Vol. 38, No. 18
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. June 24, 2015
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
County dries out from storms By Emma Rausch and Joseph Slacian news@thepaperofwabash.com
Wabash County is starting to dry out after last week’s series of rainstorms that caused several road closures due to flooding. Local rivers in Wabash County are receding, reported Keith Walters, Wabash County Emergency Management executive director, in an email to The Paper of Wabash County. “Rain and thunderstorms are forecasted as possibilities over the (continued on page 20)
The Wabash River was extremely high last week. The bottom of the Norfolk Southern railroad tresel was just a few yards above the water. Photo by Joseph Slacian.
Local Health Department at risk of losing 2016 grant funds By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
Mayor Robert Vanlandingham, with the help of Hiley Ward from Little Friends Day Care, cuts the ribbon to open the Honeywell Pool. Photo by Joseph Slacian
Honeywell Pool opens with emotional ceremony By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com Mayor Robert Vanlandingham, joined by children from the Wabash County YMCA and Little Friends Daycare, cut the ribbon on the refurbished Honeywell Pool on Tuesday, June 16. As prestigious as the moment was, perhaps the highlight of the day was when Vanlandingham told a story about something that happened more than 54 years ago. On May 30, 1961, childhood friends Tim Kersey and Chuck Spencer stood in line, anxiously awaiting the grand opening of the Honeywell Pool. Spencer was first in line, while Kersey stood directly behind his friend in the second spot. Spencer’s goal was to be the first in the pool, while Kersey was satisfied to be the second. When the gates opened, Spencer raced toward the diving boards, just as fast as his young legs could take him. Meanwhile, Kersey had a change of plans. Rather than follow his friend to the diving board, he made his way directly to the pool and jumped in, thus becoming the first person to enter the Honeywell Pool.
The Wabash County Health Department may be declined $33,000 in grant money next year as a result of a decision made by the County Council in February. At a council meeting on Feb. 23, in a 6-1 vote, the council passed a resolution authorizing the transfer of $104,821.43 from the local Health Maintenance Fund (LHMF) to the County Health Fund (CHF). Council member Randy Curless cast the lone vote against. The transfer’s purpose was to assist the local Health Department pay for payroll and other operating expenses,
according to Council chair Mike Ridenour. “Toward the end of January of this year, I was made aware that County Health Fund cash balances were insufficient to meet upcoming payroll and it was a continuing problem,” Ridenour told The Paper of Wabash County. “The proposal from the Health Department was a temporary loan from our Rainy Day Fund, but there were [two] big issues with that. First, Rainy Day Fund wasn’t adequately funded to do this at the time with other allocations needed for issues that had previously come to light and, more importantly, it did not solve the cash balance issue that had (continued on page 17)
Internet posting draws fire from local officials By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaper ofwabash.com
Tim Kersey (center) poses with his grandson, Layne Denton, and Luke Spencer, grandson of Kersey’s late friend, Charles Spencer. Luke was the first person in the refurbished Honeywell Pool, recreating a scene reminiscent of the boys’ grandfathers 54 years ago when the pool first opened. Photo by Joseph Slacian The two boys became lifelong friends, and often joked about that day in 1961. When they learned of the $1.9 million pool renovation project, they had it in their minds that they were going to recreate the scene from 54 years ago. This time, Kersey said, he would let his friend
become the first person to enter the pool. The pair watched as changes were made to the pool. A zero entry pool took the place of the kiddie and junior pools. A wheelchair lift was placed on the side, allowing those in wheelchairs access to the facil(continued on page 21)
Local officials are downplaying an Internet report that lists Wabash as the worst city in Indiana to get a job. Mayor Robert Vanlandingham and Keith Gillenwater, President and CEO of the Economic Development Group of Wabash County, put little value in the report, prepared by the website Zippia.com. According to the report, Wabash is the worst of the state’s 78 largest cities to find a job. Peru is second on the list, followed by Marion. Also listed, by order of ranking, are Connersville, Gary, Muncie, East Chicago, Michigan City, Crawfordsville and Bedford. The website limited its analysis to those places in Indiana
with at least 10,000 people and isn’t a township, according to the report. The criteria considered, it continued, was the unemployment rate, recent job growth, future job growth, income taxes and median household income. Of Wabash, the report said, the city “takes the dubious distinction of being the worst city in Indiana to get a job.” “While the city’s unemployment ranks in the top 50 percent of all cities in Indiana, it comes in dead last for recent job growth, future job growth and income taxes,” the report continued. “So even though you may have a job in Wabash, you might not have one for long and the local government takes more money from you than any other city in the Hoosier state.” Both Vanlandingham and Gillenwater questioned the source of the report, (continued on page 6)