Great article this past week from Rick Yencer with the Muncie Free Press regarding the “deconstruction” at the University Village. Actually, he properly gave credit to Sarah Flores, a BSU student for coining the term. However, deconstruction is a philosophical theory of criticism that seeks to expose deep-seated contradictions in a work by delving below […]
Most of the time, monied interests manage to get their way without little opposition from Joe Q. Public, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. Instead of recreating the scenario and giving you snippets of the November City Council meeting, we think the entire letter read by Stephen Kendall from the Kenmore Neighborhood […]
On the general election ballot for citizens of Delaware County, we will be asked the following question: “SHALL DELAWARE COUNTY, INDIANA AND CITY OF MUNCIE, INDIANA, REORGANIZE AS A SINGLE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION?” Are you prepared to answer that question, honestly? We’re guessing that 95% of voters have not read the recommendations made by the bi-partisan […]
We live during interesting times…everyone wants transparency yet investigative journalism is dying because the money isn’t there to support it. Maybe the money isn’t there because investigative journalism is missing. In Muncie, Indiana we have government activists who insist on good government, and they they take matters into their own hands. However, they only hold […]
DATA PROVES BENEFIT FOR DELAWARE COUNTY Indoor Air Pollution Drops 86 Percent Following Implementation of Delaware County Ordinance MUNCIE, Ind. – A new study indicates that workers are breathing easier, as bars have dramatically lower levels of indoor air pollution now than before Delaware County’s comprehensive smoke free air ordinance was adopted. In Delaware County, the […]
As a political scientist and entrepreneurship professor interested in economic development in this region, I speak with a lot of local and state politicians of both parties. It may surprise you in this polarized environment that I hear a solid consensus among Democratic and Republican politicians alike when it comes to public spending. Most politicians […]
According to our favorite source, Wikipedia, the two largest employers in Muncie are IU Clarian/BMH Hospital and Ball State University. Due to the end of the industrial age, and the massive departure of our manufacturing base, our community is now concentrated in two industries: healthcare and education. Both industries have been fortunate to see solid […]
Faced with budget gaps, and the need for investment in our community, public sector leadership in Muncie should be looking to PILOT fees from religious institutions, universities, medical centers, fitness facilities, and other tax-exempt nonprofits for help with community investment. Payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) are voluntary payments that tax-exempt nonprofits make to local […]
During an awkward post-election moment, the executive editor of The StarPress, Lisa Nellessen-Lara, got into an online argument with several local citizens about the “lack of class” displayed at democrat headquarters for chanting a song about the outgoing mayor. Her comment on Facebook was, “Dem headquarters break out in “Ding, dong, the wicked witch is […]
Fall is for football, so we have a metaphor for you! What does a “political football” look like, and how much does one cost? Based on the latest reports from City Hall, a “political football” looks like a Mayor Sharon McShurley proposed bonus check to all city employees days before her reelection bid against Dennis […]