Volume 4, No. 3                            March 15, 2003                                       Page 1

The

Megaphone

Several months ago, I reported that there were negotiations to have a motel built at the SE corner of Highway 37 and 28. This project is growing more viable, as are the benefits, since this community needs, and I feel certain, will support a motel. There is still quite a bit of time for all of this to come to fruition but, like a lot of other things that are happening here in Elwood, I think it will not be too long before we start seeing progress at that site. This should help our community by creating jobs and giving us more choices for eating out and shopping.

Our new city building is really nice. The fire and police departments have needed better facilities for a long time. For any of you that have a chance to visit, make sure to stop in and look the building over. The residence quarters for the firemen is something else...there is a deck for them to sit outside during the nice weather and they have a suite of rooms to live in that will not keep them crowded together. The police have a drive in garage area to transport their charges therefore keeping them under constant control and watch. The doors are closed before the prisoners are taken out of the car. This is so much better than what has been here for so long. There is a workout room for both the firemen and policemen to utilize as well as other conveniences for them.

We lost River's Inn Restaurant when their lease expired in February. They have tried hard to keep their place going but several things made it almost impossible for them to do this. If you remember, last summer Monte Rivers was hit by a car and injured badly. His family tried to keep the business on track, but without Monte there it was very difficult and it was several months before he was able to go back full time to the business. Randall Hall, who owns the building, worked hard to help them keep things going during these difficult days. They discussed making the building into a "fine dining" restaurant then, but since the space was leased until this February, decided to wait until the lease was up. Many of the people in the community tried to go there as often as possible, but during this time their customer base kept dwindling. I was very sorry to see the restaurant close and hope they will be able to get another one going soon.

Several days ago I talked with Randall and he told me that sometime this spring, they are hoping to have a new restaurant up and going. The plans are for it to be a "fine dining" restaurant...the same as was discussed last summer. They have a chef who is already employed and will supervise the restaurant. I, for one, am looking forward to having a place where I can go to have a good meal and a glass of wine without having to drive to another town.

I have debated about reporting on some other news that has hit hard here but I feel it is important for all of you to know that some of the things that have been talked about in private groups is now out in the open. It is unethical behavior in some of the  city government departments...primarily the court system. 

Those who live around here have read the newspaper articles and I think that those who do not live here should know what is going on and that there is a lot happening to make this a better community for all who live here besides creating new buildings, etc. Many of you have commented on some of these problems and have said that it will never change...well, there is change in the air and it is delightful to breathe this fresh new scent. I hope that those who can help with rooting out some of these problems will not become frightened and back away from speaking out.

There has been some digging at the site of Duck Creek where it crosses North Anderson Street. I am getting really excited for this to get started full steam ahead. It will be another 2 years for the Anderson Street project to be completed but what a delight it will be then. The city is also supposed to open South B Street from the old Pennsylvania rail site through to 18th Street. This gives the emergency vehicles a straight shot from the station making their services better to those who might need them.

We are still waiting to hear about the Penn Park that will be developed with the help of Jerry Bridges who is the director of the Madison County Council of Governments. Jerry has been a great help to the City of Elwood but most people around here do not even know who he is. Alan Henderson, who is with the MCGG and a Landscape Architect, works with our Main Street Committee. He is chair of the design subcommittee and has been a tremendous asset to our planning and developing the uptown area.

All in all, things here in Elwood are still looking way up. Progress is being made in all areas, albeit some areas are progressing slower than others. We, here in Your Old Home Town, are striving to keep this progress moving for as long as it takes. We have great pride in what is happening and when you return to visit you will also look on this community with pride.

Please keep all of our military families and the leaders of our great nation in your heart and in your prayers, and may y'all be blessed as well.

From your Old Home Town reporter,
Sharon Benedict Hurst
Elwood IN, Out on Fairground Road