Sunday, March 3, 2024

HIGH-WIRE ACT

Crews get a lift while working on the Shelby County Players Off-stage theatre project on Miller Ave. | photo by JACK BOYCE

---

Candidates Turn Out for Northwest Meet and Greet

A large contingency of candidates - several of whom emphasized they were “not politicians” - participated in the Northwest Shelby County Concerned Citizens Coalition meeting last Wednesday, held at the Moral Township Fire Station. The candidates each gave a two-minute introduction and milled around afterward answering audience questions.

“This election is extraordinarily important to northwest Shelby County,” Lisa Wojihoski-Schaler, an NWSCCC leader, said. “We're going to be electing two new commissioners, and there's only three. So, it's pretty easy for there to be a majority one way or the other.” 

Below is a list of candidates with brief notes and a quote excerpt:

Jamison Carrier, Republican candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District: businessman from Richmond whose daughter has a business in Shelbyville.

Quote: “Two years ago, my wife and I lost our son Joey to fentanyl poisoning, and that has been a call to action for us. While this isn’t the only issue, it’s the number one issue: we’re concerned about the border. We’re concerned about national security.”

Jeff Raatz, Republican candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District: Is a 10-year member of the Indiana general assembly who moved to Indiana in 1998.

Quote: “I’ve got a great track record on conservative issues, and it comes naturally because it’s who I am.”

Robb Greene, Republican candidate for State House Representative, 47th District: incumbent, running unopposed in primary, has filed a bill regarding imminent domain and Hoosier Homestead farms.

Quote: “People have to prove 100 years of continuous ownership (for Hoosier Homestead designation), but it’s just to get a sign. I think these farms should be protected (from imminent domain).”

A representative for Republican Congressman Jim Banks, who is running for U.S. Senate, attended. The representative said Banks is uncontested in the primary and has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

A representative for Republican Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who is running for Governor, said she wants to eliminate the state income tax, “fight back against China” and is in favor of local government control.

Micah Beckwith, Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, which is elected not by the general population but by delegates.

Quote: “I defended people’s religious liberties when it came to COVID mandates and the lockdowns.” Beckwith, a Noblesville pastor and high school teacher at a Christian school in Carmel, said, “I’ve known what the government has been doing is unconstitutional. I believe our founders laid a great foundation, a Biblical foundation, a foundation rooted in God's law of right and wrong, and we've gotten away from that.”

David Lawson, Republican candidate for Shelby County Commissioner - Center District: has experience in farming and with planning and drainage issues.

Quote: “Our county is really steeped in agriculture, and I think we don’t need to lose that identity. Therein lies the problem of development versus keeping agriculture strong. It’s tough to have both, but there is a balance to be had.”

Tom Rogers, Republican candidate for Shelby County Commissioner - Center District: retired, with military and law enforcement experience.

Quote: “My wife will tell you I'm a workaholic. So I just hope I get the opportunity to go ahead and serve you.”

Winnie Soviar, Democrat candidate for Shelby County Commissioner - Center District: registered nurse, worked for Eli Lilly and appointed two years ago to Shelbyville Plan Commission.

Quote: “I wanted to do something else (beyond my career). I am not done yet, and there are people who have voices that we need to advocate for.” 

J.T. Doane, Republican candidate for Shelby County Commissioner - South District: has experience with comprehensive planning, broadband, parks master plans and related issues. 

Quote: “It's important with these projects and these comprehensive plans you have that they don't sit on a shelf, that they don't become bookends. They should be referenced, and there should be action taken to get things done.”

Joe Land, Democrat candidate for Shelby County Commissioner - South District, was unable to attend due to illness.

Nathan Runnebohm, Republican candidate for Shelby County Commissioner -  South District: grew up in Waldron and owns a real estate company and serves on various local boards.

Quote: “I'm trying to do more for the county and get more involved besides the nonprofits and organization (boards), and bring all this together.” 

Shawn Goolsby, Republican candidate for Shelby County Council At Large: has experience in medical field and in sales.

Quote: “I like to listen to people. Sometimes you can't give them everything they want, but if you listen to what they need, you can figure it out together.” 

Judy Lauziere, Republican candidate for Shelby County Council At Large: ran against three incumbents in 2020; is a real estate agent who emphasized the importance of communication.

Quote: “It's important for people to have their land and do what they want to do with their land.” 

Troy Merrick, Republican candidate for Shelby County Council At Large: Waldron High School graduate, City of Shelbyville employee for 19 years and serves on Shelbyville Central Schools board but is not running for school board re-election.

Quote: “County Council handles the same type of issues the school board does: policies, taking care of money and related (items).”

Charity Mohr, Republican candidate for Shelby County Council At Large: banking professional from southwest part of county; has served as county plan commission appointee for seven years.

Quote: “Probably just like most of you, had we not had things like solar and huge warehouses come into this county, a lot of us maybe still would be sitting there and not really knowing what goes on in government.”

Jeremy Ruble, Republican candidate for Shelby County Council At Large: fringe area resident who was appointed to city plan commission two years ago.

Quote: “I want to take the next step in local government and get involved in county council.”

Chase Yanzer, Democrat candidate for Shelby County Council At Large: Shelbyville High School and Indiana University graduate who works for Habitat for Humanity.

Quote: “I believe we've got an amazing form of government, and it works better if we’ve got engaged citizenry.” 

David Crisler, Republican candidate for Shelby County Council At Large: unable to attend due to prior commitment, but plans to attend the next group meeting, April 9.

---

NOTEBOOK:

• NATIONAL NEWS: The trend of packed vacations that seek to cram all sorts of adventures into every hour of a trip is over; the relaxation vacation is now on the rise. A new survey of leisure travelers found that the percentage of vacationers who cited rest and relaxation as the motivator for travel rose from 17 percent to 21 percent between September and February, an indication that people are seeking the all-inclusive and the resort scene over exploration and the adventurous. (Wall Street Journal/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 $60 one-time) receive an exclusive quarterly Addison Times magazine as an appreciation gift.

• 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!

---

Blue River Career Programs’ Construction Trades Offering Highlighted

Nick Ramsey, Triton Central High School student, works on the job site as part of a Blue River Career Programs house project. | submitted

Construction Trades Technology consists of classroom and lab exercises or live on-the-job experience. 

Students are introduced to safety procedures and power tool safety, blueprint reading and math skills as they relate to the construction of buildings. This is a one- or two-year program open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who may earn up to 15 dual credits from Ivy Tech. Students may also qualify for 3-Certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), which is a nationally recognized portable credential.

Students are exposed to the following areas: Site Layout, Concrete, Masonry Block/Brick, Framing of Floors, Walls, Roof, Plumbing, Electrical, Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning, Insulations, Drywall Hanging / Finish, Roofing, Interior Trim & Finish, Cabinet Installation, Door Knobs Installation and Punch-Out Work.

Students taking this course get a better understanding of home repair/maintenance, residential/commercial construction and entry level positions that are available in the industry.

Construction jobs are in high demand and pay well. Future employees of companies often get their training on the job as they work, with minimal schooling.

Over the past several years, students participated in three Habitat for Humanity homes, a home on Noble Street that sold in September 2021, a 42’ x 72’ pole barn located at Blue River Career Programs built in the 2021-22 school year, and a home built in 2022-2023 at Foxridge subdivision off Knightstown Road.

Currently, the Construction Trades Class is building their second home, a 1,500 square-foot ranch home in an existing neighborhood just off of Knightstown Road in the Foxridge subdivision. These homes being built provide educational experience to students, generate tax base to the city of Shelbyville and   someone in the community benefits by purchasing a quality home.

According to statistics, there is a great need for skilled labor in the construction industry. A large number of contractors and construction tradesmen are retiring; there will always be a need for skilled labor in the fabrication, manufacturing, erecting and installation of goods and products. The human element is just as important today as ever in the construction industry. However, technological demands make it critical for students to receive proper jobsite training. For high school students in Shelby County, that experience and training can be gained through their participation in the Construction Trades program at Blue River Career Programs. For more information on the Construction Trades program, please call Dan Bramell, instructor, at 392-4191, x1117.

---

This Day in Shelby County History

2014: Mitchell Orem, a junior on the Shelbyville boys basketball team, was named a Main Source Academic All-Star.

2004: Developers for Central Park shared plans with City Council for a 350-home neighborhood to be located on 75 acres adjacent to Kroger. The developers said the grid design of the streets would allow fire department trucks to have easy access to each home.

SCUFFY held its 50th anniversary kick-off drive with an Elvis impersonator at Girls Inc.

The Golden Bears defeated Columbus North, 73-71, in double overtime to win the first sectional game. The Harry Larrabee coached team (13-8) advanced to play East Central (17-5).

1994: Local post office officials said the use of nine-digit zip codes, recently implemented, would save consumers future dollars. By adding four digits to the current five-digit number, the computerization process would be more efficient. Officials said postal workers in the 1970s could sort about 40 pieces of mail per minute. With the addition of a machine and bar code reader, workers could sort about 40,000 pieces of mail per hour.

1984: Police received a call from a citizen reporting indecent exposure at a local department store, but the caller wasn’t sure if the “flasher” was male or female, “a fact that flashers are usually quick to reveal,” police said. It turns out the flasher was a man who forgot to close a dressing room door behind him. A security officer at the store noticed the flasher after looking inside the dressing room at the man. The man, noticing the security officer, quickly covered himself with a pair of blue underwear, which he was apparently trying on. No arrests were made.

1974: A military jet crashed in southwestern Shelby County near I-65, but the pilot had ejected safely. The pilot, Capt. Will Hendrix of Columbus, was a Cummins employee and National Guardsman, as well as a Vietnam veteran who had flown the F100 in combat.

Shelbyville won their own sectional with a 40-38 win over Franklin Central, the previous year’s state finalist. Players were Brad Dickmann, Kevin McKenney, Tim Simpson, Greg Griffey, Dave Hauk, Gary Abner, Jeff Kolls, Lonnie Denton, Dave Drake, Greg Babb and Matt Adams. Tom Hewgley was coach; Steve Drake, freshman coach; Tom Gould; assistant coach; and managers were Jeff Peters, Roger Staker and John Schoentrup. Cheerleaders were Terri Plymate, Cyndy Bramwell, Gina Alvis, Linda Frank and Sheryl Murnan. Mark Gould was water boy.

1964: Lee Jurras, city inspector and assistant to the city engineer, spent the city council meeting sitting with the council and taking flash pictures of the audience as he tried out a new miniature camera. “Turn-about is fair play,” The Shelbyville News said.

In actual business, city council approved annexing land for the new Belaire Shopping Center and approved two tracts on which apartments were to be built, on the north side of W. Pennsylvania at Conrey St. and on the former Gordon Children’s Home property.

1954: Lewis Myers, Norman Dagley and Dallas Phillips were appointed as permanent members of the police department, retroactive to 1953, when the officers completed their year’s probationary service.

The James Whitcomb Riley train of the New York Central line through Shelbyville began making regular stops like any other passenger train. The Riley, which had raced through Shelbyville without a stop for several years, was adding Shelbyville as a flag stop, where it would halt only to take on passengers who had previously made reservations.

1944: J. Fred Ellis, chairman of the gasoline panel of the Shelby County Ration Board, sent out an urgent call for volunteer workers to aid with the processing of renewal applications of supplemental rations. Approximately 500 such applications were waiting to be processed.

1934: Remaining assets of the Citizens National Bank of Hope, which had been in receivership since 1929, were sold at the Hope State Bank. The receiver was Morton Lamb, of Shelbyville.

1924: Sparks from a chimney caused a fire at the home of C.H. Fertig, 322 West Mechanic St. The home was owned by J.S. Young.

1914: “Two young blue bloods from Shelbyville, carrying their alleged metropolitan airs and their personal ideas concerning pure aristocracy, ate a couple of excellent dinners at the (Greensburg) DeArmond Hotel yesterday and then walked away, forgetting to pay for the service,” The Shelbyville Republican reported. The boys were caught by police and compelled to pay.

Wilford Conner sold his cigar stand at the Ray Hotel to William Louden, manager of the hotel. Pearl Roth was put in charge of the stand, which carried tobacco and candy.

Will Webb, manager of the Douglas Tailoring Co. in Shelbyville, resigned to open his own store in the Neal building, two doors south of the traction station.

---

OBITUARIES

Rosellen Kendall, 93, of New Palestine, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at her home. She was born September 25, 1930, in Shelby County, the daughter of Edward Gregory and Daisy Jane (Oliver) Wallace.  On June 12, 1949, she married her husband of 74 years, Edward “Leon” Kendall, and he survives. In addition to Leon, Rosellen is survived by her daughters, Judy Cook of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Deborah Cannon of New Palestine; grandchildren, Eric and wife, Sarah, Ryan, Tyler, Jennifer and John and wife, Hollie; and great-grandchildren, Douglas and Gavin. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Nancy Newport; sons-in-law, Ronald Cook and Larry Cannon.

In 1948, she graduated from Mount Auburn High School. Rosellen was a former member of the Flat Rock Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school to the young people.  After moving, Rosellen and Leon became members of the Indian Creek Christian Church. She formerly worked in sales for Waddell and Reed Financial. Rosellen was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed sewing and made over 1,500 quilts for hospice patients. 

Visitation will be from 10 am to Noon, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at Noon, Saturday, at the funeral home, with Chaplain Mike Mercer officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Rosellen’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

---

Jo Ann Coots, 84, of Morristown, passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Morristown Manor. Born September 11, 1939 in Lebanon, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Luther Murphy and Pearl (Grammer) Murphy.  She married Hursel P. Coots on July 29, 1956, and he preceded her on November 14, 2014.

Survivors include two daughters, Rita Drake (Jerry) of Edinburgh and Connie Cross (Tony) of Greenfield; six grandchildren, Rena' Bulmer (Jeremy), Abby Drake (Allen Danner), Kimberly Ayers, Jamie MacMillan (Innes), Chelsie Sweazy (Doug), Courtney Meyer (Ross); 14 great-grandchildren, Gabe Bulmer (Elyzabeth), Gavin Bulmer (Brianna Tucker), Greer Bulmer, Gidget Bulmer, Joseph Danner, Lucy Ayers, Judah Ayers, Lennon Ayers, Fergus MacMillan, Struan MacMillan, Collin Sweazy, Carolina Sweazy, Maverick Meyer, and Macie Meyer. She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, and a grandson, Joshua Drake.

Mrs. Coots had lived in this area for over 70 years, after moving from Lebanon, Kentucky. She had been a machine operator with KCL Corp., retiring in 2000 after 33 years of service. Jo Ann enjoyed listening to country music on her "boombox", watching birds, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Tony Cross officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.