T
P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times
Volume 140 Edition 23
POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
$1.00
Schmitz edges Newton in Posey’s only contested race By Dave Pearce With only one contested county office on the Primary Election ballot this spring, it is understandable that of the 3,845 votes cast last Tuesday, nearly 2,400 (2,348) of them were on the Republican ticket. Political newcomer Sarah Newton ran a very close race against incumbent Carl Schmitz for the party’s nod for the Republican candidate for the Posey County Commissioner’s seat. The County saw near record numbers for a primary from the northern end of the county where many who oppose the wind turbines were solidly behind activist Newton, who was vocal in her fight to keep the wind tur-
Carl Schmitz
bines from coming to Posey County and if at all, under strict guidelines. She narrowly lost to Schmitz 1,1621,095. Overall, nearly 22 percent of the county’s 17,799 registered voters voted in this year’s primary. Locally, Bill Collins received 1,989 votes and will be the Republican Candidate for County Commissioner in District One while Heather Allyn and Aaron Wilson received 1,552 and 1,539 votes respectively in the County Council At Large voting. Incumbent Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb garnered more Posey County votes than anyone else on the ballot as he received 2,135 votes. President Donald Trump received
2,113 votes while opponent Bill Weld received 155 votes in Posey County. Eighth District State Representative Larry Bucshon received 2,085 votes while District 64 State Representative Matt Hostetter received 446 Posey County votes and District 76 State Representative Wendy McNamara received 1,586 votes in the county. Superior Court Judge Travis Clowers, County Treasurer Vicki Peerman, and County Surveyor Adam Bigge received 2,122, 2,040, and 2,002 votes, respectively. On the ballot for Precinct Committeemen, Jerry Walden received 23 votes for Black 2 while Matthew
Allyn received 22 votes for Black 4 and Judy Whitten received 23 votes in Black 5. Thomas Clowers garnered 52 votes in Black 8 and Andy Hoehn received 57 votes in Black 11. Greg Newman dominated the Precinct Committeeman voting, receiving 165 votes in Center North. Jerry Becker received 40 votes in Center South and Beth Schilling received 28 votes in Lynn West. George Postletheweight received 109 votes in Marrs West and Frank Kanowsky received 75 votes in Robinson 2. Margie Tomes received 142 voted in Robinson 3.
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Wastewater treatment coming to Wadesville-Blairsville district By Dave Pearce Several members of the Wadesville-Blairsville community have literally been waiting on their lives to hear an announcement that was handed down last week. According to information received from the Indiana Finance Authority’s Environmental Programs office, the application submitted by the Posey County Sewer District has been approved. The funding received from the IFA’s Small Issue Loan Program can be used to assist the district with land acquisition related to the Wadesville-Blairsville wastewater collection system and treatment project as well as other associated and design costs. According to a post on the Posey County Regional Sewer District’s Facebook Page, the group is excited to finally get the program off the ground. “After four long years of work from our Posey County Regional Sewer District Board, we are happy to announce that we are moving forward with the Wadesville-Blairsville Wastewater Treatment Project,” the post stated. “This project will be happening and we will have our public hearing very soon, once
we have reached Stage 5 of reopening due to COVID-19. The Regional Sewer and Wastewater District is responsible for the project which recently was completed just east of Mount Vernon near the Harbourtown subdivision where flooding and raw sewage had been an issue for many years. Similarly, the area behind South Terrace School has been a thorn in the flesh not only to residents of the area but also to school officials who have had to contend with raw sewage flowing onto the school’s property and children’s play areas. The District will use the funds to purchase approximate seven acres of property required to site the treatment plant as well as other associated and necessary land rights and easements related to the collection system. The District will also use the funds to complete necessary archeological work and geotechnical investigations as required. Although COVID-19 has hampered the beginning of the project somewhat, members of the board are anxious to begin work on the long-awaited project.
The Poseyville Fire Department was recently the recipient of a $12,000 donation, one of many donations made over the years by Alesia Brown, DMD, which they used to acquire a battery-powered Genesis Ram with extension and v-head attachments used for extractions. Pictured l to r are: Lee and Alesia Brown, and representing the fire department are Austin Ahrens and Jason Kolley. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
MSDMV changes with times
By Lois Mittino Gray Looking ahead to next school year and thinking about students possibly coming to school ill with COVID virus or some other ailment to earn a perfect attendance final exam waiver, the Mount Vernon School Board approved removal of the exemption from school rules at their June 1, meeting. For many years, students were allowed to waive final exams as part of an incentive program, if perfect attendance was maintained throughout the year. “This particular waiver does not make logical sense after experiencing the issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The High School Improvement Committee determined it was counterintuitive to incentivize having students coming to school if they were ill. We unanimously voted to remove the incentive,” Superintended Matt Thompson explained to the board. Thompson assured the board that the School Improvement Committee will work collectively on an alternative incentive. “We don’t want to take the carrot away and not provide another carrot. They will come up with something,” he said with confidence. This past school year, final exams were not administered due to school closure. In the meantime, the Superintendent said they are waiting on guidelines from the Governor for opening up next year. “We are in a holding pattern, but planning,” he said. In personnel matters, the board confirmed the employment of Cinda L. Denning as a teacher assistant in the junior high detention center, replacing Charles Stuart Jr. Denning has been a On Sunday afternoon, Poseyville residents Reed Heathcotte and Samantha Bigger- special education teacher assistant in the district staff found time to visit a nearby treeasure in the Old Red Bridge just outside of Griffin, since 2004. Amelie Julian was hired as a sixth Ind. Cameras have recently been installed to protect the historic bridge from vandal- grade teacher at the junior high school to replace ism. Photo by David Pearce Kennedy Taylor. She recently taught in Arkan-
sas for five years before moving to Mount Vernon with her family. She comes with experience teaching students with vastly different cultural and academic needs. Lauren Ubelhor was hired as a Kindergarten teacher at Marrs Elementary School, replacing Brandy Aanenson. Prior to this assignment, she taught at Lincoln School in Evansville and has experience with Title I and pre-K teaching. “Enrollment numbers in Kindergarten look really up for next year, so we added that third section at Marrs and that’s good,” explained Dr. Thompson. Resignations were accepted from the following staff, effective at the end of the current school year: Cinda Denning, teacher assistant; Erica Landolt, special education teacher at West Elementary; Carlin Smock, junior high social studies teacher: and Joseph Stone as the assistant in junior high Instrumental Music. In sports, Paul Quinzer resigned as head tennis coach and Tammy Schneider as junior high cheerleader sponsor. Both were on half stipends. The board accepted the intent to retire from Susan Wezet, a fifth grade teacher at Marrs Elementary, effective the end of the 2019-20 school year. In other board action: • In a routine action, the board set public official bonds for faithful performance of duty for those handling any district funds for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The bonds were set at varying amounts, from a high of $50,000 for District Treasurer Kimberley Morton to $1,000 for principals and cafeteria cashiers and managers. •Thompson discussed progress on summer projects, the fall 2020 reopening, and reminded
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Experience is the best teacher County lures experienced attorney Mastison to Chief Deputy Prosecutor spot Special to the News Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers has appointed Georgianne Mastison as the county’s new Chief Deputy Prosecutor. Mastison has previously served as Deputy Prosecutor in Warrick County, as well as Chief Deputy Prosecutor in Spencer County. Mastison most recently owned and operated the firm of Mastison Law and Mediation in Newburgh with her husband, Josh Mastison. “Georgianne brings a wealth of legal experience to Posey County,” commented Clowers. “She has a passion for criminal prosecution, and I’m proud to welcome her to the Prosecutor’s Office. I have no doubt that Georgianne will be a great advocate for the people of Posey County, as well as a tremendous resource for local law enforcement.” Originally from the northwest suburbs Pictured are (left to right) are Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers, Judge Craig Goedde, Georgianne, Kensington, Josh and Vivienne Mastison. Georgianne was recently ap- of Chicago, Mastison moved to Evansville after graduating from Valparaiso Univerpointed Chief Deputy Prosecutor for Posey County. Photo submitted
(USPS 439-500)
sity School of Law in Valparaiso, Indiana. Mastison attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana for her undergraduate studies. Mastison resides in Evansville with her husband, Josh, and their two daughters, Vivienne and Kensington. “As I begin my time as the Chief Deputy Prosecutor in Posey County, I will strive to serve the community in a respectful and honest way,” said Mastison. “I have already met some wonderful people in the community, and I thank you for your kindness and warm welcome. I am grateful to Prosecutor (Thomas) Clowers for offering me the opportunity to do a job that I am passionate about, and I will work hard each and every day to be a Chief Deputy that Posey County can be proud of.” Judge Craig Goedde performed Mastison’s swearing-in ceremony on Friday, June 5, 2020 in the Posey Circuit Court.