Clark County (The Evening News)
Clark County demolishes one eyesore, more to come
Removal of homes costing county up to $5,000 each
One down, 17 to go. That’s where the county now stands in its effort to remove ‘unsafe and unsightly’ buildings throughout the county.
The Clark County Council was presented at its Monday meeting with the results of the destruction of the first of such properties — a home on West Chestnut Street in Otisco that was damaged by fire.
The budget for the removal of the home was $3,800. The actual cost was over budget, but no specific amount was known, Clark County Commissioner Mike Moore said.
Moore presented the council with a list of remaining properties slated for destruction. All of the properties are in unincorporated areas of the city of Jeffersonville, most in the rural areas of the county.
When asked about the cost to remove the remaining properties, Moore said, “most houses, if there is no asbestos, about $4,000 to $5,000.”
The county was over budget because the company hired to place and remove the Dumpster did not have a strong enough wench to take it once it was full. Also, due to wet conditions, workers were forced to unload the Dumpster, placing the trash in county trucks so it could be hauled to the landfill.
Moore asked that the Dumpster removal be made by the county superintendent, citing its removal as a reason the property was over budget.
The property still needs to be seeded and strawed, but the county was forced to wait because of standing water on the site.
“That one was court-ordered,” said David Abbott, president of the Clark County Council. “We are going to recoup our money by putting a lien on the property.
“The rest of [the properties] we’re going to bid out to individual contractors. We try to give the owner time to pay, to get it cleaned up. If that doesn’t work we take other steps.”
For the rest of the properties to be torn down legal hurdles still await.
“I’m going to come back to you,” Moore said once the next part of the legal process is approved. “It’s not just Mike Moore saying ‘I want this house down’ and this house down.”
Moore also asked about funding for bridge 63, in Henryville. Repair of the bridge was brought up at the last commissioners meeting as a fix that needed to be addressed. The county’s cost for repair, which is 20 percent of the total, is an estimated $463,000.
“If we did get [the money] out of the rainy day [fund] and then the bridge fund was there ...I would vote to repay the money,” Moore said.
In other business:
• A request to appropriate funds to the Clark County Youth Coalition was approved by the council, 6-0. The money was allocated in four ways: Operating expenses for the Clark County Youth Coalition; prevention education; prevent intervention; and law enforcement and justice. The money is collected from counter-measures, criminal cases involving drugs and alcohol.
According to Indiana code, 75 percent of the counter-measures money stays in the community in which the cases occurred and the remaining 25 percent goes to the state, said Connie Keith, executive director of Clark County Youth Coalition.
The funds are then awarded through a grant process.
• A letter from John Vissing, attorney for several former township trustees, settled with the council to pay 60 percent of the individuals 2008 salaries. The payment is to be made for the 2009 and 2010 years, by the end of each calendar year. Eleven officials have been listed in the settlement, with one individual not responding to the settlement. The total amount agreed to is $42,618 — not including the nonrespondent.
Residents voted to eliminate township trustee positions last year.
• Chris Broughton & Associates pitched a proposal to reduce IT operating costs for the county. The IT program would include the local phones, wireless plans, printing and software costs, among others for the county. Broughton had previously presented his proposal to the county commissioners and was directed to the county council. The council was in favor of discussing a plan and directed Broughton back to the commissioners to try and work out a contract.
• A discussion on a super vote — to reduce the vote to four council members instead of five needed for approval — to allow special appropriations to be made on behalf of the council, failed for failure to second.
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Showing their ‘Medal’
“Give us a chance and you’ll be surprised what we can do,” he said.
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Gambling brings billions of dollars to state
But odds are against it continuing as Indiana faces increasing competition from neighboring states, including Ohio, which legalized casino gambling in the fall.
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Feds to review transportation planning
This meeting will be the public’s opportunity to talk directly with Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration officials about the Louisville area transportation planning process, according to a KIPDA press release.
Continued ... - Clark county briefs for Aug. 1, 2010
- EVENING NEWS CHEERS AND JEERS: July 31, 2010
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Hill agrees to two debates
Young Campaign Manager Ryan Burchfield said Friday debates are usually scripted and rigid in nature, with pre-determined questions and little crowd interaction.
Continued ... - EVENING NEWS LETTERS: July 31, 2010
- Clark county briefs for July 31, 2010
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ACL posts Q2 loss, but shows improvement
But it may be good news for ACL that it is breaking even in the first half of the year, because historically the second half of the year is when the company generates more revenue.
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Missing commercial boater’s body found in Ohio River
Spainhour did not know if the coroner would request an autopsy.
Continued ...
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