Saturday, October 26, 2024

Oct 26, 2024

A two-tenant commercial building, which will feature Smoothie King and Wingstop, is underway on East State Road 44, east of the BMV. The project received Plan Commission approval last year, but only broke ground recently. | photo by JACK BOYCE

Local Republicans Rally to the Cause

Shelby County Commissioner Kevin Nigh auctions off fundraising items at the Republican party’s Fall Rally on Thursday, held at Blessing’s Opera House. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

Republicans hold every office in Shelby County except three trustee seats, and Shelby County GOP Chairman Chris King intends to hold the line.

“It's a very solemn promise we have as a party to do well and to have the right people run for office,” King said at the party’s Fall Rally on Thursday, hosted at Blessing’s Opera House. “We have to work hard. If we don't, we're not going to hold those offices. We'll lose seats.”

King thanked Commissioners Kevin Nigh and Don Parker and County Councilman Ryan Claxton, all incumbents in attendance who are not running for re-election. “You guys have poured your hearts and souls into these positions,” he said. King then handed the microphone to each Republican candidate for those seats: Troy Merrick, Charity Mohr and Jeremy Ruble, all running for County Council, and David Lawson and Nathan Runnebohm, running for County Commissioner.

State Rep. Jenny Meltzer and Rep. Cory Criswell spoke, and State Sen. Jean Leising offered updates on her latest activities. This week has included meetings with the State Fair Advisory Committee and the Utilities Committee. Leising, who is now running unopposed after her challenger withdrew in August, said rising utility rates will be an on-going challenge.

Indiana Comptroller Elise Nieshalla lauded the state’s financial position and called for the federal government to rein in deficit spending.

“We are a state that has balanced budgets. We have healthy tax reserves. We have an AAA credit rating, one of just 14 states to have earned that from all three independent credit rating agencies,” Nieshalla said, adding, “We are coming together as state financial officers across this country to raise awareness of the severity of the national debt crisis.”

U.S. Congressional candidate Jefferson Shreve called the national deficit “unsustainable” and “the biggest threat to our security or sovereignty.” He also called on Congress to “get some things done,” such as a farm bill and highway bill, and touched on immigration.

“We’ve got to solve the border crisis. Solve it. It’s not just a matter of throwing up a wall and sending everyone back, because this economy has to grow its way out, and if we’ve got anything going, it’s that human capital has powered our economy,” Shreve said. He cited local industries that rely on immigrants.

“I was at the Kroger distribution center in Shelbyville,” Shreve said. “There are Burmese, Chin, a significant Haitian population, and Latinos. When they do shift change and they talk about the numbers they’ve got to be at, they’re doing it in four languages, right here in this county. So we need lawful, legal pathways to immigration. We need to solve that.”

Several party officials rallied local Republicans to turn-out to vote. Mayor Scott Furgeson noted that he won by 14 votes last year, and that the 2023 city election featured some 1,000 fewer votes than when he first ran 20 years ago, despite fewer voting day options then.

“Complacency is out there. If we think we’ve got it won, we’re in trouble,” Furgeson said.

Indiana Republican Party Chair Randy Head agreed, noting that multiple Indiana counties have no Democrats running for local office

“I tell those county (Republicans), ‘That’s great. You’ve done your jobs. This is wonderful, except voters in those counties think, well, we don’t have any Democrats running here. We’re going to win state (races). We’re going to win the presidency. It’s no big deal. I will stay home.’ And that is how we lose.”

Head concluded his comments with references to President Lincoln’s practice of reconciliation following the difficult Civil War period. Head recommended “turning down the rhetoric” and discussing policy with Democrats. “Our national dialog seems to be centered around insulting people,” he said. “Social media feeds into this, and our national candidates feed into this.”

Also, of note at the event:

The Shelby County Republican Women’s Club will once again sponsor a scholarship essay contest for county high school seniors. The essay question is in regard to whether the electoral college should be abolished, amended or maintained.
Popularity Contest: City Councilwoman Linda Sanders was named-dropped six times during speeches by state level office holders. (That’s six more than President Trump, who, by our count, was referenced by name only when two Trump yard signs were auctioned off at the end of the night, one for $500 and another for some $600.)

Editorial: A Message from the Shelby County Democrat Chairman

by DENNY RAMSEY

As we head into another Election Day, we should relish the fact that our United States Constitution provides for each of us an opportunity to be a part of determining who will govern us not only locally, but also on the state and national level. According to a Pew Research Center poll, few Americans will split their ticket between the two political parties.

What can this mean? As Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle reports, “It leads to choosing unqualified or questionable candidates because the R or D after the name is more important than the person who will hold the office.”

I encourage all Shelby Countians to consider which candidates offer the best ideas for our community and vote accordingly.

The Addison Times has been reporting on the outcome of the recent Northwest Shelby County Concerned Citizens Coalition Q&A at the Moral Township Fire Station. That reporting makes it clear that our local Democrat Party has nominated three smart, knowledgeable-of-issues and hard-working candidates running for commissioner and county council. These candidates, Winnie Soviar, Joe Land, and Chase Yanzer, are on the ballot. Take a close look and consider voting for them.

- Denny Ramsey, Shelby County Democrat Party Chair

NOTEBOOK:

A local man test-driving a red 1978 Corvette, with plans to possibly purchase the vehicle, crashed into Brazeway, 1109 Parker Ave. The test-driver said the accelerator stuck. The owner of the vehicle, who arrived later, said the accelerator had never been an issue with the vehicle. “‘I know what happened here,’ implying that the driver was accelerating to show off the vehicle and lost control of the car,” the responding police officer quoted the vehicle owner in his report. A skid mark was in the alley. A large dent was in the northwest corner of the manufacturing facility. The vehicle suffered heavy front-end damage, the rear wheel snapped, and the tire popped. The steering column snapped as well.
A Chevrolet Equinox rear-ended a school bus in the 700 block of West McKay Road. The Equinox was towed from the scene. There was no visible damage to the bus, and no kids complained of injury.
NATIONAL NEWS: Well, it’s finally happening: they’re selling Comedian. You may recall that in 2019, the artist Maurizio Cattelan unveiled a new sculpture called Comedian, which is a banana duct-taped to a wall. It was generally understood to be a commentary on the absurdism of the contemporary art market. Well, one of the three editions of Comedian will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York, and it’s estimated to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million. What the person will be buying is a certificate of authenticity, the instructions for how to display the sculpture, and a single banana and one roll of duct tape to get you started out. Prior to auction, the work will be displayed in New York, London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo and Los Angeles, which sounds like a pretty exhausting itinerary until you remember any town with a grocery store and a Home Depot can convincingly execute the sculpture. (The Art Newspaper/Numlock)
The Addison Times publishes essential news and historical content to build our Shelby County community, and is free thanks to the generosity of supporters. Those who donate a minimum of $5 a month (or $30 one-time) receive the two remaining quarterly Addison Times magazines for 2024 as an appreciation gift. Support The Addison Times here!
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:

Oct. 24, 1957, Part II

Janet Wagner, a sophomore yell leader, introduced a new yell to the SHS student body: “Now Shelby’s got a team (echo back), That’s better than the rest (echo), Let’s give a little yell (echo), For SHS! (echo) Hey, rah, rah, rah, rah rah…. Let’s make a little noise before they go!”
Returning lettermen on the Shelbyville High School golf team were Jack Krebs, Dan Thurston, Bill Reimann, Jim Taylor and Doug Lackey.
Bernard Cole, SHS senior cross country runner, came in third at the SCC meet. Other SHS runners who placed were Jerry Neafus, John Alexander, Jim Taylor and Larry Epperson.
The JV football team (Bear Cubs) beat Franklin. Greg Fowl, SHS quarterback, hit Bob Wetnight for a 50-yard pass. Jim Butts then ran in a rushing touchdown.
Two SHS alumni were selected to be yell leaders at Franklin College: Annette and Nadine Dellekamp. Their sister, Lynn, was an SHS yell leader.
The Commencement Committee was named: James Barger, Miles Richards, Kenny Karmire, Pat Patterson, Judy Tovey and Waunita Brown.
Janet Thomas was named president of GAA. Other officers were Liz Mullen, Sally Robins, Bonnie Miller and Kay Crafton. Sports captains were Judy Tovey, volleyball; Becky Wolf, basketball; and Ramona Lee, tennis.
New Hi-Y officers were elected: Ron Richardson, president; Jay Walts, vice president; George Stubbs Jr., secretary; Lee McNeely, treasurer; and Fred Clayton, sergeant-at-arms. Mr. Emerson Bass was the club sponsor.
“Goldie’s Gals,” those who helped in the office, were named: Carolyn DeBaun, Barbara Harding (Barbara also helped Mr. McKeand record boys’ absences first hour), Pat Wilkins, Susan Flater, Gayle Wickliff, Asenath Theobald, Sandra McNew, Carol Riser and Sara Coffey.

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 from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.

2014: Editor’s note: Due to a microfilm processing error, the 2014 section for the next couple of weeks will serve to memorialize a local individual who passed away that year.) Ellen (Kettler) Mings, 91, passed away Dec. 12. She had married Ray Mings in 1948, and he preceded her in death in 1991. Ellen worked at Camp Atterbury during World War II and then worked at KCL.

2004: The Morristown volleyball team won its eighth straight sectional championship. Team members were Erin Nigh, Trista Wood, Megan Stout, Nicole Gentory, Stefanie Keffaber, Stephanie Linville, Mikala Gentory, Chelsea Caldwell, Chelsy Carlton, Mary Nolen, Heather Coyle, Casey Gumberts, Hanna Miller and Kaylee Downing. Rita Rouse was the head coach, Dena Caldwell was the assistant coach and John Anderson was the athletic trainer.

1994: Morristown was in the running for a $60 million soybean processing plant, company officials said. The project would either create or transfer 50 jobs to the site. County and town officials discussed tax abatements for the project.

Indianapolis officials suggested metro area counties should help pay Marion County taxes. Shelbyville Mayor Bob Williams responded: “If I told our tax payers that their money would support Indianapolis and Marion County, they’d hang me in the Public Square.”

1984: Mark Williams, the son of Luke and Mary Pat Williams, received an award for being named to the All-Bambino World Series team: a baseball bat featuring the signatures of the Major League All-stars.

1974: Over $900 was stolen from the Montgomery Ward store at Belaire Shopping Center. Manager Jerry Chambers had discovered the theft, which happened while store employees had stepped away from the register.

Sandman Brothers held a sale on Buick Opels. The cars got 25 miles per gallon.

1964: Construction began on 8,950 feet of new water line and 2,600 feet of gas main laid from existing facilities to Belaire Shopping Center.

Time changes were announced for the James Whitcomb Riley passenger train. The Chicago-bound train would arrive in Shelbyville daily at 9:46 a.m., and the Cincinnati-bound Riley would arrive here at 9:21 p.m.

1954: General Electric announced plans for a giant groundbreaking event at the site of the company’s $5 million planned facility. Hot dogs and soft drinks would be available. Russ Benefield was in charge of the parade; Russ Klare in charge of food; Lloyd Mellis is charge of traffic; and Herbert Connor was in charge of local merchants’ participation in the event.

A Halloween party was held for the 26 orphans at Gordon Children’s Home. One of the games included making their own Halloween costume from rummage clothes within a certain time period.

1944: Warren Browning was named president of the Addison Victory Club at the school. Other officers were Christine Coers, Robert West and Lee Ayers. Red and white were chosen as the class colors, and the class motto created was “Victory Through Knowledge.”

1934: Wolf’s Quality Store won an award from Arthur Beir & Co. of New York for their window displays, which were arranged by Roy Risk.

1924: A west-bound Big Four train wrecked about two miles east of Waldron after eight cars derailed. The track was torn up for about 100 feet, but there were no injuries. Passenger trains were detoured via Shirley.

Henrietta Conrad, a well-known opera singer from New York City, gave a concert at Shelbyville City Hall. Many locals had phonographic recordings of her.

1914: A fire alarm turned in for 320 E. Mechanic St. turned out not to be of concern. Thomas Copple had been boiling pitch to fix his roof, and a neighbor called regarding the smoke. In other fire news, the hook and ladder wagon driven by Lora McClain collided with a horse and buggy driven by Harry Murphy, of Fenn’s Station, at Washington and Hamilton streets. The buggy was carried 20 feet by the ladder wagon, but there were no major injures.

OBITUARIES

None today.

The Addison Times