SEE OUR SPRING AGRICULTURE SECTION INSIDE Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1882
“OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE, AND OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN.” Posey County’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
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(USPS S4 439-500) 3 9 5 00 ) Volume 136 Edition 13
WPA seeks grant to ‘go big’ By Valerie Werkmeister The recent announcement of a new federal grant program has members of the local Wabash Port Authority excited about an opportunity to revitalize freight transportation in the region. Members of the port authority that include Poseyville Town Council President Bruce Baker and councilman Ron Fallowfield along with Gibson County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Todd Mosby; Bill Rasch who represents the Cynthiana area; Gibson County Commissioner Gerald Bledsoe and John Didomizio, Director of Business Management of Morley and Associates met at the Poseyville Town Hall last Wednesday, March 23. The multi-jurisdictional port authority was amended in June 2013 and changed the previous name of the Poseyville-Owensville Port Authority to the Wabash River Port Authority. The creation of this port authority allows Poseyville to control future rail traffic and gives the small town more power in economic devel-
opment growth. Since its establishment, the board has had very few tasks. That could all change if their grant application to build a new intermodal rail terminal in Gibson County is approved. The accent point would be the interchange at 550 South near the CSX main line. Didomizio said it would change the port authority from a paper organization to one with assets and operations. In December, legislators approved the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FAST LANE) grant program. The new program in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is designed to fund the nation’s freight and highway projects. The program’s importance is evident in that $800 million in funds will be available to address major issues affecting freight transportation. It is the first time in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
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Plan for Hovey Lake office move draws ire Nick Echterling thinks there are many good reasons to move the area office almost seven miles away from the property’s former office site near the two main boat ramps on the lake and Ohio River. The planned move, which has generated a lot of negative buzz from citizens, will discussed at a public meeting set for Tuesday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Hovey House in Mount Vernon. The seven acres for the new office location has already been purchased by the Department of Natural Resources and the move to the north is scheduled for New Manager Nick Echterling looks at the map late spring-summer. It’s located across from the SABof all parcels of land belonging to Hovey Lake Fish IC entrance on Highway 69 and visibly marked with and Wildlife Area. The light areas in the middle are bright red ‘no hunting-safety zone’ signs on a fence all in the floodplain. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray surrounding it. The former office site on the lake is By Lois Mittino Gray Continued on Page A12 Hovey Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Manager
Vectren, residents at odds over sulfur By Lois Mittino Gray Thirty five people signed their names on the attendance roster at a public hearing held Wednesday. March 22 on excessive sulfur dioxide emissions produced by Vectren’s A.B. Brown coal-burning power plant in Marrs Township. The hearing was conducted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) in response to a request by the Sierra Club to discuss the issue. Giving five minute prepared statements at the hearing were college professors, local environmental activists, concerned parents, a retired SABIC chemist, a schoolteacher and a questioning USI college student Mark Derf, the Section Chief from IDEM’s Office of Air Quality, opened the hearing by explaining the timeline on the sulfur dioxide problem. On June 2, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established new acceptable standard emission numbers based on one hour measurements. By this 75 ppb measurement, four ar-
eas in Indiana were found to be in non-attainment (air unacceptable to breathe). One was the AB Brown power plant and more studies were undertaken. On September 16, 2015, IDEM reported that both AB Brown units one and two were in attainment now, based on their modeling studies. On December 21, 2015 Vectren asked for IDEM to impose permanent and enforceable rates of emissions and limitations and submitted the numbers based on sulfur dioxide emissions in pounds per hour. To make the numbers federally enforceable, these limitations must be incorporated from the EPA plan into the State Incorporated Plan by March 31, 2016. Vectren needs to comply with these emission numbers by April 19, 2016. Several speakers railed against the high SO2 numbers and poor modeling and monitoring being done to arrive at them. There is only one monitor around the plant and that is by the county line. Many commented that Vectren’s ratepay-
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Mark Derf, IDEM air quality expert, explains the new levels of sulfur dioxide acceptable for attainment as he opens the public hearing, Photo by Lois Mittino Gray
Social media included in MV Code of Conduct By Lois Mittino Gray Schools have to address issues of social media use by students and these concerns were addressed in the recent revision of the Mount Vernon High School student athletic handbook. The revisions were accepted by the Mount Vernon School Board at its March 21 meeting. Student athletes at MVHS are held in the highest regard and are seen as role models in the community. Good sportsmanship is required 365 days a year in and out of competition and on social media. Social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, VINE, Pinterest, Snap Chat and other digital platforms have increased in popularity. “They can have both positive appeal and potentially negative consequences. It is important that MVHS student athletes be aware of these consequences and exercise appropriate caution,” said School Superintendent Tom Kopatich. Student athletes should be aware that third parties, including the media, faculty, coaches, teammates, future employers and IHSAA officials can easily access their profiles and view all personal information. Inappropriate material found by third parties affects the perception of the student athlete, the athletic department, the school and the entire Mount Vernon community. Students were warned to not post
items condoning alcohol or illegal drug use, vandalism, of a sexual nature, cyber-bullying, or content that is unsportsmanlike, derogatory, demeaning or threatening toward other schools, teammates, opponents or any other individual/entity. The athletic conduct policy is in effect from the first day the athlete attends a team practice or team meeting. All training violations and penalties accumulate during the student’s entire high school career. Each athlete will be given a copy of the policy. A parent or guardian and the athlete must sign the form indicating that they have received a copy of the policy and they know the rules and pledge to abide by them year round. Acceptance of athletic equipment signifies a willingness to observe all policies or regulations. Athletes may not participate in any sport until this form is on file in the Athletic Office. This form will be renewed annually. In other board action: • In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of Mark Hawkins in maintenance, John Hubbard as assistant football coach, and Lucy Steinhart as cheerleader sponsor, all became effective as of March 18. Bonnie McCarty was hired as a cafeteria worker at the junior high school, replacing Toni Ayers. Diane Riecken will be a custodian at the junior high school,
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Bryant hopes for successful bone marrow drive
Caucus set to fill opening for MV Council There will be a caucus on April 5 at 6 p.m. to fill the opening on the Mount Vernon council in District 4. Anyone interested in this spot must have paperwork filed 72 hours before the caucus. Contact Ed Adams for questions. NH schedules large item pick-up and town-wide clean-up days The town of New Harmony has scheduled April 2, 2016 as a town-wide large item pick-up day. April 9 is set to be a town-wide clean-up day. NH Class of ‘66 plans reunion, seeks help finding members A Class of ’66 Reunion is planned for Friday, May 27, 2016, the day before the Annual New Harmony High School Alumni Reunion. Twenty-three students graduated that year, but through the years prior to graduation we had friends who attended with our class but moved away. We have lost track of some of these and are seeking the public’s help in contacting them. They may have married and changed their name. Here is a partial list of persons who we would like to contact: Barbara Anderson, Randy Carter, Debbie Garrett, Barbara Hardesty, Dixie Short, and Rita Underwood. This is only a partial list so anyone who attended school then for even a short period of time, we want to hear from you. If you know any of these individuals, please let them know we want to hear from them. Contact: Margaret Axton Rapp 812-4599851 or maggierapp@sbcglobal.net. Order MV Bicentennial Book now to receive pre-order price Just a reminder that the pre-order price of the Mount Vernon Bicentennial book will only be available at $37.50 (plus tax) until delivery day. After that day the price will be $47.50 plus tax. To preorder you can still go on line to Mt. Publishing to order by credit card. Or mail your check to - MV Bicentennial Book, 520 Main Street, Mount Vernon, IN 47620. An easy way, if your local, is to stop by Printcrafters, 304 West Fourth, Mount Vernon to place your book order.
Bus/Ag .................A10 Classifieds .... B11-12 Community...........A4 Church...................A7
ers pay the highest electric bills in the state because Vectren promised it would invest in cleaning the plant up and installing scrubbers, First to speak was Wendy Bredhold, Ohio River Valley Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. “Vectren says our bills are so high
The New Harmony Ministerial Association celebrated it’s Easter tradition with the annual Crosswalk on Good Friday. Seen here are Pastors Larry Conyers and John Adams leading the way during Friday’s event. Photo by Zach Straw
By Valerie Werkmeister employees who wanted to help to do so. The farmIt’s funny how things work out sometimes. Call ing community is tight-knit and always comes to the them coincidences, good timing or divine interven- aid when one of their own is in need. The Bryants are tion – sometimes the order doubly blessed because the in which things happen is Posey County community is humbling. For one Poseyville also known to be very generman, his long journey with ous and rallies support when a cancer is nearing its end… person is in need. praise God. But it’s not his Kathi found Delete Blood cancer story that he wants to Cancer (DKMS), which is the bring into focus. Instead, it’s world’s largest bone marrow his desire to find a cure for donor center. They lead the others through a local bone fight to defeat blood cancer marrow drive planned for toby empowering people to take morrow, (Wednesday, March action, give bone marrow and 30) at the Poseyville Co-op save lives. that is what is important to If you had the chance to him and his family. save a life, would you? The Allen Bryant was diagfirst step to becoming a donor nosed with Chronic Myeloid is as simple as a cheek swab. Leukemia on October 25, That’s it. Less than 10 sec2013. Chemotherapy and onds, if that, to provide potenother medications could not tial life-saving information to bring his cancer into remisanother person, hoping to find sion. He and his wife, Kathi, a cure to end their battle with an employee at the Poseyville cancer. For people like Allen, Allen Bryant and his grandson Troy. it is difficult to ask for help or Co-op, learned he would need a bone marrow transplant. For more stories and information on Posey depend on others to provide While they waited to find a County farmers see our Agricultural Section what they need. But, for a domatch for Allen, Kathi de- included in this week’s paper. nor to be able to literally save cided to organize a bone marrow drive. someone’s life is beyond measure. Co-op General Manager Chris Cash agreed and While planning for the bone marrow drive, Allen plans were underway to hold the event at the Poseyville Continued on Page A4 branch on March 30. Cash felt it was a good way for
Deaths .................... A3 Legals ...................B4 Opinion ................A11 Retrospective........A5
School ..................A8 Social .....................A6 Sports ...............B1, 3 TVGuide...........B9-10