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PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING JUNE 8, 2017 1 P.M.

Indiana ranked best run state...
Fourth port dream becomes a reality

“I’m excited about the fourth port in Lawrenceburg...we’re moving in the right direction.” STATE REPRESENTATIVE RANDY FRYE

Wanda English Burnett
EDITOR

State Representative Randy Frye is on a roll with action in the Statehouse after realizing his dream of a fourth port coming to Indiana. He also has been touting his alternative fuel (natural gas) ideas in California and seeing his hard work come to fruition.

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Pictured left is State Representative Randy Frye.

“I’m excited about the fourth port in Lawrenceburg,” Frye told The Versailles Republican. He said between the natural gas powered vehicles and the ports that are in place and the recent one approved, it makes Indiana a model for the whole country.” “We’re moving in the right direction,” he noted. The other three ports are located in Lake Michigan, Jeffersonville and Evansville. The last port, a dream realized by the representative, was just six years in the making from the beginning planning stages.

The Lawrenceburg port is set to create hundreds of good paying jobs as Frye and other officials work to turn a brownfield area into a new shipping port. This will open doors to many new opportunities and ultimately help drive Indiana’s economy. The port authority didn’t happen overnight, but Frye says he’s willing to put in the hard work to get results like this.

A lot is happening in the State right now, with a balanced budget passed, laws in place to ensure public safety, strengthen the workforce, support education and improve roads and bridges. While Rep. Frye had been asked to look at a possible 6th Congressional District Senate run in 2018, he has made a public statement that he will not be a candidate.

“I’ve sought the advice of many and have requested prayer over this life changing decision,” Frye noted. He says right now he feels he can be most effective in the House of Representatives where he continues to hammer at issues important to all those he represents.

Rep. Frye fought for the Riverboat money and said it was a fight down to the wire. He, along with Senator Chip Perfect said House Bill 1350 was set to lower casino city revenue immediately; however, after months of work and amendments, the two felt they have something in the end that is “tolerable and better than the original bill.” The bill that passed keeps the riverboat gaming revenue from the state’s held harmless fund at current levels, which is $48 million, for the next four years. Frye said, “the successful amendment limits the damage to our local communities.” Lawrenceburg Mayor, Kelly Mollaun, agreed if the bill couldn’t be stopped, they got the best option available. “It gives us four years to work on it,” Frye concluded. So much goes into a legislative session and this one was busy with that casino bill ticking down the clock of the last minutes.

Frye noted that some of the new laws include a new policy that cracks down on criminals who pose serious public safety threats. This increases penalties for meth cooks and heroin dealers and allows more reporting of drug-related felonies to a national database. The bill also deals with those who are violent toward pregnant women or put children in harm’s way. The “honestly balanced” state budget funds priorities, and maintains healthy reserves, according to Frye. He noted that increased funding will be provided for education, veteran’s programs, public safety and those in the Hoosier State who are in need.

Rep. Frye reported that U.S. News and World Report ranked Indiana as the best-run state in America based on fiscal responsibility, streamlined operations, improved services and enhanced transparency for 2017. He says he is proud to work and live in such a place and plans to continue his fight for quality of life for those he serves.

The house district 67 representative is at your fingertips by calling 800-382-9841 or 317-232-9600 or visiting Twitter.com/INHouseGOP, Facebook.com/INHouseGOP, or writing to him at Indiana Statehouse, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

From the superintendent’s desk...
The Class of 2017: Small but mighty

Rob Moorhead, Superintendent
SOUTH RIPLEY SCHOOL CORPORATION

In today’s column I am including excerpts from the speech that I delivered on Saturday, May 27 at the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2017. As you will read, although they were small in numbers, the members of this class helped lead many accomplishments at South Ripley.

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Pictured left is Rob Moorhead, Superintendent of South Ripley School Corporation.

“Good afternoon and Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2017. As I look out at this graduating class, and as I have followed this group as you have progressed through the various grade levels, you have always been known as our smallest class in terms of number of students. In fact, this class has usually ranged between 65-75 students, and seated in front of me this evening are 71 of you ready to graduate. Typically, our grade levels are closer to 90-95 students, and we even have a couple of classes with around 100. When talking about one of our point guards, my college basketball coach John Collier used to say, “Dynamite comes in small packages.” I would have to say that this expression could be applied to this class as well. Although you are small in terms of numbers, the accomplishments that you have helped to lead and be a part of at South Ripley have indeed been large. For example, let’s think back to your junior high years. After you left SRES where you helped them achieve an A rating, you came across the road and helped lead our junior high school to being named a Four Star School for the first time in school history. Of course, that success eventually led to the junior high being named a National Blue Ribbon School earlier this school year, the first time any public school in Ripley County has ever received this honor.

“We also received word just a couple of weeks ago that for the first time in my recollection, South Ripley High School has been named to the US News and World Report’s list of America’s Best High Schools. There are over 700 high schools in the state of Indiana, but only 136 Indiana High Schools made this list. These rankings are primarily based on student outcomes such as graduation rate and proficiency test scores, and your efforts have helped to lead to this recognition.

“And speaking of graduation rates, Dr. Wintin and Mr. Ralston are projecting that your class will achieve a graduation rate of over 95%, which will be the highest in South Ripley history. That is tremendous! From an individual standpoint, time would not allow me to list the significant accomplishments of the members of the Class of 2017. From saving lives, to giving back to your community, to winning state level competitions and earning thousands of dollars in scholarships, this class has accomplished a great deal.

“Athletically, in your senior year, South Ripley sports have seen tremendous success. You have led your teams to three Sectional Championships, four ORVC Championships, and the Girl’s ORVC All Sports Co-Championship. You have also supported and cheered for the members of the SR Family who are involved with Special Olympics, and even helped to celebrate a fellow Raider who won a Gold Medal for Team USA at the Special Olympics World Winter Games. So, what is my point with all of this? As you prepare to leave South Ripley, keep in mind all of these accomplishments that came from this “small” class, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve something because you are not big enough, or not strong enough, or not smart enough. Don’t ever let someone else define your limits. If you dream big, work hard, support your fellow man, and relentlessly pursue success, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. This class has proven that already.

“Class of 2017, I am proud of you for all that you have helped South Ripley accomplish during your time here, because the more good things that happen, the more valuable a diploma from South Ripley High School becomes. I congratulate you on your graduation and welcome you to the prestigious group of people known as South Ripley alumni.”

As always, thank you for reading and…Go Raiders!