07/31/2026
Covering the past two weeks, I'm a little behind on updates!
The past two weeks have been some of the busiest, and most rewarding we've had in Trafalgar. From celebrating our nation's 250th anniversary to welcoming hundreds of residents to our brand new amphitheater, our community continues to prove that great things happen when people come together. Here are a few highlights from around town.
- America's 250th Celebration
Our America's 250th Parade was an incredible success and marked the return of a Trafalgar parade for the first time since the 1990s. It truly was a community effort.
A heartfelt thank you to the Trafalgar Area Chamber of Commerce for helping coordinate the event, Office Manager Judy Lasiter for planning the entire day, John Chambers for power washing the amphitheater ahead of the Columbus Philharmonic performance, the residents who volunteered to help place flags throughout town, and the Morgantown Fire Department for generously loaning hundreds of American flags that lined the parade route.
- Infrastructure Improvements
Our Utility Department has been busy all over town, continuing to strengthen and maintain our infrastructure while proudly showing off the department's new branding.
Road improvements are also wrapping up as Crossroad Engineers and Dave O'Mara completed ADA sidewalk improvements, milling, and paving on several streets. Final striping is expected to begin next week.
- A New Community Gathering Place
We welcomed 202 attendees to the very first concert on the lawn at the Trafalgar Amphitheater as Birch Creek Bluegrass kicked off what we hope will become a long tradition of community entertainment. Lakeside Licks helped make the evening even sweeter by serving delicious scooped ice cream. It was wonderful seeing neighbors gather together in our newest community space.
- Partnerships That Move Trafalgar Forward
Partnership was on full display as the Town of Edinburgh joined our Public Works team to transport 26 historic blocks from the Thompson Mill Dam to the amphitheater lawn. Thanks to the outstanding crews from both communities, along with donations from McCallister Machinery and Grade-Rite Excavating, the project was completed seamlessly.
We also welcomed Molly and Glenn from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to discuss future grant opportunities, including programs that could assist homeowners with needed home repairs. Miranda Finley from the Johnson County Community Foundation also spent time touring Trafalgar to identify future grant opportunities that can benefit our community.
- Investing in Trafalgar's Future
I met with Congressman Jefferson Shreve to continue discussions about federal infrastructure funding opportunities that could help improve our utility systems while minimizing costs to our residents.
We also met with Habitat for Humanity, the Johnson County Housing Coalition, and community partners to discuss plans for two new Habitat homes in Trafalgar. This is an exciting opportunity to bring quality housing to our downtown while welcoming new families into our community.
- Community Connections
I had the opportunity to speak at the Trafalgar Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connection hosted by Glue Lam Erectors and also represented Trafalgar during a Johnson County Opioid Advisory Board meeting, where organizations presented programs seeking grant funding for prevention efforts that continue making a positive impact across our county.
I also met with Adam Sweet at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center to discuss ways to better promote this outstanding community resource and the many opportunities it offers for camps, meetings, celebrations, and rentals.
- Small Projects That Make a Big Difference
Community members Jason Belk and master craftsman Jeff Wood met with us to discuss creating a "Toy Blessing Box" for Trafalgar, a place where children can take a toy or leave one for another child. We have identified a location and look forward to bringing this unique project to life.
One evening, my son and I also stopped by Hadwell Hardware to see members of the Johnson County Community Foundation preparing for the community mural project. It was a great opportunity to experience another example of neighbors investing in Trafalgar.
- Preserving Our History
One of the highlights of the past two weeks was spending time with Todd Jones and Dave Eger salvaging historic Trafalgar artifacts from a local home. We uncovered pieces dating back more than a century, preserving important parts of our community's story for future generations.
I also had the pleasure of meeting members of the Hart family while purchasing a historic photograph celebrating Indian Creek athletics. Every conversation like this helps preserve another piece of Trafalgar's rich history.
Thank you to everyone who continues to volunteer, partner with us, and invest in making Trafalgar an even better place to call home. None of these accomplishments happen without the support of our residents, businesses, volunteers, and dedicated employees. We have a lot to be proud of, and there's much more to come.
