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T
P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Volume 140 Edition 21
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
$1.00
Ten snagged in Posey drug raid By Dave Pearce This morning (Tuesday), members of the Posey County law enforcement community launched another attack on drugs in Posey County. The effort was led by Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers and his Posey County Drug Task Force headed up by Kenny Rose, along with Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham and detective Dustin Seitz. As the result of an undercover investigation by the Posey County Drug Task Force – and with the as-
Local residents receive free Posey County News this week
amine, a Level 4 Felony, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance, a Level 6 Felony; Tyler Nicole Gomez, 26, of Mount Vernon, is charged with Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 5 Felony, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance, a Level 6 Felony; Jamie M. Ashby, 35, of Mount Vernon, is charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 3 Felony, Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 Members of the Posey County Law Enforcement, from left, Detective Felony, and Maintaining a Common Dustin Seitz, Drug Task Force Chief Kenny Rose, Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham, and Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers, work on the gameContinued on Page A9 plan they used in Tuesday morning’s drug round-up. Photo by Dave Pearce
Americans will find strength in unity Posey County
By Theresa Bratcher Why did I receive a copy of the Posey County News in the mail this week? The answer is simple. The management and staff of the Posey County News took advantage of one of the perks offered by the United States Postal Service and “sampled” this weeks newspaper. So every mailing address in Posey County received a complimentary copy of the newspaper this week, the week prior to this year’s edition of Posey County Graduation—2020. “So much of what you hear and see in the news media these days can be deemed less than reliable, according to many people,” said Posey County News owner Dave Pearce. “We want to give the people of Posey County an opportunity to see there are thousands of positive things happening in and around Posey County and unless you have access to a positive news source, you may never hear about them.” The Posey County News continues to be a reliable source of information about local residents, local schools and businesses, and local government meetings. “We do not practice absentee reporting,” Pearce said. “Members of the staff actually attend most of local county and town government meetings and report the important things that happen. At this point, the Posey County News is the only source of accurate news for all of Posey County.
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sistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indiana State Police, and Department of Child Services – the following individuals were arrested on drug related charges. Crystal D. Davis, 41, of Mount Vernon, is charged with Attempted Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 4 Felony; Buddy Snelling, 45, of Mount Vernon, is charged with Visiting a Common Nuisance, a Class B Misdemeanor; Brittni D. Hanmore, 32, of Mount Vernon, is charged with Attempted Dealing in Methamphet-
Publisher’s note: In over 35 years of newspaper experience, I have never allowed an “Opinion” to be expressed on a news page. Therefore, this disclaimer. However, I believe that desperate times call for desperate measures. When I read this opinion written by contributor Lynda Baker, I found it to be the underlying principal under which our newspaper continues to provide the Posey County News. I felt compelled to share it in a sacred, prominent place, the front news page. Dave Pearce, Publisher By Lynda Baker "...ONE nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Even though my heart is grieved right now because of what I see, hear and read, I still believe - that we are not Republicans or Democrats, declaring war with one another. We are Americans. - that it will not be a political party that will see us through this health and financial crisis. It will be Americans. - that God blesses those who "walk justly, love mercy, and walk HUMBLY (Micah 6:8), not in anger, bitterness and arrogance. - that it's not just Democrats or Republicans who are dying, but Americans of all faiths and ages. - that it is not just Democrats or Republicans who are giving their all to save lives and protect others here. It's Americans. And not only Americans, but those who were inspired to come here and see firsthand why this country is what she is. - that it will not be Republicans or Democrats who keep our
offices will remain closed until June 3
Members of the New Harmony American Legion Honor Guard, led by Cade Latshaw, made the rounds to several Posey County cemeteries on Memorial Day to conduct services.. Photo by Dave Pearce businesses alive, but hardworking died for, stop acting like spoiled children, and not allow world Americans. - that it will not be Democrats powers (that have long waited to or Republicans who will dedicate see us fail) to divide and conquer their lives to see that liberty for us. Members of the greatest generaALL prevails, regardless of wealth or color. It will be Americans. Our tion that ever lived are watching system is not perfect, but it's closer us. What will they see in us? Will we make their hearts glad or will than most. If we will only remember who they shake their heads in disapwe are, how we have been blessed pointment? We are Americans. We need to as a nation, what we have worked for, what friends and family have start acting like it.
By Lois Mittino Gray The Posey County Commissioners extended the State of Emergency shutdown of county government buildings until May 25 at their regularly scheduled May 19, meeting at the Hovey House. They can officially do the extensions only one week at a time, but also agreed to continue the extension into the next week to go to June 3. The commissioner’s learned from the county judges that the courts cannot open up until May 30. “It’s silly to re-open on June 1, shut down June 2 for the election, then re-open back up again on June 3,” President Carl Schmitz observed. The Commissioner’s voted to open up county government offices on June 3, in accordance with state guidelines. Commissioner Randy Thornburg, an advocate of opening everything up right now, voted for the emergency order extension, but groused, “I just can’t understand why county government can’t open up with face masks and these new shields. My wish is that the governor would leave it up to the county to decide.” Schmitz reminded Thornburg that, “We are addressing everything as it comes. We are getting county business done now by appointment only. We just need to live with the guidelines for a while, whether we want to do it or not.” Commissioner Thornburg said he visited the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website to look at COVID-19
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Cost of New Harmony water, sewer headed upward again By Randy Pease The water is rising in New Harmony. Water rates, that is. During its May 19 meeting the Town Council voted 4-1 to approve a 12 percent rate hike which, beginning June 1, raises the base usage rate for the first 4,000 gallons of water to $27.68. Under the threestep plan, the base rate would increase an additional ten percent to $34.12 and another eight percent to $36.84 over the next two
years. According to council president Alvin Blaylock, the increase is necessary to pay for badly needed infrastructure repairs and improvements. He added that the increase brings New Harmony’s base water rate in line with comparable communities in southern Indiana. Councilman Tom Williams cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that an increase might be less burdensome to ratepayers if it
were implemented over five or six years instead of three. He said he would also like to hear more about a proposal former councilman David Flanders offered during the public comment segment. Flanders argued for a more equitable plan wherein heavy water users would shoulder a greater proportion of the cost than minimal users. Currently all customers, regardless of the volume of water they use, must pay the same base rate for the
first four thousand gallons of water. Flanders further argued that rates ought to increase incrementally after 4,000 gallons rather than decrease, as the current rate structure is set up. “Such an approach would discourage the waste of water rather than encourage it,” Flanders pointed out.
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Thanks to you it works for all of us... Long-time community supporter takes reins of Posey United Way
Joe Crissup, President of the United Way of Posey County Board of Directors (left) welcomes Keely Winiger, United Way of Posey County Executive Director. Photo submitted
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Special to the News The United Way of Posey County has a new Executive director. Joe Crissup, President of the United Way of Posey County is pleased to announce that Keely Winiger has recently accepted the position of Executive Director for the United Way of Posey County. Keely joins the United Way of Posey County from United Fidelity Bank, where she worked as the Vice President of Human Resources for the past six years. Keely brings with her a wealth of community experience. Prior to working at United Fidelity Bank she served as the Executive Assistant to the Posey County Board of Commissioners and the Posey County Council. In addition, she has a multitude of past nonprofit experience and is a graduate of Oakland City University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in
Human Resource Management. Keely is a life-long Posey County resident and has been married to husband Andy for 32 years. They have three daughters: Samantha Smith (Kyle), Katie Chamberlain (Eric), and Erica Winiger. They also have two grandchildren. When asked about her new position Keely said “I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life and I’m excited about the opportunity to serve and give back to my community by serving as the Executive Director of United Way of Posey County”. “We’re excited to have Keely’s leadership and experience,” said Joe Crissup, President of the Board of Directors. “She will be a great asset for not just our organization, but the entire community.” Rodney Clark, of Whiteside Consulting Inc., has been serving as the Interim Executive Director. The United Way of Posey
County Board of Directors, its members, and partner agencies are grateful for his leadership and guidance, not only through the search for a permanent director, but also through the tumultuous environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rodney was instrumental in developing the partnership with the Greater Evansville COVID-19 Response Fund and has worked diligently to support United Way’s partner agencies serving Posey County residents. The United Way of Posey County is a 501(c) 3 organization with the mission of providing visionary leadership to assess community needs, mobilize resources, and direct those resources toward services which enhance the quality of life for people living in Posey County. For more information about the United Way of Posey County, visit: https://www. unitedwayposeycounty.org.