Archive for June, 2010
Sue Ellspermann Night at Dubois County Bombers Game!
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
Come join Sue on July 4th as she throws out the first pitch to kick off an evening of family fun. The main event will be the match up between the Dubois County Bombers and the visiting Terre Haute Rex.
Game time is at 7:05 pm EDT with fireworks following the conclusion.
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4-H: Growing Leaders for Southwest Indiana
Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Summer is here and, once again, our County 4-H Fairs showcase the skills, talent and leadership of our young people. Many of you will recall participating in 4-H and scouting in our youth. My youth was spent as a Girl Scout and Cadet in Ferdinand. As a mother, I had the privilege of being a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for my daughters. However, I recall many of my friends participated in 4-H. Every summer I was in awe of the projects they completed and championships achieved.
The strength of our rural communities rests on not only the intellectual capabilities of our youth and solid K-12 education, but the skills developed by
4-H: the “secret weapon” to developing mature, confident leaders capable of project management and independent, innovative thinking. The mission of 4-H is to empower youth to achieve their fullest potential in partnership with caring adults. What better way to cultivate the potential of our most important capacity: our youth! (more…)
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The Summer is Heating Up and so is a Victory!
Monday, June 21st, 2010
This weekend was Ferdinand’s Heimatfest, one of several fine small town socials. On Friday night Ferdinand, was awarded Historic Southern Indiana’s Award for its efforts to maintain the historic beauty of the town. On Saturday there were activities all day ranging from a 5K and 3-on-3 basketball to corn hole and barbeque competitions. Sunday ended with a wonderful parade down Main Street including the Duckville awesome robotic duck float singing “Disco Duck”. The Dubois County GOP had over 50 volunteers with 20 of those wearing their blue “Sue for State Rep” shirts throwing out candy and greeting hundreds of hearty parade goers in the sweltering 90 degree plus temperatures.
Victory is only important to the extent that it offers me and other candidates the opportunity to serve our communities and region. My primary reason for running is to help move southwest Indiana forward…reinvigorating our once thriving communities and attracting back both our talented young adults and high tech industries which will ensure our success for another generation. My gift will be that of a spark plug to rural communities in southwest Indiana. Study my track record. You will see that I have already been doing this work as a professional, civic and church leader. As your next state representative, I will be the loud voice and facilitator of change at the state house. I would be honored to serve in this role. (more…)
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What I Stand For
Friday, June 18th, 2010
I hold strong conservative values: low taxes, small government, pro-business climate, world-class education, sanctity of life and strong families. I believe these are the values of my fellow Hoosiers (and Boilermakers!) and, particularly, of southwest Indiana.
My greatest passion is for the economic development of our region. Without it we die. Our rural towns have too many empty storefronts. Our once strong industries are on their knees trying to survive these tough economic times. We watch as our best and brightest young people move away as there are few job opportunities in our own hometowns. We wonder where the entrepreneurial spirit, once so strong, has gone. It’s time to change the tide. (more…)
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A Tribute to Will Koch
Monday, June 14th, 2010
The news of Will’s early death has rocked many of our worlds. He was at the prime of his life. He was a tremendous community and business leader, father, husband and son. He was a cheerleader for Spencer County, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari and anything that improved southwest Indiana.
I met Will in elementary school when we and many other local children sang in the Santa Claus Land (precursor to Holiday World) Children’s Choir. The Koch children were well behaved, yet you could see the sparkle in Will’s eye. In 2006 when I became the founding director of USI’s Center for Applied Research, I called Pat, his mom, for permission to ask him to serve on the Advisory Committee representing Spencer County. She told me he was really busy, but I might ask him. Of course, he said yes. We later had the opportunity to complete a project measuring the economic impact of tourism in Spencer County. It was important to him that we not just measure Holiday World, but include all tourism. He wouldn’t allow Holiday World to own the stage. (more…)
Tags: Holiday World, Will Koch
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Spencer County Rocks!
Sunday, June 13th, 2010
Saturday was dedicated to (having fun in) Spencer County. Our Team spent the morning in Dale at their Townwide Yard Sale, met lots of fine folks, and came home with some awesome bargains. Campaigning combined with shopping is always a good day. Feedback from several vendors suggested that, other than the rain on Friday, the crowds were strong and many deals were made.
Saturday night was the big Spencer County Fair Demolition Derby which sported an outstanding crowd! It was a roaring success (pun intended). Kelly Johnson, Republican Candidate for Prosecutor, and I had the honor of presenting trophies to the winners. It was a fun Saturday night in southwest Indiana. We were pleased to be part of the festivities and to meet many more folks from Grandview, Rockport, the rest of Spencer County and beyond. (more…)
Tags: Spencer County, Sue Ellspermann
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What Can You Do to Help the Local Economy?
Friday, June 11th, 2010
It will take many efforts to secure and grow the economy of District 74, but each of us can help.
- Buy local. As the daughter of Ferdinand’s jeweler, we were only allowed to purchase outside of Ferdinand if no local store carried the item. Winter coats and prom dresses where about the only items we were allowed to shop outside of our local communities. As I’ve returned to my hometown, I now also appreciate the added-value local businesses put into their products and services. It is a world of difference….and, if we want to keep them, we owe them our business.
- Encourage and support local entrepreneurs. Don Kuratko, Executive Director of the Indiana University Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation said, true entrepreneurs know how it feels to have your spine sweat…when you don’t know how you will make payroll that week or where you will fund the new expansion or staff growth. I ran my own consultancy, which is easy compared to a high tech business or high overhead business, for 20 years. As a single mom ten years ago, I had a number of “spine sweat” experiences. Ask how you can help them. Connect them to new customers. Give them a shoulder in tough times. Cheer them on always. (more…)
Tags: 1440 Main Street, Bear Hollow, Sue Ellspermann, Tell City Pretzel
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This Legislative Session Will Require Great Problem Solving
Monday, June 7th, 2010
State budget revenues continue to underwhelm projections. Just when it appeared we were turning the corner in April, May’s tax revenues were again below forecast. The Governor and all agency managers are looking for cost reductions in every aspect from reductions in the fleet of state cars to non-essential programs and reduced state employee headcounts. Many of us have felt the direct impact of these reductions in our jobs as educators, social service providers, local elected officials and government employees.
The next Biennial Budget, which will be developed and approved in this winter’s “long” Legislative Session, will require the best problem solving and strongest collaboration yet to create a budget that serves Hoosiers well during the tail end of this recessionary period. Further, we must focus not only on the budget, but we must focus on legislation which will ensure economic prosperity across the state. We cannot wait another day to pursue incentives and investments that bring high tech, high wage industry to our rural communities. This will ensure we don’t end up in the same boat with a tax revenue pie that is just too small to fund even the vital services our state is responsible to provide Hoosiers. (more…)
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Let’s Grow District 74!
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
This past week I attended the Perry County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update with State Representative Stilwell presenting. He did an admirable job describing the work of the last General Assembly; “the longest short session in history” were his words. The 45-minute discussion revolved around the current budget shortfalls and difficult decisions to make with existing state revenues. Not enough for schools, not enough for social programs, not enough for local government. The gist: we will have to live with less and should be satisfied with what we have.
I hope you don’t accept that we should be satisfied. I am not. And I think we can do it without raising taxes. It is all about growing our district. Why are we playing dead? Don’t we believe we can have a vibrant economy and high quality of life in southwest Indiana? (more…)
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