Congratulations to the Voice
I was preparing to send an e-mail to Scott Mohr about the reminiscing column, and I ran across the last two issues of The Spotlight from Jan. 8 and 15, 2009, and the inaugural edition of The Southsider Voice from Feb. 18, 2009. I found them in my “old newspaper” drawer at the bottom of the dresser. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since you started the paper. You and your staff have done a great job and continue to put out a fine newspaper.  Congratulations for 10 years as a publisher!
    -Barry Browning

Road projects
At a recent meeting, our Board of Public Works and Safety approved an agreement to begin the process to design road reconstruction projects for 2019. Since 2012, there have been over 60 local roads that have been reconstructed, added or repaved in our beautiful city. Included in this project will be sidewalk panel repairs, curb repairs, driveway ramps repaired and new ADA ramps will also be installed. We have done very well over the last seven years, but we must continue to make infrastructure improvements one of our most important priorities. Please help us by reporting any pot hole located in the City of Beech Grove. You can contact us at 317-803-9098 or by sending a note through the mayorscallcenter@beechgrove. com.
   -Dennis B. Buckley, Mayor City of Beech Grove

Announcing candidacy
I would like to formally announce my candidacy for office of Mayor of the City of Southport. It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Southport as District 1 councilor for the past 10 years. I have served as city council president pro tempore from time to time, served as a member of the redevelopment commission, as well as the stormwater utility board.  In each position, I have strived to provide leadership and dedication to advance the best interests for the City of Southport. I look forward to serving all citizens in Southport in a new capacity as Mayor. 
   -James Cooney City of Southport

Kudos to BG police

To the editor: One of the measures of a good city is how services are delivered. Beech Grove has been recognized as one of the safest cities in Indiana.

This bodes well for our Police Department, but we must remind ourselves that crime can occur at any time, to anyone, and anywhere. According to FBI statistics based on 1,000 residents verses violent and property crimes, our city is recognized as the 19th safest city in Indiana and the only one in Marion County to be recognized.

All of the services that we provide to you are important, and it’s a clear indication as to why we are doing well as a government unit. Congratulations to our Police Department and to all departments of local government. Well done.

Dennis B. Buckley
Mayor of Beech Grove

Grateful for the return of her leader dog
To the editor:
On Oct. 25 my deeply loved yellow Labrador retriever, Satch, decided to go exploring when a visitor left the gate open. Satch is more than just a loving pet; he is my guide dog and was trained at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hill, Mich.

Since I am blind, Satch is my independence, self-confidence and my eyes and safety when interacting with the world around us. I would like to express my most sincere appreciation and thanks to Alissa, Taylor and officer Rick McKim of the Southport Police Department, who went above and beyond to return Satch to me. It was a long and terrifying three hours for me, and I could not be more grateful. Thank you so very much.

Pauline and leader dog Satch

Paving project and Veterans Day service
To the editor: We are anxiously awaiting news from the Indiana Department of Transportation concerning funding of another infrastructure improvement project for our beautiful city.

I thought we would get some news last Friday, but it didn’t pan out. Our goal is to repave parts of South Fourth Avenue from Churchman Avenue to Ash Street and add more sidewalks in that area. Please join us on the steps of City Hall, 806 Main St., at 1 p.m. Sunday to celebrate and remember local veterans who have served, are serving and have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Dennis B. Buckley
Mayor of Beech Grove

It takes more than words

To the editor: If you think a new law will stop all of the senseless killings, please tell me what words you would use in that law. Would those words prevent anyone from using a weapon to kill people?

It seems to me that the perpetrators in the tragedies that we have experienced have broken all the laws on the books.

Keith Brown