Around Town – September 15

Orchids to …

• Sherry Grimes for her accurate and well-stated letter regarding liberals in Wednesday’s edition of The Republic.

• the Bartholomew County Council for doing the unpopular but the necessary and right thing.

• Flintwood Wesleyan Church for an excellent senior adult ministries luncheon on Thursday.

• Barbara Phillips for her letter to the editor on Thursday.

• Lori at the post office for doing a nice job.

• Shirley at Jo-Ann Fabrics for being so helpful and for having patience with your customers, from Laura.

• County Council members Laura DeDomenic, Jorge Morales, Mark Gorbett and Chris Ogle for their integrity and courageousness in voting for a tax increase.

• Laura DeDomenic, Jorge Morales, Mark Gorbett and Chris Ogle for investing the time to really understand the challenges in our community and voting to move our community in the right direction.

• whomever left the painted rock on a Tipton Lakes bridge that said, “You are cool,” because it helped make my day, with love from Martha.

• Don Barringer for his interest in helping Red Whittington get the French military award.

• Larry Perkinson for his friendliness and thoughtful help at the Azalia Grade School reunion Saturday, from Gene.

• our mayor for his strong and thoughtful statement against hate.

• all the people who are reasonable enough to realize the great benefit of diversity to our town and our county.

• The Republic for keeping the community informed about all that’s happening in Columbus.

• Hope police and fire departments for the fast response and thorough check when I smelled something burning in my house on Midway Court.

• County Council members Bill Lentz, Evelyn Pence and Matt Miller for being true fiscal conservatives and good stewards of taxpayer money.

• Curt Huff for fixing my deck railing and porch light, and to Denver Huff and family for being awesome neighbors.

• Earl for his amazing work on Saturday, from the Koons family.

Onions to …

• the hate group that marched Saturday night on Washington Street.

• people who would not help the victim of a road-rage incident Wednesday morning.

• those who enjoy the benefits of government but then complain when taxes have to be raised to pay for those benefits.

• the cyclists on Goeller Road who block traffic by failing to drop into a single lane.

• the company that has failed to move its utility poles away from the edge of roads.

• the rude, unprofessional person at the local government office.

• the person who doesn’t have an understanding about the Dreamers and who should speak with a local Dreamer to learn.

• those who fail to recognize that a march is a right, whether you like what a group is marching about or not.

• the elected officials who would rather increase taxes instead of cut wasteful spending.

• conservative Republicans who pledged not to raise taxes while campaigning and now are voting to do the opposite.

• elected officials who actually believe that raising taxes will eliminate the drug problem in our community.

• county officials for raising our taxes instead of controlling expenses.

• all of those who have been misusing the personal Orchids and Onions feature for political posturing.

Happy Birthday to …

• Betty Tutton, from friends at Bethel Baptist Church.

• Deb Johnson, from your family, co-workers, Brent, Patrick, Tina, Deb, Brenda and Donna.

• Krista Hagerty, from your family and Donna.

• Penny Andis, from your family and Donna.

• Helen Prince, from your family and Donna.

• Brenda Hill, from Pam and Kenny, Cheryl, Debi, Tim, Terry, Kevin, Austin, Keith and all your nephews and nieces.

• Emily Fleetwood, from Cody, Zoe, family and friends.

• Amahya Ritchison, from Great Mamaw Jan.