IDEM officials discuss environmental concerns with residents of Peru

By Amanda Redman aredman@thepaperofwabash.com

PERU – State Rep.

Ethan Manning and Indiana

Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) held a public information session about contamination from the Square D/Schneider Electric site Thursday at City Hall.

Schneider Electric acquired the Square D property at 252 Tippecanoe St. in 1991. The factory was shuttered in 2020.

Property owners southeast of the site learned trichloroethylene (TCE) has leached from the site through groundwater when they received letters from IDEM earlier this year.

Schneider Electric has entered into the

Grantstudent. During the 2021-2022 school year, Mrs. Clark experienced the biggest heartache of her career, the loss of one of her kindergarten students. Navigating through the grief was tough, but navigating 21 kindergarten friends through it as well was the hardest thing she has ever experienced as a teacher. This grant was a way for Mrs. Clark to immerse herself in nature to find healing and renewal

Mrs. Clark will embark on a 25-day quest from Alaska, moving through the Canadian Rockies, and culminating in

Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) with IDEM, the letters stated. Further testing would be needed to determine if TCE vapor is intruding into homes.

Manning, who represents the 23rd District, opened the meeting by asking everyone in the packed council chamber to be respectful.

“There’s no one in this room tonight who has done anything wrong,” Manning said. “No one caused this problem. It started a hundred years ago. Now we’re dealing with it. That’s why we’re all here.”

Bill Holland, IDEM VRP section chief, re-enforced Manning’s comment, explaining TCE, a chlorinated solvent, was commonly used to clean and degrease metal in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

For reference,

IDEM was not established until 1986, and many chemicals were not regulated until the 1980s, Holland said.

“Now the use of these chemicals are regulated,” Holland said.

IDEM is currently working to delineate the plume, to determine its parameters, and will have a proposed remedy by 2024, Holland said.

“We understand the plume is under neighboring properties,”Holland said.

Remedies for affected homes would involve placement of a barrier under the home to prevent vapor intrusion. Remediation for groundwater contamination may involve soil vapor extraction which pulls vapor from the ground and filters it with carbon so it can be safely released.

The public will be informed before a proposed remedy is accepted and property owners will have right to comment or appeal, Holland said.

Kevin Davis, VRP branch chief, urged homeowners who had not yet agreed to testing to do so.

“We always encourage participation,” Davis said.

“Uncertainty isn’t good for anyone. Information is good. That’s why we are here.”

Several neighboring property owners expressed concern about health

...continued from Page 3 the mind, offers serenity, heightens creativity, facilitates adventure, and eases grief.

When immersed in nature, it is impossible not to be awestruck by the natural world’s size, magnificence, issues but Davis said IDEM only could only address the environmental issue and clean-up.

“We are not doctors and we not health professionals,” Davis said.

Davis referred those with health concerns to seek medical advice and/or information through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or National Institute of Health (NIH.)

According to

IDEM fact sheet, TCE is “likely carcinogenic to humans. Breathing and/or drinking high levels of TCE can cause health effects other than cancer.”

Yellowstone and Arches National Parks seeing nature and experiences that she has never encountered before. Nature therapy, also called ecotherapy, is the practice of being in nature to boost growth and healing, especially mental health. Being in nature reduces stress, revitalizes

Tourism

tourism is the 5th largest industry in Wabash County (by jobs),” said Christine Flohr, executive director of tourism for Visit Wabash County. “It is important for key decision-makers and residents to understand the significant impact that tourism has and how it directly affects the quality of place and growth of Wabash County. We report these findings annually in addition to our Year in Review Report as a way to ensure that the public is aware of the critical work that the team at Visit Wabash County is executing successfully.”

Contributing to public education, the state & local tax revenue collected from tourism in Wabash County is sufficient to fund 482 Indiana public school students and roughly 115 Indiana public school teachers. Approximately 7 percent of all people working in Wabash County are supported by visitors to the county, according to the report.

The organization is governed by President Nate Fansher (Senior Vice President at Crossroads Bank), Vice President Jan Roland (Community Volunteer), Secretary Jeremy Markham (Athletic Director for Huntington Community Schools), Treasurer Howard Kaler (General Manager for the Charley Creek Inn), Past President Adam Stakeman (Industrial Sales Manager for J.M.

...continued from Page 2

WPD officer sworn in

Jasper K. Donaldson was sworn in as Wabash Police Department’s newest officer when the Wabash City Council met on Feb. 27.

Officer

Donaldson was born and raised in Wabash County. He is a 2019 Northfield High School graduate.

Officer

...continued from Page 2

Reynolds Oil Company), Brittany Rager (Marketing & Special Event Director for Brandt’s HarleyDavidson), Jennifer Bailey (owner of Salamonie Bridal Stalls and The Sanctuary), Beverly Vanderpool (Community Volunteer), and Beth Gillespie (Lagro Canal Foundation).

Office staff includes Christine

Flohr, executive director of tourism, Biz Bishop, content manager, Jennifer Long-Dillon, tourism manager, Thomas Cavins, creative lead, Stephanie Rogers, visitor experiences manager, Hayley Renbarger, marketing strategist, Stacy Clegg, visitor experiences coordinator, and Karigan Long, visitor experiences intern.

Donaldson previously worked at the Miami County Jail. He has already completed his preliminary 40-hour pre-basic training to start patrol with another officer. He is scheduled to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy later this year.

Officer

Donaldson currently resides in

Wabash County with his wife, Leigha.

In another matter, the Council approved an amended salary ordinance for 2023. The move was needed to allow moving a part-time clerk to a full-time position. It was approved 6-0 on two readings.

Tembras is the Director of Instrumental Studies at the Purdue University School of Music in Fort Wayne.

His duties include conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, teaching conducting and music education courses, and coordinating the woodwind, brass, and percussion areas. He holds a DMA degree in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin.

Previously, he served as the Assistant to the Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin, Director of the Longhorn Jazz Band and Combo,

Concertand Assistant Director of the Longhorn Basketball and Volleyball Bands.

He received his Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University.

Choral students will perform under the direction of Dr. Madlen Batchvarova.

Batchvarova is the Professor of Music and Director of Choral Programs at Hanover College.

Her duties include conducting the choral ensembles and teaching conducting, music history, voice, and piano. She is a conductor, clinician, music educator, pianist, singer, and Grammy award recipient, with experience in both classical and world music repertoire. A native of Bulgaria, Batchvarova has performed and recorded under the baton of Maestro Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus.

In celebration of the Honors Band & Choir 50th Anniversary taking place in 2024, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment is collecting information, stories, and memories from alumni, including students, directors, coordinators, accompanists, and school administrators.

Please visit honeywellarts.org/honors-survey to learn more.