Wednesday, January 3, 2024
New Board of Works Discusses Dilapidated Building, Requests Updates
ABOVE: Concerns with the structure at 15-17 W. Broadway Street were discussed during yesterday’s Shelbyville board of public works and safety meeting. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
New Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety members Mayor Scott Furgeson, Val Phares and Tom Reaves wasted no time getting down to business yesterday. In fact, it was clear from the agenda that work was underway before the first official day of Furgeson’s administration.
Reaves asked for updates on 15-17 W. Broadway Street, the dilapidated building that once housed Adams Glass and Garage Door. The city a few months ago installed barricades as a safety measure while determining next steps.
“At the time, there were some local individuals who were attempting to purchase tax liens and acquire the property,” city planning director Adam Rude told the board. “That has since fallen through.”
The property is owned by Indy Asset, LLC, and Rude and city attorney Jenny Meltzer are considering legal issues at play.
“What we really need to do is get a structural engineer into the property,” Rude said, noting that courts will need to first grant authority for the city to act. A previous unsafe building order might be an enforceable option, he said.
Although the solution is not yet clear, given the building connects to the Strand Theatre to the south and another building to the east, the apparent water damage is a concern, Reaves and Rude agreed.
“Whatever ends up becoming of it, whether it’s shored up, demolished, or whatever the final solution, it’s going to be complicated and expensive,” Rude said.
Furgeson also asked Rude about the Methodist Building, and noted an update from the owners may be in order soon.
In other discussion, officials with Meridiam’s Indiana Fiber Networks appeared at the request of Furgeson, who said he had been asked during door-to-door campaigning about the fiber installation project.
Malcolm Glover, the company’s director of construction, said about 1,400 southeastern Shelbyville homes are currently able to access the service.
“We’re about wrapped up there (and will be) moving to the southwestern side (of the city),” Glover said.
The project speed will increase early this year, with plans for completion by the end of 2024. A map of the installation progress is here.
The fiber project was initiated in 2022, when city officials cleared the way for the company to invest, at no cost to the city, over $13.5 million in high-speed internet infrastructure. Residents will continue to be able to use the provider of their choice. The fiber installer will contract with a provider for five to seven years and then open up the network to multiple internet service providers, company officials told the common council in 2022.
Hoosier Fiber Networks is based in Bloomington and “aspires to serve every Central Indiana resident and business with a high-speed, high-quality fiber internet network regardless of income level,” its website states. The multi-gigabit service is available via the GigabitNow Shelbyville website. The company is also working in other cities, such as Columbus and Bloomington.
Furgeson lauded the project. “It’s a great benefit for our city, especially with all of our kids doing remote work,” he said.
The board of works also heard updates from city engineer John Kuntz, who said street reconstruction work in the downtown area should be completed in about a month, weather permitting. The city previously received state Community Crossings funds to reconstruct Washington Street to Pennsylvania Street as well as Mechanic Street, from Miller Street to the alley past Saint Mary Street. Also, the “five points” area parking lot on Miller Ave. and Taylor Street, near Edward Jones and Lucky 7 Cafe, will be topped with asphalt in the spring, Kuntz said.
In final action, the board approved the retirement of Todd Anderson, firefighter and paramedic, effective Jan. 9. “It’s been a great honor to be part of this department for 34 years,” Anderson said in a statement read by Fire Chief Doug Lutes. “I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the community and citizens.”
Anderson was fire chief during Furgeson’s previous two terms as mayor. The fire department is currently hiring.
BELOW: Mayor Scott Furgeson, center, and fellow board of public works members Val Phares and Tom Reaves hold their first meeting yesterday while Ashley Jhala takes minutes. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
NOTEBOOK:
Rob Morgan and Denny Ramsey joined the Blue River Community Foundation board of directors, replacing Brady Claxton and Rob Yeend, who completed their terms at the close of 2023.
Josh Georgen, director of patient experience and volunteer services at MHP, was named new board president of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. The terms of previous president Nathan Runnebohm (Runnebohm Realty) and Jody Butts (Stephenson Rife, LLP) concluded, and Eric Glasco (Stephenson Rife, LLP) and Jessica Kelsey (Jessica Kelsey Accounting) were appointed to three-year terms on the board.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Wow. I so appreciated the automated emails yesterday notifying me of each donation and donor. Thank you so much for once again supporting these efforts. For those who missed yesterday’s note, The Addison Times will continue daily in a free, public format, with member support. If you are willing and able, please click here to be a supporting member, or checks can be sent to The Addison Times, 2356 Steeple Chase, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Again, thank you to all those who supported the cause. I have your addresses on the list for magazine publication this month. Thanks for all you do! - Kristiaan Rawlings
OF NOTE: The 366-day year means you’ll have to dig out your calendar from 1996 for the most recent match to 2024. And keep your 2023 calendar in a safe place—you’ll be able to use it again in 2034. Fun fact: There are only 14 possible calendar configurations. (Morning Brew)
This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Extreme frigid temperatures caused a number of local issues, including slow pumps at gas stations. The street department canceled trash pick-up for two days due to the temperatures and recent significant snowfall.
2004: Rev. James Robinson, pastor of Second Baptist Church, received the Commander’s award, the third highest civilian award from the U.S. Army. Robinson had served 27 years at Fort Benjamin Harrison as supervisor of finance and accounting.
1994: The Shelbyville Police Department, led by Chief Kehrt Etherton, began its move to new quarters, from City Hall to the county jail, in time for the Jan. 23 grand opening of the new criminal justice center. Etherton and Sheriff Mike Herndon had recently made a final inspection of the new facility.
1984: Republican Kenneth Nigh was renamed president of the Shelby County Commissioners. Other appointments included Robert Newton, commissioners’ vice president; J. Lee McNeely, county attorney; Robert Clark, county highway superintendent; and Cheryl Glaub, county highway clerk and secretary to the commissioners.
1974: The Indiana Air National Guard grounded the 36 helicopters headquartered in Shelbyville due to the energy crisis. The Guard’s fleet here included 26 small, reconnaissance craft and 10 larger Huey models capable of hauling 10 passengers plus a three-man crew.
Shelbyville board of works decided to advertise for bids on four air-conditioned police cars. Police Chief Robert Williams had submitted specifications to replace the older vehicles.
1964: Triton Central junior Jane Patterson was the January Shelby County Rec Teen of the Month. She had been a lifeguard at Porter Pool for the past several summers, and served on the Junior Rec board.
Harry G. Lee, 80, died. Lee had operated grocery stores and meat markets for years on East Pennsylvania Street. He closed the last store in 1956.
1954: George Marriott of Boggstown retired after 53 years with the New York Central Railroad. He had been the conductor for the James Whitcomb Riley train route between Cincinnati-Indianapolis-Chicago for many years. Marriott and his wife, Mary Winifred (Carson), a former teacher, would continue to farm 136 acres in Boggstown.
1944: Homes on the market included 814 S. West St. for $3,100 ($72,000 in today’s money) and 40 E. Franklin St. for $4,000 ($93,000 in today’s money).
Dr. Harry Miller, 76, retired physician, died at his home in Morristown. He had spent 40 years in U.S. government hospital work while taking summers to work on his farm near Morristown. He was married to Adelaide (Smith) of Fountaintown.
1934: Shelbyville officials received 3,500 pounds of butter for distribution to the poor. The delivery had been made without charge by Nathan Kaufman, Harry Anderson and the Tri-State Motor Transport, with refrigeration provided by Sindlinger Market and the Daniel DePrez Co.
Dr. J.J. Stewart, local osteopath whose office was in the Methodist building, was pictured in Robert Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” syndicated sketches. Dr. Stewart was sketched in a pose in which he was seen holding a 250-pound anvil in each hand. He had presented public weight lifting exhibitions in Shelbyville several years prior.
Since the county had failed to budget for tobacco products for those living on the Shelby County poor farm, donations were brought in by locals for the cause.
1924: Construction was started on the new Wesleyan Methodist Church building on S. Tompkins Street, adjoining the existing church. The present church would be remodeled and made into a parsonage. The new church would include a full basement and two Sunday school rooms. A furnace would also be installed to provide heat, the Republican said. The church had been organized four years prior in a room at the corner of Tompkins and Second streets.
Newspapers named a Blue Ridge man who was spending time at a Martinsville sanitarium “taking treatment for his nerves.”
1914: William Rohm, of Freeport, was severely injured when he tripped and fell beneath the wheels of a wagon on which he was hauling a log. They had been logging Fox woods north of Marion.
Local stores began offering “double strength” prescription othine, used to remove freckles. “There’s no longer the slightest need of feeling ashamed of your freckles,” The Republican said.
OBITUARIES
Robert “Buckwheat” Clapp, 77, of Morristown, passed away Monday, January 1, 2024, at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield. He was born October 16, 1946, in Indianapolis, the son of Harold Clapp and Bonnie J. (Davis) McVey. On December 5, 1971, he married Janet Lynn Hough, and she preceded him in death on September 9, 1996. He married Maggie Morton, and she passed away in December of 2017.
Robert is survived by his sons, Robert Clapp and wife, Rebecca, of Sulphur Springs, and Rodney Clapp of Greenfield; daughter, Monica Clapp of Acton; brother, Harold “Bud” Clapp of Bloomington, Illinois; sister, Kathy Kincade of Morristown; grandchildren, Austin Clapp and wife, Kacie, Tate Clapp, Dyllan Clapp, Marissa Clapp, Evan Clapp and Addelynn Widner; great-grandchild, Kacin; and three nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents; and nephew, Brady Kincade.
In 1964, Robert graduated from Morristown High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving for two years. Robert formerly owned and operated the Brightwood Meat Market. He retired in 2001, as a meat cutter for Krogers. He enjoyed going fishing, mowing his yard and riding his motorcycle.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2024, at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St. in Morristown. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Online condolences may be shared with Robert’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Mary Jane Ayers, 96, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Ashford Place. Born August 23, 1927 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Wilbur McComas and Vina (Dow) McComas. She married James Ayers on March 5, 1948, and he preceded her on May 8, 2010.
Survivors include one daughter, Jana (Ron Selke) Ayers of Florida. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Osburn and Molly Wilson; one brother, Ricky McComas.
Jane was a lifetime resident of this area, graduated from Shelbyville High School and attended Trinity United Methodist Church. She was a homemaker and a clerk/model for Jester's Dept Store. Jane enjoyed traveling with her husband, boating and water skiing.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m., Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Forest Hill Cemetery with Rev. Richard Brendan officiating. Visitation will be from noon until 12:45 p.m. at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, at which time the procession will proceed to the cemetery for the graveside service. Memorial donations can be made to Anew Hospice, 3830 E. Southport Road, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46237. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Fredrick (Fred) T. Bohman, 77, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday January 2, 2024 at Willows of Shelbyville. He was born January 12, 1946, in Shelbyville, IN to Herbert L. Bohman and Helen L. (Corcoran) Bohman.
Fred graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1964. He served in the United States Army. Fred was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. He was a crane operator at Carl Mohr Inc. for 48 years.
Fred was an avid race fan. But most of his favorite time was getting to spend it with his family that he loved so much.
He married Pamela Jean (Cole) Bohman on July 14, 1971, and she preceded him in death on June 14, 1995. Fred is survived by his son, Andrew Bohman; his daughters, Christina (husband, Scott) Asher and Lisa Rood; his sisters, Carol (husband, Ron) Cobb and Mary (husband, Dave) Cadieux; his grandchildren, Christopher Asher, Lauren (husband, Manoli) Tsataros, Jon Rood and Lyndsay Rood; and four great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brother, Joe Bohman; and his brother-in-law, Michael Fowler.
Visitation will be Friday, January 5, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN. 46176 with Father Mike Keucher officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery with military rites conducted by our local veteran organizations. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Fred’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.