TERRE HAUTE — In another part of the country, some political spin master could pluck a few key words and have a field day.
It’s not hard to imagine an indignant talk-show pundit muttering, “Want to know how your federal stimulus money is being used? Well, get this — Team Obama is spending $3.3 million on a ditch in Terre Haute, Indiana. Can you say, Ditch to Nowhere?”
Hopefully, the roar of earthmovers will soon drown out such cynicism.
The debate over President Obama’s plan to modernize America’s infrastructure (roads, railways, bridges and watersheds) can go on and on like the old Miller Lite commercials — “Sounds great” … “Less spending” … “Sounds great” … “Less spending” …
But the bottom line is this: A flood-protection plan, which Terre Haute folks need and have been working on for decades, will now get finished. By 2011, six miles of true floodwalls along Thompson Ditch will shield hundreds of homes and businesses from a 100-year flood. The ditch was carved through Terre Haute’s south side nearly 40 years ago to improve water drainage, rather than to specifically control flooding. It is, well, a ditch. Its limitations were exposed on June 7, 2008, when the city experienced its worst flood since 1913.
On Tuesday morning, Obama’s secretary of agriculture, Tom Vilsack, stood on the burm of the ditch and announced that $3.3 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would be used for the long-awaited completion of the Honey Creek-Vigo Conservancy District Watershed project.
That’s a lot of words. In a nutshell, Terre Haute will be a drier, safer place. That’s a good thing. Period.
Craig McKee, the attorney for the conservancy district, turned to Vilsack and said the commitment was “very good news, Mr. Secretary, not only for the protection of people in southern Vigo County, but it’s good news for the local economy.”
He’s exactly right. The heart of the Terre Haute economy — the new Crossroads of America, as McKee put it — lies within that district. The intersection of U.S. 41 and Interstate 70 is a local “gold mine,” he said, containing Honey Creek Mall, Terre Haute Regional Hospital, Terre Haute South Vigo High School, hotels, restaurants, salons, a bowling alley, car dealerships, strip malls, health-care facilities, stores, golf courses, houses and apartments. A news release distributed by Vilsack’s USDA staff said 390 homes and 190 businesses are located in the 1,300-acre area. But those numbers were compiled when the conservancy district was planning the project in the early 1990s. The number of residences and businesses in that part of town has grown immensely since then.
Last June, the impact of flooding became harshly clear. High waters ruined belongings, homes and businesses. Once the water receded, drenched family photos, clothes, mattresses and appliances were piled up outside people’s front doors.
To be sure, the 2008 flood packed unique force. It surpassed the 100-year level, and earned the rare label as a 500-year (or more) flood. The restructured Thompson Ditch — even with its six-mile system of earthen and concrete dikes — is designed to withstand a 100-year flood, but not a 500. Still, when it’s done in two years, residents and shop owners can sleep more peacefully when long stretches of heavy rains hit.
That’s what good government should help provide — reasonable safety.
And, in this brutally long recession, the construction jobs involved in the project will benefit local contractors in the short run, McKee pointed out. In the long run, the projected benefits generated by its completion will be $1.97 million annually, or $98 million over its 50-year lifespan.
Vilsack was correct when he said, “This is the kind of project we need to do more of in this country. We have not reinvested in our infrastructure.” He vowed it would be carried out with fiscal transparency.
This project perfectly fits the concept of the economic recovery plan — a shovel-ready, one-time undertaking that will have lasting value while also putting people to work. It should look just as good to Texans or New Yorkers as it does to Hauteans. Of course, that often is wishful thinking. It’s human nature to be skeptical of anything benefiting the other guy, rather than us.
“We all know that when we look at the expenditure of tax dollars, tax dollars that are spent in somebody else’s state for somebody else’s project are always boondoggles,” McKee aptly noted. “And federal dollars that are spent on projects that meet local needs are the federal government at its best. That’s just real life.”
Fortunately for Terre Haute, this project will become real very soon.
Mark Bennett can be reached at (812) 231-4377 or mark.bennett@tribstar.com.
Mark Bennett B-Sides
Related Photos
Discussion
MARK BENNETT: Obama’s infrastructure plan means TH will be a drier, safer place
- Mark Bennett B-Sides
-
-
MARK BENNETT: Proposed trail would give river development momentum, reacquaint community with Wabash
Terre Haute and the Wabash River were like strangers living next door to each other.
-
MARK BENNETT: Super Bowl luck? His is mostly bad
I’ve learned to take a Seinfeld approach to Super Bowls.
In a flash of clairvoyance, Jerry excitedly reminded buddy George Costanza that “if every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.” -
MARK BENNETT: Not-so-casual observers
In the minds of many adults, the most upstanding generation of young people was, ironically, their own.
-
MARK BENNETT: On the banks of the Wabash, a sculpture
Paul Dresser remembered his hometown at its best. Terre Haute should remember him the same way.
-
MARK BENNETT: A reminder for electorate: You get what you vote for
In the rear-view mirror of our lives, some days loom larger than we expected.
For many Hoosiers, the date Nov. 2, 2010, probably fits that category. -
MARK BENNETT: Keys to the future
Steve Witt fielded a jarring phone call in October 2007.
-
MARK BENNETT: Hall-of-Famer Larkin delivered more than clutch hits
A logjam of kids swelled behind the first-base dugout in Riverfront Stadium.
-
MARK BENNETT: Polian, Colts and Terre Haute were good for one another
Sentimentality seems alien in a discussion of Bill Polian.
That emotion rarely influenced his decisions in 14 seasons as the day-to-day boss of the Indianapolis Colts. He surely felt it, but seldom submitted to it. The NFL is a business, after all, with winning as its bottom line. Polian knew how to make that happen, and did. Anyone or anything threatening to divert the Colts from title contention could not linger. When it came to that mission, Polian functioned with all of the sentimentality of Joe Friday. -
MARK BENNETT: In this day and age, pure quiet is hard to find
It’s hard to emulate JFK — this JFK, at least.
-
MARK BENNETT: Rose professor’s bit part in classic holiday movie leaves a major memory
Most of us see a bit of ourselves in “A Christmas Story.” Mike Kukral does so, literally. The 1983 movie grew into a holiday classic because so many of its poignant, awkward and hilarious moments seem to have been pulled straight from our childhood memories.
-
MARK BENNETT: Ferrell’s love of Old Milwaukee shines light on Old Terre Haute
Will Ferrell didn’t walk through traffic at Seventh and Wabash for nothing.
Well, actually it might have been for nothing. Apparently, the comedian just likes Old Milwaukee so much that he came to Terre Haute, unannounced, one morning last September to film wacky commercials for the beer. -
MARK BENNETT: Holiday season makes going to the mailbox fun again
Ants decided to set up a colony in our family’s mailbox last summer.
-
MARK BENNETT: First impressions: City benefits from hearing visitors’ views of community
The town should blush.
-
MARK BENNETT: When it comes to retail, Thursday is the new Friday
The new Thanksgiving dinner tradition?
Turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie served at a family tailgating party in a big-box store parking lot on Black Thursday. -
MARK BENNETT: 'The Way We Worked' exhibit explains how work became a cornerstone of Americana
Young steelworkers, like Robert Bruno’s dad, often took dates to the railroad yards, watching train cars rumble past in blue-collar Youngstown, Ohio.
-
MARK BENNETT: He told tales of great-uncle Mortecai Brown, but Fred Massey's story is worth hearing
Fred Massey loved to talk about his family.
His wife and daughters, his parents, his brothers and sisters. And, his great-uncle, Mort. Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, that is, the Hall of Fame pitcher who led the Chicago Cubs to their last World Series title in 1908 with an amazing curveball and without an index finger. -
MARK BENNETT: Guess where the newest THPD headquarters is?
The city election involved lots of debate over a new headquarters for the Terre Haute Police Department.
But is Raleigh, N.C., really a fitting location? The 750-mile commute for the cops would be dreadful.
-
MARK BENNETT: Mayor’s progressive vision today has ties to leader long ago
Going backward rarely works as a leadership strategy.
Political groups often insist they’re primed to “take back America.” While their intent is to reclaim lost turf, the ultimate goal is to go backward — to a different time. Life isn’t “Back to the Future” or any other movie, though. The best policy for worthwhile living is to do things right today that make tomorrow better. -
MARK BENNETT: ‘It’s giving with care, and without judgment’
Let’s avoid the P-word today.
Just for some clarity, we’ll offer its dictionary definition: “The state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor.” -
MARK BENNETT: Pull up a telescope and see a show at Rose-Hulman observatory
Once in a lifetime. The phrase gets uttered often. Sometimes, it’s an assumption, as in traveling to Europe or getting tickets to see the Cubs play in the World Series. Occasionally, it’s definite.
-
MARK BENNETT: Year of the River inspiring new ideas
The Wabash River inspired the state song. That’s impressive.
-
MARK BENNETT: The significance of writing: T-S columnist Mike Lunsford pens third book
Our nerves buzz with anxiety for different reasons.
-
MARK BENNETT: Movie’s portrayal of fatherhood’s issues lives up to its name
For three summers, I had the good fortune to watch and listen to Tony Dungy day after day.
-
MARK BENNETT: Could a new champion for public schools be emerging?
Deep down, millions of Hoosiers would wear the label “advocate for public schools.”
Yes, many have their complaints, criticisms and a few “you-know-what-they-really-need-is” suggestions. But, in their heart of hearts, they want to see their alma maters and hometown public schools succeed and progress. -
MARK BENNETT: In Prairieton, renovation gives new life to old park
There wasn’t much leg room in that Radio Flyer wagon.
Our sons — two years apart but squashed together inside its fading wooden rails — always fidgeted until the black wheels started rumbling over the uneven WPA-era sidewalks running through Prairieton. -
Rekindling a dream on the river
Mark Twain probably would grin at the sight of John Cornell, Jim Foster, Dan Remaly and their raft.
-
MARK BENNETT: Just another Terre Haute celebrity sighting
At some point, this stuff becomes routine.
-
MARK BENNETT: Everyone has a role in this American story (see VIDEO)
We stood atop a hill in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, and I do mean rural. Cars, trucks, SUVs and RVs kept pulling into the parking area. Groups of people climbed out of their vehicles and into the suffocating July heat. Then, they too stood on the hilltop, staring down at a grassy clearing in front of a woods.
-
MARK BENNETT: It’s time for us to rekindle our volunteer spirit
Hoosiers exhibit generosity.
Terre Hauteans, in particular, displayed that virtue after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the local flooding in 2008. They donated blood, money, food, clothes and — most significantly — their own sweat and time. -
MARK BENNETT: What would Debs think?
Pretend it’s the year 2111.
- More Mark Bennett B-Sides Headlines
-
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Adele's revealing "60 Minutes" interview
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
Kissing contest heats up
Rosenthal: A's sign Cespedes
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Apple of their eye at $500 a share
Turkey's first face transplant
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Kelly Ripa's Fashion Faux Pas
Lusetich: AT&T Recap
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
Grammys 2012: Highlights
2.12: Pebble Beach Pro-Am -- Phil Mickelson
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
