The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette is reporting that BMV chief feels heat in region. BMV chief Joel Silverman has been attending hearings on his proposed BMV closings and has been taking some heat from the citizenry. Some quotes from Silverman:
In general — and maybe it’s because my ox isn’t getting gored — I tend to sympathize with Silverman’s position. Cut the deadwood and save the state some money. My mind would certainly change if it turns out that the busier BMV branches are making Hoosiers wait considerable amounts of time to get their business done.
The handout also listed the number of transactions at local branches, as of April this year, and the population per branch.
Through April, the Garrett branch processed 11,895 transactions, and the Butler branch processed 7,615, according to the BMV. The average branch in Indiana processed 24,000 transactions.
On average, each of the three DeKalb branches serves 13,500 residents. In Allen County, each of the three branches serves 112,500.
Silverman, who expects to announce 20 to 70 more branch closings in the next few weeks, hopes that residents will see the numbers and recognize the sense in the plan.
Some of the fireworks:
“I think Indiana, northeast Indiana, is going to turn the lights out on Gov. Daniels,†he said.
The firehouse erupted in screams and applause.
Silverman remained calm throughout the hearing, returning to his seat after the crowd interrupted him at the lectern and literally demanded he sit down.
He simply sat, his faced turned at attention while Butler resident Larry Kirk criticized him and encouraged state Rep. Dick Dodge, R-Pleasant Lake, and state Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, to get rid of him.
“I charged Mr. Dodge and Mr. Kruse with the responsibility of firing you,†Kirk said. “Who gave you carte blanche to … do all the things that you’re doing?â€
Again, I sympathize with Mr. Silverman, having been present at county-level meetings where the county officials had to deliver unpleasant information concerning the law as it pertained to flood plain reconstruction. Folks generally don’t want to hear about government rules or decisions that have a negative impact on their lives personally, regardless of how much sense the policies make at the general level. But, that’s politics and government, I suppose. You stay in private business if you aren’t prepared to take the heat.
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