T
P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Volume 139 Edition 31
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
$1.00
Greenwell chosen to be newest Posey County Auditor
New Posey County Auditor Maegen Greenwell with her husband, Bryan, and two children: Logan, age 7 and London, age 5.
By Lois Mittino Gray diana Auditor’s Association and she has helped me Maegen Greenwell has a head for facts and figures develop a training plan and that will allow me to get and this skill will serve her well in her new position going quickly,” Greenwell explained. She is all set to as the Posey County Auditor. Greenwell, who is a attend the AIC Training Conference at the end of Seppersonal banker at Fifth Third Bank, will give up that tember to further her education on the subject. job to become the Auditor on August 5. She was choGreenwell graduated from Mount Vernon High sen in a Republican Party caucus School in 2003. She has worked at of county precinct committee repthe bank for the past nine years in a “I look forward resentatives on July 22, after Sara variety of roles. She resides on the to working with Beth Meighen resigned the elected outskirts of Mount Vernon with her the community and husband, Bryan, and two children: position to move out of state. “I am very excited to hold this Logan, age 7 and London, age 5. meeting many new position. It will be different and Posey County Republican Chairpeople.” new. I look forward to working man Greg Newman announced her --Maegen Greenwell with the community and meetappointment in a letter that said, ing many new people in this job,” “Maegen brings considerable experiGreenwell said with enthusiasm. Her first ‘official’ ence and perspective to her new position. We thank meeting will be at the August 6 meeting of the Posey her for her eagerness to serve the people of Posey County Commissioners at the Hovey House. County and welcome her as Auditor.” The new Auditor was encouraged to take the poNewman also thanked Meighen for her service and sition by County Clerk Kay Kilgore and County As- leadership as County Auditor saying, “In addition to sessor Nancy Hoehn who supported her nomination serving in her position with integrity and professionalat the caucus. She was sworn into office on Monday, ism, Sarah Beth strove to bring additional transparenJuly 22 and hit the ground running to learn the ropes. cy to County government. We wish her and her family “I have been in touch with the President of the In- well as they make the move to Pennsylvania.”
Avery’s Place will be in MV riverfront’s Sherburne Park
By Lois Mittino Gray There was no question that the Mount Vernon Community was supporting an all-inclusive playground called ‘Avery’s Place,’ a project spearheaded by a high school student’s dream and the memory of MSD Mount Vernon student Avery Beste. The question in contention was where to put the popular park’s location. That issue was resolved at the July meeting of the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Board when it selected Sherburne Park on the riverfront as the site for the innovative idea. Sydney Deno, a junior at Mount Vernon High School, has a vision that provides a place where children of all abilities play together, learn from one another, value differences and find strength to overcome challenges. She first presented the idea to the Mount Vernon Common Council at its January 18, 2018 meeting. They were receptive to her plan, but almost immediately the question was raised if the original site planned for the playground, the flat terrace in Riverbend Park where the metal swinging benches and riverside view is, would be the best location. The naysayers to that location made it clear that they were not against the idea of a park accessible to everyone, just against putting it there.
The new Sherburne Park site is still on the riverfront, on the other side of the boat dock entry road, near the concrete steps by the public boat dock. Sydney’s mother, Rachel, said that the location will need to be built up in surface, as it floods often and constant water could mar the expensive equipment. She said the historical pagoda currently at the spot would not be moved in any way. Any memorial trees and markers at the site now will be relocated to a new site in the Riverbend Park, as will the 175th anniversary lamp posts. The swings that are currently on the spot may be moved to another city park location. Because the land will have to be built up and the park will have a different shape from the original plan developed by the award winning non-profit organization known as Unlimited Play, the estimated funds to be raised increased. Unlimited Play’s motto is “where limitations are forgotten, and differences are celebrated.” The playgrounds have equipment specifically designed to remove physical and social barriers so all children, with and without disabilities, can play side by side with their peers and families. The playground will be approximately 8,750 square feet and the estimated cost is now $710,000. There will be an ad-
ditional cost of approximately $75,000 to build a retaining wall at the Riverfront to prevent flooding. Fundraising efforts are underway and Deno estimates that about ten percent has been raised to date. Avery’s Place has obtained a $25,000 grant from the Vectren Foundation and is waiting to hear on one possible grant through Valero. “I would love to say we would like to have it completed by next summer, but it will all depend on donations. We need to have most of the money raised to begin the construction. Now that we have the site settled, perhaps additional money will come in,” she hopes. A rib-cooking fundraiser at IGA was held for the playground on Friday. Donations may be submitted online at: Avery’s Place – Unlimited Play or mailed to Unlimited Play, 5998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Suite 220, Saint Peters, Mo. 63304 (denote Avery’s Place on the envelope). Donations may also be sent to the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department at P.O. Box 324, Mount Vernon, Ind. 47620 (denote Avery’s Place on the envelope). Community members can sponsor an individual playground item, donate in-kind services and supplies, and volunteer time, too.
Mount Vernon student spearheads new literacy plan By Pam Robinson The Schelhorn Brothers hope to draw a crowd to support local literacy this Thursday, August 1, at Hawg ‘N Sauce, from 6 to 9 p.m. They will be “Rockin’ to Read” as they play their music and patrons enjoy the Hawg’s award-winning
barbecue. The brainchild of MVHS senior, Emma Yarber, “Rockin’ to Read” allows people the opportunity to donate books or money to buy books for the libraries in the community’s four elementary schools—Saint Matthew, Farmer-
Emma Yarber
(USPS 439-500)
sville, Marrs, and West. T-shirts for the cause will be on sale also for $12 each. The Schelhorn Brothers will contribute donations for favorite song requests as well. “I really wanted an event to attract a lot of people,” Yarber states. “Everybody loves music and food. This was a great way to combine the two to get as many people there as I could to donate to my cause.” Yarber says both book donations (gently used and new) suitable for elementary libraries (grades Kfive) and monetary donations are welcome. She points out, however, monetary donations will allow schools more freedom in selecting books to meet their needs. This cause isn’t new to Yarber. She’s been promoting reading and public speaking for about two years on her Facebook account, Read It and Speak, a Project by Emma Yarber, and on her blog, http://emmayarber421.wixsite. com/readitandspeak. In addition, Yarber has worked with the Alexandrian Public Library to help encourage students to read more and to use more services at the public library. She has provided a presentation to all MVJHS seventh graders as well on giving their first speech in English class. “Reading and public speaking are what I relate to the most and what I am knowledgeable about and passionate about. I’ve always loved to read, and public speaking has just come naturally,” Yarber shares to explain her choice of causes. “They are things I’m good at and enjoy. I know they are important skills to have to be successful. If I can push everyone in my community—not just the youth— to improve upon those skills and be passionate about those skills, I know they can be successful, too. I’m helping everyone be successful with this cause.” The daughter of Troy and Jamie,Yarber thrives on being a good citizen. Just this summer, she
was one of three high-school 4-H members selected to attend 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus, or CWF. A 10-year 4-H member as of 2020, Yarber enjoyed improving leadership and citizenship skills during this week-long program. Her team there was awarded a $500 grant as the winner of the community service project competition. Otherwise, Yarber stays busy with school and extracurricular activities. She is active in cheer for basketball and football, softball, and theater. She enjoys traveling also and hopped between England and Ireland for two weeks this
summer. She maintains this schedule while working three part-time jobs. Although undecided on a college, she wants to major in sociology and communications to prepare for a career in politics. Her dream is to be elected Indiana State Attorney General. Small wonder, Yarber has set out now to win the community’s support and to organize her first fundraiser for local literacy. She wants to make a difference in the lives of those around her. She looks forward to greeting everyone and shaking hands at “Rockin’ to Read” this Thursday at Hawg ‘N
NP coach is arrested
Special to the News North Posey School Supt. Dr. A Fort Branch man has been ar- Todd Camp said the school would rested on a Felony Stalking war- begin its own investigation in the rant. very near future in an attempt to According to information pro- find out what did or didn’t happen. vided by the Gibson County Sher“Divorce is a very tough thing,” iff’s Department, North Posey Camp said, in reference to the reHigh School cently divorced guidance councoach. “Right now, selor and head unfortunately, he baseball coach has found himself Jessie Simmons on the wrong side was arrested this of the law. We will week. conduct our own inOn July 26, vestigation.” 2019, Officers Camp said he from the Gibson would not expect a County Sheriff’s quick decision to be Office went to made because all the the 500 block facts have to be gathJessie Simmons of North West ered. Street in Fort Branch, Indiana to Simmons led the Vikings to secserve a Felony warrant. Upon arriv- tional championships in each of his ing Deputy U.B. Smith placed the first two seasons at the helm. 37-year-old Simmons into custody. Assisting Deputy Smith in this Simmons was transported to the arrest was Fort Branch Town MarGibson County Jail where he was shal Darrell Parker, and Deputies booked in on the warrant. The Sim- Michael Rose and Bryce Jutzi of mons warrant included charges the Gibson County Sheriff’s Offor a B Misdemeanor of Harass- fice. ment, an A Misdemeanor, Invasion All Criminal defendants are to be of Privacy, and a Level 5 Felony presumed innocent until, and uncharge of Stalking. Simmons has less proven guilty beyond a reasonsince posted a $1250 bond. able doubt in a court of law.