Sunman residents asked to respond to survey
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

The Town of Sunman would like to buy the building they currently rent as their town hall. They would also like to use the building as a community center, but they need the help of their citizens.

In a public hearing held as part of the Sunman Town Board meeting on June 15, Susan Craig, Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Director, explained she is putting together a grant application for a Community Focus Fund Grant.

A proposal is to be submitted by July 8. The full application is due in September.

One requirement for eligibility for the grant is that at least 52% of the residents have to be in the low to moderate income range. Based on the 2000 census, only 49% of Sunman residents fall into that category, but statistics could have changed.

The income survey has to be completed before the September deadline and based on population, at least 176 people surveyed must respond. All information is confidential.

The town needs letters of support from organizations and citizens on the project. Letters can be turned in to the Town Clerk, Kris Schneider.

It is hoped the building could be made accessible to the handicapped and used for meeting rooms, senior citizen activities, a food pantry or maybe even a small library.

Several citizens appeared at the meeting concerning a new drainage ditch that will be constructed behind Raintree Terrace Apartment building. The new ditch will be dug out and seeded at a cost of $55,000.

President of the board, Wayne Jenner, said the project should clean up a lot of the town's stormwater problems. They explored the option of underground piping, but the cost was prohibitive.

Improvements to the community park are now in place thanks to a grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation. Those improvements include aluminum bleachers, two grills, and some playground equipment.
LifeTime Resources received permission to put $1,100 in the 2006 budget for their services.

All three board members were present, Wayne Jenner, John Campbell and Mike Wolff. Attorney Jack Kellerman and Clerk-Treasurer
Kris Schneider were there to advise the board. The next meeting of the Sunman Town Board will be held on July 21, at the Sunman Town Hall.