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Sports

EMA director announces resignation

Mike Maune - Intern Writer

At the regular meeting of the Ripley County Commissioners, Monday, June 5, the director of the Ripley County Emergency Management Agency, Jerry Fry, announced his resignation. Fry has served as EMA director since 1996, and has worked with the agency since 1993.

Fry told the commissioners that he decided to resign because the mounting responsibilities were becoming overwhelming. He suggested that the director’s position be handled by someone who can devote more daily time to the work, perhaps making it a full-time position. Fry said of the job, “You don’t do it for the pay. You do it to help out the county.”

Praising Fry, Folz told him, “Every time we’ve needed you, you’ve been there for us. You’ve done an excellent job.” Commissioner Chuck Folz reluctantly made a motion to accept the resignation. Lawrence Nickell seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Fry offered his help with finding a new director during the transition. His resignation is tentatively effective July 1.

Other business at the meeting included upgrading the building code. Building Inspector Steve Meyer and Planning Commission Director Tad Brinson offered changes to the way building permits are enforced.

Holding a stack of permits, Meyer explained that many building permits had expired or will be expiring. Reiner said, “They need to come in and ask for an extension.” Meyer said that many people aren’t aware that their permit has expired. He suggested that letters be sent out to inform builders of impending permit expirations.

Meyer and Brinson were also concerned that not all inspections were being performed before occupancy. They said that the $300 deposit was not enough to encourage builders to have all the inspections done. They suggested that the deposit be rescinded and that electricity be part of the final inspection. This would ensure that all the inspections were completed, Brinson and Meyer said.
Brinson offered to draft changes to the ordinance and present it to the Commissioners at the next meeting.

Parking in Friendship next to the main entrance of the Old Mill Campground was also a topic of concern. Gary Stutler, owner of the campground, told the Commissioners that he had painted yellow lines in an attempt to prevent motorists from parking there. He said that a “No Parking” sign had stood for 30 years, but Stutler reported the sign does not keep flea market vendors with large trailers and vehicles from blocking the roadway throughout the shoot. He stated there is no way a fire truck could get through and that campers with large RVs cannot use the entrance to the campground. “It’s an accident waiting to happen,” Stutler said. After the June 10-18 NMLRA Shoot, Stutler hopes to come back to the Commissioners to make the no-parking area permanent.

Auditor Mary Ann McCoy announced that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources had registered the Tyson School and Auditorium as a historical site.

The meeting also recognized the return of Commissioner Nickell from his hospital stay after a heart attack. There was much praise for the Ripley County Paramedics. “Our paramedics kept me alive,” Nickell said.