Articles
Governor Daniels' Weekly Update: 6/18/08
Weekly Wrap-up
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
Volume 2, Issue 85
June 2 - 15, 2008
Governor assesses damage, meets flood victims and relief workers
Governor Daniels spent much of last week and this week touring flood-damaged areas in southern and central Indiana. After cancelling his scheduled trip to Japan, Daniels traveled to some of the hardest hit areas of the state to assess damage, speak with victims and check on local and state relief efforts.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Along with Indiana National Guard Adjutant General R. Martin Umbarger and Department of Natural Resources Director Rob Carter, Governor Daniels traveled to the southwestern part of the state to survey flooded areas and assess damage.
He began the day in Worthington with Worthington Town Council President Hal Harp. He continued with an aerial assessment of the levees near Elnora and Plainville and flooded areas around Freelandville.
Daniels met with local emergency management officials at North Knox High School in Bicknell to learn about the current situation. The governor then traveled to Edwardsport to visit employees at the Duke Energy employees working to protect the plant from flooding. He also met with Edwardsport residents in a nearby neighborhood that suffered severe flood damage.
The governor stopped at a National Guard staging area at Vincennes Lincoln High School, and later helped National Guardsmen fill sandbags at the Vincennes Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) district facility.
Daniels' final stop on Tuesday was to Hazleton, where he joined Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Ellis for an inspection of the levee.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Governor Daniels and Indiana State Fire Marshall Jim Greeson spent last Wednesday touring areas of south central Indiana to assess storm and flood damage and to monitor local and state relief efforts.
The governor started his day in Moscow where he visited the site of a 122-year-old covered bridge that was destroyed the previous week by a tornado. He continued with an aerial assessment of flooded areas in Bartholomew County before stopping to inspect a dam at Schaefer Lake in Hope.
Daniels later visited with local officials and relief volunteers near the Parkside Apartment complex in Franklin, which was severely damaged by flooding. He concluded his day in Owen County, where he assessed residential and road damage in Spencer alongside local emergency management officials.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Governor Daniels spent Thursday surveying agricultural areas across central and southern Indiana with state Department of Agriculture Director Andy Miller. He assessed flood damage and checked up with local recovery efforts.
The day began in Columbus at Premier Ag Cooperative where local farmers met to discuss the extent of agricultural damage in the area. He then performed an aerial assessment of areas near Edinburgh, and stopped at the farm of Jim and Anne Lankford in Martinsville.
Daniels' next stop was the farm of Scott Lottes near Loogootee, where he discussed recovery efforts with local farmers and state and federal agriculture officials.
The governor's day ended in Elnora, where he met with local emergency management officials and the Indiana National Guard Brigadier General David Harris to get an update on the current situation of the Bennington Levee.
Friday, June 13, 2008
The governor began early Friday afternoon at a lunch with firefighters and other first responders who have been assisting with severe weather and flooding issues in Jasonville.
Afterwards, he headed to Terre Haute to check in on the state assistance center, which offers one-stop service to flood victims seeking individual assistance in approved counties.
Daniels later met Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator R. David Paulison at the one-stop disaster assistance center in Martinsville. There, Paulison informed the governor of additional counties that had been approved for federal assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses. Paulison has been traveling to flood-ravaged Midwestern states to assess damage and assist in relief efforts.
Website offers assistance information
June 16, 2008- Hoosiers looking for more information about disaster assistance and flood-relief efforts can visit emergency.in.gov for the latest information on severe weather recovery efforts. Flood victims can find links to the FEMA application process as well as locations of disaster assistance centers and local contact information. Hoosiers looking to volunteer their time or make donations can find more information here. In addition, the Web site also offers information including road closings, press releases, frequently asked questions, audio clips, and a photo gallery. The site is updated throughout the day with the latest information.
Statewide volunteer effort headed by Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives and American Red Cross
June 13, 2008- Those looking to volunteer in the rebuilding of flood-damaged areas are asked to give their time and resources to those in need. The state is coordinating private volunteer and donation efforts through the Indiana Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) along with the American Red Cross. OFBCI will match volunteers to opportunities that best meet the skills and resources of each volunteer or group of volunteers. Those looking to volunteer can call the toll-free number for volunteer intake: 1-888-335-9490 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
OFBCI will also coordinate donations of physical assets. Cleaning supplies, water and personal hygiene products among other items are being collected at a storage and distribution center located at Pen Products in Indianapolis, 6075 Lakeside Boulevard, near I-465 and 71st Street. These items will be organized at the location and sent to areas with the greatest needs. For directions to the distribution center, call 1-800-736-2550.
Bureau of Motor Vehicles accepting donations for flood victims
June 16, 2008- The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is joining with the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives to accept donations of non-perishable food items, diapers and other items at its 140 branches statewide. Items will be distributed by local relief agencies to storm victims. More information, including a list of local BMV branches, is available at www.in.gov/bmv.
IN THE NEWS
'Gov. Daniels impressed with community effort in Jasonville'
Greene County Daily World
June 13, 2008
By Nick Schneider
JASONVILLE -- Gov. Mitch Daniels made a stop in Jasonville on Friday to thank the first responders and many volunteers who have helped the city cope with a crisis that wiped out its water supply since last Saturday afternoon.
Water service has been restored -- except for drinking purposes -- and it appears the critical stage of the crisis has passed.
Flood waters from the Eel River broke the town's main water line near the pump station.
Daniels said he was encouraged by what the city had been able to accomplish in quickly setting up a water distribution system for its 7,200 water utility customers that he says ought to be a model for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other communities across the state and nation.
Daniels spoke at a town hall meeting in Shakamak High School cafeteria where about 200 volunteers, National Guardsmen, public officials and residents gathered for a lunch prepared by members of Blessed Hope Church.
This is the Republican governor's second visit to Greene County this week. On Tuesday morning, he visited Worthington to take a walking tour of the flood damage and chat with residents.
"I've tried to bring some help and a little encouragement, but half the time they end up picking me up," Daniels told the Greene County Daily World.
The governor said he continues to be amazed by the resolve and perseverance he sees in Hoosiers who have been faced with plenty of adversity in the past two weeks of tornadoes and the worst flood to hit the state in 100 years.
"There is a lot of heartache and a lot of hardship. It's different in different places. I've been where tornadoes have taken everything. I've been where floods are a problem. I will tell you what does not change. The creditable 'can do' spirit and the incredible resolve of the people and how caring they are. It's no great surprise to see friends helping friends, family helping family, but I've seen so much of strangers helping strangers," Daniels said. "No matter how many times I see that, which I have many times in this assignment (as governor), it never fails to uplift you. I go places and hope to maybe just encourage some people a little. But they end up encouraging me."
Daniels said he wanted to come to Jasonville just to greet the many workers who have helped out with water crisis.
"I knew I could thank some people who have been working hard," he said of his reason for stopping in Jasonville.
The governor also has some kind words for the work members of the Indiana National Guard have done during this week's series of disasters.
"We have the biggest (National Guard) deployment since World War II, but we still had 10,000 Guardsmen available here in the state. They are handling the biggest national service since World War II and the biggest natural disaster here in 100 years simultaneously. God bless the Indiana National Guard," Daniels stated.
After leaving Jasonville, the governor traveled to Terre Haute and stopped at the state disaster assistance center, which opened Friday morning at Booker T. Washington Community Center. He later met FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison in Martinsville in Morgan County at the state's disaster assistance center.
Daniels said the federal response to Indiana's request for emergency disaster distinction has been "good" so far.
"I think we have already brokeN the record for the quickest designation to get the process started. We are teaching them (the federal) government to move at Indiana speed," the governor stressed. "We don't want anyone waiting for the help they deserve."
Daniels stressed that much progress has been made in the last week -- when the rains first started to fall.
"FEMA is opening a center (in Terre Haute) and we will have one in every effected county as they are designated. We will put people there who can answer virtually every question that everybody has," he stressed.
Incident Command Center officer in charge Darren Sluder of the Jasonville Fire Department said the town needs to thank a lot of people -- the National Guard, fire departments from Greene, Clay and Sullivan counties as well as the city of Indianapolis, and a countless number of other volunteers.
"There is no way we could possibly thank everyone. The outpouring of help has been unbelievable," Sluder said. "We have all been non-stop trying to get water back to our city."
Sluder lauded the help received from the Guardsmen who took over the water distribution chores at mid-week.
He was also humble about the role the volunteer firefighters have played in this crisis.
"This is not about us. This is our job. This is what we are trained to do. We are trained to handle emergency situations in every shape and every form. Fire departments today are not just putting out fires. They are multi-tasked departments that take care of everything," Sluder stressed. "This has been about coming together as a community ... how all of these volunteers have come together to do what we do best and that is take care of one another. We as a nation, if we could come together like we came together in Greene County, Indiana this week, this would be a better nation than it is right now. We need unity and we need to come together. If America could see this exemplary effort these folks from Jasonville and other areas in Greene, Clay and Sullivan county and they could use that. This would a whole lot better place. This community as a whole has a heart like no other."
Indiana National Guard Sgt. Major James Baysinger, who is assigned out of the Linton Armory, is supervising the water distribution and sandbagging operations at the levee near the pump station.
He told the gathering that cooperation among the local first responders has been very good.
"This is our hometown area," Baysinger said. "We are glad to be able to provide the assistance we have."
'Gov praises residents who saved town from flood'
WISH-TV 8
June 12, 2008
By Eric Halvorson
DAVIESS COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) - A white line of sandbags built in the town of Elnora looks like it could be a monument. The people who built the wall saved the town.
"It's amazing...the Army, the military. If it wasn't for them and the local help, boy, it would be a whole different picture here," said Elnora volunteer firefighter Rob Dove.
Indiana governor Mitch Daniels said Elnora survived a very close call and he praised the people who prevented a bigger disaster.
"This is the town that people saved...and we wouldn't be standing here if it hadn't been for some really heroic efforts," said Daniels.
The residents saved the town by standing along the river on Monday. Private citizens, soldiers and Marines heaved heavy bags. They had to raise the wall by three feet along a mile of the levee that wasn't tall enough for the water, which was coming fast.
While it worked, they're looking for lessons.
"We're going to take careful inventory...so that, it may be 30, 40, 50 years from now, if this happens again...there's less damage," said Daniels.
Now, the people of Elnora are eager to see life get back to normal.
"We'll get back to it. It will be back as good as it was before. You'll never know it. 30 days from now, you'll never know what happened," said Wayne Moore.
The residents of Elnora will never forget either.
Other people are still in danger. The head of Indiana Homeland Security said people in Hazleton and Mount Carmel are sandbagging now. They're still waiting for the flood to crest.
Governor Daniels toured more of the flood zone Thursday. Daniels left the area feeling that many farmers have lost everything and won't be able to replant this year. Daniels expects to talk with the federal secretary of agriculture on Friday to discuss the problems of Hoosier farmers.
'Despite governor's absence, Japan trip labeled a success'
Lafayette Journal and Courier
June 15,2008
By Max Showalter
Flooding problems that continue to plague portions of Indiana prevented Gov. Mitch Daniels from leading a state government delegation on a trip to Japan last week. The trip included a series of courtesy calls and some job prospecting.
Shortly after President Bush declared nearly half of Indiana's counties disaster areas because of record flooding, Daniels canceled his participation in the trade mission so he could oversee the state's efforts.
"The governor sent a personalized note to each company he was to meet with. They certainly understood," said Nate Feltman, the state's secretary of commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., who led the eight-member delegation that returned to Indianapolis Saturday.
"There were reports worldwide of what's happening in Indiana. Some of the companies we met with have employees (in the state) who have lost a lot. They understand."
Feltman and other IEDC officials were joined by executives from Vectren Corp., Duke Energy and ProLiance Energy in meetings with more than 20 Japanese companies.
Some of the firms have connections to Greater Lafayette: Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., which owns the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. plant; Toyota Motor Corp., which has contracted for Camry production at SIA; and Heartland Automotive, which has facilities in Lafayette and Greencastle.
"It's been a successful trip. We've been able to call on companies that employ over 10,000 Hoosiers. We've been able to touch base with a lot of key employers," Feltman said during a telephone interview from Japan with the Journal & Courier following a round of meetings Wednesday.
"Heartland is again seeing some good opportunity for growth in the SIA operation with the Camry and doing well in making (dashboards) and plastic injected trim parts for both Toyota and Subaru. I'm optimistic there might be further growth down the road with the collaboration of Toyota and Subaru."
Indiana: Well positioned
The trade mission is the fourth trip state officials have made to Japan under the direction of Gov. Daniels, and is applauded by Joe Seaman, president and chief executive officer of the Lafayette-West Lafayette Development Corp.
"The trip is critically important. It appears that among the Japanese, family and business relationships are very important," Seaman said. "I think Nate Feltman and the current administration have been supportive in building those relationships and sustaining them."
Other companies the Indiana delegation met with included Sony Corp., KYB Corp., Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Mitsubishi Corp. and Nippon Steel Corp.
"In several instances -- I can't disclose any names -- but in several instances we have real good opportunities," Feltman said. "The investment wave from Japan is not over. We're always pitching our state, of course, and to the extent possible being aggressive."
A Honda plant scheduled to open this fall in Greensburg will create 2,000 jobs for production of the Civic, which was the top selling car in the United States last month.
The Toyota Camry is expected to be the best selling car in the U.S. this year, and some of the popular vehicles are being built at SIA, which added approximately 1,100 jobs to handle the output.
"There were very strong and positive comments from the chairmen of Toyota and FHI that Indiana is well positioned and their opportunities continue to grow, despite the challenging auto market. They seem upbeat about future prospects," Feltman said. "There's no doubt there are challenges worldwide. They are constantly reviewing their situation and their future."
Evansville Courier & Press
June 18, 2008
Editorial
The Issue: Indiana shows drop in packs purchased.
Our View: State trying to become healthier.
In late 2006, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels proposed the creation of a two-edged sword for improving the health of Hoosiers. He wanted to make health insurance available to low-income working Hoosiers, and he wanted to encourage smokers to stop or curtail their habits. Indiana did, and still does, rank high for the number of smokers, so the method for funding the insurance would be a healthy increase in the state's 55.5- cent-per-pack cigarette tax.
A lot of Indiana lawmakers didn't like the idea because they don't favor tax increases of any kind. But in the end, in the 2007 session, enough legislators bit the bullet, voted in favor of a 44-cent-per-pack increase and passed the legislation. The total tax now stands at nearly $1 per pack, and it seems to have worked.
Indiana started collecting the increased cigarette tax nearly a year ago. Now, reports state Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, the sales of packs of cigarettes in Indiana has dropped nearly 18 percent since then. That is according to an Associated Press story.
"We are making important progress," she said, "but many more Hoosiers still need help treating their addiction. Indiana has the sixth-highest smoking rate in the nation, and it is costing the lives of friends, neighbors and family members, not to mention billions in health care dollars."
The only catch to all of this is that no doubt those smoking Hoosiers who live in or near counties that border Kentucky may be crossing over to buy their cigarettes. In fact, a news report from the Louisville, Ky., Courier-Journal on June 3 included quotes from retailers who believe more Hoosiers are making the trip to buy cigarettes in Kentucky. There, the cigarette tax is only 30 cents per pack.
The increased tax is certain to be having an impact on many Indiana smokers who are contending as well with higher fuel prices. It could be that the price of gasoline is discouraging some Indiana smokers from driving to Kentucky to save a few quarters, dimes or nickels on a pack of cigarettes.
As for the other side of that sword, income from the increased tax has targeted nearly $200 million a year to a program that allows some Hoosiers who do not have insurance where they work, or cannot afford coverage, to buy low-cost insurance from the state.
The program, which got under way this year, allows participating residents access to preventive care, in addition to the medical coverage.
We made this point when Daniels' plan was being debated at the Legislature, but this bears repeating: Indiana has long had a bad reputation as a state where the people eat too much, exercise too little and smoke too much. To potential residents and businesses, this is not an inviting image, so, in that sense, it is an economic issue as well as a health issue.
But programs such as these, programs that encourage people to improve their health, and statistics that show a drop in sales of cigarettes tell others that here is a state that is trying to improve.
