The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1473974
Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg LOCAL The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, July 20, 2022 A-3 Pike County Council to do evaluation of high property taxes By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Pike County Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, July 12, to start a Property Tax versus Income Tax Study with Baker Tilly to see what can be done about the high property taxes that Pike County resi- dents face. "We (Pike County) are highest in proper ty taxes due to a dip in assessed val- ues," Jon Craig, President of the Pike County Council, said. "It causes an obstacle for outside investors." The council discussed having an evaluation done to see what they can do to lower proper- ty taxes but potentially raise income taxes, which are currently considered ver y low compared to other coun- ties at .75 percent. Once the council receives the results of the study, they will evalu- ate their options. The Pike County Highway Department asked for addi- tional appropriations in the amount of $54,800 for work needed on the Branch Lick Creek Bridge. Pike County Highway Superintendent Josh Byrd told the council that the bridge has a three-ton weight limit, which causes issues for truck drivers, along with a lot of structure problems, rust, and holes. The council approved the request unani- mously. Byrd also spoke to the council about purchasing a new paver machine for the county after the last one caught fire recently. "A hy- draulic line went out and blew oil all over the motor and street and there was no way to put it out," Byrd said. "We are going to file an insurance claim and will get $26,000 with a $1,000 deductible and the insurance will pay $5,000 if we rent a machine. I found a machine for $85,000 that will work for us." Byrd said it was important to get the grant moving and that for what the county does as far as paving goes, a cheap- er model would work fine, compared to the $193,000 oth- er option he had looked at. The council approved Byrd to move for ward with the pur- chase of the paving machine for $85,000 and agreed to approve additional appropria- tions at the next meeting after advertising such. County Clerk Lana Griffith spoke requested an additional appropriation of $6,500 to pay the Election Day Vote Center Boards (Inspector, Judges and Pool Clerks) for the 2022 General Election. Griffith said the amount approved during the 2022 Budget Review Hear- ings were only enough to cov- er the 2022 Primar y Election Day Vote Center Boards. The council approved Griffith's re- quest unanimously. The next Pike County Council meeting will be 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 9t at the Pike County Courthouse. The 2023 Budget Hearings will begin following the regular meeting on August 9. Hodges mural to be updated with HOF honor unveiling on July 30 The Gil Hodges Mural in Petersburg will be updated to reflect the hometown hero's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mural Ar tist and Petersburg High School graduate Randall Hedden has been working on updates in his Mesa, Arizona studio and will be in Peters- burg to update the mural after the Cooperstown induction ceremony. The updates will include the addition of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Logo and a plaque commemorat- ing the Dodgers and Mets great's enshrinement. The 52' x 16' mural was erect- ed and dedicated in 2009. The project was meant to celebrate all of Gil's accom- plishments and bring aware- ness to the campaign for his election to baseball's highest honor. The updated mural will be revealed in ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30. The mural is located at the corner of Ninth and Main Streets. In addition to on-street parking, additional parking is available at the Pike County Court- house. For out-of-town visitors and Hodges fans, access will be available to view the Gil Hodg- es bust in the Pike County Courthouse following the un- veiling. If schedules allow, mem- bers of the Hodges family may be present. Those wish- ing to meet the ar tist and join in the celebration are welcome to join the group for a luncheon at Randy's Americana Café following the event. Petersburg Mayor R.C. Klipsch has similarly ar- ranged the updated inscrip- tion to the stone monument at the Gil Hodges Bridge at the White River on State Road 57. No festivities will take place at the bridge due to current con- struction activities. Pike Central welcomes new band director By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Andrew Bunker has been named Director of Bands at Pike Central High School. "Growing up in Evans- ville, Indiana and graduating from Evansville Central High School, I left to pursue my love for music and teaching at The University of Ala- bama," Bunker said. "There, I participated in The Million Dollar Band for four years, three of which I was a section leader. I also participated in musical activi- ties off the field, being a mem- ber of the Symphonic band as well. In both these activities, I got to travel the countr y per- forming and learning from a multitude of professional mu- sicians and teachers. In part of my degree, I completed a semester-long internship." Bunker felt ver y fortunate to teach at two ver y presti- gious schools in the Birming- ham area, Pizitz Middle School, and Oak Mountain High School. "With my degree behind me, I am excited to come back to Indi- ana and teach full-time," Bun- ker said. The Pike County School Corporation would like to welcome Andrew Bunker as the new Director of Bands at Pike Central. Bunker felt ver y fortunate to teach at two ver y prestigious schools in the Birming- ham area, Pizitz Middle School, and Oak Mountain High School. "With my degree behind me, I am excited to come back to Indiana and teach full time," Bunker said. WITH THIS RING... NEWS BRIEFS IN 15 Regional Planning Commission meeting canceled Indiana 15 Regional Plan- ning Commission has can- celed the July 28 meeting of the Executive Board. Ad- vance notice will be sent for the next scheduled meeting. 50th Wedding Anniversary John and Mar y (Weiss) Muncy, of Princeton cele- brated their 50th wedding anniversar y. They were married July 15, 1972 at Holy Cross Church. They have three sons, Brian (DD), Shane (Whitney), Chase (Meghann) Muncy, and nine grandchildren. American Legion Auxillary gifts veterans Sandra McCoobs and Angie Robling with the Winslow American Legion Auxillar y took gift bags to all the veterans in Pike County nursing homes on Monday afternoon. Robling said it was a way for them to show their appreciation for the veterans' ser vice to their countr y. Above, McCoombs and Robling talk with Gaylord Ashcraft after giving him a gift bag. Your #1 Choice for Orthopedic Excellence Grant Story, PA and Erin Sievers, PA are now offering same-day appointments in Vincennes and Washington for immediate orthopedic care needs. For decades, Good Samaritan has provided the highest quality orthopedic care. Our success and reputation as an award-winning orthopedic center of excellence can be attributed to the dedication of our physicians, specialists and staff. Our team is committed to providing each patient with exceptional attention and care. Same-Day Appointments Now Available Vincennes Orthopedics at Good Samaritan 520 S. Seventh Street, Vincennes, IN Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Cullen Medical Professionals 2005 State Street, Washington, IN Wednesday 520 S. 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