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Much has been reported recently on the growth of, and investment in, downtown Terre Haute. It’s apparent we have turned the corner on decades of blight and lack of confidence in our downtown, and thanks to a number of recent public and private developments, there’s a sense of energy that continues to result in new construction and business starts.
Consider this. Within the past five years, downtown boasts two new hotels, a world-class children’s museum, a new federal court building, several recently established retail and professional service franchises, and the tangible interest of Indiana State University. Lest we forget, this has been accomplished during one of the worst recessions in U.S. history.
Not since the out-migration of major retail decades ago has there been as much optimism and forward momentum in the redevelopment of our downtown.
As president of Downtown Terre Haute, Inc. (DTH), I feel compelled to share the great work being accomplished by our organization and how it adds value to our downtown merchants, property owners and community. Within the past year, DTH has undergone a restructuring of capabilities and priorities, resulting in a renewed sense of urgency and focus on supporting the success of downtown merchants.
Here are a few of the value-added projects DTH has accomplished or sustained this year:
Downtown Cooperative Growth Initiative — through the partnership of ISU, DTH and many downtown stakeholders, a new branding and marketing strategy has been developed to promote the merchants and events of Downtown Terre Haute, which will be publicly launched in September. Phase two of the project involves the development and installation of a comprehensive “way-finding” system for downtown.
DTH Streetscape — in collaboration with the City of Terre Haute and many individual “adopters,” the downtown streetscape will look better than ever in 2011. DTH has organized a sustainable maintenance schedule to ensure the professional care and planting of our landscape boxes along Wabash Avenue and the Seventh Street Arts Corridor. Leveraging both public and private funding, the program is already creating a source of pride and sense of ownership for our main street. Thanks to the support of Mayor Bennett, Duke Energy, Time Warner Media Sales, the ISU Facilities Management Recycling Center, Precision Lawn Plus, and many others for helping make this possible. If you have an opportunity to meet our Streetscape Chair, Stephanie Boyd, please thank her for her outstanding leadership.
2011 Downtown Block Party — formerly known as the Terre Haute Street Fair, DTH has refocused its efforts this year to organize a one-day event on Aug. 27, showcasing our downtown merchants and community partnerships. Our co-chairs, Boo Lloyd, Lisa Johnson, Marla Flowers and Judi Evelo, have been working tirelessly to produce an event unlike downtown has yet to experience. Activities are geared to attract all ages, and include fine local foods, wine and beer tasting, an artisan market, children’s zone and multiple live music acts and much more. Save the date — Aug. 27.
Annual Heritage Awards Dinner — one of the best opportunities to acknowledge those who make a positive impact on downtown is during the annual DTH Heritage Awards. This year we recognized a number of projects and individuals: the Terre Haute Children’s Museum for economic restructuring, Miracle on 7th Street for promotion of downtown, Art Spaces, Inc. for design of the Max Ehrmann at the Crossroads sculpture, and Todd Nation as volunteer of the year. We anticipate an equally impressive roster of candidates for next year’s event.
DTH Membership — as a member-driven organization, DTH has a commitment to providing results. The DTH board of directors set a membership goal this year to ensure the ongoing success of our efforts, and I’m pleased to report we have met that goal. However, as we look toward to 2012 and the opportunity to continue adding value to the development of downtown, additional corporate investment will be needed. Our mid-term goals include hiring staff in 2012, continuing the ongoing marketing strategy for downtown, assisting in retail expansion and recruitment, and partnering with our many stakeholders.
As we look toward the future of downtown Terre Haute and our collective interest in ensuring the success and profitability of our merchants, I invite you to join our efforts. Whether your involvement takes the form of individual member, corporate investor or event volunteer, DTH welcomes your support.
I also invite you to choose downtown and rediscover what you may be missing. You have a choice when deciding where to eat, shop and play, and it’s appreciated when you choose downtown.
— Christopher Pfaff, Director ISU Business Engagement President,
Downtown Terre Haute, Inc.
Co-chair, Energize Downtown
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Time has come to rediscover our downtown
- Flashpoint
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
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FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
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FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
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FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
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FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
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FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
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FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
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Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
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FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
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FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
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FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
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FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
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FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
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Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
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FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
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FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
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FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
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FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
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FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
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FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
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FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
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FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
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FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
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FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
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FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
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FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
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