As a busy and eventful 2012 fades away from us, we take a look backward and reflect on our concerns, our triumphs and our everyday accomplishments as a community. Here are a few highlights as we prepare to flip our calendars to 2013.
We were impressed by the efforts, maturity and composure of 23-year-old Goshen native Jackie Jerlecki as she represented Indiana in the annual Miss America pageant in Las Vegas.
We were amazed by the turnover in leadership at Goshen Community Schools as several long-time administrators either retired or moved on to new opportunities. Among those to retire were Superintendent Bruce Stahly, Goshen High School Principal Jim Kirkton and Chamberlain Elementary Principal Don Jantzi.
We were inspired by the efforts of Middlebury’s Roy and Christine Pickler, who lost nearly 200 combined pounds on the reality television show, “The Biggest Loser.”
We tapped our feet and bobbed our heads at countless musical acts that made their way to Goshen. Among the performers were Del McCoury, Glen Campbell and Will Hoge.
We were disheartened by a rash of arsons in Middlebury and Goshen. One of those blazes claimed the Rogers Park pavilion in Goshen. It is being rebuilt. Thankfully nobody was seriously injured.
We were alarmed by the amount of violent crime in the county, especially after a man was shot and wounded in broad daylight in back of his own Goshen home.
We also think courtroom safety should be re-evaluated in light of an escape attempt in May by convicted killer Tyrice Halliburton.
We were distraught to learn that approximately 450 jobs at Cequent Performance Products in Goshen will move to Mexico by the end of 2013.
We were shocked to learn safety was in question in downtown Goshen after a business owner fell through his front sidewalk and into his basement. Still, we were pleased at the quick reaction of city officials to deal with the concern.
We are still waiting for some kind of city-county unity concerning the flow of traffic to C.R. 17 south of the city (more on that later).
We are excited about the prospect of a downtown community center, but reluctant about a price tag in excess of $35 million (more on that later also).
We are proud of our students and teachers throughout the county as we have some of the best schools in the state because of their efforts. By the way, parents play a big role in that, too.
We were thankful the world didn’t end on Dec. 21 and hopeful that a compromise to swerve away from America’s “Fiscal Cliff” happens before Dec. 31 ends.
Mostly we are simply proud that we are part of such a wonderful and caring community. We honestly couldn’t ask for a better place live and work.
Opinion
Goshen area's 2012 had many ups and downs
- Opinion
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Council makes a smart move on tax breaks
The Goshen City Council’s adoption of a tax phase-in policy for local governments will help bring uniformity to a competitive process that has pitted local governments against each other.
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Like it or not, Sheriff is going to speak freely
Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers has taken heat the past couple weeks after he commented during a political rally in downtown South Bend that he would not enforce proposed future gun-control legislation within his jurisdiction.
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Goshen neighborhood stands together on north side
Sometimes a news photographer is at the optimum location at exactly the right time. Goshen News staffer Sam Householder was in such a spot Wednesday.
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We just can’t thank our moms enough
The purpose of this editorial is quite simple. We just want to say, “Thanks, mom.” And by “mom” we mean all of the great mothers in our community who have gone above and beyond to lead the way in the development of their children.
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Letter carriers help to Stamp Out Hunger
There’s still time to help someone you probably don’t know.
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Farmers are positive this will be the year
Farmers and Cub fans have something in common. They are eternally positive and expect a better season next year.
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It's time to spruce up the Maple City
This is the season and today is the day, finally.
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Smooth sailing for this year’s regular session
The final gavel has fallen on the 2013 regular session of Indiana’s General Assembly. During the 14-week session, our lawmakers passed nearly 300 pieces of legislation, including the state’s $30 billion biennial budget that contains the largest tax cut in state history.
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Palm Sunday tornadoes a reminder of sudden danger
It was a beautiful day, most people around these parts who can remember will tell you. It was one of those near-perfect, early spring days, they would likely say, a stark contrast to what early evening would bring on April 11, 1965.
Yes, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, is still very vivid in our local history five decades later. Those were days before Doppler Radar, 24-7 cable television, countywide siren warning systems and even seatbelts in most cars. So, when afternoon turned to early evening, many local residents had little or no warning that killer tornadoes were nearly on top of them. -
Graduation is always a great achievement
While many of us have been waiting patiently – some not so patiently – for spring to finally show up in Northern Indiana, students throughout the area have been busy working on term papers, taking tests and ordering caps and gowns.
- More Opinion Headlines
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Council makes a smart move on tax breaks
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Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
