06/24/2008
Mario's Story
Just one of many
Last week I told you about a small business struggling in the wake of the flooding disaster. La Plaza Restaurant in tiny Jasonville, Ind., is just one small business affected by the horrific weather pummeling the Midwest. Mario Aceves is just one small business owner who faces the loss of his family's livelihood. Mario Aceves is just one father trying to build a better life for his family who has found his hopes and dreams dashed in the rising flood waters. Mario and his family represent just one of the hundreds of Hoosier small businesses facing possible extinction as the flood wasters recede and the "new" normal life returns to towns all across the state.
I reported last week that the water main supplying Jasonville had been ruptured by the rushing waters and that Mario's restaurant was closed. It had been closed for a week. Each hour that passed without paying customers was putting La Plaza and the Aceves family closer to complete financial ruin. Mario was desperate. Though his business may have been doomed, Mario and his family fed Jasonville's disaster volunteers for free while the business was closed. The Aceves family also delivered bottled water to those in need. They gave in spite of their own dire straights. These are special people.
As heart-warming as this story is, the Aceves family is not alone in acts of selflessness. Small business owners across the state and around the nation routinely roll up their up their sleeves to help others in need. Such acts of kindness are being repeated all over Indiana and wherever the floods and tornados have ravaged the countryside.
This is not surprising to me. Small businesses are the heart and soul of small-town America. Small business owners are the volunteers of Main Street. They are the Rotarians and the Kiwanis members and the Optimists and the Lions Club members and the Relay for Life volunteers and the United Way participants and the scholarship sponsors and the 4-H supporters and... I could go on and on. Whenever Main Street America has a community need, it is small business who answers the call.
Down, but not out, yet
I am pleased to report that La Plaza is once again open for business and the Aceves family is working hard to make up for the tremendous loss in revenue while the business was shuttered. Mario told me this morning that business over this past weekend was good and that he feels blessed to be open. He is thankful for every customer who walks through the door.
Mario and his La Plaza just might make it. But the situation is still precarious. If you are ever in the Greene County area in the southwestern part of the state, stop by for a made-from-scratch meal at La Plaza. You just might help another small business -- and fellow NFIB member -- survive.
Here's where you can find Mario Aceves and his mother, Ramona:
La Plaza Restaurant
101 East Main Street
Jasonville, IN 47438
The Rumor Mill
Tilting at windmills? Update on the Waterman quest
Despite urging from fellow Republicans, Sen. John Waterman seems to be continuing his independent bid for governor. Many are skeptical that he will be able to come up with the necessary 32,000 petition signatures by month end to get on the ballot. Will he or won't he?
The drama continues over the Jim Buck seat in the House
According to the Indiana Legislative Insight, Howard County Republican Party Chair Craig Dunn is trying to undermine the candidacy of Clinton County Auditor Jacque Clements by suggesting in a press release that she "needs to get her own house in order before attempting to rehabilitate state government."
And furthermore
Thank you for being an NFIB member and for reading "Capitol Capers."
Barbara Quandt
NFIB Indiana State Director
317-638-4447
Barbara.Quandt@nfib.org
