The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1432310
B-6 Wednesday, November 24, 2021 The Press-Dispatch 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 What's in a name? YMCA moniker stirs controversy By Janice Barniak While Princeton is definitely get- ting a YMCA, as the project is fund- ed at just over $14 million, residents are questioning a name they say was decided outside taxpayer input, on a project with more than $13 million of public money invested. Cecil "Bob" Allen told commis- sioners he wondered how the YM- CA agreed to naming the facility, which will be in a former Princeton elementary school, the "Toyota In- diana YMCA." Toyota Motor Manufacturing did use that name when announcing a $1 million contribution to the proj- ect, and the name is also listed as that at YMCAswin.org/princeton/, but Allen said with taxpayers con- tributing $13.2 million through TIF dollars, he and others believe Gib- son County YMCA would be more appropriate. "As I said, Patoka Township and Union Township put up a lot of mon- ey for that project to be pushed aside," said Allen. "Toyota has been very good to our county. I'm just say- ing it's time for the Gibson Coun- ty taxpayers to get recognized for what they're doing...TIF money is our money, we're the ones paying that money in." According to Gibson Commission- ers' attorney Jason Spindler, the YM- CA meeting where a decision like that was made was likely not a pub- lic meeting. "You raise a good point. I'm not sure who authorized that decision... it was not me," said Commissioner Warren Fleetwood, who said the project moved forward as the Gibson County YMCA. "We have a phenom- enal relationship with Toyota Man- ufacturing of Indiana...bottom line, we feel they're a great partner." Redevelopment Board Member Larry Michel said he was blindsided by the name and had received calls about it. (The redevelopment board is the board that approved the $13.2 million). "I thought we might have heard from the YMCA. Now that they got the money, we're like stepchildren," Allen said. Commissioner Mary Key volun- teered to reach out to the YMCA and ask about the decision. "I'll reach out to them and say we have some concerns, and would someone come and explain," she said. "You might earn your money," quipped Allen. Neighbors oppose road closure around Somerville mine By Janice Barniak Peabody Coal Mine in Somerville plans, according to its neighbors, to close a road that would send neigh- bors miles out of their way. Commissioner Kenneth Montgomery said he's had two calls about a potential road closure, and residents believe a new road needs to be built between CR 1225 and CR 550 S. "They're going to close that road off. All them peo- ple along Lynnville Park will have to go miles around," said Montgomery. He said he was also con- cerned about the ability of the fire department to get to the residents. He will ask the company to come to the De- cember meeting, he said. Commissioner Mary Key said the county would need to first look at any existing agreements they'd had with the coal mine before closure. On the other hand, the Somerville mine closure in October 2019 ended 120 Gib- son County coal mining jobs, with the company citing an "unfavorable economic cli- mate." A petition at Change.org also garnered 2,909 signa- tures from machine enthu- siasts to save the Bucyrus Erie 2570W Walking Drag- line called "Big Kate," whose shovel alone is roughly the size of a garage. Peabody's Somerville Mine, center, which has been closed since October 2019, has started to show signs of life again, but one measure, a road closure, has neighbors upset about detours that could take them miles out of the way. Barton Township Elementary Barton Township Elementary School hosted a Veterans Day program on November 11. The program was led by Mrs. Susan Smith's sixth grade class. Spelling bee winners were: Ireland Tkacz, third place, Dylan Deppe, first place, Chris- tian Tkacz, second place. Barton Township Elementary hosted their spelling bee on November 17. Pictured are, from left: Carly Schoo- nover, Jerry Hurt, Gavin Strickland, Richard Gillihan, Harper Gray, Lexi Sandifar, Ireland Tkacz, Dylan Deppe, Christian Tkacz and Presley Heichelbech. SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19 VARSITY Wood Memorial (35) Blacklock 2 0 -0 0 5, Speictter 1 1-0 4 2, Page 0 0 -0 2 0, Sevier 5 2-0 0 10, Shoultz 1 2-2 4 4, Page 4 3-2 4 10, Schwomeyer 2 0 -0 2 4. Totals 15 8 -4 16 35. Three-pointers: one by Blacklock Pike Central (39) Brailey Mills 4 6 -6 2 15, Kahle Young 2 3-2 3 8, Anna Whitehead 0 0 -0 1 0, Kya Sullivan 3 6 -2 1 8, Delaney Welch 1 1-0 1 2, Shelby Mead- ows 0 0 -0 1 0, Hailey Parker 1 0 -0 1 2, Mallory Hunt 1 4-2 4 4. Totals 12 20 -12 14 39. Three-pointers: 3 (Mills 1, Young 2) Score by quarters WM 8 13 12 2 PC 11 11 9 8 JUNIOR VARSITY Wood Memorial (8) Blacklock 1 0 -0 2 2, Page 2 0 -0 2 4, Melidith 0 0 -0 1 0, Frederick 1 0 -0 1 2. Totals 4 0 -0 5 8. Pike Central (12) Ashlynn Kirk 0 0 -0 1 0, Shelby Meadows 0 2- 1 1 1, ruby Sallee 0 0 -0 1 0, Emma Hunt 0 2-2 2 2, Anna Whitehead 3 2-2 0 9. Totals 7 6 -5 5 12. Three-pointers: one made by Whitehead. Score by quarters WM 6 2 PC 8 4 LADY TROJANS EDGED BY PIKE CENTRAL Josie Page, Trojan sophomore, takes a jump shot during the Lady Trojans' varsity game against Pike Central on Friday, November 19. Allison Keeker, Trojan freshman, guards a Lady Charger as she brings the ball down the court during the Lady Trojans' junior varsity game against Pike Central on Friday, November 19. Trojan sophomore Emilee Cullum wins the tip at the beginning of the junior varsity game against Pike Central on Friday, November 19.