The Future of Anderson/Pendleton?

[ikester309]

One must understand the "white flight" from Indy to understand the ifs and whys of the so called bedroom community effect of Pendleton. When the middle class decided to move from the old city center of Indy around the 60's, they moved up Allisonville road then on to what is now Fishers. Same thing happened on the Southside and we now have Southport and Greenwood. On the Westside we now have Avon and Brownsburg. Northside Zionsville and Lebanon and Eastside Cumberland and Greenfield. What caused families to leave? High taxes in the old city boundaries and a serious lack of educational opportunities in Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). Families could afford lower taxes in the townships and surrounding counties and the schools were and continue to be much better. Land was cheaper and many times so were the builders and utilities. Unions where at the height of their power and workers salaries increased dramatically. Just check the ISTEP scores and graduation rates. Many years ago, Indianapolis owned and operated the utilities and gas, water, and electricity was cheap. Not so anymore. The city sold off the utilities and the rates are soaring under private ownership.

Anderson and Muncie are not the answer either. Anderson schools a couple years ago terminated 168 teachers and have new elementary schools with classrooms half empty. The city tax rate is much higher than the outside townships. Anderson and Muncie both have serious budget problems since the auto industry left town. The tax loss on automotive property and manufacturing left both cities reeling. Anderson even closed Madison Heights and Highland High Schools as the old Anderson High School was too expensive to save. The school board took over Madison Heights and renamed it Anderson High School. Muncie's star attraction, Muncie Central High School faded as a state football and basketball powerhouse as the neighborhood crumbles with it. Now Central gets beat by once lowly Muncie South. Many of the GM retirees with their factory retirements and social security have moved south. That is alot of money NOT going back into the local economy. What is the answer?

Look at Pendleton, Fortville, Greenfield, Avon, Brownsburg, Greenwood, and Fishers. All have excellent schools systems, low property taxes, low crime rates, and a short commute to Indy for work. Be aware, however, that the city of Indianapolis has been pushing the state legislature to charge you extra for working in Marion County but live outside the county. As far as Anderson and Muncie becoming more attractive for workers or being a bedroom community. That ship sailed 10 years ago. Those glory days are long gone. Just look at how many people are on welfare, public assistance, Medicaid, etc. Also, check Muncie and Anderson's unemployment rate! Don't forget the police union, firefighters union, county street workers union, juvenile facility employees union, etc, etc, cause they all have collective bargaining agreements. Even the teachers union. The UAW may be gone but the other unions are still a major drain on the cities budgets! Small town is the way to go but you might consider living out in the county as their taxes are veven lower and some of the local schools districts accept cross boundary students. Indiana also has a school voucher program so you can choose where your kids will go to school, even if you don't live in the district. Just my 2 cents!

[zazupitts]

Anderson keeps trying and trying to come up with some form of attraction to entice folk, companies anything to come here.. but so far it has not worked. Possibly when or if they build the bullet train but that is futurist and changes from who ever is in office.. The Project Oasis is now the newest idea... we shall see.