Ripley County gets new EMA director
Economic Development assistant hired

Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

At the request of the Ripley County Commissioners, Dan Mulford, deputy director of the Ripley County Emergency Management Agency, appeared at the Monday, June 20 meeting.

Jerry Fry, the current director of EMA tendered his resignation at the last commissioners’ meeting. Therefore, Robert Reiners, president, offered Mulford the directorship of the agency saying, “I know what you can do. We want to offer you the position.”

Mulford respectfully declined the position, stating that he will stay on as deputy director, but cannot take on the director’s duties on top of his full-time job as the head of 911 in Greensburg. “I just couldn’t leave them hanging,” Mulford said.

He explained that right now there is a lot of pressure at the state level to get all emergency responders trained on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by September 30. Mulford reported that in the past the agency has made response and recovery its main focus. “We’ve always focused on the county.” Now, federal money for roads, schools, etc. could be jeopardized by noncompliance. State and federal entities want to make certain that all agencies respond in the same manner. Mulford said, “It’s about 9/11.” One of the problems locally, he told the commissioners, is that although the training can be completed online, many rural fire departments do not have computers. It is therefore necessary to conduct training sessions in those areas.

Mulford then recommended that the commissioners consider Wayne Peace of the Ripley County Health Department for the opening. Peace possesses 35 years’ experience in emergency services.
Peace subsequently was asked to come over to the meeting. Reiners told Peace that the commissioners had offered the position to Mulford but, “due to his heavy schedule, he does not have the time.” The commissioners asked Peace if he would take the position, and he agreed to take over as director of EMA as of July 1. Chuck Folz made a motion to hire Wayne Peace as director of the EMA. Lawrence Nickell seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The commissioners thanked Peace for accepting the position with Chuck Folz stating, “We’re lucky to have you.”

In another personnel matter, Ted Spurlock, Versailles clerk-treasurer, introduced Pam Weiler. Weiler has accepted a part-time position as the secretary for the Ripley County Economic Development. Weiler, of Sunman, will work in Versailles on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She is also a substitute teacher.

Spurlock also reported that interviews will begin this week to fill the Economic Development director’s spot vacated by Pam Sander.

Commissioner Folz shared a letter from the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission regarding the Community Development Grant for the Osgood Carnegie Library. The letter commended administrators for their record maintenance and found no program deficiencies. It went on to say that as a result of past participation $62 million dollars have been granted to support economic and community development projects in southeastern Indiana.

Budgets for two local service organizations were discussed. Kris Hall of Heart House requested that Heart House be included in the commissioner’s budget in 2007. They are asking for $5,000, which is the same amount they were allowed in 2006.

Heart House serves the homeless population in Ripley and surrounding counties. They have assisted 700 individuals, 200 of whom are children, usually under age 10. Heart House provides temporary room and board, plus life skills training, job placement assistance, budget and money management classes, parenting classes and financial support for medical and personal needs. This summer, they have some residents working on their GEDs at the facility because there are no outside classes until fall.

Julie Schafer of Catch-A-Ride transportation assistance also approached the commissioners regarding that agency’s budget. The commissioners assured her that Catch-A-Ride will be included in their budget again. Schafer reported that Catch-A-Ride is expanding to Jennings County and already offers Ripley residents rides to medical appointments in Decatur County.

Schafer then spoke about Indiana’s 2-1-1 program. Working on the same principal as 911 or 411, people can dial 211 to get hooked-up with public assistance programs throughout the region. The line is answered 24 hours a day/365 days a year and connects callers to agencies that help with food, counseling, employment, health care, support groups, housing, shelter, legal aid, clothing and education. They will also link seniors to medicare and medicaid resources.