Recently, while reviewing the Seymour City Code, I discovered that in Seymour, Indiana it is “unlawful for any person to pursue, throw at, or shoot at any squirrels or birds or to interfere with their nesting places or to climb any trees” in the City parks. Hmmm…..should we be concerned about the bunnies, chipmunks and other critters living in our parks and that are not protected by this law?
Another ordinance adopted in 1899 by the Seymour City Council and still on the books prohibits the “cutting of live limbs from shade trees.” Oddly enough, the same ordinance requires that the tops and limbs of all shade trees in the City be trimmed so that they will not interfere with the light from the street lights. Trimming is required, but cutting is prohibited…..? That seems a bit contradictory to me, but lawmakers had some unusual ideas in the ninteenth century.
“Parenting time” is the relatively new “politically correct” term in the family law arena. The oldterm, “visitation” is now out of favor. Hoosiers that have issues concerning custody of children pending in Indiana courts need to be aware of the existence and implications of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines.
The Guidelines were implemented by the Indiana Supreme Court in 2001.
The preamble to the Guidelines states:
“The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are based on the premise that it is usually in a child’s best interest to have frequent, meaningful and continuing contact with each parent. It is assumed that both parents nurture their child in important ways, significant to the development and well being of the child.” The words “parenting time” are used in the Indiana Guidelines instead of the word “visitation” so as to emphasize the importance of the time a parent spends with a child. The Indiana Supreme Court reasons that the concept that a non-custodial parent “visits” with a child does not convey the reality of the continuing parent-child relationship.
Generally the Guidleines are applicable to all child custody situations, including divorces and paternity cases. Click to read the Guidelines
Many issues can arise concerning the application of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines and knowledgeable legal advice should be sought. The attorneys at Farrow & Thompson, P.C. (Rodney E. Farrow and Travis J. Thompson) are available to advise clients in this important family law area.
Several other states including Arizona, New Jersey, Colorado, and Michigan also have “parenting time” guidelines.
Property taxes are a very unpopular subject in Indiana this year (and every year, for that matter). You might be interested to know, however, that Jackson County Treasurer, Kathy Hohenstreiter, recently instituted a new service that offers property taxpayers in Jackson County the option to pay their real estate, personal property or moblie home taxes on-line with a credit card. VISA, MasterCard, DiscoverCard and American Express cards are all accepted.
There is a fee charged by the firm that processes the payments that amounts to 2.75% in addition to the amount of taxes that are being paid. The county receives all of the tax money. All of the fees for the service are charged to the user of the service. If you want to take a look at your tax bill (or that of a neighbor, if you”re so inclined), go to Jackson Tax.net.