Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1882
E, “OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZ L MAINTAIN.” AND OUR RIGHTS WE WIL Posey County’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
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Volume 135 Edition 42
Poseyville to crack down on violators of policies By Dave Pearce The Poseyville Town Council met Wednesday evening at City Hall in Poseyville. While the proposed budget was approved, talk quickly turned to city rules, policies and ordinances. The Council and department heads alike agreed that sometimes the public needs to be reminded of some of the town’s policies and the penalties that come along for not abiding by them. •The first reminder came from Julie Mayo, who asked that residents of Poseyville be reminded that utility bills are mailed out on or about the eighth of the month and are due on the twenty-third. Late payments are subject to a penalty and utilities are subject to disconnect if they are not paid by the first day of the following month. Mayo said there have been some disconnections made in the town and that those residents were surprised to learn that all past due utilities must be paid in full before
utility service can be restored. Town Board President Bruce Baker spoke up and said that the town is willing to work with people if they call and talk to members of the utility staff but once the utility bills are disconnected, all past dues must be paid in full. On a similar note, the town has been attempting to rid the streets of as many abandoned vehicles as possible. Town Marshal Doug Saltzman indicated he had resumed tagging vehicles with 14-day tow notices and has noticed there are several he may have missed. He will be working in the coming few days to complete this process. •On yet another note, board member Steve Ahrens asked about the town’s policy on animals. He said he had been asked because someone had complained of a dog or dogs running loose in town. Saltzman indicated that the town
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A pair of Scouts were recognized bring the Poseyville Town Council meeting on Wednesday evening. Devin Kiesel was recognized for his Eagle Scout Project while Chad Fishback was recognized for attending the meeting, one of his requirement for earning an Eagle Scout Badge. Pictured are, in front, Poseyville Town Council members Ron Fallowfield, Bruce Baker, and Steve Ahrens. In back are attorney Jake Weis, Posey County Director of Economic Development John Taylor, Devin Kiesel, Chad Fishback, Posey Prosecutor and Scout Leader Travis Clowers, Poseyville Town Marshal Doug Saltzman, Poseyville Fire Chief Sam martin, and Poseyville Wastewater Department manager Jeremy Farrar. Photo by Dave Pearce
Posey Jail inspection comes up impressive
Preparing to serve communion during the Bicentennial service celebration at First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon. Pictured left to right: Matthew Crafton, Bishop Michael Coyner of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, FUMC pastor the Rev. Christopher Millay, retired pastor the Rev. David Stevens. Photo submitted
Briefly
By Dave Pearce The results are in and the Posey County Jail’s annual inspection report came back with predominantly glowing reviews. The inspection was held on Thursday. In the inspection report, it was noted that there have been no deaths or escapes in the past year from the Posey County facility. In a staffing analysis that was completed in 2013, the recommendation was made that three more staff members be hired at the facility. But with a new or renovated jail currently being considered by Posey County officials, the additional staff may not be needed, depending on the design of the facility. But, according to the report, ‘sick days, days off, vacations and outside jail operations present staffing challenges and possible insuffi-
cient coverage.’ The same status existed during 2011 and 2012 inspections. According to state codes 210 IAC 3-1-14 (a) ‘There shall be sufficient personnel in the jail at all times to provide adequate supervision of inmates and to ensure staff and inmate safety.’ I strongly recommend that the county council develop a hiring plan to hire the needed staff and comply with the analysis and the jail standards, the inspector wrote. Until the new jail is occupied consideration should be given to hiring additional personnel for the present jail. “We were again ‘cited’ for not having sufficient jail staff personnel to operate the facility,” said Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth. “This does concern me; however, it
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NH voters ‘meet the candidates’
Keck Gonnerman to hold annual Harvest Dinner and Dance Keck Gonnerman will hold their annual Harvest Dinner and Dance on November 14, 2015 at the Posey County 4H Fair Community Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a Fried Chicken Dinner provided by St. Matthews Men’s Club beginning at 6 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by The Works with Katie Beste York. Cost is $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Hawg’N’Sauce and Silverwood or by contacting Richard Kaufman 812-480-4733, Jody Kaufman 812-480-9167, Katie Hoehn 812457-4713, Candy Morlock 812-550-3316, Brian Pierce, and Kim Dyehouse 812-4551789 in downtown Evansville. Must be 21-years-old or older and ID will be required.
MV Moose Lodge hosting All You Can Eat Fish Dinner The Mount Vernon Moose Lodge 497 will be having an All You Can Eat Fish Dinner with potato, baked beans, slaw, hush puppies this Saturday night, October 24 starting at 5 p.m. at the Lodge, 711 West Second Street. $10 per person, (Children $5 12 and under). The public is invited to attend. Call ahead for carry outs, 812-838-3664.
Mount Vernon Bicentennial Committee extends deadline The Mount Vernon Bicentennial has extended its Bicentennial Celebration book pre-order deadline. The new deadline for orders for the hardbound book is now November 16 and the deadline for paid ads is November 30. We welcome paid ads for family histories, churches, organizations and businesses. Also, the Bicentennial Committee has opened a store for T-shirts, Bob Pote water color prints and other items for sale. The store will be open on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month inside Beacon Insurance, 1284 Main Street (next to Green Duck Salon). The hours are 10 a.m. to noon on those days. For more information call Becky Higgins at 812-204-7388.
Mount Vernon Christmas on Main Street Committee to meet The Mount Vernon Christmas On Main Street Committee will meet Wednesday, October 21 at 6 p.m. in the conference room in the Police and Fire Station on College Avenue. This year’s event will be Saturday, December 5 with a children’s party and lighted Christmas parade. This year’s theme is ‘The Grinch That Stole Christmas.’ Everyone is welcome to help and share ideas. For more information call Becky Higgins at 812-204-7388.
By Lois Mittino Gray About 75 citizens and half the candidates for the New Harmony Town Council election attended the ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum held at Thrall’s Opera House on Tuesday, October 13. Sponsored by the New Harmony Business Associates, the group’s president Jim Spann welcomed all in attendance stating the goal of the evening was “honest, respectful communication that leads to better voter turnout and better election outcome for our town.” Participating in the exchange of ideas were candidates David Flanders, Ryan Rapp, Roger Wade and Gary Watson. Incumbent Don Gibbs planned to attend, but sent a letter earlier that morning that he was dealing with health issues. Spann read from his letter that, “My absence in no way reflects the importance of this meeting. I enjoy being on the council and want to see business flourish in this town that I love so dearly.” The remaining three candidates for a seat on council declined to participate. Alvin Blaylock and Brenda Drone responded no to the invitation, while Incumbent Joe Straw did not even reply either way to the communication and ignored it.. Dr. Matt Hanka masterfully managed the discussion and kept time. He is a political science professor and director of the Master Degree in Public Adminis-
tration program at USI. Speaking order was randomly chosen out of a box of names. All four hopefuls were allotted five minutes to introduce themselves and their ideas. Then Hanka drew a question, prepared by the Business Associates, out of another box to start the ten minutes discussion for each candidate. Questions were allowed from audience members during this time, too. First up was Independent candidate Ryan Rapp who said he was raised in Poseyville, but grew to love New Harmony after a trip to Germany. As a public servant, he would like to pass the town to the next generation “better than what we found it.” He said he loves the statement translated from German that “Your big opportunity is where you are right now.” Because he feels communication is so important, a practical thing he would like to do is get a good public address system at town council meetings so everyone can hear what is said. When asked about the future of the bridge, he feels the town, county and state should work as partners and each agree what responsibility to take as one can’t do it all alone. Citizen Laura Nicholson asked him how can you get them to do that? He replied, “Nothing replaces persistence. Don’t wait to be given permission to act. Lead the way. Pick up the
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Posey County Council on Aging plans Nashville trip Posey County Council on Aging Nashville Tripwill be December 7-9, 2015. This is a three-day, two-night trip. The trip includes a visit to Opry Mills, then dinner at Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater, guided tour of Nashville, photo stop at the Parthenon, a ride the Delta Flatboats inside Opryland Hotel, and backstage tour of the Grand Old Opry House. Cost is $319 for a double occupancy. Please call 812-838-4656 to register.
Correction Jim Hirsch was mistakenly identified as a Jail Commander for the Sheriffs Office in a photo cutline. He should have been titles the Reserve Commander of the volunteer Reserve Unit of the Posey County Sherriff’s Office. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
Silverwood Restaurant to close In an announcement made last evening, Silverwood Restaurant and Gifts in Mount Vernon will close permanently, effective immediately. Owners have encourages residents to remember the importance of supporting local businesses.
Bus/Ag .................A9 Classifieds .... B10-11 Community...........A4 Church...................A7
Pictured left to right are: Dr. Matt Hanka, moderator; candidates Ryan Rapp; Gary Watson; Roger Wade; David Flanders; and Jim Spann, New Harmony Business Associates. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray
Deaths .................... A3 Legals...............B9-10 Opinion ................A11 Retrospective........A5
School ....................A8 Social .....................A6 Sports ...... .........B1-4 TV Guide...........B7-8