The Press-Dispatch
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Something newsworthy? eastgibson@pressdispatch.net The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, November 17, 2021 C-3 EAST GIBSON Submit East Gibson news items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: egnews@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg EMS seeks drivers By Janice Barniak Gibson County EMS ser- vice will look to hire certified first responders as drivers at $12 an hour, pending a consult with the county attorney and insurance to see if they have to be at a higher level to drive. According to EMS director David Pond, the EMS service is still struggling with staff- ing. "I don't know how much lon- ger this is going to be going on," Pond said. He hopes the county will be able to take on the certified first responders and support them as they train into more skilled positions eventually. County looks at renovation to house magistrate By Janice Barniak Proposed Courthouse reno- vations would give new mag- istrate Roman Ricker a court- room and chambers, and re- home the probation depart- ment while their building is under construction, but the County Council worries an- other project would strain an already-stretched building im- provement fund. Magistrate Ricker has been working out of the other judg- es' courtrooms, but the judi- cial system would be more ef- ficient if he had his own space. Ricker also needs cham- bers attached to that space, said Judge Jeff Meade, for safety reasons. Ricker sees high-emotion cases, where parents are sep- arated from their children be- cause they are under the influ- ence. Many show up under the influence or having just with- drawn from using. "That's why we took their kids," he said. In that case, having the magistrate exit the court- room with the people whose children he just separated would not necessarily be safe for him. The council agreed with safety concerns, but had their own financial concerns as well. "There's a giant building getting built on Emerson Street we're building now, and the cumulative building fund is taking massive hits," said Councilman Derek Mc- Graw, referring to the jail proj- ect. He added there would be an estimated $500,000 left in the fund—if and only if the probation building comes in on budget. Many municipali- ties are seeing skyrocketing building costs. "Can we build this massive jail, then get probationary built and evaluate? " he asked. The judges and county at- torney Jason Spindler dis- cussed the importance of getting started. The coun- cil suggested instead getting the design/move started, but out of probational users fees — court fees people who use the court system pay in. "Moving them is moot if we don't know a dollar fig- ure on the reconstruction. If it's going to exceed our bud- get, we're in trouble," McGraw said, before agreeing to using the fees to at least get a total estimate and get started. Judges ask for $5K increase; council looks at fairness By Janice Barniak Gibson County judges have requested an additional $5,000 pay supplement from probational user fees, but the council tabled the motion to look at the costs. Judges already have state-mandated pay increases that were 3.3 percent in 2020, another 2.5 percent in 2021, at a time when county work- ers are seeing lesser raises be- tween 25 and 50 cents per year. Judges elected before Me- ade and Krieg received the supplement, which doesn't cost the county because it comes from people using the court system. A majority of Indiana counties pay a sup- plement. The supplement is also available to the prosecutor's/ public defender's offices. "I think, Judge, as a group we all appreciate everything you guys have done for us," said Councilman Craig Pflug. "It's kind of hard to say we're only going to give 25 cents or 50 cents to county employees, but give an additional $5,000 on top of a 3.3 or a 2.5 percent to you that they're not see- ing. That kind of says to me I should say no." Meade asked the council to consider the court's responsi- bilities. "It doesn't cost you any- thing...you're comparing ap- ples and oranges." The mat- ter was tabled until the De- cember meeting when the council will look at how many people would be eligible and the total costs. Gibson County remembers service By Janice Barniak Gibson County celebrated Veterans Day, originally a cel- ebration of Armistice Day, the end of World War I, now used as a day to thank anyone who served. On the courthouse square, keynote speaker and Navy vet Congressman Larry Bucshon spoke during a cold drizzle at the gazebo on the courthouse square. "Without veterans, the Unit- ed States would not be the country it is today," he said. "It's because of the sacrific- es of veterans that our unique freedoms in America, life, lib- erty and the pursuit of happi- ness, can happen." During a decade in the med- ical corps, Bucshon said his residency in the Veterans Ad- ministration showed him vet- erans need support after they return home. "Improving the service and care provided by the Veterans Administration is critical," he said, including the care of un- seen mental issues. Indiana has approximately 550,000 veterans and 52,000 receive disability or compen- sation payments. "This Veterans Day, I invite you to join me in thanking ev- eryone who has served our great nation," Bucshon said. Haubstadt American Legion carried multiple kinds of flags Thursday at Veterans Day on the courthouse square. Congressman Larry Bucshon was the keynote speaker at the county Veteran's Day presentation outside the courthouse. Cold rain punctuated Veterans Day ceremonies on the square Thursday. The county's oldest veteran at 100 years old, Bill McConnell served in Tunisia in World War II. He attended the ceremony with his daughter, who is also a veteran. Veteran Mike McConnell, son of Bill McConnell, talks to George Pickersgill outside the courthouse gazebo on Veter- ans Day Thursday. Haubstadt American Legion carried multiple kinds of flags Thursday at Vet- erans Day on the courthouse square. Haubstadt's Helen Kiesel played each branch of service's theme song at the Vet- erans Day Ceremony, as well as "God Bless America." Cold rain punctuated Veterans Day ceremonies on the square Thursday. 83 HWY 231 S, JASPER 812-482-9696 WWW.HOPFOUTDOOR.COM 10 % all Kubota toys NOW THROUGH CHRISTMAS off