T
P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Volume 139 Edition 47
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
$1.00
Winds of opinion expected to blow in turbine hearing By Dave Pearce Posey County natives or long-time residents of Posey County usually agree that an imaginary Mason-Dixon Line has separated the northern end of the county from the southern end. However, a new divisive line is expected to climax during a meeting at the Posey County Fairgrounds and this division seems to be pitting family members against each other and neighbors against neighbors. The divide is primarily on the northern end of the county as the subject of wind energy, and the turbines required to produce it, is the only item on the public input session beginning at
6 p.m. and scheduled to last until 9 p.m. According to Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham, the preside of the Posey County Area Plan Commission Mark Seib has asked the sheriff’s department to provide security at the meeting. Latham indicated his organization will be on hand to provide any necessary assistance. The meeting, which has been called by the Posey County Area Plan Commission, is described as a special meeting to receive public comments concerning the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Mount Vernon, the Town of Cynthiana,
the Town of Poseyville, and Unincorporated Posey County-Wind/Solar Ordinance. Nearly since the first mention of a wind energy discussion regarding a company considering bringing wind energy with its turbines to the Gibson/Posey County area, friction began. Most of those effected on either side seem to feel that there is no grey area on this topic…either you want the energy with its turbines or you absolutely don’t want the energy brought into this part of the state. While Mount Vernon is included in the zoning being discussed by the county, according to most maps that have been drawn,
the company’s primary area of interest lies to the north of Indiana State Route 66. Wind currents seem to favor the northern end of the county and the lack of population density in the north fuels the flame. In an advertisement in this week’s edition of the Posey County News, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 16, the LiUNA! Local Union 561, the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, and the Hoosier Chapter of Sierra Clun have spoken out in support of the
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Midwest remains vague as PCEDC celebrates Posey County Progress By Dave Pearce A full house buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the Annual Meeting of the Posey County Economic Development Partnership met on Wednesday evening, Nov. 13, at the New Harmony Inn and Convention Center in New Harmony. Those who sprang for the $55-per-person meal and meeting were treated to an evening of great food, excellent company, and encouragement regarding Posey County and its bright future. Most appeared poised to hear new and exciting news from J. Les Wright, President and CEO of Midwest Fertilizer. Jenna (Alka) Rickhardt, Executive Director at Posey County Economic Development Partnership, went to great pains to see that the event was meticulously planned and executed. The atmosphere was inviting and President Joe Neidig opened the meeting singing the praises of all the positive things happening in the county. He also recognized students from both North Posey and Mount Vernon who lead a charge recently to raise an incredible amount of food that was donated to area food banks. Rickhardt informed those in attendance that broadband
across Posey County is one step closer to reality and cited a morning press conference to that effect. She expressed the importance of an Internet route equal to the physical routes afforded by the county, citing the proximity to Interstates, railways, and the Southwind Maritime Center. Steps are being taken to make that a reality as soon a physically possible. She also announced the roll-out of a PROPOCO documentary which has been produced for usage in attracting individuals and companies to give Posey County a fair shake when considering a place to locate. Presenting sponsor Phillip Wells then educated the audience to his company, TMI, an enerfab Company, located in Mount Vernon and started by his uncle 40 years ago. Wells explained that while the company does its share of steel fabrication, it does many other things. An impressive slide show presentation accompanied his remarks regardRetired Mount Vernon School Supt. Tom Kopatich receives the ing the company. Several were recognized for their faithful service to the Greatest Generation Community Service award presented by PresiEconomic Development Partnership as well as to many dent Joe Neidig of The Posey County Economic Development Partnership. This was the first of what the Partnership believes will be an Continued on Page A9 annual award. Photo by Dave Pearce
Long-awaited pay increases approved at North Posey By Lynda Baker The North Posey School Board met at 6:30 p.m. on an icy November 11, 2019. The main topic of discussion was the approval of the recently published 2019-2021 Master Contract. According to North Posey School Supt. Dr. Todd Camp, the teacher’s association overwhelmingly approved the contract and he believes it to be the best the school district has presented in years. Camp further indicated that, according to preliminary figures, 98 teachers will receive, on average, a $2445 increase to their base salaries. This will vary slightly according to salary caps and Master’s Degree qualifications. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Master Contract was approved.
“This is the first time there was a significant amount of new money to work with and the bargaining team did a good job of allocating it. Their efforts not only provided raises for the teachers in 2019-2020, but created a plan to free up money for potential raises in 2020-2021,” Camp said. The following raises were presented to the Board for noncertified staff members: • Substitute Bus Drivers--$10 per day • Food Service Director, Building/CO and Technology Director $ .60 per hour, with the Technology Director to also receive a $5,000 base salary increase. Stipends were also requested for non-certified staff members,
such as bus drivers ($500), sub-bus drivers ($300), cafeteria workers ($500), Food Service Director ($1000), Building/CO ($1000) and Technology Director ($1,000). Stipends of $1000 were requested for the high school principal, high school assistant principal, junior high principal, elementary school principals and the Assistant Superintendent. Raises of $1000 were also requested for the high school principal, junior high principal, elementary principals and the Assistant Superintendent, with a raise for the high school assistant principal having been approved previously. A raise of $500 for
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County Council OKs SABIC extension By Lois Mittino Gray Posey County Council President Heather Allyn opened the November 13, meeting with a tribute to all veterans for their service with a warm thank you and a call to all to “Pay It Forward.” The Council approved a request to extend a $230 million dollar tax abatement for SABIC Innovative Plastics of Mount Vernon until October 31, 2020. Steve Nichols, Senior Manager Direct Tax, Americas spoke to the group concerning reasons for needing the extra time. “The original tax abatement was given in 2014 to upgrade our Brine Recovery Unit at an estimated cost of $129.5 million. A second extension was asked and received in 2016, with an estimated cost of $230 million. We want to request the extra time to finish it. It is now estimated it will cost $300 million to construct, but we wish to keep the abatement at 230 million. The project was simply deferred due to budget constraints, as other CapEx projects worldwide had a higher priority. However, it is a vital part of the Mount Vernon facility and we should have it up and running by the end of 2020,” he explained. President Allyn reiterated that the extra money spent by SABIC above the $230 million would go directly to the tax rolls and not be abated. Nichols agreed with that summary statement. Allyn inquired how the project affected jobs. “The retention of 37 jobs, as stated in the
original 2014 request, has not changed,” he replied. Niall McConville, SABIC Site Leader, thanked the Council for the extension and spoke to them about new construction projects at the plant, such as the community building, which “will be a vital part of the Mount Vernon facility.” In closing, Councilman Bob Gentil addressed a statement to McConville regarding SABIC’S previous owner, General Electric. “They recently froze employee pensions. We are giving you these abatements. Please take into consideration the working individual in all your dealings with your employees.” The Plant Manager said that it was duly noted. Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham requested two additional appropriations putting donated money for a trained canine police officer into his new K9 Fund. One for $60,296.58 into the Equipment Account will pay for the new Tahoe vehicle for the officer plus dog with a cage in it, and possibly even the dog itself. The Sheriff said the officer, who will pair with the dog, is looking at a Belgian Malinois breed and it is still a puppy in training. The other amount is for $2,000 for the Repairs and Maintenance Account. “No tax money is being used here. This is all
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Three-year-old Elise Reinitz of Mount Vernon greets Truman when they met at Saturday’s Posey County Pound Puppies Craft Show. Truman is happy to have a furever home, since he is already adopted. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray
Waiting for his miracle Long-time local gospel music singer fights pair of debilitating chronic illnesses
Left to right are David and Tracy Goldman and daughter-in-law Rebecca and son Andrew Goldman.
(USPS 439-500)
By Pam Robinson David Goldman has been singing lead with the Conquerors southern gospel quartet for 27 years. “I grew up singing. I sang my first solo in church at the age of 2. I have always felt comfortable on stage,” he said. “I have always been a jokester and I have no fear of crowds.” The son of Percy and Juanita Goldman of Upper Hills in Gibson County grew up in a musical family. His father and grandfather played banjo and harmonica. His aunts and uncle performed in a traveling bluegrass group. For a short time, David’s home church in Stewartsville had a quartet. When a position came open with the Conquerors, Kent Sonderling called David to see whether he would be interested in joining the group. “He was very persistent and I joined the group in July of 1990.” When the Conquerors first started out, there was a female singer with the group, but she did not stay. So, David set out traveling with Charlie Grennan (bass), David Ice (baritone), Bob
Freiburger (tenor) and Joyce Meyer, their pianist, on July 21, 1990. “There have been many long bus trips all over the Midwest.” “I have made hundreds of wonderful friends and have met a lot of people. We have seen hearts changed, homes mended and people surrendering their hearts to God,” David shared. One story in particular touched David’s heart. “We were in an old grocery store with a center pole holding up the roof. The fire marshal would have shut the place down,” he laughed. “I was telling a story about an elderly lady who passed out silver boxes as reminders of healings and precious moments when a commotion broke out in the middle of the room. When the crowd separated a bit, I learned that a mother and daughter who had been estranged for over five years had come from opposite sides of the room to reunited in the middle.” The Apostolic Bible Church in Stewartsville has always been David’s home church. “I was
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