Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN
“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Posey County’s only locally-owned newspaper
$1.00
(USPS S4 439-500) 39 5 0 0)
Volume 134 Edition 34
Posey County is the proud new owner of New Harmony Bridge By Valerie Werkmeister Two of the three Posey County Commissioners ‘put themselves out there’ last week in their decision to take control of the Harmony Way Bridge in New Harmony. The meeting room of the Hovey House was packed with standing room only from a crowd of supporters. Commissioners Jim Alsop and Jerry Walden were the first to affirm their votes to take possession of the bridge. Commissioner President Carl Schmitz initially stated he would abstain from the vote and then later changed his mind.
The vote came easily for Walden who made the motion and spoke in favor of working to reopen the bridge. Walden has served on the commission of citizens who have organized to try to get the bridge reopened. Alsop struggled with his decision and wrestled with the points brought out throughout the meeting. “I’m trying to keep my heart out of it and think with my head and that’s tough to do,” Alsop said. Commissioners were urged to make a decision, either for or against, during their regular meet-
ing on Tuesday, August 19. Members of the White County Bridge Commission, the private entity that has owned the bridge, were told their liability insurance policy would expire on August 21, and it would not be renewed. The members of that commission, Michael Egbert, Dr. David Rice and Jim Clark stated they would resign from their positions and dissolve the commission to avoid any possible lawsuits and personal liability for the bridge. The need for a government entity
Continued on Page A11
Posey County citizens gathered outside the New Harmony Town Hall Friday afternoon while the New Harmony Town Council discussed the fate of Town Marshall Scott Champlin in an Executive Session. Photo by Zach Straw
New Harmony Town Council closes ‘open’ forum By Valerie Werkmeister New Harmony residents packed the town hall with standing room only last Thursday night to hear whether the town would be keeping or losing their beloved town marshal, Scott Champlin. According to petitions around the town as well as a Facebook page, the town had sent a letter to Champlin regarding his employment. Champlin was to meet with the council in an execu-
tive session meeting on August 21, before their regular monthly meeting. Those who attended the meeting were disappointed and frustrated with how the council chose to handle the situation. Council president Joe Straw stated the open forum listed on their agenda was cancelled. In doing so, members of the audience would not be given an opportunity to speak or ask questions
on the matter or any other matter before the town that evening. One unidentified patron attempted to gain control of the meeting by addressing Straw directly stating, “Point of order Mr. Chairman, the open forum is listed on the agenda.” Straw only responded to the man that he was out of order. The patron repeated back to Straw, “No, you are.” Straw stated again, “You’re out
Scouts remember area’s warmth By Lois Mittino Gray “Like Henry the Eighth said to his wives, I won’t keep you very long,” Chris Buckley said as he took the podium during ‘Salute to New Harmony’ program in Murphy Auditorium. After the audience roared with laughter, he told the crowd that he was one of eight English boy scouts who spent two weeks in New Harmony in August 1962 in an exchange program. The boys lived with local families, many of whom were in the audience. Three of the original scouts returned for the Bicentennial Celebration 52 years later and it was evident that they charmed the crowd with their wit and insightful recollections. The trio of travelers are Buckley, Martin Ford and Brendan Blake. Ford stayed with Virginia and Bud Toliver and Blake stayed with Maxine and Gary Watson. Buckley said he lived with Joe and Ruth Wilson and their six sons and dog, Buster. Billy, as he called Bill Wilson, was a teenager at the time. “What a pleasure it is to look over on the stage and see his son all grown and now a vibrant community leader,” Buckley noted while casting a glance over at Andrew Wilson who gave the Welcome Speech from the Town Council at the Salute earlier in the evening. Blake told the Friday evening audience that, “This small town made a real difference to eight British lads 52 years ago.” Ford said he loved America so much he applied for a three year visa and never went back. He resides in Troy, Michigan now while Blake lives in Richmond, outside London, and Buckley lives in Bolton, the largest town in England, in Lancashire County. They presented a book of photos and letters from the eight scouts, all still surviving, to Town Council President Joe Straw for the town and copies for the library. What do the scouts remember most about their vis-
and I’m sure you all realize that you are working for the town, And the people is the town. So, you know if you, to me, if you’re going to get rid of him, you’re going against the people here in New Harmony. Unless he’s done something very, very wrong that none of us knows about, the people is very well satisfied,” Schaeffer said. Neither Straw nor any other member of the council responded to his questions or statements. The council swiftly moved on
Continued on Page A11
Trooper nabs daytime burglars
Brendan Blake, Martin Ford, and Chris Buckley pose at the Roofless Church following the Interfaith Service during the New Harmony Bicentennial Celebration. Photo by Dave Pearce it? They all agreed it was the overwhelming warmth and hospitality of the residents, cool American cars, great music and, of course, being teenage boys…..the beautiful girls. “Half the fun was meeting them and writing back and forth to them,” said Buckley with a wink. He corresponded for several years with Sharon York and sent her gifts on her sixteenth birthday. They reminisced over quaffs at the Yellow Tavern Friday night and she and husband Bill have visited the
Continued on Page A8
Briefly
Posey County Historical Society to meet in St. Wendel Posey County Historical Society members and friends are invited to gather for lunch on Saturday, August 23 at 11 a.m. at The Silver Bell, 4424 St. Wendel Road in St. Wendel. Following lunch, Becky Higgins, President of the Society, will be discussing Mount Vernon’s Bicentennial and then presiding at the business meeting. Kunstfest T-Shirts now available Kunstfest T-Shirts are now in and available for purchase at Antique Emporium, 525 Church Street and Cookie Jar Antiques at 514 South Main Street in New Harmony. All sizes are $12 each. This year’s event will be September 20-21 with over 150 vendors, food and entertainment. There will also be Pedaling For Pups, a bike ride benefiting PC Pound Puppies. This is a free event and fun for the whole family. Indiana State Police seeks applicants for 75th Recruit Academy The Indiana State Police is now accepting applications for the 75th Recruit Academy. Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper may apply online at http://www.in.gov/ isp/2368.htm. This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as career information about the Indiana State Police Department. Applications must be received via e-mail by 11:59 p.m. (EST), on Sunday, November 30, 2014. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted for the 75th Recruit Academy. Posey County Sheriff Department seeks applicants The Posey County Sheriff Department is seeking applications for a female jailer position. This is a full time position with benefits. Applications can be picked up at the Sheriff’s Department at 1201 O’Donnell Road, Mount Vernon.
Retrospective ...... A 4 Legals ............. B6-10 Classifieds .... B11-12 Community ......... A 5
of order.” “Yes, you are,” the man responded. Straw stated only that the matter was still under review. In fact, the only discussion regarding Champlin was addressed by resident Lynn Schaeffer, who had requested in advance to be placed on the agenda. Schaeffer addressed the council and questioned why they wanted to release Champlin from his duties. “To me, the town has spoken. You know, 90 percent, from what I’ve heard has signed the petition
At approximately 12:30 Thursday afternoon, a concerned citizen approached two men that were trespassing on property located at 9151 Watertank Road near Cynthiana. The two men left the property driving a red 2000 ChevBrian Wilson rolet pickup truck, but the concerned citizen called 911 and reported the suspicious activity. Approximately 35 minutes later, Trooper Kylen Compton was patrolling on SR 65 near I-64 when he spotted the red 2000 Chevrolet pickup truck at the Moto-Mart. Trooper Compton identified the two men as Brian Wilson, 53, and Joshua Piper, 23, both from Princeton. Troopers found several small antiques and a pill bottle containing hydrocodone pills inside the pickup truck that allegedly came from the residence on Watertank Road. Wilson and Piper also allegedly failed to pay for four Kit Kat candy bars from the Moto-Mart. They were arrested and taken to the Posey County
Jail where they are currently being held on bond. Troopers also found numerous power tools and ladders in the bed of the truck. Troopers believe that many of the items were possibly stolen from northJoshua Piper ern Vanderburgh, northern Posey County and southern Gibson County. Anyone missing power tools or ladders is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police 1-800-852-3970. Arrested and Charges: • Brian Wilson, 53, Princeton, IN • Joshua Piper, 23, Princeton, IN 1. Burglary 2. Theft 3. Possession of a Schedule II Drug Arresting Officer: Trooper Kylen Compton. Assisting Officers: Sergeant Russ Werkmeister, Sgt. Kevin Ellison and Trooper Brad Miller. Assisting Agency: Posey County Sheriff’s Department.
Mount Vernon enrollment up By Lois Mittino Gray A 2015 budget summary given by Director of Business Loren Evans was the highlight of the August 18 Mount Vernon School Board meeting. “We’re at the point where we have put the budget in the required Form Three format, need to approve it tonight for advertising for two weeks, hold a public hearing and then adopt it in October before the November 1 deadline,” he said as he explained the planned timeline. The district is required for the first time this year to post it on the state’s Gateway Internet site, although the general public will only be able
to see the first page. The board gave Evans the nod to advertise the budget as was presented. The tax rate for 2015 will be advertised at $1.22, but is projected to be about 75 cents in actuality. The rates are advertised as the high maximum that can be spent based on changes and needs of the district. For example, the 2014 rate was advertised at $1.19, but was certified to actually be 74 cents. The 2015 rate will not be certified until around Christmas. Evans said that 2015 is projected to go up a little, but de-
Continued on Page A11
‘Stellar’ donations to help MV By Lois Mittino Gray In the first Mount Vernon Common Council meeting since getting the news that the city did not receive the Stellar Grant, Mayor John Tucker spoke openly and honestly about his disappointment and that of his committee in the outcome. “Sure it was a letdown, but we’ll move forward. As one door closes, another one opens,” he said optimistically. “It was a good experience for me and for the community.” “Conceivably, we can apply for more grants now and possibly get more money than the Stellar would have given us. If we did get the Stellar grant, we had to agree to not apply for any other grants for three years,” he explained.
Deaths .............. ...A3 Church ................ A 7 Social .................. A 6 School ................. A 8
Some $1.2 million was donated for the grant application as cash in hand and some was in pledges. The money donated to the Stellar Grant will be used for projects in its Strategic Investment Plan, including parks, trails, community center, and transit studies. Tucker hopes the organizations that pledged will still contribute the money to these projects developed for the Stellar Grant so they can still happen. The council will decide whether to apply again next year. Councilwoman Becky Higgins commented that she loved the community support for the grant. “McKim’s IGA put on their sign ‘You’re still stellar to us’ and
Sports ........... B1, 3-4 Bus/Ag ................ A 8 Opinion ............... A 2 TV Guide........ A9-10
Continued on Page A11