August 27, 2013 - The Posey County News

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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.” Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

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(USPS PS 4 439-500) 39 500)

Volume 133 Edition 35

Rynkiewich is Peabody’s Educator of the Year

Peabody Region Two Educator of the Year Paul Rynkiewich is pictured here with one of his former student Traci Newcomer, also a nominee for the award. Newcomer is a teacher at Resurrection School in Evansville. Photo by Dave Pearce

By Dave Pearce According to information provided by Peabody Coal, one educator can make a profound difference in the lives of high school students. Educators inspire, guide, teach and lead. They also transform lives. On Saturday evening at the Evansville Country Club, one such educator was honored as the Educator of the Year for Region Two of Peabody’s districts. Paul Rynkiewich was honored to receive the award over 30 other teachers who were each honored from the district to receive $1,000. Rynkiewich was presented with a check for $5,000. Region Two consists of teachers in Franklin County, Ill.; Gallatin County, Ill.; Jefferson County, Ill.; Perry County, Ill.; Saline County, Ill.; Williamson County, Ill.; Perry County, Ind.; Posey County, Ind.; Spencer County, Ind.; Vander-

burgh County, Ind.; and Warrick County, Ind. “It was just incredible,” Rynkiewich said of the honor. “I had no idea. It was such a surprise. “The students at North Posey certainly must have played a role because I think they voted on it on Youtube,” Rynkiewich said. “It was pretty humbling sitting there with 30 other people who were getting awards and I am sure all of them were very deserving. It was just quite a surprise.” But North Posey High School Principal Scott Strieter was pleased but not totally surprised by Rynkiewich taking home the award and the $5,000 prize that goes with it. “If you ask any of the students out there whose class they enjoy the most, so many of them will answer ‘Mr. Rynkiewich’s’ class,” Strieter said. “That was the reason we nominated him. The students

actually do the voting and once they realized he was nominated, they did their part.” Rynkiewich admitted that the 24-hour period between Friday night and Saturday night had been an emotional roller-coaster for him. The veteran teacher and coach coached his first game as a head football coach on Friday night, with his Vikings narrowly losing to South Spencer. And less than 24 hours later, he was honored as Educator of the Year. “Ever since I was in junior high I have loved history and geography and I pretty much had made up my mind by then that teaching is want I wanted to do,” Rynkiewich said. “I love geography, history, and football.” North Posey School Board member Joe Neidig was another who was not totally surprised by

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Poseyville Autumnfest set By Valerie Werkmeister Now that school has started, it won’t be long before it’s time for the Poseyville Autumnfest. This year’s celebration will be held the last weekend in September on the 28 and 29. The theme for the parade is, ‘I Remember When,’ and Johnny Goedde has been chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal.

The parade will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Forms are available online at www.poseyvillekiwanisclub.org. The first event of the weekend begins with the Kiwanis pancake breakfast from 6 - 10 a.m. at the community center. Boy Scout Troop 387 will hold its second annual 5K Pumpkin Run/Walk beginning at 8:45 a.m.

with a Kids’ Dash followed by the run/walk at 9 a.m. Registration forms can be obtained by visiting www.gerwc.com or www.pumpkinrun5K.com. Children of all ages will enjoy the inflatables that open at 11 a.m. and various food booths will also be ready to treat your taste buds.

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New Harmony finds savings By Valerie Werkmeister New Harmony Town Council members were able to save the town a significant amount of money during their August 15 meeting. The council approved a reduction in insurance coverage on the former New Harmony School building. According to a presentation by Andy Weintraut of Schultheis Insurance, now that the building is vacant, replacement coverage cost is no longer an option. Council members were posed with two options: insuring the building for the actual cash value or the functional replacement cost.

Community Calendar Mount Vernon Class of 1988 reunion Mount Vernon High School Class of 1988 reunion will be October 12. Payment is due by September 10. Please call 812-430-8233 for more information.

Mount Vernon Class of 1955 reunion Mount Vernon High School Class of 1955 will have their 58 year reunion on Sept. 7, 2013, 6 p.m. at Western Hills Country Club. Call Carl Lurker 985-3125 for more information.

Make plans now for River Days Parade Make plans now to participate in the Mount Vernon River Days Parade. The parade will be on September 14, at 6 p.m. Anyone interested in participating in the parade should contact Jay Price at 812-307-0247 or Greg Oeth at 812-838-3541.

Mount Vernon Class of 1973 reunion Mount Vernon High School Class of 1973 will have their 40 year reunion on Sept. 14, 2013, at the Mount Vernon Elks Home, 131 East Fourth Street in Mount Vernon. Cost is $25 per person and includes dinner and DJ. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be sent to Steve Waller, 408 Coronado Drive, Mount Vernon, IN 47620. For more info you may call Liz Larty Uhde 812-401-2546, Diane Wildeman Weinzapfel 812-985-9132 or Cheryl Zink-Bell 812-838-6268.

The annual premium for a policy with actual cash value is $10,400 with a $2 million coverage limit. The annual premium for functional replacement cost coverage would be $622 with a $500,000 coverage limit. Council president Joe Straw stated he was in favor of saving the town money since the building is no longer in use. Weintraut explained that the coverage can also be increased at any time if necessary. The council approved a change to functional replacement coverage at a cost of $622 per year. The Tree of Life Building may

soon be demolished to make way for new development. Councilman Andrew Wilson advised council members that he has spoken to an architect who proposed construction of up to five new homes on the property. Since the property is in a residential area, the property would be better served for that type of development. The building is currently vacant and the council has tried, without success, to market the building to potential buyers. Wilson would like to see the new homes be efficient and affordable for those in the 55

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MV neighborhood is up in arms over lack action By Lois Mittino Gray Residents of the West Ninth Street area in Mount Vernon attended the August 22 meeting of the Mount Vernon City Council en masse to complain about the lack of attention to their neighborhood woes. Troy Ricketts served as spokesperson for the group of homeowners present and said that the area is out of control with trash and tall weeds everywhere and theft and drug crimes running rampant under the eyes of the police force. Ricketts said residents feel the city needs to make landlords responsible for the tenants they put in their homes and upkeep of the property and need more police protection. “Some folks are scared to leave their house or even sit on their porch in the evening to cool off. I’ve seen drug deals going down on the street with kids around,” Ricketts noted. “They need help down there.” Councilman Andy Hoehn asked how big of an area the group was talking about and was told it covers about three blocks of West Ninth Street. Another resident stated the area of Ninth and James streets has all but been forgotten as they call the police a lot but no one is ever taken away. Hoehn asked if everyone from the area agreed with this and they shook their heads in affirmation. One resident stated there is fighting at midnight and the police come and they see nothing. To this, another resident added, “Some

Retrospective .......... A4 Legals ............... B7,10-12 Classifieds ......... B13-14 Community ............. A5

Dr. David Rice, President Emeritus of the University of Southern Indiana, shows off his wife Betty’s beautiful assortment of dahlia flowhave scanners and are alerted to ers. Betty is the former owner of Peckenpaugh’s garden center and still their coming and then just sit there enjoys taking care of flowers whenever she can. Photo by Zach Straw on the porch like church-goers.” Another resident stated she likes to decorate the outside of her house, but stuff has been stolen or smashed. Kids throw rocks at her house. One gentleman stated he has spent a lot of money remodeling the inside of his house, and was getting By Lois Mittino Gray Surrounded by his family and fellow board members, Brian Jeffries ready to start on the outside, but inaccepted a certificate of appreciation for his service on the Mount Vernon stead he wants to move and sell out. Another resident said he has to turn School Board at its August 19 meeting. He resigned to fill a vacancy on his television up loud because of all the Mount Vernon Common Council and explained that he cannot serve of the rude and foul talk from the in an elected position on two boards. street. Young children six to eight Continued on Page A3 years of age are out until 1 and 2 a.m. Many residents say they feel they have called and called for help from city administrators and police to no avail. Mayor John Tucker encouraged the residents to meet with Police Chief Grant Beloat, who was present at the meeting, to set up a time to sit down and talk together about the problems. “Maybe he can get some extra patrols in the area and monitor the actions that are taken by the police when they get there,” he noted. Councilman Steve Fuelling told the group the Code Enforcement Officer needs to look at the house that they say has half the roof missing and rains inside of it. Beloat will also discuss the Noise Ordinance Brian Jeffries accepts a Certificate of Appreciation from Mount with them, but added it does not go into effect until 10 p.m. Ricketts Vernon School Board President Kathy Weinzapfel, at right. Pictured to right are his children Gini, Justin Trevino, and David. Next to Continued on Page A3 left Brian is his wife Alexandra. Photo by Lois Gray

Jeffries leaves school board to take MV City Council seat

Deaths ........................ Church ....................... Social ......................... School ........................

A4 A6 A6 A7

Sports ..................... B1-6 Bus/Ag ....................... A8 Opinion ..................... A9


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August 27, 2013 - The Posey County News by The Posey County News - Issuu