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E A Z I NN S G A M O F RLEL EO F C OIUNPG S ! F U N D S AV AY A U R W18TH ! O Y CH ING C O MSDAY, MAR www.theohiocountynews.com TUE
Issue No. 10
Thursday, March 6, 2014
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Roeder to be new superintendent
School approves funding
Roeder, 32, was one of a dozen applicants to fill the position being vacated by Steve Patz when he retires in July. Rising Sun Ohio County Schools approved a funding salary for the new superintendent at a special public meeting Tuesday, March 4. Currently Roeder is a third Tim Hillman grade teacher at the Ohio Recorder-News Editor County Elementary Middle risingsun@registerpublications.com School and serves as mayor Will Branden Roeder be of Rising Sun. While the official vote is the new superintendent of Rising Sun Ohio County yet to be taken, the contract published on the school's Community Schools? That seems to be the ques- web site accounts for Rotion. The answer is yes.... eder's lack of superintendent license while his masters deunofficially.
gree makes him eligible for a temporary license. The base salary was set at $82,000 with insurance and other items making the total $116,961.84 for the three year contract. Once he obtains his license, the base salary increases to $87,000. During Tuesday’s public meeting Bob White, Dill Dorrell and Lane Siekman each expressed concerns over Roeder trying to hold down both the mayor and superintendent positions. Roeder has served as mayor since 2012 when he became the youngest mayor and followed in his grandfather's footsteps. John G. Ro-
eder Sr. served as mayor from 1999 to 2002 before leaving office due to his health. He later died on Aug. 30, 2003 at the age of 71. Prior to that the late mayor served as Rising Sun superintendent from 1966-1993. His son John Jr. taught in Rising Sun and went on to serve as superintendent at Sunman Dearborn (where the senior Roeder started his superintendent career in 1965 for the Sunman School Corporation). The current prospect told the RECORDER/NEWS last week that he has been looking at possible replacements in the mayor's office. His mayoral replacement would
PATZ HONORED FOR 21 YEARS OF SERVICE
be selected by a Republican caucus with Roeder having input. Branden's father Joe is a longtime middle school and driver's education instructor and his mother Jenny works at the school also. Because his new position would not start until July 1, Roeder would be able to continue with the city’s 200th anniversary celebration which will be high lighted on May 30. The school board will approve the contract on Tuesday, March 11 when it meets for its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. There is no law against
holding both positions but some have questioned the conflict of interest. Roeder will be making a recommendation tonight (Thursday) to city council regarding use of riverboat funding from the city’s endowment growth. Three plans have been developed with Roeder reporting he will recommend one that will give the school $110,000. Other issues have arisen in recent years with current Superintendent Steve Patz requesting additional funding from the city and county due to cutbacks in funding from the state of Indiana.
County OKs 9-1-1 upgrades Ohio County 9-1-1 coordinator Glen Potts doesn't want much but he needs new equipment. Ohio County Council and commissioners heard Potts' request for just over $23,000 to upgrade the communications department (dispatching) CAD system. He stated that the computer system locked Tim Hillman Recorder-News Editor up during a distress call. “It's my top priority to risingsun@registerpublications.com protect the people of Ohio County, you (county from liability) and myself as director,” stated Potts. “We're working by the skin of our teeth ...with equipment six years old (with a lifespan of five year).” The new CAD request is to purchase a server and two workstations installed at a cost of $20,865. Emergitech will charge $2500 to merge new equipment. There are no additional maintenance fees; however, MidWest Data will install at their support rate of $95/hr. There will be an additional $3,000 for an upgrade later. He will speak to the OCCF concerning a grant for this upgrade. County officials voted for the $23,365 to be spent out of the current 9-1-1 funds while asking Potts to go to the city of Rising Sun to see if they would pay half.
Reclcling
In other public business, Aaron Bell, director of the Southeastern Indiana Recycling District (SEIRD) gave his annual report which included education and school rebate back to the schools participating in the recycling program. No specific figures were available for Rising Sun schools but Bell reported the county use of recycling had increased 15 percent over the past year. He praised the efforts in getting the Recycling Center opened in the Barbour business Park and hopes to open one will be added in Batesville in 2014. TIM HILLMAN
Gaming, property tax concerns
Rising Sun School Superintendent Steve Patz shows off his plaque received during Rising Sun’s final home game on Friday, Feb. 28. OCEMS principal Keith Majewski made the presentation for Patz’ 21 years of service. He will retire on June 30
RSRF announces new president After serving as president since the inception of the Rising Sun Regional Foundation in 1996, Marianne Wiggers
retired at the end of the 2013. 2012. The newly elected president, Smith, of Milan, is joined Jerry Smith, has served with by fellow board members: the organization since April Dennis Elliott, Vice-Pres-
ident; David Brown, Treasurer; Sissy Potter, Secretary; Jeff French; Cindy Rottinghaus; and Stan Wiedeman.
ELECTRICAL FIRE REPORTED
Lobbyist Jon Bond reported that this legislative session is the short one so they seemed focused on the elimination of personal property tax. Councilman Dill Dorrell stated that according to the AIC, only the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce is supporting the personal property tax cuts. Jon Bond feels that the legislature has big plans for gaming bills in 2015. Dorrell added that IACT (Indiana Association of Cities and Towns) and the AIC (Association of Indiana Counties) oppose the property tax changes. Sheriff Eldon Fancher informed Council and Commis-
See COUNTY, Page 4
WEATHER TODAY Partly Cloudy HIGH ......45 LOW.....28 Friday AM Clouds/PM Sun HIGH ......52 LOW.....33 Saturday Cloudy HIGH ......46 LOW.....27 Sunday: Partly Cloudy HIGH ......44 LOW.....28 Monday Mostly Sunny HIGH ......54 LOW.....29
INSIDE today COMMUNITY LEGALS/OBITS SPORTS
Copyright Register Publications, 2014
131st Year, No. 10
www.ohiocounty news.com
TIM HILLMAN
An unoccupied trailer at 302 North Poplar Street in Rising Sun was destroyed by fire on Monday, March 3. The Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call shortly after 1:30 p.m. and found the home engulfed. Fire chief Kevin Armstrong said the cause was an electrical fire in the wall of a back room. The trailer was owned by James McCracken. The Rising Sun Police and Ohio County EMS were on the scene also.
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