Thursday, October 24, 2024
FISHING EXPEDITION
Shelbyville Middle School students Mason Miano and Ace Caldwell fish in the district’s ecology pond after school Tuesday while some high school students prepared for Monday’s Haunted Trail event. The seventh graders caught (and released) catfish and largemouth bass. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
HALLOWEEN SPIRIT
Halloween is just one week away, and this West Broadway home is well decorated for the occasion. | photo by JACK BOYCE
County Commissioner Candidates Answer Questions at Forum
Editor’s note: The following series includes transcripts from the recent Northwest Shelby County Concerned Citizens Coalition’s Question and Answer Forum. Answers are lightly edited for clarity. Candidates for two County Commissioner seats were given five minutes to answer the following:
Given that 72% of the registered voters of Shelby County live in unincorporated areas of the county, and also assuming that most of these voters believe that preservation and protection of farmland is essential to maintain the rural and agricultural character of Shelby County, then: #1: What priority do you give to preservation and protection of farmland? #2: As to development in the unincorporated areas, what land uses do you envision? #3, As to residential development, what are your thoughts on limiting it to agriculture and estate three-to-five-acre residential uses, or do you favor other parameters? And if so, specify. #4, Where would commercial, industrial or other residential development be appropriate? #5, How would you prioritize infrastructure such as water and sewer and development areas, maintaining roads, developing broadband and future fire districts. And the last part, what is your opinion of the uses of TIF district and tax abatements for future development in Shelby County?
Nathan Runnebohm, Republican, South District:
The question about prioritizing preservation and protection of farmland: That question probably hits (David Lawson and me) the hardest; growing up on a farm, that’s how my family survives.
My family grew up around the Prescott area near Waldron, a huge farming community. You got to realize that farmers are our number one employer, probably for the entire county, even though they're all independent contractors, you add up all the farmers and everybody that's associated with grain, everything like that, that's our number one employer for the county, besides MHP or something like that. Also, you look at Bunge, which is the number one economic development to happen in Shelby County, which is also related to farming. So preservation of the farmland is a huge priority to me, and it's also one of the biggest job creators here in Shelby County. So, I would like to look at something like an Agricultural Park, creating more jobs, like what you see at Bunge or POET, where we’re benefitting our citizens, our farmers, and still trying to preserve Shelby County while creating jobs overall.
As for development on the three-to-five-acre rules on residential: Shelby County is growing. It's going to grow. We all want our kids to live here or move here, or be part of the family farm. I'm not a fan of the three-to-five-acre rule. You take five acres of farmland out of production; You can have four families between people who want to build houses, that’s 20 acres that we've now taken out of production. So I don't think an individual house needs five acres. It needs to be determined on a case by case basis. For instance, if it was farmland and always been farmland, versus something that was maybe woods, or kind of have a more usable land, those numbers can vary based on those kinds of things.
As for commercial industrial development in corporate areas: I think the appropriate areas are going to have to be along the I-74 corridor, and major state highways, 252, 44, 421, etc., if we're going to be having semis, major traffic come in, and keep that out of residential and small rural areas.
How would I prioritize infrastructure, such as water, etc.? My number one priority would be for creating better jobs for the county. I know that's not on your list, but we need to create and get higher paid jobs that benefit the county overall. Also, broadband is a utility these days. As a real estate agent, that's one of the questions people ask is, what kind of internet can I get here? It's like well or septic. People are working from home, the kids are doing school, broadband is a huge priority, basically the utility these days that is needed the most, especially in the rural communities. So I put that as number two on my list. Then, probably the fire and the future fire districts. Again, we're having issues with the volunteer fire departments and getting people and volunteers these days. So, if we can do some stuff to work for ambulance services and fire in these small towns, like Moral, Waldron, that would be a priority; ambulance, that would be tougher.
And then my opinion on TIF districts and tax abatements: I think TIF districts are important, done right. Specific areas, that's all determined on the comprehensive plan. On tax abatements, again, on a case-by-case basis, but you know, it does help lure new businesses, higher paying jobs, all that stuff, to the county.
Winnie Soviar, Democrat, Center District:
The priority for preservation, protection of farmland: It's an important aspect of the identity of Shelby County, no question. And since people have sat on the committees to periodically update the comp plan and UDO, I would expect that those folks who are experts in farming and all things agriculture would contribute to those document updates. We should all be following these documents, to preserve the farm land, and also intelligently progress the county, so people will want to live and work and play in Shelby County. We need multi-generations of people to want to be here for a variety of reasons. We need all ages to be in Shelby County. That's important.
As to development in unincorporated areas: We need to consider how to manage these areas so they prosper and grow, and the people who live there are valuable assets to our county. We need to help support the area with housing, retail opportunities, whatever might be needed.
The residential development, the three-to-five-acre rule: It's not a one-stop shopping response to me. I think every area needs to be evaluated and reviewed on its own merits. I don't think we can just give a blanket statement on that.
What would commercial, industrial, residential development be? I think the committees should have delved into the UDO and comp plan reviews. That's an important thing to me. These are documents that would need to be our roadmap for any kind of progress, no matter what realm of progress we're talking about. They provide the roadmap for intelligent preservation and growth of the county. These documents have purpose and need to be followed. I'm absolutely someone who likes standard operating procedures, and then any kind of regulations, we need to be following them. We need to not just put them in a drawer and look at them once and not follow them again. The perspectives of the people, the experts who contribute to these - I’m sure that robust discussions were part of that whole process. And we need to identify people to be on these kinds of task forces to be able to update these documents appropriately, too.
How would you prioritize infrastructure? Well, for 2024, and beyond, we need to see what's available currently in the specific area, have input from appropriate county engineers, surveyor, health department, etc. Once that information is reviewed, then match it with the county comp plan, and the UDO, and prioritization will be part of those discussions. And you need data to effectively prioritize the infrastructure. You have to have data. You need to look back and qualify and justify why you're making a decision to go forward the way that you do.
Tax increment financing: Well, they're targeted economic development tools. We talked about that several times already this evening, and they can be useful to develop land with many advantages for economic growth, tax base, and to redevelop areas. It can also be incredibly complex, as we know, you can have the county, municipalities, school districts, all involved in the whole process for that kind of thing. It's not easy. It is a way to help grow the county, and it's an option to be used if it makes sense for a specific project. Again, it's not a one-stop shopping, everything's yes or everything's no. It has to be evaluated on its own merits.
David Lawson, Republican, Center District:
Regarding preservation and protection of farmland: There are over 220,000 acres of farmland in Shelby County, and we're blessed with these open spaces and farm ground, which are currently in the crosshairs of development. And we tend to know that more today than probably ever before. Preservation and protection come in the form of considerate and sensitive planning, more than anything. We must balance our growth and identify where that growth and development are most suitable.
As to development in unincorporated areas, what land uses do you envision? Agricultural development for me will be at the forefront just because I'm tied to agriculture. (I have a family farm.) I feel that any agribusiness or company that wants to locate in Shelby County should be given an abundance of consideration, just because I think that would strengthen our agricultural ties and our existing presence, as well as add to the rural economy.
The residential development, three-to-five acres: I think back to our five-acre rule, and I think that's probably the most counterproductive rule that we could have had for preserving farm ground, just like we've heard before. Not many want to mow or take care of four acres of grass, and you end up with things grown up and basically wasted; it’s not farmed and it's really not anybody's lawn. It's just wasting ground and not preserved, and I think it should be a case by case basis, as other people have said, not straight from our current two-acre lot size because that's what we're at right now.
Where would commercial, industrial, and other residential development be appropriate: We already have designated areas, and I think those areas are best suited, and they've been identified that way. Most already have infrastructure in place, which is a draw for commercial and industrial development. Higher profile companies with higher paying jobs are probably on my radar. And as far as housing goes, I'm probably more sensitive to the type of homes we would build, rather than the location of those homes.
On prioritizing infrastructure, water and sewer and development areas: Obviously, all of these are important. Water and sewer, I think, are probably the most important. Corporations give a little consideration to areas with diminished infrastructure. And if we're basing this on development and future plans for Shelby County, I think that's what we're looking at, is mostly the development aspect. I think the county's working on broadband. We're in the request for proposals stage. We've worked diligently. I say we, the county. has worked diligently on getting the most bang for their buck and trying to do this and make this available county-wide, and use monies other than taxpayer money. And I think that's important, too.
Fire Districts are something that we can also work through. There are many facets for that type of program. We know the volunteer departments are low on participation. They need resources, and these districts would benefit those volunteer departments, but we also have to find creative ways to make that happen.
The TIF districts and the tax abatements: Those are really complicated, at least to me they are. The tax increment finance district is typically set up for a specified development area. It's basically a bond that's issued, and money is borrowed based on the tax that would be collected from a business due to their higher assessed value after that business is in operation. So these dollars are used basically for infrastructure build out, such as streets and water and sewer and those types of things, so you have site preparation, you have something to offer businesses that want to locate in that area. So, it's been kind of commonplace, business tax abatements have, for luring new businesses into the area. I'm not adamantly opposed to TIF districts, but the biggest downside is if you don't end up having any development. So on the other hand, the tax abatements are also something that's become a necessary evil. Most abatements are 10 years, and you end up collecting about 50% of the taxes over that 10-year period. So it's not that you collect no taxes.
Joe Land, Democrat, South District:
Everybody that I've talked to in the county, and it's been a real pleasure going around this past year meeting more people in the communities of our county, they all say that what makes Shelby County unique, and the donut, is our rural feel, and I think we have a real opportunity to make sure that we maintain farmland and that rural feel by being cautious and creative with developments in our county, especially those set along a corridor. I think we have to curate what developments we're bringing in and cultivate our communities to encourage our youth to stay here. That cautious and creative growth needs real experts at the table to make a plan. We can't simply cookie-cutter our way through the county. It hasn't worked for others, and it's not going to work for us. Again, we can't short-change the county and our future for quick-term payouts.
The residential issue is more about jobs than anything else, in my opinion. Simply put, we have young people that are leaving Shelby County and not building upon generational legacy that has been here for decades. These youth need trades and skills that can lead to local jobs that pay more than the current wages available from some of the recent developments. If we can get the youth to stay here and work here, they can move into starter homes, and maybe one day they can afford a three-to-five acre property. But I think I would agree with David that a two-acre property makes more sense to preserve farm ground, especially. I think Shelby County is experiencing a brain drain that is impacting housing. We also have an aging population that really do not have a lot of single-level homes to move into. The ideal housing cycle is only perpetuated by decent and growing wages. Any development that we bring into the county needs to have good wages for working folks. Our comp plan is under review, and I've been excited to see public participation in this process, especially where development should and shouldn't occur. The recent Structurepoint project study shows that one of the next areas of development is by the St Paul exit on I-74. That's my neck of the woods. We need a better plan as to what's going to happen with I-74. We can really showcase our county to people driving through, and see meaningful, beautiful development here without sacrificing our local rural nature, and one way to go about that is to perhaps look at an overlay district to make sure that we're creating the right message to the world. But we really need that comp plan and UDO to be as carefully laid out as possible, and as Winnie said, you have to use it daily. You can't let it sit on the shelf. This has to be representative of what the people in the county really want. We have to get them involved. And I really think that having a public dashboard that would allow for involvement is just one step to get people involved in that process. That goes along with the modernization of county processes. With my experience in project management and experience in finding different funding streams and grants, that could make all these things possible for the county, especially right here in Fairland. Now, what can we do with county funding and federal dollars and grant opportunities to break these mechanisms together to get a project off the ground? We need stronger advocates at the table. I'm the advocate who can work with the state, the feds and the city to make things happen. I think we can all agree that broad broadband is a no brainer. We need it. We need it now. It's only going to get more expensive. We need a better approach to maintaining roads, keeping things on an evolving project basis. I think with careful thought and really streamlining processes, we probably could save a lot of money that can be reinvested into the county. And, better jobs yield more local taxes. I could be a fan of a TIF if it makes sense for the people in the county. The county itself only holds one of these such projects, and it's clustered right up the road in Pleasant View. While the true incentives haven't been reached yet, better planning could have yielded some better guarantees for the public.
Abatements are another thing. If an abatement is going to be used as a carrot, I would say that the horse better be dang well worth it.
If you really want to be represented, you can find me under the Democratic ticket. Outside of national politics, I'm running as a Democrat because I care about my neighbors, and I’d like your vote.
NOTEBOOK:
NATIONAL NEWS: Some of the most active users of Juul are reporting that they’ve scored remarkably large checks from a class-action lawsuit that alleged Juul misled customers about vapes’ addictiveness and safety. Overall, that ended in $201.9 million being put toward payments for 842,000 valid claims among people who bought Juul products before December 2022. That said, it appears that those who documented their long-term relationship with the vape brand and submitted receipts for pods or pens are making a killing off this, with reports of people getting checks in the amounts of $4,600, $6,200 and $9,000. (The Verge/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
October 2, 1930, Part II
The Courier facetiously speculated as to the backstory of how Miss Delores McDonald cut her finger in the paper cutter. “It has been said she was trying to persuade some innocent little creature (probably a Freshie) to put his finger between the cutter and the board to see how sharp the blade was. She even suggested cutting his nails as a test of the knife’s sharpness,” the paper supposed.
Sixty percent of SJHS eighth graders were underweight, according to the nurse’s student weigh-ins. About two-thirds drank coffee for breakfast.
Mr. George Hurst started an Aero Club for those interested in first obtaining “ground” training.
A barber shop and shoe shine service was set up at SHS. The fee was 25 cents.
The upcoming football game against Seymour would be the first night game in school history. “You’ll enjoy football with a new thrill,” a Courier ad said.
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.) Robert Reed, 85, passed away April 23. Robert graduated from St. Paul High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for heroism in action while serving in Korea. He had been a member of the Indiana National Guard, retiring in 1985. He was employed as a machine operator at KCL.
2004: Junior Naturalist Field Days was held at Symbiosis, located near Blue Ridge on County Road 1241 S 775 E., owned by the Fallis family. The family had developed walking trails, complete with tree-identification and nature-study spots.
1994: John Mutz, president of PSI Energy and former Indiana lieutenant governor, was named the keynote speaker of the upcoming Industrial Appreciation Banquet, which included tours of Libbey-Owens-Ford, PK USA, Gen Corp Automotive and Ryobi Die Casting.
1984: An investment group purchased Shelby Steel for $25 million. “Everything will pretty much remain the same,” Max DeJonge, Shelby Steel president, said.
1974: Federal revenue sharing funds had made possible a new diamond at Sunrise Park, in addition to funds for improvements at the Knothole diamonds and the tennis courts at both Morrison and Kennedy parks. Some of those responsible for a new backstop and fencing at Sunrise Park were John Kelley, Jim Buckley, William Higgins, Jack Banker and Mike Babbitt.
The SHS junior-freshmen team upset the senior-sophomore team, 12-6, in Powder Puff action. Sophomore Julie Sexton almost scored a touchdown on the opening kickoff return. Laurie Baxter had scored the first touchdown on an 11-yard run. Terri Hauk later intercepted a throw, and Dara Lay ran in for a touchdown before the half. During halftime ceremonies, Joe Hurst and John Reynolds - dressed up as girl cheerleaders - were named “sexiest cheerleaders.” Carrie Oldham had a 30-yard run, followed by a 13-yard run to the end zone for the final score. The closest the seniors came in the final quarter was when Charletta Reynolds nearly broke a punt return all the way.
1964: Wayne Morrison, 57, Morristown barber, died. He had been ill a year and a half. He had operated a barbershop in Morristown with his father since 1923.
1954: An all-time high of 20,595 voters were registered in Shelby County. The official tally showed 8,738 voters in Shelbyville and 11,857 elsewhere in the county. However, a “purge” was planned for 1955, which could remove some 2,000 voters, County Clerk Glenn Bass said.
1944: Police warned young people to stop setting fire to leaves piled along street curbs and also against soaping automobiles. (Not the windows, the actual cars, which ruined the finish and made it necessary to repaint.)
1934: The Shelbyville Republican headline read, “Cabbage Attack Injures 2 Women.” About a dozen young people had participated in a “cabbage-throwing assault upon a children’s party” hosted by Mrs. Albert Grinstead and Mrs. Stanley Faulkner. The young people, most of them high school students, had broken up the party by pulling cabbages from a nearby garden and throwing them into the party pavilion area. “Incensed, Mrs. Grinstead went outside to chide the marauders, and as she did so, a cabbage head was thrown into her face, causing a severely bruised nose and loosening several teeth. Mrs. Faulkner was hit on the side of the head and almost knocked down.” Chief of Police Goebel said he had the names of “practically all of those who participated in the attack.”
1924: Stella Parrell was elected editor-in-chief of the SHS Squib. Other editors were Louis Kuhn, Mary Meloy, Clarence Richeson, Marie Brown, Roy Hinshaw, Wallace Ensminger, John Morris and Richard Jones.
Over 400 season tickets had been sold for the upcoming SHS basketball season.
1914: Hoover’s Clothing House announced they would no longer “charge” goods. “Cash is king!” an ad announcement read. “Please do not ask for credit.”
OBITUARIES
None today.