The Press-Dispatch
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HappilyEverAfter Bridal Guide inside this issue 75¢ Four sections 34 pages Five inserts Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Volume 145 Number 3 Phone (812) 354-8500 Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 (USPS 604-340) Winslow water production faces financial trouble Raise rates or close the plant? By Alden Heuring Winslow town board members and presenting guests all tried to answer one question at Monday night's meeting: what is Winslow going to do about water? "We're just almost completely broke," board member Don Bolin said the day after the meeting, "and it's going to be rough on everybody." The town faces payments on two Rural Development (RD) loans, plus the many expenses of providing water to a dwindling number of water customers. According to rural development specialist Daniel DeVault of the Indiana Rural Community Assistance Program, who presented findings from a water and sewer rate study he conducted, about 60 water meters have gone offline in recent years, approximately 20 of which were turned off in 2012 alone. "It appears, based on the information I received, that our active meters are declining," DeVault said in the meeting. "Of course, this is not a good thing... It appears we've declined by 60 users—is that even possible? And we've declined 20 this year (2012)." He said monthly collections have also decreased from $32,000 to $28,000 over the course of the study. "It makes me a little nervous to do projections into a falling user base, if, in fact, that is a trend of some kind," he said. "I don't know if it is." DeVault also had concerns about the town's current policies on water adjustments and water department wages and benefits. "It appears the town's water adjustment policy may need to be tightened. You guys do a good job. I'm positive you try to be as good to everybody as you can, and I understand that," he said. "The other observation I'd make is that wages and benefits being charged to the water services are disproportionate to the size of the department and the revenue being brought in." rate study findings Based on his findings, DeVault proposed a set of across-the-board rate increases on water and sewage bills for Winslow—three separate scenarios for water, and three for sewage. The board must now decide whether to carry out some combination of rate hikes, or to seek an alternative solution, which according to Don Bolin, would most likely involve purchasing water from PikeGibson Water rather than producing water in Winslow. DeVault's proposed scenarios for water are below. All numbers are projected estimates, and do not include sales tax. • A 15% water rate increase. A customer who uses 2,000 or fewer gallons each Continued on back page Man escapes serious injury Jacob Barr escaped serious injury when his truck ran off the road on Highway 57 Saturday morning, going down a steep embankment and crashing into trees. An Oakland City fireman looks over Barr's truck. See related story on page A-2. Winslow couple seriously injured in crash By Andy Heuring A Winslow couple was seriously injured in a crash last week in Oakland City. Ernest and Marilee Hume remain in the hospital with injuries suffered in a crash on Wednesday, January 9 that also injured an Oakland City reserve policeman. Oakland City Police Chief Alec Hensley said the Humes were driving on Highway 64 when a Buick LaSabre was driving north on Franklin St. in Oakland City. Police Officer Mike Nichols was at the area, which is a school crossing. "It was just about about 3 p.m. CST because Mike said he was just stepping into the street to stop traffic for school letting out," said Hensley. He said Nichols saw the LeSabre wasn't going to stop for the intersection and he turned to run but only made a few steps. Hensley said the LaSabre hit the Hume vehicle, which then careened into Nichols and knocked him about 25 feet. Marilee, 86, and Ernest, 87, were both taken to Deaconess Hospital's Trauma Center in downtown Evansville. City ready to demolish Silver Dollar Saloon Commissioners re-hire Byrd for Asst. Superintendent By Andy Heuring Pike County Commissioners voted 2-1 in a special meeting on Thursday afternoon to hire Josh Byrd as the new Assistant Superintendent at the Pike County Highway Garage. Byrd was hired in a specially called meeting set for 3 p.m. It was the only action taken at the meeting that lasted less than five minutes Commissioner Ryan Coleman moved to hire Byrd as Assistant Superintendent and Commissioner President Brian Davis seconded the motion. It was passed by a 21 vote with Commissioner Jeff Nelson opposing. Nelson said he thought they needed to advertise the position and accept resumes on it. "I understand that they (Davis and Coleman) are saying it is an appointment like the others, but it has a considerable salary and a vehicle provided," said Nelson. It is the second time Nelson has voted against a key hiring in two meetings. At the previous meeting he gave the same reason for voting against the appointment of Roger Ham as Highway Superintendent. This is the second time Byrd has been hired in an administrative position at the Highway Department. Two years ago when Davis was elected to replace Steve Stidd, and control of the commissioners changed from Democrat to Republican, he was hired as Bridge Foreman. Several months later he resigned. PIKE PUBLISHING Tonda Dixon, Pike County's EMA Director, said Hume, who serves as the Assistant EMA Director, suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck and a fractured sternum. His wife Marilee suffered a broken rib. Dixon said Marilee is improving, but Ernest is still struggling. Henlsey said Officer Nichols was banged up and bruised, but escaped any broken bones. Dixon said people can send cards to the Humes at Rm 3640. Cold weather workout Jose Hernandez of Petersburg didn't let temperatures in the 20s on Tuesday keep him from a run. Hernandez, an engineer with Solar Sources, covered up and ran along Pike Ave. He covered up well to protect him from the cold. WHAT'S INSIDE: Local ..........A1-8 Classifieds....B8-9 History ...........C6 Obituaries ......A3 Church .......C1-5 Bridal ..........D1-8 Sports ........B1-3 Opinion..........C2 NEWS TIPS: Phone:........................354-8500 Fax: ............................354-2014 E-Mail . editor@pressdispatch.net By Andy Heuring Demolition of the former Silver Dollar Saloon on Main St. Petersburg is just days away. Petersburg Mayor Jon Craig said the City Council will have a special meeting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday to consider a resolution to approve a loan from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Agency regarding the acquisition and demolition of the properties located at 601, 603 and 605 East Main Street. Craig said originally it was expected to be a $100,000 loan, but he believes they are not going to need the full amount. The loan will be used to purchase properties on the 600 block of Main St. which includes the former Silver Dollar Saloon that collapsed 18 months ago, and the former Sweet Stuff and Harris Real Estate buildings. Craig said on Thursday the acquisition of the properties will be included in the finalization of the loan. Petersburg has already contracted Ice Excavation to tear down and remove the buildings. "Mr. Ice is out of town this week, but that could start as soon as Monday," said Craig. "My number one priority is to get this cleaned up before I leave office. I know citizens of Petersburg will be very grateful when this is demolished," said Craig, whose resignation as Mayor officially takes place on January 25. He said the next step will be to get a tax credit from the state. An announcement will be made on February 28. The tax credit makes developing the site more financially feasible for property developers. Plans for the area call for Dr. Fenol's office to also be demolished, as well as the other three buildings. They will be replaced by one building that will house new offices for Dr. Fenol including an urgent Continued on page 2 CONNECT WITH US: NETedition ... pressdispatch.net/edition Facebook .... facebook.com/pressdispatch E-Mail .......... news@pressdispatch.net