The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/68821
Brasher wins 'Mayor For A Day' essay contest B-8 would be a mayor who is "the most connected to her community as well as its people" and that along with what she wants to do won her first place in the Pe- tersburg "If I Were Mayor" contest for 2012. The contest is held annu- Emily Brasher said she ally and allows sixth grad- ers the opportunity to ex- press their views on how to make their community a better place. The program started as an initiative by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and Pike Central Middle School has previously boasted two dif- ferent statewide winners. That statewide contest was eliminated this year, but with the sponsorship of Mayor Jon Craig, the local contest continued. All PCMS sixth graders bike trails around the park so kids can not only have fun but get plenty of exer- cise. There would be easy trails for younger children and more difficult ones for the experienced riders. I would also make an area de- signed for skateboarding and kids who want to roll- erblade. I would construct a huge building to let kids and adults play sports in the winter or when it's rain- ing outside. This building would have soccer goals, basketball goals, batting cages, and baseball and softball fields. This build- ing could also be used for birthday parties or commu- nity events. I would also build a public were eligible, regardless of whether they lived in Pe- tersburg, Winslow, Arthur, Union, or Algiers. And each was encouraged to write about their own commu- nity, no matter how big or how small. The essays were scored simply on the ideas presented and how the stu- dent had thought through the implementation of their vision. Many students wrote about park improvements, and the need for entertain- ment and shopping desti- nations. The most frequent visions involved Taco Bell, Wal-Mart, and skate parks, according to Mayor Craig. Many also talked about I-69 and what they would do to promote Pike County. An- imal control, cleaning up neighborhoods and prop- erties, and recycling were also popular topics. Brasher, the first place and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. The place winners are: (l to r) First Place Emily Brasher, Second Place Erica Newkirk, Third Place Lincoln Vaughn and Fourth Place Maria Cezares with Peters- burg Mayor Jon Craig. These PCMS sixth grade students were awarded gift certificates from the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. The "Mayor for the Day" contest was sponsored this year by the City of Petersburg, Mayor Jon Craig Wednesday, June 6, 2012 The Press-Dispatch swimming pool where kids could relax and cool off with their friends in the summer. The pool would have several diving boards, multiple wa- ter slides, and a baby pool. The pool would also offer swimming lessons to kids who want to learn how to swim. This would encour- age kids from other towns to visit our community too. Last, I want to make our town a cleaner place to live. I would establish a recy- cling program that makes recycling mandatory for all the citizens of Petersburg. People would be given re- cycling tubs and a truck would come twice a week to pick up the recycle items. The schools and business- es would also participate in this program. All of these upgrades will winner, received a $25 Pike County Chamber of Com- merce Gift Certificate that is good at various Cham- ber member locations. The second place winner, Eri- ca Newkirk, received a $15 certificate. Lincoln Vaughn finished in third place and received a $10 certificate. Fourth place went to Ma- ria Cazares and fifth to Cass Conder. Honorable Mention cer- in order): Quentin Tharp, Morgan Whann, Jalah Barnes, Taylor Deffendoll, Allison Edrington, Brook Nalley, Hunter Sullivan, Madison Dischinger, Payton Simmons, Halie Gladish, Silas Goff and Dayla Pride. They are with Mayor Jon Craig. The Honorable Mention certificates for the Mayor for a Day contest went to the following students (not I would be the mayor most connected to her communi- ty as well as its people. The first order I would attend to would be the absence of entertainment. The town's people of Petersburg find it very difficult that they have to drive a minimum of twen- ty minutes just to eat at a nice restaurant, or do some shopping. In order to change this lack of amusement, in Pe- tersburg, there are many empty lots, with nothing to occupy them. I would plan to put entertaining, yet very educational facil- ities in these lots, perhaps an interactive museum. The second order I would attend to would be educa- tion! The students need more ways to express them- selves, besides sports. Be- cause many students are in- to theatrical arts, but have to wait several years just tificates went to the fol- lowing students: Quentin Tharp, Morgan Whann, Jalah Barnes, Taylor Def- fendoll, Allison Edring- ton, Brook Nalley, Hunt- er Sullivan, Madison Dis- chinger, Payton Simmons, Halie Gladish, Silas Goff and Dayla Pride. The top three essays are: By Emily Brasher If I were mayor for a day, to even try out for a play or skit, I would like to start a program that allows chil- dren from all races, ages, and cultures to participate, while learning the basic act- ing and performing skills in an enjoyable manner. Thirdly, as mayor I would like to build a separate road that goes around our coun- ty for only the coal miners to use. This way our roads would look nicer and over- all be cleaner. Also as mayor I would like to renovate and refur- nish the equipment at our local park. Some of the toys are rusted and not safe for smaller children to play on. Also at the park, I would like to rebuild the stage. On this stage, we could pro- vide entertainment, fund- raisers, and overall enjoy- ment of the park. These are just a few of the ize and discuss things that could be changed around the community. At the town meetings, we would also have votes for how we could improve the commu- nity. I would have these meetings at the Jordan Me- morial Park in Spurgeon. I would also talk to the lo- differences I would make if I were mayor to try to im- prove our community. Now don't get me wrong, this is a fine and dandy community; but you can never stop im- proving. By Erica Newkirk If I were the mayor of cal school corporation and ask for a schedule of all up- coming events, so that the children that live in town will have other ways of knowing when and what the upcoming events are. The list of events would be on the bulletin board at the Jordan Memorial Park. I would also make a homegrown tutoring site in town for students who need assistance in math, spelling, or other sub- jects. For the children of Spurgeon, I would also hold a game night every two weeks, for kids to socialize and play games. Spurgeon has a fire and Spurgeon, I would do many things to help maintain our town in a better way. Spur- geon has been my home for many years and it is a very nice town for a new couple or family to move into. Al- though Spurgeon is a love- ly town to live in, there are things I would change. The first thing I would do is bring the town togeth- er once a month to social- When "That will never happen to me" happens. Pell Insurance Agcy Inc Jim Pell, Agent Petersburg, IN 47567 Bus: 812-354-6038 612 East Main Street Pell Insurance Agcy Inc 612 East Main Street Petersburg, IN 47567 Bus: 812-354-6038 www.JimPellAgency.com I'm ready to help. police department in town. Each month, I would have the fire and police depart- ment have meetings to dis- cuss any problems that may be relevant. I would also have them test out all si- rens on the ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and the weather siren. I would attend all meetings to be in- formed of the current mat- ters. I would try to bring new businesses into our town such as CVS or Dollar Gen- eral. I would also try to get a small restaurant in town. I would not want it to be a would want to change is the animal safety. There are constantly dogs and cats running around town, taunting passing cars to hit them. I would want to build a shelter house for the stray animals to be kept and fed. It would not be a pound but rather a care center. Mem- bers of the town would also be able to adopt animals out of the shelter. If I were mayor I would chain restaurant though. I would prefer just a little hole-in-the-wall place with good food and service. Another thing that I A&B Fire & Safety Amber Manor Nursing Home Arnold and Sarah Benner & Co. Plus Buchta Trucking Champion Financial, Inc –Lisa Clark change a few things but that doesn't mean I don't love the quaint, little town of Spurgeon. By Lincoln Vaughn If I were mayor of Pe- tersburg, I would do many things that would benefit the town. I would create a town that people would want to live, work, and play in. First, I would make Pe- tersburg's downtown look nicer by putting a new coat- ing of paint on all of the buildings on Main Street. I would also add beautiful landscaping all through the town with fountains and benches for people to sit and enjoy the view. Next, I would focus on Clark's Home Improvement Computer Plus/Radio Shack Country Junction Craig Auction Service Deaconess Medical Group Petersburg Delightful Bites Food Truck Double J Collision Center Doug Glass Services Dr. Clint Shoultz / Wabash Valley Eye Center Eckert Industrial Supply Edward Jones Investments Ernie's Package Store Evans and Son RV Sales Ficklin Auto Supply Fish Hut making Petersburg a bet- ter place for kids. I would add more playground equip- ment at Hornady park so that kids of all ages can have fun. I would make sure it has plenty of equip- ment even for kids with dis- abilities. I would design Four Star Fabricators Friends Bar and Grill German American Bank German American Insurance Golden Living Center Goody's Lawn Service Harris Funeral Home Harris Realty LTD Harting Studio Home Building Savings Bank Hoosier Energy Howard L. Dunigan DDS Indianapolis Power and Light Company When "That will never happen to me" happens. GET TO A BETTER STATE® I know it's only a birthday, as fun as it can be. I'm ready to help. There's never a good time for an accident to happen. But when it does, you can count on me to be there quickly so you can get your life back to normal. GET TO A BETTER STATE CALL ME TODAY. There's never a good time for an accident to happen. But when it does, you can count on me to be there quickly so you can get your life back to normal. . CALL ME TODAY ™ . But to me it is another year of joy you bring to me. Happy Birthday to Beverly From, Ron Industrial Tools J & S Auto Service Jackson Automotive Jasper Bolt and Screw Company Jasper Electric Motors Jasper Engines & Transmissions Jasper Industrial Supply Jasper NAPA Jasper Walmart Jay-C Food Store Jim's Auto and Glass Joe Mama's Pizza JOFCO International John's Auto Care K & M Winslow Liquors LLC Kiwanis Club Leighty's Trading Post Lynnville National Bank Marge's Hallmark Mahoney Law Office Main Street Motors Martin's Used Cars Mi Patio 1101204.1 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL Midwest Steel help our town of Petersburg and the environment we live in. With all of this, we can attract people to come to Petersburg and make our town a better place to live. That's what I would do, if I were mayor. Thanks to our Trophy A Special Sponsors... Mike's Truck and Trailer Miller Hardware Minnis Limestone Inc. Moore Designs Unlimited Moose Lodge No. 423 Smokehouse BBQ Onyett Fabricators, Inc. Onyett Welding Inc. Old National Bank –Arthur Branch Organ Battery Outfitters Station in Memory of John Gieselman PC 1 Stop Pell State Farm Insurance Performance Auto Petersburg Business Professional Services Petersburg Hardware Pike County Farm Bureau Inc. Powers Motor Parts Preferred Auto & Towing Ridao HVAC & Auto Riverside Grill Schell Auto & Salvage Shears Shoultz Construction Silk Designs Sisson Steel Snider Body Shop Solar Sources Solutions Hair Studio 5 Star Mining Sternberg Ford Studio 603 Sturgeon Motors Sycamore Electronics T & E Welding, Inc. Thacker Tax Services The Ole Flower Shoppe TMI Contractors Tri-State Jax-Wax Tri-State Trophy Underground Resale Shop Val Fleig, Attorney VFW 3587 VFW Gaming Fund VFW Ladies Auxiliary Village Inn Veolia Environmental Services Voyles Subway W.W. Rauch, Attorney Whitehead Motors Willis and Company, P.C. 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