Plainspoken. A Small Town Project
@plainspokenproject.bsky.social
Out here, progress looks like a neighbor with a wrench and a second chance.
We build tools, playbooks, and spaces for small towns doing better by, with, and for their people.
We build tools, playbooks, and spaces for small towns doing better by, with, and for their people.
Here’s my way-too-simple formula for being part of a healthy, productive community in this charged environment.
Why Honest People Disagree — and How Towns Can Move Forward Anyway
We’ll never all agree—but we can all belong.And a community where people belong will argue, and still rebuild together.
substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Here’s my way-too-simple formula for being part of a healthy, productive community in this charged environment.
Quality of available employment is the fulcrum upon which a community’s quality of life rises and falls.
The jobs we offer reveal who & what we truly value.
Do we offer a living wage?
Do we value health with insurance and wellness?
Do we value family with childcare and retirement benefits?
The jobs we offer reveal who & what we truly value.
Do we offer a living wage?
Do we value health with insurance and wellness?
Do we value family with childcare and retirement benefits?
October 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Quality of available employment is the fulcrum upon which a community’s quality of life rises and falls.
The jobs we offer reveal who & what we truly value.
Do we offer a living wage?
Do we value health with insurance and wellness?
Do we value family with childcare and retirement benefits?
The jobs we offer reveal who & what we truly value.
Do we offer a living wage?
Do we value health with insurance and wellness?
Do we value family with childcare and retirement benefits?
We Don't Have Tanks. We have casseroles.
A soldier's letter from Small-Town America.
open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
A soldier's letter from Small-Town America.
open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
October 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We Don't Have Tanks. We have casseroles.
A soldier's letter from Small-Town America.
open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
A soldier's letter from Small-Town America.
open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
We fund failure. Then call it policy.
IN spends ~$29k to jail a neighbor; $10–20k to house + support.
10 jail beds = 33–65 housed.
Supportive housing → fewer arrests & ER runs.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
#HousingFirst #Policy
IN spends ~$29k to jail a neighbor; $10–20k to house + support.
10 jail beds = 33–65 housed.
Supportive housing → fewer arrests & ER runs.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
#HousingFirst #Policy
We Fund Failure. Then Call It Policy.
Indiana will spend ~$29,000 to jail a neighbor and balk at ~$10–20k to house and support them. That isn’t tough on crime—it’s bad math and worse morality.
open.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
We fund failure. Then call it policy.
IN spends ~$29k to jail a neighbor; $10–20k to house + support.
10 jail beds = 33–65 housed.
Supportive housing → fewer arrests & ER runs.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
#HousingFirst #Policy
IN spends ~$29k to jail a neighbor; $10–20k to house + support.
10 jail beds = 33–65 housed.
Supportive housing → fewer arrests & ER runs.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/plainspo...
#HousingFirst #Policy