CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET: See Page B2
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 2, 2014
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Volume 134 Edition 48
Sewer rates on the rise as New Harmony complies By Valerie Werkmeister New Harmony sewer customers will soon see an increase on their bills. The town can no longer operate effectively under the current rates, which have been in place since 2008. Town council member Karen Walker explained during the council’s November 20, meeting that the town must treat phosphorus. They are required to construct a separate building just to store the chemicals to treat it and the sludge must be hauled away. The chemical cost alone to treat the phosphorus will cost the town an additional $30,000 per year. The town started assessing their current sewer plant operations a year ago when they completed a facility conditions assessment
study. They learned the pros and cons of their current facilities and what would be needed in order to make improvements. They also hired CPA, Pat Callahan, to do a rate study. Based on his study, Callahan projected a 27.1 percent rate increase would be required. Walker added that in early 2013, the town had been able to set aside $5,200 per month in preparation for future sewer facility expenditures. However, they haven’t been able to do that since expenses soon became as high as the revenue they were receiving. Walker said they felt a 27 percent increase would be too high all at once, so they opted to do a two-phase increase. In December, she will introduce an ordinance that will increase the sewer rate 10 percent. For a majority of
the users, that means they will see a slight increase of approximately $5 on their bills. The current rate of $48.10 will increase to $52.91. Another 10 percent increase will be set for 2015. A public hearing will be held during the December 18, town council meeting. The public will be allowed to ask questions. Walker also noted they have had considerable difficulty in obtaining qualified applicants for the water and wastewater superintendent position. She felt this may be due to the fact the town combined two positions into one. She asked the council for permission to split the positions again in hopes that may entice more applicants to apply. She also noticed that 11 other cities in towns
within the state are searching for help in the same positions, suggesting a possible shortage of qualified individuals who are certified for the position. Currently, Jeremy and Jason Farrar along with Bobby Grider are operating the facility. Council member Don Gibbs announced that if there is enough interest, residents could have the added service of curb-side recycling free of charge. The Posey County Solid Waste District will offer the service free of charge. Gibbs explained that all residents need to do is let them know by completing a survey form that will appear in the newspaper. The Solid Waste District is
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Christmas in New Harmony is slated for December 5-7 By Dave Pearce Quaint, peaceful New Harmony is expected to be all abuzz this weekend as the 30th edition of Christmas in New Harmony will be celebrated. The event, sponsored by the New Harmony Business Associates, gives everyone a chance to get in the holiday spirit. It is always held on the first weekend of December. The annual event brings local business and nonprofit organizations together to provide activities and shopping in the historic town. Most shops and galleries will have special events to help celebrate the weekend. There are always unique gifts for the season and treats such as cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider and other various goodies. The biggest event is always the shopping gala held in the Ribeyre Gymnasium on Saturday and Sunday with vendors from all over the tri state area. There will be a large variety of merchandise for your shopping needs. Vendors will be selling hand-made purses, jewelry, baby hats, blankets, American Girl clothes, button flowers, beaded ornaments, stained glass, bullet jewelry, quilts, hooked rugs and all sorts of baked goods, just to name
a few. One vendor ‘Three Chicks Fudgery’ will be selling several different flavors of fudge, chocolate, peanut butter, salted caramel and more. Rachel Rainey opened her fudge business almost two years ago in Mount Vernon and has proven to be a success. She will also be selling other holiday items. You won’t want to miss the ‘Artisan Market’ at the Rapp-Owen Granary, where you will find a mix of Fine Crafts and Art. Food will be served at the Granary and the Ribeyre Gymnasium both Saturday and Sunday along with our New Harmony Restaurants and a booth or two on the street. Other events for the weekend will be the Christmas Tree Lighting at New Harmony Inn & Resort Center on Friday evening Family events will be breakfast with Santa, Christmas Parade, Carriage rides and make and take Crafts and Decorations. Music and entertainment will include River Bend Brass Band, Shade Tree Dulcimer Players, Children’s Nutcracker Ballet and the Strolling Santas.
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Briefly PC Alliance accepting 2015 award nominations Take a few minutes to nominate a deserving candidate for an annual award. Nominations for Teacher/Administrator of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, and Business of the Year will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 5 and recipients will be announced at our Report to the Posey County Business Community on March 4 at the New Harmony Inn & Conference Center. Contact Brittaney Johnson, Posey County Director at 812-838-3639 or bjohnson@swinchamber.com with any questions. Democratic caucus to choose Harmony Township Trustee The Posey County Democratic committee will hold a caucus this week to appoint a Harmony Township Trustee, as the result of the resignation of the current trustee Dave Butler. The caucus will be held at Democratic Headquarters in Mount Vernon at 5 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2014. Interested parties should file paperwork with county clerk at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Planted Wheat deadline set for December 15 Planted Wheat must be certified by December 15, 2014. Planting dates are required. If you have any questions, please contact the Posey County FSA Office at (812) 838-4191, Ext. 2 . Posey County Salvation Army falls short on volunteers The Posey County Salvation Army is falling short on volunteers for ringing bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign this year. This is the only fundraiser for Salvation Army in Posey County; all funds collected in our local kettles directly help Posey County families. Bell ringers are needed Saturday, December 6, 13 and 20; times slots are from 10 a.m. - noon, noon - 2 p.m., and 2 - 4 p.m. those days. Call Dave Pearce at 459-4206 if you or a group could take one of those days. Red Lantern Gallery holds Winter Reception The Red Lantern Art Gallery, 6950 Frontage Road Poseyville, Ind., will hold it’s Winter Opening Reception Thursday, December 4, 2014 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. For this special occasion, the Red Wagon culinary artist, Chef Brent Tharp, is presenting an array of mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres and wine, served by the fantastic servers of the Red Wagon Restaurant. In addition to the opening of our colorful new Winter Exhibit, and on the night of the reception only, we will be featuring some stunning work from invited special 3D guest artists. There is a $5 entry fee. Students and children admission is free. Boy Scout Troop 387 collecting food December 6 Boy Scout Troop 387 will be holding a canned food drive Saturday, December 6, 2014 starting at 9 a.m. in Poseyville, Wadesville, Griffin, Stewartsville and Cynthiana.
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The Wassmer Family pauses for a few minutes with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Red Wagon Restaurant’s Christmas event held on Saturday. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Claus, Erika Wassmer, Elly Wassmer, Cinda Wassmer, Santa, Peyton Wassmer, Ryker Wassmer (watching Santa), and Steve Wassmer. Photo by Dave Pearce
New Harmony Bridge continues to stir waters By Valerie Werkmeister Posey County Commissioners Jim Alsop, Jerry Walden and President Carl Schmitz came under fire Monday for what some called their lack of action on the Harmony Way Bridge. They were urged to move forward on completing a bill of sale that would, in effect, seal the deal they made when they voted 3-0 on August 19, to take over the bridge. The commissioners have been reluctant to complete the process that would transfer the ownership of the bridge from the White County Bridge Commission. Schmitz asked a litany of questions that he wanted answers to before the deal was completed. In a previous meeting, Schmitz asked, “To share with the group, these are the questions: How much and where will the money come from to pay for the land survey; how much and where will the money come from to pay for the initial inspection, which we’ve got a copy of; how much where will the money come from to pay for the bridge repair; How and where will the money come from to pay for the annual inspections; will Illinois keep the road open to the bridge; and who takes the title? I think these questions all need to be answered before we sign off on the bridge.” In yesterday’s meeting, which was attended by a number of supporters who want to see the bridge reopened, as well as several New Harmony business owners, Schmitz drew the ire of the crowd when he stated the commission-
ers wanted to await the study findings by the newly appointed members of the bridge commission. The commissioners initially agreed to appoint seven members to the commission. However, during last month’s meeting, Walden stated he would like to appoint an eighth member. Commissioner attorney Jake Weiss advised against having an even number of participants on the commission in the case of tie votes. Walden then proposed adding a ninth member and the measure passed 2-1 with Alsop voting against it. In yesterday’s meeting, Walden proposed adding Bill Wilson as the ninth member of the bridge commission. It also passed 2-1, again with Alsop voting against it. The other eight members include: Zach Weinzapfel, Jerry Walden, Linda Henning, Ryan Rapp, David Brown, Andrew Wilson, Aaron Wilson, Bill Wilson and Michael Egbert. “They are to report back in two weeks from now and so, really uh, until their study is returned to the commissioners, we can’t really do a whole lot,” Schmitz said. Current White County Bridge Commission member, Michael ‘Spud’ Egbert, was clearly upset with Schmitz’s announcement. He has previously announced his intent to resign on December 15. “I think me and Dr. Rice have been very patient with
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Owen memory to be kept alive here By Lois Mittino Gray In her lifetime, Jane Blaffer Owen transformed an area in a small secular town into a sacred place with spiritual undertones. In the course of her 60 years of association with New Harmony, she created a haven where she believed the positive impact of nature would blend with the sacred to make a “spiritual sanctuary’ for visitors. Mrs. Owen created or restored eight structures, four fountains and water features, eleven gardens, and ten outdoor sculptures. With her passing, the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation approved by a unanimous vote at their May meeting to create the ‘Jane Blaffer Owen Sanctuary’ as a permanent program of the Foundation. The ninemember board put it as a subgroup under the Buildings and Grounds Committee, under the auspices of Kent Schuette, Committee Chairman. Scheutte is a professor of Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and owns a home in New Harmony on North Street. Schuette held a meeting at his home on Saturday , November 22 to explore the idea of forming a ‘Friends of the Sanctuary’ support group to plan field days doing work on the sites and expanding its programs through membership contributions. A handful of interested persons showed up, including members of the New Harmony Garden Club and Kiwanis, and discussion has the ball rolling. “We are treading on new water here and I would like to develop a board of advisors for the sanctuary. We need to spread the word about this to put more legs under the table,” he said. “The spiritual landscapes and sacred places must now find renewed leadership in order to be sustainable, protected, enhanced, and moved
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Kent Schuette listens attentively to ideas from others at the meeting. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray forward.” One of the first projects to be done is phase I and phase II of ‘Carol’s Garden of Life’ on North Street, across from the Roofless Church. The large Bradford Pear trees were removed and new ones are in the center ring and in the outer rings. Two thousand Virginia Bluebells, or Cowslips, were planted in the quadrants there with the help of eight of Schuette’s students. “Jane’s spirit was with us that day. The rain held off
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