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THE POSEY COUNTY NEWS
We are Posey County's Definitive Source for News in the Mount Vernon, New Harmony, Poseyville, Saint Philip, Saint Wendel and Wadesville areas. Period.
Business & Agriculture News
Hoosier Boosters 4-H Club to hold meeting
The Hoosier Boosters 4-H Club will hold their first meeting of the 2012 year on Wednesday, February 15. We will meet from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the NPHS Ag Room. All current members, any potential new members, and parents are invited to attend.
Board of Works handles routine utility business
By Pam Robinson
The Mount Vernon Board of Public Works and Safety managed routine business
in less than 30 minutes on Thursday, January 26, 2012. With board member
Bill Curtis away, Mayor John Tucker and board member Steve Fuelling
addressed all concerns.
The board officially awarded the contract to Blankenberger, the low bidder,
for the West Elementary School storm drainage project at a cost of
$304,052.95.
Upon the recommendation of Wastewater Superintendent Rodney Givens, the
board approved the low quote (out of two) from Architectural Sales for three
(3) doors for the control room at a price of $3,435 with permission to allow
adjustments on locksets, closers and possibly adding galvanized doors at $70
extra per door.
The board gave permission for city firefighter Matt Johnson to proceed with
Firefighter 1 & 2 classes being offered at German Township at no charge two
nights per week from January 30 through June 30 and to use a city vehicle.
The board accepted the only bid for chemicals from Brenntag.
The Mount Vernon Board of Public Works and Safety will meet again on
Thursday, February 9, at 4 p.m. in the City Hall Annex.
Wade offers new services at Utopia
By Rhys Mathew
Ellen Wade is now offering new services at Utopia Salon in New Harmony,
Ind., including clinical facials, waxing and make-up applications. Wade
graduated from Imaj Institute in Scottsdale, AZ, with degrees as a Licensed
Clinical Esthetician and a Licensed Clinical Laser Technician.
Wade offers anti-aging acne treatments, facial and body waxing, and medical
microdermabrasion, among others. Microdermabrasion is a mechanical
exfoliation that Wade recommends for those with superficial scarring, dry
skin and fine lines and wrinkles. “For first time clients, I would suggest
the Signature Facelift; this gentle four-layer facelift uses Vitamin C for
brightening, and exfoliating scrub, and an enzyme mask to remove dead skin
cells,” said Wade. For those who wish to reduce the appearance of adult
acne, discoloration, sun spots or age spots, Wade recommends the “Cadillac”
of chemical peels, which uses lactic acid, salicylic acid and retinol. Wade
uses pharmaceutical-grade products that are only sold by licensed
professionals.
Wade also provides make-up application for weddings and special events, such
as prom or parties, using Jane Iredale Skincare Makeup. This line is safe
for application after peels and facials and is healthy for the skin.
Facials start at $50, while procedures such waxing or make-up application
will cost less. Wade is currently running an opening special; new customers
receive 15 percent off their first procedure and 10% off a re-booking. On
Feb. 10, 11, 17, and 18, Wade will offer a “Buy One, Get One Free”
Valentine’s Day Special. Wade is available during regular salon hours
Tuesday through Friday, and by private appointment on Saturdays, Sundays,
and Mondays. Appointments can be made at 812- 449-5954 or 812-682-3231.
Mount Vernon moves money to handle budget
By Pam Robinson
Yes” echoed throughout the room regarding the first reading of an ordinance
that allows one-time additional appropriations totaling $293,000 from the
City of Mount Vernon’s economic development income tax, or EDIT, budget. The
roll call vote followed discussion generated when Councilman Andy Hoehn
stated the motion for the one-time appropriations, and Councilman Bill
Curtis seconded.
All city council members except the absent Steve Fuelling affirmed their
desire at the Monday, January 23, meeting to see taxpayer money applied to
the following concerns as outlined by City Attorney Beth McFadin Higgins :
1) $100,000 to supplement approximately $5,000 already budgeted for building
code enforcement in the demolition of unsafe buildings, 2) $3,000 in
addition to approximately $2,000 already budgeted for asbestos inspection
required for building code enforcement, 3) $30,000 for the city’s approved
2011 contribution to the Posey County Economic Development Partnership (2012
contribution covered in regular city budget), 4) $125,000 for matching grant
funds for riverfront development, and 5) $35,000 to the city parks and
recreation department.
Information about the additional appropriations will now be published and a
public hearing will be held during the next council meeting on Monday,
February 13.
At Mayor John Tucker’s request, Parks Director John Tate appeared before
council and presented an itemized list of how his department could use newly
appropriated funds: phone system relocated from Armory to Hedges; new parks
and recreation signage for Hedges building; relocation of disco ball from
Armory to Hedges; installation of electrical outlets; increase in payroll
(current and future); youth mini basketball goals; industrial floor cleaner;
additional recreational equipment; new doors for entrance #12; conference
table and chairs for room #9; and snack bar for concession area.
“There’s some struggles with the [regular budget] appropriation each year.
It keeps going down each year compared to what our actual budget is. This
will definitely help us to do some things that we won’t be able to do out of
our existing budget,” he said.
In particular, Tate noted that the Hedges building, unlike the Armory,
features air conditioning, so the parks and recreation community center may
stay open year-round. Also, the new location allows for activities in
multiple rooms, so supervision is needed in a greater area. As a result,
hiring additional staff is a priority.
A bit later, City Attorney Beth McFadin Higgins spoke to the need for
funding to support the work of mayoral assistant Sherry Willis to enforce
safe building codes. Higgins emphasized that the public should take the
opportunity to give input at the hearings for the disposal of unsafe
buildings, but should recognize Willis’s efforts to improve building
conditions.
“This will certainly give Sherry the ability to really put some teeth in
that. She’s been working tirelessly for about four years,” Higgins stated.
Likewise, at the mayor’s invitation, Attorney Trent Van Haaften left his
seat in the audience to speak concerning private property owners’ and
government’s responsibilities in keeping the city’s buildings safe for
citizens. Opening his new practice with Attorney Adam Farrar at 201 Main
Street in December, Van Haaften pointed to the disrepair of a nearby
downtown property that had resulted in debris on the sidewalk.
“If you can’t take care of your own property and it’s impacting the general
public, then the government has to step in,” the former District 76 Indiana
state representative said, having prefaced his remarks by stating the value
of limited government.
At the close of the meeting, Mayor John Tucker commended council for taking
the first step to approve additional appropriations from the EDIT budget.
“It’s a tough decision, but I think it’s the right decision,” he said.
In other business:
•When the council met as Water Utility Board, City Attorney Beth McFadin
Higgins followed up with the bond parameters for the proposed Waterworks
improvement project. Council members received copies of the following
timeline: February 13, 2012, common council has introduction and first
reading of the bond ordinance; February 27, 2012, common council has second
reading of bond ordinance; March 12, 2012, common council has third reading
and adopts bond ordinance with notices to appear in two subsequent editions
of the local newspaper; March 29, 2012, bond sale (not to exceed 15.3
million dollars); April 12, 2012, or mid-April, closing. Higgins said
thcouncil might combine the second and third readings although the timeline
allows for three separate readings. She added that after the ordinance is
adopted, council could then look at finalizing the construction agreement
with Johnson Controls Inc., or JCI. After the meeting, Higgins noted this
particular improvement project would be completed without a water rate
increase.
•Water Superintendent Chuck Gray reported that his department had been
dealing with a few electrical issues causing, for example, random closing
and opening of pumps. In addition, he noted that another user was
interrupting communication on the current radio transmission frequency, and
the department is checking into transmitting from a different frequency.
Finally, he stated that three big leaks had been repaired on the West side
of town.
Acting as the Water Utility Board, council corrected their action from the
previous meeting to approve a water bill adjustment for 805 W. Second Street
instead of 815 W. Second Street.
Street Commissioner Roy Maynard reported that council will receive a
report at their next meeting about the requested traffic counts when all
data has been reviewed.
Council voted to accept the conflict of interest disclosure submitted by
Council-at-Large Becky Higgins.
Before the meeting, Councilwoman Becky Higgins pointed out that she chairs
the study committee for new police and fire stations. As she shared, the
committee includes a number of community leaders, more than originally
reported, in addition to Higgins: City Councilwoman Sue Shelton, Ed Adams,
John Gerton, former City Councilwoman Rita Askrens as well as both Police
Chief Grant Beloat and Fire Chief Wes Dixon. Council met in a private
executive session at 6 p.m., Monday, January 23, to review the committee’s
possible options for building new police and fire stations. No presentation
was made regarding this session at the public council meeting.
The Mount Vernon City Council will meet again on Monday, February 13, 2012,
at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Annex.
