Wednesday, February 12, 2025
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Lt. Governor Fields Variety of Questions at Town Hall
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith answers questions at a Town Hall on Monday. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith promised “nothing’s off limits” when he opened for questions at a Town Hall meeting on Monday hosted at Blessing’s Opera House facility. Attendees took him up on it. The following are paraphrases and quotes from the hour-plus session.
Beckwith said Governor Braun’s proposal to cut property taxes, and subsequently funding for many local government services and schools, was just a starting point for negotiations. The end result of a process between the governor and the state legislature will likely look much different. “People have been saying they’re not going to have money for schools, not going to have money for fire or police. That’s not true at all.” Beckwith believes cuts are necessary, though. “I think schools, particularly in some of the donut counties, have been terrible stewards of the money that they've been given.”
Beckwith: “Farmers have seen their property taxes go up from last year to this year, 26.4%.”
He suggested locking in a 1 percent cap on property taxes at the purchase price of the home rather than on reassessment and “unrealized gains.” “It's not right when somebody has paid off their house, and then the government can come in and say, ‘You know what, you paid off your mortgage, but you owe us this much money in tax.’”
“People say, ‘Well, how do we fund something?’ I think the question has to be asked, is it the government's role to fund those things? If you're a local official and you're saying, ‘How am I going to replace that?’ I think the first question needs to be, what can I do to cut so that way we can make sure we are running as efficiently as possible?”
Beckwith is not in favor of House Bill 1628, which would give more control to the state regarding large-scale projects, such as solar. “I'm a local control guy. I think limited government that's closest to the people is the best kind of government. I think it's healthy when the city pushes back against the county, when the county pushes back against the state, when the state pushes back against the feds. There's no greater joy that I have as a state official when I can tell the federal government to go pound sand. I love it…like, it's amazing. Those are great, great days.”
State Rep. Rob Greene advocated considering small modular nuclear reactors instead of solar and applauded Shelby County’s resistance to development, such as that in Franklin Township and Marion County. “We're one of the last donut counties that maintained our identity,” he said. State Rep. Jenny Meltzer also said she was opposed to HB 1628. “What is appropriate for Allen County or Evansville when it comes to zoning is absolutely not appropriate for Shelby County.”
All three, Lt. Gov. Beckwith and State Reps. Greene and Meltzer, said they generally supported efforts to eliminate township trustees, with some caveats for different communities. Meltzer said many townships do not keep proper documentation allowing for an audit. “In some situations, our townships and our township boards are absolutely doing what they need to do: They're running the fire department, they're taking care of cemeteries, they're doing poor relief. There are other situations where nepotism has run rampant, that dollars are going missing and that we can't even audit them.” Beckwith said there is over $750 million in township funds sitting in accounts throughout the state “doing very little for you.”
Beckwith said churches should be doing more for poor relief, “taking the burden off of the government.” He added, “The government does a really bad job of taking care of the orphan, the widow, the poor, the needy, the sick. It was really God-designed to be the church doing that…In Shelby, why don't I go and start calling churches and say, hey, can you take on some of this burden?...I think you'll find that there will be a lot more people that just needed that little tug to say, hey, step up and do your job you know that God is calling you to do, and then that really takes the burden off of the state.”
In a discussion about women’s health care, Beckwith said there is a difference between “triage” - when the life of the mother is at stake - versus abortion.
Beckwith said he did not send his kids to public school in Noblesville and supports increasing voucher funds. “We didn't like what we saw going on within the (public) schools. I sat down with the Superintendent. I said, ‘You got to tell me, from a moral perspective, how do you make these decisions?’ And the answer she gave me was very weak, at best. And so I went home and said, ‘I can't in good faith send our children into the schools, but we still had to pay like we were sending our kids into that school. It's just not fair.”
In response to an ensuing question about whether anyone without kids attending public school should pay taxes to support public schools, Beckwith said, “You have to ask that question. When we don't have unlimited funding, you have to say, at some point…like, when you become 62, why is it that you are forcing people to fund something that they do not want to fund or get any benefit?”
Beckwith also expressed support for requiring school board candidates to identify their political party. “I think that's actually a good thing because it brings more transparency to voters. Most people have a very hard time finding out anything about people running for school boards. You don't have to say R (Republican), D (Democrat), you can put an I (Independent) next to your name, right? Just let people know that when they go into that voting booth, there's some semblance of your worldview.”
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NOTEBOOK:
A vehicle making a left turn onto W. McKay Road from Miller Ave. struck the Stop sign, damaging the front end of the vehicle.
HOOSIER NEWS: House Bill 1662, authored by Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland, would specifically create a Class C misdemeanor for “camp(ing), sleep(ing), or us(ing) for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use by law.” The current version of the bill additionally seeks to ban communities from using state funds for permanent housing of homeless people. But an amendment proposed by Davis in the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee would remove that language, and also delete a provision establishing incentives for local units that successfully reduce their unhoused populations in jails and hospitals. Committee chairman Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart, didn’t take a vote on Monday but does plan to schedule another committee. He did not make clear if House Bill 1662 would be added to the agenda. Bills face a Feb. 17 deadline to advance from committees. Any legislation left behind is dead — but even dead bill language can remerge before the session concludes in late April. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: In a 2023 survey, 61 percent of respondents said that they had a favorable opinion of their local government, while just 22 percent had a favorable opinion of the federal government in Washington. A 2022 survey found that 52 percent think their local public schools are good while just 22 percent said as much nationally, and 74 percent said that their local news was very trustworthy but only 59 percent said the same of the national media. Crime is bad in the United States (63 percent) but very few say it’s bad where they are (17 percent). A new survey found that 69 percent of voters said elections in their community were well-run, while just 43 percent said the same about elections across the United States. (Pew Research Center)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
(Undated, but presumably December) 1985
A “Letter to Santa” by Cathy Hansen asked for a student lounge with arcade games, movies like “Back to the Future” and “Rambo” shown in classes “for educational use,” a new French fry recipe used by school cooks and morning music in the halls. “Vince Collins, Tom Luther, Bret Adkins and Mike Knight would like some barettes. Rob Riutta needs some army fatigues to go with his new hair style. Speaking of hair, Mr. Fallis would like a new wig. Mr. Rehm would like a straight edge for his theorems and to meet the famous Pete Rose. As for our favorite sub, Mr. Leffler, he would like more unnecessary talking in his classes he subs and a bigger bus to drive. Last but not least, Santa, we would like teachers that look like Don Johnson and Heather Thomas.”
The average cost of a concert ticket was $12.50, but some were as much as $100. Crystal Stafford said seeing Van Halen in July 1984 had been awesome. Melanie Lux and Scott Hardesty said the best concert they had been to was Rick Springfield. Craig Cole spent $40 when he went to see Deep Purple. Julius Denton said he enjoyed seeing Luther Vandross. Melinda Vogler and Holly Roberts enjoyed Tina Turner’s show. Shelby Metz and Tom Nuthak had been to Chicago’s concert. “Shelby spent $65, not including getting grounded when she got home so late.” Mrs. Thoma Bastin spent $40 on seeing Billy Joel and Rod Stewart. Bret Engle said he would be willing to spent $100 to see Wendy and the Plasmatics.
The girls basketball team was off to a good start, 3-1. They had been 16-5 the year before. Key returners were Shelly Caplinger, Valerie Pilk, Charlene Robinette, Mimi Rubush, Amy Richards, Tina Sexton and Jean Soller.
This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: The new Sugar Creek F&AM Lodge was dedicated. It was the first new Masonic lodge building built as a Masonic lodge in Shelby County in over 100 years. Brian Kitchens was worshipful master of the lodge.
Shelbyville High School graduates David Franzreb, Sarah Myers and Mark Warner coordinated the planning for “Send a Message of Love Overseas,” a benefit concert at Indiana University to aid the relief efforts in various countries. SHS graduate Adam Basey performed with an IU men’s a capella group during the event, LuAnn Mason reported for The Shelbyville News.
1995: The flu was causing high absenteeism at schools. Morristown Elementary teacher Linda Jewell reported that 12 of her 24 students were absent, with another one going home during the day with flu symptoms.
1985: U.S. Senator Richard Lugar gave a flag to State Sen. Thomas Hession to be flown at the Shelby County courthouse.
1975: The Fairchild Safety Hitch Pin, invented by Dr. W.A. Fairchild of Shelbyville, was on the market. The local dentist had developed a new-type wagon hitch pin which would not hang down below the wagon tongue and thus would not collect hay or weeds around it when a wagon was pulled through the field.
The Shelbyville High School Show Group won first place at the Indiana School Music Association’s state swing choir contest. Fred Prescott was the director, and Show Group officers were Rhonda Peck, Jean Chappelow and Jean Cooper.
Betty Tucker was recognized for 25 years of service at the local G.C. Murphy Store. Manager W.J. Hill presented Tucker with 25 red roses.
1965: Several local Fire Bear District boys received religious awards at a ceremony in Beech Grove, including John Tingle, Terrence McCall, Mark Arland, Michael Snyder, Timothy Four, Ronald Spalding and Thomas Martin. John Guidi was scoutmaster of the St. Joseph’s Church troop.
Escorts were named for May Court candidates: Manarda Payne and Greg Hall, Sally Vaught and Wayne Kinnick, Shelby McRoberts and Mike Chafee, Nancy Coers and Dave Staats, Michele Dellekamp and Earle Hites, and Janet Grigsby and Jerry Alexander. Judy Haas drew the “bye” and would not have an escort.
Judy Cunningham was named REC Sweetheart at the annual Sweetheart Dance. She received a box of chocolates from Robert Gary, president of the board, and Micki Chambers, the 1964 Sweetheart. Others placing in the contest were Sharon Mohr, Benita Fair, Kathy Harmon, Carol Kilburn and Rita Mitchell.
Bonny Swinford and John Clark were named homecoming queen and king at Southwestern. Gerald Farrell accepted the award for Clark, who had been injured in an automobile accident the week before.
1955: A 12-unit motel was under construction at the intersection of the Moral Township road and North U.S. 421.
Public Service Co. finished work on a new substation north of the N. Noble St. and Elizabeth St. intersection.
John Grigsby and Tony Hammond Jr. formed the Grigsby-Hammond Realty Co. located at 31 W. Hendricks St., within the Culligan building. Grigsby had owned and operated the local Culligan Soft Water Service for four years.
1945: Scottish Rite rings were on sale at Connor Jewelry, in the Strand Theatre building, for $40 (approximately $700 in today’s money).
1935: Louis Abstine and Mary Sparks Abstine opened a ready-to-wear store in the building formerly occupied by Kaufman’s Fruit Market. The store was called the Mary Lou Shop. The exterior of the store was painted black and white and the interior included a balcony across the back.
Harry Cunningham, who had been unable to walk since falling from a high pole while working for the power company four years’ prior, underwent a successful surgery allowing him to walk again. The operation involved removing a portion of the bone of his right leg and grafting it into a diseased portion of his spinal column.
The Sindlinger Meat Market, which had been in operation 72 years, began offering deliveries three times a day.
1925: The Shelbyville Upholstering Co. opened on East Jackson St. in a factory room at the rear of Pile Grocery. The corporation was owned by Otto Keith, Walter Beck and Jacob Zeller.
Over eight inches of snow had fallen over the past 24 hours.
Thirty orphans at the Gordon Orphan’s Home went to see “Abraham Lincoln”, a movie on at the Alhambra, which was provided courtesy of the theatre management.
1915: The Shelbyville City Council voted to work with County Commissioners on establishing a chain gang operation. “There are a number of men in the community who are so trifling that they would rather be in jail during bad weather than to be out,” The Republican said. “To be in jail during cold and stormy weather means to them warmth and good substantial food.” A similar plan in Vincennes had challenges, though, the paper said. The men refused to work, at which point they were returned to jail and placed on a diet of bread and water. Two days later, the men opted to go to work and have full meals resumed. In related news, the state legislature was considering “the lazy husband” bill, which would force men who refused to support their families into labor, with their pay sent to their families.
A school leader in Hope was not invited back. “Too much time spent in running a talking machine and not enough attention paid to regular school work,” a school board member explained. A “talking machine” had been installed and several records purchased with it. Several students, though, said the school day had been filled with grand opera, comic opera, fox trots and other entertainment rather than reading, writing and math curriculum.
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OBITUARIES
Joyce L. Green, 79, of Shelbyville, Indiana, passed away on February 10, 2025, in Shelbyville. She was born on June 26, 1946, in Shelby County to Mary E. and Jack Graham.
Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, and an exceptional mamaw. Known for her hard-working nature, selfless spirit, and a touch of sass, she always put others first, never prioritizing herself.
On June 22, 1963, she married David E. Green of Shelbyville, who survives. She was employed at Williams Industries for 41 years. Joyce is also survived by her children, Bret (Alexis) Green of Shelbyville and Brad Green of Shelbyville; her brother, Donnie Graham of Shelbyville; her brother-in-law, Floyd Schaekel of Hagerstown; her grandchildren, Nicholas Green of Shelbyville, Blayr (Stuart) Jones of Shelbyville, Jordan (Amy) Green of Salt Lake City, Utah, Drew Jones of Greenwood, Michael (Amy) Sobieski of Canton, Ohio, and Sydni Carroll of Canton, Ohio; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Kris Carroll; her sister, Carole Schaekel; and her sister-in-law, Donna Graham.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m., on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Forest Hill Cemetery with Pastor Daniel McDonald officiating. The family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice and The Willows Memory Care of Shelbyville for their compassionate care. The men of the family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to Alexis for her unwavering care, devotion, and love shown to Joyce. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com
Private message to Anna Tungate: Hey old friend! I'm sorry I didn't see you at the Town Meeting! (Or did I?). I also don't see me in your photo, because I was sitting behind that big white pillar! Next time you see me, speak up, because my vision, my hearing and my memory are failing by the day!
PLEASE DO NOT PUBLISH, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.