Archive for August, 2010
Rural Brain Gain: Even More Ideas
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
[This is the fifth in a series of blogs on how to reverse rural brain drain referencing the book, Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America, by Patrick Carr and Maria Kefalas.]
Rural communities in southwest Indiana, as well as most smaller communities, have flat-lined and many are shrinking for a number of factors. One of the most prevalent is the loss of our High Achiever young adults who go off to college (as they should), but are then drawn away to jobs in larger cities and/or to expanded opportunities. A number of rural states have tried and are considering new strategies to retain and attract back this gold mine of talent, as well as nurturing and further developing the “Stayers”, that is, those who did choose to stay. Below are several more ideas for Indiana to consider:
Idea 7: Several Kansas cities have had a Free Land Program started in 2003 for the purpose of “expanding the tax base, keeping their schools from closing and preserving their way of life”. Free lots are offered contingent on bank approval, that they meet some guidelines, and that they complete a new home within 2 years. Some towns offer free permitting, hook-up, and pool passes. To go even further, Ellsworth County, Kansas offers $1,000 for the first child and $250 for each subsequent child enrolled in the schools…for up to three years! One small town of 500 gave away 80 lots increasing its population by a third. I am not suggesting this is the “right answer” for Indiana. However, you do have to give the Kansans some credit for thinking “outside the box” on this one. (more…)
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Watch Sue’s Truck Roll Through Your Town!
Monday, August 16th, 2010
Governor Daniels had a motorhome. We have a truck. And, we can’t wait to bring it to your hometown. My dad and his band of volunteers will be happy to bring it to events and locations in your community increasing our campaign’s visibility. In addition, the truck is stocked with t-shirts, yard signs, campaign handouts, and more. Don’t hesitate to ask for any of these items when you see it in your community. And, say hello or beep to Dad and his team of volunteer drivers.
If you have locations and events, we welcome you to contact our campaign through the website or call my dad, Tom Boeglin, at (812) 639-1044. And, don’t forget, I am happy to attend your group’s meeting, pop in at a neighborhood function, or “meet and greet” at a house party.
November 2 is quickly approaching and campaign season is quickly transitioning into full swing. I hope I can count on your vote, support and assistance as the next 75 days are key to winning the election and gaining the privilege to serve the fine citizens of District 74. Thank you in advance and help us make a difference in this very important election.
Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489-0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Senator Lugar: The Statesman
Friday, August 13th, 2010
Yesterday, it was my pleasure to participate in the 20th Anniversary of the Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series luncheon. Over 350 women have now completed this one-year program which develops women as servant leaders rather than “politicians”. There could be no better “face” and champion for this program than Senator Richard Lugar who has served Indiana proudly for over three decades.
Being an elected public servant is much more than voting on legislation. Like Senator Lugar, it means serving unselfishly, without undue partisanship, ethically at all times, and with the needs of Hoosiers at heart. It may be impossible to reach his “gold standard”, but it is a one for which all other elected officials should strive.
When this election has long passed, one of my finest memories will be that of meeting, listening to, and getting to know Senator Richard Lugar. God has blessed Indiana with a very fine Senator…one we can accurately call a true statesman.
Salute to the Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series! May hundreds more women participate and graduate from this world class program. And, may these women continue to grow their engagement as servant leaders in their communities, counties, states and our nation.
Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489-0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Bringing Brain Gain to Our Communities: More Ideas
Sunday, August 8th, 2010
[This is the fourth in a series of blogs on how to reverse rural brain drain referencing the book, Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America, by Patrick Carr and Maria Kefalas.]
In my last blog I introduced three ideas which other states have tried or considered for bringing back and retaining their high achieving young adults. I cannot think of an industry or organization that would purposely export its most precious resource…and think it can survive. Our small towns are no different. We must strive to retain and attract back at least a significant portion of intellectual capital our strong rural schools and families have created. We should not see it as “selfish”. It is the difference between small towns that thrive versus those with shuttered main streets and closed schools. Even in towns experiencing only slight shrinkage, our school age students are greatly diminished as families have fewer and fewer children. The lifeblood of our small towns are our schools. And those who have children are primarily between the ages of 18-45. Those of us “gray-headed” folks aren’t helping on this front. So, our challenge remains that of balancing our rural populations with all ages, particularly retaining and attracting the 20-30 year olds. (more…)
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Derby Party
Friday, August 6th, 2010
It wasn’t a Kentucky Derby party…though we did have a few former Kentuckians present. Monday night we had a fabulous “house party” under the shelter house at Derby Mulzer Park just east of Tell City. What a beautiful setting! Martha Steckler and her band of helpers served homemade lemonade and cookies. Someone even had the foresight (or serendipity) to dock an old fashioned paddle-boat at our feet to make the evening picture perfect.
The guests from Cannelton, Derby, Tell City and beyond asked great questions ranging from property taxes and schools to tourism. It was the kind of engaged citizens we would be blessed to have across the state and nation. No one had all the answers or all the questions (well, Cecil had most of the questions), but offered lively discussion along with their questions. It was polite, but lively. As always, I learned more than they did. I hope I was able to share enough about my views and approach to earn a few of their votes. (more…)
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Energizing Indiana
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
It was my pleasure to have Bill Wylam, a chief battery engineer for GM’s EV1 (first electric car) and now a key architect of Indiana’s hybrid car strategy, and his wife Barbara, host a house party called “Energizing Indiana” at his home in Indianapolis to help our campaign. Bill is also the father of Dave Wylam, ace Operations Manager for our campaign.
Why is this connection important? Southwest Indiana cannot wait for new technologies and industries to find us. We must seek them out, invite and incent them, and develop a workforce which embraces innovation. I know we have the work ethic. I know we have the talent. However, we must develop a pro-innovation mindset and strategy to attract start-up companies, venture capitalists, scientists, engineers and technologists so that they pursue southwest Indiana as their first choice. Going where they are is part of that strategy. Indianapolis, West Lafayette, Bloomington, Anderson, Warsaw, and Crane are all hotbeds of innovation. Outside the state there are Singapore, Silicon Valley, and many more innovation centers across the globe. We must be well connected.
Battery and hybrid technologies, alternative energy, nanotechnology, and biomedical devices are some of the key technologies of the future. Southwest Indiana is well versed in traditional manufacturing, design and engineering. We must continue to break out of our comfort zone and embrace the industries of the future. The good news is that most, if not all, are environmentally friendly and have the potential to be highly profitable offering great career opportunities and high wage jobs for our existing and future workforce.
Thanks to Bill, Barb, Dave, Dee Ann and Ali Wylam for hosting a very successful fundraiser. More importantly, thank you for the opportunity to showcase southwest Indiana and my vision to your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. I am fully committed to helping southwest Indiana be both a player and a leader in the innovation economy.
Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489 0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off