'Real Men' posters help shed light on important issue

(By Anna Rochelle) RECOGNIZING GOOD MEN: Jeanette Walker and Christa Turpin of Greene County's Middle Way House show off the posters that are going up around the county in recognition of all men who support efforts to end domestic violence. Turpin says the "Real Men" posters feature photographs of several Greene County men from varying professions. Turpin and Walker hope the posters will serve as a reminder that men have an important role to play in stopping cycles of abuse. [Click to enlarge]

The bright blue posters say "Real men teach, listen, mentor, model and coach. We all have a role to play."

The poster project is an effort by Middle Way House in Greene County to raise awareness about the reality of domestic abuse and sexual assault in our community and send the message that men, as well as women, stand against these violent behaviors.

Middle Way Director Christa Turpin said she hopes the posters will remind men that they have a role to play in the fight against domestic violence.

"We thought it would be great to feature pictures of men in our own community. Our young people will recognize many of these men and we want to reinforce the message to them that not all men do bad things. Unfortunately, the good guys don't always make the front page," said Turpin.

The money to produce the posters came out of the Middle Way House budget and the photographs were provided courtesy of the Greene County Daily World and the Bloomfield Free Press.

There are two versions of the poster, each featuring a different picture of a group of real men.

In one, the men are Brian Kollmeyer of the Bloomfield Processing Plant, Ben McNeeley of Bloomfield State Bank, Letter Carrier Mike England of the Bloomfield Post Office, Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce, Greene County Ambulance Director David Doane, John Cummings of the Indiana Railroad, Steve Mitchell, owner of the Bloomfield Dairy Queen and Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Department Chief Eric Alano of Alano's Body Shop.

In the other, the men are Mark Miller of Miller Realty, Coach Aaron Lynn of Linton-Stockton High School, Mayor Tom Jones of the City of Linton, Attorney Jacob Fish of the Greene County Public Defender's Office, Officer Danny Keller of the Jasonville Police Department, Jock Hannum of the Linton-Stockton School Maintenance Department, Principal Jeff Sparks of Linton-Stockton High School, J. P. Meurer, owner of J.P.'s Fish, and Town Marshal Kenneth R. Tharp of the Bloomfield Police Department.

Jeanette Walker of Middle Way said the posters started appearing in various locations around Greene County by the first of May and they will continue to distribute them over the next couple of weeks.

"Watch for them in grocery stores, convenience stores, insurance and law offices, doctor's offices and medical clinics. I've even put one in a bar today," said Walker.

Walker said the bottom of the poster lists contact information where those in need of support can call for help -- (812) 384-8769 for Middle Way in Bloomfield, (812) 665-3642 for Middle Way in Jasonville, or (812) 336-0846 for Middle Way's 24-hour crisis line.

Would you like to hang one of these posters in your office or place of business? Walker added that anyone interested in showing their support by displaying a poster can call Middle Way in Bloomfield at 384-8769.