June 4, 2013 - The Posey County News

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“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.”

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Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

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Volume 133 Edition 23

Posey to issue bonds to build plant Counsel advises state blessing, funding not necessary

Tiffani Weatherford presents the 2013 Mount Vernon Relay for Life Courage Award to Leigh Ann Baro. Photo by Steve Kochersperger

By Dave Pearce John Paul Jones was a Scottish sailor and the United States’ first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolution. It was Jones who uttered the famous words, “I have not yet begun to fight.” But the words are still applicable today and especially in Posey County as county fathers and the economic development commission have joined forced in an attempt to bring the much-discussed Fatima-owned fertilizer plant to Posey County. Recently, Indiana Gov. John Pence announced that he had withdrawn his support and state incentives for the plant that had announced plans to build in Posey County. After conversing with Fatima officials, organizers believe they have found a way around the governor and are looking at the possibility of the plant coming to

Posey County. The Posey County Council, Commissioner, and the Economic Development Commission held a joint meeting on May 29, 2013, for the purpose of discussion of issuing revenue bonds ‘not to exceed $1.259 billion’ to finance, on behalf of the Midwest Fertilizer Corporation. A Delaware limited liability company qualified to do business in Indiana, would make the bonds available for the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping of a fully integrated nitrogenous fertilizer manufacturing facility to be located just east of Mount Vernon. In a memorandum from the Indianapolis-based law firm of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, an employer of former Evansville mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, the attorneys

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‘Common Core,’ parent, bring questions to NPSB By Valerie Werkmeister A concerned parent urged open A Night with Coach ‘Joe’ Gengelbach communication between the MSD has been planned for June 22, 2013. of North Posey School Board memThe community is invited to celebrate bers, its parents and teachers during the career of Carl ‘Joe’ Gengelbach, their meeting on Monday, May 13. North Posey varsity football coach David Price, a parent of students from 1970 to 2013. who attend North Elementary(NE), A social hour will begin at 5 p.m. in addressed the board about his conthe North Posey High School Foyer, cerns regarding proposed Common followed by a ceremony beginning at Core Curriculum standards. He also 6 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. asked a number of questions about A reception has been planned from a recent lockdown that occurred in 8:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. at the Red April at North Elemetary. Wagon Wild Life Room in Poseyville. The Common Core is a new set The public is invited and no reserva- of national standards for K-12 contions are necessary. Appetizers and a tent that will standardize education cash bar will be available at the recep- in English and math. It is on track to tion. The Cost for the reception is $10 be adopted in all 50 states. Indiana House Bill 1427, that was passed in per person at Red Wagon. April, hit the pause button on its full implementation, until a thorough PCCF annual meeting set review and cost analysis is comThe Posey County Community pleted on the mandates associated Foundation Annual Meeting will be held June 5, 2013 at the Rapp-Owen with it. Common Core proponents claim Granary in New Harmony. At this it imposes rigorous standards so that meeting, the organization will be recognizing the 2013 Grant and Schol- students will be better prepared in a arship recipients. Bryana Schreiber, a global economy. Yet, many educaprevious Lilly Charitable Endowment tors, legislators and parent groups Scholarship recipient, will be the speaker. Tickets are $20 and reservations may be made through the PCCF Special to the News office at 838-0288. All members, The Posey County Community friends, and supporters may attend. Foundation’s board of trustees announced today that the foundation Family Matters sale set will award grants to 16 nonprofit orThe Fifth Annual Family Matters Rummage Sale will be held on Satur- ganizations totaling over $61,000. Each year, the Foundation invites day, June 15, from 8 a.m. until noon nonprofi t organizations to submit (if the ‘rummage’ lasts that long). If proposals for projects benefiting you would like to donate items, please bring them to the Rent One parking lot Posey County. Support for these in Mount Vernon (300 W. Fourth) no organizations is made possible by endowed funds created by donors sooner than 7 a.m. that morning. Then who have entrusted the Foundation stay and find new treasures to take to determine where the commuhome with you. Call Beth at 838-6875 nity’s needs are greatest from year if you have questions. to year. Posey County Narcotics Unit Robb Township reunion Equipment Grant $4,700. Attendees of the Robb Township Zion Lippe United Church of High School in Poseyville will hold Christ - Partners in Food, $5,000.

Gengelbach reception set

are raising the red flag saying, this will not be the case. In fact, opponents claim that current curriculum will be decreased or narrowed as schools and teachers will be forced to cut time devoted to teach science, social studies, art and music in order to concentrate their time teaching math and English, subjects that will also be narrowed. In essence, the standards are far lower than the current state standards in these subject areas. The Indiana Department of Education claims the opposite, stating in documentation that the Common Core requirements are “high standards and are the best standards for Indiana’s students.” Further, they stated that they will be able to review and supplement the Common Core as necessary. According to the DOE, Common Core will outline what content students must learn, but teachers will still have the flexibility to teach that content. However, opponents of the plan claim the Department of Education failed to mention that proponents of the Common Core built safeguards

into the plan. Teachers are held accountable for their students’ test scores and it is reflected on their evaluations. Opponents say teachers must teach the new curriculum and abandon all their previous training. If a teacher disregards this new curriculum, and teaches the same subject matter as they always have, their jobs may be at stake. Dr. Angela Wannamuehler gave an update on the current status of Common Core implementation in North Posey schools. “The Department of Education (DOE) timeline is halted somewhat. It had expected to implement kindergarten through second next school year, totally on the Common Core while third grade through 12th grade would be what they are calling ‘bridge years’.” She added that during bridge years, those grades would be required to teach all the Indiana state standards in addition to some key Common Core standards. Since the Common Core curriculum implementation is on pause due to the passage of House Bill 1427,

second grade will not be required to totally implement the Common Core this fall. They will be treated as a bridge year, the same as third grade through 12th grade. A state committee will study the Common Core standards this summer and make a determination as to how the state will proceed regarding this curriculum. Wannamuehler explained a district curriculum committee was created with the sole purpose of supporting the teachers through the transition of moving from current Indiana curriculum standards to Common Core. She defined support in the form of professional development and resources. Representatives go to each school building and convey information to the teachers. They also relay information back to the central office as to what types of needs the teachers have in order to ensure a smooth transition. Wannamuehler added the district plans to move forward with

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PCCF 2013 Grant recipients

their 38th annual alumni reunion on June 8, 2013, at the Poseyville Community Center. For reservations, send $16 for dinner and dues to Billie Robinson, 314 Greenfield Road, Evansville, Ind. 47715 by June 4.

The Salvation Army - Emergency Assistance Program $3,500. Holly’s House, Inc. - Think First & Stay Safe - Child Abuse Prevention $5,000. At The Cross Mission Inc. - Children’s Summer Meal Delivery Program $1,000. Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation - ADA Compliant Pool Lift $4,795. Ribeyre Gymnasium Restoration Group - Ribeyre Gymnasium To Exterior North Doors $5,000. New Harmony Volunteer Fire Department - Utility Vehicle Skid Unit $5,000. Town of Cynthiana - Playground

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Kasia Bell, Cheryl and Kevin Stevens representing their team, Bill’s Team. Bill’s Team was chosen as Top Team at the Mount Vernon Relay for Life. Photo by Peg Heckman

Wilson brings new face, long history to board

By Lois Mitino Gray New Harmony’s newest Town Board member brings a fresh face and a youthful exuberance to his appointment to fill a vacant seat. Andrew Wilson has been on the job for 90 days and just this past Thursday attended his Class of 78 seeks members third town board meeting. The North Posey Class of 1978 will Wilson was tagged for the position when David Campbell resigned in hold its 35-year Class Reunion on February. Campbell was a registered Republican so the precinct commitSaturday, July 6, 2013. The group is teemen from the Posey County Republican Party met and considered Wiltrying to locate some classmates. son and two other names. If you have the contact information “This community is something I am really passionate about and I think (address and or phone number) for any I can bring a fresh perspective to many of the large issues facing the town of the following, please contact Bobbi right now,” the 33-year-old resident said. “I’m younger and I’ll be here (Strange) Ziliak at bobbiziliak@ longer so I’m trying to look way ahead at the issues for me and my next gmail.com or Julie (Lupfer) Williams generation,” he said with a smile, looking down at his 14-month-old Daugherty at 812-568-4628. daughter Arianna in a front carrier. Robert Pfister, Michael Oursler, Jo A proponent of education, the New Harmony School graduate is adaann Hisch Monarch, Peggy Montmant that the fate of the old school building should be planned, even if it gomery Cooper, Dean Stratton, Shelia results in complete or partial demolition, saving only the gym area. “We Bebout Davis, David Cavins, Carla need a plan to repurpose it. Classrooms are hard to be anything but classCox Mobley, Jeanne Dockery Eagan, rooms. Is it true it cannot be a school for ten years at least? It’s not in the Bryant Duncan, Alice Farrar Duncan, deed. Is that valid still? We need to find out,” he said “It is a good building Geoff Finn, Julie Gates Templeton, and should not just sit there and deteriorate. More importantly, there are 30 acres of potential growth there. Should we build more housing on the Jay Geisler, Becky Gochenour Timland?” mers, Amy Greenfield Coleman, Kent He thinks that no matter what is done, it should be from a planned perHeckman, Cary Hopf, Billy Koester, spective and agreed upon by the board. “Of course, we must be responsible Sharon McCormick Brendel, Becky caretakers and we can’t just let it degrade through the years. We need to Montgomery Wade, Kim Morris, Tim agree that if we don’t find a use by a certain date then we go ahead and Paul, Rick Pharr, Lisa Schley Brown, level it to allow additional housing growth” Colleen Smith Voegel, Susie Stierley Wilson’s appointment to the five-member board has him in charge of the Tapp, Bobby Theobald, Keith Voegel, Maple Hill Cemetery and the gas utility. “Our gas line is supplied across Linda Whelan Cortopassi, Greg the Wabash River Bridge and we will look at options and costs for relocatYearwood, Sheryl Young, Paula Allen Andrew Wilson and 14-month-old daughter, Arianna. Photo sub- ing it,” he explained. Brown, Jimmie Axton, Leslie Bailey, mittted Vicki Basham. Continued on Page A3

ThePCN

Inside this issue... Retrospective ................... A4 Community .......... A5 Social ...................... A6 Legals ............................. B6 Deaths ................ A3 Sports .................. B1 Classifieds ..................... B4-5 Church .................. A7 Bus/Ag .................. A9

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