Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

Opinion

April 13, 2009

Weekly wrap - Monday, April 13, 2009

Excerpts of recent editorials from Indiana newspapers:

On Wrigley Field:

Surely, he didn’t really mean it. There’s just no way that Carlos Zambrano, the Chicago Cubs ace pitcher, could really want the city of Chicago to replace Wrigley Field.

Zambrano made the comments as he sat in the visitors’ clubhouse at the Yankees’ $1.5 billion stadium before an exhibition game Saturday.

“You come into a ballpark like this and see great things,” he said. “You wish that Chicago’d build a new stadium for the Cubs.”

Heaven forbid.

There is no better place in the world to watch a baseball game than the Friendly Confines. Built in 1914 and home to the Cubs since 1916, Wrigley is the second oldest major league stadium, trailing only Boston’s Fenway Park, which was built in 1912.

Just walking into the place, you can feel the magic. Sitting there in the stands, you can almost hear the voices of the generations of Cub fans who have turned out to watch a game.

Certainly, the old ballpark might need some tweaking here and there. Some of the facilities could certainly use an update.

But build a new ballpark? Why on earth would anyone want to do that?

– Pharos-Tribune, Logansport

On foreclosure help:

Of all the homeowners with mortgages in Anderson, about 11.4 percent go into foreclosure, unable to make their monthly payments. Without people inside the homes, they can go neglected and turn into community blights.

In Kokomo, the foreclosure rate is 11.5 percent.

Somewhere in between is Alexandria and Elwood.

Both cities have wisely applied for Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants that would allow them to demolish or rehabilitate blighted homes.

This doesn’t end the foreclosure crisis, but the grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allow cities and towns to maintain pride.

For about $2 million, Elwood would demolish 26 properties. With about $2.6 million, Alexandria plans to tear down 34 homes. Some homes could be renovated.

In no way do these grants address the anguish facing victims of foreclosure. Nor should they be viewed as sweeping the problems out of these cities.

But the marketability of our towns is vital to their survival. Residents should be compassionate to the plight of foreclosed homeowners, but they should be grateful that these local officials see the need for property values to stay the same and the quality of life to improve.

– The Herald Bulletin, Anderson

On public access bill:

Senate Bill 232, which would protect the rights of Hoosiers to know what their government is up to and that would punish those who would intentionally thwart those rights, appears headed toward the trash bin.

That’s because state Rep. John Bartlett, D-Indianapolis, has indicated he will not call the proposal for a hearing in the Government and Regulatory Reform Committee that he chairs.

Senate Bill 232, written by a bipartisan group of lawmakers concerns public access to government and includes the ability for a judge to levy a civil fine against a government official who deliberately violates either the Indiana Open Door Law or Indiana Access to Public Records Act. It passed in the Senate and appeared to be headed toward approval in the House. Not so now.

We contend the measure would serve the interests of Hoosiers and their access to public records and governmental meetings and other valuable information. It deserves “yes” votes from our state representatives and senators. Of course, Bartlett would first have to give the bill a chance in his committee.

– The Tribune, Seymour

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Opinion
  • Forever thankful

    Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday to remember those who have died while serving our country.

    Memorial Day officially

    May 26, 2012

  • Cheers and Jeers - Saturday, May 26, 2012

    Thanks for your kindness

    Terry Siegrist, a paralegal in Salina, Kan., sends this Cheer:

    “The family of the late Esther Sprinkle wishes to send our heartfelt thanks to all who gave so generously of their kindness and sympathy in the death of our beloved mother and grandmother. We especially want to thank those who visited us at the funeral home and sent flowers, cards, memorials or food.

    May 25, 2012

  • USPS scales back plans

    The issue: Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open.

    Our view: Agency deserves credit for listening to the concerns of customers.

    May 25, 2012

  • Sign change is overdue

    A colleague of ours years ago said Indiana lawmakers should change the state motto to “We’ll Get Around to It.” His observation is both funny and sad.

    May 23, 2012 1 Story

  • Tips on flag etiquette

    Monday is Memorial Day – set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives in this nation’s wars. Lots of folks fly the flag every day as a show of patriotism, but what many might not know is that there are specific rules outlined in the U.S. Flag Code concerning its display.

    May 21, 2012

  • Cheers & Jeers - Saturday, May 19, 2012

    Carriers collect 19 tons of food

    Brian S. Kidwell of Branch 533 of the letter carriers union sends this Cheer:

    May 19, 2012

  • Walk a lap, fight cancer

    Before you read any farther, stop for a second and think about what this one word means to you: cancer.

    May 18, 2012

  • Program eyes troubled kids

    If you know a teenager who has gotten off track, Elissa Andersen might be just the person to call.

    May 16, 2012

  • Editorial - May 15, 2012: Hard work still pays

    The issue: The Class of 2012.

    Our view: Congratulations on your achievement, graduating high school seniors, and remember to thank those who helped you along the way to success.

     

     

    May 15, 2012

  • de la Bastide: Indiana, the nation lose true statesman

    During his 36 years in the U.S. Senate, Richard Lugar was noted for his ability to compro-mise when it came to legislation impacting the nation, and as a statesman when it came to foreign policy issues.

    May 15, 2012

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