Some SJC news
On Wednesday the Rensselaer Chamber of Commerce held its final luncheon of the year at Strack & Van Til with a presentation from Ernest Watson about programs at SJC. He talked mostly about the building-trades program that recently started. That program has had problems finding high school students because of scheduling (the students need a three-hour block of time and some schools cannot provide that) and the foundation courses that are needed are not there. The program does have a student from the Indiana Ag and Tech school who would be willing to work every day if it were permitted.
It has taken a while, but SJC is now focused on hands-on training. Mr Watson commented that it has gone from higher education to hirer education, a focus on providing skills and certificates that make students ready for jobs. There is a demand for people in the trades and not enough young people are entering them. The CDL program limits classes to four students, much less than some programs north of us. The students learn on manual transmissions because then they can drive any semi. Students who learn on automatic transmissions cannot drive manual transmission trucks.
SJC has developed useful relationships with WorkOne and United Way of Northwest Indiana, both of which have funding to help people upgrade their skills. SJC will have an open house on November 21 from 6:00 until 8:00 for anyone interested in knowing more about their program.
There is a chance that SJC will host a school for training linemen. Let's hope it happens. Saint Joe has its winter newsletter on-line. The subdivision that will gradually emerge west of Halleck Center now has a name, the "Waugh Estates".
Finally, the recently-hired CEO, Rachel J. Lattimore, who was hired this past summer, is leaving. She gave her notice in September and will leave before the end of November. I talked to her briefly and she said her vision of the future was not the same as the vision of some Board members. She did not go into details, but my guess is that she is interested in exploring new opportunities while some on the Board still want to resurrect the past.
Annual Prairie Arts Council Holiday Sale
The Prairie Arts Council Holiday Sale began on Thursday and will end on Saturday. There is a lot of stuff for sale—the gallery is packed with things. There are several jewelry exhibits.
The Celebrating Photography show that was scheduled to run through December has been canceled because of building maintenance.
A mystery tree/bush
This summer I noticed a strange little tree or bush that was growing in my yard next to the street. I used to be able to identify almost all the trees around town, but this one was a complete mystery to me. It had very ordinary leaves but strange pink-red fruit that was oddly shaped.
Rensselaer Redevelopment Commission meeting
The Rensselaer Redevelopment Commission met Thursday afternoon. On their agenda was a public hearing for a resolution that would a) enlarge the Drexel/Fairgrounds economic development area, b) establish the Van Rensselaer Residential allocation area, and c) amend and restate the Drexel/Fairgrounds economic development plan. There were several people who asked questions about what this meant. The Drexel/Fairgrounds TIF district connects via roads two areas, one on the east side of US 231 across from SJC and the other west along SR 114 from the old City limits to the Interstate. Any property tax revenues from new development in these areas goes to the Redevelopment Commission and they are supposed to spend them to provide infrastructure such as roads and utilities. The resolution establishes a new TIF area, a two block tract north of Van Rensselaer and a strip along Elm Street east of Melville Street. This is a residential TIF, something new allowed by the State.The resolution both expands the area in which the Commission can spend money and the things on which the Commission can spend. After the comments, the Commission passed it and this is the final vote that it needed. (The City Council previously approved it.)
The Commission continued the Façade grant program with funding at $100,000 for 2025. It loosened the timing of the spending, so more than $25,000 can be spent in one quarter if it is taken from another quarter.
Finally, the Commission approved a 2025 spending plan. During that discussion, Superintendent Craig from Rensselaer Central Schools reported on how the $25,000 given to the Schools last year helped the Corporation's pre-school, which enrolls 43 kids this year. There is no State funding for pre-schools. This year the Corporation is requesting another $25,000, but for school supplies instead of pre-school. The State gives schools $156 per student for supplies, but Rensselaer spends more than that. I am not sure if the vote to accept the 2025 spending plan also approved that request or if it needs a separate approval.
Odds & ends
Saint Augustine had its annual turkey dinner and bazaar on Thursday. Preparing dinners for hundreds of people takes a tremendous amount of work and I respect those who do it.
On Monday and Tuesday there are some County meetings that may have substantial audiences.
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