It was almost a year ago when Pat Barrow, a resident of Jefferson Court, first came before the Jeffersonville City Council with complaints about the nearby Mac Asphalt plant.
Soot, noise and fumes were among the issues she raised as she called on city leaders to put the plant out of business, saying it should not have been allowed there
On Monday, Barrow and others again appeared before the council, upset with what they called inaction on issues at the plant.
There have been some changes since October, however.
The company has built a berm between itself and the neighborhood and it’s adding a chemical aimed at reducing the odors at the plant.
In previous interviews with The Evening News, plant management has said they’re trying to be good neighbors to the surrounding homes.
However, Barrow, who issued a report card on Mayor Tom Galligan on Monday, says the same problems exist today.
She claims that the city isn’t forcing the company to comply with zoning laws.
And, she noted, that much-discussed legislation — aimed at regulating the plants hours of operation and emissions — hasn’t been passed by the city council.
Others voiced similar frustration.
Darienne Areuri, a resident of Myrtle Street, said the emissions were causing her sinus and throat problems. And she said the chemical additive being used to reduce the odor is not helping.
Planning Director Jim Urban — who has addressed the plant during the last year — said it bothered him that the mayor was getting blamed.
He said that he and Galligan had been removed from an e-mail list and had no idea that the problems were persisting.
No action was taken on the complaints.
In other business
• Josh Hillman, with the engineering firm Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz, updated the council on a project proposed to install sidewalks on Charlestown Pike.
He told the council that the project was about 99 percent engineered and could soon be ready to bid. He estimated that the effort, which would install about 4,000 feet of sidewalks, would cost about $325,000.
Councilman Ed Zastawny expressed interest in moving forward with the project. Councilman Ron Grooms said he thought it was a great project, as well.
However, he wanted to hold off on a decision to fund it, as budget talks are continuing in the next few weeks.
• No one spoke during a public hearing on the city's budget. More budget talks are expect Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Jeffersonville City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court.
Clark County
Jeffersonville residents decry slow progress on asphalt plant
City planner says he's bothered mayor is shouldering blame
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River Ridge moves forward with development plans
No sale has been finalized on either piece of land, as River Ridge owns the 16-acre parcel, and the adjacent 54-acre tract is owned by Crossdock Development, a Louisville-based company that specializes in developing properties on the order of millions of square feet.
Continued ... - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 10, 2012
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Town has no cure for ailing medical center
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Dancing
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In the doghouse
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Forum helps Hispanic parents stay involved with education
Angelica Perez, family services adviser for Head Start, said it is important for children to learn English at a young age. She has seen the Hispanic population in Clark County grow and said there is an increased need for English Second Language programs.
Continued ... -
Indiana granted No Child Left Behind waiver
As the deadline approaches, more schools are failing to meet requirements under the law, with nearly half not doing so last year, according to the Center on Education Policy.
Continued ... -
Democrats downsize: Clark County Democrats want to remove five precinct committee people for supporting candidates outside party
DeArk also said he never received a letter that said he may be removed as a precinct committeeman.
Continued ...
“As a matter of practice, I do not accept certified mail,” he said. -
Paying their fair share?
John Gilkey, president of the town council, said when Knott initially shared the information with him a few weeks ago, he was surprised to learn some residents weren’t paying any taxes.
Continued ... - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 9, 2012
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River Ridge moves forward with development plans
