The dearborn count register 10 24 13

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MEET CREEPY...

AND CRAWLY The caterpillar of a buckeye butterfly sports numerous colors, above. Buckeyes winter in the southern United States but because they move northward through the summer months, both adults and caterpillars are often seen here in late summer and early fall.

This caterpillar seems to be a variety of dagger, moth sports a brightly-colored, fuzzy coat. Looking for your own creepy adventure? Check out What’s Going On? Page 9B

Opening November 4th

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Lend a hand

Want to lend a hand to help injured Army veteran Brett Bondurant? Then here’s your opportunity. A volunteer day to help with landscaping is 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. The house is on Crossbow Trail, off Ind. 48, near Dearborn County Hospital, Lawrenceburg. The landscapers will be there and volunteers will help carry sod, set out bushes and shrubs. Bring yourself and a pair of work gloves. There also will be breakfast before the workday starts. The house is being built by Homes for Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that builds homes specially designed to accommodate the needs of those who were severly injured during military service.

G’dale moves on upgrade at U.S. 50 State Line By Chris McHenry Contributor Slow but steady progress is being made in plans to completely reconstruct the dangerous intersection of State Line Road and U.S. 50. Greendale City Manager Steve Lampert reported to the board of works that preliminary plans for the project were reviewed last week by representatives of the Indiana Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Transportation, Hamilton County, Ohio and Greendale. The fact that multiple agencies with different regulations are involved has made the process a complicated one, he said. Lampert pointed out INDOT and ODOT have very different requirements for lane widths. At the state line, Indiana’s four 12-foot lane road narrows to Ohio’s four 10-foot lane width. The new intersection will

See G’DALE, Page 6A

I N S ID E TODAY COMMUNITY...............7-9B SPORTS............. 1-4B, 10B

WEATHERforecast Today: High: 55 Low: 33 Fri: High: 54 Low: 35 Sat: High: 53 Low: 32

CONTACT REGISTER PUBLICATIONS News..........................................(812) 537-0063 Classified..................................(812) 537-0063 Sports........................................(812) 537-0063

© REGISTER PUBLICATIONS, 2013

PHOTOS BY BOB MATTINGLY

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

187TH YEAR

ISSUE NO. 43 $1

L’burg, G’dale councils tour gym Decision on helping school with cost could come in Nov. By Erika Schmidt Russell Editor erussell@registerpublications.com

Several Lawrenceburg and Greendale council people as well as other officials from both cities got a first hand look at the structural problems facing the Lawrenceburg High School gym Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the gym. Superintendent Karl Galey gave an overview of the problems facing the gym as well as architectural plans for the replacement. The entire PowerPoint presentation regarding the gym is online at www. lburg.k12.in.us/, and the school as already paid for a construction manager and architect, he said. Before leading a tour of the failing building, Galey pointed out areas where there are problems, as well as what some of the changes would be between the current building and new one. Pointing to a ramp into the gym from the front entrance on the football field side of the gym, Galey noted it would become a level entrance, as well eliminating two steps into the building. That would make it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, he said. An elevator and restrooms on the football field level also would meet ADA rules. Replacing the gym was not intended or wanted, but it became a priority because of safety and liability issues. The corporation had intended on making improvements/an addition to the academic wing about four years ago, but the gym began rapidly deteriorating, said Galey. Engineers are monitoring the building at least every five months, but if there were a major weather event, they would be called in to inspect the building immediately, said Galey. He continued to discuss and point out problems in the gym. An upper corner of the bleachers is cordoned off with caution tape on the recommendation of engineers. There’s also a bucket placed under a spot that leaks when it rains.

Next meetings...

Lawrenceburg city council meets twice a month. It’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4. It may not have the gym on the agenda for that meeting, however. Lawrenceburg council chambers are at 230 Walnut St. Greendale city council meets once a month. It’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13. Greendale city council meets in the utility building, 510 Ridge Ave.

Pointing to steel structural beams in the main gym that are bowed, he also noted issues in the lockerrooms where walls are separating, as well as issues caused by pipes leaking due to the structural problems. Galey and Lawrenceburg schools’ maintenance director Don Caudill during a tour pointed out gaps, bowed beams and cumbling block and tile as well as cracks in walls, and window panes. Back in the gym, Galey noted the $11.5 million price tag for the new gym also includes a pump system to keep water out of the LHS electrical room, formerly a boiler room and weight room at different points in the school’s history. “There are no perimeter drains or pumps,” said Caudill. He and the maintenance workers use a make-shift pump system when there is heavy rain and the water table comes up. The electrical panels sit on a a four-inch curb, and “we’ve been lucky,” said Caudill about keeping the panels dry. In addition to he $11.5 million for demolishing the current gym and building a new one, the school corporation also has included $750,000 for a multi-purpose field turf so the football field could be used by more activities, said Galey. If Lawrenceburg Schools could get an answer

State Police participate in drug take back Oct. 26

Indiana State Police will be partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and numerous other law enforcement agencies across the United States in the seventh drug take back event in three years Indianapolis Saturday, Oct. 26. Last April, Americans turned in 371 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,829 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners across the U.S. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the

U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. Hoosiers can dispose of any expired or unwanted drugs Oct. 26 by simply taking those drugs to their nearest Indiana State Police Post between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and dispose of them in a des-

See DRUG, Page 6A

See GYM, Page 6A

State’s school super files suit against state board of ed. for alleged Open Door Law violations In response to apparent violations of the The suit alleges that no public notice was Open Door Law by members of the State issued for a meeting that allowed for this Board of Education, Superintendent of Public action and that Superintendent Ritz was not Instruction Glenda Ritz filed suit naming 10 made aware of this action until after it was members of the Board as defentaken, despite her role as Chair of dants. the State Board of Education. The lawsuit alleges that the “When I was sworn in to office, named members of the State Board I took an oath to uphold the laws violated Indiana’s Open Door Law of the State of Indiana,” said Ritz. by taking action in secret by draft“I take this oath very seriously ing, or directing the drafting of, and I was dismayed to learn that a letter they sent to President Pro other members of the State Board Tempore David Long and Speaker have not complied with the requireBrian Bosma dated Oct, 16, 2013. ments of the law. While I respect The suit seeks to prevent the the commitment and expertise of State Board of Education from conmembers of the board individually, tinued violations of the Open Door I feel they have over-stepped their State school super- bounds.” Law and declaratory relief. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges intendent Glenda “Governor Pence strongly supthat 10 members of the State Board Ritz alleges the ports the actions taken by the biviolated Indiana’s Open Door Law state board of edu- partisan membership of the State when they took action by request- cation violated the Board of Education to ensure the ing that Long and Bosma appoint Open Door Law. timely completion of last year’s Indiana’s Legislative Services A-F school accountability grades. Agency to perform calculations to determine The Governor is confident that all relevant the 2012-2013 A-F grades for Indiana schools.

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about the cities helping with the cost by the end of November, it could begin public hearings on a bond issue in December, and potentially begin the demolition process as early as March, he said. Greendale Councilman Bob Bischoff asked about the possibility of a referendum. The school corporation hopes to get under the $10 million referendum cap with help from the two cities, “but we wouldn’t avoid the petitionremonstrance for a bond issue,” said Galey. Currently, the corporation has $2 million in its rainy day account, and hopes to add another $1 million this year. “An Indianapolis attorney told me today we cannot use the savings to get under the referendum cap,” said Galey, answering another question. City of Lawrenceburg Construction Manager Mario Todd asked if the school could pay for part of it with an insurance claim. No, because it’s been happening slowly over time, it wasn’t due to one event. So far the school corporation is being insured, but “if they told me they won’t insure us any more, I’d close the doors tomorrow,” said Galey. Greendale Councilman Ty Bowell expressed reticence about paying for the multi-purpose field turf, and Galey said that would come off the table if it meant the difference in getting help from the cities. Several council people from both cities also asked about public meetings on the new gym. Galey said the last meeting, Thursday, Oct. 3, concerning the cost and a presentation from the architects, was attended by school board members, school officials, the local newspaper and maybe a member of the public. “So no there hasn’t been a lot of public attendance on this.” School board member Greg McAdams noted very seldom does the public attend meetings, “unless we’re making a personnel change on a coach or something.” Greendale councilman Al Abdon said there are conflicting statutes covering whether or not the city could help. As he recalls one of them states only the casino host city or county can contribute, and that is Lawrenceburg and Dearborn County, not Greendale. Abdon also requested a synopsis of the school funding formulas, and perhaps having Galey attend Greendale’s next city council meeting.

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See OPEN, Page 6A

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