For Anderson #1 4/23/2010

 What passes for my hometown, Anderson, has been on my mind. Before I shuffle off this mortal coil, I want to pass along a few ideas.

Commuter rail cannot remain the interest of the county only, the City has to take an interest. Where else do more people live in Madison County?

Those people need jobs. Do they move to Indianapolis or Fishers? Do we really need to lose more people? Do we need to lose people with incomes? Could we not induce people to move north with a reliable commuter rail link?

Notice that horse track/casino on the southeast side of the city? How would it be if our gambler came down from Fort Wayne or up from Indianapolis by train instead of car? Could they drink more? Stay later? Send more? Get the place out of bankruptcy?

Many years ago, Trace magazine published a list of interurban lines in Indiana. Go find that map. For what we are talking about is the return of the interurban. My father told me of being put on the train so that he could travel from Anderson to his Indianapolis relatives. My mother's sister studied on the interurban as she rode it to Ball State.

It is past time to get the thumb out of Anderson's collective backside. You got talent, but lack the leadership for providing organization to that talent.

sch