February 27, 2020 at 6:14 p.m.

Aker should have done homework

Letter to the editor

To the editor:

This letter is in response to the Feb. 18 letter to the editor from Chad Aker, a Jay County Commissioner.

Aker made the claim that Jack Ronald played fast and loose with facts concerning his indiscretion. It seems as though Aker played fast and loose with facts in making his point.

Aker made a major mistake in not having checked the local rules, regulations or laws, before he made his missteps. Had he done his due diligent research, he would have learned, before his gaffe, that what he was doing was not appropriate. Had he done his homework, he would not have ended up with embarrassing situations. Aker would have realized the improper appearance of his actions before he made his mistake. Politicians should not appear to be receiving inappropriate “gifts” from an agency that they have control over. Ignorance may be bliss, but ignorance of rules, regulations or laws will not stand up in a court of law.

Aker was fast and loose by implying that Ronald had requested that local government purchase of the Hood Building, and not that it had been a purchase to be made, in the long run, by another company, which would convert the top two floors into apartments, as well as making additions and other improvements to the building. That deal was to be made, in the near future, and it was desired that the purchase be made, by using local tax monies, for the interim, not a giveaway to Ronald. It is a shame that Aker, for whatever reason, felt that he needed to disparage Ronald by making up his own facts. That, Aker, is making fake news.

Aker claims to be protecting the taxpayer money. Portland could stand some more apartments. It could stand more businesses and a grocery store, not just Walmart where there is no competition. Protecting the taxpayer money is fine, but austerity can have negative outcomes. Portland, like many other rural communities, be they in Indiana or elsewhere in the U.S., are losing population due, in part, to such austerity. Indiana only seems to be doing well in the Indianapolis area thanks to the jobs that are there, as well as the housing. There are also shopping opportunities.


What, sir, are our local politicians doing to improve Portland and Jay County?

It seems to me that very little is being done.

Sincerely,

Daniel E. Chase

Portland

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