Muncie is important to the region

Should we care about Muncie?



Should Jay County or the other rural communities in east central Indiana give a darn about Muncie’s problems or its future?



Historically, there’s been a huge disconnect when it comes to regional cooperation and coordination on things like economic development.



From Delaware County’s perspective, the rural counties are “satellites” around metropolitan Muncie.



The biggest city in the region should call the shots, and the rest should get in line. It’s not often stated so crudely, but the undercurrent is undeniable.



Meanwhile, much of rural east central Indiana views Delaware County and metropolitan Muncie with a degree of disdain and distrust. The long, long history of corruption in its politics cannot be ignored.



Muncie’s a city that once re-elected a mayor after he got out of prison where he was doing time for corruption during an earlier term in the same office. The current FBI investigation into Muncie city government is only the latest chapter in a saga that goes back generations.



Then there’s the matter of Muncie Community Schools, whose fiscal house is in such disorder that the state has stepped in. Watching that story unfold over the past year or so was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.



The story’s only redeeming feature was that it helped keep Jay Schools focused on its own fiscal challenges.



When your neighbor gets in trouble for perpetually kicking the can down the road, you figure out that the one thing you simply cannot do is kick the can down the road. You face up to the tough decisions, and the Jay School Board has done just that.



So, given that dysfunctional relationship between Muncie and rural east central Indiana, the question still remains: Should we care?



The answer, surprisingly, is yes.



East central Indiana needs a healthy, well-governed, economically dynamic Muncie. It’s the only metropolitan area around, and though the rural counties will never be “satellites” they can work better as a region if Muncie’s vigorous and on the right track.



In other words, the rural counties will benefit if Muncie ever manages to get its act together.



On that point, there are some encouraging signs. They’re not enough to prompt optimism at this point, but they are encouraging.



This week, Ball State University stepped up to the plate, with its new president saying that the university would be willing to take over management of Muncie Community Schools if the Indiana General Assembly gives its approval.



At the same time, there have been a number of indications that the several foundations created by the wealth of the Ball family have become intensely focused on local Muncie issues.



Both the university and the foundations appear to be ready to step into new roles when it comes to community leadership.



Will it work? Will those institutions be able to break through the back-slapping and log-rolling and good old boy politics that are deeply rooted in the city’s history?



We hope so. And as a neighboring county, we should care. — J.R.