SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Volume 137 Edition 8
Soil assessments underway Works board reviews renovation on Main By Lois Mittino Gray Members of the Mount Vernon Board of Public Works learned at its February 16 meeting that preliminary work is already underway doing soil assessment for the multimillion dollar Main Street Renovation Project. The grant was awarded by the Indiana Department of Transportation to the city several months ago. Assistant Street Superintendent James Miller was given a signed copy of a street cut permit from the board allowing Geotechnology, Inc., to do work in February. Miller said the Kentucky-based company brought a “really big machine” into the city on February 8-10. The machine made six street cut soil borings around Main Street from Second to Sixth Streets where the renovations will occur. The borings are twelve inches in diameter and 25 feet deep. From the samples, Lochmueller Engineering will
analyze the data to determine best base materials to use and develop plans for the project. Miller added they have already made payment for the soil testing work. . Mayor Bill Curtis would like as many people as possible to attend a public meeting on the project plans on Tuesday, February 28. It will be in the cafeteria of the Mount Vernon Junior High School. It is slated for 6 p.m. The meeting will feature the first look at the renovation area sketches, including a pocket park around the City Hall. Representatives from Lochmueller Engineering will be there as well as city officials to answer questions and gather input from attendees. “This project has been a long time in the making. They will be addressing quality of life issues and everyone is welcome to attend,” Curtis noted. In one other issue, Mayor Curtis said the legal portion of the agenda stated that discussion on the Byrd Street lift station would take place, but it is still under legal review so it was tabled until the next meeting. Minutes and claims were approved and there were no other department reports.
Kaylee Raben signs her name tag at St. Matthew’s Kindergarten Round-Up Wednesday night. Photo by Michelle Gibson
Numbers don’t support sign at Second, Walnut By Lois Mittino Gray A possible solution to the intersection congestion at Second and Walnut Streets and trash can reminders were the main topics at the February 16 Mount Vernon Common Council Meeting. Doing something to alleviate traffic accidents at the intersection of the two downtown streets was brought up at the prior meeting after a recent multi-vehicle accident there that damaged Mischi’s Hair Salon. Council members were asked to visit the site to offer possible solutions before the meeting. Assistant Street Superintendent James Miller reported that the street department has already taken action
Briefly Rehab Focus Physical Therapy: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony February 22, Noon 1262 Main Street, MV NP Athletic Hall of Fame: Induction Ceremony February 25, 6 p.m. North Posey High School, PV St. John’s Episcopal Church: Shrove Tuesday Pancake, Sausage Supper Tuesday, February 28, 6 p.m. Corner of Sixth and Mulberry Streets, MV St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 28, 6 p.m. 512 Granary Street, NH The Posey County Democrat Party: Caucus March 4, 10 a.m. 217 West Third Street, MV Ducks Unlimited: Winter Extravaganza Dinner March 4, 5 p.m. Red Geranium Convention Center, NH St. Philip Catholic School: Hops and Vines Craft Beer and Wine Festival Saturday, March 4, 7 - 10 p.m. Gymnasium, 3420 St. Philip Road South, MV More information on these and other events inside today’s Posey County News
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in one way to relieve the visual congestion at the site. “We painted yellow curb lines thirty feet back on the north and south sides of the intersection and put in one handicapped spot. This should really open up the view.” Councilman Mark Pharr, who represents that city district, said he looked at the intersection 15-20 times from every possible angle. He feels the opened up view will really help things. He added that another stop sign could just make traffic flow worse. Mayor Bill Curtis handed out a report prepared for that intersection
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The 2017 Poseyville Kiwanis Club Community Service Award was presented to Jason Hoehn and Melissa Higgins on Wednesday evening. Pictured are: Poseyville Kiwanis member Tom Snyder, Hoehn, Higgins, and Poseyville Kiwanis Vice-President James Reising holding the plaque that stays on display at the Poseyville Community Center. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
Two honored for public service Special to the News Members of the Poseyville Kiwanis Club are proud to announce that Melissa Higgins and Jason Hoehn have been named co-recipients of the 2017 Poseyville Kiwanis Club’s Community Service Award. Their father, Dan Hoehn, received the award in 2003 and apparently the
acts of donating time, talent and donations is a genetic trait in the family. Jason and Melissa are representatives of Hoehn Plastics (Jason, President and Melissa, Vice President) and Express Managed Services (Melissa, President and Jason, Vice President). Regardless of the order, public service runs throughout the family
of this hard-working and successful Posey County family. As a team, they have been involved with or unselfishly supported the following: • Sponsorship of the North Posey Youth Club to support the mainte-
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School board OKs Posey County council wrestling expansion approves appointments By Valerie Werkmeister North Posey School Board members approved a long list of projects they plan to see completed this summer during their monthly meeting last Monday, February 13. In addition to the construction and expansion of a new high school wrestling room and weight room that had previously been approved, they agreed to do the following: • Seal the pavement at North Elementary School (NES) and the High School parking lots. • A new back stop on the baseball field • Air conditioning for the cafeteria
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By Valerie Werkmeister Posey County Council members met for their monthly meeting last Tuesday, February 14, and approved several appointments to various county boards. First, they agreed to allow Bob Gentil, Dave Pearce and Stefani Miller to form a committee to review the council’s tax abatement policy. Councilman Tom Schneider stated he had expressed interest in that committee and wondered how those three members were chosen
to fulfill the obligation. Don Mattingly stated he could not answer Schneider’s question. When a vote was called, it was unanimously approved. Other appointments included – Kevin Brown to the Area Plan Commission for a one-year term; Sarah Beth Meighen to the Economic Development Coalition for a one-year term; Bill Newman to the Mount Vernon Economic Development
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Going once, going twice Auction to benefit, propel Arts in Harmony By Lois Mittino Gray Just a nod of the head or a flick of a finger may raise enough money Saturday night to turn the Arts in Harmony Festival this summer into a premier art event in the Midwest. That’s the goal of Gala Auction organizer Tony Treadway, who began soliciting items for the auction just two weeks after the festival ended last June. What a list will be offered at both silent and live auctions on Saturday, March 4. Aaron Wilson of Wilson’s Auctions will start the bidding at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. at Thrall’s Opera House. Because the venue is small, tickets will be limited to 120 persons. The cost is $20 per individual or $35 a couple. Attendees at this first-time event can dine on “heavy appetizers” prepared by Denise Rapp’s Moveable Feast catering. Heavy means they will include meats and be very substantial. “Eat light before you come as these will be tasty,” Treadway said. Bever-
ages will include wine, soft drinks, and a signature Manhattan cocktail. “Dan Mason, who will be our host for the evening, was able to acquire a case of bourbon from the Bourbon Trail sponsors, so we will feature that. The beers come from Sara’s Harmonie Way, including Harmonie Bier.” “What a great way for artists and patrons to meet each other and see their work,” the local potter said. Treadway serves at the Chairman of the Arts in Harmony Committee. It is one of three established by the New Harmony Business Associates to plan the historic town’s three major festivals. This year’s festival is planned for June 3-4 with all kinds of vendors, exhibits, children’s art activities and entertainment. Treadway’s extensive work certainly shows in the auction list. He said a real highlight will be a donated artwork done by Diane Kahlo, niece of famed Mexican artist
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A few of the items available for auction. Clockwise: Jewelry by Mike Gaines; Art by Jamie Hainey; Art by Jenna Citrus; Table by Curt Schmitt; and Platter by Tony Treadway.