Friday, December 27, 2024

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS

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SIGNS OF LIFE

New building billboards at the Shelbyville Boys & Girls Club show examples of what happens inside the club’s walls: learning, creativity, mentorship, shared meals and more. Scott Spahr, CEO, thanked Maulden Signs for creating displays that “represent the heart of our programs and our unwavering commitment to the kids we serve daily.” | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

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Nigh Steps Aside as Longest Serving Commissioner in Shelby County History

by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

It might be hard to find anyone who knows Shelby County roads and drainage ditches as well as Kevin Nigh. He’s been traveling the roads on official business since 1986, when he started as a Shelby County Reserve Deputy, and added drainage responsibilities 24 years ago, when he became county commissioner.

Next Monday’s commissioners’ meeting wraps up Nigh’s final term, making him, according to research by The Addison Times, the longest-serving commissioner in Shelby County history.

“I truly have been honored to have the opportunity to serve that long,” Nigh said. “I’ve worked with a lot of good people, a lot of interesting people.”

Incoming Commissioner David Lawson will be just the fourth person to hold the Commissioner Center District seat since 1981, when Nigh’s father, Kenneth Nigh, took office. He served three terms, Bruce Knecht served two terms and Kevin Nigh took office in 2001, alongside fellow commissioners David Mohr and Bob Wade.

In a recent interview, Nigh noted many office staff members and county officials with whom he’s worked.

“But my biggest support has been at home, because you’re gone from home a lot,” he said.

Five terms of service have brought numerous changes. Residents used to leave messages on answering machines. Now, it’s mostly email. The state once changed how properties were assessed, leading to delayed revenues for a county already struggling to meet obligations. The horse track came during his first term, and later expanded to a casino.

“That’s been a blessing to the county’s revenues,” he said.

Nigh knew challenging decisions would also be part of the job. Wade once told him, “You just vote what you know is right, honest and fair, and you’ll go home and sleep good at night.”

That philosophy has worked for Nigh. He often ran for re-election unopposed. When reminded he was the top vote-getter of any candidate, including the president, in the 2016 general election, Nigh laughed. “The only reason I was able to do that was because Judge O’Connor was not on the ballot.”

Some of the more notable projects of his tenure include significant investments in county bridges (which by definition span at least 20 feet) and culverts (less than 20 feet) and roads. Road conditions now in Shelby County are a far cry from when Nigh was growing up, when graders and trucks spraying motor oil on the gravel roads were common sights. Commissioners now focus on maintaining the paved roads.

“I'm proud of our infrastructure, how we've improved it a lot by using Community Crossing grants, and the management of the highway department. We certainly re-paved a lot of miles.”

The fairgrounds grandstand and YMCA are other notable county investments.

Nigh enjoys visiting the Y himself during winters. “That is probably one thing that nobody complained about us spending money on,” he said. “I actually still get some thank-yous.”

But not every decision is popular with everyone. He recently was the lone no vote on repealing an ordinance regarding solar power facilities. The new ordinance creates numerous additional regulations, including a rule that only one solar project can be approved in Shelby County every decade.

“I was uneasy with that,” Nigh said. “I don’t feel right trying to put legislation in place that’s going to strap everybody down the road.”

But in-line with his philosophy, he cast the vote he believed was right. As commissioners got up from their office seats that morning to enter the meeting room, he turned to fellow commissioners Don Parker and Jason Abel. “Here’s what I’m going to do,” Nigh said. “Half of my friends are for it, and half of them are against it. I’m going to go vote for my friends today.”

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NOTEBOOK:

• Two vehicles going the same direction attempting to pass a car parked on the street collided on Balto Drive in a sideswiping incident. The trailing driver claimed the other had not used a turn signal at multiple turns in the Central Park housing addition. She said she honked at the other vehicle, which came to a stop, so she attempted to pass. She said the other driver intentionally crashed into her as she was passing. The second driver, however, claimed he was being tailgated, and that the first driver had been “laying on the horn.” He said as he went around the parked vehicle on Balto, the first driver attempted to pass, causing the collision.

• Thank you to Kay Koenig and Douglas & Nancy Seeman for your generous $500+ gift, and thank you to every donor for your continued support as The Addison Times forges ahead to fund 2025 and beyond. We will once again provide a quarterly publication with extra news and photos in 2025 as a gift for your support of $100 or more. This past year, we’ve covered city and county meetings, our students, local business, primary and general elections, commercial and residential development, and, of course, daily local history. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to The Addison Times, either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you. - Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Honda and Nissan are going ahead with a merger, aiming for 2026 to complete the tie up that will create the third-largest automaker in the world, behind Toyota and Volkswagen. One motivator for the government to help get the deal done is that 8 percent of the working population of Japan works for an automaker or a related job. (The Wall Street Journal/Numlock)

• Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!

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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:

Dec. 15, 1967

• Rev. Kenneth Jewell, pastor of First Church of the Nazarene, spoke to Hi-Y members about the Christmas season.

• The December committee of the Sophomore Sunshine made wreaths and decorations to place on the doors of Heritage House residents. Members of the committee were Marsha Heuer, Theresa Bennett, Marilyn Etherton, Beverly Richardson, Kathie Bryer, Christina Noel, Susie Nentrup and Linda West.

• The Courier provided definitions of “teen talk” terms: crank it on - acceleration of car; drag your bod - come here; dude - boy; flake off - get away, depart; flower power - love; hide - girl; hoppity - scotch-darn it; I’ll see ya - when something is done that is stupid; lip - language; running the traps - riding around; pot - what hippies smoke; scoff the bod - beat you up; soles - shoes; T.C.B. - taking care of business; split - leave.

• Rick Mang and Don Nolley had pins for SHS in a wrestling match against North Vernon. Reserve team wrestlers making pins were Dan Hodgins, Gary Talbert, Doug Wood, Dan Buchanan and John Cunningham.

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This Day in Shelby County History

News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.

2004: Jeff and Michelle Anspaugh re-opened 3-A Coffee as an online business, reviving a Shelby County business popular during the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Joseph Anspaugh, a St. Paul native, had started 3-A in 1934 with his two sons, Kenneth (Jeff’s grandfather) and Lawrence. They traveled door-to-door delivering coffee in a horse-drawn carriage, and later purchased a delivery truck. By 2004, 3-A was being operated as an online business by the couple and their children.

1994: Local stores were packed with people returning items and looking for after-Christmas sales. More than 5,000 had visited the local Walmart in a day. Cato manager Karen Evans said post-Christmas sales were up 25 percent and returns down 50 percent from the previous year.

1984: A fight involving six people outside the St. Paul Tavern led to two being hospitalized. Tavern owner Clifford Kunkel clarified the fight was not associated with his business.

1974: The last stretch of traveled gravel road in Shelby County had recently been paved. Only a few dead-end gravel roads remained of the 872.94 miles of county-maintained roads. The last section had been on CR 150 W running north from 650 N. A group photo after repaving had included Sam Parker, county highway superintendent, giving the “victory” sign, alongside County Attorney Stephen Moberly and Commissioners Dr. J.A. Davis and Jim Williams.

Compton’s Dairy opened its second local dairy farm store in the former Zerr’s Market building, 253 E. Mechanic Street. Eunice Dillender was store manager, and clerks were Sarah Theobald and Betsi Benefiel.

Tippecanoe Press recognized employees at a company party. Belinda Garrett, Glenn Meyers, Bill Johns and 20-year employee Mary Alice Crafton were recognized for various years of service.

1964: A Berkley Drive resident reported someone had broken into his home and stolen six three-pound packages of pork meat, six three-pound packages of pork chops and two frying chickens.

1954: Shelby County’s new health department prepared to be fully operational in the new year. Positions to be hired included a county health officer, senior public health nurse, junior public health nurse, sanitarian (male required) and clerk. It was understood Edith Patterson would be appointed senior nurse. The other positions were open for applications.

1944: Pvt. Thomas Harrison, 25, had been killed in western France, War Department officials notified his wife, Freda Addison Harrison, formerly of Morristown. Harrison was Shelby County’s 49th World War II casualty. He was a Fountaintown native who had graduated with the Morristown High School class of 1937.

1934: Construction of the roof began on the new bandstand in Laura Morrison Park. Employees for the project were paid with federal funds. The brick structure was 60 feet long, 31 feet wide and 28 feet high from the ground to the highest point of the arch that covered the stage. The stage, facing west, where a hill formed a natural amphitheater, was semi-circular in shape. The structure included a full basement to serve as storage and as a dining hall for special occasions. City engineer Yater had drawn the plans based on a sketch made by C. Ernest Kennedy.

Maurice Dunn, 11, died at Major Hospital after he had been struck by an automobile on Christmas Day. Dunn was in fifth grade at Booker T. Washington.

1924: Local business owners reported Christmas sales had been strong.

Anna Kaufman, of Shelbyville, who was studying music in Cincinnati, sang at the First Presbyterian Church.

1914: The temperature was nine degrees below zero.

Mrs. Burker, 601 N. Pike Street, and her daughter, Hazel, were injured when the horse pulling their sleigh became frightened and started to run. The sleigh overturned at Vine and Pennsylvania streets. Dr. Charles Tindall attended to their wounds.

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ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory

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OBITUARIES

Sandra M. (Smith) Redd, 81, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at Morristown Manor in Morristown. She was born December 11, 1943, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Lewis G. and Letitia Smith. Sandra is survived by her daughters, Katherine Roan and husband, Russell, of Shelbyville, Ruth Phillips and husband, David, of Rushville, and Mary Scroggham of Morristown; sister, Freida Smith; grandchildren, Christopher, Kaymie, Patrick, Ashley, Felicia, Lane, Wyatt, Rusty, Dawn and Susan; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Sandra was preceded in death by her brother, Bud Smith; and sisters, Lorraine Smith, Karen Smith and Barbara Smith.

Sandra enjoyed playing Bingo, baking, crafting and sitting with her friends at the nursing home.

A gathering of friends and family will be from 11 a.m. to Noon, Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. The Celebration of Sandra life will follow at Noon, Thursday. Private graveside rites will be conducted. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charity. Online condolence may be shared with Sandra’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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Eddie C. Pitman, Sr., 75, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday December 24, 2024 at his residence. He was born April 2, 1949, in Eubanks, Ken., to Crystal Aileen (Crouch) Pitman.

Eddie was an United States Navy veteran. He honorably served in the Vietnam War and retired as a BMC (SW) after 23 years of active duty. After retiring from the Navy, he enjoyed farming and gardening. He also enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and camping. Eddie had a love for wood working and building model cars. He cherished all the times spent with family and playing video games with his grandkids.

He married Nancy J. (Andrews) Pitman on September 12, 1987, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Allison Lach and Mary Elizabeth McDonald (Jim Polly); his son, Eddie Pitman, Jr. and his daughter, Crystal (husband, Robert) Jacobs; 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; his brother, Henry (wife, Jenny) Pitman, Jr.; his sisters, Crystal (husband, Stephen) Abney and Kat Blake. He was preceded in death by his mother; his brothers, Dennis Michael Pitman and Charles Pitman.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 31, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Matthews officiating. Military rites will be conducted by our local veteran organizations. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Eddie’s family. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post #70, 1125 Miller Ave., Shelbyville, Ind., 46176, in honor of Eddie Pitman, Sr. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.