SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Volume 136 Edition 44
New Harmony’s McDaniel is latest to join MVPD By Lois Mittino Gray After the Mount Vernon Board of Public Works approved his hiring at its October 27 meeting, Caleb McDaniel was sworn in as the city’s newest police officer. The former New Harmony Town Marshal was administered the oath of office by Clerk-Treasurer Christi Sitzman as his proud family members and the police chief looked on. Police Chief Tony Alldredge told board members that all physical and mental tests, drug testing and paperwork were completed. McDaniel officially joins the force after taking the oath and his first full day learning the ropes and training was Friday, October 28. Alldredge was also given approval to dismiss Russell Jordan as the only reserve officer on the force for non-involvement, as required. “Standard Operating Procedure requires a reserve to put in 12 hours a month riding with an active officer. He has done just four hours all year,” Alldredge said. Mayor Bill Curtis asked if the chief has talked with Jordan about the problem. Alldredge assured him that “we talked about his non-involvement for
Briefly Trump-Pence ‘Early for Trump’ event at Legion rescheduled You’re Invited - The TrumpPence Indiana Campaign Team is coming to Posey County. The ‘Early for Trump’ Tour will be held Wednesday, November 2 frim 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST at The American Legion, 203 Walnut Street, Mount Vernon, Ind. Free Trump-Pence yard signs will be available. Speakers include: Trump-Pence Campaign Chairman, Rex Early; Indiana Republican Party Chairman, Jeff Cardwell; Trump Pence Campaign Vice Chair, Tony Samuel; and Trump Pence Campaign State Director, Suzie Jaworowski. Paid for by Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. Veterans Breakfast, Program set for November 12 The Wadesville General Baptist Church will host a breakfast and program for all veterans on Saturday, November 12 at 9 a.m. at the W.G.B.C Fellowship Center on Joest Road in Wadesville. The breakfast is free for all veterans and their families. Please join us for a delicious breakfast and wonderful program honoring those who served our country. Fall Property Tax deadline set for November 10 You can pay online at www. poseycountytax.com., at any Old National Banking Center in Posey or Vanderburgh County (tax coupon required), in person or by mail at Posey County Treasurer, 126 East Third Street, Room 211, Mount Vernon, IN 47620. There is also a drop box located at the corner of Third and Walnut Street. MVCC-BC to hold Chicken Supper MV Community Church - Black’s Chapel UMC will host their traditional chicken supper on Saturday, November 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. The menu includes fried chicken, dumplings, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, corn, cole slaw, homemade desserts, ice tea, coffee, and lemonade. Serving will begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. Adults $11, children four - 12, $6. Carry outs will be available. There will also be a Country Store featuring baked goods, craft items, and white elephant offerings. MV community Church is located at 1800 West Fourth Street, Mount Vernon, Ind. BMV extends hours Kent Abernathy, of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), reminds Hoosiers that in advance of election day, BMV license branches will extend hours of operation on Monday, Nov. 7 and on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to issue ID cards and driver’s licenses that may be used for identification at a polling place. All branches will be open on Monday, Nov. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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the last six months and I’ve had zero activity from him since that time.” In other board action: • Street Commissioner Max Dieterle was given permission to use the city credit card to purchase a hydraulic pump and reservoir for the city leaf vacuum estimated to be around $300. He also asked to close Wolflin Street between Second and Third Streets from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 30 for Faith United Church’s Trunk or Treat activity and it was okayed. • Sitzman opened one submitted bid for the aging street department road grader. Jay Price bought it for $505. “That’s one big ole’ paperweight.” Curtis quipped. • Utilities Superintendent Chuck Gray reported that he took the camera truck to Indianapolis on Monday and both the robotic and pole cameras were repaired which took a total of three hours labor. The actual bill will arrive in the mail. • The meeting slated for Thanksgiving Day, November 24 was cancelled. Payroll and claims will be paid out the day before.
Caleb McDaniel, left, stands with Mount Vernon Police Chief Tony Alldredge after being sworn in as Mount Vernon’s newest police officer. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray
MV Fire Department achieves higher ISO rating Property insurance rates expected to drop as a result By Pam Robinson Mount Vernon Fire Chief Wes Dixon announced with obvious pride Thursday morning the results of this summer’s Insurance Services Office, or ISO, routine audit. Speaking at the Mount Vernon Common Council meeting on October 27, Dixon reported the Mount Vernon Fire Department’s Public Protection Class rating had been upgraded from a class five to a class four. The ISO rates fire departments from class one to ten, with class one as the best possible rating. Dixon explained the auditors evaluated the department’s apparatus, training, fire prevention and response to structure fires as well as the available water supply and the 911 dispatch system. In a hand-delivered press release, he stated ISO rates over 48,000 U.S. fire departments, and less than 15 percent of the stations achieve a class four or better. Home owners and business owners can expect lower property insurance rates, Dixon said, as a result of the fire department’s higher rating. Whereas the audit had taken place every 10 years, it will occur every five years now,
he added, and the fire department hopes to climb even higher on the ratings scale to a class three or two over the next five or ten years. The spotlight was shared with Water Supt. Chuck Gray. “I would like to thank Supt. Gray and his department for their diligence in flushing and maintaining the lines as well as adding capacity,” Dixon said. Councilman Andy Hoehn, serving as Fire Chairman, offered his commendation for a job well done and for the setting and meeting of a goal. Almost immediately following, council passed unanimously on third and final reading Ordinance 16-20 as expected, establishing the budget and tax rates for the year ending December 31, 2017. According to the ordinance, the $7,318,953 budget will require a total of $4,050,185 to be raised by tax levy with a total tax rate 0f 2.1716. The ordinance breaks down the tax levy and tax rate according to the amount to be raised for four funds in the budget:
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Cynthiana Utility rates to rise By Dave Pearce The Cynthiana Town Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Information was received as to what options the town has to improve a decreasing cash balance in the town’s water fund as well as the possibility of changing sewer rates. Since the town is looking at improvements for the Wastewater System by applying for grants, it was suggested that this is the time to review the rates to include any changes that may need to be included. According to information provided to the board by Pat Callahan, a CPA who handles municipal matters, there were two scenarios for board members to consider. Each scenario involves an increase in utilities. Town residents can help themselves by returning income surveys that has been requested by the state. More information regarding the surveys is available at the Cynthiana Town Hall. Callahan indicated the town will need, at some time in the future, to find a way to increase water revenues. The Cash Balance in the Water Fund in 2012 was $132,354 and by Sisters Sarah and Bracie Reed enjoy a minute together during the 2015 the cash balance at year-end Zion Lippe United Church of Christ Halloween celebration on Sunday Continued afternoon at the church on Ford Road. Photo by Dave Pearce
was down to $62,619. Although Callahan would not tell city officials what they needed to increase or by how much, he did tell them that if they don’t do something, eventually with increases in costs of supplies, materials and salaries, the town would have to do something to increase revenue. Callahan suggested that the town put a tracker on increases that current provider German Township makes to the town. It was suggested that the town begin applying those increases to the customers to stay on top of the differences and match what German Township is charging the Town of Cynthiana. Callahan had been asked to review the Water and Sewer Rates and see if the town would need to increase water and sewer rates. The last time the town had an increase in rates was in 2009. That increase also included increases to be added in 2010 and 2011. It has been five years since any increases had been made in the cost of the utilities. The rate increase scenarios were taken under advisement and the board members will review the possible changes with income and then make
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‘The right time’ comes for Rose at the Red G By Lois Mittino Gray After 46 years at the Red Geranium Restaurant, Rose Wilkinson walked out the door on October 8 and ripped that red bow tie off for the last time. “That was one part of the uniform I never liked. It always choked my neck,” the new retiree said with a grin. Rose can still remember that comedian Phyllis Diller sat at table two and ventriloquist Mortimer Snerd sat at table ten when she served them dinner. In the years since she first started in 1970, she has met many celebrities from all walks of life in town to dine at the five-star establishment. “Richard Kern, Dolly Parton, and Linda Lavin to name a few were all so nice,” she commented. Rose is herself an icon at the restaurant. Patrons often call in advance to request her services due to her efficiency and special attention to details. She has been known to talk to the cook personally about needs of a special diet, to help other servers when there is a backup and to aid persons with a special occasion, like a marriage proposal. “I have been asked to deliver the ring on a plate, or in a glass full of champagne, or even stuck in a dessert,” she reminisced. “I usually told my other customers around the room to watch because something special was about to happen and they would burst into applause.” “The best part of the job is that you get to meet so many people. I have regulars that I have known for years and now I wait on their children and grandchildren. I will miss them all very much, including my co-workers who are like family,” she said. Her secret to success? “I follow the Golden Rule….. do unto others as yourself.” Rose has been working as a waitress since she was 15 years old. “My hus-
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Pictured above are, from left to right: Debbie Hon, Rose Wilkinson, Dave Mayer, Nancy Hempfling, and Judy Smith as they wind up Rose’s last night at the Red Geranium. Photo submitted