style is City Hall? Answers to
these questions will be found in
i booklet developed as a guide
: o sites on the Greentown
Historic Trail. Plaques bearing
: he name, “ Historic Trail” and a
lumber corresponding to the
lumber in the booklet are being
iffixed to the buildings. After
May 5 the booklets will be
ivailable at Greentown City
Hall, Greentown History
: enter, and the Greentown
Yass Museum.
A ribbon- cutting ceremony
will be conducted in front of
City Hall at 4: OO p. m. on
Saturday, May 5. A guided taur
will be led by Cathy Compton
Wright, North Central Field
Representative of Historic
Landmarks of Indiana. The
tour will include interiors of the
I. O. O. F. Building, the
Greentown History Center, and
Mast Furniture and Gifts. City
Hall is located one- half block
north of the stoplight at Main
and Meridian streets. The tour
will last about one hour and
will include some stairs.
Donors to the project are the
Town o f G r e e n t o w n ,
Greentown Historical Society,
Simpson Jewelry & Uniforms,
Greentown Glass Museum, and
Greentown Main Street
Association. The trail has been
developed through ajoint effort
of the Greentown Advisory
Park Board, Greentown
Historical Society, and
Greentown Main Street
Association.
Annexation Approved
The Town Council approved resident was concerned with
. he voluntary annexation of 104 having a business next door to
3. Maple St. on April 3 at a their home. When asked what
mblic hearing. Several his plans are for the property,
aesidents were present with Keith Bailey, who owns the
Iuestions and comments. One property and made the request
pestion was “ Why does the for annexation, said, “ We have
own want to annex this no idea. We may just take the
woperty if it can’t be hooked house down and let it sit.” He
ip to the sewer?’ It was went on to say, “ If we knew
: xplained that the state might what we know now, we
: lect to grant a waiver for a wouldn’t have bought it. If I
business. More than one could sell it, I would.”