Congress Adds “Community” as the 7th Category of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards

Baldrige – America’s Best Investment

Communities of Excellence 2026

Awards are given across six categories: manufacturing, service, small business, education, healthcare and non-profit.

In addition, the categories are organized into seven criteria: Leadership; Strategic planning; Customer focus; Measurement, analysis and knowledge management; Workforce Focus; Operations Focus; Results

Updated August 9, 2022

Facebook post at Brown County Matters

Aug 9, 2022. Part 1.2022 School Referendum – Political Aspect.  I found it interesting that the Brown County School leadership chose to take political action in 2021 that can be perceived as supporting a progressive left perspective in opposing Indiana’s education policies. These policies provide parents with choices that include Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) and Vouchers.

Despite their opposition, the budget bill (2021) containing the school voucher language and ESAs overwhelmingly and with bipartisan support, passed the House 96-2 and the Senate 46-3. The budget bill also reportedly provided more funding for schools and teacher pay. Note that over 50% of the state’s general fund is dedicated to schools and the majority of schools in Indiana have not relied on a referendum.  

Brown County Voters n i2016 supported a referendum and may support it again. Why take on a policy with strong support by those with conservative and religious values? Republicans have super majorities in State government. In Brown County, Donald Trump received over 63% of the vote in 2016 and 2020. The school superintendent has identified that she “ will form a political action committee to educate and campaign in the community.”   

In Part 2, I will provide additional context regarding the national influences affecting local educational policies and practices. I have also submitted formal requests for additional information (RFIs) from the School and the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) regarding the referendum.  This process can take up to 60 days.

School Board – Opposing ESAs and Vouchers

Commissioner Meeting Notes, Aug 17, 2022.  2:00 p.m.

Indiana Hill RR Crossing – Update. The Railroad agreed to open the crossing to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.  They “estimated” a cost to the county of $155, 575.00 and added requirements that are not on other pedestrian trail crossings in Indiana and throughout the country.   Commissioner Biddle accepted this estimate without challenge.

Tony Abbott, President, of Knobstone Hiking Trail Association (KHTA), did challenge the premise of the estimate and provided examples and references supporting his argument that the pedestrian crossing could be re-opened at little expense (less than 2K which would signage).  He reinforced that KHTA was just asking the commissioners to sign an amendment to the road closure ordinance that identifies that their intent was to close the road BUT NOT the  pedetrain crossing that provided access to the Knowbstone Trail.   Commissioner Pittman stated that he agrees with allowing a pedestrian crossing.

Next Step?  Commissioner can vote on the amendment to the ordinance allowing a pedestrain crossing and access to the trail.

• • Indian Hills Road Pedestrian Crossing Estimate 8-9-2022

Commissioner Meeting Notes, Aug 3, 2022.  Commissioner Pittman was absent. 2:00 pm – 2:45.

Audio of the Meeting 44 minutes

Indiana Hill RR Crossing – Update.  38:10 mark on audio. Legal aspects still in the discussion phase. Commissioner Biddle provided a deed to the county attorney of the crossing and stated that per the deed, the RR owns 150 feet on both sides.  She also stated that she believes (no supporting evidence) that individuals coming within 50′ of the crossing would be committing trespassing on federal property because train right of way is considered federal.

Road Paving. 39:37 mark on audio. A citizen requested that Plum Creek Road be paved and requested some signage. The cost to pave a county gravel road is 300K a mile. To re-pave, a road costs over 100K a mile.

Helmsburg Sewer Projects.  Helmsburg Regional Sewer District (HRSD) board member Kyle Myers provided an update on several projects that the county is funding.

o. Helmsburg has bought additional property to support a plant expansion. They also received funding to extend the lines to cover two additional homes with the potential of adding additional customers.  However, given the demand for contractors, work may not begin until later in the year.

o. ARPA funds of 175K were approved previously by the commissioners to support repairs and a preliminary engineering report for upgrades. The HRSD is to provide invoices and the county will process the payments. Development of a preliminary engineer report has also been funded to identify requirements and costs for supporting an expansion to provide service to Lake Lemon and Bean Blossom.

o. The HRSD is also working on a grant to help reduce the monthly cost of sewer service from 92.50 a month.

Updated Oct 16, 2022  

Preface

Critical Race Theory (CRT), Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI)/Equity Inclusion, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), are among the many controversial initiatives dividing the country.   

Variation is a natural part of creation. Variation represents a difference between an ideal and an actual situation. (Ref: American Society for Quality, Law of Variation).  Strategies that create, increase, and sustain divisiveness increase variation. Reducing variation requires an analysis of facts, an assessment of processes and systems, understanding (not necessarily agreeing) opposing points of view, and finding common causes to problems that both sides could agree to help resolve. Outline of a Community Decision-Making Process.

• • Background information and Context – SuccessThroughQuality.com

  • Grades in School: Joy in Learning

 In a biblical worldview, God is the moral authority and defines the ideal as perfection – all needs are met – heaven on earth. In the American system of government, the ideal is continuous improvement towards “a more perfect Union.”  The concept has also been expressed as “self-rule under God. ”  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. (Proverbs 16:6 KJV)

• • In the area of quality, the customer defines the ideal.  For atheists and agnostics,  “man” claims to have moral authority and defines the ideal. 
  • In Marxist-based philosophies, satan defines the ideal that can be described as resulting in hell on earth.  

Within the quality profession, it has been proven through the Taguchi Loss Function that the closer a product or service (including government services and change strategies) gets to the ideal, the higher the quality and lower the cost (tangible and intangible) to the individual (customer) and society.  W. Edwards Deming reinforced a similar finding: “Anything less than optimization of the whole system will bring eventual loss to every component in the system” (W. Edwards Deming, The New Economics, p.53)

The variation principle reinforces the fact that actions motivated by a respective philosophy or worldview will produce different results.   The design of the U.S. Constitutional Republic was influenced by Judeo-Christian principles that support continuous improvement and a needed balance of power within government and between government and the citizenry.

The Brown County Leader Network supports a secular and non-secular approach to systemic improvement.  Presentation of the concept.

Cultural Changes – “man” is the moral authority

Black conservative group pens open letter urging schools to drop CRT, adopt 1776 Unites.  The Woodson Center’s 1776 Unites initiative aims to teach history, civics, and the founding ideals through an objective lens

• • Largest teachers union says critical race theory is ‘reasonable and appropriate’ for kids. The National Education Association has contradicted the progressive argument that CRT is too complicated to teach to K-12 students.

  • Brown County Schools teacher’s union is supported by the Indiana State Teachers Association  (ISTA) which is aligned with the NEA.  BCS has an “Equity and Inclusion (EI)” initiative.   See also: Nashville’s Human Rights Commission that has identified the intent to work with the schools in support of EI.

What Is Critical Race Theory? PragerU – James Lindsay. Have you heard of Critical Race Theory? If you haven’t, you will. It’s coming to a high school, college, or workplace diversity training session near you. What do you need to know about it, and what can you do to stop it?  Presented by James Lindsay – New Discourses

• • DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)  is considered CRT in action.
  • DEI (Marxism) workshops are literally re-education camps, by James Lindsay

CRT in Education Indiana –  Legal Insurrection Foundation

• • CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN RHODE ISLAND. How parents and teachers can turn back the clock. By Jane Coleman  |   August 19, 2021

    • Leading the battle to uncover CRT in Rhode Island is one brave mother, Nicole Solas. She is a stay-at-home mom in the South Kingstown School District whose daughter was enrolled in kindergarten for the coming school year. Her story is covered in depth at Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson’s Legal Insurrection website.

UPDATE March 2022: The Indiana legislature failed to pass a ban on CRT despite a Republican supermajority in both houses.

• • Indiana has joined other states in fighting back against CRT in K-12 education. The Attorney General, Todd Rotika, issued a Parent’s Bill of Rights in June 2021. Meanwhile, the higher education system has embraced some aspects of CRT and shown support for BLM, with the Republican-controlled legislature remaining oddly silent on the issue. (CriticalRace.org is an ongoing project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation).

Educator Kali Fontanilla Spills the Truth About Education, Interview by  Jill Simonian  ⋅  May 02, 2022.  30.4k views. Kali Fontanilla, a former high school teacher in Salinas Valley, CA, quit her job after publicly denouncing the “leftist indoctrination” of students in California classrooms through ethnic studies programs. She talks with Jill Simonian of PragerU Kids to expose the underbelly of our current education system

BLEXIT’s Guide Against Critical Race Theory  – _Packet_Web_Final.2,pdf

• • Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a worldview or framework that proposes that all aspects of life must be explained in terms of racial identities. “Critical race theory combines progressive political struggles for racial justice with critiques of conventional legal and scholarly norms which are themselves part of illegitimate hierarchies that need to be changed.”1 In other words, Critical Race Theory is putting on a color lense at all times and looking at all areas of American life (political, legal, educational, you name it) through the lens of race with the intent to dismantle systems that are deemed “white supremacist”.
  • DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion- While the original dictionary definition of these terms may be positive, when viewed through the lens of Critical Race Theory and applied to our schools, they become discriminatory and damaging. DEI is Critical Race Theory in action. These terms will show up in teacher Professional Development trainings, where teachers will be taught to address, discipline, and evaluate their students differently based on the color of their skin.

In 2021, the NEA adopted a resolution that would mandate race-based ideological instruction in public schools across the country. … According to the resolution, the union intends to disseminate its own study that “critiques empire, white supremacy, anti-Blackness,  anti-Indigeneity, racism, patriarchy, cisheteropatriarchy, capitalism, ableism, anthropocentrism, and other forms of power and oppression at the intersections of our society.” The NEA specifically says that critical race theory is one of the methods that should be used to teach these topics in school districts around the country. Student scores plunging as educators politicize their lessons

New tool helps parents, students assess DEI ‘sickness level’ at schools. ‘If you can’t measure it, you can’t fix it’

Hidden camera: Educator boasts of ‘sneaking’ left-wing agenda into classrooms.

https://www.wnd.com/2022/09/hidden-camera-educator-boasts-sneaking-left-wing-agenda-classrooms/‘I just keep trying to disrupt wherever I can’

 CRT/DEI and Christianity

Like Marxism, Critical Theory is something of a Christian heresy, taking the Christian themes of human dignity and justice and a world remade, and re-orienting these causes under new management. Most pertinently, CRT is slipping into the space where the Church belongs but is too often absent. ….  Because, the best antidote for the failings of Critical Theory and its inadequate worldview is for the Church to understand and live consistently with the Bible. (Ref: Critical Race Theory and a Christian Worldview)

Critical Race Theory in the Church by Brandon Clay and Frost Smith on September 29, 2020

• • “Ultimately, the only way to deal with race issues is to proclaim the truth of God’s Word and the gospel, beginning in Genesis. Until people believe God’s Word revealing the true history of the human race, what our problem is (sin), and what the solution is in Jesus Christ, race issues will never be dealt with as they need to be. The fact is all humans belong to one race (Adam’s race), we are all one family, and all are sinners in need of salvation. We need to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31) and we need to be reminded of how Jesus taught us as Christians to pray, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).”

  • Three Biblical Problems with Critical Race Theory. How CRT affirms a non-biblical category of race, promotes ethnic discrimination, and promotes a false religion opposed to biblical Christianity

  • Dr. Voddie Baucham Hits Critical Race Theory, Says … – Christianity Daily.  Apr 7, 2021In his talk about Critical Race Theory (CRT), Dr. Voddie Baucham maintained that the Gospel remains to be the “answer and solution” to racism. In a recent interview with Faithwire, Dr. Voddie Baucham expressed his concern with how the CRT worldview has crept into churches, thereby influencing Christianity’s concept of social justice.

  •  Addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)  Nov 3, 2020.  Addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the Christian School. The title of this article may have already stirred some emotional response in the reader—topics of diversity often do. As Christians, we can develop more understanding, compassion, and empathy for any group, while  holding fast to our biblical worldview and Christian practice. In fact, I believe our faith in Christ encourages us to show God’s love to all people, even if we disagree with them.

State of Indiana – Office of Equity, Inclusion (EI) and Opportunity

Brown County Schools

• • School Board – Opposing ESAs and Vouchers.  Resolution supported by the Brown County Educators Association (local union), the Superintendant, and School Board.  The teachers union is represented by the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) that is aligned with the National Education Association (NEA). NEA supports Critical Race Theory (CRT). 
  •  ‘Be a listening ear’: Teacher is new equity and inclusion coach. On Jan. 21, the Brown County Schools Board of Trustees approved Helmsburg Elementary School teacher Malini Stiles as the equity and inclusion coach for the district. … This is a new position that educators wanted to include in this school year’s teacher contract

  • SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER: Students for Equity maps goals for school community Staff Reports – November 3, 2020.  This week, it felt appropriate to yield my column space to student voice. As such, I present this column written by the Brown County High School Students for Equity Club, a student-led club working to advance equity and inclusion across our school district. 

  • ‘Holding our students accountable’: Group approaches school board about policy for hate speech, symbols Suzannah Couch – May 19, 2021. The school board has been asked by a group of Brown County High School students to consider implementing a written accountability plan to address hate speech and symbols in the school district.

    • There is no legal definition of hate speech in United States law, but …  generally “any form of expression through which speakers intend to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of people on the basis of race, religion, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability or national origin.”
    • “Hate speech and symbols, or any language that is derogatory or offensive to certain groups of students, greatly intrudes on the learning environment by isolating and attacking groups of students for their identity, factors they have no control over in their lives,”

Town of Nashville, Brown County Indiana  proposed Human Rights Commission Ordinance

• • The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Human Rights Program (HRP) is dedicated to holding the United States accountable to international human rights laws and standards as well as the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Other

Back To School: If You Can’t Change Your School, Do These 5 Things Instead BY: JILL SIMONIAN

• 1. Examine Emergency Forms; 2. Opt Your Child Out of SEL, Sex Ed, and DEI; 3. File a FOIA Request Now; 4. Volunteer in Your Child’s Classroom and Library; 5. Don’t Waste Driving Time

What is ESG? ESG refers to the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) information about a firm. There is growing evidence that companies that take their environmental and social responsibilities seriously perform better financially. This has naturally made investors sit up and take notice. (Ref: World Economic Forum)

DeSantis announces plan to combat ESG influence in Florida

• • “It takes power away from the American people and lodges it into these international corporate titans. And that’s not, I think, what our Founding Fathers ever intended,” he said.
  • In terms of ESG influence, DeSantis said asset managers will require extreme environmentalism to be considered along with typical fiduciary responsibilities.
  • “They will require ESG. The companies themselves will do it,” he said. “I think there’s a couple of reasons. I mean, I do think part of this is there’s woke employees in these companies and the inmates have basically run the asylum. So some of the CEOs bend to that.”
  • Fully implementing ESG governance into the U.S. financial or agricultural sector would throw the nation into chaos, DeSantis suggested– predicting a “disaster” for the U.S. economy.

Updated June 1, 2023  

 Additional Background Information

• Part 1: Closure – Railroad Crossing – Indian Hill Rd
• Part 2. Closure RR Xing, Indian Hill Rd. Opening up the Tecumseh Trail

• Part 4: Closure RR Xing, Indian Hill Rd – Petition to Re-Open

• Tecumseh and Knobstone Trails and Maps

  • 1/3 mile connector — Tecumseh to BCD.
  • Belmont re-route for SR-45 safe crossing. 
• RR Crossing Inventory Reports – Indian Hill Rd and the crossing in Travlac
• An example amendment to the crossing closure ordinance presented to the Commissioners by the KHTA.  Both parties – KHTA and Commissioners,  acknowledged that this would need to be reviewed by the County Legal Council – Mike Moga that attended the meeting via phone.
  • KHTA Suggestions for Review —  Amendment to Resolution to Close the Crossing

Apr 27, 2023. Commissioners to pursue petition for reopening of railroad crossing; Council member makes presentation; state officials have voiced support By Corbin Parmer

• • This post at Brown County Matters. Scott Rudd has made the moral argument for re-opening the crossing. I “hope” those involved in the decision to re-open will do the right thing.   I’ve tracked the issue since the beginning – Part 1 of 4: https://independentvotersofbrowncountyin.com/…/closure…/

April 19, 2023 Commissioner Meeting Notes.

• • Motion by Commissioners to Pursue a Petition to INDOT. Pittman and Braden voted Yes, Sanders No.  Commissions Sanders also supports re-opening and wants more information from INDOT. He wants to consider legal advice, costs, and risks. He suggested revisiting the issue in 2-weeks and inviting input from the public.
  • The supporting statute regarding the public hearing is IC 8-6.7. – 3.2a section E. If an agreement is reached between the commissioners and the RR, no public hearing was required.

Clarification.  Public Hearing.  Commissioner Pittman acknowledged that a public hearing should have been held.  However, per the advice of the county attorney, the attorney believed that a public hearing was not required per statute: IC 8-6.7.– 3.2a section e. “Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (d), a unit and a railroad may agree to close a crossing within the jurisdiction of the unit. “

Another Opinion – OpenAI – ChatGPT:  Commissioners were advised that a public hearing was not required under IC 8-6-7.7, -3.2a, section (e): “Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (d), a unit and a railroad may agree to close a crossing within the jurisdiction of the unit. “

I posed the question to Open AI / ChatGPT to get another opinion (There was no emergency cited by the commissioners)  The response:

April 5, 2023. Commissioner Meeting Notes.

• • Indian Hill Railroad Crossing.  No current updates. Commissioners acknowledged that a public hearing was required. This has not been disputed by the county’s legal counsel.Commissioners support opening up the crossing to pedestrians but not vehicles.  The highway superintendent is reviewing the adequacy of the “slab.”  that is used to cross the creek.  Estimates for changes to the crossing to current standards are estimated at 1.5 to 2 million.  See Audio: 1:07 – 1:11Note:  Without a public hearing, the decision to close the crossing was not valid.  Consequently, the county can re-claim the right-of-way and allow for a pedestrian crossing. They could then hold a public hearing to help determine if the crossing should remain closed to vehicles.  There have been no facts presented regarding safety-related incidences at the crossing.

Mar 23, 2023.  State rep shows support for trail reopening, says ‘Willing to help in any way’ by  Abigail  Youmans

• • Sanders said on March 1 that he’d like to see state representatives come to them and explain how reopening the railroad could be funded. … On March 15, that state-level support was shown for reopening the crossing when State Representative Matt Pierce (D-Dist. 61) addressed commissioners. … Pierce addressed commissioners saying he and other legislators — in the house and senate — wanted to help reopen the crossing.
  • Pierce said last week that those that questioned the need for a $140,000 crossing are right, that it is not necessary.
  • Post of the article and comments at Brown County Matters. Time to do the right thing yet? A public hearing was required by law for the county to vacate an “ally.” No public hearing was held to vacate the railroad crossing on Indian Hill Road. State legislatures have offered to provide the support needed to open up the crossing. Commissioner Pittman acknowledged that the commissioners made a mistake in not holding a public hearing. Justifications for closing and keeping the crossing closed have been based on opinion and hyperbole – facts and statutes are or were ever referenced to support the decision. What was the benefit to the county of closing the crossing?

Mar 15, 2023. Commissioner Meeting Notes: Wed, March 15, 2023

• • Indian Hill RR Crossing. Includes a statement of support from Matt  Matt Pierce, Indiana House of Representatives on re-opening the trail to pedestrian traffic.

Mar 1, 2023.  Commissioner Meeting Notes, Mar 1, 2023.

• • Indian Hill RR Crossing. Commissioners acknowledged that a mistake was made and a public hearing was required.

Oct 19, 2022. A NEW DIRECTION: Commissioners exploring alternative Tecumseh Trail route Abigail Youmans –  For more than two years, hikers traversing the Tecumseh Trail have had to stray from the original path due to a closure at the Indian Hill Road railroad crossing. ….

Post of the article at Brown County Matters: by Tim J. Clark.

Oct 8, 2022. Commissioner Meeting Notes of Oct 5, 2022. — Additional information”

• • Commissioner Meeting 2022_10_05: Additional Analysis on the Discussion by the Commissioners, Council, and Highway DepartmentCommissioner Meeting 2022_10_05 Additional Analysis 
    • Note Stark County Commissioners did hold public hearings on the Railroad’s request to close a crossing. Based on input from citizens, the request was denied and not appealed by the Railroad. Article: Morton Marcus: Railing about rail crossings.
  • Facebook Post of the Oct 5 Meeting with Discussion.
• Oct 5, 2022. Commissioner Meeting Notes.  Commissioners agreed (prior to the meeting) to support a new route developed by the Hoosier Hiker Council that would NOT require access to Indiana Hill Road. The Hoosier Hiker Council has not provided any input at the commissioner’s meetings on this topic.  They have identified the risks to safety: “Note that the reroute involves a one-mile walk on State Road 45 from West Lost Branch Road to the Sycamore Land Trust parking lot for Trevlac Bluffs. SR 45 is a busy highway with little to no shoulder, so walk at your own risk or get a shuttle.”
  • AUDIO – Discussion Begins at the 40:40 mark
    1. Tecumseh discussion by Commissioners begins at around 00:40:40.
    2. R. Pflueger discussion begins at 00:45:23.
    3. Tim Clark comments begin at 01:04:43.
    4. Maddison Miller comments begin at 01:11:40.
    5. End of Tecumseh discussion at 01:17:30.
  • Commissioners minutes 10-5-22 – prepared by the Auditor’s Office
  • Note: Commissioner Biddle has acknowledged that her brother works for the RailRoad.
    She also misrepresented KHTAs development and the presentation of an amendment allowing for a pedestrian crossing. Commissioner Pittman expressed his support for a pedestrian crossing and stated that county’s legal council would be reviewing/drafting any final amendment. (See Aug 3, 2022 Commissioner Meeting Notes.
• Sep 7, 2022. Commissioner Meeting. The status of opening the trail for pedestrians is still under discussion with the county attorneys, KHTA, and the RR.
  • AUDIO: Jerry Pittman, and county attorney Mike Moga -beginning at ~00:41:54 and ending at ~00:43:07.
• Sep 5, 2022. Update – Accidents and Train Speed
  • A report generated from page 5.02 of the FRA Office of Safety Analysis: 5.02 – Generate Crossing Inventory and Accident Reports
  • The  2019 INRD petition to close DOT# 292 193F. – Indiana Hill Road closing letter 5-20-2019.  In this latter document the speed of trains through the crossing is stated to be 30 mph (see p.1, item 5).
  • This same speed — 30 mph — is given  in the attached US DOT Crossing Inventory Form for DOT#292 193F, which was last revised May 25, 2021. InventoryReport

Aug 26, 2022.  Follow-up information – requirements regarding pedestrian crossings – RR Signs/Signals:  Facebook Post – Brown County Matters

• • • PART 8 – TRAFFIC CONTROL FOR RAILROAD AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT GRADE CROSSINGS.
      • Part8.pdf is one of many sections comprising INDOT’s 2011 Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Revisions 1, which is currently in effect in Indiana.
        
      • Options  for INDOT/FRA compliant warning signs for pedestrian crossings such as DOT# 292 193F include passive crossbucks costing less than $1,500  per pair.”
    • Morton Marcus: Railing about rail crossings.
      • On May 26, 2022, the Norfolk Southern Railroad called the Starke County Highway superintendent about closing a rail crossing. The railroad then sent a letter – a petition – to the county commissioners who were advised by the County Attorney to hold a public meeting which took place on July 5th. The overwhelming response from Starke County citizens was against closure. Ten days later the Commissioners denied the petition. Matter closed, not the crossing.
      • Compare that with a similar situation in Brown County. The Indiana Railroad Company petitioned on May 20, 2019, the county commissioners to close the crossing at Indian Hill Road near Trevlac.
      • The commissioners approved the petition on May 6, 2020, despite the fact the law requires a public hearing. Without that public hearing, the Commissioners did not know their decision cut the popular Tecumseh Trail in two.

Aug 19, 2022. Creek Crossing – Concrete Slab.  Photo taken on 19th. Zoom to verify no additional barricades. Check recorded dialogue and transcript of the commissioner meeting (Aug 17) at 00:30:00 to verify Mike Magner’s statements as to new barricades.

Aug 17, 2022. Commissioner meeting – Notes from Transcript

• • 00:28:30 Jerry Pittman (JP) Moving on to other business — the Indian Hill proposal.
  • 00:28:38 Diana Biddle (DB) DB Asks for Mike Moga  (MM) discussion of RR quotation.
  • 00:28:45 Mike Moga: Moga states RR has agreed to “allow” BC to open a pedestrian/bicycle crossing. The RR sent a cost estimate based on FRA (Federal RR Administration) requirements. Moga states that something — perhaps the requirements or the elements of estimate — are required by law (reference? )   “We (BC) would like to discuss estimate at this meeting, to determine how we will pay for it and what our next move will be.”
  • 00:30:20 ff: Auditor: “I have contacted the insurance company on the insurance question but have not heard back yet.“
  • 00:30:50 ff: DB: The RR wants to know that we (BC) actually have insurance.
  • 00:33:30 ff: DB: “… You’re looking at a fully engineered … that’s what has to be done according to Federal standards.”
  • 00:33:55 ff Mike Moga: “I am told by the RR that the arm/guard warning is something that is in RR inventory; we can expect a discount …”
  • 00:34:20 ff DB: Reminds us that RR wanted another crossing closed if DOT# 292 193F were to be opened. Now that is off the table!
  • 00:34:45 ff DB: (had pre 7:30 am conversation with Darren Bridges) “BC can’t pay for all. Perhaps DNR — they have an interest. HHC might hold a fundraiser. Need to determine how much BC will need to put into the pot.”
  • 00:36:00 ff: DB states slab no longer viable. Mike Magnor (MM) states he just barricaded the slab. Biddle checks him — he says yes. DB continues stating slab “… was already cracked and in three or four pieces …”.
  • 00:36:40 ff: Tony Abbott begins rebuttal.
  •  00:56:15 ff: Tony concludes the presentation and asks for questions.
  • 00:56:18 ff: Jerry Pittman agrees with Tony.
  • 00:57:00 ff: Auditor chimes in: “…the RR owns the property. If you’re going to do it, you’re going to do it their way!”   Tony rebuts. 
  • 00:58:45 ff: DB launches discussion of what would have happened if BC had denied petition to close crossing, i.e. BC wouldn’t have received direct payment of $3750, and INRD would have appealed to INDOT.
  • 1:00:00 ff: DB launches discussion (based on her assumptions) of track speed versus signal type. goes on to talk about “slow orders”. Tony rebuts.
  • 1:00:30 ff: DB mentions that HHC did not ask for easement when Tecumseh first built. An absurd statement, reflecting that she has no concept of right-of-way. 
  • 1:02:00 ff: DB offers to call Mr. Ray and Mr. McDonald(sp?) — each with INRD — to reach out … Offers that somehow federal standards of crossing signals are required. Tony rebuts re iNDOT and federal standards are the same. DB replies that speed will likely have to be changed.
  • 1:03:25 ff: MM indicated he wants time to review INDOT standards introduced by Tony. MM also wants to look at slab.
  • 1:03:30 ff: MM indicates that foot traffic over slab poses liability for BC.  However local property owner is taking 9000lb loads of hay over slab at that time!
  • 1:05:00 ff: Tony indicates INRD has not responded to letters, Koch invitation, BC meetings.
  • 1:06:00 ff: Jerry Pittman agrees with Tony. Talks Mexico.
  • 1:10:00 ff: DB talks Thailand.
  • Tim Clark speaks for Amendment.
  • 1:14:42 ff: DB I’ll reach out to the railroad, with your (Jerry Pittman’s) approval, and/to see if I can breathe some common sense into …” -Jerry Pittman (interrupts) Please, please, anything you can do would be appreciated … -DB “… It might be easier to do that than letting the lawyers duke it out.”

Aug 17, 2022.  Commissioner Meeting Notes. Audio – Discussion on the Pedestrian Crossing begins at the 28:30 mark. Tony Abbott’s rebuttal at the 36:40 mark. My comments at 1:11.

• • Indiana Hill RR Crossing – Update. The Railroad agreed to open the crossing to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.  They “estimated” a cost to the county of $155, 575.00 and added requirements that are not on other pedestrian trail crossings in Indiana and throughout the country.   Commissioner Biddle accepted the scope of work and this estimate without challenge.
  • Tony Abbott, President, of Knobstone Hiking Trail Association (KHTA), did challenge the premise of the estimate and provided examples and references supporting his argument that the pedestrian crossing could be re-opened at little expense (less than 2K which would signage).  He reinforced that KHTA was just asking the commissioners to sign an amendment to the road closure ordinance that identifies that their intent was to close the road BUT NOT the pedestrian crossing that provided access to the Knowbstone Trail.   Commissioner Pittman stated that he agrees with allowing a pedestrian crossing.
  • (1) KHTA is not advocating for bicycle traffic. (2) Based on prices of commercially available passive warning signs — used at Indian Hill Road crossing DOT# 292 193F at least as long as Tecumseh Trail has existed —  initial estimates indicate that  two 1st class Reflectorized Cross-Bucks can be had for less than $2K.   An amount Commissioner Pittman agreed to fund.
  • Next Step?  TBD. Commissioners can vote on the amendment to the ordinance allowing a pedestrian crossing and access to the trail.
    • Indian Hills Road Pedestrian Crossing Estimate 8-9-2022
  • Facebook Post – Brown County Matters

Aug 10, 2022.  ‘Unintended consequence’: Trail supporters request pedestrian crossing for Indian Hill railroad by Suzannah Couch.

• • For more than 20 years hikers have traveled through Brown County on the Tecumseh Trail, making their way across the Indian Hill Road railroad crossing on their trek down one of the longest hiking trails in the state. … Now hikers take a 5- to 6-mile walking detour around the railroad crossing following its closure two years ago at the request of the Indiana Rail Road.
  • Abbott then said that severing the Tecumseh Trail could have been identified as a compelling reason if the commissioners had held a public hearing before the crossing was closed. Under Indiana Code, a public hearing should be held not more than 60 days after a petition is received to close a railroad crossing.

Aug 3, 2022. Commissioner meeting.  Indiana Hill RR Crossing – Update.  38:10 mark on audio. Legal aspects still in the discussion phase. Commissioner Biddle provided a deed to the county attorney of the crossing and stated that per the deed, the RR owns 150 feet on both sides.  She also stated that she believes (no supporting evidence) that individuals coming within 50′ of the crossing would be committing trespassing on federal property because train right of way is considered federal.  Audio.

• • Brown County Matters – Facebook Post

Tecumseh Trail – Impact of Railroad Crossing Closure.  The presentation on July 20, 2022, at the Commissioners Meeting by Tony Abbott, President, of Knobstone Hiking Trail Association included information that suggested a public hearing may have been recommended if not required to be held by the Commissioners.

• • Reopening Tecumseh Trail along Indian Hill Road An Amendment to Resolution #2020-5-6-000. (Copy of the presentation and audio)
  • Brown County Matters Facebook Post

The fact that a public hearing was never considered should be a concern and something to prevent in the future. Information and examples of a public hearing on the closing of a railroad crossing in Starke County are provided below.

Legal Opinion – Brown County Attorney: 

• • “Barnes and Thornburg attorney Veronica Schilb, who represents the county, said last June that because the county and the railroad company came to an agreement on the closing, no public hearing was required before it was closed.” (Ref: Closed ahead: Tecumseh Trail users lobbying for pedestrian crossing at Indian Hill, By  Suzannah Couch, July 1, 2021
    • PDF copy of the article: Closed Ahead
  • QUESTION?  What are the supporting statutes that support this opinion?

Starke County – Railroad Crossing – Discussion, Public Hearings, Rejection of the Closure

June 22, 2022. In contrast, Starke County Commissioners Look for Resident Input on Proposed Railroad Crossing Closure,  Anita Goodan, WKVI

• • County Attorney Justin Schramm suggested waiting until the next meeting to discuss it more in order to get more information about why Norfolk Southern has identified this crossing as one to close. Additionally, Schramm advised the commissioners to gather comments from the property owners before making a decision and they agreed. Letters will be sent to the property owners in that area to attend the next meeting on July 5 or send correspondence concerning their opinions on the matter.

July 5, 2022. Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight, by Anita Goodan, WKVI

• • During the commissioner’s last meeting, Starke County Highway Superintendent Dan Dipert brought the request from Norfolk Southern officials to the attention of the commissioners stating that the railroad and INDOT would pay the county money to close the crossing, which could cover the cost of the maintenance of those roads, if the commissioners agree to the closure.
    • Copy of the Request – Correct Date June 15, 2022 (not 2021). Starke County Offer Letter
    • INDOT Railroad Crossing Closure Guidelines FY22
  • It was a goal of the commissioners to explore the railroad company’s need to close the crossing, as well as get input from residents in that area about the request.

• • ….  It has been railroad philosophy for years to try and eliminate as many highway crossings as possible. In general he would say that if the residents of the road are against it then they should not agree to have it closed. He advised that if they choose to close the crossing they need to get as much as possible from the railroad and it should be negotiated. Richard Beachamp also spoke up and said he has property on 225 S. He said if they closed the crossing it would make the travel time longer for emergency vehicles to get to their location.

July 7, 2022. Starke County Commissioners Discuss Railroad Closure Proposal by Anita Goodan, WKVI

• • With the majority of the residents voicing opposition to the railroad closure, the commissioners are leaning toward denying the request from Norfolk Southern officials. 

• July 18, 2022 Minutes_Starke_County_Commissioners_Meeting-07-18-22 FINAL.In 2nd paragraph of section titled “Highway Monthly Report:  “……. Commissioner Gourley asked if Superintendent Dipert has requested any new information about the railroad crossing request. Superintendent Dipert advised he did talk to him and the offer is still at $60,000 plus the grant from INDOT. Commissioner Gourley advised given the feedback he will make a motion to reject the request to close the crossing on 225 S. Commissioner Cavender seconded the motion and the motion was approved with all ayes. ….”

July 19, 2022.  Denial of the petition: Starke County Commissioners Reject Proposed Railroad Crossing Closure, July 19, 2022. By Mitch Columbe, WKVI

• • After hearing from the public and with majority of the residents voicing opposition to the railroad closure, the commissioners voted to deny the request from Norfolk Southern officials. 

Background Information – Brown County – Indian Hill Rd. RR Crossing Closure

• • Part 1: Closure – Railroad Crossing – Indian Hill Rd
  • Part 2. Closure RR Xing, Indian Hill Rd. Opening up the Tecumseh Trail

  • Tecumseh and Knobstone Trails and Maps

Commissioner Meeting Notes, July 20, 2022. 6:00 p.m.  One of the most efficient meetings I can recall attending.  Glad I got it on audio.

o. Highways.  Work on Clay Lick and Helmsburg Road beginning July 21, 2022. Road closed to through traffic during the day. Wholesale fuel costs were $2.75 a gallon last June; $5.60 this June.

o. Nashville Bike Pedestrian Trail Master Plan. A Nashville and a “county” project. The Department of Health is providing 20K for a master plan; the county contributing 20k (ARPA funds). Nashville’s contribution not mentioned. No idea at this point on the cost to implement the plan once developed.    “… purpose will be to create a bicycle and pedestrian master plan for Nashville, but it also may advise the town council on matters involving bicycle and pedestrian transportation; recommend updates to town policies regarding sidewalks; review bicycle and pedestrian ordinances and regulations; create a citizen-driven process for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure requests, including sidewalks, crossings and bike racks; advise the council on opportunities for funding such requests; and advocate on related issues.  (Ref: BCD Democrat, Town council appoints bike/pedestrian board)

o. Indiana Hill Railroad Crossing- open to pedestrian traffic.  Mr. Tony Abbott, Knobstone Hiking Trail Association, provided an excellent presentation making the case for a decision by the commissioners to open up the Indian Hill Rd. Rail Road Crossing for pedestrian traffic. Standing room only crowd. Commissioners are supportive of re-opening to pedestrian traffic pending review and advice from the county attorneys.   

Audio of the meeting – Trail discussion starts at 19 minutes.

Updated Post with audio: Part 2. Closure RR Xing, Indian Hill Rd. Opening up the Tecumseh Trail

June 23, 2022. Yes, Biden Is Hiding His Plan To Rig The 2022 Midterm Elections, BY: MOLLIE HEMINGWAY

• • …  President Biden ordered all 600 federal agencies to “expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process” 
  • Biden gave each agency 200 days to file their plans for approval by none other than Susan Rice, his hyperpartisan domestic policy advisor. Yet fully nine months after those plans were due, they are all being hidden from the public, even as evidence is emerging that the election operation is in full swing.
  • As with previous efforts to destabilize elections, the chaos and confusion that would occur are part of the plan. The Executive Order copied much of a white paper put out by left-wing dark money group Demos, which advocates for left-wing changes to the country and which brags on its website that it moves “bold progressive ideas from cutting-edge concept to practical reality.” Not coincidentally, Biden put former Demos President K. Sabeel Rahman and former Demos Legal Strategies Director Chiraag Bains in key White House posts to oversee election-related initiatives.

July 15, 2022. Slow down on the November ‘red wave’ talk, Exclusive: Brent Smith explains the 2 battlefronts on which conservatives should be engaged

• • We’re heading into uncharted territory against an enemy we have not previously encountered. … When I say enemy, I don’t mean opponent. I didn’t misspeak. I mean exactly what I wrote – ENEMY. This enemy is the current Democratic apparatus – the most corrupt administration in our nation’s history, one that has already eclipsed the previous worst administration, that of Woodrow Wilson.

• • Just 45 days after his inauguration, Biden was handed Executive Order 14019 to sign. The order demands that all 600 federal departments and agencies “expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about and participate in, the electoral process.” …   It’s each individual state’s job to run the election how they see fit. So once again, this administration is acting unconstitutionally.

July 15, 2022. TOLD YA SO   The Democrats’ plan to steal midterms: Say goodbye to Biden,  Wayne Allyn Root: ‘It’s the 2020 game plan but updated with scarier names’

• • First, I’ve been warning nonstop that Democrats are planning to steal the 2022 midterms, just like they clearly stole the 2020 presidential election. More on that in a moment.

  • Second, I’ve been warning that Democrats (and their PR wing in the mainstream media) are planning to bring back COVID-19 hysteria again, just in time to steal the 2022 midterm election. This is the perfect timing to demand universal mail-in ballots, with no voter ID or signature match to steal the midterms.

  •  

    Third, I’ve been warning that Democrats would find a way to force President Joe Biden out of office and then blame this whole economic disaster on him – thereby deflecting blame from the Democratic Congress.

Updated July 12, 2022

Background Information and Context on the Proposed Ordinance to include copies of the previous versions of the ordinance.

This post shared at Brown County Matters

Nashville Town Hall Meeting Notes – Roundtable Discussion – “Human Rights” Commission July 7, 2022, 6:30-8:30.  Audio of the Meeting

o. The latest draft of the ordinance was introduced (working to confirm the revision date). The second reading and possible vote is scheduled for July 21, 2022. The elected representatives of the county government chose not to participate in this initiative.

• • July 9, 2022. The latest version of the ordinance. Nashville Draft – 2022_07_07 Human Rights Ordinance. Current version of the proposed and “revised” ordinance that was first shared at Thursday’s meeting. They made it more generic and vague. What is the difference between civil and human rights laws? What “human rights laws” are not covered by the Constitution?

Note: There was discussion that this initiative could be put on the ballot in Nov.

June 26, 2022. Founding Fathers never intended U.S. to be secular or hostile to religion – Washington Times

• • “Today, the court leads us to a place… of [dismantling] the wall of separation between church and state that the Framers fought to build,” she bemoaned.

    But what is this “wall” of which Justice Sotomayor morns? Where did it come from? What is its context? And why was it considered important to our nation’s Framers?

Updated Sep 6, 2022. 

“The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”

Sep 1, 2022. Read: Transcript of President Joe Biden’s speech in Philadelphia

• • “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.” “Now, I want to be very clear — very clear up front: Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology.”

Sep 2, 2022. “SEPTEMBER SURPRISE ? … Biden Declares War On The Right
On September 1, 2022—A Day That Will Live In Infamy.

Sep 5, 2022. “SAY NOTHING” PHASE OF THIS FOURTH TURNING. ‘Whatever you say, say nothing.’ – Old Irish Phrase.

• • • Biden’s speech was an act of desperation, as his handlers seeing their Great Reset agenda going awry, are trying to initiate another engineered “Covid-like” national emergency they can utilize to subdue dissent. The next two months may decide the future course of history in this country. They appear to be laying the groundwork for a false flag of immense proportions.

Sep 5, 2022. About that spooky, creepy, fascist, dark, mega-divisive speech.  Exclusive: Joseph Farah figures the Antichrist & Molech couldn’t set the stage more threateningly By Joseph Farah

• • MY GOD! This guy is totally sick, depraved, a hater like no other elected American president in our lifetime, perhaps besides Woodrow Wilson.
  • Maybe the best critique was offered by Meghan McCain, hardly a fan of Donald Trump: “The political equivalent of a kamikaze mission just months before the midterms. An angry, unhinged 24-minute primetime screed that corrodes the reputation of the White House. The final nail in the coffin of American unity. It was horrifying.”
  • A day later, just like that, a different Biden seemed to take it all back. Maybe he forgot what he said. …. The man is a dangerous reprobate. God help us.

July 30, 2022.  Washington D.C. Is Run By the Enemies of the American People – It Is Time to Take America Back (VIDEO) Gateway Pundit, Guest post by Lawrence Sellen.

July 4, 2022. In the End, It Will Be the Decision of the American People to Fight for our Constitutional Republic or Submit to Tyranny – The Time Is Now , Gateway Pundit, Guest post by Lawrence Sellen

• • True change can only arise bottom-up. In the end, it will be the decision of the American people to fight for our constitutional republic or submit to tyranny

• • Simple question: Should we expect our elected and appointed officials to meet this standard?

• • In Indiana, the Brown County Leader Network (BCLN) offers methods and tools that can be applied in working towards that “more perfect” community, county, and nation.

June 30, 2022. One Solution Against Tyranny Is Creating State Guards to Defend the Constitution and Fight Back Against the Deep State, Gateway Pundit, Guest post by Lawrence Sellen

• • Did not know that Indiana is among the 22 states that have a State Guard in addition to a National Guard.
  • “The Indiana Guard Reserve (INGR) is the State Defense Force for the state of Indiana. The purpose of the INGR is to augment the National Guard during emergencies within the state, especially when some or all of the National Guard is deployed.”

Lawrence Sellin, Ph.D. is retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel and a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq. He had a civilian career in international business and medical research. Dr. Sellin is the author of Restoring the Republic: Arguments for a Second American Revolution. (2013) His email address is lawrence.sellin@gmail.com. Excerpt Chapter 11, Taking Back Our Government- Political Insurgency: