Madison, Indiana, is in the news regarding a data center that’s likely going to be built at the old Jefferson County Proving Ground. Formerly army land, the owner is selling off nearly 2,000 acres for the proposed building of a massive, 9-building, 7.1 million square foot data center campus.
I’m one of THOSE people… happy it’s not in my backyard.
Pros & Cons…
Supporters estimate the campus could generate roughly $60 million in annual tax revenue for Jefferson County.
Residents have raised issues regarding the project’s secrecy, water usage, power grid demands, noise pollution, and potential fire risks.
Those against the project are repeating they weren’t properly notified. I get that… but I personally don’t think that would’ve changed anything. It would’ve given more time for them to complain and stir people up, for sure.
Change will happen, even when we don’t want it to.
As I sit here enjoying my morning coffee, I also think about the new housing plans for Bethany Road…
Sadly, again, I’m one of THOSE people — happy it’s not in my backyard.
Now you know: Data centers regularly exceed 300 MW—equivalent to the power needs of over 240,000 households; annually consume as much electricity as 100,000 households; and use between 3-5 million gallons of water a day — more than is required for a small town.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I had it in my head that property taxes were due on April 10th and paid mine already. Now that it’s almost time for them to REALLY be due, many people are complaining about the higher amounts they’re seeing they’re required to pay. There’s even a Facebook group for it. (No, I didn’t join.)
Our old house in Seymour is for sale…
I saw our old Seymour house on the market today. It’s truly a great house and I hope they sell quickly if that’s what they want. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to move again so soon after buying a place — but they’re a whole lot younger than I am.
One of the great things about the Seymour house? Not a single red bird pecked windows 24/7.
Back to property taxes…
Zillow shows property tax amounts on listing pages. As I was peeping the photos of the changes made by the new owners, I also looked at property tax amounts for that house over the years. It was pretty shocking…
For example, in 2007, the house’s tax assessment value was $201,800, and the tax for that year was $383.00.
Fast forward to 2024…
The tax assessment value was $248,700 ($46,900 more in value than in ’07 — a 23% increase). The tax for that year was $2,479.00 (a 548% increase from 2007!!).
That’s just a wow.
Now you know: Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl observed that the physically strongest prisoners in WWII concentration camps didn’t necessarily have the highest survival rates. Rather, those who survived longest were the ones who held onto a strong sense of meaning or an unfinished purpose.
Mr. Pesky rolled in and then I heard Perry fire up a chain saw. ::cringe::
The lawnmower was buried in a bad spot… one that had yet to get mowed so far this season because I’m too chicken to take the mower over there. Perry had to carve off part of an existing stump to make room for the lawnmower to be pulled out by our hero of the day, Mr. Pesky.
Bring on the rain!
The yard is finished and the mower is back in the garage.
The worst part of yard work here is the ditch. I’m talking about the ditch that the county dug — ignoring my protests. And I did protest!!
It’s a perfect example of taxpayer dollars wasted and extra work for old people.
Last week, we got almost 6 inches of rain in a short amount of time. There was water in the backyard; there was water standing at the edge of Mr. Farmer’s field; but there was NO WATER standing or running in the ditch that Jackson County dug. None.
That “necessary” ditch — forced on us to “keep the road from flooding” — is a constant reminder of how county government can do stupid things that negatively impact the people that live there.
Now you know: Rinsing after brushing increases cavity risk compared to just spitting. Dentists recommend skipping the rinse so fluoride has time to sit on your enamel, remineralize weak spots, and harden the surface against bacteria. Just spit the excess toothpaste out and let it work.
The upcoming weekend is going to be a busy one and nothing about it will be fun. You see, we’ve accumulated a cardboard mountain.
Of our 2100 square feet garage, 1910 of it is filled with cardboard.
Ok, so the cardboard isn’t REALLY taking up that much room, but we no longer have a cardboard hill… it’s a mountain for sure. It’s more than can be set out over time with our garbage pick-up, so we did the logical thing:
Isn’t it crazy how much stuff you can accumulate over time? And not just cardboard either…
Gondola or dumpster?
I call it a gondola and Perry calls it a dumpster. ChatGPT says we’re both right but the word “dumpster” started as a brand name (like Kleenex) that many people use. A gondola is an open topped container.
Are you team Shelley or team Perry?
The US is full of these language quirks. Here are a few:
Shopping cart
Midwest/South: “buggy”
Northeast/West: “shopping cart”
Soft drink
Midwest: “pop”
South: “coke” (for any soda)
Coasts: “soda”
Sub sandwich
Northeast: “hoagie” or “grinder”
New England: “spuckie” (less common now)
Everywhere else: “sub”
Water fountain
Wisconsin & nearby: “bubbler”
Sneakers
Northeast: “sneakers”
South/Midwest: “tennis shoes”
Although I’ve lived in good ole’ Jackson County, Indiana, my entire life, I don’t call a shopping cart a buggy. I say “soda,” and Indiana isn’t located along a coast line.
What about you? Any of the above incorrect by your residential location?
Now you know: Sober addicts have a legally protected disability in the US.
As Perry takes over TA Travel Center as general manager, there have been some things brought to light that I simply wasn’t aware of. I lived in Seymour 10 years or so, and guess I had my head in the sand (or clay since it’s Jackson County).
Here’s what I learned:
He was told tornado buses regularly drop off homeless people that have no where to go. These people attempt to sleep right up next to the facility, and of course, that creates a business challenge. I’d never even HEARD of a tornado bus, so I looked it up…
Tornado Bus Company states: “We are a Hispanic owned and operated bus line. Tornado Bus Company operates bus services in Seymour, Indiana, primarily departing from the TA Travel Center – Seymour. We offer routes connecting to cities like Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cincinnati, often running 3 times a week.“
Jackson County, Indiana isn’t the best place to be homeless right now…
Even I’m tired of winter — and I’m the girl that LOVES snow. I’ve had enough now, and I feel awful for those who don’t have a warm place to sleep. That doesn’t mean I can’t understand the challenge of businesses that can’t allow people to just throw down a sleeping bag and snooze at the front door.
So is Seymour, Indiana a sanctuary city?
Not officially. Indiana has had a statewide ban on sanctuary policies since 2011. In short, Seymour is not legally recognized as a sanctuary city; rather, it has been the subject of a state review to ensure it isn’t operating as one under state immigration laws.
Does it FEEL like a sanctuary city to residents?
Many say yes. Yes, it does.
Now you know: Cancún didn’t exist until 1970, its location was chosen using early computer models to identify a suitable place for a new resort city. The area had only three residents at the time.
