Friday, July 31, 2009

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 4 AUG 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
August 4, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Latest addition of the County Campus Plan – tabled from 7/7/2009
2. Web Site Discussion
3. Policy Recommendations from Animal Control Board – tabled from 7/21/2009

IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Sheriff Dave Lusby
Lieberman Technologies
2. Hylant Group – County Insurance Discussion

3. Jewell DeBonis
State House Update

4. Luan Male – Lifetime Housing
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application

5. Ratification of Community Corrections Grant Amendment

6. Juvenile Center – Signatures for Doctor Agreement

7. Mission Statement for Department of Animal Control

8. Amendment #2 signature for Reassessment Contract

V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Accept Randal Ave. and Wilmington Hills South extensions for maintenance
3. Bridge #95, Triple Whipple final acceptance letter
4. Public Official Bond signature
5. Award 2009 paving and Award dump truck / equipment

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Commissioners Have Special Meeting Set for Aug 5

Wednesday August 5, 2009 at 10:30 Commissioners will meet at the Shumway building on High Street, Lawrenceburg to do a site visit. Mayor Cunningham will be there and Carl Fryman, Building Department will also be present.

There is a working session following the visit to the Shumway building in the Commissioner’s room. This will be to meet with an Afflac representative and go over information that was presented in the July 7, 2009 meeting. Randal Ferguson will be here approximately 11:00 – 11:15 am.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

21 July 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

21 July 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

Present: Thompson, President, Orschell, and Hughes
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney

FIVE Council members were present: Ullrich, Lansing, Cheek, Morris, and Fehrman. ABSENT: Kraus and Barrett.

There were also numerous county officials present including the three judges, prosecutor, and probation dept staff. The sheriff was not present.

OLD BUSINESS

County Campus Plan reopened for a 1 hour and 40 minute discussion. Brett Dodd of RQAW presented a fifth option that he worked up with input from the last meeting. Scattering functions in 3 locales was an issue as was the costs of maintaining 3 buildings and concerns about technology being able to bridge the gap.

Option 5 eliminated the YMCA and put all adm functions at the Motorsports facility on Industrial Drive. This increases initial costs by about $500,000 and adds about 4 months to the time frame. [NOTE: Judge Blankenship and Prosecutor, Aaron Negangard, have been pushing for more space as soon as possible because of their issues in the old Courthouse building. There are several past meetings with Commissioners and Council detailing their concerns and needs. These needs have trumped the jail expansion apparently.]

Council members and commissioners were asked for comments first. Cheek asked about why increased costs when one building was cut out. Dodd said it was new construction costs. Morris asked if future expansion costs were figured. Dodd said no, though they would be lower to shell out the rest of the building all at once. Ullrich thought option 5 would not put additional burden on the taxpayer as it was close to budget of $10 million. He also wanted to be sure all the different departments who had been out of the loop for a while were called back in to determine details of needs before moving forward. Ullrich said we’ve got to move forward.

Thompson reiterated that this plan was limited to less detail to see if there was consensus on what to do before spending more. Hughes was concerned that removing the jail separated the plan into pieces that would avoid referendum. He wants the voters to decide if we should spend the money. [NOTE: Referendums cost money too. IF the space problems are severe enough, the judges can mandate the construction. How does that affect the referendum law?]

Cheek asked if RQAW had done comparisons on cost and size with similar sized counties. Cheek asked: “ Did we say we need space or did we say, this is what we need and what will it cost?” Dodd said they did do comparisons in our population range and staff sizes etc, in the 2004 report. They also looked out 25 years to get the concept phase. Example: Superior Court uses about 6200 sq ft and Circuit typically uses 8000 sq ft. Cheek said it is hard to look an out of work taxpayer in the eye when talking about expansions and spending money. We’ve laid off highway workers- that’s an important county function. Do we need to tighten our belts.
Orschell said no one wants to increase taxes, but needs have to be met. The sooner we fix this- the sooner we fix the jail problem.

Thompson noted that Cheek had been involved all along and that the purpose was to create a master plan for the entire campus so it could be worked on as needed and not waste money. We need to know if Council will fund this. If not, we drop it.

Hughes said we can’t assume gambling revenue will continue.

Morris prefers the campus attached and on High Street and not scattered. This would affect the city if we moved this much out.

Fehrman asked the commissioners, if Council said yes, what would you do next?

Thompson said , we’d choose an option and THEN MEET WITH DEPARTMENTS TO GET THEIR NEEDS. Then we’d look at purchase of land and buildings. We want Council to help decide the option.

The three judges ( Humphrey, Cleary, and Blankenship) and prosecutor ( Negangard) stood at the podium together:

Humphrey said that in the last 10 days he received several different plans and the sheriff had contacted him about the YMCA being used for work release and juvenile detention. Humphrey was not happy that HE had not been consulted about the juvenile as he’s in charge of that. We want to be able to talk to RQAW and we were told it had to be at a public meeting! We want to know who is making these plans and why. We want to be a part of this. [NOTE: When you talk to a consultant, it costs money. Several different plans from each judge and prosecutor have been discussed over the years and there are now a ridiculous number of options because of it. They have been invited to the public meetings. Blankenship particularly has been adamant at several commissioner and council meetings (since she became Superior Court II judge) about her space requirements. Their comments have been heard and handed over to RQAW to incorporate into revisions.]

Blankenship said we need to be consulted. The Adm. building has about 30,000 sq feet now and in the new plan they have about the same- so they aren’t getting any more. I am concerned about his and the jail overcrowding. Issues are with probation too. Not sure if the new plan is contemplating more restrooms for drug testing. I would like to work with anyone on this. [NOTE: The Adm Bldg inhabitants do NOT need to move. It was only an option to try to keep the courts and legal services together for security purposes. Maybe they should leave Adm Bldg alone and just move the non- secure portions of the courthouse to a new building. ( Like probation and prosecutor, for example, could be moved across the street.)]

Cleary said this was an important night and he was there more as a citizen than as a judge. He had to tell a local citizen after church when asked about what was happening at the courthouse, that he had no idea. We want to be asked so that we are sure we do this right. You shouldn’t build just knowing the cost, unless you know what is in the 4 walls. Perhaps the jail should be the first priority.

Negangard thanked the commissioners for trying to do something. He said Lusby couldn’t be there due to a family emergency. All the plans provide sufficient space for the prosecutor. He thought there was a proposal from RQAW to do a charette- and we could all have input in that process. We want something long-term- not just Industrial Drive- way out by IVY Tech. [NOTE: Haste and cost are issues and perhaps the judges and prosecutor have now realized that in pushing for something fast, they have created a plan option that they don’t really want, but is in the budget.]

Humphrey, in a rare display of temper, later took Thompson and commissioners to task for not inviting them to these meetings. It was determined that Humphrey was on vacation for one of them. [NOTE: Communication between these departments – only a building apart- seems to be getting skewed by certain political factions. As a taxpayer who has been at these meetings for 14 years, this technique is nothing new. What each office holder, including judges, needs to remember is that the buildings and spaces being created are NOT THEIRS! They belong to the people of Dearborn County. The office holder is only there as long as he is elected to hold that office. So individual needs and egos need to checked at the door before these charettes are held. Public SERVANTS need to remember whom they SERVE. And who is paying for all of this.]

Gus Grote said we shouldn’t build another EC- where plans for indoor tracks etc had problems. He also asked if Lawrenceburg money would be available for this, as it is the richest little town in the U.S.

Mayor Cunningham- The commissioners have asked us about land available in town and we want the employees to stay in our town. We would prefer NOT to use Industrial Park land for this as it takes it out of the tax base. But we have enough trouble running our own government, without trying to run the county too. The county has used the large amount of money we’ve given it wisely. We will assist- not sure how much. Pickens noted it was $50 million that the county received from Lawrenceburg. Cunningham laughed and said- it would continue as long as the Republican governor works with this Democrat mayor. Thompson reiterated how helpful Lawrenceburg has been. [NOTE: Many of the arrests and jail and court costs result from the Riverboat “activity.” It is appropriate for Lawrenceburg to help with this increased burden on the county.]

Paul Messmore- Bright (former administrator Bryan Messmore’s father) went off on a tangent about Thompson saying the county didn’t have enough money to remove a couch left on Henderson Road. His point perhaps was that there wasn’t enough money to do the necessary functions???

Mike Rozow- noted 3 things: Service is important for citizens- and shouldn’t be broken up into too many areas. The interaction between departments is important. There is a concern with the loss of daytime traffic to local restaurants etc. if we move several offices out.

Charlie Fehrman- in the absence of the Pres and VP of Council moved to use up to $15,000 of the contingency fund with a 45-day window to meet with all the stakeholders to come back with an option. Ullrich 2nd it- all 5 Council present voted Aye. All people are allowed to attend these charettes or meetings at their discretion.

The commissioners are to get an agreement from RQAW to do this. Commissioners tabled the plans until the charette is completed.

Meeting recessed for 10 minutes until 8:50.

NEW BUSINESS

Mary McCarty SIRPC presented the Child Advocacy Grant, which will be signed pending the appropriate documents getting to Witte for certification of the process. There were apparently several items that were not in the paperwork and were required for attestation.

Two other items were signed earlier due to deadlines and ratified by commissioners on Justice Assistance Grants for the Special Crimes Unit ($177,673) and the Jail Chemical Addiction Program for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Ed Opp of EMS Alliance met in Bright and wants to put together a task force of EMS and Fire to look at how to cover the county in the future with volunteers decreasing and population needs increasing. The exploratory committee will address funding, staffing, etc. and look for a sustainable way to fund this. [NOTE: That probably means tax money will be needed. Projected needs may tell us how much.]

Rick Anderson and Al ?? of Perfection Group gave a pitch on performing energy conservation facilities work- in the smaller range. Pickens told them we’d done this 10 years ago in the courthouse renovation and it was a problem.

Animal Control Euthanization recommendations were tabled for the commissioners to review. There was some discussion with 3 members of the board in attendance concerning part of the items being about staffing and not about procedure. Apparently staff falls to commissioners and procedures to the board. Pickens noted that he had done the Animal Control Budget for them for the Budget hearings in August, as they have no director now.

Pickens- Claims and minutes signed.

Witte- Attorney reported that he had given Negangard the notice of suits involving the Special Crimes Unit and filed a copy with Pickens. He noted the county was dropped from one of the suits.

Hughes asked if there was a problem with Pickens being HR rep and being at Animal Control. What if they file an HR claim regarding him. Pickens said- then Jessica handles it. Witte weighed in and said even in HR Dept’s they get another person to handle it if the director is involved. Pickens just would recues himself. Hughes was satisfied with that response.

Orschell asked about noise ordinances as Gus Grote had a problem with them. Bottom line was Witte noted there was no decibel rating in the ordinance- just a reasonableness clause. There were exemptions for one time events. Grote is hosting an outdoor cage fight at the trading Post on Aug 15. I did ask about the idea of time as a factor in the ordinance and Witte said that would be under the reasonableness section. People do need to be able to sleep.

Thompson asked about getting more insurance coverage for document restoration as Jefferson County used $500,000 to get theirs done after the fire. They are considering it. Many of our files are copied and in a cave for storage in Utah already per Pickens.

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Vera Benning wanted it noted that High Ridge Drive was included in DCRSD’s sewer coverage per the commissioner’s request.

NO Public Comment

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING JUL 21

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
July 21, 2009

7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana



I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Latest addition of the County Campus Plan – tabled from 7/7/2009
2. Web Site Discussion

IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Mary McCarty – SIRPC
Child Advocacy Grant

2. Prosecutor’s Office
Justice Assistance Grant for Special Crimes Unit

3. Ed Opp – EMS Alliance Spokesperson

4. Rick Anderson – Perfection Group

5. Euthanization Policy Recommendation from Animal Control Board

V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Change Order for Bells Branch Bridge

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes
2. Washington Township Trustee Appointment

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.
1. County Administrator’s Position

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

7 July 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

7 July 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Thompson, Chairman, Orschell, and Hughes

Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney

5 Council members were also present for the joint session on the County Campus: Kraus, Sr., Barrett, Lansing, Morris, and Cheek. (Fehrman and Ullrich were absent)

1. Brett Dodd of RQAW gave an hour-long presentation showing 4 options for the county campus plan. Two were older plans and two were newer ones. The plan options have some major differences in costs, time to implement, and affects on security and maintenance issues. The vacant lots across High Street are no longer available as Lawrenceburg has residential use plans for them (thus increasing their tax base.) The remaining properties there are not large enough for the county uses, require connectors, and secure transfer of prisoners to courts. The 2 newest plans require adding a floor to the current administration bldg. There is also the option of using the old juvenile building for the prosecutor and/or probation depts., keeping them attached to the courts areas.

RQAW looked at other properties in option 4 and located the Motorsports Building near the old IVY Tech on Industrial Drive in Lawrenceburg ( 14,500 sq ft on 8 acres with 8 parking spaces and plenty of expansion room) and the YMCA in Aurora( 23,000 sq ft on 3.3 acres with 79 parking spaces) Taxing functions have to stay in the county seat- so those offices go to Motorsports and Services like Health Dept, Veterans Affairs, Building Inspector, Planning and Zoning, County Transportation, and Commissioners can go to Aurora. The current Adm Bldg is 30,000 sq ft- these new building add up to 37,500 sq ft solving some space issues.

Costs of these options including hard and soft costs range from $10 million to $27 million. The cheapest option is number 4 with the 2 additional campuses. Timing is also fastest for that option with completion in March of 2011, 9 months ahead of the other options.

Council members and citizens asked questions including the lawsuit over the YMCA, consider using Alton Box Company with 6 acres, how much help will Lawrenceburg provide, the EMA center is not mentioned and is against moving to Randall Avenue, flexibility of uses in buying existing buildings, getting people used to 2 more sites, costs to purchase buildings, and how to pay for it.

Pickens stated that the $10 million is nearly covered if we choose option #4 - with money in the Redevelopment Fund, the Rainy Day Fund, and the DCRSD Fund. (1.5+3+4.5 million = 9 million)

Cheek cautioned that adding any space no matter where increases costs to maintain, and utilities etc. Council needs to remember that in the budget. Also not think they can hire MORE people because they have more space.

Orschell wanted to be sure phone lines and numbers would transfer to new sites. Also there is no need for a receptionist at Motorsports as the building is easily navigable with signs. Orschell noted the YMCA is also.

Commissioners tabled this until July 21st meeting so that Council could digest the plans and come to a consensus. Funding would be further discussed at Budget time in August.

[NOTE: This whole issue of the campus and certain functions having to be in the county seat would be a moot point if the 3 cities were united under one government. The total population would be about 15,000 or so- not too large by any standards. Imagine how much good the Gaming Money could do for services in all three cities instead of being funneled into residential projects that should be private enterprise.]

2. Commissioners signed the Nurse Agreement for Juvenile Center- same as last years.

3. Randall Ferguson gave a presentation of AFLAC insurance options for the county. They service the 3 main cities and others in the county. This insurance is all supplemental to what the county pays for. It is 100% funded by the employees who choose it and is personal and portable. They offer Accidental, Cancer, Specified health, Short-term disability, Long-term disability, Dental, Vision, Life (whole and term) Intensive care, etc. They have stable rates and are guaranteed renewable. AFLAC insure 500,000 companies, 20,000 of them are government entities. They pay $10 million a day in claims! Claims are paid in 2-4 days. Commissioners took this all under advisement.

4. Bill Black EMA- asked for Mike Davis to be appointed to the District Planning Council- Commissioners approved.

Black also is having Witte look over their documents to be the legal entity for EMA. Black is the fiscal entity.

5. Aaron Negangard- Prosecutor- gave an overview and public notice of the EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL GRANT for $14,809. He plans to use it for overtime pay for officers in the county sheriff’s dept o the city officers in the Special Crimes Unit. No action is required of Commissioners- just his public notification.

Witte advised Commissioners of the liability issues with Special Crimes Unit using officers outside the county staff. He cited 3 lawsuits currently. Negangard was unaware of them. Witte named 2 of the 3 and then commissioners asked him to forward that info to Negangard.

6. Transportation Dept- Todd Listerman gave a 17 minute report:
Commissioners signed a non- monetary change order and also one for $54,749.16 on Bells Branch Bridge #15. There will be one more change order on this bridge after costs are determined. This is an 80/20 INDOT project with an additional 80/20 with Ohio County.

Sagamaw is complete with guardrail to be added.

Johnson Fork starts next week- to be complete by mid August.

Salt Fork overlay is on and rockers fixed- will be done before July 31.

Collier Ridge- caissons all installed and now putting lagging in. On schedule to reopen in mid- August.

Contracts for paving to be advertised next week for Stout Carolina Trace and lower Pribble. They will open in July and award at Aug 4 meeting.

Listerman met with INDOT July 1 regarding the hill at Dover and Hiltz Road. INDOT has $5mil to award and only 3 counties vying for it. These funds available for 2012-2013. July 29th he’ll know about funding.

Parks Board needs a truck to haul their tractor and the commissioners approved transferring the 1996 Dodge with a cap to the Parks from Highway. No CDL is needed to drive it.

Hughes asked about Old SR1 to Gaynor and Listerman said the traffic counts are keeping it off the high priority list. They will try to patch. Orschell said he plans to hold a Franklin Cty Commissioner to his promise to show how chip seal works by demonstrating it here for just the cost of materials.

7. Pickens, Auditor- Claims and minutes signed.

David Wunderlich was appointed Washington Township Trustee because the party did not appoint in 30 days.

Aug 4- Med Ben awarding County for Most improved health at 10 AM.

Commissioners Thompson and Orschell authorized Pickens (at his request) to correct or discipline if necessary on the mornings he is in charge at the Animal Control Center. Hughes asked if this included firing. Pickens said part timers could be let go at any time anyway. Hughes voted Nay.

8. Witte- Attorney- thanked commissioners for his extended leave to serve as judge outside the county. Commissioners renewed his contract starting July 1. They also approved Witte to appoint Jack Gay to cover two suits where he has a conflict of interest ( Jesse Reynolds vs. DC and the HVL Tax appeal)

9. Orschell- asked commissioners to send a letter to DCRSD to include High Ridge Dr in their package treatment map. Timberview is only one included. High Ridge Dr is on septic tanks. Commissioners were concerned that the remaining spot out of 62 total would be used up elsewhere before this entire subdivision was covered. Hughes wanted to be sure no one was FORCED to hook on. Letter is to RECOMMEND that HIGH RIDGE DR be added.

Orschell also asked that a letter be sent to Health Dept to give these neighbors a 30-60 day extension once the package plant is in place to comply. Commissioners agreed.

10. Thompson – talked about 3 more sets of drawings for Animal Shelter and needs their comments this week. They are going to BZA in July to get a variance on the set back requirements for the fenced runs for animals. The Animal Budget is ready for August per Pickens and it still won’t be enough to run the whole shelter probably.

11. No Late Arrivals and no Public Comments

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

North Dearborn Water Corp. Qualifies for Stimulus Grant

Nugent announces North Dearborn Water Corp.
qualifies for $688,000 grant in stimulus funds

STATEHOUSE (July 6, 2009) - State Sen. Johnny Nugent today announced that the North Dearborn Water Corp. qualifies for an estimated $688,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the Indiana Finance Authority to complete improvements to the North Dearborn Water Corp. drinking water system.

"These stimulus funds will help save residents from having to assume the financial burden and pay higher fees to fund necessary infrastructure improvements," Nugent said. "This investment in water infrastructure will help not only to serve current residents by improving water quality, but also to prepare North Dearborn Water Corp.'s service area for future economic development opportunities.

Approximately $125 million in funds will be distributed through the recovery act to the Indiana State Revolving Fund, an existing program managed by the Indiana Finance Authority which makes loans to communities for wastewater and drinking water projects.For more information about the SRF Loan Program, visit the IFA Web site at www.in.gov/ifa/srf

Friday, July 03, 2009

WE THE HOOSIERS SPONSORS ONLINE PETITION AGAINST CAP AND TRADE VOTE BY BARON HILL

You can sign a web based petition sponsored by We The Hoosiers ( local Tea Party group)opposing Baron Hill's vote on the Cap and Trade Bill. Feel free to pass it around via email to get as many signatures as possible before July 5, when it will be presented to Congressman Baron Hill. Please click on the link below to sign the petition and feel free to send this to as many people as possible and have them sign the petition as well.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Baron_Hill/

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Reply to Local Citizen from Baron Hill regarding Cap and Trade Bill

I wrote a letter to Baron Hill after he voted for that Cap and Trade Bill. Here is his reply and then my answer to him.

Ron Schunk
Manchester Township

Baron Hill's reply:

July 2, 2009

Dear Mr. Schunk,

Thank you for writing to express your concerns about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important matter.

We cannot continue to push the issue of addressing climate change onto future generations. It would be a complete shirking of my responsibilities as your Member of Congress to do that. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is currently moving forward to regulate green house gases as a pollutant, as per the Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts vs. EPA.

It is important that Congress set up a reasonable system to regulate emissions from all sectors of our economy, and ensure that targets and timetables included are feasible. Yes, this is a complex issue, and with something of this magnitude the details are absolutely critical. In fact, the original proposal was simply not achievable for Indiana. But, I worked with the Committee to significantly change the bill into a more realistic plan, and that process will continue as the bill moves through Congress. I believe that, although it is not currently a perfect product, the issue is too important to stop the legislative process.

I believe we made several important improvements to the draft. First, in order to cushion our transition to a clean energy economy, the majority of allowances were given to affected industries. These allowances, given to regulated entities, will ensure that prices do not spike and that companies do not receive windfall profits. Second, manufacturing industries will be compensated for their cost of compliance, and countries that do not adopt green house gas standards will face trade consequences from the United States to ensure the continued competitiveness of American manufacturing. Third, the original renewable energy standard was not practicable for Indiana, but it was moderated to a level at which Indiana can achieve results.

Regarding the details, I have worked diligently to safeguard the taxpayers' of Southern Indiana from being unfairly penalized by the bill. For example, I secured language in the legislation that will allow waste-to-energy to count as a source of renewable energy, thus making the overall Renewable Electricity Standard more attainable for Indiana. In addition, I was able to get a provision in the bill that develops a rebate program to make the purchase of energy-efficient manufactured homes more affordable and accessible.

Southern Indiana possesses the tools to play a key role in this process, and I believe our manufacturing base will attract clean energy jobs. Technological advances in clean energy, such as carbon capture and storage technology, can and will be exported all over the world. Our agriculture community will play a vital role in offsetting green house gases, and will also play a crucial role in cost containment. Finally, our universities, such as Indiana University, are well poised to be at the leading edge of our technological future.

I have been in touch with stakeholders in Southern Indiana, working to ensure that our goals and aspirations in this bill are both well intentioned and achievable. I am happy to report that a major power supplier in Indiana is supportive of the bill continuing to make its way through the legislative process. Again, this bill is at the start of a long process. I look forward to making additional improvements to this bill that will strengthen protections for Hoosier families, our agriculture community and local industries.

Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue. Please feel free to call me at 202.225.5315 if you have any further questions or comments. If you would like to receive periodic email updates on my Congressional activities, please visit http://baronhill.house.gov.


********************

And here is my reply:

Dear Congressman Hill... I appreciate your reply to my letter concerning the Cap and Trade bill. I don't personally believe that humans are responsible for global warming. I am more inclined to believe in natural earth cycles driven by solar activity. I view cap and trade as a scheme to redistribute wealth and I know that a majority of other countries will not buy into this scheme. But, I assure you, I will keep your reply on file, and when we start losing jobs and face increased rates for all types of energy because of this bill, and if I can afford electricity to run my computer, I will send it back to you as a reminder of what you have helped do to this country.

Sincerely,
Ronald Schunk

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING JUL 7

DRAFT AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
July 7, 2009

7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana



I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS

IV. NEW BUSINESS

1. Latest addition of the County Campus Plan

2. Signatures for Juvenile, Nurse’s Agreement

3. Discussion of Afflac Insurance information

4. Bill Black – Emergency Management
Appointment to District Planning Council – Mike Davis

5. Ratification of signature for Heart House grant

V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Change Order for Bells Branch Bridge

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes
2. Washington Township Trustee Appointment

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN