Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN
“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” Posey County’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
$1.00
(USPS S4 439-500) 39 5 0 0)
Volume 134 Edition 50
State plan could take gamble out of bridge ownership By Valerie Werkmeister The clock has struck midnight and it’s time for Posey County Commissioners to make one of the toughest decisions in their tenure: whether or not they will take ownership of the Harmony Way Bridge. The topic has generated much controversy and discussion for those both for and against the idea of the county taking over the bridge. Commissioner Jerry Walden alluded to the struggle when he said, “The single biggest thing we have to overcome is this: There’s a Civil War mentality in Posey County: the north vs. the south. And that just can’t be.” Although commissioners Carl Schmitz, Jim Alsop and Jerry Walden had already agreed to take over the bridge during their
August 19 meeting, they still have not taken the necessary steps to do so. While many supporters in favor of reopening the bridge criticized their lack of action at the December 1, commissioners meeting, Schmitz responded with a list of questions he wanted answers to. Most of those questions centered around money. Schmitz wanted to know how much and where the money would come from to pay for the land survey, the initial bridge inspection, repairs to the bridge and annual inspections. He also wanted assurance if they reopened the bridge that the State of Illinois would keep the road open leading to the bridge. The commissioners appointed nine mem-
bers to a special committee that would study these questions and find solutions to overcome the hurdles necessary in order to reopen the bridge. Also at issue, is the Town of New Harmony’s gas line which goes over the bridge. If the bridge is torn down, the town would have to find a way to relocate their gas line or purchase their gas from an Indiana source. The town had a study completed in 2013 by Morley and Associates to determine feasible options to remove the gas line. The council learned the most cost effective option, at around $777,000, would be to bore the line underneath the Wabash River. The town would have to secure a bond at a low interest rate to be paid back over a long period of
time in order to afford the project. However, when the town council learned the commissioners had agreed to take over the bridge on August 19, they suspended their plans in order to see what would happen next. At the December 1, commissioners’ meeting, Schmitz questioned whether the bridge ownership could be transferred to New Harmony. Walden pointed out the commissioners are the only representatives who can own and have a budget for the bridge. The town would also not be allowed to levy a toll, so transferring ownership to the town would be a moot point. On Friday, December 12, members of the
Continued on Page A12
Zoning becomes Poseyville issue By Valerie Werkmeister An amendment to the consolidated zoning ordinance that was favorably passed by the Posey County Commissioners as well as other municipal boards was met with some resistance in Poseyville. Mindy Bourne, Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission, presented information regarding the amendment to Ron Fallowfield and President Bruce Baker of the Poseyville Town Council during their meeting, last Wednesday, December 10. The third member, Steve Ahrens, was not in attendance. Bourne explained the current zoning states that parking in residential areas must have an all-weather type surface, such as chip and seal, asphalt or concrete. The amendment allows citizens to apply to the Board of Zoning Appeals to request a variance. The example was given that if a resident purchases a camper to park on their property, the parking area must have some type of all-weather surface rather than adding a gravel pad. This is how the current zoning ordinance reads. Bourne acknowledged that many within the county may currently be out of compliance with the ordinance that is usually only enforced when a complaint is filed. The amendment gives residents the option to request a variance, if they wish to seek an alternative to the ordinance rules. Bourne explained that some may not
appreciate gravel dust or erosion from their neighbors. Bourne stated areas zoned for manufacturing are excluded from this amendment. Manufacturing areas must typically follow state criteria regarding parking areas, especially around the office building. Baker stated his displeasure for the ordinance. “Where did this come from? Because I don’t agree with it. I really have a problem with going on private property,” Baker said. Bourne explained the ordinance has been in place since Poseyville agreed along with the cities of Mount Vernon and Cynthiana to align with a consolidated zoning ordinance in 2012. Prior to that, the incorporated towns had followed their own individual zoning ordinances. Baker questioned whether Poseyville ever had this type of all-weather surface stipulation for parking areas in its ordinances prior to joining the county’s consolidated ordinance. Bourne answered she wasn’t sure what was on the books, but stated she would research the matter. Attorney Jake Weiss, who represents the Town of Poseyville, reiterated the point that this amendment actually makes the current ordinance better since it allows a variance. Bourne added that Poseyville may exclude themselves from this amendment and write their
Continued on Page A12
Three-year-old Kayden Vaupel visited Mr. and Mrs. Claus at First Bank this past Friday afternoon. Kayden is the daughter of Jeff Vaupel and Jessica Zuber of Stewartsville. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
FOP Auxiliary gives local officers a gift that keeps on giving
Members of the Posey County FOP Auxiliary raised money to purchase first responder trauma kits for all 55 police officers in Posey County. The kits were distributed last Wednesday during a training session conducted by Evansville Police Officer Lenny Reed. Pictured in front, from left are: Melody Oeth, Michelle Fortune, Kari Denning, Mary Beth Henrich, Janelle Seitz, and Karley Kuykendall. In back are: Michele Stallings Boyster, Korben Sellers, Doug Saltzman, Jim Hirsch, Lenny Reed, Dustin Seitz, Justin Rutledge and Paul Axton. Photo by Valerie Werkmeister
Briefly
bulance may be 15 or 20 minutes away and in the cases of life or death situations, some people may not have that long to wait. A person can bleed out in three minutes. An officer who carries a tourniquet can save someone’s life, even their own. In today’s world, devastating massacres have taken place throughout the country at schools and colleges. Officers who are supplied with these trauma kits can be instrumental in saving lives. Once the decision was made to purchase the kits, the ladies of the auxiliary knew it would take some time to accomplish their goal. They learned each kit would cost approximately $100 and they would need a little more than $6,500. They planned to order extra supplies to help replenish items from the kits as they are used. No feat is too big or too small for this group of tenacious women. After all, they
Continued on Page A12
Local pharmacy history colorful
BMV announces holiday hours Don Snemis, Commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), announced today that license branches will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Dec. 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. All license branches resume normal business hours on Saturday, Dec. 27. In addition, license branches will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day. All license branches resume normal hours of operation on Friday, Jan. 2. Mid-Day Christmas Eve service to be held at Trinity In response to the growing number of people who cannot drive after dark, Trinity United Church of Christ, 505 Mulberry Street, Mount Vernon, is offering a traditional Christmas Eve service with candlelight and Holy Communion at 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. As in the past, there will also be a 10 p.m. service on December 24. Atheneum sets holiday and winter hours Historic New Harmony wishes everyone a wonderful holiday. Atheneum holiday and winter hours are as follows: Friday, Dec. 19 the Atheneum will close at 1 p.m. for the HNH staff party; Closed December 24, 25, and December 31 through March 14. Signs will direct visitors to New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art to get info. The info rack at the Atheneum will be temporarily relocated to the Gallery. The 1-800 number will be forwarded to the administrative offices. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email or call us. WMI seeks organizing/inventory helpers Would you love to dig around in the WMI archives? The time has come, 2015 will be the year for us to start working on organizing, taking inventory and cataloging our archives at the WMI. If you are interested in participating in this project, our first session will be held on Tuesday, January 6 at 1 p.m. Do not worry if you haven’t any prior experience, initial sessions will incorporate your training. Can’t make it, but would like to be a part of this project, contact Ryan at 682-4806 if you are interested.
Retrospective ...... A 4 Legals ...................B 5 Classifieds ...... B9-10 Community ......... A 5
By Valerie Werkmeister When the time came for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Auxiliary to discuss what they’d like to do to show their appreciation to county police officers, they knew they wanted to do something different. They wanted something that showed they cared; actually, that a lot of people cared. They wanted something that would do more for the officers other than gift cards or coffee cups. They found their answer by giving them a gift like no other…a potentially life-saving gift that, while practical, is something that most officers have never had the opportunity to carry. The auxiliary chose to give all 55 officers in Posey County first responder trauma kits. The specially designed bag contains a tourniquet, scissors, shears, gauze and an open airway device. It may not sound like much, but the tourniquet alone is the most important item. Police officers are often the first to arrive on the scene of an accident. An am-
By Cathy Powers When Joe Reynolds was a young man, growing up in Stewartsville, Indiana, he was friends with Robert Stevens. Robert’s father was Kenneth Stevens, the well-known and respected Poseyville pharmacist. Joe was impressed with Mr. Stevens, and came to believe that this would be a good and honorable profession to pursue. His career was soon to become a possibility. Through a family connection, Joe’s brother, Paul, was able to attend Butler University in Indianapolis because he was a good basketball player. Paul was soon encouraging his brother to follow in his footsteps, even offering to ‘loan’ him $20 per month to help with expenses. Joe knew he would need a little more money, so he asked his father, Arthur Reynolds, if he would let him fix up the old family truck and use it to haul things. He ended up hauling everything from watermelons to coal, and after a couple of months, he had enough money to pay for his schooling at Butler. Even though he also qualified for the basketball squad, Joe soon decided to concentrate on his studies. In 1963, he returned to Posey County and began his pharmacy career by buying the small Schaeffer’s Drug Store on Main Street. It was the town’s second drug store, with Stevens’ Drug Store still in operation at Main and Locust. In 1968, Bill Heilman, of Owensboro, Kentucky, purchased Stevens, and both were in operation until 1971. At that time, they decided that merging into one store would be a good business decision, and it began as a Rexall Drug Store, renamed H & R. This assured customers that there would always be a pharmacist on duty, giving the other a little more time off. Through the next few years, they expanded into some of the adjacent buildings nearby. To the West,
Deaths .............. ...A3 Church ................ A 6 Social .................. A 5 School ................. A 7
Joe and Barb Reynolds there was Foster’s Maytag store, a hat shop, and a hardware store. On the North side, there was the old fire station, with the jail upstairs, next to the old Poseyville Times building, which was later torn down. Walls came down, and gradual renovation and expansion took place. The original structure was known as the Lockwood Building, constructed in the 1800s. Several things came and went in the upstairs, including The Shoe Attic, a lawyer’s office, and the license bureau. Reynolds had stored the original soda fountain
Sports ............ B1, 3-4 Bus/Ag ................ A 8 Opinion ..............A 1 1 TV Guide........ A9-10
Continued on Page A3