Candidate forums help inform voters’ choices
To the editor:
I am disappointed that several of our candidates for town and county publicly elected positions do not bother to respond to questions asked by the Brown County Democrat staff, or to participate in League of Women Voters’ candidate forums. How are we supposed to make an informed choice when we don’t have any idea what a candidate believes or stands for?
Rachel Perry, Nashville
Early childhood education matters to area children
To the editor:
I am a 6th generation Brown County native. My husband was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana. I spent about 15 years living outside of Brown County, but when my husband and I found out we were pregnant with our son four years ago, it was a no-brainer that we would move to Brown County to raise our family. One of the key factors in that decision was the Brown County school corporation. Small class sizes, early childhood programs, and vocational and arts programs were just a few of the reasons why we felt that Brown County was the right place for us.
Since I grew up here, it was an easy decision for me, but my husband did a lot of research on our school corporation and discovered that he wished he would have been able to be a part of a school corporation like Brown County when he was going to school. His experience wasn’t all grim, but he will tell you that his school was riddled with crime, drugs, and lack of funding that prevented students and teachers from having the ability to teach and learn effectively. He has said to me numerous times when we have attended BCS school events that we may be small, but Brown County Schools is a shining example of engaged teachers and staff, clean and well-maintained facilities, and happy students.
We have experienced this firsthand because our son attends the pre-K program at Helmsburg Elementary School. We are a proud HES Tiger family. As working parents, finding reliable childcare is challenging. Without the pre-K program, along with before- and after-school care programs, we would struggle with childcare. The pre-K program has provided our son with comprehensive learning through play and discovery. He loves going to school and learning. The early childhood program provides children with a good foundation of learning that will serve them well in the rest of their formative years. Children who are involved in early childhood programs are less likely to repeat a grade, more prepared academically for later grades, more likely to graduate high school, and are higher earners in the workforce, according to the National Education Association.
For my family, the 2022 BCS referendum is very important because it will help fund our early childhood programs and provide families who have young children a safe place to learn and grow. It gives parents the opportunity to work and contribute to the economy because they have the childcare they need.
In addition to the early childcare programs, the 2022 BCS referendum will ensure the continuation of innovative programing, maintain small classes, and reinstate career and technical education courses like building trades and manufacturing. It will also support our special education students.
I encourage you to think about families like mine who rely on the early childhood program, and the future of our young people when you vote in November. My hope is that my son can continue to be a student at Brown County through his entire pre-K-12 career. It is scary to think that may not be a possibility if the referendum doesn’t pass. Programs, teachers/staff, and other items will be cut, and our students, families and community will suffer the consequences.
I have spoken to many community members who are concerned about their property taxes and how it will affect them financially. The initial referendum in 2016 was $0.08. This referendum is only adding four more cents for a total of $0.12. I encourage you to visit www.browncountyschools.com/referendum-2022/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to find your taxable assessment and calculate your adjusted tax for this referendum. While you are there, please read about the referendum and what it will do for our schools and community.
Please vote “YES” for Brown County Schools referendum in November.
Andrea Swift-Hanlon, Helmsburg Elementary School parent
School board candidates ‘represent parents’ views and values’
To the editor:
I am endorsing Kevin Patrick, Dist. 1 and Stephen (Doug) Payne, Dist. 3 for Brown County School Board.
I have spoken at length with both of them and I believe they best represent the views and values of our parents and community as a whole.
This is very important and I encourage you to vote.
Brenda Miller, Brown County
Christmas children’s auction around the corner
To the editor:
It is time once again for one of Brown County’s oldest Christmas traditions!
Brown County Children’s Fund LIVE Auction, Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at The Brown County Inn.
A group of Brown County locals gathered 45 years ago on the liar’s bench in downtown Nashville and discussed a way to ensure that all kids in the Brown County school system have warm clothes for winter. They came up with the idea to gather goods from local merchants and the Brown County Children’s Auction was born. This group called themselves the “No-Name Committee” and each year since that time, the auction has been held on the first Friday in December and all proceeds continue to be used to provide clothing for children in need.
The annual auctions have provided more than $640,000 in clothing and helped many Brown County children. The auction will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, starting at 6 p.m. at The Brown County Inn in downtown Nashville. The auction will feature donated art, crafts, antiques, donated items from local merchants, gift certificates for local restaurants, hotels, and many outside organizations including Holiday World and the Cincinnati Reds. Locals donate home baked cookies and prize winning brownies and there is always something really special to bid on.
All proceeds are used to purchase clothing for local children in need. We are now collecting donations and those items can be dropped off at Out of The Ordinary. This year we are also holding an online auction with specialty items available to bid on! You can access our online auction or find more information about it on our Facebook page!
Cash donations can be made at PNC Bank in Nashville. If you would like to have items picked up or if you have questions, please call 812-320-2601. This is a fun event and you can complete your Christmas shopping in one evening! Come out on December 2 and help us ensure that all children in Brown County have a very Merry Christmas!
Carol Birkemeier, Vice-President, Brown County Children’s Fund
Thank you to shops for 15 years of Chocolate Walk support
To the editor:
Every November for the past 15 years, chocolate lovers have descended on Nashville for a day of chocolate bliss. The lure of mouth-watering chocolate-themed treats donated by local shops and restaurants has transformed the Brown County Humane Society’s Chocolate Walk from a unique idea to a sell-out event.
The Chocolate Walk is a guilt-free pleasure because all proceeds from ticket sales support homeless pets. Since the first Chocolate Walk in 2008, and thanks to thousands of chocolate walkers, generous sponsors, and dozens of chocolatiers, nearly $400,000 has been raised for the Brown County Humane Society and its mission to be a community resource dedicated to promoting animal welfare.
The Chocolate Walk is only possible because of the shops, restaurants, and other businesses that participate each year. On behalf of the Chocolate Walk committee, I want to recognize and thank the eight shops that have participated in all 15 years of the Chocolate Walk:
- Artists Colony Inn
- Bone Appetit Bakery
- Carmel Corn Cottage
- Heritage Candy Store
- Hobnob Corner
- Jack and Jill Nut Shop
- Nashville Fudge Kitchen
- The Candy Emporium
Thank you to these shops for their remarkable generosity and dedication to homeless pets over the years. This year’s event (which has already sold out!) will be held Saturday, Nov. 12. Please stop by these businesses to thank them for their continued support of our community and the animals.
Jane Weatherford, Brown County Humane Society board member
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