Recent editorials published in Indiana newspapers
The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette. June 19, 2018
State law complicates bankruptcy lawsuit
When Carmel-based ITT Educational Services Inc. shut its doors and declared bankruptcy in 2016, its investors and 8,000 employees and 40,000 students on 130 campuses across the country - including one in Fort Wayne - were left hanging. But efforts of the bankruptcy trustee to seek a settlement or judgment in a $250 million lawsuit are hampered by Indiana law.
Indianapolis Business Journal reports a lawsuit filed by Trustee Deborah Caruso accuses former ITT CEO Kevin Modany of acting in his own interests as the business was failing and accuses the board of "chronically failing to exercise reasonable oversight" of its CEO.
The directors "were unengaged" and deferential to the CEO, according to the lawsuit, which cites an email exchange between board member Sam Odle and board Chairman John Dean in which Odle asks the chairman to set up a conference call with Modany to discuss selling ITT. "Dean later replied to Odle that Modany 'declined the request,' to which Odle responded, 'John, you are his boss. How does he decline your request?' "
But the business publication notes the trustee faces an uphill battle given Indiana law, which protects corporate directors from personal liability unless they engage in "willful or reckless misconduct."
Modany, who earned $3.2 million in 2014, continues to seek a multi-million-dollar severance payout.
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South Bend Tribune. June 21, 2018
A self-indulgent political stunt in St. Joseph County sheriff's race
When it comes to the St. Joseph County sheriff's race, the will of the voters apparently doesn't matter.
At least it doesn't seem to matter to Tim Corbett, Mike Grzegorek and Chuck Hurley.
As the final result became clear, Hurley says, he had a conversation with Grzegorek.
Grzegorek, the current sheriff, had backed Corbett in the primary. Hurley says in their conversation, the sheriff shared concerns about the qualifications of Redman, a lieutenant with county police.
And so now Hurley, former South Bend police chief, plans to run for the office as an independent in the general election in November. And just one day after Hurley announced his intentions, Corbett conceded, bowed out of the race and promptly endorsed Hurley.
Never mind that the 22,000 voters who cast ballots in the May primary had plenty of opportunities to learn about the qualifications of Corbett and Redman (and a third candidate, Bill Thompson). The candidates made their cases and presented their qualifications. The voters spoke. They picked Redman.
But the maneuvering that has occurred since sure looks like an effort to hand-pick the next sheriff. It smacks of old-fashioned, backroom politics.
Grzegorek and Hurley, along with Corbett, have opened themselves up to rampant speculation about their intentions with this self-indulgent political stunt.
Hurley has labeled Redman, as well as Republican candidate Paul Jonas, as "weak candidates." And, in a comment that manages to insult the intelligence of voters who cast ballots in May, Hurley declared that "the citizens of St. Joseph County deserve better."
Corbett then raised the temperature on Tuesday, releasing a statement that attacked Redman as someone who "wants to give a lot of speeches" and tried to stoke fears that Redman would allow "crime to get worse."
In the end, the sheriff's race is not about what Grzegorek, Hurley or Corbett want. It's about what voters want.
They made their pick in the Democratic primary. They'll have their say again in the November general election. And they'll have a chance to send a message about how elected officials are chosen in this community.
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The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin. June 20, 2018
Editorial: Local sports fans should be filled with joy
Blood, sweat and tears.
For the second time in three years, the Daleville Broncos celebrated the team's success by winning the Class 1A state championship game Saturday in Indianapolis.
And, as we reported Sunday, it seemed like the entire town was there to watch it happen.
How awesome is that?
"It's been everything," said sophomore Matt Stecher. "They've been through the whole thing."
And, the town continued celebrating with a pep rally back at the school.
"I couldn't even stop crying," pitcher Evan Etchison said. "We brought it back home to the little town of Daleville."
The Broncos weren't the only winners this year.
Many student-athletes achieved greatness. On Sunday, we named our 2018 Athletes of the Year, introducing you to four male and female athletes who really stood out in their sports. Incredible stories from some incredible players.
It really has been quite a year for our teams.
Alexandria's volleyball team went to semistate for the first time in October.
The Frankton girls basketball team reached semistate for the first time since 2000.
Jaien Webster was a state runner-up in 110-meter hurdles this spring.
Patience Sakeuh and her brother, Matt, finished third in the state in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles, respectively.
The Herald Bulletin honored student-athletes from 11 schools in our coverage area Tuesday night during the inaugural THB Sports Awards program at the Paramount Theatre.
Sixteen awards, including the Johnny Wilson Awards, and The Herald Bulletin's first boys and girls Athlete of the Year awards, were given out.
The event, which was open to the public, celebrated all the blood, sweat and tears that were given by these athletes during the year.
"Dreams do come true," Daleville junior Peyton Smith said.
To all the student-athletes, coaches, parents, teachers and others who helped these kids reach their goals, we thank you.
We can't wait to get started in the fall; there are many more dreams to be made.
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The (Munster) Times. June 22, 2018
It's pocket change at the pump to fix Hoosier roadways
Today's front-page article reminding readers of an upcoming change at the gas pump for Hoosiers is about more than just a change in gas prices.
It's literally spare change in our pockets in the form of a penny-per-gallon increase in the state's gas tax.
While some critics are expressing outrage at a tax increase, the more important context to consider is what that gas tax promises to do - and already has begun to do.
The 1-cent increase beginning July 1 is part of a long-term state strategy to raise crucial revenue for fixing Indiana's most important infrastructure asset: it's roads and highway bridges.
There are few things more important to state commerce and quality of place than passable roads, allowing us easy access to places of employment, leisure activities and other key destinations.
Our roads are a gateway of opportunity for Hoosiers and a gateway of welcome to outside travelers. People groan, and rightly so, when they must traverse pothole-laden thoroughfares.
And given generations of neglect for a long-term funding fix, too many of our state's roadways and bridges are crumbling.
The tax to fix the problem came in an initial phase of a 10-cent-per-gallon increase in 2017.
It's set to go up based on inflation, at a maximum of a penny per gallon per year, through 2024.
While no one likes to pay more in taxes, it's a reality to sustaining the health of our homeland.
All around us, we're seeing this money being put to work. The traffic tie-ups create summer driving headaches, but now there's a plan in place and a light at the end of the highway funding tunnel.
Let's keep this in context as we're asked to dig out spare pocket change for each gallon of gas we consume to drive on Hoosier roadways.
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