Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN
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(USPS PS S4 439-500) 39 9 500)) Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Volume 133 Edition 42
Midwest Fertilizer selects western Posey site By Valerie Werkmeister The final site for the Paskistanibased Fatima-owned Midwest Fertilizer plant came as a surprise on Thursday afternoon as the announcement was made. The plant will be built on a plot of land at the intersection of Mackey Ferry Road and Sauerkraut Lane in Mount Vernon. That is near WSI, Inc., just a half-mile from the current site of SABIC Plastics and just west of Mount Vernon. The $2.1 billion project is expected to create 200-plus high paying jobs as well as 2,500 construction jobs during the first three years. Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2017. The State of Indiana ended its role in Midwest fertilizer project financing back in June. But Posey County officials, spear-headed by Economic Development Director John Taylor, sought and found alternative financing plans for the plant as well as the construction jobs and permanent jobs that go along with a project of this magnitude. In June Indiana Governor Mike Pence said the Department of Defense officials could not independently con-
Syed Ahsen Uddin and Mike Chorlton of Midwest Fertilizer, Posey County Economic Development Director John Taylor, and County Councilmen Carl Schmitz and Bob Gentil signed the $2.1 Billion fertilizer plant into fruition on Thursday afternoon. Photo by Zach Straw firm the Fatima Group’s promise to replace their current fertilizer in Pakistan with a formula less susceptible to misuse by hostile forces in the region. The county council reissued $1.3 billion in disaster relief bonds to the county’s Economic Development Commission to move the project forward. Prior to the announcement of the
site of the plant, Economic Development Director John Taylor gave an update on the status of the Midwest Fertilizer Plant locating in Posey County during the October 8, Posey County Council meeting. Taylor advised council members of scheduled meetings, including one held last Thursday in which the media was invited to witness the official of-
fer from Posey County to the fertilizer company. The company has chosen a site to construct its facility and Taylor stated he wanted to let everyone know “the project is moving forward.” Taylor elaborated that the project totals a $2.75 billion investment from the fertilizer company. They have decided to increase their automation technology at the plant, therefore re-
Cynthiana clean-up continues By Valerie Werkmeister Cynthiana Town Board officials are in a quandary over what to do with abandoned properties in their town. During their October 8, meeting, they discussion options with attorney Jeff Ahlers over one particular property located at 10965 Highway 65 North. The property is owned by Jackie Sinay, who has allegedly moved out of state. The home on the property burned and the charred remains pose a hazard. The grass is also tall as the property has not been maintained in quite some The east-bound lane of Interstate 64 was closed for nearly an hour late Sunday evening as a two-vehicle time. According to Clerk-Treasurer, Greta Mounts, she has attempted to accident occurred on a bridge about a mile east of the Griffin exit. One person was taken by helicopter to an contact the Sinay’s via e-mail and has Evansville hospital while the two others involved were taken by ambulance. Photo by Dave Pearce not received a response. Mail sent to their local post office box has also not been collected. Board members weighed the pros By Lois Mittino Gray grades ‘making us a B+ district.’ ISTEP scores showed those passing and cons of filing a lawsuit versus getSchool Superintendent Tom KoLast year, only Farmersville and both the English/ Language Arts and ting assistance from the Posey County patich opened the October 7 Mount Marrs Elementary school had A rank- Math parts of the exam in grades 3-8 Health Board to attempt to condemn Vernon School Board meeting with a ings. West Elementary and the two was 78.3 percent, well above the Indithe property. Ahlers informed the grand announcement. “We are doing secondary schools all received C ana state average of 73.5 percent. The board that the county may have dif- outstanding,” he beamed citing the re- grades a year ago and “we were rated Language Arts portion taken by itself ferent laws they can utilize to take cent grading report from the Indiana a C district,” he said. Even though the shows that Mount Vernon’s 84.8 perpossession of the property or sell it Department of Education and ISTEP grading system is under public inves- cent passing rate is way ahead of the through a tax sale. scores. “So many things are positive tigation with the recent grading scan- state average of 79.5 percent. Those In addition, Ahlers will review if and we are moving in the right direc- dal, it still reflects the overall progress passing the Math Test section taken the town has already taken the nec- tion.” made with test scores. by itself are also above the state averessary legal steps in accordance with He announced that all three elCurriculum Director Jody Pfister age of 82.7 percent, with a corporatheir nuisance ordinance in order to ementary schools in the district re- began her presentation telling the tion score of 85.3 percent. proceed with filing a lawsuit. ceived an A grade this year and the board, “I have good news. We made Mounts stated she would contact junior high and high school have B tremendous gains this year.” Spring Continued on Page A6 county officials to see what other assistance they might be able to receive. Board members also reviewed the progress made on two other properties that were cited in violation of the town’s nuisance ordinance. No action was taken on Sean Powers’ property at 10260 Whiting Street and Glenn Gee’s property at 10256 Walnut Street. Both properties are in the process of being cleaned up. The board will continue to monitor their progress. The board held its second budget hearing and passed the budget for 2014. It also passed a 2014 salary ordinance. Halloween candy will be passed out to trick-or-treaters from 6 – 8 p.m. at the band stand on October 31. Mounts also informed board members that the state fire marshal had performed an inspection on the community center. There are only two legal exits that can be utilized as official exits since they have a concrete pad outside the door. The stove, oven and vents will need to be cleaned before the facility may be used. She also reported that Andy RuMount Vernon Football Homecoming Queen and King, Mackenzie McClarney and Evan Slygh stand proud dolph from the Posey County Comafter being crowned during Friday nights’ celebration. Photo by Steve Kochersperger munity Foundation had spoken to her about the town’s grant request. She Deaths ........................A 3 Sports .......................B1-6 feels the town has a good shot at re- Retrospective ...........A 4 ceiving the grant and expects to hear Legals .......................... B 7 Church ........................A 7 Bus/Ag ........................A 9 an answer in December. Social ..........................A 6 Opinion ....................A10 The next meeting will be on Tues- Classifieds ............B9-10 day, November 12, at 6 p.m. in the Community ..............A 5 School .........................A 8 www.poseycountynews.com town hall.
Mount Vernon schools report progress
ducing the total number of permanent employees from an estimated 300 down to 200. The technology investment also signifies a need for more highly qualified individuals. In the past, Taylor has stated there will be a need for as many as 2,500 construction workers to build the facility.
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Dog waste becomes hot topic as new law has teeth By Valerie Werkmeister Some folks in Poseyville are doggone tired of the waste left behind by man’s best friend. Last Wednesday, October 9, members of the Poseyville Town Board decided to do something about it during their monthly meeting. They approved an amendment to an ordinance that adds some ‘teeth’ to the enforcement of the nuisance portion of the animal control ordinance. Now, those who do not pick up waste while out walking their dogs will face fines. Citizens who witness the violation can file a complaint at the town hall. A letter will be mailed notifying the violator of their offense. The next time the offense occurs, the violator will face a $50 fine. Any subsequent offense will be assessed a $200 fine. Town Board President Bruce Baker stated the town hall has received a number of complaints from local citizens about the situation and ‘something needed to be done.’ He added he recently walked along Main Street and noted a considerable amount of dog waste left behind between the street and the curb. “We just had the parade and I don’t know how people were able to avoid stepping in it, it was so bad,” Baker said. The former town hall building at 20 S. Cale Street is for sale. It is important to note the building sits in the middle of a parking lot owned by J.L.Hirsch & Co. The parking lot is not available for sale. The building has been appraised for $12,000. Sealed bids to purchase the building will be opened at the next board meeting on November 13. Bids must be for a minimum of the appraised value. Trick-or-treating hours have been set from 4 - 8 p.m. on Halloween. The fire department will also hand out treats at the station during this time. Leaf season is fast approaching as leaves are just beginning to fall. Typically, town employees begin leaf pickup near the end of October. Weather and Mother Nature also determine the time period in which leaves are picked up. There are a few rules residents must follow regarding leaf pick-up. Rake leaves to the street curb and not into the street. Sticks or other debris should not be inside the piles which could cause damage to the leaf machine.
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