Wednesday, October 23, 2024
DIGGING THEIR JOB
City employees Jason Barnes and Jerry Palmer clean out the concrete containers downtown. Small evergreen trees will be placed shortly in advance of the holiday season. | 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 three minutes to answer the following:
What is your position on the following? 1. The creation of a solar overlay district; 2. Bonds for solar remediation/periodic review of those bonds; and 3. Reinstating or extending the solar moratorium. Section B: please reconcile solar development with the rural and agricultural character of Shelby County.
Joe Land, Democrat, South District:
I'm the only candidate up here that is saying that industrial solar makes zero sense as a long-term energy solution for the demands of our county. Again, I would like to point out that we've got some involvement from national political action committees that might have set us on a path of being attracted to fly-by-night industrial solar locations. We have to create better restrictions and standards to protect our farmland and our natural resources, much better than the bare minimum of (the) Indiana code.
Regarding a solar overlay district: I'd be glad to look at an overlay district if it makes Shelby County less attractive for industrial solar. We need an advocate to step up and hold potential and existing developers accountable. Talking about solar remediation bonds and holding developments accountable, Morristown is a very good example of Shelby County needing a strong advocate to hold those developers responsible. They thought they could just cut a road and not follow the rules, and luckily, Mr. Abel was able to step in and get them to follow the law.
I think solar is fine on a homeowner and consumer basis, but the technology is not where it needs to be for 30-plus years of installations.
But back to (industrial), let's make it unattractive for such developments to come in, ones that do not really benefit our neighbors, that seem to be a quick money and land grab. I feel for tenant farmers, especially those who want to work the land. And I also think that legacy farm owners and those families can think of other ways that they can benefit the environment and their bottom line. Hopefully the new setbacks are approved that are on the table right now, but we cannot stop there. Why would we move forward beyond the moratorium on solar, if we're not really prepared for the future? I will not stand by and let Shelby County's future be shortchanged. Most folks I've talked to cite that their main opposition is the disruption of the landscape and the lack of a direct benefit. All of these costs of solar outweigh the benefits. We owe it to the next generations to put a strong advocate in office who doesn’t have outside influence to make sure that Shelby County remains unique in its rural character and that these farms keep producing food.
Nathan Runnebohm, Republican, South District:
I'm not a fan of solar; my parents are farmers. But in today's world, solar is…something that we look at. And I agree that we should probably look at something (else), as in more personal and residential versus industrial. I think there are other options out there. I don't know about the creation of solar overlay districts. I know that Shelby County is being targeted mostly because of the major power lines that have been put in for the entire county, because that's an easy way for them to get the electricity back onto the grid. As for the bonds on solar, that's something that's really got to be reviewed over and over. This is something new to us for the county, especially what's happening up there in Morristown. This is our first time. I've been up to the site many times and visited with the project manager. Just yesterday, I had a quick update on what's been happening, and there's so much that's so new to everybody locally, and this is something that's really got to be highly monitored. So, I am all for extending the moratorium until we get some more answers. There was a lot of new stuff, as in, the drainage was a huge issue up there. The farmers tried to tell the solar people coming in, you guys don't understand the drainage in Indiana, when they're used to building in rock and different types of soil. Here in Indiana, our soil is totally different, so when you start covering all the solar panels, we're going to have major issues. The next biggest issue that they had was the trucks, getting the trucks in and out. So once we get some more stuff with Morristown answered, then we can better foresee our future.
Winnie Soviar, Democrat, Center District:
The creation of a solar overlay district: I did find one from a Noble County (in another state), so anybody can take a look at that. It's really just a lot of more regulations, and really kind of drilled down more. I am certainly not a solar expert by any means, but I do like the idea of posing additional regulations to bridge a gap that might be missing from our current zoning. I think that's always a good thing, and I view it as an extra layer of protection that requires appropriate documentation to outline the expectations. I think, as others had talked earlier, there are regulations, and how we follow standard operating procedures. We are a little lax in some of that. And I know solar is newer, but it is a renewable energy, and in terms of where we are with all the other options that are out there, they are not as progressed, from what I am reading. But - again, I am no expert, but there are a whole lot of farmers that I can talk to and people that I have talked with that certainly know a lot more about it - we do need to be open to the fact that this is not for me and it's not for my children, it's for my grandchildren. It's setting the stage, and it's not going to happen in five minutes, and sometimes we're going to swing and we're going to miss. If you have done everything perfect in your life, I would love to see you all stand up right now and not ever have something go a little bit awry, but we do our very best to make sure we talk with experts, we look and research things, and get our data and our ducks in a row, and then cautiously move forward. We need to be smart about it, but we can't be afraid. We've got to do something. Bonds for solar remediation, periodic review of bonds, it's a financial guarantee that the solar developer does follow through, that they will remove equipment and infrastructure from the site, restore the land to its original condition when the project's lifespan comes to an end; periodic review of the bonds just seems like the due diligence responsibility. I think that just goes without saying we need to do that. Reinstating or extending the solar moratorium: I took this at a higher level, because I'm not really sure about all the moving parts of things, but I think basically when we're talking about this, we have to assess if all the questions, the concerns or issues that led to the moratorium in the first place are resolved and no new issues have surfaced, then to come to a decision regarding the extension of the moratorium. Renewable energy is our future. We need to look at the UDO and the county comprehensive plan to know what we're going to do moving forward, and then use that as our path forward.
David Lawson, Republican, Center District:
To start with, I want to say that I don't think anybody up here has benefited from any solar backing, because, if you remember, in the spring, it seemed to breed a little negativity, and we did not appreciate that, and I don't appreciate that association.
The creation of the solar overlay district: I'm on the plan commission currently, and we've been working on this. It's been discussed. The overlay district would basically take a defined area which is proposed for solar, and it would overlay the zoning that's current. So this, in turn, takes the authority away from the BZA, which is four people, and moves it to the plan commission for review, which is nine people, then they would, in turn, take their recommendation to the commissioners to be voted on for approval or denial. So that's what the overlay district is, and I think it's probably a good thing, just because it goes in front of more people to look at, so there's more eyes on that.
The bonds for the solar media remediation: that's also something we discussed as we go to change the ordinance. The bonds for decommissioning are to be maintained by the company for the term of the lease. Originally they would be reviewed every five years, while the new standard would be every three years with a built-in factor for inflation. The three-year bond review is something that I don't think anybody has a problem with, and I'm sure that will be in the solar ordinance. Reinstating or extending the solar moratorium: The moratorium is set to expire in January. That moratorium was put on just so that we could review the possible rewriting of the existing ordinances, go through and see what the shortcomings were. After the construction of the current project revealed some shortcomings as far as drainage and some other things, they actually formed a committee to review the ordinances and make recommendations to the Plan Commission, which we will look at and vote on, and that will be also reviewed by the commissioners, and they will vote on that for approval or denial. So, to reconcile solar development: That's something that's new to all of us, kind of like what Winnie said, 10 years ago, I don't think any of us really thought about solar being in Shelby County. I think the biggest thing is that we need careful planning, and we need to take baby steps. We don't need to just jump into that and think that that's something that we need everywhere, for sure. I think these projects need to be to a high standard, and safety is of the utmost importance. Hopefully, as we move forward, we learn from our mistakes, like you said, and we end up being better for that, and have safe projects moving forward.
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works yesterday approved closing N. Tompkins St., from Sunset Park Dr. to W. Pennsylvania St., for milling and repaving, tomorrow and Friday, Oct. 24 and 25. The board also approved closing Gateway Dr., in Rolling Ridge addition, today and tomorrow (Oct. 23 and 24) and then again on Nov. 1 in regards to construction work in progress on N. Riley Highway. Also, the developers of The Mill Apartments under construction will need to access a water main in the middle of N. Harrison St. Once a date has been determined, with at least a week’s notice, traffic on N. Harrison will be one lane each direction for a couple of days, City Commissioner Shane Peters said.
City Attorney Jenny Meltzer added Whitney Thomas to the list of Trunk-or-Treat organizers listed in yesterday’s edition.
NATIONAL NEWS: The NBA kicked off last night. The average price of a beer in an NBA arena has hit $12.57. There’s a fairly wide range in pricing, with the Cleveland Cavaliers coming in at $5.91 per beer and the Oklahoma City Thunder charging $6.84 at the low end, while the Boston Celtics have the temerity to charge $20.32 for a 16-ounce beer. I mean, at least Boston is good this year; the poor Brooklyn Nets have some of the lowest expectations in basketball, but their fans are still paying an unconscionable $15.75 per drink. The Pacers come in at 27th out of 30 teams, at $8.10. (VinePair/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
October 2, 1930
In a statewide address, SHS Principal W.F. Loper said family income level had no connection to children’s behavior, rather he found “that a child’s (poor) conduct was the result of poor coaching on the part of the parents.”
George Young, Shelbyville Postmaster, spoke to SHS math classes. He suggested using wisdom when mailing, noting that a Kentuckian had recently sent a dressed turkey to Shelbyville in warm weather, “and it proved to be a loss of time and money.”
The school purchased 25 new typewriters. They traded in their Remingtons and Royals for Underwoods.
Lights were installed at the athletic field in advance of the upcoming game against Seymour. Each of the 10 lights had four 1,500 watt bulbs, for a total of 60,000 watts.
The Courier staff published a formal welcome to new freshmen. “After three week’s acquaintance with the freshmen, we feel that they are our friends. We have observed these new students closely and wish to commend them on the manner in which they have fallen in line with the school routine and interests,” the paper said.
School staff were encouraging new high school students to select their vocations early. “In doing this (students) can plan their courses so as to make them more worthwhile,” the paper said.
A student signing as “C. Murphy” wrote a letter to the editor encouraging people to stop using the phrase “hard times” and instead “economize quietly without publicity until economy becomes a habit and less of a hardship.”
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.) Richard “Dick” Jones, 86, passed away. Dick had graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1945, and after attending Indiana University for two years, he entered the U.S. Army, where he served during the Korean War. He married Joanne (Stites) in 1952, and she preceded him in death. He retired from the Indiana State Police as a Lieutenant in 1982, with 26 years of experience, and from Homeland Security in 2007, after 23 years of service.
2004: The Shelbyville News named the All-Shelby County Boys’ Tennis team: Kevin Zimny (Shelbyville), Justin Cory (Shelbyville) and Tony Miano (Waldron) for singles and Aaron Blain and David Lennen (Shelbyville) and Elliott Shannon and Blake Behr (Morristown) for doubles. Kevin Zimny was named TSN Player of the Year.
1994: The Shelbyville News noted that students getting off the school bus typically had another chore. “Stop after stop, the bus doors opened and spewed out children headed toward their final assignment - the mailbox,” The News said. “Each student who got off the bus on McKay Road Thursday stopped at their mailbox before going inside. Some remembered automatically, others were reminded by mom or dad yelling from the front door, and still others remembered only after they had passed the mailbox and had to return.”
1984: Local police announced a hotline would be used regarding reports on tampering with candy “to prevent unnecessary public alarm,” Police Chief Robert Nolley said. Residents could call into the hotline to hear of verified tampering reports. The previous year had featured several false alarms: white powder that turned out to be starch and “glass” that was actually crystallized sugar.
1974: A Halloween Parade was announced to be held at Belaire Center on Oct. 26. Those in costume would receive free Coke and candy. Belaire merchants were J.C. Penney, Schiff Shoes, Paul Harris Budget Shop, Hylton House, Montgomery Ward, Cambridge Inn, Danners, Radio Shack, Studio of Styles, Belaire Barber Shop, Joanne Fabrics, Shelbyville Beauty Academy, Belaire Pharmacy, Young World and Belaire Banking Center.
1964: The Four Seasons Fabric Shop held its grand opening at 1650 S. Miller St. The shop was owned by Martha Drake, who said visitors to the shop would be served coffee and assisted in working at a pattern table. Martha’s husband, Robert Drake, had built the building and used one half of it for displaying home improvement equipment. (The building now houses Thyme to Heal Herb Shoppe & Wellness Center.)
1954: A giant cake walk was the feature attraction at the Noble Township PTA’s Halloween party.
1944: Edward Edwards, 82, the blacksmith in Manilla, died. He had operated his blacksmith shop for 64 years.
1934: The Shelbyville Republican offered Little Miss Indiana dolls to every girl who secured five new subscribers.
1924: Two young men selling magazines were rounded up by Chief of Police John Thompson and ordered to leave Shelbyville for violating the peddling ordinance.
1914: The first snow of the year fell, albeit for just a few minutes, and it melted upon hitting the ground. The temperature was 25 degrees. The Republican said, “Soda founts were deserted today, while only a few days ago they were the mecca for men and women, eager to secure a cooling and refreshing drink. (This is not a Coca-Cola ad.)”
OBITUARIES
Annette C. Merry, 90, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday, October 19, 2024, at MHP. He was born September 25, 1934, in Campbellsville, Ky., to William S. Campbell and Edna (Tungate) Campbell.
Annette attended McKay Baptist Church. She was an avid reader and her favorite pastime was drawing portraits of people.
She married Cecil Merry in 1966 and he preceded her in death on March 31, 1996. Annette is survived by her sister, Marie Cox, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sisters, Jane Esters and Lillie Mae Eastwood; and her brother, Carl Campbell.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jose Rivera officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Annette’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.