OPINION: Put The Brakes On The Paddle Wheel

Letter from Mary Lewis, a Greendale resident Adornments representing a paddle wheel on the I-275 exit overpass in Greendale are an idea suggested by county leaders to make the exit a gateway to southeast Indiana. Concept by Context Design. Dear editor and Dearborn County community, The recent discussions and news articles regarding the possibility of a paddle wheel over a bridge which welcomes those driving into Southeast Indiana really have me uneasy. Our local officials, councils, and committees need to take a step back and think. Considering the scrutiny that the City of Lawrenceburg and other nearby cities have recently been under, it is time that we as a community become more self-aware of how the decisions we make now will affect our future. I know that those in power now may not be the same who were associated with some of the previous “issues”, but it seems that some of them have chosen to carry on this blemished legacy. RELATED: Could I-275/US 50 Gateway Improve Pride, Perceptions Of Southeast Indiana? As a resident of Greendale, I read news stories everyday about what is going on in our city. Every time I get ready to pick up a newspaper or read stories online, I try to prepare myself to be dumbfounded, as well as irritated. I have found that it is rare to not run across a story about our area that is upsetting. Sometimes I have to put these articles down and count to 10, to stop the blood in my body from boiling too much. So, let’s address this extremely costly proposed Paddle Wheel project. Is this the most effective way to brand our region, draw in visitors, and retain residents? Absolutely not. As per the letter written by Mr. Eric Kranz, the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, which expressed his opinion of how important he feels the Paddle Wheel is, I am responding with ideas. Mr. Kranz suggested that many are complaining about our region’s current events, but not providing alternate ideas. Well, here are a few of mine, along with some other points. We need to come up with some drug programs that are PROACTIVE and not just REACTIVE. The drug problem in our county is getting ridiculously out of hand. If we choose to invest such a large amount of money into building a paddle wheel on a bridge, rather than the drug problem, we might as well also hang a banner that says, “Welcome to Heroin County” instead of “Welcome to Southeast Indiana”. While I was glad to see that Lawrenceburg Mayor Kelly Mollaun recently enacted a program which sends counselors to intervene within a few days of an individual’s overdose, I was also totally stunned that this wasn’t already a policy. (This is also a reactive measure, rather than proactive.) We MUST approach the drug epidemic not only proactively, but also with some serious vigor and passion. How do we do this? We should be coming up with some research-based and innovative educational programs, on how to prevent heroin and other drug abuse. With the money saved from ditching the Paddle Wheel project, we could come up with an intense educational program, customized for various audiences. We need to provide such a vigorous program, that our children, both young and old, understand that drugs simply are not an answer. It must become second nature to these kids to turn down drugs and find other ways to cope. Unfortunately, part of the program would have to be tailored to kids who are already living with addicts or who are exposed regularly to them. This is sad, but is a reality. We also must come up with research-based methods to address helping those who already have drug problems. This issue must be pursued with serious vigor and passion as well. The entire program would need to be extended to as many places as possible. This would include just about any place you can think of. Ivy Tech students, CMHC, the library, council meetings, employers (who are willing to allow the program to be introduced to employees), and so on. The program could also provide training for volunteers who would facilitate small group meetings and trainings within their area. Put up signs. Mail out flyers. Create a website for research-based prevention strategies. Create an anonymous call center help line or at least providing the information of those already existing. We must do whatever it takes. Offer to extend introduce the program to communities. This would be an act of goodwill and selflessness. Want something to hang over a bridge that represents us? How about local art by both adults and kids. Have the community design and paint a mural to put up that represents our area. Not only does this show community pride, but it is also a project that will that teach community service and will bring people of all ages together. If you think the mural is a silly idea, that is fine. I have about 100 more ideas that are more cost-effective and that make more sense than the Paddle Wheel plan, and I’m guessing many others do too. Want a few other ideas of what to do with that money? Here are a few Invest the money in teachers, especially as Indiana is about to face a 33% teacher shortage. Yes, 33%! Again, be proactive. Get more teachers, or at least get teachers more help if needed. Give every teacher a classroom aide option. Start a program that links students with employers and politicians. Provide shadowing opportunities. Make it a requirement for the students if need be. Help provide more for Pre-school programs. Research is continuously coming out that show Pre-K and Kindergarten aged children are at a crucial point in brain development. This small window of time provides the perfect opportunity to instill certain values. Unsure about this? Google the Reggio Emilia approach and read away. Provide assistance to help cut down child-care costs in our area. Not just for low-income families, but for all. Give the very hard-working teachers in child-care and Pre-K programs a raise and provide more resources. I think people might be stunned to find out how little these people actually earn (as well as teachers in grades K-12). Provide assistance for families to help subsidize child-care costs - and I don’t mean just low-income families. I mean everyone. Provide more educational classes for adults, from ages 18 on up. Gear these programs towards the interests of various age groups. Come up with programs to take to retirement and nursing homes. Start a model for an educational program in the areas of online safety, cyberbullying, and coping mechanisms to deal with these. This is a whole new world that our kids are growing up in. And with a whole new world, comes a whole new set of issues that kids and parents have to cope with. This program should also instant gratification vs. delayed gratification; for delayed gratification is a concept that many in our fast-paced society have forgotten is important. Actually build bathrooms at the Lawrenceburg/Greendale soccer fields. As minor as this may seem, it is really a sad commentary on what some leaders find most important. There are 2 portable bathrooms at the field(s)… and nothing else. When teams from other places come to play, they must be stunned that one of the (formerly) richest areas in Indiana do not even care enough to build bathrooms for their children’s activities. I could go on all day providing you with other ideas that make more sense for us than the Paddle Wheel project. As for the theory that branding our county with a Paddle Wheel will draw people into our community and retain those who grew up here… I don’t think so. Who is going to want to raise their kids in a county with a government that appears corrupt (be it true or not), isn’t investing in its children enough, and/or in a county with a major drug problem? Let’s lead by example. Our leaders should be showing the community, especially children, what it means to be selfless, ethical, and self-aware. Let’s not keep dumping money into projects that in the long run, do not help our community. Big shiny things are not what a community should be about. For those who agree with me, have no fear of repercussions and small town politics. I have stayed silent long enough for these reasons, but I cannot watch the place I grew up in continue on this path. The more citizens and business owners that speak up, the less our voices can be drowned out. Please join me in letting your voice be heard. Enough is enough. Sincerely, Mary Lewis A Very Concerned Greendale Resident