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SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Volume 137 Edition 11
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
‘Cracker Barrel’ session gets heated Crowd aims frustration at Bucshon By Valerie Werkmeister The familiar peaceful and quiet atmosphere of Poseyville was temporarily interrupted Saturday morning as more than 100 people from all over the Evansville area, including Newburgh and Boonville, gathered at the community center to attend a “Legislative Cracker Barrel” session. The two-hour event included Senator Jim Tomes of District 49, Representatives Holli Sullivan of House District 78, Wendy McNamara of District 76 and Tom Washburne of District 44 and Eighth
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People gathered at the Poseyville Community Center Saturday morning for a “Legislative Cracker Barrel” session. Law enforcement was present to help control outbursts and interruptions. Photo by Valerie Werkmeister
Watson questioned in New Harmony forum Kopatich: Issue of ‘transparency’ raised by local attorney By Lois Mittino Gray The monthly meeting of the New Harmony Town Council on Tuesday, Feb. 21, resulted in passing three new ordinances, establishing a temporary one day visitor golf cart permit, cracking down on ATV riders on public streets, granting several permissions for events, and a lively discussion in the Open Forum time on public “transparency”. During Open Forum, several residents commented on action taken at a short special meeting held on Tuesday, Jan. 24, to hire a new town attorney. Dan Barton, publisher of the New Harmony Gazette, asked Council President Alvin Blaylock why he preferred hiring
Erin Bauer as Town Attorney, even though her fees are higher. He replied that she was highly recommended and he was impressed when speaking with her. Barton then asked Councilman Flanders how he came to prefer Josh Claybourn for the position. Flanders said that he looked at depth of experience in making his decision. Flanders told Barton that council had made its decision and he was looking forward to meeting her. She did not attend the meeting because she had a federal court case. Local attorney Nathan Maudlin read a statement he prepared on the subject that was included as part of the minutes. He stated that he
was not commenting on the choice of attorney, but on the process of making the public decision. In it he wrote, “I’ve listened to a recording of that meeting. Councilman Flanders prepared and disseminated a document showing applicants for the position of town attorney, their experience with governmental law and their hourly rates. Councilman Flanders nominated an attorney from Jackson Kelly. No one seconded that nomination. Councilman Watson nominated Erin Bauer to be selected town attorney, and her nomination was seconded by Councilman Wade. Next, President Blaylock asked for discussion. At this point, Flanders, addressed Watson directly and asked, ‘why is
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SBOA finds issues with Black Twp. bookkeeping Special to the News The Indiana State Board of Accounts released the following information to area news outlets on Monday afternoon. To: The Officials Of Black Township, Posey County We have conducted a special investigation of the records of the Township Trustee for the period from June 30, 2011 to December 31, 2015. Our investigation was limited to the following records: Township Lindsay Suits assistance applications, purchase orders, ledger, bank statements, canceled checks, and supporting documentation, if any. The purpose of our investigation was to determine if the accountability for cash and other assets are satisfactory and that the transactions related thereto are in compliance with the laws and regulations of the State of Indiana. The results of our investigation are fully described in the Special Investigation Results and Comments and Summary of Charges. This report was forwarded to the Office of the Indiana Attorney General and the local prosecuting attorney. Any official response included herein this report has not been examined or verified for its accuracy. Paul D. Joyce, CPA, State Examiner
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Sisters Brittaney Oeth Johnson and Courtney Oeth Price enjoy spending some quality time together during the St. Matthew Auction on Saturday evening at the Posey County Community Center. Photo by Dave Pearce
Commissioners vote to fill Coliseum Board vacancy By Valerie Werkmeister The Posey County Commissioners met last Tuesday with a short agenda of items to discuss. The first matter was an appointment to the Coliseum Board to replace a vacancy left by Gene McCoy, who recently passed away. Commissioner president Jim Alsop stated Ed Battieger, Posey County Building Commissioner volunteered for the position. Commissioners Jay Price and Carl Schmitz joined with Alsop and unanimously approved his appointment. They also approved a service agreement with Umbaugh and As-
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Poseyville drafts noise ordinance By Valerie Werkmeister Does Poseyville have a problem with excessive vehicle noise? According to town marshal Charles Carter, it does. His deputy town marshal, Jason Rutledge, appeared before the Poseyville Town Council during their monthly meeting last Wednesday to discuss the matter. Rutledge said that Carter has received several complaints from
citizens regarding excessive noise from vehicles either by loud mufflers or loud radios. He drafted an ordinance based on a similar noise ordinance utilized in Evansville. The ordinance would cover not only vehicles but also scooters, ATV’s or golf carts in town. However, ATV’s and scooters are not legal to drive on the roads in incor-
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Figure drop in winter not unusual By Lois Mittino Gray Total enrollment figures and the corporation report card were released at the March 6 meeting of the Mount Vernon School Board. The official state ADM count in September was 2,066 students and 2,026 in February. ADM counts determine state money allotments per student. School Superintendent Dr. Tom Kopatich said the drop in winter is not unusual and has been that way in most years, except in 2013-14. The trend graphs show a slow and steady drop in enrollment since the highs of the mid-1990’s. Figures then ranged about 2,884-2,842 in enrollment. Kopatich feels that the anticipated construction boom with the new fertilizer plant and other businesses and the high state ratings may bring more students to the district. Totals by school as of February 21 are: Farmersville 243; Marrs 315; West 373; Junior High 465; and High School 660. In the overall summary of the corporation report card, Mount
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Perfect timing New barber shop opening in MV By Dave Pearce Just when it appeared that there was no longer going to be a genuine old-fashioned barber shop in Mount Vernon, a Mount Vernon native stepped up to the plate. The Fox is coming to the rescue. Less than a month ago, Steve Burris decided it was time to move forward with retirement. With Steve’s announcement, it would leave a void in Mount Vernon. Little did he know that another Mount Vernon man would be helping continue the tradition, right in the same location. Todd Burnett, the son of Russ and Connie Burnett, and a 1988 graduate of Mount Vernon High School will soon open a refurbished barber shop in the former location of Steve’s Barber Shop on Main Street in Mount Vernon. “When I heard that Steve had decided to retire, we started talking about it,” Burnett said in an interview last weekend. “I had been thinking about opening a
Todd Burnett shop for a long time but I just never found the right spot. This location is perfect and Mount Vernon needs to always have a barber.” Burnett continues a family tradition of hair care in his family. His grandmother was a beautician
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