Monday, December 12, 2011

1Si backs away from candidate endorsements.

The Green Mouse has been digging. For 1Si to back away from endorsements is an unqualified plus. Now we need only convince the organization to curb the rhetoric, ditch the unnecessary downtown bridge, and realize that tolling and "prosperity" are not the same objective.

One Southern Indiana announces it will not endorse candidates in 2012; Group will continue its support of Ohio River Bridges Project

NEW ALBANY, Ind. – (December 12, 2011) – One Southern Indiana, the chamber of commerce and economic development group serving Clark and Floyd counties, announced today it will not endorse candidates running for public office during the 2012 election cycle.

“We have listened to our members and investors, many of whom have told us they prefer that we not endorse candidates,” says Vaughan Scott, chairman. “There are other ways that we can work to be pro-business and pro-Southern Indiana.”

The organization endorsed in the races for Congress and state elections in 2010 and for mayor of New Albany, Jeffersonville and Charlestown earlier this year after interviewing all candidates.

Scott says One Southern Indiana will be very active in public policy and advocacy in other ways as outlined in a new strategic plan also approved by the board of directors last Thursday.

“We intend to start new programs and work with our elected officials to promote and advance our area,” says Scott. “For example, we will sponsor a reception in Indianapolis during the budget sessions of the Indiana General Assembly and provide forums for local elected officials to share their ideas with business leaders.”

As part of its Legislative Policy Priorities for 2012, One Southern Indiana will continue advocating for the Ohio River Bridges project to build a new east end bridge as well as a new I-65 span. The long-awaited project recently received federal environmental approval for a revised cost of $2.9 billion.

“The closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge was further proof that we need to start building the new bridges in 2012,” says new One Southern Indiana President & CEO Jody Wassmer. “We will do all we can in coming months to move the project forward for the long-term prosperity of the region.”

“Building the east end bridge to complete the I-265 corridor, in particular, promises huge economic development opportunities for Southern Indiana,” says Scott.

One Southern Indiana’s full Legislative Policy Priorities include promoting several other pro-business issues, including local government efficiency and simplification.

Its complete Legislative Policy Priorities can be found online under the Public Policy tab at www.1si.org

5 comments:

Iamhoosier said...

I would like to invite any of the leaders of 1SI and/or elected officials to ride with me on my daily commute to the south side of Louisville. Southbound 65 is not the problem. It's the one lane exit for the poor people who have to get on 64 east.

My 21 mile commute this morning was completed in 38 minutes, which is about 8 minutes longer than normal with the Sherman Minton open. Once "truly" southbound 65 drivers reach the bridge, their problems are over. If the East End Bridge was open today, the delays on 65 south would be minimal even with the SM closed.

I'm more convinced than ever that a new downtown bridge is nothing but a boondoggle.

G Coyle said...

I invite the Indiana State Police, or any policing authority in Southern Indiana to ride with me some morning as I take my life and my son's life in our hands just to merge from the East onto I-65 south in Jeff. There needs to be a stop sign instead of a merge sign or, like in other places, there needs to be a state police cruiser idling with it's caution lights on at the merge EVERY DAY until the Sherman-Minton reopens. I have never had the "privilege" of driving through the most obvious Hell-hole as the "merge" from 31 unto I-65! Where are the Indiana road people!? Does anyone care to make this safer?

ecology warrior said...

I agree with you Hoosier, the downtown bridge is a political ploy to keep the east end bridge out of the discusion. I heard this talk when I was SI Chamber Vice prez, and it came from some of southern indiana's so called leaders.

They have stepped and fetched to Prospect , KY money for way too long. Good luck breaking that stranglehold

Iamhoosier said...

Realize that it most likely a losing battle. Still, "they" did cut the project back some in cost. I doubt that would have even happened if not for the the objectors. I remember telling an elected Republican over coffee that I couldn't believe that a "tax & spend" liberal like me had to sit there an explain fiscal soundness to him.

Jeff Gillenwater said...

Anyone who's still selling or buying into ORBP as currently proposed won't be phased by concepts of fiscal soundness, intellectual honesty, or any combination thereof.

It's fanatical religiosity that has nothing to do with reason.