The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1473058
A-2 Wednesday, July 13, 2022 The Press-Dispatch (town's agreement with Pato- ka Fire Department) we don't have any money in our bud- get, we are at the mercy of our claims," said Brewster. "We have already made a motion and agreed the sale would go for community im- provements," said Council President Debra Lamb. "Those are community improvements. . . If Patoka would choose to back out of the agreement then we don't have a fire department," said Brewster. "This is not what we agreed to when we put the things up for auction. We already agreed to put the money into the com- munity," said Lamb. "Can you show me in the minutes where we voted on that?" asked Brewster. Lamb said she could, but she would have to go back through the minutes. "I have a motion on the ta- ble," said Brewster. "I don't think we can disre- gard when we have committed to in the past with a motion,"- said Lamb. "I know what I want to do with the money. I want to see park improvements and play- ground improvements on this end of town," said Lamb. She added, "I want Dee (Fiscus) to have a chance to see what she wants to do with the money," said Lamb. She then asked if there was a sec- ond to Brewster's motion. "As being a new board mem- ber, this resolution was put in way before my time. I would like to see all paper motions before I get a decision. That is the way I feel. I don't want to step into something, if we have a resolution over there. I haven't seen paper work on it. I want to see paper work in black and white, before I make a decision on anything," said Fiscus. Lamb said she wanted to add playground equipment to an area near the fire department building so there was some- thing on that end of town. "We have more kids in this town with nothing to do. Par- ents have to put them in a car and take them to Petersburg to play ball, go to a splash park or a playground," said Karen Marshall. "We have a playground, but nothing on this end of town," said Lamb. Lamb also said they need to improve the parking at the baseball park. She said peo- ple are backing out and little kids are running and playing where people are parked. Lamb said she wanted input from the council and commu- nity members on what they how they should spend the $65,000. "Brewster has a valid point on the community building. There is potential in that build- ing, but it needs money," said Barr y Parker, who is running for town council. Lamb said they have other sources of revenue that can be used for the Community Center including: Econom- ic Development Income Tax revenue, money in the Mar vin Snyder fund and the Marilee Hume fund as well was cu- mulative capital development funds that can be used on the Community Center. "So there are some funds to draw from," said Lamb. The matter is to be brought up at the next council meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, July 25 in Town Hall. In other business, Animal Control Officer Billy Marshall said he has run out of room to store more cats. Marshall and town officials met at the build- ing where they hold animals to see if they can make more room. "I'm getting hammered by people. I had six cat com- plaints last week and I have where to put them," said Mar- shall. Lamb said Public Works Superintendent Torez Baham was tied up last week because he "is getting hammered about potholes on Mariah and Union Sts. He got those patched." Baham said they started working on moving things out of the building they work from, and cleaning it up so they can move things out of the animal holding building to make room for more cats. But he said it would take a few days. Lamb said the town is spending lots of resources on the cat problem, but it is a problem that is being created by the community. "Our com- munity members really need to start taking responsibility for their cats and Pike County needs to come up with a Hu- mane Society. Marshall said he was able to take 29 cats to the Evansville Vanderburgh County Humane Society. The council also voted to pay the claims which amount- ed to $144,373.05. Lamb announced there is a planning meeting for the Winslow Fall Festival at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 in the Old Town Hall and the public is in- vited to attend. New events scheduled for this year's 4-H Fair By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net With the Pike County Fair just around the corner, start- ing Sunday, July 24 and ending on Saturday, July 30, there are plenty of new events planned for the event. Project check-in for the fair begins on Thursday, July 21, from 5-8 p.m., Friday, July 22, from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., and judg- ing of the projects will take place on Saturday, July 23. The Press-Dispatch will be at the 4-H Exhibit Building on Monday, July 25 to take pic- tures of the Grand Champions of those who entered projects, from 1-2:30 p.m. One new event this year that has Pike County Purdue Extension Educator Brooke Goble is excited is the "Book to Barn," event. The county received a grant from Purdue to bring more reading to the community. "This event will be for kids ages 3-5 years old," Goble said. "There will be stor y time, a snack, craft, and a barn tour of the featured an- imal. The kids will also get a copy of the book featured that day. 4-H youth will then bring out the featured animal and talk about how they take care of it and other informa- tion about their animal. I'm really excited about this new program." Book to Bar n will take place T uesday, July 26, from 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, from 2-3 p.m. and Thursday, July 28, from 10- 11 a.m. in the Junior Lead- er's stand. Family Fun Night with free parking will be Wednes- day, July 27. Events include a corn hole tournament begin- ning at 6 p.m., old fashioned fair games, a water slide and bounce house. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will have a bike safety program also from 6:30-7:30 p.m. There will also be a Mullet Contest for kids, teens, men and ladies at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27. On Thursday, July 28, there will be pre-events for the Lon- estar Rodeo, beginning at 6:30 p.m., that include Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl for kids 10 years old and un- der, a Kids Gold Rush, also for kids 10 years old and under, and Rode Clown & Barrelman Mighty Mike. The Lonestar Renegade Tour will begin at 7 p.m. The Livestock Auction will be Friday, July 29 at 6 p.m., with animals released immedi- ately after. Pike County Fair's biggest event takes place on Friday, July 29 which brings the ev- er-popular Demolition Derby, at the Amphitheater, begin- ning with registration from 4-6:30 p.m. and the Derby starting at 7 p.m. New this year will be the Mud Bogs on Saturday, July 30, beginning at 11 a.m. with Mud Bogs Power Wheels, ATV's, Side by Sides, and Tr ucks all throughout the day. Free Carnival rides will be offered Thursday, July 28 through Saturday, July 30, running from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. each of those featured nights, thanks to the sponsor- ship of Pike County Farm Bu- reau, Inc. and AES. "We had volunteers many years ago who saw parents not able to afford the rides," Goble said. "It's a great opportunity for families to just pay the $5 parking fee and they get rides for free." Goble said that this year they focused more on the kids and their 4-H experi- ence, holding more work- shops and learning oppor- tunities for 4-H members. "We've increased the num- ber of 4-H members and volunteers this year," Goble said. "We have 140 members this year." Throughout fair week there will be pageants to see, animal shows to enjoy, free music, games and the always popular fair food. On Sunday, July 31, the 4-H Open Class Project check out and fairgrounds Clean-Up Day will take place. "Our kids have worked really hard this year and we have some great new families, Goble said. "With COVID, we weren't able to get into the schools, so I'm glad to see 4-H growing. We're hoping to go to the schools more this year. To see the full schedule of events for the Pike Coun- ty Fair, see Page B3 The Press-Dispatch. length of service receive 17 days each year. Those with two-four years service receive 22 days per year. Employees with five to 11 years service receive 27 days, and employ- ees with 12 and over years receive 32 days per year. If an employee has not used all PTO earned for the current year, they may carr y over 10 days to be added to their "banked" time. Once a full-time employee has worked for the coun- ty for five years, they are allowed to sell back PTO days at dif ferent amounts, depending on their length of ser vice. For 24-hour depar tments, full time em- ployees who have worked for the county for two years may begin to sell back PTO days at dif ferent amounts, depending on their length of ser vice. The new PTO policy will go into ef fect beginning Januar y 1, 2023. In other business, com- missioners approved a vehi- cle policy which requires all county employees to follow a strict vehicle policy, outlined in detail in the meetings, and if a vehicle is involved in an accident, all repairs have to go before the commissioners before any are done. "I think we need to do this due to many accidents not worth claiming on the insur- ance issues," commissioner Jeff Nelson said. The commissioners ap- proved additional appropri- ations for the Pike County Highway Department to purchase a new paver for $193,000, and said Superin- tendent Josh Byrd was in Ken- tucky checking on a possible paver to replace the one that caught fire recently and that they should know something within a day. An additional appropriation of $14,000 was also requested for mandated signage throughout the coun- ty, which was approved by commissioners. Pike County E911 requested a transfer for $300 to cover the cost of a failed monitor, which was approved unanimously. No COVID updates were provided by the Pike County Health Department. The next Pike County Commissioner's meeting will be 8:30 a.m. Monday, August 1, at the Pike County Court- house. DIFFER Continued from page 1 TIME Continued from page 1 He said the final step will be to get the markings put in place. "We hope to have this wrapped up by September, but that depends on the weather," said Brian. The detour for the work has been White River Ave- nue to Har vest Lane, which has 90 degree tur ns that ar- en't wide enough for semi- tr uck traf fic. Tr ucks get- ting stuck in the area have been regular occur rence that blocks traf fic and cre- ates a nightmare for the residents along the detour. Truckers getting caught in the area face up to a $1,000 fine. PROJECT Continued from page 1 Farmers market is open The Farmers Market is open and running each Saturday morning. It is typically open from 9 a.m. to noon on Eighth St. in Petersburg next to the courthouse. Above, Rhonda Robinette calculates the charge for Myrna Jenkins and her husband Bertis on a recent Saturday morning. Lane restrictions on US50 near Vincennes US 50 near Vincennes will have lane restrictions begin- ning Tuesday, July 12. The Indiana Department of Transportation said be- ginning on or around Tues- day July 12, crews will begin work to replace two culverts along US 50 just west of Vin- cennes. West bound traffic of US 50 will be restricted near Old US 50. This will allow for crews to replace a culvert. Restrictions to east bound traffic will follow near SE County Road 200 E. This restriction will allow for an- other culvert to be replaced. Both restrictions are ex- pected to re-open within the week depending on weather. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews. FINANCING PLANS AVAILABLE Maintain your comfort year-round with HVAC sales and service from your local Bryant ® dealer. We offer energy-efficient hea ng and air condi oning systems. Whatever It Takes ® whatever T H E T E M P E R AT U R E O U T S I D E . M A I N TA I N I N G Y O U R C O M F O R T UP TO $50 REBATE for Heat Pump Check from WIN Energy UP TO $25 REBATE for Gas Furnace Check from CenterPoint Energy 905 Vincennes Ave., Petersburg