Published: January 12, 2008 11:39 pm            

PUBLIC EYE: Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008

Daniels finalizes local meeting plans

Mark Jan. 31 on your calendar as an important date: Gov. Mitch Daniels is coming to Kokomo to answer questions about his property tax reduction plan.

This week, the local sponsors of the meeting, the Citizens United for Tax Reform (CUTR), announced the meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Oakbrook Community Church, 3409 S. Dixon Road. Two weeks ago, we announced the meeting, but CUTR didn’t have a venue secured. Daniels is expected to speak and answer written questions for 90 minutes.

CUTR also has a second public meeting in the works, involving a return trip to Kokomo by former gubernatorial candidate/conservative activist Eric Miller, who will be bringing his property tax repeal message to Kokomo for a second time. Miller drew a large audience last year, timing his visit to Kokomo around the same time property tax bills came out.

Reminder about Third House sessions

Another reminder goes out to everyone wishing to ask questions directly to their state legislators: Your chance is coming soon.

The annual Third House sessions, sponsored by the Kokomo-Howard County Chamber of Commerce, will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Room 130C at Indiana University Kokomo, otherwise known as the big room off to the side of the school cafeteria.

Several state legislators are expected to be in attendance for the public forum. And anyone who can’t make that session can attend either or both of two other sessions, scheduled for Feb. 16 and March 15 — same place and time. With one of the most crucial legislative sessions in Indiana history set to begin, we expect excellent attendance!

An important distinction

Last week we wrote about new city utilities director Kim Fipps’ newfound willingness to take a drug test (after refusing and losing his job under the former city administration), and inadvertently referred to Fipps as a “Vietnam veteran.” Fipps, however, wanted it made clear he never meant to imply to us he served overseas during that conflict, and we apologize for any misunderstanding our article caused.

“I am a Viet Nam ERA veteran,” Fipps wrote. “The distinction to many may be small, but large to me. I have always differentiated between myself as a non combat veteran and someone who served ‘in country,’ be it Viet Nam or this war. This is one of the only ways to honor those who sacrificed so much. To me, it is a sacrilege to state oneself as simply a ‘Viet Nam vet.’ That conjures up images that simply are inaccurate.”

An independent voice

During a visit with the Tribune Editorial Board last Wednesday, Congressman Joe Donnelly, D-2nd District, claimed that he has the fifth best independent voting record in Congress.

As examples, Donnelly said he voted against the Democrat Party majority when it came to earmarked projects added to the budget bill because he didn’t think the bill cut spending enough and would add to the national debt.

Donnelly said he also voted in favor of the bill that provided funding for the war in Iraq when most Democrats cast a no vote because it didn’t contain goals to be set for the withdrawal of American troops.

Send my regards

Donnelly said he has visited Kokomo and Howard County more than 20 times during the past year or about once every two weeks.

Donnelly said when he told Rep. Dan Burton, R-5th District, that he was coming to Kokomo. Burton said to tell the board he said “hello.”

Burton’s congressional district includes portions of southern Howard County. Burton visited Kokomo last March.

        

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