The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1128559
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, June 12, 2019 A-3 LOCAL Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg NEWS BRIEFS Tony Rothrock to perform at Village Inn Friday Tony Rothrock and Rhonda Bozikis, on keyboards will be at the Village Inn, Friday evening from 6 -8 p.m. Pike County Farmers Market to open this Saturday The Pike County Farmers Market will open this Sat- urday from 9 a.m.-noon at the south side of the Peters- burg courthouse. 'Calling All Fishermen' event at Dubois County Museum The Dubois County Museum, 2704 N. Newton Street, Jasper, will be having a special event called "Calling All Fishermen" on Saturday, June 16 at 10 :30 a.m. and 1 p.m., with Joe "Swampy" and Cameron Schoenbachler, Chad Elkins, Larry Haycraft and Tom Buechler. Everyone is welcome to try your hand at fly tying and go home with several flies. Activity is open to all ages and abilities. Admission to museum will be charged. Tri Kappa seeks Little Miss Sweet Corn contestants Tri Kappa of Oakland City is seeking contestants for the Little Miss Sweet Corn Pageant. Girls ages 5 -7 at the time of the contest are eligible. Contest will be Friday, July 26. Contestants are required to perform a talent and will be asked a brief question during an interview. Practices will be on Tuesday evenings. For more information, contact Tammy Schroeder at 812- 664-6648. Oakland City Sweet Corn Festival seeking pageant contestants Oakland City Sweet Corn Festival is seeking pag- eant contestant ages 8 -20 years old. To sign-up or for more information, contact Phoenix Booker at 812-677- 0434 or Jamie Robinson at 812-582-4424. READER GUIDE Subscriptions: Change of address: subscribers changing addresses will please give old address as well as new one along with phone number. We cannot guarantee prompt change unless this is done. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Press-Dispatch., P.O. Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 or e-mail to subscribe@ pressdispatch.net. Subscription rates: One year: $31 for Pike County and all 475/476 zip codes; $34 in the state of Indiana; $51 elsewhere in the USA. Paid in advance. Subscriptions taken after noon on Friday will not receive a paper until the second edition after their subscription date. About us: Andy Heuring and John B. Heuring, Publishers Andy Heuring, Editor John B. Heuring, Adv. Mgr. Eric Gogel, Production Mgr. Monica Sinclair, Office Mgr. Cindy Petty, Adv. Sales Pam Lemond, Adv. Sales Matt Haycraft, Adv. Designer • • • Published every Wednesday by the Pike County Publishing Co. Phone: 812-354-8500 820 E. Poplar St., P.O. Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 • • • Entered in the Post Office in Petersburg, Indiana for transmission through the mails as Periodical Mail, postage paid at Petersburg, Indiana – published weekly. (USPS 205-620) Contact us: Phone: ................................................................... 812-354-8500 Fax: ....................................................................... 812-354-2014 E-mail: Andy Heuring, Editor editor@pressdispatch.net Advertising ads@pressdispatch.net General News news@pressdispatch.net Sports sports@pressdispatch.net Subscription Services subscribe@pressdispatch.net Continued from page 1 WINSLOW PAINTING AMERICA FUNNY AGAIN! A special live art performance by Petersburg native Randy Hedden Friday, June 14 7:30 p.m. at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center 1002 North First St., Vincennes TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR or at BathBombs Petersburg on Main Street ONLY $20 iReady scores lead to pies in the face PES third grade teachers Rachel Kesson, Michelle Bennett, Stephanie Richardson and Jordan Elliott challenged their students to increase their iReady scores from the beginning of the school year to the end of the year. The students who increased their scores the most in reading and in math won the right to "pie" their teacher. Each teacher received two pies in their face. asked Tony Williams, who is also a member of the fire de- partment. "Nothing, but it needs to be accounted for," said Popp. In another part of the nearly two hours of back and forth, Mathias accused Popp, who is a member of the Patoka Township Fire Department, of wanting to root out the Winslow Fire Department and take it over with Patoka. Popp said he has done nothing but try to help the Winslow department. He has tried to help them get grants to provide equipment they need. Later, Mathias said Popp just wanted to bring up things that didn't matter. "How do you say it is doesn't matter? It is required by the State Board of Ac- counts," said Popp. "I'm going to deny it, (pro- viding the records). I'm just going to stand up for what is right," said Mathias. At other points in the dis- cussion, Mathias said if the attorneys got together and decided it was alright to give the records to the town council, he would do it. Lamb said the fire depart- ment's own bylaws called for them to provide the financial records to the town council. Williams said he thought part of the problem was pre- vious town councils' leader- ship. "A lot of the problems are the old board didn't deal with a lot of stuff. They didn't want to have to deal with a lot of things. They said you put your money in- to accounts and they didn't want to give us any guid- ance." Councilman Brewster not- ed the fire department had created a new account at the bank and moved all their money from the old account into a new account named Winslow Volunteer Fire De- partment. Brewster said they were last audited by the State Board of Accounts in 2015. He said the last three years were unaudited. He said the fire department had agreed to provide the records mov- ing forward. Brewster asked if they could get by with just two years of records. But he was told they are required to have five years of records to get 501c3 status. Wendy Hensler asked if this fight could lead to the fire department dissolving. "I'm not going to sit here and lie to you. Yes, it could happen," said Popp. She said she was told if the fire department didn't exist, residents' insurance rates would go up. Popp said Winslow is re- quired to provide fire ser- vice. He said Patoka Town- ship could provide cover- age. He said they have the manpower and much more firefighting equipment, and were better funded and could sustain themselves fi- nancially. He said it might even cause the insurance rates to decrease. The discussion heated back up and Mathias even- tually said, "If you want the records, summons us." Lamb asked "do you want us to open an investigation into the records? " "I'm not telling you what to do," said Mathias. Eventually, Brewster asked, "From the fire de- partment standpoint, you are not going to provide the town with five years of band statements." "I have to talk to the fire department. I can't make that decision," said Mathias. "I'm just trying to see where we are," said Brew- ster. "I'm just wanting to move forward," said Mathias. He then added, "If the attorneys get together and say this is on the up and up, then you will get them." "This has gone on since April 2016. How long is this going to go on? " asked Popp. "I guess until you start getting along with us," said Mathias. "I have been trying to get along with all the time. I have tried to help you." Popp, who is president of the council, then asked the board if they wanted to make a motion. "I think we have to. We need the records. I suggest we open up an investiga- tion into the accounts," said Lamb. "It is something we tried to handle at the town level," said Popp. "If they have used it for camping, that is wrong," said Lamb. "I'm confused on that camping. I have never heard that," said Brewster. Popp said if they turn over the records, "they can show if they did or didn't." Mathias then asked, "So you are wanting auxiliary accounts and our fire depart- ment accounts and all the ac- counts? " asked Mathias. "Yes, for five years," said Popp. "Do what you want to do. Get a lawyer and I will get an attorney. We will see who is right," said Mathias. "You are going to get in there and take all of our money," said Mathias. "We don't want your mon- ey. We want you to provide the records so we can have internal controls," said Lamb. Lamb eventually asked if there was a second to her motion. "I won't second that. I think for us to go to that op- tion it is not a good option," said Brewster. "I will second it to inves- tigate the fire department funds," said Popp. Then the discussion moved to Mathias being fire chief. Popp said it concerned him Mathias had the mini- mum required training cer- tification. "Honestly, I don't quite ap- prove of that you only have mandatory training. I would prefer Larry Smith be acting chief," said Popp. Smith said, "I don't have the time for the responsibil- ity. I know I can do it. I just don't want it." Popp said, "I guess I would say keep oversight on what is going on. You are one of two people who has the most training in that de- partment. Keep oversights on this." "So you are relieving me of my duties? " asked Math- ias. "Do we want to do that? " Popp asked the rest of the council. "I think we have to reflect what the department wants," said Lamb. "I think they ought to have a vote," said Popp. "I don't feel comfortable telling them who they do or don't' have for their chief. I understand where you are coming from," said Lamb. "It is a scary thought," said Popp. "It is," agreed Lamb. "But with the mutual aid agree- ment with Patoka Twp., there will be qualified per- sonnel. We need someone who the fire department is going to follow. I'm totally disappointed with the lev- el of cooperation from their leadership, but it is their leadership," said Lamb. In other business, the council voted 3-0 to approve establishing a fee of $2 when people send in their water bills without the printed out bill statement stub, or when they come into Town Hall to pay without their stub. Councilmen said it causes the Clerk-Treasurer to have to look up the stub and re- print it. They also said Peters- burg, and other towns and cities are establishing the same fee. The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mon- day, July 8. Life Milestones made free Put a free photo with write up on Weddings, Anniversaries & Engagements. CALL: 812-753-3553