The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/888369
The Press-Dispatch Local Wednesday, October 18, 2017 A- 9 Fire prevention week Patoka Township Volunteer Firemen Jayme Kunz and Steven Owen explain the uses and needs for fire equipment, like pumpers and tankers, to Winslow Elementary School fifth graders. The equip- ment was at the school for all grades during fire prevention week. Captain Ethan Kunz and Richard McDowell were also on hand for the Patoka Township Fire Department presentation this past Tuesday morning. James Capozella photo Amber Manor wins top customer service award Amber Manor Care Cen- ter was the recipient of the 'Sweet Nebraska! ' award, Trilogy's top award in Cus- tomer Service. Trilogy Pres- ident and CEO Randall Buf- ford presented the award at the company's annual Fall Meeting on October 12 and 13 in Ft. Wayne. The award recognizes campuses that scored more than 9.75 out of 10 on their Customer Satisfaction Sur- veys, based on feedback from residents and fami- ly members. For the first time in company history, not one but three campuses received such high marks. Amber Manor Care Center received an overall score of 9.80 out of 10. "Everything we do at Am- ber Manor is for the bene- fit of those we serve," com- mented Cindi Lents, Execu- tive Director. I am proud to be a member of a team that is always willing to go the extra mile for our custom- ers." Randall Bufford, Pres- ident and CEO of Trilogy Health Services, comment- ed, "We are very proud of the entire team at Amber Manor. Their unwavering commitment to quality care and exceptional customer satisfaction embodies the mission and philosophy of Trilogy Health Services." "At Amber Manor Care Center and Trilogy Health Services, our culture serves as the foundation for every- thing that we do," comment- ed Rhonda Warner, Division- al Vice President for Trilo- gy's Southwest Indiana Di- vision. I commend Cindi and her team for being such ex- ceptional servant leaders." Alpha Delta Chapter accepts new members The Alpha Delta Chapter of Alpha Epsilon State, Del- ta Kappa Gamma Society In- ternational met at Harpers' Party Barn (home of Larry and Sue Harper) on October 3. The organization is a pro- fessional honor society for women educators. Alpha Delta Chapter rep- resents members who are presently teachers or retired teachers from Daviess, Pike, and Dubois counties. There was an initiation of Nancy Grannan and Rebec- ca Stuffle into membership. Janet Eaton, second vice- president, presided over the initiation ceremony. Ronet- ta Bough and Arlene Owens were reinstated as members by president Ruthanne Bur- khart. Guest speaker for the eve- ning was Elizabeth Schaffer. She gave a slideshow pre- sentation of Iceland. Eliz- abeth received a Lilly En- dowment Teacher Creativ- ity Fellowship and studied geothermal energy, geother- mal tectonic plates, renew- able energy and volcanic ac- tivity in Iceland. Following the business meeting, Ruthanne Bur- khart conducted a Celebra- tion of Life for Linda "Susie" Bresh, with the eulogy given by Connie Cresgy. The next meeting will be on Dec. 5 at the Iron Kettle in Plainville. Nancy Grannan and Rebecca Stuffle CARTS Continued from page 1 about safety in terms of car seats for youngsters and limiting speeds. Slaven was in agreement with all of the equipment requirements, but even more concerned about safety and en- forcement. He said he thought "more good will come out of this than bad" and that enforcement would have to prevail. He said the city would have to enforce whatever the rules and he would be in compliance or should be fined. Klipsch said he thought that there would not be that many carts registered with those stipulations, be- sides the limited access to city streets due to crossing of state Highways 57, 61 and 56. He said, "I don't think we will see many (carts) if they abide by the law." Leavitt questioned the safety of those riding on the back bench of a golf cart. The Washington ordinance spells out exactly what a golf cart is and that includes a place for clubs on the back of the cart. Slaven said that the carts he has seen all had the back- seat. Leavitt asked the question if it was dangerous for children to ride in the back, seatbelts or not, in case of a rear end collision. Slaven said he rides his grandson in the front seat beside him. Fran Lewis, who has a golf cart but does not plan on using it in any other way, brought up the question of driv- ing on Illinois Street and off-road vehi- cles in the county, and asked for stan- dards to be set. The question was can golf carts drive like registered off- road vehicles do on county roads. In an interview after the meeting, Baumgart said city streets are 25 MPH, which would be appropriate for golf carts. He said that a DNR off- road registration is good for off-road vehicles on county roads. He said a check with DNR would determine if a golf cart could be off-road licensed. Mahoney suggested further discus- sions were needed and Klipsch said they would "bring this up on another day" and look into it more and "get it right the first time." Slaven said a man showed interest in starting a cart repair shop in town should the use increase. He said it would be a welcome addition if a cart ordinance were passed, as well as a boon for the 100s of cart owners at Prides Creek Park, the golf course and in the community. A check with Pew Trusts indicated that golf cart accidents are akin to rid- ing a bike on city streets. The golf cart industry agrees that they should be operated on streets with speed limits of 25 MPH and that golf carts should be capable of running only about 20 MPH. Even low speed vehicles (L SV ) should not exceed 35 MPH. Some ar- ea towns allow side-by-sides, AT Vs and golf carts on city streets with var- ious restrictions. Haubstadt and Fort Branch in Gibson County both allow these types of vehicles and only ex- clude go-carts. Neither of those com- munities has a state highway running through the middle of town. Roughly half of the states have en- acted legislation that allows golf carts if a town or municipality desires and many are in warm climates and retire- ment communities. However, many communities across the country have cart ordinances in towns and cities like Petersburg. OTHER OLD BUSINESS Also under old business, Klipsch announced the City Fall Clean-Up Days, which are October 27 and 28. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oc- tober 27 and 9 a.m. to noon on Satur- day, October 28. The Fall Clean-Up Days will be held at the city garage now instead of the Little League field. The wood chipper will be located there and will elimi- nate moving the limbs twice. NEW BUSINESS The 2018 Holiday schedule was approved with no changes from last year and is the same as the county schedule, according to Clerk-Treasur- er Tammy Selby. The 2018 employee salary ordinance was tabled due to a lack of a quorum since Bertis Jen- kins and John Melhiser were absent, and Brian VanMeter was abstaining due to a conflict of interest. Klipsch said the council will have time at the next meeting to take up the salary or- dinance. During the public works meet- ing, Mayor Klipsch reported that the lease on the police department ex- plorer had been paid off early and that GE Tree Service had removed two large trees that were hazardous. He explained that because of "public safety money," which is about $5,500 a month, the city could replace the three oldest police cars at a rate of one every six months. Bids were con- siderably lower for the Dodge Char- ger than the Ford Taurus and due to the savings of several thousand dol- lars, the city would go with the Char- gers. With the municipal assistance pricing available to the city, the cost is around $23,300 per car. Baumgart said he had gotten quotes from Washington Chrysler and they were slightly less than the state price in Indianapolis. Klipsch said it would be better to have some- one close for service needs. In his report to council, Baumgart noted that wet leaves on the roadway are a driving hazard, a lot like snow and ice. Residents are reminded that leaves can be at curbside and out of storm sewers for the fall leaf pickup. Interest in renting and buying the old Petersburg Fire Station at 910 E. Walnut Street has been shown by two different parties, according to Klipsch. He said he didn't think the city should be in the rental business but need to sell the building "to get money back into the fire department." Klipsch also said there was interest in the property on Main Street (1800 block). Appraisals and advertising was ordered for both locations. UPDATES Interim Fire Chief Ross Elmore reported on the 11 Petersburg Ele- mentary School children who got a ride to school on the fire truck dur- ing last week's Fire Prevention pro- gram. He also reported that the fire engine pump tests were complete and satisfactory. Chief Baumgart report- ed that his department had been busy and also getting things in order for officers' vacations. Councilman Gary Leavitt reported that street light re- placements should come in about two weeks. Klipsch noted the need on Main Street and the fact that the replacements would not be the same. They also will not match new lights to be installed later. In the water company meeting, Klipsch reported that the six or sev- en hydrants that were not working, plus some that are not so great, will be on the list for repair and replace- ment. The recent eight-inch line leak that blocked Cox's Trailer Court was probably the line coming from the old water tower located at Walker's Mo- tors, according to councilman Jon Welch. That leak blocked the trailer court drive for quite awhile until the shut-offs could be made. Klipsch said information that is known about that line will be added to the distribution map for future use. Klipsch had a $22,164 quote for a new Ford 4x4 pick-up truck with an automatic transmission and air through the municipal assistance pricing. The new truck would replace the 2004 model, which will go to Hor- nady Park and add greatly to the Ga- tor they presently use to haul mate- rial. Klipsch said that truck needed some repair to get it running for the park. The Board of Public Works and Safety discussed the claims for the chief's Explorer and tree removal be- fore approving one $76 lead adjust- ment for Carolyn Bruce. Klipsch and Lewis discussed the police car replacements, the public safety money that would take care of all three cars and the updates con- cerning street, sewer, police and fire departments. The next regular Petersburg City Council meeting is set for Monday No- vember 6 at 6:30 p.m., with an execu- tive session at 5:30 p.m. CARD SHOWER FOR CHARLES E. BURCH 90TH BIRTHDAY A surprise card shower is being planned for Charles E. Burch, of Evansville, formerly of Otwell, for his 90th birthday on Novem- ber 7. Cards may be sent to: Charles E. Burch, care of Kristi Klein, 4430 Tremont Road, Evansville, IN 47710. CARD SHOWER FOR DONALD GROSS Donald Gross, of Oakland City, formerly of Winslow, will be celebrating his 85th birthday on October 25 with a card shower. Cards may be sent to: Donald Gross, 127 S. Jackson Street, Oakland City, IN 47660. CARD SHOWER FOR MARY ABELL-EVANS 80TH BIRTHDAY Mary C. Abell-Evans will be celebrating her 80th birthday on October 29 with a card shower. Mary is from Petersburg and has lived in Pike County her whole life. She has two children, Dan- ny (Tammie) Evans, of Pe- tersburg, and Keena (Scott) Krieg, of Winslow. Cards may be sent to: Mary C. Evans, 102 N. Nichols Ave., Petersburg, IN 47567. Charles E. Burch Mary Abell-Evans Card Showers Traffic stop for burned out headlight leads to OVWI arrest By Andy Heuring A headlight out led to the arrest of a Petersburg man on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Allen Keith Williams. 52, of 903 Abigail St., Peters- burg was arrested at about 8 p.m. Friday after police stopped him for having a headlight out. Cpl. Jared Simmons said he noticed a silver Lexus pull onto Highway 61 from Abigail St. with a headlight out. When he spoke to Williams he learned Wil- liams did not have a valid license. He also could smell the odor of alcohol and no- ticed Williams had slurred speech. Williams failed field so- briety tests and a portable breath test at double the le- gal limit for blood alcohol. Williams was taken to the Pike County Jail, where he refused a breath test. He was preliminarily charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, (refusal). Otwell flea market Richard Lane of Petersburg checks out a knife at one of many vendors' tables during a flea market in the Otwell Community Center. Lane said he found an 80-tooth saw blade he had been looking for at the event Saturday morning.