Published: October 16, 2009 02:13 am      

LETTERS: Oct. 16, 2009

Gov. Daniels has reader confused

I’m confused. Mitch Daniels ran for governor on the credentials of being a successful business person and working with the Bush administration. Sounds like credentials. Here’s where my confusion comes in — should government, or business be blamed for Gov. Daniels’ failures?

Mitch did run highlighting both experiences. Let’s see. First, he sells a toll road to a company who is not of this country. My guess is their profits are going back to the home country, to the home company. Makes sense. They made the profit, the company and country originated from should reap the benefits. Thanks, Mitch.

During the time the economy was good, the office of Mitch bragged about the growth in number of jobs. What Mitch failed to mention was the new jobs were replacement jobs for plant closings and layoffs. The wages were lower.

The rolls of family services increased at the same rate as employment. So Mitch had another idea — a new service provider for family services. The more streamlined system won’t even need face-to-face contact, just a phone call. Great!

Oops, seems like there are a few glitches — the laid off, the low income — which includes children — the disabled can’t seem to get their benefits in a timely manner. The people applying keep having to reapply. Not just a forgotten paper, or new information — they start from scratch — new paperwork, new phone calls. Prior to streamlining, there were never the huge amount of delays, but because there is no face-to-face experience, this has cut the government payroll.

Now that the state is saving so much money, maybe Mitch can mail a letter to the children of the low-income workers, the disabled and their families, and the elderly. Mitch can explain how committees are studying the problem. Question — you can only serve two terms as governor, can’t you?

— Steven Fetter, Jeffersonville



Reader: Harbeson is wrong on Hill

Debbie Harbeson’s most recent column comes from the same woman who was all over Baron Hill’s case about town halls, thought he waited too long to have them when he did, and is now criticizing him for events that transpired at a town hall meeting.

I’m going to bet she didn’t even attend.

The lesson here — you just can’t win, Baron. Where is Ms. Harbeson’s column berating the members of our congressional delegation who didn’t hold town halls? How about her column chastising those who acted so immaturely at Hill’s town halls? Or, perhaps even a substantive column about health care and the bills pending before Congress?

Nope — all we see are more attacks on Baron Hill.

— Christopher Hamm, Sellersburg



Son praises Keith’s work

A recent article in The Evening News told of a plan to oust my father, Jim Keith, from his position as executive director of the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau.

I was greatly disappointed to think that after spending so many years of excellent service to this community that my father’s reputation would be questioned in an article in the newspaper. I would like the opportunity to enlighten you as to my father’s commitment toward the betterment of our community.

Jim Keith has given the bureau more than 29 years of 50-plus hour workweeks. Saturday mornings, he can be found working at his office. No one tells him to do this. It is just a reflection of my father’s dedication to doing the job correctly. He loves his job and it shows. How many public officials can claim this level of dedication?

Southern Indiana is dear to Jim Keith. He has dedicated a large portion of his life to traveling the country in his yellow sports coat promoting our SunnySide of Louisville. My father has always done his job with character and class. We would be very fortunate to have the same from our mayor.

Those who know my father know of his commitment to promoting our community. His eventual successor will have very large shoes to fill.

— Allen Keith, Jeffersonville