Policy Points
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| Up on two wheels and under controlThe boss rode his bike to the office again this week. (That’s Kyle, for you … do-gooder.) We did some research and found he wasn’t engaged in some silent protest against his Indiana-made automobile. It was National Bike to Work Week.
You’re going to see more and more bike riders out now that the weather’s nice. You’ll see plenty on Saturday if you take in the annual ADEC Ride-A-Bike. (Pledge forms still available!)
Our area has a great network of bike routes and trails – a significant selling point when we promote Elkhart as a livable community.
Unlike Kyle, though, some of us prefer to stay on four wheels – we have to pledge to share the road, and bike riders have to do their part, too. It’s also a great chance to use this as a teaching moment for the kids in your life.
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Distraction from the key issuesWashington did little to counteract the perception this week that it is spinning out of control. IRS scandal. Benghazi cover-up – true or false. Associated Press stalking.
About two weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski stopped by the Chamber to say she felt strongly good things could happen this year. We hope her opinion remains the same today.
We’re particularly interested in immigration reform, and our newly minted policy on the issue could be ready this afternoon. We need the federal government to resolve this issue by acting now. We’ve waited long enough. Employers need tools to make sure they are hiring legal workers. We must straighten out the work visa situation to maintain our global competitiveness.
Certainly, the allegations of scandal are worthy of investigation. But we can’t afford for our elected leaders to be bogged down by politics and forgo all work on critical legislation.
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The task force starts its workMayor Dick Moore’s task force to consider solutions on the Elkhart Compact sewer fees met for the first time this week. A point was raised about whether the meeting should have been open for the public to observe and record. If you’ve never waded into Indiana’s Open Door Law, it’s pretty fascinating and gives you some better direction on what you can expect from your public officials.
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Time to shred some documents and clean up the jointCompletely unrelated from the item above, Clean Your Files Day is Wednesday. You can bring up to 10 boxes for free shredding at Civic Plaza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We sponsor this great event along with City Hall and Integra.
After you get your personal space cleared, come do something for the community. On Saturday, May 25, Operation Clean Sweep will happen in downtown Elkhart and the surrounding neighborhoods. This joint effort by the Chamber and city government helps spruce up the place before a summer filled with fun and family-oriented events. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Bridget at (574) 293-1531, ext. 139, or send her an email.
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Stopping for a nice, cold lawsuit after workThe legislators are home for the year, but that doesn’t mean state issues have been shelved for eight months. Once again, the General Assembly deflected attempts to change the most impactful liquor laws in Indiana – where and when you can buy a carton of beer. Now, the courts will have their say. Convenience store owners have joined forces to challenge the constitutionality of prohibiting mini-marts and gas stations from selling cold ones. The attorney general is up for the fight.
This news broke on the same day the transportation safety folks of the federal government proposed dropping the legal limit to 0.05 percent. If not (thankfully) for the open container law, you’d have some great irony there.
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And ... in other newsSeen any dinosaurs in Elkhart County lately? The Tribune’s Ed Semmler has, and he reports they’re looking good.
Can John McCain fix cable TV? Nope, because he’d only subscribe to C-SPAN and the Military Channel.
Curious about the salaries of public officials? Indiana Gateway has all the numbers you need for schools and local governments in its searchable database.
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Upcoming Chamber eventsFor more information or to register, visit our website.
May 21, Biz-Ness After Hours: South Bend Silver Hawks, 5 to 7 p.m., Coveleski Stadium, 501 W. South St., South Bend.
May 22, YEA! Graduation, 6 to 7 p.m., Elkhart Area Career Center, 2424 California Road, Elkhart. Everyone is welcome to attend.
May 23, YP Luncheon: Not-For-Profit Fair, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Cost: Members $15; non-members $25.
May 25, Operation Clean Sweep, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., downtown Elkhart and surrounding areas. Call Bridget at (574) 293-1531 to register as a volunteer.
May 30, FUNWorking! sponsored by Spearhead Sales and Marketing. 7:30 to 10 a.m., Ivy Tech Community Center, 22531 C.R. 18, Goshen. Cost: Members $25; non-members $35.
May 30, SOLD-OUT: White Sox vs. Cubs at Wrigley Field, sponsored by First State Bank. Bus departs from Chamber at 9 a.m.
June 6, Biz-Ness Before Hours: Greenleaf Health Campus, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., 1201 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart.
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