Recent editorials published in Indiana newspapers

The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin. April 11, 2019

Volunteer fire departments go above and beyond call

They don't do it for the money.

Or, for the glory.

They do it because they want to.

Volunteer firefighters take their jobs seriously, earn little income, spend time away from family and put themselves in danger.

And, do it for practically nothing.

According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, volunteers comprise 70% of firefighters in the United States.

Communities that are served by volunteer firefighters depend on them to be their first line of defense for many types of emergencies.

There are 11 volunteer fire departments in Madison County. And, for each one, funding, roster, equipment and rosters are different.

Many of them are low on resources, tight on space and pinching pennies.

"Running a fire department is expensive," said Jamey Burrows, chief of the Chesterfield-Union Township Fire Department. "Even with worker's comp, we have to make sure we have enough coverage for every person on our roster," he said.

Chesterfield pays its volunteers for stand-by time and per run. Most of the department's expenses are for personnel-related expenses and training.

"It's a dangerous job and people get injured," Burrows added. "These are big expenses that may be forgotten."

While many departments receive grants to help with expenses, others aren't as fortunate.

"The smaller the department, the bigger the costs," said Shaun Wilson, a Lafayette Township firefighter and EMT. "We try to tack on with (Anderson Fire Department's) orders to save us money."

According to Wilson, every Lafayette Township first responder makes $5 a run. "Even with short, simple calls, we'll have at a minimum three hours of paperwork," he said.

"You've got to pay them something just to make it worth it," Wilson said. "It's not that people don't want to volunteer, it's just not like it used to be. These people are working two, three jobs just to (get) by for their families."

They do it for practically nothing.

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The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette. April 11, 2019

Perils of a low-rate interstate

Fort Wayne resident Todd Perkins is among the scores of drivers who have battled the pothole-strewn section of Interstate 69 near Anderson - and lost. Perkins told the Star Press of Muncie he was driving 40 mph in a state trooper-led slowdown Feb. 7 when he experienced a flat.

At the Tire Barn in Anderson, Perkins learned he was the 10th customer to experience a flat tire so far that day.

Forty motorists whose cars have been damaged along the 15-mile section have filed tort claims against the state, according to the Star Press. None has received a payment so far.

Lester Bush, a transportation manager with Fort Wayne Community Schools, received a letter from the state informing him it was not responsible for damages incurred on Thanksgiving Day, when he found himself trapped between a semi trailer-truck and the construction zone's concrete barrier and was forced to hit a pothole. Because his all-wheel-drive car requires matching tires, Bush had to replace all four. The bill was $1,005.58.

There were 186 crashes, resulting in 25 injuries and one death, in the crater-filled construction zone between Oct. 1 and Feb. 28, according to Indiana Criminal Justice Institute records.

If you've driven to Indianapolis since that time, you know the hazards still exist. Be warned.

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South Bend Tribune. April 11, 2019

Taking on obesity in St. Joseph County

It's no secret that Indiana ranks poorly when it comes to the health of its residents.

According to a recent Tribune Viewpoint written by Claire Fiddian-Green, president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, obesity is taking a toll on Hoosier children and adults. The foundation's mission is to advance the health and well-being of people across the state.

Obesity has risen steadily in Indiana over the last two decades. Almost 34 percent of Hoosier adults were obese in 2017 - up from 20 percent in 1995, and South Bend's rate is even higher, with 39 percent of adults considered obese. Indiana's obesity rate is now the 12th highest in the country.

"There's been a progressive creep up in the proportion of population that's obese," said Dr. Mark Fox, St. Joseph County deputy health officer.

"Obesity tracks from adolescence into adulthood," Fox said. "The roots of behavioral issues track to childhood even before three years of age."

Data from the Indiana Youth Institute as recent as 2017 say, nationally, 12.2 percent of youths ages 12-17 do not participate in vigorous physical activity, which is defined as being active for 60 minutes or longer, during the course of a week.

That same study showed in St. Joseph County, one in four adults was considered physically inactive.

But steps are being taken to fight obesity. The county health department has helped spearhead the Reducing Obesity Coalition. ROC promotes healthy lifestyles through collaboration, outreach and education with local hospitals, the YMCA, the Kroc Center and other organizations.

ROC has developed healthy cooking programs, a ROC Ur Body event to raise awareness about childhood obesity and "Let's Move," a program launched by former first lady Michelle Obama.

Obesity is costly, not only in terms of Hoosier health but also in its economic impact of higher health care costs.

Engaging the public on the topic of obesity is no small task, and the goal of ending obesity in the county is daunting. But a public health crisis that threatens the future of children and adults requires a significant effort.

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