SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Volume 136 Edition 26
New Harmony Council adds, changes several statutes By Lois Mittino Gray Members of the New Harmony Town Council addressed four new ordinances, the demise of the old school and bridge, cemetery trees and many other local issues at the June 21 monthly meeting. Amendments were added to the golf cart, animal and cross connection ordinances and a state-required internal controls ordinance was adopted. But during the Open Forum, Carlene Van Laningham spoke representing the neighbors of the dilapidated property at 629 South Street. She said it is an eyesore with high weeds, snakes and opossums, broken windows and feral cats residing in it. Flanders had a prepared resolution declaring it a nuisance property to start cleanup, mowing, and boarding it up. After discussion, his proposal was voted down. (see sidebar).
Ordinance 2016-7 was amended to change the golf cart annual registration fees from $15 to $25 if paid before April 30 each year. Late fees will change from $30 to $50 after that date. Council President Alvin Blaylock explained that, “proceeds from these fees go toward maintaining the golf cart trails and currently we are coming up short.” The ordinance also changes language stating that only one driver and three passengers are allowed to ride in them to one driver with one passenger per every seat to accommodate large ‘limousine’ type golf carts that can carry more people. Ordinance 2016-8 was amended to require all animals in public in town to be on a leash with the owner cleaning up all messes. Before this leash law was enacted, the ordinance read that all animals must be under control.
“Obviously, some owners have a totally different definition of what under control means and we have had some incidents, so we are going to require a leash,” Blaylock
said. Councilman Gary Watson asked about cats running free and Councilman David
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Vacated property raises ire By Lois Mittino Gray An abandoned property on the corner of South and East Streets has been the center of a controversy swirling about New Harmony for the past few months. Neighbors are outraged by the condition of the house at 629 South Street and have been clamoring for action. Carlene and David VanLaningham attended last Tuesday’s New Harmony Town Council meeting to represent the neighbors and speak to the situation. “The weeds are
growing higher with every passing day, the back yard actually has tree saplings growing in it and windows are broken in the back allowing feral cats and other animals to reside in it,” Carlene explained. “The other day an opossum was seen crawling out from under the fence and we have seen snakes around the house.” Councilman David Flanders has discussed the problem at several recent council meet-
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Posey blight elimination moves forth By Valerie Werkmeister The wheels of progress have been turning slowly in Posey County’s Blight Elimination Program (BEP), but Debbie Bennett-Stearsman of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwestern Indiana says plans are moving forward for a third round. Stearsman appeared in front of the commissioners during their meeting last Tuesday to give an update on the program. The BEP’s aim is to remove eyesores from the community using funds from the state program. The blighted structures will be razed and the remaining space will be returned to green space and a viable property that can be purchased and hopefully returned to the county tax rolls. She stated Posey County was issued a notice from the state to explain why it has yet to meet the first milestone slated for May 26, in the second round of abandoned or blighted homes approved to be razed. The county was supposed to either spend 50 percent of the funds allotted or demolish 50 percent of the homes to meet the milestone. She asked commissioners to sign a letter in response that requested an extension to November 25. Stearsman stated she felt confident that at least seven of the nine homes approved in the second round, if not
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Briefly
Posey County Fair announces Free Rides for 2016 Because of the proceeds from the Sweethearts of the Fair dance, those who pay to come to the 2016 Posey County Fair will receive free rides Tuesday-Thursday evening. Watch for the ad in next week’s edition for more information. BMV announces Independence Day Closure Kent Abernathy, Commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), announced today that all BMV license branches will be closed Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Branches will resume their regularly scheduled business hours on Tuesday, July 5. For more information on branch locations and hours, please visit myBMV.com. Brittlebank Pool Annual Midnight Swim scheduled Brittlebank Pool Annual Midnight Swim will be held July 1, 2016. Swim 11 a.m. to Midnight all for $3 with four-years-old and under being free. For more information contact the pool at 812-838-4586. Chamber luncheon set for Thursday The SWIN Chamber - Posey County Alliance will host the second quarter luncheon, sponsored by SABIC on Thursday, June 30, at Western Hills Country Club from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Carrie Roelle, of Kahn, Dees, Donovan and Kahn, LLP will be speaking about the new salary requirements for employees exempt from overtime pay. Cost is $15/member and $25/non member. Register at swinchamber.com or 812-838-3639.
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Curtis idea could merge water, sewer head roles
Posey County Coroner Jay Price, center, talks with police officers and first responders as he was called to the scene of this accident involving 80-year-old rural New Harmony resident Allen Newman on Wednesday evening. Newman was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the other vehicle, 18-year-old Chase Johnson, remains hospitalized as the result of his injuries. The accident occurred on SR 66 just east of Eastlake Subdivision and remains under investigation with the assistance of a crash reconstructionist. Photo by Dave Pearce
New image promoted in Cynthiana By Valerie Werkmeister Cynthiana Town Board members focus on creating a positive image for the community as they continue to review properties that are in violation of the town’s nuisance ordinance. Tall weeds, unkempt yards or abandoned vehicles and other unsightly items will be the main things they seek to remedy. As complaints against violators come in, board members will review the properties before they are discussed in the public meeting. If the property owners fail to clean up the property, the attorney will issue a letter and fines may be assessed. Community member and business owner Rex Yarber cautioned board members to not be too picky on their criteria list of what is unsightly. He felt the topic could be subjective as to what is unsightly or unpleasing to one may not be to another. Laura Johnson, owner of the property as 10226 Evansville Street will be sent a letter by council attorney Jacob Weis. If her property is not in compliance within 30 days, council president Todd Kennedy plans
to enforce fines. Another way council members hope to improve the town is to fix and pave as many roads as their budget allows. Carolyn Price stated they will apply for a matching grant program from the Indiana Department of Transportation. The council discussed at length the amount of funds they should request since the town will have to match the same amount. Price felt as though they should request only $40,000. Town employee Ken Gorbett offered they should try to get as much money as possible and encouraged them to request $60,000, which will inevitably give the town $120,000 in funds to work with to better the roads if their request is approved. After much discussion, council members ultimately agreed with his suggestion and approved a motion to request $60,000 in matching funds. The council also discussed a problem with three overflow incidents at the main lift station on Mulkey
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Wilson to be new West principal By Lois Mittino Gray During that period, Wilson began a two year program Amanda Coleman Wilson was appointed the new in 2007 to earn her Master’s Degree in Administration principal at West Elementary School in Mount Vernon from the University of Southern Indiana in 2009. The at last Monday night’s school board neophyte administrator will receive meeting. She will be a familiar face in additional training through an Indiana the building when school starts in AuPrincipals Association two year progust because she has spent the last six gram which she will start sometime in years working there. “I am thrilled and the future. excited to accept this position and conWilson vacates the position she has tinue my work with West’s students, worked at for the last six years at West staff and families,” she said. Wilson as the site coordinator for the 21st replaces Paul Swanson who moved to Century Community Learning Center Washington DC to be near family. Program. Federal grant money is apShe will spend the summer months portioned to the state through it and getting things in order, planning activtrickles down to the district. It is more ities for the ‘first day back’ staff sescommonly known as the ‘Lights On Amanda Wilson sion, and thinking about new ideas and After School’ program that allows stuways to get goals accomplished. “My vision for this dents a place to stay until 5 p.m. with organized activischool is to move forward with respect and achieve,” ties and homework help. The first four years were grant she explained excitedly. West Elementary School is funded, but not the last two, so one of her hopes it that Kindergarten through fifth grade with about 375-400 it would possibly be funded again. students. “She has a real passion for West and its students Wilson, a native of West Frankfort, Ill., earned her and knows so many of the staff already from her work undergraduate degree in elementary education at Indi- there. We are so pleased to appoint her in this position. ana University-Bloomington in 2001. To get her foot Amanda will be a tremendous asset to the administrainto the door of education after graduation, she took tion team,” School Superintendent Tom Kopatich said contract and substitute jobs and filled in for maternity making the announcement to the board. leaves until she received her first classroom position The new principal resides in New Harmony with at New Harmony School. She taught first grade there her husband Andrew and two daughters, Arianna, age from 2004-2006. She joined the Mount Vernon Dis- four, and Alana, age one. She loves to travel and just trict when she took over a second grade classroom at returned from a visit to Disney World with her young Hedges Central Elementary in 2006. This outstanding family in tow. teacher was there until 2010 when the school closed Wilson also enjoys working outside, reading, her and most Hedges students were moved over to West pets, and “just taking fun golf cart rides around town Elementary. with the family.”
By Lois Mittino Gray Mount Vernon Mayor Bill Curtis proposed an administrative change in the sewer department at the June 23 Board of Public Works meeting that dropped a surprise bomb onto the two sewer employees present. “We have been without a Sewer Superintendent for quite some time now and I’ve been looking around for a replacement,” he began. “Acting Superintendent Dan Moss and employee Gene Carroll have done a great job filling in over some pretty difficult times. After thought and discussion with other mayors, I am going to propose combining the Water Superintendent and the Sewer Superintendent positions into one and recommend Water Superintendent Chuck Gray to take the position,” he explained. Curtis proposed to keep the water and sewer departments as separate entities. Funding for the supervisor will be taken half and half from each department budget. Curtis estimates the fiscal gain at about anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000, although he realizes there may be more overtime involved for some employees. He feels it could work smoothly and increase communication between the departments as they use similar equipment, chemicals and programs. This was Curtis’ recommendation at the time. In response, Board Member Brian Jeffries asked for a clear cut cost analysis as to how it will impact operations of each department. Board Member Becky Higgins said she was worried about employee morale. “Mr. Moss and Mr. Carroll have been good enough to do the job all these months. It seems now there is no possibility of advancement. I am worried about the guys working in the trenches.” Curtis agreed that is an issue, as well as contractual and business issues. He asked the board to talk with the two men if desired and to think about his proposal. Curtis said part of this is to get things organized and responsibilities laid out. The hiring would be done by a resolution of the Common Council with approval by the Water Utility Board and the Board of Works, with approval by the Mayor. “There will have to be a coordination of effort, but that is my recommendation at this time. I just wanted your initial feelings on it. I will get with Attorney Higgins to work on a formal job description and an ordinance,” he said. In other board of works action: • Doug Bell, who resides at 1000 East Fifth Street, and his son. Mike appeared before the board to request that an 30 foot alley adjacent to his property be vacated. Bell said he mows and does the upkeep on the alley and would like to expand it into part of his lot. Mayor Curtis said in order to do this, the city department heads will need to check the area to be sure there are no issues with sewage, water etc. Utility
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