T
P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Volume 138 Edition 19
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
$1.00
Window project ensures Election Day security By Lois Mittino Gray It’s Election Day today and steps taken by the Posey County Commissioners at their May 1, meeting will help ensure voting security, as required by Senate Bill 327. County Clerk Betty Postletheweight appeared before the Commission to present two bids to put Lexan coverings on the election room windows and to make sure the doors are secure from the inside and outside. Wells Construction bid $1,050 to put up the two window sheets, while Shephard Services
bid $1,195. The commissioners accepted the lower bid and told the clerk to get the work coordinated to do right away before election time. Jail Project Director Joe Mattingly submitted eight pay applications to the commissioners for work done during the month of April, totaling $607,031.06. After approving them, Commission President Jim Alsop remarked, “We are getting very close to completion on time and under budget and that’s what I like to hear!” Alsop said that the original ribbon cutting date of May 19 had to be changed, since many
officers are needed at the Peace Run in New Harmony that day. It is now scheduled for June 2 at 11 a.m. In other commission action: • Sabrina Harms, Posey County 911 Dispatch Director, presented a rental contract with Jeff Koester to relocate a signal tower to his property on Third Street in New Harmony. This will provide better coverage for the northern part of the county. Rent is $500 a month, plus electric and she has the money in her budget. All attorneys reviewed the contract and it
was approved. • Highway Superintendent Steve Schenk said that, with the arrival of better weather, his department is getting ready to chip and seal and fix potholes. This week will be spent recycling, which is grinding up pavement and reshaping it. Schenk said that if anyone has a road complaint, call the county dispatch phone number. • Russ Granderson, of Lynn Township, asked why the invasive species called Poison Hem-
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Retired volunteer firefighter Mark Hulsey sits inside the 9T4, a 2,500 gallon tanker truck in 2011. On April 17, 2018, he retired after 36 years of service with the Marrs Township Volunteer Fire Department. Photo submitted.
Rhiannon Nellis, Breanna Nellis, Reese Luigs and Claire Nellis enjoyed Friday afternoon at the Saint Wendel branch of Community State Bank’s 50 year anniversary celebration. Over 200 sandwiches and drinks were served. Hours at the Saint Wendel location are Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
For the Love of the Game Fundraiser will benefit Vikings sports teams By Bryanna Schreiber The sun is finally shining and spring is in swing. North Posey High School’s new baseball coach, Jesse Simmons, recently pitched a new fundraising idea to athletic director, Waylon Schenk, and they are hoping it proves to be a home run that can be repeated for years to come. The fundraiser, For the Love of the Game, will
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Briefly Field Dedication for Gerald Nurrenbern: Friday, May 11 5:30 p.m. Field located by Buslers on West Franklin Road Annual Student Spring Art Show: Tuesday, May 14 and 15 8 a.m. to 3 p.m - 5 to 7 p.m. MVHS Visual Arts Room F102 Annual Student Spring Art Show: Tuesday, May 14 and 15 8 a.m. to 3 p.m - 5 to 7 p.m. MVHS Visual Arts Room F102 North Posey Graduation: Friday May 25, 2018 7 p.m. Gymnasium Poseyville, Ind. Mount Vernon Graduation: Friday May 25, 2018 7 p.m. Gymnasium Mount Vernon, Ind. Robb Township Alumni: Saturday June 9, 2018 5 p.m. Red Wagon Restaraunt Poseyville, Ind. More information on these and other events inside today’s Posey County News
(USPS 439-500)
Hometown hero
Long-time firefighter says farewell to beloved profession By Pam Robinson After 36 years of service, firefighter Mark Hulsey has retired from the Marrs Township Volunteer Fire Department, or MTVFD. He hung up his fire gear for the last time on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Hulsey’s dedication to his community and to the MTVFD, consisting of 38 members now, is witnessed in the number and prestige of honors and awards presented to him over the years. The Marrs firefighters selected him as their Captain for several years. He won the Chief’s Award in 2011 and was named MTVFD Firefighter of the Year twice, both in 1994 and in 2014. He received also the 2014 Posey County Emergency Responder of the Year award. MTVFD Chief Andy Logan highlights Hulsey’s dedication and hard work in his comments also. “He’s been our main driving trainer for all our new people. He’s been a key factor in all the truck operations — teaching how to
pump the trucks and how to drive the trucks. You’re talking about the big engines, and he’s been instrumental in making sure all those new (firefighters) are up-to-date when they come in,” Logan states. “I’ve known him as long as I can remember. We’re going to miss him being around with all the hard work he’s put in over the years. He’s going to be missed. He’s going to be missed.” Joining MTVFD at 23-yearsold, Hulsey was a firefighter even before he and Jackie (Graper) wed on November 10, 1984. Like any firefighter’s wife, Jackie knew the dangers her husband faced. “It’s been a whirlwind adventure, let me tell you. I knew he was a firefighter, and, of course, like anyone else, you don’t want anything to ever happen to them,” she comments. “Every time he left on a fire run, I tried to find out what it was so I knew if he was going to be back right away or if he was going to be
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Family affair
All hands were on deck to restore Victorian home By Pam Robinson The home of Carol Collier-Smith and Mike Smith has been a full house with their four children and various other guests that have lived with them over these many years. Renovating their Queen Anne Victorian became a family project for 24 years. Their four children worked alongside Carol and Mike to turn the house into their home. The original owner, Isaac Wolfe, built the home in 1881. Including Wolfe, three owners held keys to the house before the Collier-Smith family resided there. As a result of the family’s TLC, the Collier-Smith home hearkens back to its original splendor — and then some. From the youngest son and daughter, Cole and Kady, to the oldest son and daughter, Matthew and Leslie, everyone in the family has had a hand in the home’s renovations. Carol expresses her gratitude for the magical memories made during those times. “This is the only house my children have known. Mike and I have
been married 24 years now, so it’s largely what his kids grew up in too. We’ve done the house together as a family,” she states. “All of our kids are very handy as a result of it — all of them. They all have skills … they’ve just all had a hand in it, and this will go on to another generation.” Of the four children, Cole and Kady followed tradition and live in Victorian homes. Cole and his wife helped renovate one other home and he has become a skilled artisan. Kady showed off her decorating and uncanny construction skills in her most recent move. Matthew
Carol Collier-Smith and Mike Smith’s home on Third Street in Mount Vernon is one of four historic homes featured on 2018’s Vintage Home and Garden Tour. Photo by Dave Pearce is remodeling and gardening at his home doing the majority of the work himself. Leslie has continued with her decorating skills making her family’s home warm and beautiful.
Over the past 24 years, Carol and Mike have renovated the exterior and all three floors at their home.
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