Overbudget Oakland City Indiana hit harder by USI STUDY
With budget cuts by Governor Mitch Daniels, and Terrible news by a resent study on towns in the path of I-69, Oakland City Indiana seems to be headed for trouble.
A study conducted by The University Of Southern Indiana (USI) states “Investment in upgrading/expanding infrastructure (e.g., water/sewer facilities)
yields a greater return if it is made early-on, before completion of construction
of the relevant segment of I-69. It helps retain and attract new businesses (as
experienced by Garrett County). Such investment is all the more urgent where
there is a proximate larger city that is taking rapid economic development
initiatives. This has a bearing on the economies of Oakland City and
Petersburg. A large multi-use complex, the Promenade, is being planned in
Evansville on 228 acres of land. While it may take about 10 years to complete,
construction on access roads is expected to commence this year. I-69, by
significantly improving access to the jobs generated by the complex, could spur
losses in employment as well as population (as experienced by Jeffersonville) for
Oakland City, with the latter effect growing in likelihood as gasoline prices
continue rising. With Washington already developing an industrial park, similar
effects may be experienced by Petersburg. These effects are likely to be
relatively more pronounced as I-69 will bypass Petersburg, draining the current
through-traffic on U.S. 57 – a phenomenon similar to that experienced by
Jeffersonville.”
And according to a FOX7-WTVW news report May 21, budget cut by Daniels have left the city officials helpless. According to the report, only on police officer is on duty per shift, and they cant update equipment, or vehicles and they still might have to make further cuts and tehy fear a rise in crime.
The news report went on to say that city officials mowed the grass at the local park to prepare for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but don’t know when they can afford to mow it again! And they stated it wont get any better for 2 years.
According to the USI report, Oakland City would need to invest a significant amount of money to try to possibly gain from the I-69 NAFTA Interstate…….but wait, they don’t have it, so does that mean Oakland City would be a city no more???
I urge all Cities and Towns in the path of I-69 reassess their positions on 1-69 and the possible repercussions for thinking it would be good for your communities.
The price tag for the I-69 will go up significantly if gas prices rise, which in the long run would mean deeper budget cuts for every community in Indiana.
The USI report can be viewed at
River City Animal Defense League Joins the Fight Against I-69
On the evening of Monday, May 19th, the newly formed River City Animal Defense League (ADL) and friends made our public debut. We took to the neighborhoods, and more specifically the houses of executives and contractors of Gohmann Asphalt and Construction, Inc. Gohmann Asphalt and Construction, Inc. is a disgusting company that has decided to proceed with business in the construction of Interstate-69 (I-69) which is the North American Free Trade Agreement’s (NAFTA) superhighway.
NAFTA’s superhighway has already been built from Ontario to Indianapolis. It is planned to extend into Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Once in Texas it would connect with the highways of the Plan Puebla Panama into Mexico. I-69’s Section 1, from River City (otherwise known as Evansville, IN) to Bloomington, IN, is set for construction in spring and summer of 2008. With over 400 people that will be evicted, 7,000 acres of land that will be paved over, communities across the Turtle Island (otherwise known as North America) that will be destroyed, the murder of countless animals, including native Indiana bats being killed off, people of the River City area could no longer remain idle.
For the Animals, for the Earth and for the people, River City Animal Defense League and its friends have joined the fight against I-69.
Our first stop was to the home of a Gohmann Asphalt and Construction, Inc. contractor’s house, Michael J Gohmann, of 7305 Smith Creek Road, Lanesville, IN 47136. Michael Gohmann’s moat, large stone walls, high hills and large rich house hiding deep in the woods did not and never will stop protesters from having our message seen and voices heard. With protesters chanting “I-69… stop it now!” and “It’s your money… your fault! Your company… your fault!” we’re sure anyone that heard us will soon learn of the dirty business you’re doing with I-69 Michael Gohmann. Michael Gohmann, as a “Contractor” of Gohmann Asphalt and Construction, Inc., we demand you get your company to drop all connections to the construction of Interstate 69. Until then Michael Gohmann, we’ll be back…
Our next stop was to the executive’s home of Gohmann Asphalt and Construction, Inc., John R Gohmann, at 4036 Woodstone Drive, Floyds Knobs, IN 47119. With signs reading “Resist Eco-Devastation” and “For the Animals We Will Fight” and chanting “Polluting the land, polluting the water… profiting off the Earth’s slaughter!” and “Bat killer… leave town! Earth destroyer… leave town!” John Gohmann’s neighbors were well aware of our presence and our fight. John Gohmann, your company will not freely go about doing business with NAFTA’s superhighway and we will never let you build this road. Until your company drops I-69 John Gohmann, we’ll be back…
I69 protesters take to the trees in defense of Mother Earth(and Mitch Daniels)
On the morning of
Monday, May 19th, a small group of people opposed to the construction of
Interstate 69 set up an
aerial tree occupation in the path of construction. The sit was erected at the
north end of the first 1.77 miles of the proposed route, just south of State
Road 68. This is the area proposed for construction this summer.
The road has been resisted for nearly two decades by a wide range of groups and
individuals throughout the state. This action is in opposition to the start of
the NAFTA Superhighway, a devastating road-building agenda that is set to
destroy communities across the country:
“The governor is pushing this road down the throats of southern Indiana
communities for the benefit of Big Business, not for those whose lives are
going to be destroyed, whose houses, farms, woods, wetlands and wilderness are
going to be paved over. This action stands in the way of construction in order
to preserve these areas, to stop the self-interested state government from
exploiting the people and land of southern Indiana, and to stand in solidarity
with those who are fighting similarly destructive infrastructure projects up
and down the continent”
-Harriet Ray, one of the tree-borne protesters.
The protesters raised living quarters into two maple trees along the route and
hung banners (facing State Road 68), informing the neighbors about the presence
and displaying their support of local struggles against the road. While
construction has not technically begun, it is hoped that this action will be
the first of many attempts to physically halt the building of the road:
“After nearly two decades of resistance, INDOT and the governor’s office
are still ignoring the undisputed opposition of the vast majority of Hoosiers.
I urge everyone not to let them silence you and to continue taking the actions
needed to stop I-69.”
-Grant Reynolds, the other tree occupier.
