Archive for October 6th, 2008

About 130 people gathered yesterday in Bloomington for the 2008 Life Chain, sponsored by Christian Citizens for Life. This is the first Life Chain in several years in Bloomington, and it stretched for over a half mile along busy East Third Street. The Life Chain is part of a combined effort of several Christian churches in Bloomington to combat the killing of unborn children. Over the past year, CCFL has sponsored the Rally for Life on the courthouse square, an entry into the Fourth of July parade, and a booth at the Monroe County Fair. CCFL was also active in opposing the City of Bloomington’s annual handout to Planned Parenthood.

(Read more after the leap) (more…)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008 at 6:30 PM

ELEVENTH ANNUAL

BANQUET FOR LIFE

Hosted by

Indiana Senate President
Pro Tempore
David C. Long

and

Allen County Right to Life
Three Rivers Educational Trust Fund

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
INDIANA 6TH DISTRICT - U. S. REPRESENTATIVE
MIKE PENCE

AND SPECIAL GUEST
MARJORIE DANNENFELSER

President and Chairman of the Board of the Susan B. Anthony List dedicated to advancing, mobilizing and representing pro-life women in the political process

Cost: $300 per table of 10 or $30 per ticket

Please RSVP by returning enclosed card by September 30th

www.ichooselife.org

In The State of Indiana there are 92 counties. Those counties have multiple townships, from 6 to 12, and each and every township has a little government of it’s own. Some have suggested that this is a great thing because these little township governments are closer to the people, for the delivery of poor relief and fire protection often associated with township level government.

Ok, we’ll allow that’s possible. But we’ve also seen that these little townships need some accountability on budgets, and having the county council review their budgets is a step in the right direction.

One additional thing though that has fallen to the townships is the assessment of property values for taxation. Now, let me say it here first, eliminating all property taxation in favor of sales taxes would be the most preferable. But, while we have any property taxation there is a need to place values on these properties for taxes. This has fallen to a township assessor, and therein problems ensued.

Each assessor, although supposed to assess according to state law, was able to subjectively apply some different standards. This became a major mess, with the Supreme Court eventually setting aside the whole process and demanding a “market” based valuation model be implemented.

Ok, onward to Referendum #1 on the ballot this election. While HEA 1001 in early 2008 eliminated most township assessors, it stopped short of total reform by keeping the larger township assessors. This referendum eliminates these last assessors, and puts all the responsibility on the county elected assessor. One stop assessing, one person with the responsibilty to follow the law to the letter.

Here in NW Indiana, the Lake County assessor is against the referendum, and the Porter County assessor is for it.

For more information: Stop Governing Like This

The deadline to register to vote in the November general is noon today.  If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for?!

Register here.