Alcohol sales must be safe, responsible
Last week, a group of concerned Kokomo business leaders, government officials and civic groups joined an initiative called Project RAD – which stands for Project Responsible Alcohol Distribution.
Their names, titles and representation are listed on www.ProjectRAD.com, and our site went public last Tuesday.
Our community dialogue will focus on how alcohol is handled, distributed and sold in Indiana.
It’s a small start in educating consumers, parents of teens, policy makers and media about how Indiana stands at a crossroads in determining the rules of the road for retailers who sell beer, wine and spirits.
You’ve read in the newspaper about a group that wants expanded Sunday sales in Indiana – and cold beer at every gas station and convenience store – under the guise of consumer convenience.
This is where we part ways: Those out-of-state retailers who want expanded sales and more market share don’t want to be regulated. They don’t want to play by the same rules and be subject to any controls and restrictions now currently in law.
Those rules are critical when it comes to the potential for community consequences. Our community pastors, civic leaders, businesses and law enforcement officials know that’s a mistake. If not, they wouldn’t be with us on www.ProjectRAD.com.
Our name, in this instance, does say it all. We’re for responsible sales, responsible distribution and responsible controls in our communities across the state of Indiana.
As we add community partners across the state and ask for a common sense approach to Indiana’s alcohol laws, we’ll be reaching out in Kokomo as well with community updates.
For anyone who wants to know more about Indiana regulations and the public policy debate, please join us on www.ProjectRAD.com or www.IndianaAlcoholSales.com.
We welcome your response and input as we reach across the state to hear from Hoosiers.
Kyle Rayl, Kokomo
All marching bands deserve recognition
I live in Howard County, my grandson goes to a Howard County school, I pay for the Kokomo Tribune and I deserve the right to see more about my county school, as well as outside county schools, regarding bands.
While we were mentioned in articles, outside county schools got most of the credits. We got a line or two most of the time, and we went to state just like Western and Lewis Cass, and we were in the top 10 in the state just like Western and Lewis Cass! That is awesome. Great job, Eastern band and guard! Great job, Lewis Cass and Western!
See, I know how to congratulate all area bands, and the Tribune should do the same for all bands and give all bands equal time and credit. It upsets me that bands do not get the coverage and respect they deserve for doing a very good job. They practice long hours, in heat and cold, they work just as hard as any sport out there and they can take their music with them long after graduating.
I love being involved in the band. I do it for the students. They need our help and they deserve recognition for going to state, no matter where they placed. No one will remember who got first or second, etc., but they will always remember we went to state. That is what it is all about, going to state and representing the top, best bands in the state of Indiana.
We asked for an escort just to get out of town so our caravan could all be together and honk our horns, etc., and we could not even get that, not even from our local department. Something about “liability.” But what about the experience it would have been for our kids?
All bands need to respect each other, give them a thumbs-up, a pat on the back, send them off with cheers, but never, ever disrespect them as they come off the field after a performance, no matter how big or how small a band is. They should all be congratulated on a job well done, no matter what!
I, for one, am so proud of what all the bands did this year, no matter where you placed, no matter if you went to state or not, you are all winners and never forget that. You gave it your all, the best you could do. You should be proud of what you accomplished, and so am I!
See you all next year! Good luck to everyone! Thank you, Eastern High School, for your support!
Dianna S. Workinger, Greentown
