Join the effort
The United Way of Bartholomew County is inviting people to volunteer for its May 5 Day of Caring event. The purpose is to connect volunteers with projects that benefit nonprofit organizations and residents in the county.
More than 1,000 people joined in last year and completed 106 projects worth an estimated $92,000. That’s a lot of help for the community.
Volunteering to help during Day of Caring is a great way to give back to your community. It’s also easy to participate. If you want to volunteer, contact Amanda Hummer at [email protected] or 812-314-2706.
Evaluation wise
Columbus has in place a civilian oversight committee that hears appeals of police department complaints, and has had it since 1992. That’s important so that residents have a formal process to seek a redress of grievances against the department.
However, it’s also important to periodically review how the committee operates to see if it is employing best practices. The decision to hire a consultant, Lyn Morgan, to evaluate the city’s audit and review committee – by seeking how similar committees in other communities operate – will provide valuable insight and help determine if improvements need to be made locally.
That’s in the best interest of the community and its residents.
Ahead of pace
Kudos to Columbus-based Cummins Inc., which is ahead of schedule in its commitment to reduce the amount of water it uses at plants worldwide. The company has increased its target to a 50 percent reduction by 2020 after the company reached 42 percent by the end of the third quarter of 2016 — well above its original 2020 goal of a 33 percent reduction.
Water conservation is important. It reduces strains on the vital resource, which helps ensure it’s available for those who have the most difficult time obtaining water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene.
