Chris is publisher of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by email at cpruett79@gmail.com or by calling (812) 847-4487

Has Greene County been left behind?

Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2008, at 5:15 PM

Have you ever been so frustrated that you throw your hands up in the air and scream, "I've had enough!"

Someone recently shared as much with me, and because of that conversation, I'm very disheartened.

This person is someone who is a graduate of a Greene County high school, and has lived their entire life in our county. They are an important contributor to our community.

But they're fed up. Fed up with those who refuse to help Greene County grow and prosper, and they're ready to move away. Actually, that's exactly what this person said ... it's time to move on.

This person is upset because too many people try to hold back progress, including land use planning. They understand that land use planning isn't the only answer to our problems, but it's a step in the right direction.

When they drive around with family members and others from outside the area, they're embarrassed by some of the properties they encounter. And many are right on the main drag -- no matter what community you happen to be visiting.

Greene County is a great place to live, but one of its own -- someone you would all respect -- has had enough.

And that's sad.

Why do so many people fight change?

My dad, who recently had open-heart surgery, spoke to me earlier this week about change. He shared with me how much he made when he first went to work for Public Service Indiana back in the 1950s, and how he was able to pay the rent and pay for everything for himself and my mom. He even had a little left over.

Times have certainly changed. Prices are through the roof, and continue to skyrocket out of this world. Where will it end? That's a good question.

But my dad had an excellent point. The sooner someone adapts to change, the better. They can get on with their lives and hopefully keep up. Those who fight change and refuse to change, they're never going to be satisfied.

Should we accept change if we don't agree? Certainly not! But if change happens, we must adjust or get left behind.

Has Greene County been left behind because we haven't changed to help ourselves?

I know of at least once person who believes so, and they may not be around much longer to help.

Chris is the general manager/editor of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com

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Yes! We are so far behind the times, it's sad. Really sad. Trust me, there are other families ready to leave too. We have been sinking for years!

We give too much respect to the naysayers. It's time that leaders emerge, who don't fear what their neighbor will think or if they'll stop coming into their store because of their positions on local issues.

DEMOCRAT & REPUBLICAN leadership need to quit taking whatever warm body wants to run for an office. They need to seek out TRUE candidates, who have skills.

In the federal, state, and local office, we need to vote out career politicians. Two terms and you're out. We need to stop people being in positions for years -- appointed ones too.

People really need to start taking pride in their town, their community, and their home. There's too much trash, too much deferred maintenance.

-- Posted by JimmyJoeJingle on Wed, Oct 15, 2008, at 5:32 PM
Anyone can quit, give up, surrender. It doesn't take much grit to be a quitter. I'm a Marine, I don't quit. But, I'm not a change for change sakes moron either. "Land use", zoning, call it what you will, can be a beneficial change. However it can become a nightmare very quickly if

authority and power is placed in the wrong hands.

I was born in Greene County and have lived here all of my life except for my college years in New York, my military years world wide, and a couple of years residency in Monroe County which formed my reluctance regarding bureaucratic "land use", zoning, enablement. Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it. Pride in yourself, your home, and your community can not be legislated. It is a self actuated endeavor.

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Wed, Oct 15, 2008, at 6:50 PM
http://www.farmandlivestockdirectory.com/columnists/jewell/oct2008.html

An interesting read for all!

-- Posted by cletus on Thu, Oct 16, 2008, at 7:28 AM
Those against zoning are going to have to face the facts. Very few industries want to move into a county that does not have some sort of zoning regulations. Regardless of your position on zoning, economic growth is going to be very difficult to obtain without it.

-- Posted by Hoosier Scientist on Thu, Oct 16, 2008, at 10:04 AM
Cletus--that is a good read.

Jimmy Joe-- I agree 100%. These politicians that got us in this mess don't deserve the chance to get us out.

I do not like zoning or "land use" laws. I dont believe that anyone has a right to tell me how to use my property. Pride in your personal property is "self actuated".

-- Posted by POP on Thu, Oct 16, 2008, at 10:38 AM
Great post!

It's terrible to see the state of the home county these days. Even more disheartening is the resistance to change. It would be interesting to see the stats on how many college grads between the ages of 21-40 left the county and did not return. Especially, when tied to their salaries and lost tax revenue to the county. I for one look at the crime stats, income level, education level and general upkeep of the community and realize that it's not the same place where I grew up. Thus, I made the tough decision that my family is much better being raised someplace else.

Many readers will probably say good riddance, but then I add in the fact that this means the company I own and run is also located somewhere else and you have just another example of what the county's resistance to change does to its prosperity.

-- Posted by horrorwriter on Thu, Oct 16, 2008, at 3:04 PM
Raven, zoning is socialism at its best! The less government control the better.

Hoosier Scientist, I have heard this arguement before and everytime it is merely an opinion. In my opinion, zoning is a very small item on companies minds when they look at places to locate.

Has anyone thought about how zoning would be paid for? These are very expensive laws to establish and enforce. Oh, I know maybe take it from our road budget since our county roads are in such phenomenal shape. Or maybe do away with a joke of a Economic Development department, because many think "if we Zone it they will come". Industry will be flocking to Greene County so hard that our ED department wont even be needed! What a joke!

My point is that this county is cutting corners on every single department we have and we want to establish a new department? Wake up people!

I unnderstand that the "planning" is paid for and required by the state, but we can stop there!

-- Posted by cletus on Fri, Oct 17, 2008, at 6:26 AM
Depends on how much $$$ is at stake...

-- Posted by JimmyJoeJingle on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 8:49 PM
Those "No Zoning" signs out and around the county make us all look bad... like a bunch of backwards, one tooth, overall bib-wearing, red necks... I hear banjos.

-- Posted by JimmyJoeJingle on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 9:10 PM
THE RAVEN.... ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU HAVE WASTED MANY WORDS ON YOUR POST DEFENDING SOMETHING THAT WONT HELP YOU AT ALL. JUST LOOK WHERE YOU LIVE AND ANSWER THE QUESTION HOW WILL IT HELP ME?

-- Posted by onebyone on Mon, Oct 20, 2008, at 11:58 AM

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