Citizens ask for Versailles License Branch to remain open
Large crowd attends public hearing
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The capacity plus crowd let the BMV Commissioner know either verbally or by their presence that they did not want the Versailles License Branch to close. The public hearing was held Wednesday, July 7, at the Versailles facility.

Joel Silverman, BMV Commissioner, opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. as advertised and began by saying he was there to receive comments, not to answer questions. He told the crowd, "decisions like this are hard to make." He further noted that the bureau was broke and he felt the way to fix it was to close license branches.

More than 40 people disagreed with Silverman by speaking at the public hearing. From senior citizens who told how inconvenienced they would be from the license branch being closed to elected officials who pleaded the case, everyone in attendance was against the branch closing.

Ripley County Councilman Ed Armbrecht presented facts to the commissioner that he took directly from the BMV website. He presented an idea that maybe some of the branches were overstaffed and with taking care of that problem, perhaps all the branches could be left intact. For example, the Versailles Branch had 31,627 transactions for the year 2004, and they have five employees. This was compared to Elwood Branch, (Madison County) which had 19,198 transactions and seven employees; Hartford City Branch (Blackford County) with 23,820 transactions and seven employees; Winchester Branch (Randolph County) with 24,824 transactions and seven employees and more. He noted with branches comparable to Versailles, that it would be possible to eliminate 11 staff members and save $385,000.

Armbrecht noted that Indianapolis Branch-Virginia Ave. (Marion County) has 26 employees and only processed 81,936 transactions in the year 2004. "Overall, this bureau is overstaffed...you've got a staffing problem," Armbrecht stated. He urged Silverman to "look internally before branches are closed."

Ken Clemens, who noted he was employed with the license bureau for 29 years, said, "I've seen thousands of dollars squandered," and asked the commissioner to "reconsider his decision."

County Clerk Ginger Bradford appealed to the commissioner saying there are many times people have to get additional paperwork when coming to the license branch. She cited those who might need a copy of a birth certificate, marriage license, title for trailer or paperwork for an out-of-state vehicle. Those things could easily be obtained in the town of Versailles, at the health department, court house or police post. She noted that it would pose hardship on people who might have to spend additional time on the road running back and forth to another branch to get the needed paperwork.

" Why does Ripley County have to pay for something they didn't break?" was a question posed by former license branch employee Yvonne Downey.

People owning businesses spoke of the inconvenience it would be for them to have to drive to Batesville to take care of their business with the license branch.

David Chandler of Cross Plains asked the commissioner to send a message back to Indianapolis that saving the license branch would be a great way to start letting the people of Ripley County know the governor is going to make good on his campaign promises.

Denessa Benkie of Versailles, appealed to Silverman on a personal level saying, "Versailles is a special place - the heart of the southeastern part of the state." She noted the parking space was inadequate at the Batesville site and said the Versailles facility was "far superior."

At one point in the meeting, Silverman addressed the crowd pressing in at the door and told them they needed to quiet down. Someone from outside said, "We would if we could hear what's going on in there." The crowd was too large to be housed inside the facility and spilled into the parking lot.

State Senator Johnny Nugent began by telling the commissioner he "quite boldly disagreed" with his decision to close the Versailles License Branch. He continued by saying it would be gross mistake and have a negative impact on the people there.

Nugent continued by admonishing Silverman to slow down and not treat government as a private business. He noted that while he's for efficiency in government, the government has a responsibility to serve the people. He told the commissioner, "You're not gonna' close this branch under my watch." He further stated while he didn't want to do it, he would take legislative action if necessary to prevent the closing of the Versailles Branch.

State Representative Cleo Duncan echoed Nugent's plea and said as the chairman of the Roads and Transportation Committee, she would fight in Indianapolis for the people of Versailles. "This is the heart of Ripley County - we are in Versailles," she emphatically told Silverman. "The people of Ripley County come together, they hold each other up." She said. Duncan said she was willing as were other elected officials, to help the commissioner come up with alternative ways to save money. "I urge you to please let us work with you."

State Representative Bob Bischoff, who represents Brown and Franklin townships in Ripley County said he opposed the closing strongly and said it would be a burden on the people here.

Chuck Strattus, owner of the Yellow Dog in Versailles, brought a visual aid to show the strategic location of the license branch and how closing it would affect even his business. The crowd laughed as he said, "I beg you - I just bought the building." (refering to his restaurant and bar on the square in Versailles).

Bill Uhlarik of Holton told those in attendance that this license branch should be a model for the rest of the state. That sentiment was echoed over and over as people gave testimonials of the efficient help they have received when doing business at the Versailles location.

The temperature was hot inside the facility and as Ron Prosser spoke, he told the commissioner he was to be applauded for the decision to not turn on the air conditioning and save the state some money.

It was noted that Governor Mitch Daniels, who appointed Silverman, began his campaign in Ripley County and ended it there promising the people to be "their man." Many in the audience felt they had been betrayed by that promise with the proposed closing of the Versailles License Branch.

State Representative Billy Bright noted the "concerned look on the license branch's employees," who were in attendance at the public hearing. He said he was concerned about their jobs. He further noted that Versailles is at the intersection of two major highways, US 50 and US 421 and was the prefect location for the facility. He pledged to stand firm with Senator Nugent on the matter.

People came from surrounding counties to show support and ask the commissioner to reconsider closing the Versailles License Branch. They cited friendly, efficient service as their reason for wanting the facility to remain as it is.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Silverman said his office had received several letters in support of keeping the branch open. "I don't disagree that the license branch should stay in Versailles," he told the crowd, but warned them it was a matter of facts not emotions. He said he would be making his decision within the next two weeks.

Silverman noted that the Batesville Branch has a lease that is locked in and that makes his decision difficult. He passed out a handout to those in attendance which said as a result of new legislation, a visit to a license branch is required only once every six years to renew a driver's license and when a vehicle is bought or sold. He said registration renewals do not require a visit and can be done by internet, mail or phone.

The commissioner urged citizens to use alternative ways like the internet, mail or phone to conduct license branch business, eliminating the need for so many branches in the state. He said California is the only state with more license branches than Indiana.

The handout stated, "the BMV must close some of its smallest branches to expand access in growing areas and to enhance service in every branch." It further stated "branch changes are only part of a comprehensive plan that includes a new, statewide computer system, more convenient hours, a change to a 6-year driver license, improved online and mail options, upgrades to existing branches, and other measures. These steps will dramatically improve service to Hoosiers."

The promises from the government to make the license branches more efficient fell on deaf ears at the Versailles hearing as people made it plain they did not believe closing that location would improve anything.

Keeping good on his pledge to do everything in his power to keep Versailles License Branch in operation, Senator Nugent contacted Governor Mitch Daniels first thing Thursday morning, July 7, and requested a meeting.

Those wishing to comment may do so by contacting the governor's website: mdaniels@gov.in.gov or write: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Attn: Joel Silverman, Commissioner, Indiana Government Center North, 100 N. Senate Avenue, Room N440, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Anyone who doesn't have access to a computer and wants to email the governor may do so by going to the Tyson Library in Versailles, where you can be assisted by library staff.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Chuck Stratis owner of the Yellow Dog Tavern and Eatery in Versailles, presented a map to BMV Commissioner Joel Silverman, seated, telling him the importance of the license branch remaining in Versailles

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

A large crowd gathered at the public hearing at the Versailles License Branch on Wednesday, July 6. There were a few seats, but most people had to stand. The crowd edged in the door as far as possible with many people standing in the parking lot trying to hear what was going on inside.