Prairie Opinions
The Pal-Item continues to provide Earlham College with excellent PR over the college’s conflict with Attorney General Steve Carter over the management of Conner Prairie. Today, the paper has an editorial up in support of the college, and several pro-Earlham letters. A sample:
Earlham, as the steward of the aforementioned, has done an outstanding job in the past and is quite capable and has every right to do so in the future. Any suggestion to the contrary attacks Earlham’s moral character, allows government to arbitrarily interject itself, and is unacceptable.
Frank Mazzei is president and chief executive officer, Richmond-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
Link.
Instead of recognizing and appreciating Earlham’s contributions to the museum, Attorney General Steve Carter is needlessly prolonging a dispute — thereby hampering the capacity of two excellent institutions to educate the public.
Alice Shrock and Randall Shrock, Richmond, Ind.
Alice Shrock and Randall Shrock are both professors of history at Earlham College.
Link.
Hopefully Earlham College can prevail on appeal or if there is a change in the office of attorney general, a fairer resolution will be reached for all involved. If not, why would anyone choose to give a charitable contribution to any non-profit organization in the state of Indiana that could be questioned long after the benefactor is able to defend his generosity.
Lisa Jackson.
Link.
Due to the one-sided presentation of news and opinion, anyone would be hard-pressed to find anyone in central Indiana who has a good word to say about Earlham, which is being stigmatized as either stubborn or greedy, or both. Many of us may occasionally have differences with what Earlham does but these untrue accusations go beyond legitimate differences and strike at the good name of an institution.
Victor Jose is a Richmond resident.
Link.
The only impediment seems to be Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter. He was called into the fray by ex-board members of the museum. He entered on the grounds that Earlham is administering a public trust and he seems determined to have Earlham do something that nearly any institution would find nearly impossible: provide 40 years worth of detailed financial information.
Link.
