All about communication
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Bradshaw

The purpose of gathering together the local area's three representatives and a room filled with citizens Monday night was a simple one. It was to promote communication between those who were elected to represent and those who elected them to be represented.

And according to Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors' President Dick Bradshaw, that goal was met when the large conference room in the Wabash & Erie Canal Center in Delphi was filled with locals listening to and asking questions of the elected officials.

There were no fireworks. There was little controversy. But what existed was an opportunity for community members to come face-to-face with State Representative Rich Mc- Clain, State Senator Brandt Hershman and U.S. Congressman Joe Donnelly under the same roof at the same time.

"It's about communication between elected officials and citizens," Bradshaw said. "It's nice to be able to talk to them. When they are elected, you hope that Washington and Indianapolis won't change those people."

The three representatives were more than willing to participate in the casual give-and-take session. Chamber director

Booker

Sana Booker discovered how easy it was to arrange the gathering.

"These are very accessible legislators," Booker said. "They all three were happy to come and talk."

The trio spoke and answered questions about a variety of subjects, including property tax issues, illegal immigration, privatizing local government, children's health issues, special interest earmarks and alternative fuels.

"I make decisions based on what's best for our country and what's best for back home," Donnelly told the crowd. "I want to be an engine for economic development for you."

"I'm excited to see this type of turnout in Carroll County," Hershman said.

Hershman called the current property tax situation an "outmoded taxing system that does not reflect the ability to pay." He said government is "trying to modernize a system that time has passed by." He stated a local option income tax would be "more reflective of ability to pay."

McClain said he thought the school general fund "should be taken off property tax."

"One of the functions the chamber should perform is to bring the people and their representatives together to facilitate communication," Bradshaw concluded. "We need believers who want to make this county go forward. We want things to happen in our county."

Booker said, "The challenge before us is to keep watching Carroll County grow."