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Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Volume 142 Edition 11
Posey County BZA to appeal local ruling in shed case By Trisha L. Lopez Members of the Posey County Board of Zoning Appeals voted on Thursday to appeal a court ruling to reverse the board’s decision to deny a special use permit to a Poseyville man to bring a garage storage structure onto his property. Derek S. Collins appeared before the BZA in July 2021 to request a special use permit for the storage unit at 100 S. Sharp Street in Poseyville. Collins, who had already moved
the structure onto the property, told BZA members that he was unaware that a permit was needed. A complaint about the structure was filed with the Area Plan Commission. APC Director Mindy Bourne explained that The Town of Poseyville ordinance forbids property owners from adding accessory structures without a principal structure on site. Collins’ request was denied. The complaint against him with the APC was tabled
until October to allow him to make arrangements to move the garage. Collins filed an appeal with Posey Superior Court on August 6, 2021. Judge Travis Clowers granted Collins’ appeal on January 25 and ordered the BZA to issue the special permit. In his decision, Clowers called the BZA denial “arbitrary” and said it “was not based on substantial evidence as demonstrated on the record. While several members of the
board expressed open frustration and dismay that the structure was placed on the lot before a permit was granted, very little discussion was had as to the structure’s impact on the surrounding neighborhood or property values. A review of the record shows that there was no discussion about negative impact the structure may have on the flow of traffic or any negative aesthetic implications
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Students rock the stage during weekend performances Left: MVHS students deliver a riveting performance of ‘Chicago’ this weekend. Pictured l to r are: Renee Bippus (Velma), Dalton Kuhn (Billy), and Julia Kingery (Roxie). Photo courtesy of Daniel Knight’s Studio B Photography
Right: Karly Damm (Katherine Blake) and Molly Seibert (Ellie Blake) entertain the crowd at Friday night’s performance of ‘Freaky Friday, A New Musical’ at North Posey High School. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
Post-Covid MV Riverbend Park plans flurry of events By Lois Mittino Gray Spring time is on the way and that means outdoor activities are being planned for fun times in Mount Vernon. Two speakers appeared before the March 10, Mount Vernon Board of Works meeting to request permission to hold their event as New Business. Sean Darr, representing the Wanderers Motorcycle Group, requested a reprise of an outdoor event at Riverbend Park on Saturday, May 14. “We held it for the first time last year and we had a great turnout. We would like
to do it again with a similar setup,” he described. Food trucks will arrive around 10 a.m. with the event kicking off at 11 a.m. There will be kid’s events from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the high school jazz band will play from 1 to 2 p.m; and DJ Joe Risher will be playing tunes from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. A beer garden is planned from 4 to 8 p.m. Darr said he is working with City Park Superintendent Michael Harshbarger about use of the park, street closings, licensing and insurance requirements, and
the needed permits for the beer garden. He stated they may try to get a one-day license for their organization, but due to cost restraints, that may not be possible. There will be four regular licensed bartenders serving. As the city requires pretty hefty insurance coverage, that may decide how they handle the bartending situation. Darr stated that is why they are looking for a third party for bartending and they could then use their insurance. Board member Andy Hoehn asked if the beer gar-
County Council hopes raises attract, retain EMS Personnel By Trisha L. Lopez Posey County Council members took steps at Tuesday’s council meeting to try to stave off a looming emergency service worker shortage they were warned may lead to limits on Posey County residents’ access to help when they need it the most. Members voted to provide
a $10 per hour sleep stipend to full time EMS personnel, who do not currently receive pay for overnight shifts unless they are called out on a run. They also voted to increase the part time pay rate of paramedics from $18 to $20.75 per hour and EMTs from $14 to $15 per hour. EMS Director Chris Neaveill shared results of a
survey conducted amongst his employees detailing their concerns about wages and the county’s ability to compete with its neighbors trying to attract and retain EMTs and paramedics. Posey County EMS will be down five paramedics in March, Neaveill told council
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den area will be cordoned off and have limited access. Darr replied yes, and added there will also be security. Mayor Bill Curtis added it has to be cordoned off. As for the specifics on the
beer garden, that falls under the Park Board he believes, along with the ABC Board. Hoehn added that the city needs to be added as an additionally insured as they will be on the city streets.
Curtis agreed. Hoehn asked the dollar amount and Curtis replied he is pretty sure it is not less than $1 million, with a $2 million umbrella.
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MV school board OKs calendar
By Lois Mittino Gray Members of the Mount Vernon School Board formally approved the revised 20222023 school calendar and tentatively adopted the 2024-25 school year calendar at their March 7, evening meeting. School Superintendent Matt Thompson presented the calendar for next year and said it is “similar to those of the past with few new things on it.” The first day of school next semester for staff is August 8, with students returning the next day on August 9. Fall Vacation is slated for October 7 through 10 and Spring Break will run from March 27-31, 2023. Holiday Breaks include Thanksgiving November 23-25, and Christmas Break from December 20 through January 3, 2023. If there is a day off school called before November 1, then students will be in session on December 21. Days off school are slated for January 16, February 17 and February 20, April 7 and April 10. The year ends on May 23, but days could be added at the end if they must be made up. The tentatively approved calendars for 2022-2024 and 2024-2025 are very similar with classes starting on August 8 both school years. The board confirmed the employment
of Jacob Moyes as the Assistant Principal at West Elementary School, effective July 1, 2022. He replaces reassigned Kirsten Durkiewicz. Moyes attended USI and has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Indiana University. He has been teaching for eleven years, ten of those with Warrick County Schools. “Mr. Moyes has been working in a building similar to West doing Title I and is well-suited for this role. We are excited to have him on board,” Thompson remarked. In other personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation from Angela LoschenDelancey as a high school English teacher, effective March 8, 2022. They accepted the intent to retire from Jeanette Head at the end of the school year. She is a teacher assistant at West Elementary School with 26 years of service. Savannah Snodgrass was granted a nonpaid pregnancy leave of absence from March 28 to the end of the school year. The board adopted a resolution permitting Luke Messmer to attend the Indiana Football Coaches Association State Clinic in Indianapolis on March 11. Courtney York was
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New minister Baer called to Immanuel United Church of Christ In January, Immanuel UCC, 5412 Ford Road North, called a new minister to serve their congregation: the Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Baer. At the present time, she serves the church half-time, and teaches English as a second language in EVSC half-time. In June, she begins fulltime ministry at Immanuel. What did you find most compelling about Immanuel UCC? Pastor Elisabeth: I was most intrigued by the community’s hospitality. One church member aptly described the heart of this church: “Love is spoken here.” And so it is. The members are welcoming and gracious. What excites you about serving Immanuel
(USPS 439-500)
UCC? Pastor Elisabeth: The community of Immanuel wants to grow, and has so much to offer. Church members pull together, care for one another, and seek to do good work in the community. The church’s handmade stained glass windows are a testimony of how church members work for the glory of God and for the benefit of the world. I remember walking into the church for the first time: on all sides of the sanctuary, colorful stained glass biblical scenes danced in the sunshine telling the age-old stories. I was, and continue to be, awe-struck. The account of the church members working together to create the collection of windows is heartwarming.
What would you like the wider community to know about Immanuel UCC? Pastor Elisabeth: That is easy to answer. Please know that you are always welcome to Immanuel. We have an open door and invite all. If you go: Times: Sunday Worship begins at 10 a.m. Every Sunday during worship, Pastor Elisabeth offers a Children’s Moments. A Sunday School for children immediately follows Children’s Moments. An Adult Sunday School class meets at 9 a.m. Location: Immanuel UCC is located at 5412 Ford Road North - about a half mile north off Highway 62 on the right.
Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Baer