“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.”
(USPS 439-500)
Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
$1.00
Volume 133 Edition 9
Campbell resigns, Straw is new Council chief Benefit auction set St. Matthew Catholic School in Mount Vernon is holding its 13th annual benefit auction on March 9 at the Posey County Community Center. The Oktoberfest themed event will begin at 5 p.m. with a silent auction. A German dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and the evening will end with a live auction. Donations for the auction are being requested. To submit a donation or purchase tickets, call the office at 838-2535. License # 129866
St. Wendel baseball tryouts St. Wendel Babe Ruth Try Outs will be held at the St. Wendel Ball Diamond on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 4 until 7 p.m. and again on Monday, March 4, 2013 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. There will also be a Pony Team available for all players that don’t make the Babe Ruth team. So either way we have a team if you have the desire to play. For more info contact J.C. Poe @ 430-7272.
MVYB tryouts set Signup dates are rapidly approaching for this year’s season. Signups will be held at Alexandrian Public Library in Mount Vernon on the following date: Wednesday, February 27 from 5-8 p.m. Be prepared to have your child fitted for a uniform at this time.
PFD Chili Supper is Sunday The Second Annual Poseyville Fire Department Chili Supper will be held on Sunday, March 3, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets will be available for both the meal and the raffle at the door. The meal will consist of Chili, Peanut Butter or Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Drink and Dessert for only $5. Hot dog, chips, drink and dessert for kids $3. The group will also be raffling off a 55-inch Insignia LED television. Chances are $5 each or 5 for $20.
Relay meeting set The February Relay for Life meeting will be held on Thurs, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. at the Alexandrian Public Library, meeting Room A.
Sectional tickets on sale North Posey High School boys basketball season sectional tickets on sale in the High School Athletic Office. Season tickets are $10 good for all four sessions of the Southridge Sectional. Single session tickets can only be purchased at the door and are $6 per session.
By Pam Robinson Already this year, two prominent New Harmony government leaders have stepped down from their offices. Last month during the regular town council meeting, President David Campbell announced the absent Nathan Maudlin had retired as town attorney. This month during the regular town council meeting, Campbell was absent in person and in the roll call of council members. The agenda held a place for election of officers, namely a council member to fill the vacated president’s office. Presiding as president, council member Joe Straw first asked Clerk-Treasurer Karla Atkins to read Campbell’s letter of resignation dated February 19, 2013: “Effective this day, I resign from New Harmony Town Council.” Adding his signature, David R. Campbell thus left office. Straw said Atkins had sent a letter to the Chairman of the Republican Party. “David filed under the Republican candidate in 2011,” Straw
New Harmony Town Council member Joe Straw calls Thursday’s meeting to order, with Linda Warrum pictured to his right and Karen Walker, to his left. Also present was council member Don Gibbs. Later in the evening, Joe Straw was elected President of New Harmony Town Council since former president, David Campbell, resigned from town council on Feb. 19, 2013. Photo by Pam Robinson stated, “and he’s serving his third David,” Straw said. “And I’d like for the election of a new president. term, the fourth year. He was into it to thank him for all the accomplish- “I’ll make the motion that you a year here.” He then commended ments that he made possible here take that chair,” council member Campbell for his service to New for the Town of New Harmony.” Don Gibbs stated. With no further Members of the audience punctuat- nominations, the floor was closed, Harmony. “I’d just like to say at this time, ed Straw’s statement with applause. Continued on Page A2 In due order, Straw then asked it’s been a pleasure working with
School board, public warned of mock disaster plan By Pam Robinson Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth along with MSD of Mount Vernon Supt. Tom Kopatich have spoken plainly about tomorrow’s afterschool shooting simulation at Farmersville Elementary School: no students—no children at all—will be present during the simulation, and no actual ammunition will be fired though plenty of noise will be made. Oeth was present with Sgt. Russ Werkmeister of the Indiana State Police, a certified hostage negotiator, to discuss the simulation at the Mount Vernon School Board meeting Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. During his presentation, Oeth said the purpose of the simulation was two-fold. First, it will better prepare MSD of Mount Vernon faculty and staff to act according to their written policies and procedures if a violent incident should occur. Second, law enforcement will time how fast they get to Farmersville Elementary when notified the simulation has started. “Hopefully, we’ll never be in that situation,” Oeth stated. In that event,
however, he said it’s important for faculty and staff to be able to act quickly to gain control of the situation. After tomorrow’s simulation, Farmersville staff will meet with the county and state law enforcement training them. Oeth quoted the old adage, “You perform and act as you train,” as the rationale behind the simulation. “Heaven forbid,” Oeth said, “that day should ever come [when a violent incident occurs]. If it does, we’ll get through it, and we’ll get through it well because they [faculty and staff] know how to respond and what to do.” Kopatich said the MSD of Mount Vernon hopes eventually to provide simulations for all school faculty and staff. After the meeting, Oeth stated that it is hoped all schools will be scheduled for the simulated training by the end of this school year. Mount Vernon School Board members will be invited, one member at each simulation, to observe the process. Likewise, the MSD of
North Posey will be observing the Farmersville simulation. In other business: •The board accepted the resignation from Robert Seifert as industrial technology teacher at the junior and senior high schools effective February 22, 2013, and from Justin Noyes as information systems foreman effective March 15, 2013. Supt. Kopatich said a long-term substitute teacher is already in place to fill Seifert’s position, which will later be posted to find a permanent replacement. In addition, he said Noyes’ position is being posted now on the MSD of Mount Vernon website. •The board accepted the conflict of interest disclosures from Kyle Jones, Tom Kopatich, Beth McFadin Higgins, Gary Redman, Chad Rodgers, W. Tom Russell and Randall Woodall. •The board authorized leasing agreement renewals at Hedges Central School for one year beginning March 1, 2013, for the administrative offices of the Mount Vernon Homeless Shelter and the Commu-
nity Action Program of Evansville (CAPE). •The board authorized student Sunday performances for Angelus and Cul on April 21 at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand and for Angelus on April 28 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in St. Philips. •The board granted permission to advertise for the school district’s financial services. •Kopatich announced that administrative personnel are working on several grant proposals—for Vectren, Old National Bank and Toyota. •Kopatich reported that there were “no issues” and “no comments” in the recent State Board of Accounts’ audit report. He commended office secretaries, building secretaries and all finance personnel for their excellent work. The State Board of Accounts won’t conduct another school district audit for two years. The Mount Vernon School Board will meet again Monday, March 4, 2013, at 5:45 p.m. in the junior high media center.
Proposals for PCCF grant apps is March 5
MVYB raffle tickets available Every child who plays MVYB will be out trying to sell raffle tickets to help pay for uniforms, equipment and other things needed to play baseball. Please help them and us out by purchasing one or more of these tickets. Each ticket costs $5 with a chance to win $500. Tickets are available from players or any MVYB board member..
Violin class is a ‘go’ Area adults and students, interested in learning to play violin, met at Hedges Central last Tuesday evening in an informal meeting to discuss starting a beginning violin class. Dennis Noon, conductor of the Wolfgang Orchestra stated, “I am excited with the interest and turnout for our informational meeting and Area emergency personnel were called to a swine farm in Griffin this week as a worker at the facility the possibility of having six adults had fallen into the manure pit. The man, who has been identified so far only as Jose, and in his 60s, was and five students (grades 5-12) in rescued by medical and fire personnel and was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critiour first violin class. This could become a year-round program, with the cal condition. Photo by Dave Pearce interest expressed by the prospective violinists.” Noon is organizing the 12 evening class meetings with beginning By Pam Robinson Blankenship, Chrissy Carron, Destiny Elliott, Andrew registration on Tuesday, February 26 at 5:30 at the first class meeting. The Mount Vernon Senior High School Fine Arts Evans , Samantha Forsee, Hanna Gray, Caitlin Gross Late registration will be the followAcademy and the MVHS Music Theatre will present , Marshall Hadley, Cara Johns, Katie JohnsonCassie ing week on Tuesday, March 5 for the 1980’s musical comedy send up, “The Wedding Jones , Jade Kopp, Whitney Schaefer, Emily Tapley those who are interested in joining the class. Music reading and the fun- Singer” on March 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and on March and some surprise guests. 9 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The orchestra includes Kasey Logan – Flute; Aldamentals of violin playing will be Based on the 1998 Adam Sandler movie of the lison Threet – Clarinet; Darrin Robison - Alto Sax, geared for the serious beginner in an enjoyable class atmosphere. Cynthia same name, “The Wedding Singer,” follows the life Andy Johnson - 2nd Alto Sax; Alex Godinez - Tenor Priem, Concertmaster and accomand loves of “one hit wonder” Robbie Hart and his Sax; Chris Carner - Baritone Sax; Brendon Schmitt plished Violinist with the Wolfgang band “Simply Red”. – Trumpet; Logan Reeves – Flugelhorn; Devon AlOrchestra, is the instructor for the Filled with 1980’s clichés from big hair to Madonlyn – Piano, Elizabeth Damm – Piano;– Patrick GerViolin Class. Cynthia assured the people who attended the information na, Boy George to Ronald Reagan and Tina Turner ton – Guitar, Marshall Powers – Guitar, Kyle Woods to Mr. T, “The Wedding Singer” relives the time of – Guitar; Jacob Whaley – Drumset, Austin Crissup session Feb 19 that no prior knowledge of music is expected. ripped sweatshirts, head bands, Teddy Ruxpin, leg Percussion Rebecca and Roger Wetzel, who warmers, mullets, leather pants and the Rubic’s Cube. The production is directed for the stage by Steven sell stringed instruments, will be The cast includes Cara Hoskins (Angie), Micheal Wilson, musical/technical direction by Dana Taylor, delivering violins for the first class Stephens-Emerson (George), Austin Denning (Glen choreography by Sally Julian. The orchestra will be meeting. For more information, call Dennis Gulia), Michelle Huff (Holly), Melanie Davis (Ju- conducted by Cory Mullins. lia), Erin Garman (Linda), Taylor Burden (Robbie), Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students/senior Noon at 838-4481. Class begins Olivia Martin (Rosie), Elijah Gray (Sammy). The en- citizens. For tickets and information please call 812promptly at 5:30 and ends at 6:30. semble features Aurora Angulis, Craig Beeson, Lane 833-5932.
‘The Wedding Singer’ at MVHS this week
ThePCN
Inside this issue... Retrospective ................... A4 Community ........... A5 Social ...................... A8 Legals...............................B3-4 Deaths ................ A3 Sports .................. B1-2 Classifieds ..................... B8-9 Church .................. A9 Bus/Ag .................. A10
Special to the News Carol Schmidt, chair of the Grants and Distribution Committee of the Posey County Community Foundation (PCCF), a fund of the Community Foundation Alliance in Evansville, wants to remind prospective grant applicants that the Foundation is accepting applications for grants to community organizations. Proposals are sought for charitable projects and activities that address needs and opportunities in the county in health, human services, arts and culture, education, community development, and other areas that would improve Posey County. The Posey County Community Foundation has a maximum amount of $5000 per program or project this year. However, an organization can apply for multiple projects. Only those agencies or organizations which are tax exempt under 501(c) (3) and 509(a) are eligible to apply for the over $88,000 available for granting. Proposals must be submitted by Tuesday, March 5, 2012. Grant applications may be obtained by logging on to the Foundation website at www.poseycommunityfoundation.org. If prospective grant applicants have questions they are invited to schedule a meeting with the Foundation’s director, Johnna Denning. Contact Johnna at 812.838.0288 or johnna@poseycommunityfoundation.org to schedule an orientation meeting. Grants will be awarded at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting in June.
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