SENATOR TOMES BELIEVES IT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF OUR FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
THE NEW-HARMONY GAZETTE
by: Publisher-Dan Barton April 2020
I have not been “Johnny on the Spot†with addressing the CV issue here in Posey County, primarily because I’ve been predisposed with some hospitalization and surgical issues of my own. No. Not CV; cardiac-related surgery. I’m doing fine, after a week at Deaconess Hospital. But have not gotten my writer’s legs back under me quite yet. However, important issues wait for no man. So here goes:
I’m writing this on Saturday, April 4, 2020. So far there have been no reported cases of CV in New Harmony. According to my sources, there are five cases in Posey County; population approx. 25,910. That’s about 0.00020 percent of the population. Not much, you say. We have thus far been blessed. I hope you are all taking reasonable precautions, as has been outlined by both State and Federal health officials and our elected representatives. New Harmony has done everything that is currently, feasibly, possible to prevent an outbreak here. The rest is pretty much up to citizen control. Let’s take this seriously and be done with it.
This morning I got a call on my cell phone from a concerned citizen. The concern was, that even though our town is doing what it can, the State of Indiana is not. It seems that Indiana Governor, Eric Holcomb, unlike our surrounding states Governors of Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan, has decided to leave our State Park campgrounds open for business during the CV crises. The other states closed campgrounds in order to restrain the spread of CV among the campers and to not spread them into outside communities.
I have to admit that I was startled to hear this news when the person on the other end of the phone related it to me. Why? I wondered, would a Governor close all of the state’s educational institutions, libraries, bars and restaurants, movie theaters and almost all of its businesses, but then leave a loophole as big as the State House, open for social co-mingling and potential disease spread?
The reports of how many campers have been at our own Harmony State Park have differed, depending on where the information is coming from, and I used several sources, both official and community. Some said, as many as 80 campers from places like Kentucky, Illinois, South Dakota, Montana, and Indiana. Others said, around 20 to 25 campers. State Senator Tomes said he had been given a number of around 15 or so from the Property Manager at Indiana Department of Natural Resources in Evansville, Joe Compton. So, take your pick. I tried to call Joe personally before calling State Senator Tomes but couldn’t get him, nor did he return my call. Instead, he immediately called Senator Tomes in order to head me off and do a little damage control on the side. I had very little success reaching anyone at IDNR, who had any authority.
It was a heck of a lot easier reaching Senator Tomes. I called his number and got his wife Margie, who interrupted Jim, while he was splitting fireplace wood. We had a good discussion about our differences on this subject, I being very concerned that these campgrounds might be a breeding ground for this virus to spread to communities like New Harmony and elsewhere if this open camping arrangement at Hoosier State Park was allowed to continue. Jim assured me that Parks personnel were on the lookout for campers being less than several feet apart and would address that problem if seen. I was skeptical. Senator Tomes was opposed to closing these campgrounds, I was not arguing to close the Parks entirely, only camping.
Senator Tomes believed that it would be just another violation of our freedom of movement in America and we should not cross that threshold. He did not agree with me that the campers could inadvertently spread a virus in which monumental steps had already been taken throughout the country to control. He said he believed that there were so many other ways that this virus could be spread that the campground issue was a non-issue. He believed that the national and local economy was already in jeopardy as it is and that further steps, like closing the campgrounds, could lead to irreparable damage to our country.
Senator Tomes is not alone in this position, by the way. In fact, I spoke to many people in New Harmony about this matter and found that there were some, especially in the business sector, who believed just a Jim believes. They believe that camping is done primarily by families only and the risk of them spreading a case of CV to New Harmony was remote at best.
There were others that I spoke to in New Harmony who thought otherwise. Many were dismayed that the Governor would close Indiana businesses, order citizens to stay indoors and close schools, but yet not consider the gatherings of people from Indiana and other states in a campground, just a couple of miles from our border, a threat.
I tried to reach Governor Holcomb, but with no success. Even Senator Tomes said that he wouldn’t be able to reach him when I asked the Senator to pass on these concerns about the Campground and the possible spread of CV to our community. So, I must say, the Governor is not reachable, nor is the upper level of the IDNR, but Senator Jim Tomes is. He was willing to openly discuss the issue in his usual candid manner. We did have to leave it at agreeing to disagree on this issue, however.
If any of you are interested in making your opinion known to our elected representatives, the following is a list of emails that I have gathered. Emailing is the best way, it’s permanent and they can’t erase them:
Governor Eric Holcomb: www.in.gov/gov/2752.htm (This is supposed to be his personal email, that’s why it says gov twice.
Indiana Senator JimTomes: senator.tomes@iga.in.gov
State Representative Wendy McNamara: wendy.m.mcnamara@gmail.com New Harmony’s
County Council Rep: David Pearce: dpearce263@aol.com Posey County Councilman at
Large, Aaron Wilson: aaron@wilsonauctions.com
Great article Dan. I see little sense when all else is closed and campgrounds are open. Hear Brown County is packed.
In the UK, they have left he public parks open, BUT stress physical distancing wqhile in them.
Kind of a none issue in this current climate, really. I agree with Senator Tomes on this. You can take yourself into Walmart, Schnucks, Lowes, and other exempt stores, but in the open air campgrounds it’s more dangerous. While I normally agree with Mr. Barton on things, I believe he’s off on this one. Our lives and economy are strained enough without adding an extra restriction.
There are about 20 IN residents in one KY campground as well. Holcomb’s two week quarantine is being ignored. They will eventually be coming back into IN.
*Beshear’s
People must eat, Bernie. But camping is optional. Why risk spreading a disease that has created a situation in which the state has “ordered” its own citizens to stay at home (martial law) and then invite all other states in the Union to camp on our doorstep. It’s too bad such drastic steps had to be taken but evidently everyone around the world believes this to be a serious epidemic but you, Senator Tomes, our Governor and a few others. Our economy will recover, if we do. I’m betting you can take the strain!
Dear Dr. Adams: Unless you are willing to guard our campgrounds around New Harmony and insure that everyone stays six feet apart, I really can’t take your comment seriously. The UK has been learning the hard way for a long, long, time.
MR. BARTON
Recently the Vanderburgh County Commission voted to close Burdette Park because of the COVID-19 virus concerns.
What’s good for Burdette Park should be good enough for the campgrounds in New Harmony, Ind.
Editor
Dear Editor: Agreed. Plus, almost all Federal Park Campgrounds have been closed across our country. This is the first time Americans have been asked to sacrifice (campgrounds) since WWII. Let’s take a lesson from the greatest generation and man up!
Dan Glad to hear you’re doing well.
You would thank that the publisher of the Posey County News would join you in taking on this potential public health issue!
Editor
I do find the individuals who consider the “Stay at Home” orders to be a strain rather pathetic. I’m old enough to remember listening to my parents and grandparents discuss the “strains” of the Depression and the WW2 economy and social requirements. They were required to make true sacrifices.
Considering most folks today have vast arrays of entertainment in their homes: Cable and satellite TV, Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon and others, electronic and non electronic games and perhaps even some actual books to keep the home bodies occupied: it seems to me that some are simply spoiled and have no idea what sacrifice is about. In addition, I suspect many home folks have plenty of chores, “fix me ups” and long ignored projects that could be around their places if they took the time to look.
I agree with Mr. Barton that leaving the park loophole is a mistake. And contrary to Mr. Tomes, not every “restriction” is a conspiracy to alter the core of America. Those who insist on the “right to camp” are, IMO, selfish and uncaring community members. I’d hate to think what they would have said/done during WW2, when sacrifice was real and community meant something.
I agree with Mr Barton’s thought process, but would be interested to know if the local (private) golf courses are operating. The Vanderburgh/Warrick County private courses have been operating it is my understanding. How is that ESSENTIAL? It seems to be another haves and have not or do as I say not as I do mentality.
We are Americans we are free to go and come as we please……….you downie as a free American can choose not to go…………………in fact you can lock yourself under lock and key in your residence……………hypocrite…………..think green turn off your electric………..
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