Readers' views: Mike Braun ad, fighting Alzheimer's and Luke Combs concert and civic duty

Here's what community members had to say in three recent letters to the editor we received. Submit your own thoughts here.

Is Mike Braun really an outsider in politics? His ad wants you to believe so.

Mike Braun’s commercial for governor seems to have a false narrative that he wants us to believe. That somehow he’s an outsider to politics. Yet he’s been in Indiana politics since 2014, and was elected to the U.S. senate in 2018. For someone involved in politics for around 10 years doesn’t sound like an outsider. If Mike Braun isn’t honest about his campaign ad how can the people of Indiana trust him to tell the truth about anything else.

Bryan Miller

Indianapolis

Congressional action needed to continue research into Alzheimer's disease

As a long-time advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association and whose wife died eight years ago from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, I’m encouraged by many recent developments in the fight against the disease.

Much work remains, however, to continue research efforts to develop treatments for the disease and to expand and improve care and support for the six million Americans with the disease and their families and caregivers.Congress can help to continue this progress by reauthorizing and extending the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (“NAPA”) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (“AAIA”).

Since 2014, NAPA has dramatically increased the federal commitment to research, care and support services for those with the disease. AAIA has focused on maintaining levels of funding needed to continue breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research to develop effective treatments.

The bipartisan reauthorization of NAPA and AAIA would build on the progress made in recent years and renew our nation’s commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s. We wouldn’t be where we are in this fight without leaders in Congress such as Sen. Todd Young, and that’s why we’re asking for his support for these important legislative efforts.

Ken Crook

Indianapolis

Luke Combs concert serves as reminder between entertainment choices, civic responsibilities

On Dec. 3, Luke Combs will bring his heartfelt country melodies to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with fans enthusiastically singing along to "The Back 40 Back." While this concert promises to be a night to remember, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the disparity between our entertainment choices and our civic responsibilities.In Westfield, the Northpoint II development is a real-life reflection of Combs' lyrics about the loss of rural landscapes. As fans don their cowboy boots and immerse themselves in the music, I urge them to carry the soul of a country music fan beyond the concert venue and into the realm of community engagement.

It's one thing to post a picture on Instagram in cowboy attire, and quite another to embody the spirit of country music, which often champions rural values and a connection to the land. The Northpoint II development, with its questionable rezoning procedures, is a critical example of why we need to be vigilant and engaged in local decision-making processes.I encourage the people of Westfield to delve deeper into the Northpoint II development and to reach out to Mayor-Elect Scott Willis and other officials. It's crucial that we, as a community, keep a close eye on our local government's actions and ensure they align with our values and the preservation of our agricultural heritage.

This concert is more than just entertainment; it's a call to action. Let the lyrics of "The Back 40 Back" be a reminder of our duty to support our farmers and safeguard our rural landscapes. Let’s transform our admiration for country music into active participation in our community’s future. If we don’t take a stand, the very essence of what makes Westfield unique—its rural charm and farmlands—might soon be relegated to the past.

Clifton J. Hackman

Westfield