INSIDE TODAY: BABY CONTEST PHOTOS
theRISING SUNrecorder
www.theohiocountynews.com
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Issue No. 26
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City looking to find splash pad cost solution Rising Sun Mayor ing, the new facility April Hautman said Tim Hillman had over $3000 in her first meting Recorder-News Editor water and sewage with city council risingsun@registerpublications.com bills. Apparently a on Thursday, June 5 costly change order went well. ($125,000) was not approved and It was the first public meeting the water is not being recycled. since she was named to replace That means, like all residents with Branden Roeder, who moved on pools, the city is being charged for to be school superintendent. sewage also. However, she finds herself City officials and the Rising amidst a problem with the new Sun Municipal Utility Board have Splash Pad at the city pool. been working to find a solution. After just a few days of operat- Councilman Mike Padgett said
council had hoped the utility would forgive the initial sewage charges. The Splash Pad remains open but from noon to 5 p.m. and with reduced pressure so the tall stemmed flowers aren’t always operating. The original cost of operating of the system was $9000 for the entire season. Other than the Splash Pad discussion, council reviewed the decrease in riverboat gaming rev-
enues, down more than 38 percent during the first two quarters of 2014 as compared to 2013. Figures show wagering tax down from $3,182,661.52 to $1,290,343.51 with admission tax down from $968,345.03 to $383,721.61. Meanwhile council continues to fund special events including $200 for the Lions Club Golf Scramble, $300 for Relay for Life as well as graduation ad and Rising Sun Car Show band trophies. Council approved the final pay-
ment of $60,571 to Rohe for work done in front of Jack’s Place plus $44,979 for Phase 4 riverfront. A route for the Shiner 5K Run on July 26 was approved along with Chris Berkley wedding on Aug. 2 on the riverfront, $50 for step repair to Billy Hoffman, and $7600 for one third of the cost of a new cot for the life squad. The council approved a recommendation by the plan commission to note R2 use as being permitted in a B1 zone.
COOLING OFF FROM 100 DEGREE HEAT Patz gives thanks for opportunity to serve
TIM HILLMAN
Youngsters took to the city pool on Monday as temperatures were near 100 degrees. They enjoyed fighting the water at the new Slash Pad while enjoying a plunge down the water slide or diving off the diving board.
Retiring school superintendent Stephen Patz addressed the Rising Sun School Board on Tuesday, June 17 and thanked the present and past school board, community, school staff, students, parents, and grandparents for the opportunity to serve as school superintendent. He noted that it takes a community to make things go. Patz thanked the five board members who hired him (Gene Elliott, John Rumsey, Bob Wadsworth, Tim Adams, and Norman Rimstidt), for taking a chance on him as a young administrator. He also stated that he hopes that in his 21 years of service, he made a difference. On behalf of the Board of School Trustees, acting Board President Harlan Holt Hoffman thanked Patz for his dedication and service and for leading the corporation during difficult times and leaving it in a positive state of operation. The following personnel resignations were accepted: Samantha Lange as Teacher Aide; Angie Lozier as Teacher Aide; Kelsie Baker as 8th
Grade Volleyball Coach and Gina Kremer as 7th Grade Volleyball and 8th Grade Basketball Coach. Incoming Superintendent Branden Roeder will be working with the building principals and Board President Corey Potts to fill the vacated personnel positions before school starts. The Corporation Policy updates were approved as presented. Bids for fuel and milk were opened and tabulated. There were no bread bids so the product will be purchase as needed on the open market. The only fuel bid was presented from Laughery Valley who is the present fuel vendor for the school. Milk bids were received from Trauth Dairy, Prairie Farms, and Borden with Trauth Dairy presenting the best bid. Board action was required to change the names on the school bank accounts at MainSource Bank along with a signed letter recognizing the change and the incoming School Superintendent. The change will be effective July 1, 2014.
WAKE UP IT’S FAIR TIME
Long-time Aurora dispatcher heading west BY CHANDRA L. MATTINGLY Staff Reporter
Aurora Police Clerk Denny York credits his stage four colon cancer diagnosis for saving his life. Not only did he survive the cancer, but also the two live-threatening aneurysms found during related scans. York, 63, Aurora, was recognized Monday, June 16, by Aurora Mayor Donnie Hastings for “loyal and dedicated service to the people of Aurora.” An Aurora native, York is moving with his wife Lynn to Palm Desert, Calif., at the end of June. The 1969 Aurora High School graduate grew up on Aurora’s Conwell Street, attended college, then went into banking at age 20. He worked for Peoples Building and Loan in Aurora for 10 years beginning in 1972, then at American State’s Aurora branch until 1988, when he went to work in Rising Sun for 10 years.
During those 10 years, he saw the Ohio County bank change from Rising Sun State Bank to Merchants Bank and Trust to National City and then to PNC, he said. His final banking years were spent back with American State in Aurora until 2003 when it was sold and staff were downsized. Meanwhile, though, York had a second career. He was hired as a part-time Aurora Police Department dispatcher under Aurora’s then-chief Jim Wismann, became a reserve police officer a year later, and continued working as a part-time dispatcher through 1991, then again from 2004 until Aurora turned dispatching duties over to the county in March, whence he became a police clerk. He also worked part-time as a dispatcher in Ohio County during some of those years. York joined Aurora Emergency Rescue in 1971,
See YORK, Page 4
TIM HILLMAN
Meghan Lamkin gets some help washing her rooster at he Ohio County Fair on Monday. It’s a wake up call for the fair which runs through Friday with the annual Livestock Sale at 6 p.m. preceded by the Pork Chop BBQ from 4-6 p.m.
4H royalty selected SUBMITTED PHOTO
Aurora Mayor Donnie Hastings awards a plaque of appreciation to longtime Aurora Police Dispatcher Denny York, now police clerk, at the Monday, June 16, Aurora City Council meeting. York is moving to California in July.
Fireworks on riverfront Friday, July 4
On Friday, July 4, the City of Rising Sun will light up the night sky with fireworks on the river. The traditional event is being moved from the park to the river and it’s more than just a brilliant aerial display. You’ll want to come early. The party starts at 7 p.m. on Front Street with great music and food. Chuck Brisbin and The Tuna Project along
with Deja Blue will pound out toe-tappin’ tunes for nearly three solid hours. Come early and enjoy the free concert by these great regional bands! The Rising Sun Lions Club will serve up concessions. So leave the coolers behind and support a great organization that supports your community. At 10 p.m., fireworks will fill up the sky with their crackles and booms
echoing throughout the river valley. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and spread out along Rising Sun’s terraced river seating. Fireworks will be launched near the old boat ramp. Front Street from First Street to Plum Street will be closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Bring your family and friends to the Rising Sun riverfront Friday, July 4.
The 2014 Ohio County Fair opened with the crowning of its royalty on Thursday, June 19. The royal family includes: ■■King Winner – Jacob Rice ■■Queen Winner – Sarah
Steele ■■Prince Winner – Jace Leonard ■■Princess Winner – Allison Steele Watch for complete fair results in upcoming issues of the Rising Sun Recorder.
WEATHER
INSIDE today
COMMUNITY 3 TODAY Mostly Sunny LEGALS/OBITS 4 HIGH ......86 LOW.....66 SPORTS 6-7 Friday Partly Cloudy Copyright HIGH ......85 LOW.....68 Register Publications, 2014 Saturday Scattered T-Storms HIGH ......84 LOW.....69 131st Year, No. 26 www.ohiocounty news.com Sunday: Isolated T-Storms HIGH ......90 LOW....70 Monday Isolated T-Storms HIGH ......92 LOW.....70