South Gibson Star-Times

Front Tuesday, December 13, 2022 South Gibson Star-Times A-2 Independent Insurance Agent 812-483-4670 • Haubstadt • bill.yarbor@twc.com CALL: Bill Yarbor Are You Adequately Covered? A new year means changes to Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays and benefi ts! Bill Yarbor, experienced insurance agent can help you make sure you are adequately covered. Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part-D prescription drug plans. Tax Preparation for Individuals & Businesses Walter Arnett CPA, PC 102 N. First Ave., Princeton 812-385-4431 walterarnettcpa.com OWENSVILLE CHRISTMAS MARKET County engineer receives state recognition The Indiana Association of County Commissioner (IACC) announce that Gib- son County Highway Engi- neer Matt Holden is IACC's "2022 Outstanding Coun- ty Highway Engineer of the Year." The award recogniz- es Matt for his contributions made to county government throughout his years of pub- lic service. Holden received his Bach- elor of Science Degree in Civ- il Engineering from the Uni- versity of Evansville. He has been his County's Engineer since 2017. As a licensed PE, he still participates in the LTAP Road Scholar program of- fered to continue his educa- tion. He has served as the 2022 Vice President of the Indiana Association of County High- way Engineers and Supervi- sors. He is responsible for more than 1800 miles of roadway and 253 bridges. He has been an import- ant part of maintaining the pavement conditions of 96% at Fair or Better and bridge ratings of 93% at Fair or Bet- ter condition. Working with the GIS di- rector, they were able to cre- ate a mapping program to en- able planning for future proj- ects. He is the Employee of Re- sponsible Charge for all Lo- cal Public Agency projects. He maintains his A class CDL which enables him to help when needed. He is hands-on, ensuring projects are completed prop- erly and on time. He has voluntarily spent many hours involved in ma- ny projects that have en- hanced and moved the coun- ty forward. One of the proj- ects he was instrumental in is the new Hopkins Park. The land was donated by a local family, and he helped spear- head the group to get it de- veloped in a short time. Since taking the lead, there is now a lake, walking trails, play- ground, shelters, bathroom facilities, etc. and continued enhancements. He has been to Commis- sioner and Council meetings reporting on current and fu- ture projects. He explains time expectations of Coun- ty and State highway con- struction projects, closures and detours. The elected of- ficials in his county look to him for guidance and he al- ways delivers. His nomination stated, "We are very grateful having him as a part of our county workforce." Holden received his Bach- elor of Science Degree in Civ- il Engineering from the Uni- versity of Evansville. He has been his County's Engineer since 2017. The achievement award was presented during the IACC's 2022 Annual Confer- ence, the largest gathering of County Commissioners in the state. Commissioners table Princeton apartment project By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com In a split 2-1 vote, commis- sioners tabled a project to create a road into an apart- ment complex in Princeton. In a November meet- ing, Princeton Mayor Greg Wright requested help to create a road for an apart- ment complex, adding devel- oper Wayne Kinney would do- nate the land, but wanted the city to build, own and main- tain the road. According to Wright in the November meeting, the city of Princeton's population has not changed significantly due in part to the inavailability of housing. The project would add 130 town homes and 144 apart- ments, potentially increasing Princeton's population by 800 people. Kinney is the same in- vestor who built Train Station Apartments in Fort Branch. The road project would be 2,300 feet of pavement at a cost of $4 million, $1 million of which the city had raised already. In November, the commis- sioners voted 2-1, with War- ren Fleetwood in dissent, to pass the project to redevelop- ment at the $2 million level. "A fter further study...it seems like a decent project, but if we use funds from our county TIF for this private de- veloper or city of Princeton roads, that means we're also taking money from county cit- izens' roads where that mon- ey could be used," said Com- missioner Warren Fleetwood. "I think we need to do right by the entire county. I'm just con- cerned about that. If we start redistributing the TIF funds to the city of Princeton, I don't feel like that's fair to the coun- try folks in Patoka, and Union Township folks who have had to pay taxes into that...People outside the city limits have road needs too." He suggested the city es- tablish a bond fund, wouldn't be out so much money up front. He said the commis- sioners would meet with the city and talk more about the project. The motion was 2-1 in fa- vor of tabling, with Commis- sioner Mary Key against ta- bling. If passed, the redevel- opment commission would have looked at the project in their December meeting. "Eight hundred new cit- izens will increase popula- tion by 10 percent in one fell swoop," Wright told commis- sioners in November touting more students in the schools, more customers in local busi- nesses, and a positive impact on property taxes. Matt Holden was honored with a statewide award. Pictured from top: Tumbler makers Jennifer and David Williams shared a booth with painter Kim Melton in Town Hall during the Ow- ensville Market Saturday. Rod Douglas worked at the former F&M Hardware while writing his Christ-era histor- ical fiction story every night, with the help of his dog, Ru- by. He sold copies of the book during a Christmas Market in Owensville on Saturday. Sisters Mary Holcomb and Nancy Marshall, along with Gibson Southern student Au- tumn Scott sold their hand- made items at the entrance of the Chapter Two building during the Christmas Market in Owensville Saturday. Sarah Tindle worked in her mother's booth at the Owens- ville market Saturday selling doll accessories and 3D print- ed items. Lisa and Anna Williams sold handmade soaps and related items in Town Hall during the Owensville Christmas Market Saturday. Sonya, Trista and Taliyah Teel sold treats Saturday at the Owensville Christmas Market. While Teel's coffee and choco- late store has closed in Princ- eton, she's constructing a re- tail and wedding venue called Shinnyville Hill on her Owens- ville property.

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