25 November 2008 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes
Present: Charlie Fehrman, Chairman, Maynard Barrott, Liz Morris, Bill Ullrich, Dennis Kraus, Dan Lansing, and Tom Cheek.
Pickens, Auditor and Messmore Administrator were also present, as was Commissioner Thompson and Commissioner –elect Orschell.
Fehrman announced that an executive session preceded the meeting and no decision was made there or was necessary at the meeting.
Dave Lusby- Sheriff- received approval for the ordinance adopting the accident report fee structure of $12 both online and in person at the Sheriff’s office. When online- $8 comes back to the county and $4 stays with the company performing the service.
Lusby reported that they also installed tempered glass in the courthouse lobby for safety and also will post staff pictures out there so people know who is serving them.
Sally Blankenship- Judge Superior Court 2- received approval to use moneys from public defender fees in Fund 178 to cover $1200 for a temporary office assistant.
Circuit Court received approval to move funds from item 305 to 125.
Commissioner’s requests for overtime and PERF computations were tabled. Discussed at executive session and need more info.
Surveyor's request for transmission approved for $1684.
Juvenile Detention- Tracy Abner- received approval to transfer a 300 line item to a 100 line item from contracted personnel to employee positions.
Coroner’s Autopsy request was tabled at Liz Morris’s request for more information on how they determine who gets autopsies.
Veteran’s Officer Bill Ewbank has had a rash of burials at $500 each plus some with $100 for markers. They approved $10,000 from county general and $12,500 out of Riverboat Revenue for $22,500 total to the end of the year.
Redevelopment – appointee was tabled.
Park Board received approval for Jim Redelk to fill a position on their board after Steve Walker, member, gave a detailed resume of his background. Jim Sutton had declined due ti not having enough time. Redelk is a member of Manchester Civic Ass’n, has experience in construction administration, budgets, technology, and is a youthful retiree with time to serve.
Aaron Negangard- Prosecutor- received approval for $2500 for office supplies. He also got approval to release $41,500 from Fund 17 the Prosecutor Diversion Funds ($80,000 is in that fund) for legal secretary, special deputy, computer equipment and special investigations.
Gayle Pennington- Treasurer- asked Council to reconsider a line item in her budget regarding her part time help. She has already streamlined the office and reduced employees. They will advertise in January for an additional $10,000 for part time help and consider it then.
Todd Listerman – Transportation Dept- answered questions and presented information regarding the shortage of state funding. He received approval for $535,300 for operating expenses on fuel, tools, tires, and maintenance. There is $1,246,703.36 left in RR 147 account. They usually get about $1.7 million per year. This is the paving fund- but has to be used partially this year for operations. Nearly $300,000 has been spent on fuel this year.
Salt and sand will be used this year. Depending on resources and weather, we may run out f salt. Total allotted is $300,000.
Request to re-fill 2 of 3 openings in hwy was reduced to 1 plus one seasonal.
DCRSD- High Ridge Estates fix- presented by Brett Fehrman, Steve Renihan, and supported by Tom Quinn, engineer, and Doug Baer, Health Dept. Council questioned Fehrman thoroughly on the uses of this money and the parameters by which it will be dispensed. They also asked if it was a loan- (yes- they intend to try to pay it back- but there were no criteria or agreements laid out to insure that the taxpayer’s money is repaid)
The bid estimate to fix High Ridge was estimated by Quinn at $361,500 including $22,000 for application fees, etc. to get through IDEM approval. Total capacity is 54 units- though only 23 are built on the sub’n at this time. The plant is capable of serial expansion. They are thinking of fixing the lagoon by pumping it through the plant and cleaning it up that way. (There is some concern that this would harm the plant)
People living there will have $4500 maintenance fees and new ones will be $6500. The customer base has to support the plant. Some people will elect to pay their $4500 over the 25-year time period allotted. DCRSD will handle the billing and Dillsboro will calculate the water usage. They may contract with Dillsboro to add it to the water bill.
Renihan stood up and declared his confidence that these numbers were good.
Fehrman said they needed the dollars in hand to proceed and justify their expenses getting it in place and approved. Renihan stated their attorney advised they leave the old lagoon in Draper’s ownership. Draper did donate the land for the plant.
Renihan told Charlie Fehrman they hoped to pay back the county with their up front fees. They don’t want the county residents to think the county will fix their problems for free.
Brett Fehrman indicated their other grants etc didn’t materialize and isn’t sure if IDEM will tell them they have to fix other problems also in the area.
Thompson asked if $100,000 was still in their account. Fehrman said this $361,500 is in addition to that- total cost is closer to $462,000. Thompson said they could get IDEM approval using $22,000 of that $100,000 they already have and then Council fund the rest for less risk perhaps.
Cheek and Kraus motioned to approve the $361,500 contingent that if IDEM does NOT approve it comes back to the county fund 175 and they would have to get reauthorization to approve it later. All ayes. Passed.
911 Dept- received what sounded like $6440.00 that wasn’t available at budget. (Number unclear)
Binding and non-binding budget approvals were signed pursuant to HB 1001 regulations. Salary ordinances for 1008 and 1009 were signed.
DCRSD received $15,208 to balance their budget from fund 175 for the year’s end. (bond issues)
Pickens’s copier is going to the Veteran’s office and his new one was approved at $8,000.
Charlie Fehrman thanked all of the board for the privilege of working with them.
Tom Cheek gave a public thank you to Judge Witte for his many years of service to the county.
Meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
24 November 2008 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes
24 November 2008 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes
I did not attend this meeting, so this brief summary is from information given by PZ staff.
All members were in attendance. McGill , Attorney, was absent.
The members discussed and then tabled all the items on the agenda for the proposed ordinance changes. One item that had conflicting viewpoints was the digitizing of the surveyor’s stamp. There were security concerns about that plus concern that some surveyors may not have the ability to digitize their records yet.
The meeting adjourned about 8:15 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
I did not attend this meeting, so this brief summary is from information given by PZ staff.
All members were in attendance. McGill , Attorney, was absent.
The members discussed and then tabled all the items on the agenda for the proposed ordinance changes. One item that had conflicting viewpoints was the digitizing of the surveyor’s stamp. There were security concerns about that plus concern that some surveyors may not have the ability to digitize their records yet.
The meeting adjourned about 8:15 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
18 November 2008 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes
Present: Hughes, Thompson, and Fox (arrived at 6:50 PM)
Also present: Ewbank, Pickens, and Messmore
A uniformed sheriff’s dept officer was present.
Commissioner elect Orschell was present.
An executive session preceded this meeting.
Commissioners authorized Ralph Thompson as a representative of the county to take necessary and appropriate actions regarding the Animal Control issues and report back to the board about it.
Bill Black- EMA received approval for the Multi-hazard mitigation plan which is reviewed annually.
Mark McCormack- outlined the issues in Article 20 sections 2015,2060, and 2080 of the zoning ordinance revisions regarding signage requirements. He also outlined Article 3 sections 305N, 305O, and 305X of the Subdivision Control Ordinance on dead end streets. These were both voted favorable unanimously from the Sept Plan Commission meeting.
Hughes questioned the 1200 ft cul-de-sac length again (which is existing text that was made less strict 4 years ago) and also the emergency accesses. He wanted the fire depts. to weigh in on them, even though they were suggested, and not required, options. Fox said these were “no brainers.”
All were approved separately with Hughes voting Nay for the emergency access one.
Dennis Kraus Jr. presented the dedication of the Bittner Rd cul de sac for Werners, but no decision could be made- as it wasn’t advertised. This was tabled till Dec meeting.
Todd Listerman- Transportation Director- gave a 13 minute report. He has reviewed the Bittner Rd cul-de-sac and wanted Commissioners to know it was OK as he would NOT be present at the Dec 1st meeting.
Burke Benning Road was accepted into the highway inventory- it is a 12-ft wide gravel road that is .51 miles long. This road replaced Old Pruss Road which is in disrepair. It allows access to land locked pieces. Ownerships had changed in this process- lengthening the time it took to get it settled. Fox said this was also a “no-brainer” compared to the cost of fixing the old road.
FEMA inspected and signed off on storm debris removal costs of $128,058.29 and will pay 75% which is just over $96,000 of this.
Bells Branch Bridge will be let this week.
There is only one consultant bidding on the ITS system (cameras and Artemis) for I-275 section and US 50. There is 100% funding of this from the Feds. This money might revert back if we don’t use it. INDOT still looking at this.
Pickens – Claims and minutes approved. Employee 2009 Holiday schedule approved. 2009 Commissioners meetings will be 1st and 3rd Tues at 7 PM after Jan 1.
Bryan Messmore- Administrator- US 50 Collaborative meets this THURS at 2 PM in the L-bg Library Depot Room.
The Children’s Advocacy Center will be delayed 6 months at least due to scoring on the county application. They will revise this for the next set of grants and submit again in January- for possible approval in March.
Bob Ewbank- Attorney- got approval for the ordinance establishing a VOLUNTARY deferred compensation plan for the sheriff’s dept. No one seemed to know why they have something different that the rest of the county. Auditor needs this to allow withholding from paychecks.
They also approved a revenue sharing agreement and ordinance allowing the sheriff’s dept to charge a fee for crash reports. They can be obtained online now for $12 with $8 reverting to the sheriff’s fund.
Thompson reported that the HWY Dept helped with clean-up of the Old Mt Tabor Church cemetery on US 50. He has been helping with these issues.
Hughes- MONDAY DEC 1st is next meeting- due to the Commissioners Conference that week.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Also present: Ewbank, Pickens, and Messmore
A uniformed sheriff’s dept officer was present.
Commissioner elect Orschell was present.
An executive session preceded this meeting.
Commissioners authorized Ralph Thompson as a representative of the county to take necessary and appropriate actions regarding the Animal Control issues and report back to the board about it.
Bill Black- EMA received approval for the Multi-hazard mitigation plan which is reviewed annually.
Mark McCormack- outlined the issues in Article 20 sections 2015,2060, and 2080 of the zoning ordinance revisions regarding signage requirements. He also outlined Article 3 sections 305N, 305O, and 305X of the Subdivision Control Ordinance on dead end streets. These were both voted favorable unanimously from the Sept Plan Commission meeting.
Hughes questioned the 1200 ft cul-de-sac length again (which is existing text that was made less strict 4 years ago) and also the emergency accesses. He wanted the fire depts. to weigh in on them, even though they were suggested, and not required, options. Fox said these were “no brainers.”
All were approved separately with Hughes voting Nay for the emergency access one.
Dennis Kraus Jr. presented the dedication of the Bittner Rd cul de sac for Werners, but no decision could be made- as it wasn’t advertised. This was tabled till Dec meeting.
Todd Listerman- Transportation Director- gave a 13 minute report. He has reviewed the Bittner Rd cul-de-sac and wanted Commissioners to know it was OK as he would NOT be present at the Dec 1st meeting.
Burke Benning Road was accepted into the highway inventory- it is a 12-ft wide gravel road that is .51 miles long. This road replaced Old Pruss Road which is in disrepair. It allows access to land locked pieces. Ownerships had changed in this process- lengthening the time it took to get it settled. Fox said this was also a “no-brainer” compared to the cost of fixing the old road.
FEMA inspected and signed off on storm debris removal costs of $128,058.29 and will pay 75% which is just over $96,000 of this.
Bells Branch Bridge will be let this week.
There is only one consultant bidding on the ITS system (cameras and Artemis) for I-275 section and US 50. There is 100% funding of this from the Feds. This money might revert back if we don’t use it. INDOT still looking at this.
Pickens – Claims and minutes approved. Employee 2009 Holiday schedule approved. 2009 Commissioners meetings will be 1st and 3rd Tues at 7 PM after Jan 1.
Bryan Messmore- Administrator- US 50 Collaborative meets this THURS at 2 PM in the L-bg Library Depot Room.
The Children’s Advocacy Center will be delayed 6 months at least due to scoring on the county application. They will revise this for the next set of grants and submit again in January- for possible approval in March.
Bob Ewbank- Attorney- got approval for the ordinance establishing a VOLUNTARY deferred compensation plan for the sheriff’s dept. No one seemed to know why they have something different that the rest of the county. Auditor needs this to allow withholding from paychecks.
They also approved a revenue sharing agreement and ordinance allowing the sheriff’s dept to charge a fee for crash reports. They can be obtained online now for $12 with $8 reverting to the sheriff’s fund.
Thompson reported that the HWY Dept helped with clean-up of the Old Mt Tabor Church cemetery on US 50. He has been helping with these issues.
Hughes- MONDAY DEC 1st is next meeting- due to the Commissioners Conference that week.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
NOW WHO'S RUDE, DUDE?
This editorial appeared in the Journal Press this week.
Will Rogers once noted that he didn't need to make up material but merely reportedwhat politicians said and did--the rest of the country found it hilarious.
The Chair of the Dearborn County Republican Party verbally attacked me in front of witnesses when I was at the polls to vote on Tuesday, November 4. He accused me of being "rude and unethical" in revealing the dynamics of party politics in the letter published in The Journal Press on October 28. I felt like laughing in his face, but he childishly walked away saying, "I don't want to listen to you."
This isn't unusual because the committees that control both parties in this county don't really want to listen to anyone except themselves. This was a ludicrous sight: the Little Boss of the party walking away like a kid who lost his sucker who was going to pout about it. What came to my mind was, "Oh, grow up. Stop acting like a silly fool andbe the chair you're pretending to be." His wife looked as embarrassed as I was at this usually stable man acting like an oaf.
Remember, this guy runs the same ‘ethical’ party that colluded with the Democratic Party to put up a Republican in Democratic clothes to run against the man the Republican Party faithful voted to represent them in the primary. The Republican committee stabbed the Republicans in the county in the back by refusing to promote the candidate that the Republican regulars had chosen. Apparently, the Little Bosses judged the people of the Republican Party in the county to be fools and nincompoops because they had not picked the Little Bosses' choice.
Like any politicians in this county, these small-minded Bosses supposedly derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed." In Dearborn County, however, our Little Bosses apparently derive their power from the consent of the moneyed interests whom they serve and of their own avaricious appetites.
In their connivance in this, the county’s ineffectual Democratic Party lost any credibility among Democratic regulars--this was no big deal since the Party committee had limited value in the races of the Democrats in this election .
On Thursday, October 30, The Register published a letter explaining that those of us who want the future of Dearborn County to be something worth handing on to our grandchildren are an "anti-everything group who oppose everything." This was written by the so-called Democratic candidate for commission who received money and support from both the Republican and Democratic party when he ran against the Republican primary winner. This Republican shill seems to work for whoever makes the best offer--sounds like a practice that's illegal between men and women in Dearborn County.
So, the petty Bosses are alive and well in Dearborn County in at least one of the parties. We should not be foolish enough to think they represent our interests. Theyhave clearly demonstrated that their only priority is their own greed and the manipulation or destruction of what the people of the county want if that stands in the way of their self-aggrandizement and power.
Bob Sauerbrey
Miller Township
Will Rogers once noted that he didn't need to make up material but merely reportedwhat politicians said and did--the rest of the country found it hilarious.
The Chair of the Dearborn County Republican Party verbally attacked me in front of witnesses when I was at the polls to vote on Tuesday, November 4. He accused me of being "rude and unethical" in revealing the dynamics of party politics in the letter published in The Journal Press on October 28. I felt like laughing in his face, but he childishly walked away saying, "I don't want to listen to you."
This isn't unusual because the committees that control both parties in this county don't really want to listen to anyone except themselves. This was a ludicrous sight: the Little Boss of the party walking away like a kid who lost his sucker who was going to pout about it. What came to my mind was, "Oh, grow up. Stop acting like a silly fool andbe the chair you're pretending to be." His wife looked as embarrassed as I was at this usually stable man acting like an oaf.
Remember, this guy runs the same ‘ethical’ party that colluded with the Democratic Party to put up a Republican in Democratic clothes to run against the man the Republican Party faithful voted to represent them in the primary. The Republican committee stabbed the Republicans in the county in the back by refusing to promote the candidate that the Republican regulars had chosen. Apparently, the Little Bosses judged the people of the Republican Party in the county to be fools and nincompoops because they had not picked the Little Bosses' choice.
Like any politicians in this county, these small-minded Bosses supposedly derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed." In Dearborn County, however, our Little Bosses apparently derive their power from the consent of the moneyed interests whom they serve and of their own avaricious appetites.
In their connivance in this, the county’s ineffectual Democratic Party lost any credibility among Democratic regulars--this was no big deal since the Party committee had limited value in the races of the Democrats in this election .
On Thursday, October 30, The Register published a letter explaining that those of us who want the future of Dearborn County to be something worth handing on to our grandchildren are an "anti-everything group who oppose everything." This was written by the so-called Democratic candidate for commission who received money and support from both the Republican and Democratic party when he ran against the Republican primary winner. This Republican shill seems to work for whoever makes the best offer--sounds like a practice that's illegal between men and women in Dearborn County.
So, the petty Bosses are alive and well in Dearborn County in at least one of the parties. We should not be foolish enough to think they represent our interests. Theyhave clearly demonstrated that their only priority is their own greed and the manipulation or destruction of what the people of the county want if that stands in the way of their self-aggrandizement and power.
Bob Sauerbrey
Miller Township
Monday, November 10, 2008
Aurora to Consider Annexation for 7 acres Along SR148
The annexation for a 64 unit complex comes up for consideration at the Aurora City Council's next meeting, which will be 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at Aurora City Hall, 235 Main St.
The property, just over 7 acres, is located off Ind. 148, Sunnyside Avenue, and adjacent to Woodlawn Avenue and Dinah Drive.
Owners Tom Kent and Emmert Leffler are asking the city to annex the site as R-3, multiple family, zoning.
The property, just over 7 acres, is located off Ind. 148, Sunnyside Avenue, and adjacent to Woodlawn Avenue and Dinah Drive.
Owners Tom Kent and Emmert Leffler are asking the city to annex the site as R-3, multiple family, zoning.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
5 November 2008 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes
Present: Hughes and Thompson
Fox ABSENT- Hughes said Fox was working.
Ewbank, Pickens and Messmore were also present. Commissioner –elect Tom Orschell was present.
No uniformed police officer was present.
There was a group of boy scouts in attendance. No one addressed them during the meeting, though Ewbank answered their questions after the meeting closed.
Bill Black – EMA- gave a summary of the Multi-hazard mitigation plan that he said every county is supposed to have. Groups of county agency reps and departments took part in making up the plan. They addressed needs and goals and education for the community. Black said this does not obligate the county monetarily. Thompson asked for time line- and Black said ASAP. Thompson motioned to table it for two weeks to complete his reading of the documents. Hughes 2nd. Tabled.
November 16-22 was proclaimed as Winter Weather Preparedness Week.
Storm damage will be reimbursed at 75% and Listerman said Highway has about 100,000 to submit on this. They are taking part in a pilot program that doesn’t require overtime only- they can be reimbursed for straight time labor on this clean up as well.
Todd Listerman- Transportation director- gave a 24 minute report:
1. Meeting with area case workers on storm debris cleanup
2. Accepted Williams retreat Road - .22 miles off Bischoff Rd. Some of the 7 lots are sold- no homes yet.
3. Consultant on the Artemis project proceeding.
4. Millings placed on Schantz and Rumsey and chip seal completed on both.
5. Chesterville Bridge open- some minor work remains this month.
6. Holt Road dry ford design contract with Heritage Engineering Jeffersonville. Construction is in-house and they will build it to the 50 year flood limit.
7. Bridge Foreman had minor surgery- will affect the bridge work schedule.
8. One employee left for health reasons, and Tom Orschell gave two weeks notice as he will be commissioner. Listerman requested permission to go to Council to seek approval to fill those two spots.
9. Pickens wanted spots not filled to save some money by losing some positions due to attrition. Listerman was seeking permission to go to Council to obtain 535,000 for next year to pay bills on operating expenses. He has 1,246,000 in the 172 account. Pickens didn’t think he had to get permission for this one. Listerman wanted to be safe. OK’d to go to Council
10. 146 RR account had $60,000 for HWY operations and Listerman says $43,000 is left that he needs for fuel and oil till Jan 1. To date $175,000 has been spent on fuel. Pickens said they only have to go to Council for the $1.4 million on bituminous paving.
11. Trucks will be going home with drivers for winter readiness soon.
Claims and minutes signed.
Messmore- NOTHING- unless there are questions on ongoing activities. There were none.
Ewbank- no new suits.
Thompson- Congratulated Hughes and Commissioner –elect Orschell on their successful election bid for 2009.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Fox ABSENT- Hughes said Fox was working.
Ewbank, Pickens and Messmore were also present. Commissioner –elect Tom Orschell was present.
No uniformed police officer was present.
There was a group of boy scouts in attendance. No one addressed them during the meeting, though Ewbank answered their questions after the meeting closed.
Bill Black – EMA- gave a summary of the Multi-hazard mitigation plan that he said every county is supposed to have. Groups of county agency reps and departments took part in making up the plan. They addressed needs and goals and education for the community. Black said this does not obligate the county monetarily. Thompson asked for time line- and Black said ASAP. Thompson motioned to table it for two weeks to complete his reading of the documents. Hughes 2nd. Tabled.
November 16-22 was proclaimed as Winter Weather Preparedness Week.
Storm damage will be reimbursed at 75% and Listerman said Highway has about 100,000 to submit on this. They are taking part in a pilot program that doesn’t require overtime only- they can be reimbursed for straight time labor on this clean up as well.
Todd Listerman- Transportation director- gave a 24 minute report:
1. Meeting with area case workers on storm debris cleanup
2. Accepted Williams retreat Road - .22 miles off Bischoff Rd. Some of the 7 lots are sold- no homes yet.
3. Consultant on the Artemis project proceeding.
4. Millings placed on Schantz and Rumsey and chip seal completed on both.
5. Chesterville Bridge open- some minor work remains this month.
6. Holt Road dry ford design contract with Heritage Engineering Jeffersonville. Construction is in-house and they will build it to the 50 year flood limit.
7. Bridge Foreman had minor surgery- will affect the bridge work schedule.
8. One employee left for health reasons, and Tom Orschell gave two weeks notice as he will be commissioner. Listerman requested permission to go to Council to seek approval to fill those two spots.
9. Pickens wanted spots not filled to save some money by losing some positions due to attrition. Listerman was seeking permission to go to Council to obtain 535,000 for next year to pay bills on operating expenses. He has 1,246,000 in the 172 account. Pickens didn’t think he had to get permission for this one. Listerman wanted to be safe. OK’d to go to Council
10. 146 RR account had $60,000 for HWY operations and Listerman says $43,000 is left that he needs for fuel and oil till Jan 1. To date $175,000 has been spent on fuel. Pickens said they only have to go to Council for the $1.4 million on bituminous paving.
11. Trucks will be going home with drivers for winter readiness soon.
Claims and minutes signed.
Messmore- NOTHING- unless there are questions on ongoing activities. There were none.
Ewbank- no new suits.
Thompson- Congratulated Hughes and Commissioner –elect Orschell on their successful election bid for 2009.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Dearborn County Local Contested Race Election Results
Dearborn County Local Contested Race Election Results
For more state results see The Register website at
http://www.thedcregister.com/
There were 4,858 Straight Republican voters and 2,495 Straight Democrat voters.
A total of 22,710 votes were cast in Dearborn County today for a 60.55% turnout.
Dearborn County Commissioner District 1
Jeff Hughes 10,715
Doug Taylor 10,350
Dearborn County Commissioner District 2
Tom Orschell 10,848
Richard Fox 10,041
Dearborn County Council At-Large (pick three)
Bill Ullrich 13,504
Maynard Barrett 11,727
Charlie Fehrman 11,660
Philip Darling 10,006
Dearborn Superior Court No. 1 Judge
Jonathan Cleary 15,727
Barbara Wyly 6,002
For more state results see The Register website at
http://www.thedcregister.com/
There were 4,858 Straight Republican voters and 2,495 Straight Democrat voters.
A total of 22,710 votes were cast in Dearborn County today for a 60.55% turnout.
Dearborn County Commissioner District 1
Jeff Hughes 10,715
Doug Taylor 10,350
Dearborn County Commissioner District 2
Tom Orschell 10,848
Richard Fox 10,041
Dearborn County Council At-Large (pick three)
Bill Ullrich 13,504
Maynard Barrett 11,727
Charlie Fehrman 11,660
Philip Darling 10,006
Dearborn Superior Court No. 1 Judge
Jonathan Cleary 15,727
Barbara Wyly 6,002
Sunday, November 02, 2008
www.citizens-for-dearborn-county.com
www.citizens-for-dearborn-county.com
New information has been added to the Citizens for Dearborn County, a registered Political Action Committee (PAC), website.
Citizens for Dearborn County is a registered Political Action Committee (PAC) formed by a group of your concerned friends and neighbors for the primary purpose of promoting ethical and open government in Dearborn County. While events and circumstances at the national level are important, local government decisions have the most immediate and direct impact on our daily lives.
Citizens for Dearborn County seeks to identify the important local government issues and provide you with a non-partisan, objective explanation and analysis. We attempt to determine how candidates will serve citizens' needs by evaluating their past performances and/or service to the community. The goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions on local issues and candidate qualifications for the upcoming elections on November 4th. Visit our website for more information.
Contact:
Citizens for Dearborn County
Mark Hall, Treasurer
New information has been added to the Citizens for Dearborn County, a registered Political Action Committee (PAC), website.
Citizens for Dearborn County is a registered Political Action Committee (PAC) formed by a group of your concerned friends and neighbors for the primary purpose of promoting ethical and open government in Dearborn County. While events and circumstances at the national level are important, local government decisions have the most immediate and direct impact on our daily lives.
Citizens for Dearborn County seeks to identify the important local government issues and provide you with a non-partisan, objective explanation and analysis. We attempt to determine how candidates will serve citizens' needs by evaluating their past performances and/or service to the community. The goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions on local issues and candidate qualifications for the upcoming elections on November 4th. Visit our website for more information.
Contact:
Citizens for Dearborn County
Mark Hall, Treasurer
Friday, October 31, 2008
BENNING’S PUPPETS, HUGHES AND FOX, MUST GO
This editorial appeared first in the Tuesday Journal Press.
When voting for a candidate, we vote for his or her vision of the future. In the case of the candidates for the county commission, we have a clear choice.
Vera Benning was the only commissioner to vote against the planning commission’s comprehensive plan.
She managed to remove both commissioners who supported the plan and replace them with “yes men” for Vera Benning. They even ganged up on one of their own party members who wouldn’t tow the line.
Benning’s subsequent removal from the commission by the vote of the county sent a clear message about what the community wished for its future.
Benning, however, still shows up at the courthouse many times a week keeping her boys in line.
Jeff Hughes’ and Rick Fox’s vision for the future is clear from their records. They have destroyed lands that were precious for the people of this community.
They have consistently voted on the side of “development,” which, for them means concrete and houses which can be sold quickly for profit.
Hughes and Fox then tabled the land use plan to stop the people of this county from having any say in the future of the county.
If you want to see Hughes’ vision and Fox’s future, look at Butler County and Warren County, Ohio. Uncontrolled and unplanned development will destroy this county as it has those.
Tom Orschell and Doug Taylor support the voice of the people of the county. They do not fear to hear from the electorate as Hughes and Fox have indicated by abolishing the public input part of the commissioners’ meetings. Their vision is clear: planned development that takes into account the needs and views of all the people in the county.
In this election, we are voting for our future, for what we will leave our children and grandchildren, and for a promise of protection of the county or a license to exploit it.
We cannot afford more years of Benning’s puppets who share her narrow and destructive agenda.
Bob Sauerbrey
Miller Township
When voting for a candidate, we vote for his or her vision of the future. In the case of the candidates for the county commission, we have a clear choice.
Vera Benning was the only commissioner to vote against the planning commission’s comprehensive plan.
She managed to remove both commissioners who supported the plan and replace them with “yes men” for Vera Benning. They even ganged up on one of their own party members who wouldn’t tow the line.
Benning’s subsequent removal from the commission by the vote of the county sent a clear message about what the community wished for its future.
Benning, however, still shows up at the courthouse many times a week keeping her boys in line.
Jeff Hughes’ and Rick Fox’s vision for the future is clear from their records. They have destroyed lands that were precious for the people of this community.
They have consistently voted on the side of “development,” which, for them means concrete and houses which can be sold quickly for profit.
Hughes and Fox then tabled the land use plan to stop the people of this county from having any say in the future of the county.
If you want to see Hughes’ vision and Fox’s future, look at Butler County and Warren County, Ohio. Uncontrolled and unplanned development will destroy this county as it has those.
Tom Orschell and Doug Taylor support the voice of the people of the county. They do not fear to hear from the electorate as Hughes and Fox have indicated by abolishing the public input part of the commissioners’ meetings. Their vision is clear: planned development that takes into account the needs and views of all the people in the county.
In this election, we are voting for our future, for what we will leave our children and grandchildren, and for a promise of protection of the county or a license to exploit it.
We cannot afford more years of Benning’s puppets who share her narrow and destructive agenda.
Bob Sauerbrey
Miller Township
SHOULD WE DO BACKGROUND CHECKS ON ALL CANDIDATES?
Should we do background checks on all the candidates?
Art Wenzel recently wrote a letter to Register Publications criticizing District 2 Commissioner candidate Tom Orschell’s account of his run-ins with the law. Mr. Wenzel should be commended for taking the time to go to the County courthouse to dig up the criminal records of Mr. Orschell, but perhaps if he wanted to be a true public advocate he would’ve kept digging.
Had he taken the time to do so, he also would’ve found the criminal past of District 1 Commissioner candidate Jeff Hughes. These documents are also public records and can be found at the Clerk’s office.
Mr. Hughes was arrested on three separate occasions for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated. These arrests, and subsequent convictions, were in 1986, 1988 and 1991. Mr. Hughes also paid fines, served time in jail, and was on probation.
Mr. Orschell should at least be given credit for having the guts to come clean about his criminal past. Should background checks be required for every candidate that runs for public office? Should the public care about events that took place over 20 years ago?
These men have paid their debts to society. The decision whether or not to vote for them should be based on what they can, or cannot, do for Dearborn County, not their past criminal actions.
Linda Mitchell
Miller Township
Art Wenzel recently wrote a letter to Register Publications criticizing District 2 Commissioner candidate Tom Orschell’s account of his run-ins with the law. Mr. Wenzel should be commended for taking the time to go to the County courthouse to dig up the criminal records of Mr. Orschell, but perhaps if he wanted to be a true public advocate he would’ve kept digging.
Had he taken the time to do so, he also would’ve found the criminal past of District 1 Commissioner candidate Jeff Hughes. These documents are also public records and can be found at the Clerk’s office.
Mr. Hughes was arrested on three separate occasions for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated. These arrests, and subsequent convictions, were in 1986, 1988 and 1991. Mr. Hughes also paid fines, served time in jail, and was on probation.
Mr. Orschell should at least be given credit for having the guts to come clean about his criminal past. Should background checks be required for every candidate that runs for public office? Should the public care about events that took place over 20 years ago?
These men have paid their debts to society. The decision whether or not to vote for them should be based on what they can, or cannot, do for Dearborn County, not their past criminal actions.
Linda Mitchell
Miller Township
Thursday, October 30, 2008
SPECIAL PERMIT FROM COMMISSIONER JEFF HUGHES
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Why did Jeff Hughes override the rules?
How many others are there like this?
Can one commissioner do this on his own?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
REGISTER PUBLISHES SAMPLE BALLOT
Be prepared when you go to vote on Tuesday.
The Thursday Register will carry a sample ballot again on the editorial page.This sample ballot will only be listing the contested races.
DID ORSCHELL "CLEAR THE AIR" OR CLOUD THE ISSUE?
The following editorial recently appeared in the Register.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, a letter to the editor, titled Candidate clears the air about past," from Dearborn County Commissioner candidate Tom Orschell, was published in The Journal-Press. This letter was about his convictions in 1993 and 1995.
I acquired a copy of the court records. These records are public documents that anyone can get at the Dearborn County Clerks Office for a copying fee. I have included a copy for Register Publications.
In 1993, the Indiana State Police raided Orschell's Corner Cafe and another bar in West Harrison. Six machines were taken in the raids.
Orschell was charged with two felonies, Count I, professional gambling and Count II, promoting professional gambling.
His attorney and the prosecutor negotiated a plea. Count I was reduced to conversion, a Class A misdemeanor and Count II was dismissed.
Orschell plead guilty, was ordered to pay his fine and court cost. He was ordered incarcerated for 365 days of which 350 days were suspended.
Orschell spent 15 days of in-home detention as he stated. The negotiated plea was signed by Orschell, his attorney, prosecuting attorney, and Judge G. Michael Witte.
The plea states that the evidence is to be destroyed except for the coin counting machine that was to be returned to Orschell. The cash was released to the State of Indiana.
In his letter Orschell said he placed the gambling machine in storage.
Witte ordered the evidence, which was the gambling machines, destroyed.
In 1995 Orschell's cafe again was raided. He was again charged with two felonies, Count I, professional gambling, and Count II, promoting professional gambling.
As in 1993, the prosecutor and Orschells attorney worked out a plea.
Count I was lowered to conversion, a misdemeanor, and Count II was dropped.
Orschell was ordered to pay a fine, court costs and ordered incarcerated
365 days. He had 305 days suspended and was ordered to serve 60 days in jail.
Orschell stated in his letter that he served 30 days. That is a difference of 30 days from Wittes order. He indicated that he did not contest the charges and the county did not incur prosecution costs.
When ones attorney negotiates a plea, one agrees to the charges, not contest them. In the letter, there was no mention of the year of probation that was served. He was released from probation Oct. 30, 1996.
If he wins this election, I hope his memory improves!
J. Arthur Wenzel
Miller Township
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, a letter to the editor, titled Candidate clears the air about past," from Dearborn County Commissioner candidate Tom Orschell, was published in The Journal-Press. This letter was about his convictions in 1993 and 1995.
I acquired a copy of the court records. These records are public documents that anyone can get at the Dearborn County Clerks Office for a copying fee. I have included a copy for Register Publications.
In 1993, the Indiana State Police raided Orschell's Corner Cafe and another bar in West Harrison. Six machines were taken in the raids.
Orschell was charged with two felonies, Count I, professional gambling and Count II, promoting professional gambling.
His attorney and the prosecutor negotiated a plea. Count I was reduced to conversion, a Class A misdemeanor and Count II was dismissed.
Orschell plead guilty, was ordered to pay his fine and court cost. He was ordered incarcerated for 365 days of which 350 days were suspended.
Orschell spent 15 days of in-home detention as he stated. The negotiated plea was signed by Orschell, his attorney, prosecuting attorney, and Judge G. Michael Witte.
The plea states that the evidence is to be destroyed except for the coin counting machine that was to be returned to Orschell. The cash was released to the State of Indiana.
In his letter Orschell said he placed the gambling machine in storage.
Witte ordered the evidence, which was the gambling machines, destroyed.
In 1995 Orschell's cafe again was raided. He was again charged with two felonies, Count I, professional gambling, and Count II, promoting professional gambling.
As in 1993, the prosecutor and Orschells attorney worked out a plea.
Count I was lowered to conversion, a misdemeanor, and Count II was dropped.
Orschell was ordered to pay a fine, court costs and ordered incarcerated
365 days. He had 305 days suspended and was ordered to serve 60 days in jail.
Orschell stated in his letter that he served 30 days. That is a difference of 30 days from Wittes order. He indicated that he did not contest the charges and the county did not incur prosecution costs.
When ones attorney negotiates a plea, one agrees to the charges, not contest them. In the letter, there was no mention of the year of probation that was served. He was released from probation Oct. 30, 1996.
If he wins this election, I hope his memory improves!
J. Arthur Wenzel
Miller Township
RECORD TURNOUT WILL HONOR SOLDIER'S SACRIFICES
This is a story about Jonas Parker, Anthony Seig and what the two men have in common. It’s also about the rest of us.
Jonas Parker was a “minuteman”, in Massachusetts. He gathered with his fellow citizen soldiers on April 19, 1775 on the Lexington village green to stand before a threatening force of British Regulars. Jonas Parker was mortally struck in the first deadly volley of British fire and subsequently bayoneted to death where he knelt. Jonas Parker was one of the first Americans to fall in battle to protect what would become The United States of America
Anthony Seig, a Sunman native, was a Pfc. in the United States Army. The 19 year old 2005 ECHS grad was killed on September 9, 2006 in Iraq in an enemy rocket attack. Pfc. Anthony Seig was a recent and local American to fall in battle to protect the United States of America.
The supreme sacrifice made to protect this country is obviously what these two young men have in common. In the 231 years spanning the two men’s deaths, over 1.3 million additional Americans made identical sacrifices. The casualties continue as you read this.
Which brings us to ….. us. It’s often said, there’s no way to fully repay the sacrifices made by these American patriots. While that is certainly true, it doesn’t excuse us from trying.
On Tuesday, November 4th, we will all be given yet another opportunity to engage in one of the sacred privileges these patriots died to protect, the opportunity to choose our own form of government at the polling booth.
If you’re eligible, please honor the memory of all these American patriots by voting November 4th . Respect the privilege by giving serious thought to each vote you cast. Vote only for candidates you respect and trust. It’s not important how many candidates or issues we vote for. The important thing is that we seriously embrace the privilege guaranteed us by Jonas, Anthony and well over a million other Americans.
Please, let’s have a record turnout of eligible voters in Dearborn County on November 4th. I guarantee you’ll feel better after voting and, in addition, it gives you the right to gripe about the results until the next election.
Chet Wolgamot
Manchester Township
Jonas Parker was a “minuteman”, in Massachusetts. He gathered with his fellow citizen soldiers on April 19, 1775 on the Lexington village green to stand before a threatening force of British Regulars. Jonas Parker was mortally struck in the first deadly volley of British fire and subsequently bayoneted to death where he knelt. Jonas Parker was one of the first Americans to fall in battle to protect what would become The United States of America
Anthony Seig, a Sunman native, was a Pfc. in the United States Army. The 19 year old 2005 ECHS grad was killed on September 9, 2006 in Iraq in an enemy rocket attack. Pfc. Anthony Seig was a recent and local American to fall in battle to protect the United States of America.
The supreme sacrifice made to protect this country is obviously what these two young men have in common. In the 231 years spanning the two men’s deaths, over 1.3 million additional Americans made identical sacrifices. The casualties continue as you read this.
Which brings us to ….. us. It’s often said, there’s no way to fully repay the sacrifices made by these American patriots. While that is certainly true, it doesn’t excuse us from trying.
On Tuesday, November 4th, we will all be given yet another opportunity to engage in one of the sacred privileges these patriots died to protect, the opportunity to choose our own form of government at the polling booth.
If you’re eligible, please honor the memory of all these American patriots by voting November 4th . Respect the privilege by giving serious thought to each vote you cast. Vote only for candidates you respect and trust. It’s not important how many candidates or issues we vote for. The important thing is that we seriously embrace the privilege guaranteed us by Jonas, Anthony and well over a million other Americans.
Please, let’s have a record turnout of eligible voters in Dearborn County on November 4th. I guarantee you’ll feel better after voting and, in addition, it gives you the right to gripe about the results until the next election.
Chet Wolgamot
Manchester Township
2 REASONS TO VOTE EARLY
1. Because most people agree this is the most important election in their lives, there's likely to be record turnout at your polling station on November 4. Translation: You may have to stand in a very long line to vote.
But I love voting day, you say. The atmosphere. The little sticker I get to wear, etc. So, please remember:
2. Many people are taking time off their lunch hour or just stepping away from their jobs to vote. If they're looking at a long line, they'll be far less likely to cast their ballot. That means you could be contributing to a much smaller turnout for your candidate.
To find out where you can vote early, click here: http://www.voteforchange.com/
But I love voting day, you say. The atmosphere. The little sticker I get to wear, etc. So, please remember:
2. Many people are taking time off their lunch hour or just stepping away from their jobs to vote. If they're looking at a long line, they'll be far less likely to cast their ballot. That means you could be contributing to a much smaller turnout for your candidate.
To find out where you can vote early, click here: http://www.voteforchange.com/
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
27 October 2008 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Agenda
27 October 2008 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Agenda
Present: Mike Hall, Chairman, Dennis Kraus, Jr, Russell Beiersdorfer, Mark Lehman, Dan Lansing, Mike Hornbach, Bob Laws, Ken Nelson, and Ralph Thompson.
Also present: Arnie McGill, Attorney, and Mark McCormack, Plan Director.
1. Archie Crouch of Land Consultants presented Direct access for a driveway on a collector road in Miller Township on Jackson Ridge Road for owners Ronald and Linda Nixon. The zoning is R on 1 acre.
Line of sight was adequate and though there was an easement for access to a shared driveway, the owner preferred direct access to his home. No public spoke. There is no problem with septic tank in the front yard.
Beiersdorfer motioned and Thompson 2nd to allow access waiving the driveway spacing requirements and specifying that no further splits would have a separate driveway on this land.
All ayes- passed.
2. Primary approval for an additional eight units in Picnic Lawn on Jamison Road in Miller Township. Zoning is R and site along Chris Lane is 3.233 acres. Jeff Stenger of JDJ Surveying presented for owner Jerry Tucker who was also present.
The units were to be in three areas tucked in between the existing buildings. Tucker said there was a demand for two bedroom apartments. Two gravel lots were added in the last couple of months for increased parking. The 8 units will add 21 parking spaces. There are no defined open areas other than the pond and personal patio areas. McCormack noted that there were no records in the office of the original Picnic Lawn proposal. [NOTE: Perhaps the records from the original were hand drawn and so McCormack may not have recognized them as “plans.”]
Parking spaces were questioned- in 1998 there were 295 spaces for the 149 units. Stenger said they decided to “put stuff where stuff is.”
Questions were raised about access for fire trucks on the one proposed site. Stenger said the new Bright Fire Chief takes 2 months to get letters out and says there is no money. Stenger said the trustee gives the fire dept money based on commercial coming in- and this is a commercial project. [NOTE: Are residential apt. units taxed as commercial?]
The people in the neighborhood ( Tina- last name unknown, Angie and Steve Braun, and Bill Hocker) adjoining the site spoke mostly of traffic issues on Gibson and fire safety and also drainage problems that already exist from the complex. Cattails and muck adjoin in one yard. There are no lines on the roads accessing this with lots of cars already and children.
Stenger said Chris Lane is private lane, there is a fire hydrant 200 ft from the site in the complex, and they would have to reroute some of the drainage. Stenger said: “I just don’t design things that don’t drain.” They would have to check the culvert at Salt Fork to determine the degree of detention needed. These will all be single story- though there are seven 2-story townhouses central to the complex now. Tucker said they‘d do what they have to do to get it in – responding to some redesign suggestions from the board.
The PC did not want to shoehorn things in and were concerned with traffic, fire protection access, and drainage. Thompson motioned and Lansing 2nd to TABLE to have tech review and applicant address placement of buildings, access of road, storm water control, traffic (thru hwy dept), parking, and fire protection. All ayes except for Mark Lehman, who voted Nay. Lehman did not specify why.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
1. No ordinance reviews until Nov.
2. Bond reports passed out- Rosewood, Eden Gardens, and Elvin Miller sub’n all accepted and settled this month.
3. Lawrenceville street vacations will be addressed with a meeting Tues at 6:30 PM with owners up there at the church.
4. US 50 Collaborative meeting in November sometime.
5. Inspection report on SR1 and I-74 bridge work shows they will be down to one lane during part of that construction.
6. Salt Fork Bridge work will require minimal closing at connection time.
7. Fiscal impact study has not settled on a meeting time with OKI and our officials to present this.
8. McCormack to meet with Bob Laws for his summary for the 2008 Annual Report from the P&Z office. Laws is not seeking to be reappointed for another term to the PC.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Present: Mike Hall, Chairman, Dennis Kraus, Jr, Russell Beiersdorfer, Mark Lehman, Dan Lansing, Mike Hornbach, Bob Laws, Ken Nelson, and Ralph Thompson.
Also present: Arnie McGill, Attorney, and Mark McCormack, Plan Director.
1. Archie Crouch of Land Consultants presented Direct access for a driveway on a collector road in Miller Township on Jackson Ridge Road for owners Ronald and Linda Nixon. The zoning is R on 1 acre.
Line of sight was adequate and though there was an easement for access to a shared driveway, the owner preferred direct access to his home. No public spoke. There is no problem with septic tank in the front yard.
Beiersdorfer motioned and Thompson 2nd to allow access waiving the driveway spacing requirements and specifying that no further splits would have a separate driveway on this land.
All ayes- passed.
2. Primary approval for an additional eight units in Picnic Lawn on Jamison Road in Miller Township. Zoning is R and site along Chris Lane is 3.233 acres. Jeff Stenger of JDJ Surveying presented for owner Jerry Tucker who was also present.
The units were to be in three areas tucked in between the existing buildings. Tucker said there was a demand for two bedroom apartments. Two gravel lots were added in the last couple of months for increased parking. The 8 units will add 21 parking spaces. There are no defined open areas other than the pond and personal patio areas. McCormack noted that there were no records in the office of the original Picnic Lawn proposal. [NOTE: Perhaps the records from the original were hand drawn and so McCormack may not have recognized them as “plans.”]
Parking spaces were questioned- in 1998 there were 295 spaces for the 149 units. Stenger said they decided to “put stuff where stuff is.”
Questions were raised about access for fire trucks on the one proposed site. Stenger said the new Bright Fire Chief takes 2 months to get letters out and says there is no money. Stenger said the trustee gives the fire dept money based on commercial coming in- and this is a commercial project. [NOTE: Are residential apt. units taxed as commercial?]
The people in the neighborhood ( Tina- last name unknown, Angie and Steve Braun, and Bill Hocker) adjoining the site spoke mostly of traffic issues on Gibson and fire safety and also drainage problems that already exist from the complex. Cattails and muck adjoin in one yard. There are no lines on the roads accessing this with lots of cars already and children.
Stenger said Chris Lane is private lane, there is a fire hydrant 200 ft from the site in the complex, and they would have to reroute some of the drainage. Stenger said: “I just don’t design things that don’t drain.” They would have to check the culvert at Salt Fork to determine the degree of detention needed. These will all be single story- though there are seven 2-story townhouses central to the complex now. Tucker said they‘d do what they have to do to get it in – responding to some redesign suggestions from the board.
The PC did not want to shoehorn things in and were concerned with traffic, fire protection access, and drainage. Thompson motioned and Lansing 2nd to TABLE to have tech review and applicant address placement of buildings, access of road, storm water control, traffic (thru hwy dept), parking, and fire protection. All ayes except for Mark Lehman, who voted Nay. Lehman did not specify why.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
1. No ordinance reviews until Nov.
2. Bond reports passed out- Rosewood, Eden Gardens, and Elvin Miller sub’n all accepted and settled this month.
3. Lawrenceville street vacations will be addressed with a meeting Tues at 6:30 PM with owners up there at the church.
4. US 50 Collaborative meeting in November sometime.
5. Inspection report on SR1 and I-74 bridge work shows they will be down to one lane during part of that construction.
6. Salt Fork Bridge work will require minimal closing at connection time.
7. Fiscal impact study has not settled on a meeting time with OKI and our officials to present this.
8. McCormack to meet with Bob Laws for his summary for the 2008 Annual Report from the P&Z office. Laws is not seeking to be reappointed for another term to the PC.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Monday, October 27, 2008
Jon Cleary Interview
Greetings to our listeners and subscribers in Dearborn County --
We encourage you to listen to the following local shows. Of course you can subscribe to all of our shows absolutely FREE -- for loading onto your iPod, MP3 player, or other portable media player -- just visit our website. It's very simple. However, for the moment if you have a high-speed internet connection and working speakers connected, simply click on the following direct show-links to listen. If you would like to download your own free copy of any of our shows (for personal use, only), they are currently available on our website along with over 500 other show selections -- www.TheFlyPod.com
POLITICALLY CORRECT SHOW: JON CLEARY (R) - Candidate for Judge of Dearborn County Superior Court One. If you have high speed internet access, to listen to this interview turn up your speakers and click on the following direct show-link:
http://www.theflypod.com/asp/newpage.asp?RN=12605
We hope you benefit from listening to this show. Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers about TheFlyPod.com New-Media Network. Also, check out the OPEN FLY FORUM feature on our website -- you can create your own broadcast, immediately! We are quickly becoming a leading "local world" source of programming in the new digital-media age. Any person can sign up on our website to begin automatically receiving "New and Notable Show Alerts". It's 100% free and we will never, under any circumstances, share your email address with any person or organization.
We encourage you to submit your ideas, questions, comments and even complaints. You may email us in Studio 7 anytime -- shout@theflypod.com -- or pick up your cell phone and call our national listener feedback line at 206.337.1716
Thank you -- to our thousands of loyal listeners.
NEW and NOTABLE SHOW ALERTS
Fly Paper Productions, LLC
Digital Media Group - National Operations Ctr POB 324 Harrison, OH 45030 USA
206-337-1716 Listener Feedback Line
www.TheFlyPod.com
TheFlyPod New-Media Network
We encourage you to listen to the following local shows. Of course you can subscribe to all of our shows absolutely FREE -- for loading onto your iPod, MP3 player, or other portable media player -- just visit our website. It's very simple. However, for the moment if you have a high-speed internet connection and working speakers connected, simply click on the following direct show-links to listen. If you would like to download your own free copy of any of our shows (for personal use, only), they are currently available on our website along with over 500 other show selections -- www.TheFlyPod.com
POLITICALLY CORRECT SHOW: JON CLEARY (R) - Candidate for Judge of Dearborn County Superior Court One. If you have high speed internet access, to listen to this interview turn up your speakers and click on the following direct show-link:
http://www.theflypod.com/asp/newpage.asp?RN=12605
We hope you benefit from listening to this show. Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers about TheFlyPod.com New-Media Network. Also, check out the OPEN FLY FORUM feature on our website -- you can create your own broadcast, immediately! We are quickly becoming a leading "local world" source of programming in the new digital-media age. Any person can sign up on our website to begin automatically receiving "New and Notable Show Alerts". It's 100% free and we will never, under any circumstances, share your email address with any person or organization.
We encourage you to submit your ideas, questions, comments and even complaints. You may email us in Studio 7 anytime -- shout@theflypod.com -- or pick up your cell phone and call our national listener feedback line at 206.337.1716
Thank you -- to our thousands of loyal listeners.
NEW and NOTABLE SHOW ALERTS
Fly Paper Productions, LLC
Digital Media Group - National Operations Ctr POB 324 Harrison, OH 45030 USA
206-337-1716 Listener Feedback Line
www.TheFlyPod.com
TheFlyPod New-Media Network
Friday, October 24, 2008
TIME FOR CITIZEN REPRESENTATION
Fellow citizens of Dearborn County:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me in the May primary. I still firmly believe it is time to put a citizen representative in the Commissioners office and that is why I am asking everyone who supported me to please give your support to Mr. Orschell and Mr. Taylor. I feel that both of these gentlemen will be your true citizen representatives in the Commissioners office. They will give you the chance to speak in the meetings even if it is on short notice. They will allow you to speak for however long it takes to get your point across. I feel that they will be what a true commissioner should be, and that is a representative of all the citizens in the county.
After all, the Constitution of the United States clearly states that we are a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and we elect representatives to do our bidding.
The two current commissioners up for re-election do not seem to think along these lines, which is quite evident by their inability to pass the land use map amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. One commissioner seems to think that someone is going to steal your property if this map is passed. My father and mother always taught me that it was a crime to steal. I cannot figure out his thinking on this aspect, unless he feels that it is acceptable to steal in government.
Both commissioners have stated that they tabled the land use map so they could look at it more closely. Since then, no discussion or action has taken place in any commissioners meetings. If it is still being evaluated, how, and why hasn’t anything been discussed?
In the four years that these commissioners have been in office, I do not think that one residential subdivision has ever been denied. There are no county ordinances that say you cannot reject a subdivision. If the subdivision will create a hardship to the residents of the county, such as over crowding of public schools, over burdening the police and fire departments, emergency medical services, then the commissioners have a right to reject a proposed subdivision. One good example would be East Central high school and the building project that was completed last year at a high cost to the taxpayers of the entire county.
So I would like to say thank you once again to the people who supported me and I ask that you give your support to Mr. Orschell and Mr. Taylor and put true citizen representation back into county government.
Thank you;
Jerome (Jake) Hoog
Jackson Township
The above editorial was recently published in the Register.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me in the May primary. I still firmly believe it is time to put a citizen representative in the Commissioners office and that is why I am asking everyone who supported me to please give your support to Mr. Orschell and Mr. Taylor. I feel that both of these gentlemen will be your true citizen representatives in the Commissioners office. They will give you the chance to speak in the meetings even if it is on short notice. They will allow you to speak for however long it takes to get your point across. I feel that they will be what a true commissioner should be, and that is a representative of all the citizens in the county.
After all, the Constitution of the United States clearly states that we are a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and we elect representatives to do our bidding.
The two current commissioners up for re-election do not seem to think along these lines, which is quite evident by their inability to pass the land use map amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. One commissioner seems to think that someone is going to steal your property if this map is passed. My father and mother always taught me that it was a crime to steal. I cannot figure out his thinking on this aspect, unless he feels that it is acceptable to steal in government.
Both commissioners have stated that they tabled the land use map so they could look at it more closely. Since then, no discussion or action has taken place in any commissioners meetings. If it is still being evaluated, how, and why hasn’t anything been discussed?
In the four years that these commissioners have been in office, I do not think that one residential subdivision has ever been denied. There are no county ordinances that say you cannot reject a subdivision. If the subdivision will create a hardship to the residents of the county, such as over crowding of public schools, over burdening the police and fire departments, emergency medical services, then the commissioners have a right to reject a proposed subdivision. One good example would be East Central high school and the building project that was completed last year at a high cost to the taxpayers of the entire county.
So I would like to say thank you once again to the people who supported me and I ask that you give your support to Mr. Orschell and Mr. Taylor and put true citizen representation back into county government.
Thank you;
Jerome (Jake) Hoog
Jackson Township
The above editorial was recently published in the Register.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Where are we now?
This editorial was carried in the Register last week.
Last November, Dearborn County Commissioners Jeff Hughes and Rick Fox voted to table the proposed Land Use Map. The map was created to be a guide for our Planning Commission members to use when considering the future development of our county. Mr. Hughes indicated that he felt the public had not had ample opportunities to voice their opinions as to the development of the map, so therefore it must be tabled until the public had the chance to be heard.
This was disrespectful to the dozens of Advisory Committee members asked to assist with the development of a new Land Use Map. This committee was made up of a very diverse group of your friends and neighbors, including farmers, realtors, business owners, developers, and concerned parents. These individuals volunteered or were asked to take part due to either their interest in county affairs or their professional expertise. I was asked to participate by Mr. Mark McCormack, Dearborn County Planning Director, as he knew I was concerned about the future of our county and come from a family that has farmed here for nearly forty years. We committee members sacrificed time with our families to work on the map, only to see our efforts ignored by Commissioners Hughes and Fox.
It was rude to the Dearborn County Plan Commission members, who by default were participants on the Advisory Committee. These dedicated men and women listened to countless citizens voice their concerns about Planning Commission decisions throughout the years, attended numerous Land Use Map meetings, and thoroughly studied the proposed map before passing it to the Commissioners with a favorable recommendation.
Most of all this was an embarrassment to Dearborn County government. Commissioners Hughes and Fox curtly dismissed the efforts of the Planning Director. Mr. McCormack is one of the most dedicated people on the county’s payroll. He tirelessly organized meetings, kept the committee members focused, and included the public every step of the way! He and his department worked extremely hard to move the county forward on a project that had been in the works for over ten years, and was vital for the planning of future growth for our county.
In their re-election ads, both Commissioners have referred to money they have saved the county over the last four years, but when you consider all of the hours spent working on this project by county employees, the utilities used for multiple after hours meetings, and advertising, printing and mailing costs for public notifications, these two Commissioners have actually wasted tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars that they have conveniently forgotten to mention.
So why would Commissioners Hughes and Fox vote to table the map? Both of them, in consideration of their official positions, were on the Advisory Committee. They were involved with the progression from beginning to end. If they felt that Mr. McCormack wasn’t doing enough to keep the public involved, why didn’t they mention it sooner? The answer is simple – because it was a false claim. Mr. McCormack mailed invitations to every Dearborn county resident to attend multiple open houses on the choice of the final map. If the residents didn’t speak up, it certainly wasn’t because they weren’t asked for their opinions.
It’s been rumored that there are some that aren’t happy with the choice of the final map, particularly because it doesn’t allow for as much development as they’d like, specifically in the Northwest quadrant of the county. Could it be that Commissioner Fox’s partnership in a company with developer Tom Kent, and Commissioner Hughes’s campaign contribution from a developer have clouded their judgment as to what’s best for the county in favor of what’s best for them?
So, where are we now? It’s been almost one year since the map was tabled. What have commissioners Hughes and Fox done to ensure that the public has now been heard? How many public meetings have they held? Where are their records showing the names of county residents that they’ve called to ask about the subject?
The men and women that served on the Advisory Committee, the members of the Planning Commission, the employees of the Planning Department, and the concerned citizens that took the time from their busy lives to come to the open houses deserve an answer! When is the Land Use Map going to be on the Commissioner’s agenda and be passed? It is simply unacceptable that hundreds of people could participate in a process, come to a decision, and have that decision completely ignored by just two arrogant individuals.
Dearborn County citizens need to pay attention. Whether or not you think the map is important doesn’t matter – you need to know what’s happening where you live. Don’t wait until a development is proposed on a property near you, or your children’s grades start to slip because their class is overcrowded, or your taxes go up, again, because the district needs to build another school. Get involved now by voting! The actions of Commissioners Hughes and Fox should prove to you that they do not have the best interests of the citizens at heart, and need to be removed from office.
Reporter Denise Freitag Burdette referred to Mr. Hughes as a “silly, silly man” in her article written right after the proposed Land Use Map was tabled. Members of the Advisory and Plan Commissions would not have been as kind.
Linda Mitchell
Miller Township
This editorial was carried in the Register last week.
Last November, Dearborn County Commissioners Jeff Hughes and Rick Fox voted to table the proposed Land Use Map. The map was created to be a guide for our Planning Commission members to use when considering the future development of our county. Mr. Hughes indicated that he felt the public had not had ample opportunities to voice their opinions as to the development of the map, so therefore it must be tabled until the public had the chance to be heard.
This was disrespectful to the dozens of Advisory Committee members asked to assist with the development of a new Land Use Map. This committee was made up of a very diverse group of your friends and neighbors, including farmers, realtors, business owners, developers, and concerned parents. These individuals volunteered or were asked to take part due to either their interest in county affairs or their professional expertise. I was asked to participate by Mr. Mark McCormack, Dearborn County Planning Director, as he knew I was concerned about the future of our county and come from a family that has farmed here for nearly forty years. We committee members sacrificed time with our families to work on the map, only to see our efforts ignored by Commissioners Hughes and Fox.
It was rude to the Dearborn County Plan Commission members, who by default were participants on the Advisory Committee. These dedicated men and women listened to countless citizens voice their concerns about Planning Commission decisions throughout the years, attended numerous Land Use Map meetings, and thoroughly studied the proposed map before passing it to the Commissioners with a favorable recommendation.
Most of all this was an embarrassment to Dearborn County government. Commissioners Hughes and Fox curtly dismissed the efforts of the Planning Director. Mr. McCormack is one of the most dedicated people on the county’s payroll. He tirelessly organized meetings, kept the committee members focused, and included the public every step of the way! He and his department worked extremely hard to move the county forward on a project that had been in the works for over ten years, and was vital for the planning of future growth for our county.
In their re-election ads, both Commissioners have referred to money they have saved the county over the last four years, but when you consider all of the hours spent working on this project by county employees, the utilities used for multiple after hours meetings, and advertising, printing and mailing costs for public notifications, these two Commissioners have actually wasted tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars that they have conveniently forgotten to mention.
So why would Commissioners Hughes and Fox vote to table the map? Both of them, in consideration of their official positions, were on the Advisory Committee. They were involved with the progression from beginning to end. If they felt that Mr. McCormack wasn’t doing enough to keep the public involved, why didn’t they mention it sooner? The answer is simple – because it was a false claim. Mr. McCormack mailed invitations to every Dearborn county resident to attend multiple open houses on the choice of the final map. If the residents didn’t speak up, it certainly wasn’t because they weren’t asked for their opinions.
It’s been rumored that there are some that aren’t happy with the choice of the final map, particularly because it doesn’t allow for as much development as they’d like, specifically in the Northwest quadrant of the county. Could it be that Commissioner Fox’s partnership in a company with developer Tom Kent, and Commissioner Hughes’s campaign contribution from a developer have clouded their judgment as to what’s best for the county in favor of what’s best for them?
So, where are we now? It’s been almost one year since the map was tabled. What have commissioners Hughes and Fox done to ensure that the public has now been heard? How many public meetings have they held? Where are their records showing the names of county residents that they’ve called to ask about the subject?
The men and women that served on the Advisory Committee, the members of the Planning Commission, the employees of the Planning Department, and the concerned citizens that took the time from their busy lives to come to the open houses deserve an answer! When is the Land Use Map going to be on the Commissioner’s agenda and be passed? It is simply unacceptable that hundreds of people could participate in a process, come to a decision, and have that decision completely ignored by just two arrogant individuals.
Dearborn County citizens need to pay attention. Whether or not you think the map is important doesn’t matter – you need to know what’s happening where you live. Don’t wait until a development is proposed on a property near you, or your children’s grades start to slip because their class is overcrowded, or your taxes go up, again, because the district needs to build another school. Get involved now by voting! The actions of Commissioners Hughes and Fox should prove to you that they do not have the best interests of the citizens at heart, and need to be removed from office.
Reporter Denise Freitag Burdette referred to Mr. Hughes as a “silly, silly man” in her article written right after the proposed Land Use Map was tabled. Members of the Advisory and Plan Commissions would not have been as kind.
Linda Mitchell
Miller Township
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