Monday, March 02, 2009
Local government reform workshop to be held at USI
|
Southwestern Indiana residents can learn about, discuss, and help forge approaches to Indiana’s local government reform initiatives in a workshop titled “Speaking locally: Southwestern Indiana discusses the structure of local government,” to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in Carter Hall in the University Center at the University of Southern Indiana. In 2007, the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform, a bipartisan panel appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels, delivered 27 recommendations for redesigning local government in Indiana. The recommendations addressed a range of issues, from school consolidation and the structure of county governments to library services and the method for funding child welfare services. Some of the recommendations have been implemented or are under consideration at various levels of government, including the Indiana General Assembly. Citizens will hear details and a variety of perspectives on these reform measures, as well as a historical perspective on local government in Indiana. They’ll also have opportunities to engage in conversations with elected officials, office holders, and advocates on all sides of the issues. “Our goal is to expose citizens to information, background and points of view that will help them engage in the process of local government reform,” said Dr. Linda Bennett, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “These are vital conversations, with a lot at stake, and citizens need the opportunity to raise questions, discuss concerns and make their voices heard.” Here’s the schedule: 8:30 a.m.: Registration 9 a.m.: Welcome, introduction, history of government reform in Vanderburgh County: Mizell Stewart III, editor of the Evansville Courier & Press; History of Local Government: Dr. James Madison, Indiana University. 9:45 a.m.: Perspectives on local government reform: former Governor Joe Kernan and Tony Wolfe, president of the Gibson County Council and past president of the Indiana County Council Association. 11:30 a.m.: Lunch/services provided by local government panel discussion: Local township, city and county officials. 1:30 p.m.: Roundtable breakout sessions: Imagining the future of local government from multiple perspectives. 2:30 p.m.: Breakout session reports/wrap-up. There is no charge to attend the events; however, there will be a $10 charge for lunch and reservations are required. Register by Friday, March 6: call 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600; fax 812/465-7061, or email extserv@usi.edu. Other workshops will be held in Jasper, Elkhart, Greensburg and Madison County. The workshops are presented through a program offered by the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University and the Indiana Humanities Council. Their partners include the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, and Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick. Local partners include Growth Alliance of Greater Evansville (GAGE), Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana, Leadership Evansville, League of Women Voters of Southwest Indiana, Evansville Courier and Press, WNIN Public Television and Radio, Dubois County Daily Herald, Jasper Chamber of Commerce, Dubois County Area Development Corporation, and Grow Southwest Indiana. |
Copyright © 2013 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.