October 31, 2017 The Posey County News

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P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER

Volume 137 Edition 44

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

$1.00

Public Works looks to halt bucket shakes Members: Fundraiser too dangerous these days By Lois Mittino Gray Linda Clifford, secretary of the Posey County Pound Puppies, appeared before the Mount Vernon Board of Public Works at its October 26, meeting with a somewhat routine request for her group. They were asking permission to use the intersection of Fourth

Council’s hands tied on traffic problems

and Main Streets for another bucket shake on Saturday, November 4. Much to her surprise, permission was denied in a new crackdown on this form of fundraising. Board Member Larry Williams said he no longer wants to allow this as it is too dangerous. He observed there is too much traffic

there and it is only going to get worse when construction starts in the area next year. “Now we have more distracted drivers with cell phones and texting, more traffic and congestion and it scares me to death watching people run around in traffic at that intersection,” he remarked. “I would feel terrible if someone

was hit and I approved it.” Board Member Becky Higgins noted there is another bucket shake request for the same date from Reverend Hyman from At the Cross Mission. He sent a letter with the request for November 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The board took the same action of denial. “I agree

Happy Halloween! At left, one-year-old Connor Garrett learns the trickor-treating ropes at Trinity United Church of Christ’s community trunk-or-treat event Sunday evening. Photo by Michelle Gibson Below, Snow White, better known as Ashley Lingafelter, stands among her many pumpkins during the trunk-or-treat at Zion-Lippe Church on Sunday afternoon. A good crowd was on hand for the annual event. Photo by Carolyn Pollard Turner

But Fourth Street complaints could yield new sign By Lois Mittino Gray Under new business on the agenda, Councilman Mark Clements opened a lively discussion on a local traffic issue at the October 26, Mount Vernon Common Council meeting. He has received at least two or three complaints from residents about cars blocking the intersection at Fourth and Walnut Streets. The traffic light at the site was removed about two years ago by INDOT at the city’s request. In times of heavy traffic, cars going down Walnut cannot

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Commissioners give blessing to change name of sewer district By Dave Pearce There is no doubt that sections of Posey County are in need of improved wastewatersewer disposal. For many years, the Wadesville-Blairsville Sewer District has tried, without a ton of success, to make county officials take a closer look at areas around South Terrace School, as well as other areas around Blairsville. Southern Posey County has issues of its own. Harbortown, just east of Mount Vernon, has been a source of concern almost from its inception. So with needs continuing to pop up over a variety of areas in the county, the Posey County Commissioners gave their blessing to change the name of the Wadesville-Blairsville

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Briefly Annual Make It, Bake It, Fake It Auction and Dinner: Elks Lodge November 4, 6 p.m. 131 East Fourth Street, MV New Harmony Fall Art and Antique Stroll: November 4, 4-7 p.m. Throughout town Flag retirement: Murphy Park, New Harmony November 5, 2 p.m. Troop 386, American Legion Card Party: St. Philip Ladies Club November 8, 6 p.m. St. Philip Gymnasium, MV

More information on these and other events inside today’s Posey County News

(USPS 439-500)

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NHTC doesn’t budge on off-road vehicles By Lois Mittino Gray It looks like the New Harmony Town Council does not want to make any exceptions to its proposed ordinance 2017-6 regulating off-road vehicles in town. At its October 17, meeting, the council heard and approved the first reading of an amended ordinance. The ordinance originally read, “operation of off road vehicles within town limits is strictly prohibited.” It was amended to add three words to section two, now reading, prohibited “on town streets.” No other exceptions will be included. The first reading occurred under Old Business since the ordinance was discussed at length at the September meeting. Attorney Raymond Dudlo, a lawyer representing Erik Arneberg, presented his client’s request to allow exceptions in the ordinance for quiet, clean, low speed vehicles. Mr. Arneberg uses a Polaris electric vehicle, going up to 24 mph, to access his property, inspect it, and move feed to animals in various locations on Indian Mound Farm. There are areas of his property which are not contiguous, and due to the denseness of the trees, some are hard to access with another type of vehicle. Attorney Dudlo attended the October meeting and expressed his disappointment that he and Town Attorney Bauer were not able to work out a meeting to discuss the exception. “I would appreciate if that conversation would occur,” he stated. Council President Alvin Blaylock countered, “We’ve taken your points under consideration and at this time, I think the council wants to approve it, as is, with no exceptions. We will do that at the November meeting.” Also under Old Business was adoption of the 2018 budget as advertised. It

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‘Wildcats Remembered’ fund still growing By Lois Mittino Gray Twenty three years ago, a former Mount Vernon High School principal had the foresight to establish a fund to help future principals have some extra cash on hand for projects to use at his/her discretion. Don Goerlitz’s brainchild of an idea has grown to a whopping $292,429, as of July 31, 2017, through the Posey County Foundation. Interest from the “Wildcats Remembered” fund is presented annually to the current principal. Posey County Community Foundation’s Executive Director Jill Carpenter, presented this year’s Wildcats Remembered Fund check in the amount of $9,553.00 to Matt Thompson, MVHS Principal. Present for the donation was Don and his wife, CeCe, who established the Wildcats Remembered Fund with their gift of $1,000 upon his retirement in May, 1994. Hasn’t it grown? Through memberships, donations, memorials, and investments over the years, the Wildcats Re-

Wildcats Remembered Fund Director Mary Buchanan, left, stands with Posey County Community Foundation Executive Director Jill Carpenter who presented a check to MVHS Principal Matt Thompson while School Superintendent Tom Kopatich watches. Photo submitted membered Fund has provided funds for convocations, student leadership development programs, participation fees for students in academic and club competitions, conferences, and workshops, as well as to purchase specially selected equipment. The

fund now has 335 charter members. Membership requires a donation of $15 or more. After twenty-three years of actively running the fund, Mr. and Mrs. Goerlitz have recently designated several individuals to help oversee

the project in Mount Vernon, since they have moved to California. Mary Buchanan, recently retired after forty years as the school district treasurer, has agreed to take over the daily operation and annual newsletter preparation. Goerlitz said he can still remember the first day that “little blonde –haired girl was hired to work for the district and I knew she would be perfect now for this Wildcats Remembered Fund work.” The new director hopes to make the newsletter chatty and personal and amusing for all alumni. “Many of the members give donations at their class reunions or as memorials in an alumnus’ name when they pass away,” she said. If you have questions regarding Wildcats Remembered or would like to become a member to support MVHS students, please contact Mary Buchanan at P.O. Box 120, Mount Vernon, IN 47620. After all, the tiny seed of an idea can germinate and grow into a fullblown success.


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