A Howard County commissioner’s point-of-view
To the editor:
In the fall of 2006, I was the first Democrat elected as a Howard County Commissioner in decades. I do not say that with arrogance. I say that because I think the people of my county wanted a change. It was not just the Democrats that elected me, but also the Republicans.
I recently read with interest an article about Commissioner Jane Harper being censured by her party. I'm not here to pass any judgement on those involved in that process, frankly because I'm not familiar with those involved. I did want to comment on what I do know about Commissioner Harper.
I have had a number of contacts with Mrs. Harper regarding the former Getrag Building at U.S. 31 and Ind. 28. I know that she has shown a genuine concern for both the residents of Tipton and Howard county, along with those contractors who have a financial interest in the building. I know that she has worked hard in attempting to get a tenant for the building. There are those who act as if the building is the plague. Instead of having the attitude of turning lemons into lemonade, they pretend like it never happened and do nothing. She, however, has worked aggressively in trying to find a positive outcome.
I followed the story in January 2009, when the new commissioners first took office and did a "Donald Trump" and fired the group responsible for the economic development charge in Tipton County. I'm sure that upset a lot of people, mostly those in the group that your tax money has been paying their salary year after year. You see, we have the same problems in Howard County. The same people who for years led those same charges in my county with the same results. Nothing, no jobs, other than their own, that had always been safe. I was in a meeting a few months after that event occurred with several of the regional Economic Development Directors. They had discussed the move the Tipton County Commissioners had done. As you might guess it was an unpopular move with them also. I commented in the meeting that it was the right thing to do and in fact said that some of the ones in attendance would probably follow suit with what had occurred in Tipton. These quasi-government appointed groups need to begin showing results. Real results with real job growth. Year after year, they come to the elected officials that have to show every four years that they are worthy to get re-elected. These quasi groups think all they have to do is show up to a meeting with their hands out, and we just write them a check. They expect it with regardless of the results.
I will end by saying that when someone new is elected, with new ideas, new vision and a new direction, someone in going to get their ego busted, feelings hurt or whatever. There are those who are "public servants" and those who are "self servants". Everything I know about Commissioner Jane Harper is that she is a very devoted public servant.
David A. Trine
Howard County Commissioner

Clearing it up
To the editor:
In response to the Letter to the Editor, “Thank You Mr. Leffler,” this is to clarify:
The people who took the time to really READ my letter know I said, "Here are the central committee members"; and then below I said, "These ones have said they were definitely NOT there." I never said the ones in the top list were present. Just like always, things get twisted because people don't pay attention.
But I was wrong about my figures. Since Friday, I've found that five more weren't there, so that makes 17 out of 33 weren't even at the witch hunt.
I listed every name found on the public record I got from the county clerk, so how does Mr. Mason know "someone was present but not mentioned" if he is not on the committee?
Yes, we're all entitled to our opinion and Mr. Mason's letters prove he is against Commissioner Harper and mine prove I am for her. So we can cancel out each other's vote.
Mr. Mason says, “Brave men and women?” The ones present at that secret meeting are yellow bellies. They weren’t brave enough to face her.
I have tried to talk to her accusers. They won't talk, but at least I tried. Has Mr. Mason ever tried to talk to Commissioner Harper about his concerns or is he only brave enough to attack her on paper like the rest of them?
We, as citizens, will not allow the “lunatic fringe” -2%-or "mob rule" to govern our community. This country is tired of a “small group” trying to rule us. So Mr. Tom Mason should save his remarks, as inaccurate as they are, for his small group of radicals.
Jim Leffler
Tipton