Published: May 18, 2008 12:51 am            

DODD: Recent news of the not-so-good variety

Lots of news around Jeffersonville/ Southern Indiana in the past couple of weeks — and not much of it is good.

Frank’s Steak House has apparently gone out of business. I remember as a teenager going to that cramped and musty miniscule little building near the corner or 10th and Main next to Scott’s Funeral Home and watching that little old man cook me a steak to go.

When they moved to the current location, it seemed like an elegant restaurant compared to other Jeff eateries. But you could still get a cheap steak, and of course, that famously delicious baked potato. I remember Frank’s was also a prime lunch spot for many downtown business people, even when I worked in downtown Jeff during the mid-’70s. For many years it, was about the least expensive place in Kentuckiana to feed a family a steak dinner.

Under the new ownership, it seemed like there were many changes. Prices on the menu increased. Sometimes it seemed the quality of the less expensive steaks didn’t seem as good as under the original family’s ownership. How often do we see a longtime family business change hands and somehow not be successful? It is certainly a loss for the personality of downtown Jeffersonville. I sure am going to miss that baked potato.

I had been hearing the rumors for a few weeks. I tried calling, but the phone number has been disconnected. I guess in my memories the early Jeffersonville landmark restaurants were Frank’s, Jerry’s, The Trolley Inn, A & W, and Pizza King. Only two now remain in business.

Another landmark business is calling it quits, or at least quits as far as the new car sales business. Vissing’s Dodge will no longer be a Dodge dealership. Back in its heyday, it seems every new car buyer in Jeffersonville had to choose between a Gus Vissing Dodge or a Walt Bales Chrysler. Both dealerships had their loyal clientele, and by all accounts were always engaged in a friendly rivalry around town.

Gus and son Bubby will be operating in some capacity, but the dealership rights for new Dodges will be moving to Bales. The operation could not survive the devastating fire. I wish both Gus and Bubby the best of luck in their new venture, which involves used car sales, truck topper sales and auto service. The corner of Eastern Boulevard and Spring Street will certainly have an unfamiliar look from now on.

I suspect that by the time this column runs on Sunday, there is a good chance for $4-per-gallon gasoline in our area. I have read that this recent crazy price spiking is less related to supply and demand but is being driven up by stock market hedge fund bidders and traders artificially driving up the price for a profit motive. Of one thing I am positive; the lifestyle as we knew it that was supported by cheap gasoline is over for good.

Now that the primary elections are over, the campaigning is sure to have already started for the fall election. In this backdrop, there is still an investigation being conducted out of the Indiana State Attorney General’s office regarding absentee ballot voting in the last mayoral election between Rob Waiz and Tom Galligan. I have heard some conflicting reports as to what has been discovered by the investigator. I am sure this story will unfold as an important one between now and the November election as far as how absentee ballot voting is handled, regardless of the findings of the investigation.

The war in Iraq came home this past week. I wish to send out my condolences to the wife of Specialist Joseph A. Ford, who lives in New Albany, and his parents who live in Northern Indiana. Specialist Ford was assigned to the New Albany National Guard unit, 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team currently serving in Iraq. A blog poster identified as JT on the forum at The Evening News and The Tribune’s Web site simply stated, “SPC Ford — you were a friend, a comrade, and, most of all, loved by all soldiers in our Squadron.”

Sometimes it’s easy to forget our young men and women who are still serving in two wars.

All wars become political. No person serving in uniform should ever become political. No sane person should wish for those serving in uniform to have to worry about such things. A military that questions direct orders when called on to serve on the battlefield is a military that offers no protection. Regardless of any opinions about the current, or any wars, we must never forget that the military is always the thin grey line that separates a life of freedom from chaos.

Lindon Dodd is an Otisco resident who is a freelance writer, 4-H School Enrichment Program Assistant and Realtor who can be reached at lindon.dodd@hotmail.com.

        

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