July 17, 2012 - The Posey County News

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SPECIAL 4-H FAIR RESULTS SECTION INSIDE!

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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 July 17, 2012

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Volume 132 Edition 29

Horse manure is raising a big stink in Cynthiana By Valerie Werkmeister Members of the Cynthiana Town Council found themselves embroiled in a controversy with a local resident over the legalities of keeping a horse, pony and a goat at her residence. Tara Davis, who resides on Main Street in Cynthiana had appeared with her husband, Rick, at last month’s council meeting regarding a nuisance complaint regarding having the animals within town limits. The Davis’ contended that they contacted both the town hall and Mindy Bourne of the Posey County Area Plan Commission to check if any local ordinances existed prior to the animals’ being brought to the property. Tara, along with a neighbor friend only identified as Courtney, contended that she was informed there were no ordinances in place concerning having the animals on the property. The Davis’ contend the animals provide therapeutic benefits to help the Davis’ son, who has cerebral palsy and is deaf. During a meeting on July 10, council members produced ordinance # 1992-11-4, concerning animals that are prohibited within the town. Council president Steve Cox admitted there were a few problems with the filing system at the Town Hall and they were unable to locate the ordinance until recently. The ordinance states that a horse may only be kept within the town limits if the custodian has a minimum of one-acre of fenced land per horse. Council members contend that the Davis’ property does not meet these criteria and is therefore, in violation of the ordinance. Tara then argued that she had contacted a lawyer The 2012 Posey County Fair Queen Brooke Brandenstein poses who informed her that because the animals are for with the Posey County Fair Queen of 1962, Sharron (Utley) Trent, at therapeutic uses, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) would “trump any other ordinance.” this year’s Posey County Fair. Photo by Dave Pearce

Guest of honor...

Cynthiana’s attorney, Jeff Ahlers argued that there are no Indiana laws that states therapeutic animals would override those by town ordinance. He also stated that he had spoken with her lawyer earlier that day, who informed Ahlers he had not yet been retained by the Davis’. Tara proceeded to say that she would be retaining his services the following day. “We’re not trying to pick on her; it was brought to our attention. Someone complained,” council member Jim Sheets clarified. Tara reminded the council that she had letters of support from her neighbors. However, Sheets called on John Vogt, who stated his back door was within 40 feet of the barn area and the smell from the manure piles was a nuisance. Ahlers stated the town’s nuisance ordinance would cover the problems with manure piles. Tara claimed that she removed the manure piles several times a day and also dumped the manure on Courtney’s garden. Council members still found the Davis’ to be in violation of the ordinance and posed the maximum fine of $50 per day plus attorney’s fees until the matter could be cleared up in court. “I am sympathetic with your situation, but the law is the law,” Cox stated. Tara explained how much her son has progressed within the three months the animals have been working with him. She was concerned that if she was forced to get rid of the animals, he would regress. Ultimately, as cooler heads prevailed, a compromise was reached. Tara agreed to remove the goat and the

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Volunteers to build Posey home for special vet Kiwanis golf scheduled Poseyville Kiwanis will be holding it’s annual golf scramble on the last Saturday in July. If you would like to take part check out the web page or contact a member.

NP 30th Class Reunion North Posey Class of 1982 will hold a 30th Reunion on Sat., Aug. 11 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. at RiRa’s on Evansville’s Riverfront one block west of Casino Aztar. Cost is $27.50 per person. RSVP and questions please contact Robb Webb at rob_webb@ floridalift.com, Jerri (Hill) Hatfield at j.hatfield@insightbb.com

Free supplies/hair cut Posey County students can come to Project Notebook on Saturday, July 28 from 1 - 3 p.m. at Zion Lippe UCC located at 9000 Copperline Road, Mount Vernon, Ind. (the corner of Copperline and Ford Rd) for free school supplies and hair cuts. Call 985-2437 for directions. No early birds please.

By Pam Robinson When Sgt. Kenneth Harker enlisted in the Army back on August 18, 2005, the then 21-year-old Evansville native welcomed the opportunity to add direction and purpose to his life. He didn’t foresee his new career would cost him both legs—a horrific sacrifice to protect the people of his country and their freedom. “For four months, I was in Afghanistan and got shot,” Harker says. “Then, I was in Iraq six months and got blown up.” During his deployment to Iraq in June 2008, an Explosively Formed Penetrator, or EFP, cut through his Humvee and traumatically amputated his left leg. Severely injured, his right leg required amputation about a month later also. Then, Harker spent more than three years at Walter Reed Hospital for treatment with surgeries and physical therapies before finally returning to his home in Evansville last fall. Now his community has the opportunity to support Harker as he strives to regain his own independence in spite of his life-altering injuries. The national organization

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Kenneth and Heather Harker with their daughter, Kenslee. Photo by Pam Robinson

North Posey approves New Harmony deal, appoints project manager By Valerie Werkmeister North Posey School Board members voted to close the deal with the Town of New Harmony on the future of the New Harmony School building during their recent meeting on July 9. School board president Joe Neidig and town council president David Campbell collaborated to create a lease agreement between the two entities. They believe the arrangement will be beneficial to both communities. The town purchased the building and North Posey will lease the building for a two-year period. In addition, North Posey will pay New Harmony a total of $100,000 by making four, $25,000 installments. North Posey School District expanded its bases with the addition of Harmony Township marking one of the final actions of adding New Harmony School to its folds. Members of the MSD of North Posey voted to add Harmony Township to District 1 of the three election districts for the board. The district lines will remain in place until a new plan is created. The board also approved Jim

Scarafia’s appointment to the board filling Larry Lewis’ recently vacated position. Scarafia had served as president of the New Harmony School Board until the school closed in May. His term will end December 31, 2014. Linda O’Risky was chosen to continue as secretary in place of Lewis for the remainder of the year. The board also approved Camp’s recommendation to hire Larry Lewis to serve as the project manager for a three-month period. He will be paid a sum of $9,000. The Project Manager will report to the Superintendent all information and concerns and oversee all summer projects and work with VPS architect and ARC construction with meeting Proposal Request and all aspects of the high School and North Elementary projects. Projects include North Elementary fifth and sixth grade wing renovation (six rooms)- ceilings, insulation, drywall, cabinetry, lockers, flooring and furniture. At the high school Lewis will oversee four science room renovations- gas, electric, technology, construction of preparation room, and furniture.

Other projects to be under the direction of Lewis are to oversee work with all vendors with these projects: Resurface tennis courts repairing cracks, sealing and painting Repairing the track surface and repaint track Repair and seal all asphalt in the corporation at all schools. Repair and lead the project of the repair to the South Terrace septic. It will also be part of Lewis’ job to Plan or get quotes on asphalt areas at the Central Office and at the sewer plant at the high school as well as replacing the roof at the high school. In other business, the board approved: •A $400,000 additional appropriation in the Rainy Day fund for possible expenses that may be incurred throughout the remainder of the year. •A $7,405 contract with Computrol for the accounting software utilized at the central office. •The $5,749.40 purchase of Study Island software that serves as a remediation tool for the elementary schools.

•A $1,590 agreement with AdTec, a program that administers the paperwork guidelines required by the federal government for reimbursements the district receives on items such as T-1 internet and phone lines. In return, North Posey anticipates a reimbursement between $9,000 -$10,000 this year. •An $1,100 agreement with American Appraisal for fixed asset accountability. •A $6,400 software agreement with Apex Learning which provides credit recovery and remediation programs for the high school. •A $2,850 quote from Tri-County Equipment for a trailer. The corporation will also trade in a 1994 John Deere lawn tractor and a 1997 EXmark turf ranger. •Eric Long’s request to declare several items at North Elementary and South Terrace as surplus. •North Posey High School Principal Scott Strieter’s request to spend $4,000 of Extracurricular Account (ECA) funds to purchase four laptops for the Project Lead the Way classes. •North Posey Junior High Principal Steve Kavanaugh’s request to

Inside this issue...

ThePCN

Retrospective ................. A4 Legals............................ A10 Classifieds .................. B5-6

spend $1,170 of ECA funds to purchase a table saw and shelving supplies for Mr. Welch’s classroom. The school corporation will, in turn, reimburse this expense after the junior high sends a bill. •A facility use request from the Poseyville Fire Department to use North Elementary and the junior high and high school parking lots for training and inspection purposes on their equipment. •North Posey School Supt, Dr. Todd Camp’s recommendation to hire Laura Hall as the new seventh grade math teacher for the upcoming school year. •Camp’s recommendation to hire Tim Morrow, Ed Morton and Jon Morton as full-time custodians. Morrow will work at the junior high while Ed Morton will be at the high school and Jon Morton will work at North Elementary. Cody Heldt was hired as a part-time custodian who will work at North Elementary. •A professional leave request by Kathy Veeck to attend a cafeteria certification class in Mount Vernon. The next regular school board meeting will be held on Monday, August 13, at 6:30 p.m.

Go to www.poseycountynews.com Community ........... A5 Social ...................... A6 Deaths.................... A3 Sports ................... B3-4 School.................... A8 Bus/Ag.................... A9

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