My wife and I were going to a photography workshop the other day in Indianapolis, but we never made it. While we were on I-70 in the left lane, we became bunched up with vehicles on all sides of us. One of those vehicles was a large RV with a vehicle in tow in the right-hand lane. The 82-year old Ontario driver soon decided he wanted our lane instead of slowing down for traffic coming on to the interstate from the exit, forcing us off the road and making me lose control of the vehicle. Ultimately, we slammed into a guard rail.
There are 1,001 little things that could have made everything much different that day, but my wife and I came away with only cuts, bruises, some abrasions, and a whole lot of soreness and pain. I know I feel like an entire professional baseball team took up batting practice all up and down the left side of my body. But even that is much better than the alternatives. In fact, the EMTs who arrived on the scene were shocked that we weren't hurt much, much worse considering we broke off 5 guard rail posts clean.
Special thanks to everyone who stopped to see if we were okay. Many people these days would have just driven on, but this affirms there are still good people in the world. I also want to thank the police for chasing down the RV and ticketing him for improper lane change. When they stopped him, he said he didn't even know there had been a wreck. Can you believe that?!
Photos of the car after the accident can be seen on my wife's photography blog located at:
http://www.jenniferwathen.com/
It's pretty amazing that we weren't hurt much worse. I know while many of you may be considering down-sizing vehicles for fuel economy, I know I will be researching crash test results for before I buy another vehicle.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Good-Paying Jobs?
I saw a news blurb in the Indianapolis Business Journal a while back, and it got me thinking. What exactly is a "good job" pay-wise in Greene County, Indiana? Of course, everyone will have their own opinion, most likely based on their own education, experience, and financial obligations. Nonetheless, the news story seems to help define it -- at least in the area of manufacturing around Greensburg, Indiana. See the story quoted below:
"The pay system to be used by Honda Manufacturing of Indiana at its new assembly plant in Greensburg will start workers at $14.84 an hour and automatically ratchet up wages over two years to $18.55. The Japanese automaker also plans to include annual bonuses based on how individuals perform and how the company fares, according to the Greensburg Daily News. Honda nearly a month ago began fielding the first of what totaled 30,296 applications for 2,000 production positions. The $550 million plant, which will turn out Civic sedans, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008."
Considering the overwhelming response of 30,000+ applications for the 2,000 jobs they have -- and given Greene County's lower cost-of-living -- would a lower dollar per hour job be our "target" for economic development here? Or, is bringing in cost-of-living an incorrect assumption entirely? Are there other measures that people consider?
The common theme around Greene County recently has been, "We need some decent-paying jobs here," but there hasn't been any definition or general consensus of what that really means to people. The answer could weigh in on what industries should really be pursued. Technology-based jobs are generally different pay-wise from manufacturing, which has different pay scales than service, retail, and hospitality industries.
Of course, the sky is the limit on what someone would accept, but obviously companies will be looking in the other direction as to the least they can pay. So, I guess the question is really more about meeting in the middle, or what is the least amount most people would consider "good-paying" in Greene County?
There are also criteria beyond pay, such as number of hours in the work week, availability of flexible schedules, and other perks to consider.
Thoughts?
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
"The pay system to be used by Honda Manufacturing of Indiana at its new assembly plant in Greensburg will start workers at $14.84 an hour and automatically ratchet up wages over two years to $18.55. The Japanese automaker also plans to include annual bonuses based on how individuals perform and how the company fares, according to the Greensburg Daily News. Honda nearly a month ago began fielding the first of what totaled 30,296 applications for 2,000 production positions. The $550 million plant, which will turn out Civic sedans, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008."
Considering the overwhelming response of 30,000+ applications for the 2,000 jobs they have -- and given Greene County's lower cost-of-living -- would a lower dollar per hour job be our "target" for economic development here? Or, is bringing in cost-of-living an incorrect assumption entirely? Are there other measures that people consider?
The common theme around Greene County recently has been, "We need some decent-paying jobs here," but there hasn't been any definition or general consensus of what that really means to people. The answer could weigh in on what industries should really be pursued. Technology-based jobs are generally different pay-wise from manufacturing, which has different pay scales than service, retail, and hospitality industries.
Of course, the sky is the limit on what someone would accept, but obviously companies will be looking in the other direction as to the least they can pay. So, I guess the question is really more about meeting in the middle, or what is the least amount most people would consider "good-paying" in Greene County?
There are also criteria beyond pay, such as number of hours in the work week, availability of flexible schedules, and other perks to consider.
Thoughts?
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
You Are So Naive!
Don't be naive!
When any politician has a tax deal for you, politely turn it down and go along your merry way. Back a few years ago, the Greene County Solid Waste District was supposed to have a one-time $12 fee to everyone's property tax bill. The idea of the fee was focused on temporarily funding their loss of lucrative tipping fees from the Worthington landfill, which the new owner, Rumpke, closed.
That was a few years ago now. Actually, it was 2004.
When I inquired about the apparent mistake at the Treasurer's Office at the Courthouse during this past tax payment -- that this was obviously a mistake that they were adding to each of our property tax bills for several years now when it was only supposed to be one year -- I was met with this response: "You are so naive."
Yep, I guess so!
In fact, I still have the newspapers to prove that the fee was SUPPOSED to be a one time fee, which didn't happen as we all know now. (See image from the 12/30/04 Linton Daily Citizen above.)
Where's the accountability here? Why are we STILL paying this fee three years later?
I'm all for recycling, but the Solid Waste District IS NOT mandated by law as it was construed. Simply, the law requires an office in each county to supply information, not a recycling center as we have now.
If you ask me, we need to make a decision as a county: do we do the minimum required by law, or do we do a full-fledged, county-wide recycling program, which will require curb-side service for everyone to get everyone involved?
In my opinion, we either retreat to the minimum required or we get everyone involved in recycling. There is no middle ground (as we have now) because it's a losing proposition that will continue to require taxpayer support.
Voice your opinions to your local politicians. Personally, I'm not so worried about the twelve dollars, as I am about the precedent this sets. Will any and every governmental agency institute an on-going fee on us if they can't meet their fiscal obligations?
I may be naive, but I don't like being lied to either. Do you?
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
When any politician has a tax deal for you, politely turn it down and go along your merry way. Back a few years ago, the Greene County Solid Waste District was supposed to have a one-time $12 fee to everyone's property tax bill. The idea of the fee was focused on temporarily funding their loss of lucrative tipping fees from the Worthington landfill, which the new owner, Rumpke, closed.
That was a few years ago now. Actually, it was 2004.
When I inquired about the apparent mistake at the Treasurer's Office at the Courthouse during this past tax payment -- that this was obviously a mistake that they were adding to each of our property tax bills for several years now when it was only supposed to be one year -- I was met with this response: "You are so naive."
Yep, I guess so!
In fact, I still have the newspapers to prove that the fee was SUPPOSED to be a one time fee, which didn't happen as we all know now. (See image from the 12/30/04 Linton Daily Citizen above.)
Where's the accountability here? Why are we STILL paying this fee three years later?
I'm all for recycling, but the Solid Waste District IS NOT mandated by law as it was construed. Simply, the law requires an office in each county to supply information, not a recycling center as we have now.
If you ask me, we need to make a decision as a county: do we do the minimum required by law, or do we do a full-fledged, county-wide recycling program, which will require curb-side service for everyone to get everyone involved?
In my opinion, we either retreat to the minimum required or we get everyone involved in recycling. There is no middle ground (as we have now) because it's a losing proposition that will continue to require taxpayer support.
Voice your opinions to your local politicians. Personally, I'm not so worried about the twelve dollars, as I am about the precedent this sets. Will any and every governmental agency institute an on-going fee on us if they can't meet their fiscal obligations?
I may be naive, but I don't like being lied to either. Do you?
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Double Dog Announces Opening Date!
You may have noticed the "Coming Sometime!" sign in the front window of 40 East Vincennes Street in Linton. Well, soon it will be gone forever, I'm told.
Jared Albright and crew will be opening The Double Dog in this location, starting on Monday, April 14th. The new restaurant will serve up Chicago-style hot dogs, coney dogs, polish sausage, and other items. The cokes will be served with the same crushed ice that many will remember as served up in the same location years ago. Marshmallow cokes, private label root beers, and various imported sodas will also be available, he said.
The plan is to open Monday, April 14th until Friday, April 18th. At that point, he plans to close over the weekend, organize their thoughts to be even better, and re-open on Monday, April 21st with their regular hours. Monday through Thursday from 11AM to 10PM, Friday & Saturday from 11AM to 12AM, and closed on Sundays will be their regular hours at this point, but will be subject to change, if needed.
Jared said to look for menus to start circulating around town any day now. Be sure to stop in and support a new business in downtown Linton!
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Jared Albright and crew will be opening The Double Dog in this location, starting on Monday, April 14th. The new restaurant will serve up Chicago-style hot dogs, coney dogs, polish sausage, and other items. The cokes will be served with the same crushed ice that many will remember as served up in the same location years ago. Marshmallow cokes, private label root beers, and various imported sodas will also be available, he said.
The plan is to open Monday, April 14th until Friday, April 18th. At that point, he plans to close over the weekend, organize their thoughts to be even better, and re-open on Monday, April 21st with their regular hours. Monday through Thursday from 11AM to 10PM, Friday & Saturday from 11AM to 12AM, and closed on Sundays will be their regular hours at this point, but will be subject to change, if needed.
Jared said to look for menus to start circulating around town any day now. Be sure to stop in and support a new business in downtown Linton!
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The Circus: How Not to Advertise!
Promoters for the circus coming to Linton decided it would be a great idea for them to litter the downtown with signs for the upcoming attraction without permission from business and building owners -- or really any regard for anyone. Posters were plastered on every store front in downtown Linton, using what seems to be about a half-roll of clear tape per sign.
Such disregard for others' property is really upsetting, and I know that none of them will be back to take down the signs after the event, especially those on vacant and out-of-towner owned buildings. So, we can all thank the circus -- which appears to have no name either because it wasn't on the signs -- for littering our downtown and generally trashing it up for us all to clean up after them. By their method and pattern of advertisement, it's no wonder there's not a name or any corporate contact information on these signs; after all, their home office would do nothing but field complaint calls all day.
I really hope this circus is not equally as irresponsible with their animals as they were with their advertising. Personally, I would highly recommend going to a zoo for those wanting to let their kids see exotic animals, where you know they're cared for in a professional manner in a permanent and legitimate establishment -- and one that won't be here one day and gone the next like a circus.
You'll also know the name of the zoo that you're going to, instead of attending a circus that's obviously too embarrassed to display its name or contact information in its own advertisements.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Such disregard for others' property is really upsetting, and I know that none of them will be back to take down the signs after the event, especially those on vacant and out-of-towner owned buildings. So, we can all thank the circus -- which appears to have no name either because it wasn't on the signs -- for littering our downtown and generally trashing it up for us all to clean up after them. By their method and pattern of advertisement, it's no wonder there's not a name or any corporate contact information on these signs; after all, their home office would do nothing but field complaint calls all day.
I really hope this circus is not equally as irresponsible with their animals as they were with their advertising. Personally, I would highly recommend going to a zoo for those wanting to let their kids see exotic animals, where you know they're cared for in a professional manner in a permanent and legitimate establishment -- and one that won't be here one day and gone the next like a circus.
You'll also know the name of the zoo that you're going to, instead of attending a circus that's obviously too embarrassed to display its name or contact information in its own advertisements.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
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