The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1125841
A-2 Front Wednesday, June 5, 2019 The Press-Dispatch "It comes down to this, we want the bank mowed. This is how we want it. If you want the job, you need to mow the bank," said Flint. "I can't be out in the right- of-way," said Tegmeyer. "If that is the way you want it," said Flint. "I want that in writing," said Tegmeyer. Flint reconfirmed with Tegmeyer he didn't want to mow the bank. "No, not with the current situation. I'm not going to stand out there. It is too dan- gerous," said Tegmeyer. He also he was going to take pictures of Coleman Cemetery. Later in the day, he went to the cemetery he had been mowing and took pictures. Then he sent them to Com- missioner Assistant Kristi Dischinger. Tegmeyer said after Dischinger saw the pic- tures, she called him and told him that wasn't Cole- man Cemetery. She said the best she could tell it was Union/Mason Cemetery, which is in the same area. "It was an honest mis- take. I thought I was mow- ing Coleman Cemetery," said Tegmeyer. In other business, the county signed an agree- ment with Gibson County to house their local prisoners. Pike County Sheriff Kent Johnson said it is basically the same agreement Pike County has with Vander- burgh County. He said they now house between 18 to 20 inmates from Vanderburgh County at a per diem of $ 35. That is going to be increased to $ 37.50 for the first time in 28 years. That rate is set by the Indiana Legislature. It is how much the state will pay for counties to house their inmates. Johnson said Gibson County has an over crowd- ing situation and is facing lawsuits. Sheriff Johnson stressed they would only be housing inmates when they had room for them. On Tuesday, he said the inmate population was 63, with maximum capacity of 76. "We want to keep a lit- tle wiggle room so we can house people we might ar- rest," said Johnson. The commissioners also accepted the low bid from M&J Quality Construction, Inc., of Loogootee, to build a new 50'x50' sand building near the Pike County High- way Garage. M&J's bid was $ 69,394.37. It was $450 less than Elite Building Systems, of Odon, and $14,676 less than Daviess County Metal Sales, of Cannelburg. The next commissioners' meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, June 10 in the courthouse auditorium. CONTRACT Continued from page 1 (PHUJHQF\6HUYLFHV :K\GRPRUHSDWLHQWVFKRRVH*RRG6DPDULWDQ¶V(PHUJHQF\5RRPDQG 7UDXPD&HQWHURYHUDQ\RWKHUHPHUJHQF\GHSDUWPHQWLQWKHUHJLRQ" .QRZQDQGWUXVWHGHPHUJHQF\PHGLFLQH ERDUGFHUWL¿HGSK\VLFLDQVZLWKPRUHWKDQ \HDUVRIFRPELQHGVHUYLFHDW*RRG6DPDULWDQ 1XUVHVZLWKDGYDQFHGGHJUHHVDQG FHUWL¿FDWLRQV PLQXWHVIDVWHUWKDQWKHQDWLRQDODYHUDJH IRUXQEORFNLQJDQDUWHU\GXULQJDKHDUWDWWDFN /HYHO,,,7UDXPD&HQWHUDQG3ULPDU\ 6WURNH&HQWHU $GXOWDQGSHGLDWULF6H[XDO$VVDXOW 1XUVH([DPLQHUV PLQXWHDYHUDJHZDLWWLPH $OOWKHDERYH /($' (5 ,1(0(5*(1&<&$5( &RPSDVVLRQDWHTXDOLW\FDUH IURPRXUIDPLO\WR\RXUV Some of life's greatest treasures are found very close to home! Heartbeat of Washington Presents June 15, 2019|10am to 2pm Celebrate Main Street, Washington, Ind. Free for All #Ilovemyhometowndowntown FOOD, FUN, GAMES & PRIZES OVER 40 VENDORS AND DOWNTOWN STORES SELLING THEIR GREATEST TREASURES! Washington ank you to all of our sponsors! Call 812-254-5262 for more information Main Street Sidewalk Shopping Main from Hwy. 57 to the west It will be a fun-filled day of entertainment, food, vendor booths, shopping, prizes, bouncy houses and even a scavenger hunt! Entertainment Schedule 10:00AM Welcome from Mayor Joe Wellman Nat ional Anthem by Vicki Bubalo & Sarah Browning Opening Prayer by Matt Merald 10:15AM TOC Direct Media, WWBL 106.5 - Grill Country Contest Drawing. Enter for your chance to win at WWBL.com 10:30AM Yoga on Main - Debbie Rodimel 11:00AM Activation of Bi-Centennial Park by HCI 12:00PM The Voice of Washington Singing Competition 1:00PM Matt Sullivan, Acoustic Singer-Songwriter JAPAN Continued from page 1 Pike County has a strong desire to build upon our re- lationship and that we wel- come Japanese investment into our community." "Our ultimate goal is to strengthen relationships and build trust to bring Japa- nese investment and job cre- ation to Pike County," said Klipsch, who also serves as president of Pike Coun- ty Economic Development Corporation. "The EDC greatly appre- ciates the mayor's efforts for business attraction, job creation and population growth," said EDC execu- tive director Ashley Willis. Ashley Polen Willis, ex- ecutive director of the Pike County Economic Develop- ment Corporation (PCEDC), received certification as an Economic Development Fi- nance Professional (EDFP) from the National Develop- ment Council (NDC). ED- FP Certification is a profes- sional credential given to in- dividuals who successfully complete NDC's intensive economic development fi- nance training series. The training provides in- dividuals working in the field of economic develop- ment with instruction in business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, and the cre- ation and implementation of development programs. Each of the four ED- FP Certification Program courses are five days in length and concludes with an exam. Upon successful completion of all four cours- es, the candidate is award- ed the EDFP Certification. Hoosier Energy/WIN En- ergy REMC awarded Willis with a scholarship for pro- fessional development to three of the four courses. In addition to this recent EDFP certification, Willis is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, earn- ing a master's in Public Ad- ministration and Bachelor of Science in Public Rela- tions and Advertising. She is the executive director of PCEDC, where she focus- es on business attraction/ retention, infrastructure, talent attraction, workforce development and entrepre- neurship. Ashley was also appointed to serve on Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch's Indiana Main Street Coun- cil. Willis' primary role with the PCEDC is to create de- velopment opportunities in Pike County by collaborat- ing with local government and private industry to spur job creation and capi- tal investment. She recent- ly spearheaded the I-69 in- terchange master plan and is now working with local, state and federal govern- ments on the creation of the Pike County Entrepreneur- ship and Technology Center. NDC's work focuses on homes, jobs and commu- nity. Founded as a national nonprofit in 1969, NDC has worked for 46 years at ful- filling its mission to increase the flow of capital for invest- ment in low-income commu- nities. NDC directs cap- ital to sup- port the preserva- tion and creation of affordable housing, the creation of jobs through training and small business lending and the promotion of liv- able communities through investment in social infra- structure. NDC's products and services are deployed for the benefit of municipal and nonprofit partners in both urban and rural low- income communities. NDC has provided train- ing to over 70,000 profes- sionals working in the fields of economic and housing development. Participants come from diverse back- grounds including city and state governments, public agencies, community-based organizations, professional organizations and 1banks. Willis said, "The PCEDC openly and enthusiastical- ly embraces growth in Pike County. By strongly sup- porting city and county ef- forts to maintain a communi- ty that offers a great place to call home, Pike County In- diana is especially distinc- tive in its vision of promot- ing business growth while keeping small town charm and hospitality in the fore- front of community image." She added, "Through a complimentary partner- ship of economic growth, prosperity, quality of place and small town charm, the PCEDC positions itself to be proponent for progress and an advocate for Pike Coun- ty's future. For more infor- mation about the PCEDC, visit: http://pikegrowth. com/." Ashley Willis certified as Economic Development Finance Professional By Andy Heuring A headlight not working lead to a meth arrest early last Wednesday. Zachary Skinner, 34, was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, posses- sion of paraphernalia and dealing in marijuana. Petersburg Patrolman Scott Arnold said he stopped Skinner on Illinois St. after seeing Skinner's red Dodge truck without a right front headlight working. Officer Arnold said when he asked Skinner for his registration, Skinner started to shake and sweat was dripping down his face, then he was trying to position his body so Ar- nold couldn't see the con- sole compartment. Howev- er, Arnold said he saw a bag of a green leafy substance before Skinner closed the compartment. According to Arnold's re- port, when he asked Skinner if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, Skinner said he had marijuana and meth in the truck. A search of the truck found a bag of a green leafy substance, a black bag that had a glass pipe with a burnt residue and a ciga- rette box with two bags of a white crystal-like substance. Officer Arnold also found a pill bottle with a green leafy substance in it. Skinner was taken into custody. Burned out headlight leads to meth, marijuana charges Ashley Willis Troop 151 camping at Old Ben Gage White, Gavin Eager, Keaton Johnson and Camden Gundrum were in the new camper section at Old Ben Scout Reservation learning camping skills such as wood cutting. Hayden Goings was with the troop this week but not pictured. Story and additional photos on page A-8. James Capozella photo By Andy Heuring Petersburg city council- men voted 4-0 to add a $2 fee to water customers who don't bring in their water bills to City Hall. "It really disrupts the of- fice. Everyone has to stop what they are doing and look up the bill amount," said Petersburg Mayor R.C. Klipsch. Clerk-Treasurer Tam- my Selby said they also get checks left in the water bill drop box. This requires them to have to look up that person's bill as well. She said some even leave cash in the drop box. "Sometimes they leave a note with who it is from and sometimes they don't," said Selby. She said when that happens, the mon- ey is set aside until someone comes in and claims it. Selby said the State Board of Accounts recommended the action. "A lot of other cit- ies are doing this." Councilman Brian Van Meter said, "I pay several bills on line and I pay a pen- alty for doing that," said Van Meter. "I'm sure the first time people have to pay $2 they won't like it. Hopefully, then they won't do it again and they will bring their bill in with them," said Klipsch. VanMeter moved to ap- prove the proposal and it was passed by a 4-0 vote. Councilman Fran Lewis was not at the meeting. DOG PARK GETS COUNCIL'S APPROVE TO PROCEED Councilmen vote 4-0 to have the Leadership Coun- cil proceed with developing a dog park. It is to be locat- ed east of First Ave. across the street from Somebody's Place. Councilmen were given copies of rules and regula- tions for dog parks in Bloom- ington and Jasper. Carl Benner has offered to donate the land to the city. It was brought up at the previ- ous meeting in April. Howev- er Mayor Klipsch said there were a lot of things that had to happen before it became a reality. "As I read this (proposed rules) today, most of this is from their ( Jasper and Bloomington's) experienc- es and problems they en- countered." He said part of it is for dog owners to sign a waiver. There is proposed to have a six foot high fence and require a member's card to get into it. Representatives from the Leadership Council said Pe- tersburg Hardware had giv- en them an excellent price on fencing. One of the proposed names for the park was the Benner Bark Park. Klipsch said the proposal shows the application, rules and dog etiquette. Klipsch said he expects the city will take care of mowing the area. Councilmen were also told the area was not in the floodplain and not on state property. "Have we checked with anyone who has one of these and asked them what they did right and what they did wrong? My concern is our city employees already have more on them than they can take care of now," said Mel- hiser. The Leadership Council said what they need from the city council was consent that, "if all the ducks are in a row then you will approve this." Melhiser moved to ap- prove and it passed by a 4- 0 vote. In other business, City Services Manager Ross El- more said they replaced 480 water meters. He said in the last couple of weeks they were able to replace 100 meters, but in the same time 100 old ones have failed. This requires city employ- ees to read the meters man- ually. The new meters have transmitters that can be read remotely. Elmore stressed it is only the trans- mitter on the old meters that are failing. Elmore said they have re- placed 16 manholes through- out Petersburg and this has greatly reduced the water in- filtration into their sanitary sewers. It is a problem they have been fighting for decades. The next Petersburg City Council meeting is sched- uled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 17. Water customers to be charged $2 for paying without bill