Thursday, December 26, 2024
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
TAKING THE OATH
Incoming Shelby County Councilman Troy Merrick takes the oath of office Monday, led by State Rep. Jenny Meltzer, in Shelby Circuit Court, while Merrick’s wife, Julie, holds the Bible. Accompanying them are their children, Jackson and Evan, and Mr. Merrick’s father, Bill (Moxy) Merrick. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
Council Member Reflects on Terms of Service
by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Shelby County has come a long way over the past dozen years. Some of the amenities now part of the community fabric didn’t exist in 2013, when Ryan Claxton began his first term on County Council. Now in his final week in elected office, Claxton recently reflected on some of the council’s initiatives.
The three-term county councilman was on the formation board for Advantage Shelby County, a scholarship program providing two years of free college education to local graduates. The one-of-a-kind program launched in 2016 with four degree tracks through Ivy Tech Community College, and has been credited for Shelby County’s double-digit-plus educational attainment rate increase.
“(ASC) was a good thing for the community,” Claxton said. “It’s long-lasting and will be successful way beyond my term.”
The popular program continues to expand, with over 20 degree tracks now offered. The additional options were not arbitrarily chosen. Rather, the board went to local employers and asked which tracks were needed.
Another meaningful addition to the community has been the MHP/YMCA Health & Wellness Center, which opened in 2021. Claxton, who serves as president of MHP, was part of a group of county, City of Shelbyville, MHP and Blue River Community Foundation representatives who ensured the center’s existence, and that it included a warm-water pool. The resulting facility needed 600 paying subscribers to remain viable. Now, there are approximately 1,800.
While such quality of life initiatives seem par for the course these days, 12 years ago, the county had funds in the negative. A budget consultant was brought in to organize the county’s finances, and the budget has since been balanced, with every line item having a positive cash balance. The council has since worked on the next step: reducing reliance on racino funds, using those more for special projects rather than day-to-day operations.
“We’ve done all of that without raising taxes, and Shelby County pays on the low side (of tax rates) relative to surrounding communities,” Claxton said.
Such major projects come in addition to funding hundreds of miles of re-paving, replacing and repairing county bridges and funding culvert replacements.
Despite appreciating the value of the experience, Claxton knew the last election cycle would be his last.
“I don’t know what the magic number (of years of service) is, but at some point, you need healthy turnover and new ideas,” he said.
The change also comes at a serendipitous time professionally. Earlier this year, MHP promoted Claxton from Vice President of Business Development and Strategy to President. He will also claim the CEO title in 2025 with the retirement of Jack Horner.
“I don’t think it would be fair to either organization to try to do both (roles) at the same time,” Claxton said.
But his service to the community isn’t finished. With previous and current stints on numerous non-profit boards of directors - Girls Inc., Boys & Girls Club, SCUFFY, Shelby County Development Corporation, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, The Addison Times and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - Man/Woman of the Year Campaign, to name a few - he plans to continue pursuing the overarching goal.
“I’ve enjoyed my time on the (county) council,” Claxton said, “and seeing the community move forward.”
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Central High School Agriculture Department announced the launch of a new hydroponics program. The initiative includes two state-of-the-art hydroponic towers used to grow fresh herbs and lettuce for the school cafeteria, which will provide students regular access to fresh, healthy produce while promoting hands-on agricultural education. The first set of plants has already been started. Ag teacher Kay Huntsman thanked Blue River Community Foundation for a funding grant. “This program not only enhances student learning but also strengthens our school’s commitment to wellness and sustainability,” she said.
Thank you to the Adams family (Ralph, Rosalie, Ed, Bob, Rich, and Jane) for their 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: On November 20 and 21, Iraq conducted its first census in decades. The last time the country had a full census was in 1987, and the 1997 census excluded the Kurds and was beset by Saddam Hussein making numbers up. Needless to say, it’s a pretty momentous moment for a country that is regaining stability after two decades of war. The survey had 70 questions, but didn’t inquire about ethnicity; that kind of question can get dicey in the region, one reason that countries like Lebanon still rely on their 1932 census. The full results will take months to count up but the early data is interesting — with a population of 45 million, it’s still the largest Arab country east of the Nile — and encouraging too, with 60 percent of the population of working age, meaning that the country is actually in a pretty ideal demographic position for strong economic growth. (Foreign Policy/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
Dec. 16, 1965, Part II
“One of Shelby’s women teachers was feeling her age when the Belaire Santa hailed her across the parking lot. Had she really taught that long - long enough to teach the jolly old man with the snow-shite beard? It was somewhat of a relief to learn that a 17-year-old boy in her journalism class was playing the role of Santa. Doesn’t Mike Lindsay play the part of older men well, whether it’s the role of Santa or of old Tony in ‘Curtain Going Up’ that he portrays?”
SHS senior Pam Davis had “stolen” a car on Dec. 2. A green two-door Riviera sedan used by SHS Principal George Boys while his own car was in the repair shop had been parked in the school lot. Boyd was in a faculty meeting when registrar Goldie Craig looked out the window to see his loaner automobile being driven off school grounds. A search began, and the car was found at Gene Davis’ house. Mr. Davis had told his daughter, Pam, that he would park a car on the school lot for her to drive home. Finding the keys in the Riviera, Pam thought Boyd’s car was hers. “Fortunately, since Mr. Boyd made no charges of theft, Pam will not appear on police records as a juvenile delinquent,” The Courier said.
New officers were elected for Boys’ Cheer Block. Tim Joseph was elected president, Mike Vaught as vice president and Greg Mings, secretary. Mr. Ray Beck was the sponsor.
Mr. and Mrs. John Bremer, parents of Bob and Dave, contributed money to the SHS library in memory of Mr. Sharp.
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.
2014: The Morristown Police Department received approval from the Town Council to buy body cameras.
2004: Don’s Pizza, 802 S. Harrison, celebrated two years in business with a special: a 12-inch pizza for $4.99. Don Pike, who co-owned the business with his mother, Randi Dawson, and John Dawson, said many people had told him the restaurant wouldn’t last three months. SHS senior Reba Thurston had worked at the business since it opened.
1994: Tae Kwon Do black belts Ken Jacobs and Larry Turner were teaching karate every Friday afternoon to 50-plus kids at the Boys Club. Jacobs and Turner, who owned Shelby Karate Club, 23 E. Broadway, donated their time for the weekly program, which had been on-going for nine years.
1984: Byron C. Wells, former Shelby County judge, opened his new law office at 16 North Harrison, formerly the Shutter Bug Shoppe.
1974: The annual Christmas dinner - featuring ham, sweet potatoes and green beans -at the Shelby County jail had fed 31 inmates, a reduced number after Judge George Tolen said he “got everybody out of jail that we could for the holidays.” The cooks were Josephine Carmony and Ruth Belles.
The Morristown Town Board hired Earl King to be deputy marshal, to assist Marshal Dennis Alyea.
1964: Major Hospital employees on shift had been treated to a Christmas punch party in the hospital dining room. Employees were presented with canned hams.
A plastic electric three-dimensional nativity scene had been on display in Shelby County for the first time, at the Max Rouse household in Morristown.
1954: Fire destroyed a one-room frame home and all its contents in Morristown, which Harry Bennett, 70 years old and blind, lived in. The home was owned by L.V. Hauk and was located at the rear of the Hauk Mortuary. The fire was caused by an overheated stove. Bennett had left with Harold McWilliams for Indianapolis shortly before the fire occurred.
1944: Jack Metz, 18, 1021 South West St., was injured when hit by a car driven by Dr. J.E. Dobbins. Metz was taken to the hospital in the Murphy ambulance.
The boys of Scout Troop 204 collectively held 291 war bonds, totaling $10,225 in maturity value.
1934: Over 1,500 “poor children of Shelbyville” had received gifts at the Municipal Christmas Party, paid for by Kappa Kappa Sigma. The party was held at the National Guard Armory. Exine Dickmann and Elizabeth Orebaugh had organized the event. The children sang “Jingle Bells” while Santa made his entrance. Richard Brown did a tap dance routine, Milan Lummis danced, a quartet from Booker T. Washington School sang and all the children closed the program with a rendition of “Silent Night.” Santa had led the group in games.
1924: Over 700 children had gathered at City Hall on Christmas morning in freezing temperatures to see Santa. “Many of those who came out arrived at the city building so cold that they were crying, as faces, feet and hands ached,” The Republican said. “The police and others who were at the city hall placed them against radiators and in other places of warmth and soon had the children feeling fine and ready for Christmas.” Each child received candy, nuts and fruit from Santa.
Twenty-two men and eight women living at the county poor farm, south of Shelbyville, had received gifts and a Christmas dinner thanks to community donations.
1914: Charles Sindlinger finished filling his packing house on North Pike Street with ice, totaling 100 tons. The ice had been cut off the deep and wide expanse in Little Blue River just up the river from the Vine Street bridge, where the gravel pump worked. The ice was 10 inches thick.
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OBITUARIES
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