Ever heard of Kempton? Itâ??s a burg between Indianapolis and Kokomo that just happens to be the second-fastest growing town
in the state.
Kemptonâ??s population last year was 716, an increase of 27 percent in just one year, according to an Indiana University population study released today. Only Winfield in Lake County grew faster.
Itâ??s too far outside of Indianapolis to be the next Westfield, at least not yet.
Tipton County Assessor Linda Altherr says itâ??s actually a dumpy ghost town. â??Thereâ??s nothing going on there right now, Iâ??ll tell you,â?? Altherr says.
Itâ??s so dead, she adds, that the town recently bought several abandoned buildings at a tax sale with the aim of tearing some of them down.
So, what gives?
People are starting to plunk houses in the Kempton area, Altherr says. Theyâ??re modest dwellings built by retirees and factory workers who commute to Kokomo, Lafayette and other places. A few new houses, and the population spikes.
Now you know.
Kemptonâ??s population last year was 716, an increase of 27 percent in just one year, according to an Indiana University population study released today. Only Winfield in Lake County grew faster.
Itâ??s too far outside of Indianapolis to be the next Westfield, at least not yet.
Tipton County Assessor Linda Altherr says itâ??s actually a dumpy ghost town. â??Thereâ??s nothing going on there right now, Iâ??ll tell you,â?? Altherr says.
Itâ??s so dead, she adds, that the town recently bought several abandoned buildings at a tax sale with the aim of tearing some of them down.
So, what gives?
People are starting to plunk houses in the Kempton area, Altherr says. Theyâ??re modest dwellings built by retirees and factory workers who commute to Kokomo, Lafayette and other places. A few new houses, and the population spikes.
Now you know.
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Sincerely,
Linda L. Altherr
Tipton County Assessor
You need to get your numbers confirmed before you print.
Marjorie Morris
Ex Clerk Treasurer & Lifetime Resident (that still knows how to count)
Sincerely,
Linda L. Altherr
Tipton County Assessor
As a pubic official in Tipton County, I don't believe you should ever refer to one of the towns in your jurisdiction as a ghost town to a reporter. How else did you expect that to come across?
You're a public official. You could earn a lot of respect by owning up to what you said (even if it was in two separate sentences) and admitting you shouldn't have said what you did. Further, you'll note that you were not quoted as saying it was a dumpy ghost town. The reporter reasonably took two related statements that you made about the same topic and put them together.
Demonstrate personal responsibility and you'll earn a lot of respect.