Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Candidates responded to a myriad of questions before a good crowd at the Meet Your Candidate Night held Monday, October 27 at the South Ripley Elementary Cafeteria.

The event, sponsored by the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, was moderated by Cathy May, who gave each of the 17 candidates, a time limit to give a short statement about themselves, and then respond to a question they had been given upon arrival. Later in the forum, the candidates were asked questions from the crowd.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

The election room in the clerk’s office at the Ripley County Courthouse has been buzzing with activity for the past several weeks. While a larger than usual voter turnout is expected on Tuesday, November 4, already there have been more voter requests than ever.

According to Clerk Ginger Bradford, as of Monday, October 27, there were 1,391 applications sent out for absentee voters. Already, 1,017 have came back into her office. “In the last presidential election, there were 782 altogether,” she noted.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Ripley County Council members unanimously approved a 10-year tax abatement for Belletech at a hearing held at their regular meeting Monday, October 20.

Barry Lauber, president of the Ripley County Redevelopment Commission, spoke on behalf of Belletech, saying officials from the company were in Versailles earlier in the day for an official ground breaking ceremony at the Versailles Industrial Park. He reported that an early agreement had been signed earlier that day for Runnebohm, the construction firm hired to build the facility, to begin breaking ground.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“Coming together this way helps us to get to know each other better,” said Ripley County Republican Chairman Kenny Copeland at the Ripley County Republican fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 18 at the Rosewood Reception Center in Cross Plains. Candidates were introduced and given the opportunity to speak after a fish fry dinner.

Those attending were urged by each of the candidates to put differences aside and vote. “It’s important nationally, statewide, and locally that everyone votes,” said Copeland. “I would like to see good, old-fashioned candidates serve in Washington,” he said.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Personnel from Versailles Fire and Rescue had the distinct honor of having the Versailles Training Facility designated an Official Indiana Firefighter Training Center on Tuesday, October 14 when executives from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) made a stop at the site.

In making the declaration, Joseph Wainscott Jr., executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, noted that the designation came about due to those involved with the site being willing to share and work together with a number of departments. “That’s the key,” he noted, saying they brought others in for training, shared knowledge, resources and talents.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

The need for an upgrade to the software used by the police department was discussed at the Milan Town Board meeting held on Monday, October 13. According to board member Matt Huffman, the software used by the police department is obsolete, with no upgrade available.

Included in the upgrade are a server and software as well as increased storage which will be used by the clerk’s office and the town utilities. The board unanimously approved the purchase for $4,746.00.
Town Manager John Ingram reported that repairs to the Preble Street bridge are complete, as well as the demolition of the old town hall. Ingram reminded the board that leaf pick up will begin on Monday, October 20.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Family, friends, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and country music living legend, George Jones, joined forces to grant one last wish for Russell McGuire, 77, of Versailles.

Russell, who has battled the dreaded disease of cancer for the past five years, got bad news in September from his doctors. “They told him and us, he had hours to weeks to live,” noted his son, Von.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Kim Pierce and Sherry Jones of Family Connections spoke to the commissioners concerning an issue with Franklin Township Trustee Garry Sapp, at the commissioners’ meeting held Monday, October 6. According to these representatives, clients in need that have been referred to Sapp for assistance have been unable to contact him. “It’s very frustrating,” said Jones.

“This has been a big problem,” said Pierce, who noted that Sapp does not answer the phone and doesn’t have an answering machine. Jones told the commissioners that this has been an ongoing issue for several years. Both Pierce and Jones assured the commissioners that Family Connections is able to contact the other township trustees concerning clients in need in their area.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

A Jefferson County grand jury brought down indictments last week against four people involved in a fire at the Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in April of 2007.

The four men indicted are: Gary Mefford, 54, Dupont; Derek Jones, 25, Madison; Jonah Long, 26, North Vernon and Warren “Buddy” Brooks, 26, formerly of Madison.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“I just want to put Kenton in a bubble and protect him from the world,” said Chrissy Gabbard, Osgood, of her infant son, Kenton. He was diagnosed with severe Hemophilia A, which makes it difficult for the blood to clot. According to Gabbard, this type of hemophilia is rare, affecting 1 in 15,000 people.