Here comes high natural gas



Consumers should expect dramatically higher natural gas prices this winter.

While it is too early for Indiana natural gas utilities to predict the exact impact on heating bills, the trend in the competitive national market is cause for serious concern.

National wholesale natural gas prices are very close to the all-time records set in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. In addition, current NYMEX futures costs are substantially higher than previous records for July — the time most gas utilities throughout the nation are filling winter storage supplies.

Useful tips at www.IN.gov/OUCC and energy audit tools on various utility Web sites can help consumers reduce consumption and better manage their bills. Natural gas and electric utilities offer budget billing options that can provide consumers with greater predictability when planning ahead.

Most importantly, I encourage consumers to keep the communication lines open with their utilities — especially if facing a financial hardship. If a particular bill cannot be paid in full and on time, it is crucial that the consumer contact the utility immediately to make payment arrangements to ensure costs are managed during the heating season.

— A. David Stippler, Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, Indianapolis



All-Stars coach offers thanks



As coach of the Indiana State Champion District 5, 18 & under, baseball All-Stars I would like to take a moment to thank the many sponsors that made it possible for this team to physically get to the tournament that was held as far away in this state as can be for our district.

However, we could have never won the state title without the help of many sponsors. Without the help of these great local businesses and individuals the food, lodging and gas expense would not get covered. So, the heartfelt thanks of 15 players from Clark and Floyd counties, the four coaches, and the families of same would like to thank the great folks at Clapp Volkswagen, Davis-Coy Insurance, Bethlehem Packaging, Rocky’s Dock Seafood, Clark County Sheriff Danny Rodden, Attorney Larry Wilder, Attorney Charles Guilfoyle, Prudential Parks & Weisburg Real Estate, Dr. Joe Jacobi, Walnut Ridge Pool & Patio Center, Midwest Steel, and Graham Chiropractic.

There has also been donations from Bowles Mattress, the Hutchinson family, Williams Underwriting Center, Applegate & Fifer Attorneys, Southeastern Indiana Title Company, State Farm – Doug Fisher, Oeffinger-Crone and numerous other individuals and team parents who bought cookie dough through our fundraiser. This effort goes a long way with the added travel expenses of spiraling gas prices and lodging for the team and coaches.

The team is currently in Wyoming, Michigan, right outside of Grand Rapids, to play in the 13-state Central Region tournament to try and reach the World

Series for the fourth time in 10 years! Yet the fundraising efforts continue to insure the continuation of this program when, hopefully, the state championship is held in Jeffersonville. If anyone would like contribute, please call Coach Sean Payne at 812-207-5302.

— George Rorrer, Head Coach



Sheriff’s camp was winner for Floyd County youth



Floyd County Sheriff Daryll Mills hosted a free camp last week for middle school-aged kids called "Camp I Can.”

I had the privilege of volunteering at the camp where over 25 campers participated. These campers are amazing! They gave 100 percent effort in all the activities that were available to them and they listened to all the speakers who volunteered their time to share some words of faith, wisdom and encouragement. They fished, played softball on the farm, played dodgeball, took hay rides, bobbed for apples, sampled night vision goggles, played kickball, camped out, survived a raid by the SWAT team and participated in other fun activities.

I want to say congratulations to these young people for taking time out of their summer to participate in this camp.

I am especially humbled and motivated by the overwhelming love the staff showed these kids.

A special thanks to the police officers, fire fighters and rescue personnel for loving these kids and taking time to be there everyday to mentor.

Thanks to the NA-FC teachers and staff that volunteered their time all week to love and encourage these kids.

Thanks to the civic leaders and speakers for empowering these kids by sharing your life experiences and how God has guided and blessed your paths.

And thanks to Graceland Baptist Church for the use of their beautiful grounds and facilities.

Together, the staff and campers survived "Camp I Did."

— Lee Ann Wiseheart, New Albany



Resident questions city’s cleanup



On July 8, in the Sherwood/Savannah area off Klerner Lane in New Albany, there were very high winds and numerous homes had trees/limbs down.

The sanitation department has been contacted numerous times to schedule a pickup of the limbs, but every time a person calls they get a different answer.

I talked with two individuals and were told tree limbs would be picked up but not tree trunks. I asked both of them where you could dispose of the tree trunks and they could not tell me.

On July 21, there were three, not one, but three trucks in my neighborhood and not one of them stopped to pickup the tree limbs. I stopped a supervisor with the sanitation department in his truck and he told me they did not pickup tree limbs. Now, I have been told by Mayor Doug England’s office the tree limbs will be picked up by the end of the week. It is obvious to me, if the city has high winds or a tornado, the citizens would be on their own, because the city of New Albany does not have an emergency plan in place.

— Debbie Butterweck, New Albany