Hershman Most Carroll County citizens now understand decisions about state allocations to the county with which to fund services is decided in Indianapolis by their representatives, through legislation.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would like a large number of the recommendations in the Kernan-Shepard Report released a year ago be written into bills and adopted in the 2009 legislative session. Township trustees and advisory boards are interested in which recommendations are adopted and which are not. Whatever recommendations are adopted could significantly affect how county government is managed in the future.

Other examples include property tax reform, school funding and the continued objection to sewer districts in Carroll County and across the state.

Elected officials want and need input from citizens in order to make more informed voting decisions. The White County Kiwanis Club Community Services Committee will provide such an opportunity, called "Third House," to Carroll and White counties residents Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the Brandywine Inn and Suites, 728 S. Sixth St., Monticello.

McClain Third House provides local citizens with an open venue to learn about legislation being considered during this legislative session. Participants Sen. Brandt Hershman and Rep. Rich McClain, along with representatives Don Lehe and Doug Gutwein, will provide an overview of the legislative session. Audience members will be given the opportunity to ask questions about issues.

Third House will meet every month on a Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the same location until the end of the legislative session. Dates for further meetings are Feb. 21, March 21 and April 18. The public is encouraged to attend. Committee chair Mary Walters can be reached for further information at (574) 583-5518.