To the Editor: Regarding the question that was asked at State Representative Hinkle's Dec. 11th Town Hall Meeting at Speedway Town Hall which was reported in the Speedway Navigator's online version, I raised the issue of the closing of Grande Avenue with him as a follow up to previous conversations he and I have had about the issue. However, the times we spoke we were both "on the run" as is our usual practice and there was no time to speak about it in any depth so I took advantage of the opportunity Representative Hinkle provides---which he clearly states he will not engage in a debate about or justify anything, but it is an open forum for us, his constituents--to further explore the situation and gather his thoughts, if not his final position about the matter. That others, unsolicited, chimed in proved that the matter was one of consequence and concern beyond myself and those I speak for. I was not asking him to intervene, make a call, or other actions by him but only to bring the subject up before what seemed to be a fairly receptive group of interested, involved citizens. I was not asking "the state" to do anything. It has done enough according to reports about the complicated process to create a new redevelopment commission, approve bonds, etc. that the citizens of Speedway will have years to sort out. I, on the other hand, have a responsibility to represent the community I am also elected to serve, just as does Rep. Hinkle and other community leaders. I do so with all my abilities and insight gained over many years of advocacy and activism across the region, even touching (originating, in fact) on complex state matters that required diligent watchdog observation and correction at times when the actions of the appointed were not representing the wishes and will of the People. In this instance I was doing so in bringing the concerns of the greater westside to the town hall process so that others would know that there are others who may not have been privy to the earlier information that is contained within the SRC's documents, some of which cannot be accessed through the online website, necessitating requests for hard copies of many forms of data that went into the decisions now being made. Is it a "state matter?" As Rep. Hinkle responded, it is if it uses the state (especially state designated funds) to plead security--which has not been confirmed by anyone yet--as a good enough reason to permanently disrupt lives, livelihoods and more through disconnecting more people from where they need to go when they need to get there. Despite the seemingly fervent desire to be, Speedway is not an isolated entity that is only affected by the outside world, but is also a part of the whole that affects others who must deal with the people and attitudes of the Town. Rep. Hinkle has a long history as a public servant, not just for the state office he now holds, but decades serving all of Wayne township and a council district as well as Speedway. He has never failed to be accountable to his neighbors whether they can vote directly for him or not. I value that in a public servant and appreciate that he, full well knowing what I was likely to ask, called on me first. He also knows that he can never anticipate what I may say and that it may not be something he--or all others--agree with. But he allows discourse, because that is the American way. Our neighborhood association, as much as anyone believes that public safety is a very important thing to be concerned with, evidenced by our hosting of a Wayne township-wide public forum by the Marion County Emergency Management director, John Ball in June of this year. He is, more or less, "on loan" from the State to guide and secure the safety of all Marion County citizens, even if they live in Speedway. I, as chairperson of the countywide (McANA) Neighborhoods and the Environment (NATE) Committee, pledged to continue to advocate for a proper, effective community alert system to warn about disasters beyond the tornado alerts --such as airborn threats--that people are now so complacent about and will be working with John Ball in the future. How many of the question raisers are as involved as actively as we are and making sure that everyone who may be affected is made to feel welcome to attend any of our forums hosted quarterly at the township government center. These issues, as well as many "non-Speedway" matters are COMMUNITY matters just as much as state or municipality-only issues and those who have been recognized as being among the best community-minded organizations in the US, let alone the county, should agree and champion, not challenge the practice of using any and all opportunities for the expression of free speech and right of assembly to do so. Questioning the rights of others to raise an issue brings unpleasant thoughts to mind that I believed we were past in this day and age. As the old adage goes, I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it to the death. Merri Anderson Your South of 10th Street--in Garden City; a fine, historic, proud community established in the 1830s, still boasting 1880s agricultural operations, one of which was the Grande farm-neighbor and a direct link to the retailers, offices, warehouses, and businesses to our west. "If the People will lead, the Leaders will follow"