We should be ready (10/14/2008)

To the editor:

Well, many of us saw it coming many months ago and I would guess that our local leaders and JCDC were not among us. With Brevini's announcement that they would be locating a manufacturing plant in Delaware County, it makes us wonder ... did they even consider Jay County?

Do they even know we exist or that we could use a manufacturing plant too? Did our elected and appointed local officials even present a proposal to them?

Earlier this year, I contacted Mayor Hosier and Bill Bradley of the JCDC, to be assured that we, as a community, were doing everything we could to entice companies to build manufacturing plants here.

I stressed to them that given the magnitude of the wind farm project that will be built in southern Jay County all the way to and including Wayne County, that we are in the best position for these plants to be built. Given the price of transportation, it would make sense to be here as opposed to somewhere else like Iowa or South Dakota or even Europe. The political response I received was that "we already have some components being built here." Wake up. Some components is just not good enough in these times. Think of the big picture. Hundreds of new jobs will be created. Now 450 of those will now be in Delaware County. Hundreds of wind turbines are going to be installed in our area not to mention other parts of the Midwest. How many new jobs were created by the "some components?" How much of an increase in tax base are we collecting on some components?

We as a community should look at the possibilities of what this could do for us. One thing off the top of my head is that we probably wouldn't have to be begging for permission to build a new jail. We would probably have the money. Hey, how about a new gym for the high school, and a hospital expansion? No, now Jay County residents will be driving to Delaware County to work and guess who gets their county tax money?

Here is a little help. To produce a turbine you need a tower. These towers need to be manufactured and welded. There are factories that do that. You will also need the propellers. Each tower takes 3 of them. These are built in factories and shipped in one piece.

You also need the hubs, gearboxes, generators, etc. These too are built in factories.

So, have we contacted any companies that make any of these major components and sell them in Jay County?

If we (you) have, I am sorry for this letter. If you have not, then you should be sorry for not soliciting them. In my letters to the mayor and Bill, I stated that it would be a shame to let neighboring counties get on the bandwagon while we just sitting back and let it happen. It is happening!

We, here in Jay County, are in a great position to capture some of the revenue from this project. You didn't see the first one coming, now let's get to work and see if we can get the next one.

Brian Rippy

Portland

Rocket thanks

To the editor:

The Portland Rockets semi-pro baseball club wishes to publicly thank all for their support this past summer. Portland's team enjoyed a banner season with several championships - including the United States Baseball Congress July 4th tournament, the Midwest Prospects Baseball League divisional and league titles, an Indiana state championship, and a berth in the AABC North Central Regional in Canton, Ohio.

The boys of summer finished the season 34-10. To cap it off, the team had its first golf tournament, The Rocket Open, on Sept. 27 at the Portland Golf Club.

The response was the same as it was every night at Runkle-Miller Field: Our town/alumni showed up in a big way.

The success of this tournament shows why Portland is on the map and why we are Portland proud.

The interest generated by our group lays the foundation for more fun and success in the future.

The Rockets would like to thank the following for their support:

Jay County REMC, Northside/Soutside Carryout, Sportform, Jinny's Café, True Value, Miracle Lanes, Fortsite Solutions, Jay County Beverage, Pit Stop, Bandido's, Burger King, Ponderosa, Taco Bell, Domino's, Pizza Hut, Buffalo Bar and Grill, M&M Market, Williams Auto Parts, Padua Pub, Thienmann's, Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union, Patriot Sportswear, McSober's, Medler's Furniture; Gary, Phil and Mike (security), Ron Dull, Kathy Miller, Mickey Pensinger, Portland Golf Club, the mayor, the parks department, Mike Ashley and the Greazy Pickle.

We thank all for the special day on the golf course and we love you in Portland.

Sincerely,

Randy Miller,

manager, for the

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