We’ve been taken to task, while also being supported by others, about our stand against government-run mass transit. One person opined that such service is in the same category as roads, and we don’t see the logic there. One hundred percent of the people we know use roads; we suspect mass-transit users in Hamilton County will fall far short of that percentage. The point we’re making in our writings primarily pertains to costs. For example, looking at Marion County’s direct property-tax rates for public transportation, in 2002 the rate was .0371 per $100 of assessed value; in 2011, it almost doubled to .0696. The approach here would be a bit different in that the tax would be a percentage of your income, not an increase in our property taxes, but we’re sure you get our point. The question we ask is this: What will it cost us in 10 years? Can we trust the projections? We’ve also been accused of having a “closed mind” on this subject. It always fascinates us how advocates of government spending attack personally those who don’t sign on with full support. Will this be the attitude we’ll get when, if a referendum is held and approved, they come to us and ask for more money? As we stated prior, privatize it and we’ll get on board.

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Farewell to Doreen Squire Ficara, who died last week at 88 after a short illness. To the end, she was passionate about the arts in our area. She was a co-chair for Civic Theatre’s gala on June 18, and we know it bothered her to not be able to be in attendance. She will be missed.