A little update on something from a short while back: I mentioned that students in the Foundations of Entrepreneurship course at Marian College would be studying the City of Linton in a section entitled, "Social Entrepreneurship." Well, they're working on it now.
The class has been broken down into teams to study this area, its available resources, and grant opportunities, among others. One interesting outcome will be their study of other like-sized communities in the U.S. that have found success in various aspects of economic development. I think another interesting addition will be their "outsider" perspective looking in on our community.
Their final report to the City will be at the City Council meeting scheduled for 7 PM on April 14th, as they are on the agenda to make a presentation of their findings. And that's just one more reason to have a packed house at this next meeting, so see you there!
PS - Special thanks to all of you who volunteered to be local points of contact for these students as they learn about our community.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Home Town Competitiveness
Wonderful news, Greene County!
Greene County has been selected by the Lt. Governor's office as one of nine pilot communities in the State of Indiana to participate in the Home Town Competitiveness program, a program based on a successful very model from Nebraska. It focuses on four critical areas to the growth and prosperity of rural communities.
A community opinion survey has been made available, one which will be the first known wide-spread, public surveys ever taken in all of Greene County. This information will be used in creating activities across Greene County that:
Encourage our young people and young families to live in Greene County;
Encourage and support small business start-ups and entrepreneurship;
Encourage Greene County citizens to become more active in leadership roles; and
Encourage charitable giving to support local activities and family businesses to continue in our communities.
If you click or 'copy and paste' the addresses below into the address bar of your internet browser, you will be taken directly to the Home Town Competitiveness survey. The survey has two parts, each part has different questions. Please fill out both, if you have time. (It will take approximately 10 minutes for each part.)
Part 1
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=69...
Part 2
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LF...
The goal is to have 1,000+ people complete the survey by April 4th. So, please help Greene County by completing the survey and encouraging others, who live or are associated with Greene County, to fill these surveys out today! Your input -- both good and bad -- is important to helping Greene County to be a better place to live, work, and play.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Greene County has been selected by the Lt. Governor's office as one of nine pilot communities in the State of Indiana to participate in the Home Town Competitiveness program, a program based on a successful very model from Nebraska. It focuses on four critical areas to the growth and prosperity of rural communities.
A community opinion survey has been made available, one which will be the first known wide-spread, public surveys ever taken in all of Greene County. This information will be used in creating activities across Greene County that:
Encourage our young people and young families to live in Greene County;
Encourage and support small business start-ups and entrepreneurship;
Encourage Greene County citizens to become more active in leadership roles; and
Encourage charitable giving to support local activities and family businesses to continue in our communities.
If you click or 'copy and paste' the addresses below into the address bar of your internet browser, you will be taken directly to the Home Town Competitiveness survey. The survey has two parts, each part has different questions. Please fill out both, if you have time. (It will take approximately 10 minutes for each part.)
Part 1
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=69...
Part 2
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LF...
The goal is to have 1,000+ people complete the survey by April 4th. So, please help Greene County by completing the survey and encouraging others, who live or are associated with Greene County, to fill these surveys out today! Your input -- both good and bad -- is important to helping Greene County to be a better place to live, work, and play.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Governor Giveth, and the Governor Taketh Away
Property tax relief in Indiana has become more about "robbing Peter to pay Paul" in many ways, depending on your personal situation.
Today, Governor Mitch Daniels is expected to sign a property tax reform bill, which will provide tax relief and supposedly permanently guard against future property tax increases. At the same time, he is offsetting these lost revenues to the State with an increase in sales taxes from 6% to 7% as of April 1st. No, that's not an April Fools Day joke.
As you'll recall, it wasn't so long ago that we saw a one percent increase from 5% to 6%. In fact, that change became effective on December 1, 2002. (Personally, I found the date of this last change as an interesting attempt to collect higher revenue during the 2002 Christmas season, while also coming about a month AFTER the November elections of that year, but I digress.)
To see how we stack up to other states (at least as of January 1, 2007), The Federation of Tax Administrators, a non-profit corporation, provides the following sales tax comparison chart http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/sales.h...
On the plus-side of these tax changes, elderly Hoosiers should benefit from lower property taxes on their homes, while they won't see higher sales taxes on necessities, such as food and prescription medicine, as both are exempt from Indiana's sales tax. I refuse to say it will benefit the often-quoted "those on a fixed income" because I believe EVERYONE is on a fixed income, but you know what I mean nonetheless.
Some also argue that an increase in sales tax is a more "fair" way to tax since it taxes consumption, as opposed to property tax increases where assessments are often outdated, incorrect, and/or very difficult to gauge the "fairness" from one to another. Some even argue that property taxes are socially counter-productive and lead to less pride in the community since taxes go up as a person takes better care, maintains, and improves a property.
The bill has passed rather quickly, so it's gone from "just talk" to actual law in a short amount of time. Many Hoosiers have been in disbelief all along the short path, too, thinking it would never happen. Well, it is, but I wonder if the haste of this bill's enactment has been actually counter-productive -- at least in the short-term. Many businesses could have had "beat the tax" sales to clear out slow-moving inventory, but they didn't get much of a chance to do so.
If the bill was passed with a later effective date, this could have bolstered sales within Indiana, even though it may have been short-lived. As the national economy is worsening, many belts are also tightening, so it seems people really need some reason to buy now rather than later.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Today, Governor Mitch Daniels is expected to sign a property tax reform bill, which will provide tax relief and supposedly permanently guard against future property tax increases. At the same time, he is offsetting these lost revenues to the State with an increase in sales taxes from 6% to 7% as of April 1st. No, that's not an April Fools Day joke.
As you'll recall, it wasn't so long ago that we saw a one percent increase from 5% to 6%. In fact, that change became effective on December 1, 2002. (Personally, I found the date of this last change as an interesting attempt to collect higher revenue during the 2002 Christmas season, while also coming about a month AFTER the November elections of that year, but I digress.)
To see how we stack up to other states (at least as of January 1, 2007), The Federation of Tax Administrators, a non-profit corporation, provides the following sales tax comparison chart http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/sales.h...
On the plus-side of these tax changes, elderly Hoosiers should benefit from lower property taxes on their homes, while they won't see higher sales taxes on necessities, such as food and prescription medicine, as both are exempt from Indiana's sales tax. I refuse to say it will benefit the often-quoted "those on a fixed income" because I believe EVERYONE is on a fixed income, but you know what I mean nonetheless.
Some also argue that an increase in sales tax is a more "fair" way to tax since it taxes consumption, as opposed to property tax increases where assessments are often outdated, incorrect, and/or very difficult to gauge the "fairness" from one to another. Some even argue that property taxes are socially counter-productive and lead to less pride in the community since taxes go up as a person takes better care, maintains, and improves a property.
The bill has passed rather quickly, so it's gone from "just talk" to actual law in a short amount of time. Many Hoosiers have been in disbelief all along the short path, too, thinking it would never happen. Well, it is, but I wonder if the haste of this bill's enactment has been actually counter-productive -- at least in the short-term. Many businesses could have had "beat the tax" sales to clear out slow-moving inventory, but they didn't get much of a chance to do so.
If the bill was passed with a later effective date, this could have bolstered sales within Indiana, even though it may have been short-lived. As the national economy is worsening, many belts are also tightening, so it seems people really need some reason to buy now rather than later.
***
This blog post by Chris Wathen was also published in his Linton, Indiana based Greene County Daily World blog entitled, “Riddle Me This”.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Another Check is in the Mail!
Over 130 million U.S. taxpayers are expected to receive economic stimulus checks beginning in May 2008. The government's plan is by getting money into the hands of Americans, who will hopefully spend it immediately, that it will reinvigorate the slumping U.S. economy. To qualify, though, taxpayers must file a 2007 tax return in order to be eligible, but after filing this return, the IRS will do the rest.
As part of a broader-based stimulus package, these checks will provide tax relief of UP TO $600 per individual and $1,200 per married couple, plus an additional $300 per child. At the minimum, a taxpayer must have at least $3,000 of "qualifying income" to receive the $300 (single) or $600 (married, filing jointly). Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans' benefits, and earned income. Earned income is income from self-employment, as well as wages, salaries, commissions, and tips earned as an employee.
In general, taxpayers with Federal income tax liability over $300 will receive the lesser of (1.) their tax liability or (2.) $600 for single persons or $1,200 for married couples filing jointly. There are a few limitations and restrictions to be aware of, as single persons with incomes of more than $75,000 and married couples with incomes of more than $150,000 will get only partial rebates.
As always, officials warn all Americans to watch for scams. The IRS will NOT be contacting taxpayers by telephone or e-mail about these tax rebates; however, you may see a letter from the IRS in the mail very soon that will explain simply how to qualify. (It is legitimate, but simply explains how to qualify and does not ask for account numbers, social security numbers, or other personal information.)
Most often, scams focus on trying to attain your checking or savings account numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other security information, such as PIN numbers or passwords. Don't fall victim to these scams!
If you have questions, you should contact your tax preparer because they best know your personal situation. Given this is an extremely busy time of year for them, however, you may want to wait until after the April 15th tax filing deadline to call their office. The first checks won't be mailed until May, so there's plenty of time.
As part of a broader-based stimulus package, these checks will provide tax relief of UP TO $600 per individual and $1,200 per married couple, plus an additional $300 per child. At the minimum, a taxpayer must have at least $3,000 of "qualifying income" to receive the $300 (single) or $600 (married, filing jointly). Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans' benefits, and earned income. Earned income is income from self-employment, as well as wages, salaries, commissions, and tips earned as an employee.
In general, taxpayers with Federal income tax liability over $300 will receive the lesser of (1.) their tax liability or (2.) $600 for single persons or $1,200 for married couples filing jointly. There are a few limitations and restrictions to be aware of, as single persons with incomes of more than $75,000 and married couples with incomes of more than $150,000 will get only partial rebates.
As always, officials warn all Americans to watch for scams. The IRS will NOT be contacting taxpayers by telephone or e-mail about these tax rebates; however, you may see a letter from the IRS in the mail very soon that will explain simply how to qualify. (It is legitimate, but simply explains how to qualify and does not ask for account numbers, social security numbers, or other personal information.)
Most often, scams focus on trying to attain your checking or savings account numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other security information, such as PIN numbers or passwords. Don't fall victim to these scams!
If you have questions, you should contact your tax preparer because they best know your personal situation. Given this is an extremely busy time of year for them, however, you may want to wait until after the April 15th tax filing deadline to call their office. The first checks won't be mailed until May, so there's plenty of time.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Day I Lost My Appetite - No Really!
For a long time, I've read restaurant inspection reports in the Terre Haute and Bloomington newspapers on eateries in those cities. I've also been told that restaurants in St. Louis must display a small sign at the front of their establishment, showing a letter grade (A, B, C…) assigned from the local health inspector. So, the other day -- well -- curiosity killed the cat. I was curious to see what was going on in Greene County -- and more specifically those food places in Linton -- so I went to find out at the county's health department.
I must admit, this endeavor just started out as a personal curiosity, but with what was found, I felt it made for a good blog post too. In fact, I think it would be irresponsible not to do a post with what was found… or not found.
It seems that requesting these public records is somewhat of a novelty, as I was told I was one of the first the office staff can remember coming into their office to take a peak. Since I had to tell them which restaurants I wanted to see by name, I jotted down a list of 23 places where I knew they served prepared food in Linton. (After all of that brainstorming, I now realize that I forgot at least three places, ones that I have eaten in only a time or two over the past several years, so they just didn't come to mind. Oh well!)
In any event, I was pretty surprised at the lack of information in the 23 files pulled that day. Most had the past five years or so of annual permit applications in the files, where they must submit a written form, a small fee, and a copy of their completion certificate of the standard food safety training. Aside from that, I found few actual health inspection reports. Those that were found were fairly dated, as you'll see below. Only 3 of the 23 establishments had been inspected in 2007, and none were found with a 2008 date.
(To be fair, the new County Sanitarian has been in her position only a few months. According to the Daily World article a few months ago, she started in her position in about November of last year. All together, she said in a letter to me that Greene County has 128 food permits issued currently. There is also a lot to do in her position, not only with health inspections, but septic tank permits and those inspections, among others. She also said they are working on placing the health inspection reports online in the future, so that will be good.)
Listed below are the 23 establishments I inspected the records for, and I've listed all of the inspection reports found in file, if critical violations were found and how many, number of customer complaints in file, and follow up date(s) if they were documented. I didn't bother with non-critical violations, but only listed the number of critical violations found. Critical violations that I saw included: numerous flies and cockroaches found, sanitizer concentration not adequate for dishes, unmarked chemicals found, heavy-duty degreaser stored next to open box of bacon bits, used ashtray found on food prep table, etc.
To protect the innocent, as they say, I've simply labeled the food establishments by number, not by name. If you want to know all of the specifics, go over to the health department and inspect the records because they are public records, which are open to inspection from the general public upon request during normal business hours. You will have to fill out a form and pay 50 cents per copy if you choose to copy anything in the files though. Also, they don't like visitors at noon when they're taking lunch themselves.
Keep in mind that some inspections are so old that completely new crews may be employed by now, and an in at least one instance, I know there's been a change in ownership.
Establishment 1: Last inspected 04/01/07 - No critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 2: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 3: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 4: Last inspected 08/28/06 - 1 critical violation; No complaints in file.
Establishment 5: Last inspected 10/07/04 - 4 critical violations; 2 complaints in file dated 10/02/03 & 09/29/04.
Establishment 6: Last inspected 02/28/06 - No critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 7: Inspected 04/08/04 - 1 critical violation; Last inspected 02/08/06 - 1 critical violation. No complaints in file.
Establishment 8: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 9: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 10: Last inspected 09/15/05 - 8 critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 08/11/05.
Establishment 11: Inspected 07/14/05 - No critical violations; Last inspected 05/16/07 - 3 critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 01/12/06.
Establishment 12: Last inspected 08/03/04 - 5 critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 13: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 14: Last inspected 04/10/07 - No critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 15: Last inspected 03/25/04 - No critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 08/05/00 -- Followed up on 08/10/00.
Establishment 16: Inspected 02/01/05 - 8 critical violations; Last inspected 06/27/06 - 2 critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 17: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 18: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 19: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 20: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 21: Inspected 12/02/02 - 1 critical violation; Last inspected 09/15/04 - No critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 09/13/04.
Establishment 22: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 23: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
After all of this work, I actually didn't eat lunch the day that I went to the Health Department to view these records. While I was somewhat hungry going in the office, I lost my appetite by the time I left. How's that for a weight loss strategy? Don't worry, I'll survive.
I must admit, this endeavor just started out as a personal curiosity, but with what was found, I felt it made for a good blog post too. In fact, I think it would be irresponsible not to do a post with what was found… or not found.
It seems that requesting these public records is somewhat of a novelty, as I was told I was one of the first the office staff can remember coming into their office to take a peak. Since I had to tell them which restaurants I wanted to see by name, I jotted down a list of 23 places where I knew they served prepared food in Linton. (After all of that brainstorming, I now realize that I forgot at least three places, ones that I have eaten in only a time or two over the past several years, so they just didn't come to mind. Oh well!)
In any event, I was pretty surprised at the lack of information in the 23 files pulled that day. Most had the past five years or so of annual permit applications in the files, where they must submit a written form, a small fee, and a copy of their completion certificate of the standard food safety training. Aside from that, I found few actual health inspection reports. Those that were found were fairly dated, as you'll see below. Only 3 of the 23 establishments had been inspected in 2007, and none were found with a 2008 date.
(To be fair, the new County Sanitarian has been in her position only a few months. According to the Daily World article a few months ago, she started in her position in about November of last year. All together, she said in a letter to me that Greene County has 128 food permits issued currently. There is also a lot to do in her position, not only with health inspections, but septic tank permits and those inspections, among others. She also said they are working on placing the health inspection reports online in the future, so that will be good.)
Listed below are the 23 establishments I inspected the records for, and I've listed all of the inspection reports found in file, if critical violations were found and how many, number of customer complaints in file, and follow up date(s) if they were documented. I didn't bother with non-critical violations, but only listed the number of critical violations found. Critical violations that I saw included: numerous flies and cockroaches found, sanitizer concentration not adequate for dishes, unmarked chemicals found, heavy-duty degreaser stored next to open box of bacon bits, used ashtray found on food prep table, etc.
To protect the innocent, as they say, I've simply labeled the food establishments by number, not by name. If you want to know all of the specifics, go over to the health department and inspect the records because they are public records, which are open to inspection from the general public upon request during normal business hours. You will have to fill out a form and pay 50 cents per copy if you choose to copy anything in the files though. Also, they don't like visitors at noon when they're taking lunch themselves.
Keep in mind that some inspections are so old that completely new crews may be employed by now, and an in at least one instance, I know there's been a change in ownership.
Establishment 1: Last inspected 04/01/07 - No critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 2: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 3: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 4: Last inspected 08/28/06 - 1 critical violation; No complaints in file.
Establishment 5: Last inspected 10/07/04 - 4 critical violations; 2 complaints in file dated 10/02/03 & 09/29/04.
Establishment 6: Last inspected 02/28/06 - No critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 7: Inspected 04/08/04 - 1 critical violation; Last inspected 02/08/06 - 1 critical violation. No complaints in file.
Establishment 8: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 9: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 10: Last inspected 09/15/05 - 8 critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 08/11/05.
Establishment 11: Inspected 07/14/05 - No critical violations; Last inspected 05/16/07 - 3 critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 01/12/06.
Establishment 12: Last inspected 08/03/04 - 5 critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 13: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 14: Last inspected 04/10/07 - No critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 15: Last inspected 03/25/04 - No critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 08/05/00 -- Followed up on 08/10/00.
Establishment 16: Inspected 02/01/05 - 8 critical violations; Last inspected 06/27/06 - 2 critical violations; No complaints in file.
Establishment 17: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 18: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 19: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 20: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 21: Inspected 12/02/02 - 1 critical violation; Last inspected 09/15/04 - No critical violations; 1 complaint in file dated 09/13/04.
Establishment 22: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
Establishment 23: No inspection reports found; No complaints in file.
After all of this work, I actually didn't eat lunch the day that I went to the Health Department to view these records. While I was somewhat hungry going in the office, I lost my appetite by the time I left. How's that for a weight loss strategy? Don't worry, I'll survive.
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