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The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Thursday, February 11, 2010
LOCAL
Timeline
PREVIOUSLY: House Bill 1131 sought ban on smoking in all public places and workplaces, but exemptions were made for horse racing tracks, riverboat casinos, bars and fraternal clubs. Amended bill passed in House. NOW: Senate President Pro tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said he would let the bill die in the Senate because the state isn’t ready for a comprehensive ban. NEXT: Issue likely to be reintroduced in legislation during 2011 Indiana General Assembly.
Fort Wayne, said he would let the bill die in the Senate because he believes the state isn’t ready for a comprehensive ban — although he thinks the state will eventually adopt such a law. Voelz said passing a bill into law with all these exemptions would have been bad because it would have overridden Columbus’ ordinance, which prohibits smoking in all workplaces except bars and private clubs. Legislation introduced during last year’s Indiana General Assembly that sought a comprehensive smoking ban also failed. “I’m just very disappointed and also a little embarrassed for our state that we are so far behind,” Voelz said. She noted that Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky’s two largest cities — Louisville and Lexington — have comprehensive bans in workplaces. Voelz said that according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, 26.1 percent of adults in Indiana smoke, which is the second only to West Virginia (26.6) nationally. Bartholomew County’s rate is 17 percent, she added. Voelz believes gaming and tobacco lobbyists have a lot of influence with legislators, which resulted in the exemptions. The issue of a comprehensive smoking ban in workplaces has drawn mixed reactions from state legislators who represent Bartholomew County. State Rep. Milo Smith, RColumbus, said during the Jan. 25 Third House session that he prefers a smoking ban everywhere in public because he considers second-hand smoke to be a public health issue. Voelz agrees. “It’s our right to breathe clean air in public places and at work and everyone deserves that right,” she said. “Here in Indiana, only around 40 percent of the population has that right. Our legislators have the responsibility to make it fair and equitable for everyone.”
Edited by Joe Gill
SNOW
Continued from Page One
therepublic.com for updated closings. Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. used its fifth snow day of the school year Wednesday and will have classes until at least May 28. The winter storm warning expired Wednesday, but temperatures were expected to stay in the 20s and below, and weather forecasts predict a slight chance of snow all weekend. Due to the low temps and snow already on the ground, roads will remain hazardous.
Smoking ban unaffected by failed bill
BY KIRK JOHANNESEN johannesen@therepublic.com
Bartholomew County’s tobacco prevention coordinator is disappointed that another attempt at passing a statewide smoking ban in workplaces has failed, but relieved that Columbus’ ordinance remains unaffected by a weak state bill. “It’s better to have no law than a bad one,” Peggy Voelz said. House Bill 1131 originally would have prohibited smoking in public places, enclosed areas of a place of employment and in certain state vehicles. However, exemptions were amended into the bill that would have allowed smoking at horse racing tracks, riverboat casinos, bars, fraternal clubs, tobacco stores and restaurants that have liquor licenses. The amended bill passed the House 73-26, but Senate President Pro Tem David Long, RRep. Sean Eberhart, RShelbyville, who represents an area that contains a horse racing track, noted at the same Third House meeting that a large percentage of customers at bars and casinos are smokers, which impacts their revenues. Voelz said she considers the argument that a comprehensive ban would hurt bars’ and casinos’ revenues to be rhetoric. It’s not been proven that revenues have been adversely affected in Illinois, she said. More importantly, she added, states with comprehensive bans are healthier states which pay less in health care costs. Voelz remains optimistic that a bill prohibiting smoking in all workplaces would eventually pass. “I think there’s no question they’ll get it done in the next General Assembly,” she said.
In class until May 28
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. builds two snow days into its calendar. If it takes any more, days are added to the end of the initial school calendar. The current number of snow days taken moves BCSC students’ last day to May 28. Superintendent John Quick said graduations for Columbus East and North high schools still are planned for May 29. He said he does not foresee changing the date, even if additional snow days are taken and the student calendar extends after graduation. “We know families plan long in advance for that,” Quick said. In the past, he said Indiana Department of Education has waived some snow days for seniors.
Black History Month celebration Tuesday
STAFF REPORTS
A Black History Month Celebration will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bartholomew County Public Library’s Red Room. The library and the Bartholomew County Area NAACP will host the event, “Connecting the Past to the Present.” NAACP President Gwen Wiggins will open the program, followed by Stella Collins presenting the talk, “Why We Celebrate.” The event also will feature solos by April Ige and Elaine Smith; Paulette Roberts as Harriet Tubman; Debbie Combs as Madame C. J. Walker; John Wm. Roberts talking about the Lincoln Institute and Whitney Moore Jr.; poetry by Mary Ester Smith; and Second Baptist Church Youth Choir presenting the story of Rosa Parks and a selection of songs.
BRIEFS
Concert for Haiti
A concert featuring six local bands will raise money for Indiana Dream Team and the Haiti Relief Fund. Young Mosaics, Cinnamon Telegram, Nick Berg, The Gunshow, Jacob Kennedy and Over Tehran Bands will perform 7 p.m. to midnight Friday at Donner Center. Indiana Dream Team is an outreach organization for troubled youth in Morgan County. Cost: $5 donation. the library’s Hope branch.
Canstruction Feb. 20
Canstruction, the second annual local hunger prevention competition, will be hosted Feb. 20 at FairOaks Mall by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals. Teams will have from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 20 to construct their canned food creations, which will be on display at the mall through Feb. 27. Contest winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 21. The canned goods will go to Bartholomew County’s food banks: Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services.
U.S. 50 closed today
WHAT: Both lanes of U.S. 50 between Seymour and North Vernon. WHY: To remove a semitrailer that has wrecked. WHEN: The removal will take about three hours, but Indiana State Police did not know Wednesday night exactly when it would be done. TRUCK DETOURS: Semis will be directed onto U.S. 31 and Indiana 7 into Bartholomew County and then back south onto U.S. 50 in North Vernon or Seymour. CAR DETOUR: On county roads a few miles out of their way around the work scene.
present “When ‘Good Enough’ Isn’t – How to be Great” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Barbara Stewart Room at Columbus Visitors Center. McNulty will talk about how to overcome inertia and get your company moving. The program is part of the Entrepreneurial Network TEN series, presented by Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.
‘Find Your Mojo!’
The free program “Find Your Mojo!” will be at 6:30 p.m. Mondayin Bartholomew County Public Library’s Conference Room. Life coach, psychologist, author and consultant Dr. Leah Jackman-Wheitner will share possible explanations for loss of enthusiasm and give tips on how to reclaim motivation. Information and registration: barth.lib.in.us, 379-1266. — Staff Reports
Romance book sale
A romance book sale featuring 25-cent paperbacks and 50-cent hardbacks is being held at Bartholomew County Public Library’s main level. Bartholomew County Library Associates are sponsoring the sale to fund library programs and projects. The sale also is running at
Molesting conviction nets man 6-year term
STAFF REPORTS
A Jennings County man who molested a young girl more than 10 years ago was sentenced to 12 years in prison Wednesday with six years suspended. Steven D. Witt, 45, of Deputy, will spend five years of the suspended portion of his sentence on probation, according to an order from Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge Stephen Heimann. Witt molested a girl when she was 11 or 12 years old “numerous times” in 1996 and 1997, according to a probable cause affidavit. He was not charged with the crimes until last year because police had not received information until May that Witt had molested the girl. Witt knew the girl before the molestation, and several of the molestation acts occurred while Witt was living in Columbus. He acknowledged touching the girl. Witt was charged with child molesting, a Class A felony. In a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to a Class B felony molesting charge.
‘How to be Great’
Mark McNulty, certified business coach with ActionCOACH in Columbus, will
SALT
Continued from Page One
spreading it on roads. Money is not as much of an issue for the county as it is for the city, partly because the county can make its salt supply last longer by mixing it with sand. Sand costs about $5 a ton, while salt costs about $64 a ton. County crews have been working from about 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. They have concentrated first on main roads, and they have been working on subdivisions. City and county crews face difficulties from wind-fueled drifting. Burton and Hollander said the main roads always are the priority. When a lot of snow blows back onto main roads, the crews halt work on secondary roads to clear main roads again. Residents might have to wait a little longer for crews to clear their roads, officials said.
20TH ANNUAL
COLUMBUS SERVICE LEAGUE’S
Water pressure test delays annexation vote
STAFF REPORTS
Annexation of 28 acres into Columbus is on hold until a test confirms that water pressure there would be enough to fight fires at The Ridge church site. Columbus Plan Commission agreed Wednesday to recommend to the City Council that it annex the Clay Township tract, contingent on the test’s confirmation. The tract is on the northwest corner of 25th Street and Road 350 East. The Ridge (formerly Berean Bible Church) plans to build a 30,000-square-foot building. City Council will consider the annexation at its March 16 meeting. Church officials still can move forward on construction if the test results are negative. However, the site would not be a part of the city. The Ridge currently is at 51 N. Brooks St.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 FROM 5:00-8:00 PM FAIROAKS MALL
TICKETS: $3.00 PER DESSERT DESSERTS SERVED STARTING AT 5:00 PM
ADVANCE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT COOKIES, BASKETS & MORE, FAIROAKS MALL CUSTOMER SERVICE, PIEPER’S GOURMET CATERING, LLC AND SISTERS ON THE SQUARE FOR $2.00
PROCEEDS GO TOWARD THE MANY COLUMBUS SERVICE LEAGUE COMMUNITY PROJECTS
GROWTH
Continued from Page One
everything from the student with special needs who isn’t passing ISTEP-Plus but is showing progress, to the high-achieving student who passes the test but isn’t being challenged. Jensen said he still disagrees with assessing student growth on a “single snapshot, one-sizefits-all” assessment like ISTEPPlus. “But the growth model is at least moving in the right direction,” he said.
Open Sunday, February 14th Valentine’s Day
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3633 25th St. Columbus, IN 47203
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FLOWERS BY LOIS
www.flowersbylois.net 9:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m. | Cash & Carry Only
Valentines deliveries will be made on Thur., 2/11 ~ Sat. , 2/13
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND ENTERTAINERS:
ANDREWS STRINGS GROUP, CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND, CLAUDIA’S FLORA BUNDA, COLUMBUS EAST JAZZ BAND, COLUMBUS NORTH CHOIRS, COLUMBUS NORTH JAZZ BANDS, COLUMBUS AREA PARK & RECREATION, COLUMBUS REGIONAL HOSPITAL , DJ’S CLEANERS, FAIROAKS MALL, FIRST FINANCIAL BANK, GOLDEN CORRAL, HOLIDAY INN, KITCHEN COLLECTIONS, MUSIC & MORE, PARKSIDE CHOIR, PENTZER PRINTING, REISING RADIO PARTNERS (QMIX), SOUTHSIDE CHOIR, TARGET, THE FLYING CUPCAKE, THE REPUBLIC, WHITE RIVER BROADCASTING, WEST SIDE WAL-MART, WILLIAM E. BURD ARCHITECTS, YOUNG SINGING STRINGS
Gently used items needed for sale
STAFF REPORTS
Gently used items are being accepted for sale in the Community Cast-A-Ways garage sale Feb. 27. Proceeds from the Donner Center event will benefit the foundation for free children’s programming through Columbus Parks and Recreation Department. Items may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at Donner Center, beginning Monday.
Valspar Paint
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Visit the sales team at Brands to experience the color lines and premium quality of Valspar paint. With your imagination and our expertise, we will explore the possibilities.
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Elder-Beerman, JCPenney, Kmart and over 40 exciting specialty shops 25th Street & Central • Columbus • (812) 372-3831 Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. Noon-6 p.m.
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The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Sunday, February 21, 2010
LOCAL/STATE
By the numbers
24,000: Cans collected for local food banks. 8: Canstruction teams participating. 8: Height in feet of the contest’s tallest entry. 2: Years of Canstruction contests in Columbus.
of Egypt’s Sphinx statue. Dozens of shoppers strolling through the mall paused to marvel at the elaborate sculptures and voted for their favorites by placing canned goods, which also will be given to local food banks, beside them. Even before viewing all the structures the contest had to offer, 7-year-old Ashley Sturgeon was positive her favorite was the Sphinx. “I love it,” she said. Micah Cooper-Sponseller, 7, agreed and said the competition was “awesome.”
Edited by Amy Laker
Yes they can! Contest helps cause
BY BRITTANY HART bhart@therepublic.com
The United Way team hopes to topple Canstruction competition with a nearly 8-foottall suspended Second Street bridge made of tomato, olive and salt containers. The group planned to use every minute of the allotted 11-hour build time Saturday at FairOaks Mall for the second annual contest that features volunteers making creative structures from canned goods to benefit local food banks. “We see firsthand the need in the community. Food banks are critical to helping people get through tough times ... and we’re glad we can be a part of keeping their shelves stocked,” said Jean Ozols, a United Way team member. The participating eight teams collected a record-breaking 24,000 cans, nearly doubling last year’s 14,000 total, to be donated to Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services, which collectively serve more than 1,500 community families every year. The United Way team, led by captain Travis Anderson, included Cummins’ engineers into the build. The team, led by captain Chad Pruitt, raised funds to buy 4,400 cans of vegetables to build the structure. The members were determined to make the large creation structurally sound, but kept in mind the main reason for the contest. “It’s fun and challenging, but the main thing is just to help local food banks. It all comes back to giving,” said team member Jeff Logston. Logston said last year’s 14,000 canned goods filled local food banks for a month, so he hoped this year’s nearly doubled contributions would last about two months. Winners of the contest, hosted by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals, will be announced at 1:30 p.m. today at FairOaks Mall. A jury of local “celebrities” will recognize teams in the following categories: z “Best Meal” z “Best Use of Labels” z “Structural Integrity” The uncanny structures will be on display at the mall through Feb. 27.
ANDREW LAKER | THE REPUBLIC
Anne Moore, left, and Gail Miller of Columbus Sunrise Rotary help assemble their team’s Canstruction Can-do attitude Outfitted in “You CAN make entry — a 1952 Cummins Indy race car scene — Saturday at FairOaks Mall.
that spent at least 20 hours planning the bridge of red tomato cans, street of black olives and surrounding water of blue salt containers. “These guys are really perfectionists,” Ozols said. Other creative can-made structures featured tuna containers in the shape of a toilet to “Flush Hunger,” a red race car of vegetable cans and a model a difference” T-shirts, the Starving Artists team of First Christian Church concentrated on balancing the bed of their yellow dump truck six hours
Moving art
MILLER
Continued from Page One
A life dedicated to art
Miller, a Columbus native, spent his earliest years teaching in BCSC at what was then called Central Junior High School and Columbus Senior High School. In 1971, Miller was chosen to join the new Columbus East High School, where he served 37 years as art department chair. He developed the Olympians theme for the school and designed the torch logo, still emblazoned throughout the school. Miller’s influence spread throughout the community as he served as a districtwide art consultant, became IUPUC’s first art instructor and donated and displayed his own art throughout Columbus. In all, he taught 43 years in BCSC and fellow educators estimate he taught approximately 4,000 BCSC students and hundreds more at IUPUC. Bill Jensen, one of Miller’s principals at East, said Miller was “so well respected” by students, faculty, parents and the community.
Hall of Fame inductee
WHO: The late Philip Miller. WHAT: Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s 2010 Education Hall of Fame. WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday; 6:30 p.m. reception in Miller’s honor. WHERE: Smith Elementary, 4505 Waycross Drive.
“His rapport with students was just amazing,” said Jensen, now director of secondary education. “He was really like the glue of that building.” Miller died from prostate cancer on Aug. 30, 2009 — one day before his 65th birthday.
Inspiring students
Nomination letters from current students, former students years removed from East, fellow teachers, administrators, friends from IUPUC and more were compiled into a thick packet explaining why Miller merited being inducted into BCSC’s Education Hall of
APRIL KNOX | FOR THE REPUBLIC
Kenyetta Dance Company celebrated Black History month with its presentation of “Roots Suite” Saturday evening. Freewill donations were collected by Granny Connection for African grandmothers caring for children orphaned by AIDS.
LOCAL BRIEF
Buildings collapse
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say three shed-like buildings owned by a landscape supply business in Indianapolis have collapsed. The fire department says no injuries were reported following the Saturday afternoon collapse. The Edgewood Feed & Seed buildings each were about 100 feet long and built of wood and corrugated metal in 1949. Three other similar buildings on the site were scheduled to be demolished soon.
Fame. The writers described how he gave fledgling artists the confidence to explore their skills. Some wrote that he inspired them to pursue their own careers in art. Others, Miller inspired to go to college or start a business. The majority said he simply inspired them to pursue their dreams. Former students who have become teachers said they hope to inspire students the way Miller did. Letter after letter fondly remembered the puns that wove their way into Miller’s daily lessons and the perpetual smile they said he wore. Dayhoff-Dwyer said, “I’m sure he would’ve been very humbled” by the kind words, and the award. “This is maybe a way for the students and faculty and community to give something back,” she said. “But really, I think all the love and the kids’ response to him while he was alive meant more than getting this.”
“This is maybe a way for the students and faculty and community to give something back.”
Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer, selection committee chairwoman
—Associated Press
RACES
Continued from Page One
appears to be more vulnerable in 2010 than Pence does,” said Marjorie Hershey, a political science professor at Indiana University in Bloomington. Sodrel into the race than with his voting record, Wasserman said. “Hill voted for the stimulus, the energy bill and the health care bill. That’s almost a death warrant in a district that voted for John McCain,” he said. Hershey said the 9th District has tended to elect moderate Democrats, and Hill’s margin of victory never has been overwhelming. “The stronger Republican candidates, Sodrel and Todd Young, are banking on a national Republican wave in the November election to carry them into Congress; that did happen in 2004, when Sodrel defeated Hill and served for one term,” Hershey said. That could happen again, she said, based on how the political climate has changed in 10 months. “Think back to the political environment 10 months ago, when President Obama’s approval rating was high and bloggers were asking whether the Republican Party was so weak that it might disappear altogether,” Hershey said. The political environment is unlikely to swing to where the future of the Democratic Party is questioned, she said, but history indicates big gains are coming for the GOP. “In virtually every midterm election in the past century, the party that doesn’t hold the presidency picks up a lot of seats, so Republican gains in 2010 are almost guaranteed,” Hershey said. However, whether those gains will include the 9th District is impossible to predict now, she added. Likewise, the shape of the race now could change by November. Sodrel’s entrance into the 9th District race a fifth time made headlines because he has name recognition, but that doesn’t guarantee a fifth HillSodrel showdown, said Brian Howey, publisher of Howey Politics Indiana, a non-partisan Web site that provides news and analysis of state politics. “You’ve got this Tea Party movement going, and public opinion polls say 75 percent of people are mad and there’s an anti-incumbency thing going,” Howey said. Being a new candidate could help Orange County Deputy Prosecutor Todd Young, who has endorsements from state GOP leaders, Howey said. Also, Young has raised a fair amount of money, more than $300,000. However, he said, the district’s size make it difficult to spread one’s message throughout. Young challenged Sodrel to weekly debates, and Sodrel initially accepted the invitation, Howey and Bartholomew County Republican Party Chairman Ted Ogle said. However, none has occurred, and scheduling conflicts among the candidates have sidetracked a debate planned in Madison, according to its chamber of commerce. Young would benefit the most from debates, Howey said, because he would get recognition and a chance to share his message. Ogle, who has endorsed Young, said he would like to see a debate between all the Republican candidates so their views and responses can differentiate them for voters. Hill faces familiar foes in the primary. John Bottorff, of Jasper, Lendall Terry, of Versailles, and James McClure, of Clarksville, are trying again. All have lost to him in one or more primaries since 1998. The 9th District race includes some political newcomers, though. Carol Johnson-Smith, a UAW employee from Corydon, joined the Democratic primary late. Columbus real estate investor Travis Hankins and Rick Warren, a 1971 Columbus High grad and Jennings County resident, also are running in the Republican primary. Elizabethtown resident Ron Kimsey is running as an independent. They all expressed some kind of dissatisfaction with current leadership as reasons for their candidacies. However, Hershey said political races always feature people who have no particular reason to believe that they would be credible candidates. “I don’t think there’s ever been a study of these folks, but some of them may honestly believe that they are offering a necessary alternative to the existing candidates,” she said. determine the feasibility of a Democratic candidate beating Pence. The results of that study would determine whether the 6th District Democrats would seek the best candidate possible or let the race go unopposed, Bell said. The results also would determine how much financial backing a candidate would receive. Pence previously defeated both of his Democratic challengers. George Holland previously ran and lost as a Republican and Libertarian against Pence. “It’s hard to take a candidate like that seriously,” Howey said. Barry Welsh, who lost the 2006 and 2008 general elections, filed as a candidate just days before the deadline. Messages left for Tim Southworth, the 6th District Democratic chairman, to discuss the study and whether 6th District Democrats are providing financial help to the candidates, were not returned. Howey added that the 6th District race would become more competitive if efforts within the state succeed to redraw congressional districts so they are compact and sensible geographically. The district stretches from southeastern and south-central Indiana up by Fort Wayne. Wasserman said even those changes probably would not have an impact.
Shifting 9th
The Cook Political Report, an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns, describes the 6th District as solidly Republican. However, its opinion of the 9th District has changed significantly in four months. On Oct. 8, it listed the 9th District as “likely Democratic,” meaning the race was not considered competitive then, but could become engaged. Cook changed the district race to “leaning Democratic” on Oct. 19, indicating that the race was competitive but Hill had the advantage. On Feb. 8, Cook redefined the 9th as a “Democratic tossup,” indicating that Republicans have just as good of a chance at winning. “The key is the membership of the electorate,” said David Wasserman, House editor of The Cook Political Report. “There are far fewer liberal Democrats voting in Bloomington than in 2008. Meanwhile, it would take Democrats setting up machine gun nests for preventing Republicans going to the polls and sending President Obama a message in November.” Hill’s vulnerability also has less to do with the entrance of
Pence safe in 6th
Pence is one of the most recognizable Republicans locally, statewide and nationally. As chairman of the House Republican Conference, he is the third-leading House Republican. His profile is so strong that he was recruited to challenge Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. Pence declined, citing goals he wants to accomplish for the GOP in the House. The Associated Press on Friday called Pence a potential presidential candidate. Wasserman said Pence would have to retire or give up the seat for Democrats to have a chance in the heavily Republican district. “The 6th District, I can’t fathom Mike Pence getting beat,” Howey said. Democrats have not had a candidate who is good at spreading his message to voters, or one into whom they have put many resources, Howey said. Meanwhile, Pence is an attractive, well-spoken, friendly candidate, he said. Gary Bell, Bartholomew County Democratic Party chairman, said the 6th District Democratic Party chairman told him months ago a study would be conducted to
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The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, February 23, 2010
LOCAL
Edited by Anthony Murphy
Vote for your favorite . . .
Canstruction creation
Team Wal-Mart — The Great Egyptian Sphinx United Way of Bartholomew County — LIVE UNITED: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope
SouthEast Indiana Dietetic Association: Your Local Nutrition Experts — Structure Title: CAN Grow Good Food Four Seasons Retirement Center- The Chapel at Four Seasons
kidscommons — The Giant Toilet: Flush Away Hunger
Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers — 1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special
The Pet Nanny, LLC — A Day in the Life of a CANine Starving Artists — SA-4400 Series Haul Truck STAFF REPORTS
Voting is open on therepublic.com for the Canstruction People’s Choice Awards. Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals organized the Canstruction competition, where 23,000 cans of food were turned into three-dimensional sculptures. The artwork is on display at FairOaks Mall through Saturday. Eight local teams are competing for awards including Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Structural Ingenuity and Juror’s Favorite. Readers at therepublic. com can vote for the People’s Choice Awards by filling out the form under the Community link near the bottom of
Submitted photos by Christopher Raskob
the homepage, or by donating cans of food to the box stationed at each Canstruction creation in the mall. The structures will be dismantled March 1. Voting ends at 3 p.m. Sunday. The food collected through the Canstruction competition will be distributed between area food banks including: Hope Food Bank- Hope Community Center, Human Services Inc., Love Chapel Center and Salvation Army.
Recliners
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Monday - Saturday 9:30-6 • Friday 9:30-8 • Sunday 1-5
Come See Our Large Selection!
Edited by Anthony Murphy
LOCAL/STATE
categories: z Best Meal: Southeastern Indiana Dietetic Association’s “CAN Grow Good Food.” z Best Use of Labels: kidscommons’ “Flush Away Hunger .” z Structural Ingenuity: United Way of Bartholomew County’s “LIVE UNITED: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope.” z Juror’s Favorite: The Pet Nanny LLC’s “A Day in the Life of a CANine.” z Honorable Mention: Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers’ “1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special.” The 3-D artwork is on display at FairOaks Mall through Saturday. Collected canned goods nearly doubled last year’s 13,900 cans. “Our goal this year was to have 20,000 cans to donate to our local food banks,” said Donna Stouder of Columbus Area Arts Council. “We are very pleased that next Sunday we will be able to load cans with a total value of $19,234 for delivery to Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services.” The organizations serve more than 1,500 families in the community each year. Canstruction, presented by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals, is an annual competition to benefit Bartholomew County’s food banks through Society for Design Administration and American Institute of Architects.
The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, February 24, 2010
B5
Canstruction winners chosen RELIGION NEWS
BY BRITTANY HART bhart@therepublic.com
Winners have been chosen among eight teams that utilized nearly 24,000 canned goods to assemble creative Canstruction displays Saturday at FairOaks Mall. While voting for the People’s Choice Award remains open through 3 p.m. Sunday by placing canned foods by your favorite at the mall or submitting your pick online at therepublic.com, five judges recognized teams Sunday in five
Services and studies
Cathedral of Praise Church of God — Evangelist Mary Smith of Norton, Va., will speak and sing while leading revival services at 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the church, 2310 Chestnut St. Information: 375-0149. Faith Lutheran — The Sunday morning adult Bible study covers such topics as earthly life, baptismal life, dying, resurrection, our bodies, funerals, and cremation. The youth Sunday morning study meeting downstairs after the morning service examines representations of God in popular culture and the mass media. Members take note of the many opportunities the mainstream arts offer to share faith publicly. Information: 342-3587 or faithonthewe.org.
United Way of Bartholomew County — LIVE UNITED: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope
SouthEast Indiana Dietetic Association: Your Local Nutrition Experts — Structure Title: CAN Grow Good Food
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — Guest speaker Barbara Hosein will ask, “What Is the Color of Health and Wholeness?” at the 10 a.m. Sunday service in the church, 7850 Goeller Road. National leaders have been debating health care. The Unitarian Universalist position is clear: equitable access to affordable, quality heath care. Less clear is how to contain health-care costs and what is meant by “health.” Thus, many congregations are becoming sanctuaries of health and wholeness. Hosein, a biochemist, community organizer and former worship associate at Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, will consider what it takes to become a sanctuary of health and wholeness. Information: 342-6230 or uucolumbusin.org. Community Church of Columbus — Tommy Oaks from Knoxville, Tenn., will be guest speaker at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 3850 N. Marr Road (corner of Marr and Rocky Ford roads). Information: 376-9478 or cccolumbus.org. Sandy Hook United Methodist — The 11 a.m. service will be canceled May 16 while members begin making plans to tackle local service projects requiring two to seven hours to complete. There still will be one service at 8:45 a.m. Organizers are open to porjects and are accepting suggestions from people in the community. To suggest ideas: 372-8495 or sandyhook.org. St. Paul Lutheran at Clifty — “Before Abraham was, I am” will be the theme for the Lenten service at 7 p.m. today at the church, 6045 E. State St. A hymn sing will be at 6:45 p.m. A light supper will be served in the fellowship hall at 5:45 p.m. for a free-will offering. St. John’s Lutheran at White Creek — The Rev. Eldon L. Brandt will preach on, “Citizenship Claims” at the 10:15 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 16270 S. Road 300W. Sunday school and Bible class meet at 9 a.m. In other news: z White Creek Lutheran School will be sponsoring a dinner after the worship service, with all proceeds from the free-will offering going to the school’s Scholarship Fund. It gives aid to those families not receiving any other tuition assistance. The menu will include chicken tetrazinni, salad, dessert, bread and drink. Serving will continue until 12:45 p.m. z The second midweek Lenten worship will be at 7 p.m. today. The Rev. Joshua Cook’s sermon theme will be “Moses.” Supper will be served before the service, beginning at 5:45 p.m. Information: 342-3516.
Music
St. Paul Lutheran at Clifty recital — A Lenten organ recital will be at noon today at the church, 6045 E. State St. Indiana University organ students Nicholas Bergin and Christopher Lynch will play music by J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn. Information: 376-6504.
Events
Bethel Baptist youth concert and rally — Jeffrey Moore of Westport will lead a Youth For Christ rally, and the Bethel Baptist Praise band will perform a free youth concert at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church at 142 Deaver Road. The event is open to anyone 12 or older. Information: 342-1734 or 5795197. Flintwood Wesleyan — Today’s activities begin with supper served at 5:30 p.m. at the church’s Friendship Center, 5300 25th St. Children eat free, and adults are asked to make a donation. The menu includes a hotdog, drinks, desserts and chips. The Jesus And Me program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Curry Hall. The Indoor Camp focus is on youth, and they will meet in the main sanctuary for this service. Adult Bible study will resume next Wednesday. In other news: z The Flintwood Ladies have begun an aerobic exercise program led by Patty England. They meet in Curry Hall at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. z The Annual Heart of Ministries Auction will be March 5 in Friendship Center. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the auction is at 6:30 p.m. Lots of food, desserts and great items will be available. All proceeds go to fund mission work locally and globally. First United Methodist preschool and GriefShare — The Learning Tree Preschool LoveA-Child Scholarship Program collection recently was taken. But there still are opportunities to give at the church, 618 Eighth St. The program is an ongoing fundraising arm of the school to help make scholarships available to needy children unable to attend Learning Tree under any other circumstance. Information: Director Karen Johnson at 378-2825 or fumccolumbus.org. In other news, the GriefShare class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays in Room 217 in the main office area. The class helps those who recently have lost a loved one. Information: 372-2815 or fumccolumbus.org.
The Pet Nanny LLC — A Day in the Life of a CANine
kidscommons — The Giant Toilet: Flush Away Hunger
To vote for the People’s Choice Award winner
Vote for the Canstruction People’s Choice Award at therepublic.com or by dropping off canned goods in the receptacles by your favorite creation at FairOaks Mall through 3 p.m. Sunday.
Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers — 1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special
Submitted photos by Christopher Raskob
House votes to repeal employer tax hike
BY MIKE SMITH Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House passed legislation Tuesday that would repeal an increase on taxes employers pay into the state’s unemployment insurance fund, which is deeply in debt to the federal government. The Democratic-controlled chamber voted 90-5 to repeal the tax increase, which was approved last year in hopes of beginning to shore up the insurance fund. It has been paying out hundreds of millions of dollars more in benefits than it has been taking in through employ-
Indiana General Assembly
2010
er taxes and has borrowed $1.6 billion from the federal government to remain solvent. The Republican-ruled Senate had passed a bill earlier this session to delay for one year the tax increase to take effect later this year, saying it would cause businesses to lay off workers in a still-struggling economy. But House Democrats joined House Republicans in amend-
ing the bill Tuesday to repeal the tax increase altogether. Meanwhile, the House approved several amendments to another bill that are designed to create jobs. The amended unemployment insurance bill and the jobs package are now eligible for passage in the House. Both bills likely will head to a House-Senate conference committee, where compromises between the chambers will be sought. Although House Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the tax-increase repeal, Republicans still object to changes House Democrats made that
would expand eligibility for unemployment benefits and raise the maximum weekly amount of benefits. Democrats say the expanded eligibility standards would allow the state to get $148 million in federal stimulus money for the insurance fund and allow more people to get benefits. But Republicans say once the federal stimulus money runs out in about two years, the new standards and higher maximum benefits would cost the fund up to $120 million more a year. The tax increase would cost employers an additional $360 million this year.
Ind. school districts sue over funding
BY CARLY EVERSON Associated Press
NOBLESVILLE — Julie Whitehead thinks her two elementary-age sons are missing out in a crowded classroom where the student-to-teacher ratio is as high as 28 to 1. “You cannot tell me that, with those class sizes, my child is getting all the attention that I feel he deserves,” said the Elkhart County woman. Whitehead joined officials from three Indiana school systems Tuesday, as they filed a lawsuit charging that Indiana’s formula for distributing state school funding penalizes growing districts and violates the state’s constitution. Hamilton Southeastern schools north of Indianapolis, Middlebury Community Schools in Elkhart County and Franklin Township schools in Indianapolis say the state is not uniformly distributing school aid as required by the constitution. “To have a uniform system, there needs to be a reasonably uniform way of distributing the dollars that are available to educate kids,” said Hamilton Southeastern Superintendent Brian Smith. Instead, the districts say the state penalizes growing school districts such as theirs by using the average of past enrollments instead of current enrollments to calculate funds. That means the money stays with the school instead of following the student. Schools where more students are eligible for free- or reduced-cost lunches also get more money. According to Department of Education figures, Hamilton Southeastern will see its perpupil spending of $5,000 drop about $100 in 2010 despite a projected 900-student increase, the lawsuit says. The district’s enrollment has risen 114 percent in the last decade. Middlebury and Franklin Township schools also receive about $5,000 per pupil and will see little change in per-pupil funding, DOE says. Middlebury’s enrollment jumped 27 percent and Franklin Township’s 68 percent in the last decade. By comparison, Indianapolis Public Schools, which has lost more than 1,000 students a year for the last five years, received $7,800 per pupil in 2009 and will receive $7,500 per student in 2010. The state average for per-pupil spending in 2010 is $5,727.69, according to Department of Education figures.
Birding event scheduled
STAFF REPORTS
SEYMOUR — Birding in Jackson County Day is fast approaching for those wanting to get a look at nearly 300 birds that reside in the area. The event is scheduled for March 6 and is hosted by: z Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour. z Starve Hollow State Recreation Area in Vallonia. z Jackson-Washington State Forest in Brownstown. The event is timed so bird watchers have a chance to spot bald eagles and migrating sandhill cranes, which can number 6,000 to 8,000 birds. Maps of optimum birding locations and other county attractions will be distributed at each of the locations on the day of the event. Information: Jackson County Visitor Center, 888-524-1914.
Edited by Anthony Murphy
LOCAL/STATE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. military is investigating the death last month of an Indiana Marine in Afghanistan. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell says the military is looking into the circumstances surrounding the Feb. 19 shooting of 24-year-old Lance Cpl.
The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 4, 2010
A3
Ind. Marine’s death probed
Joshua Birchfield of Westville. He declined further comment.
Inquest confirmed
Maj. Carl Redding of the Marine Corps confirmed the investigation but referred additional questions to Marine Corps officials in Afghanistan. WLS-TV in Chicago reported
Wednesday that the investigation focuses on whether Birchfield was shot by U.S.-hired private security contractors. Morrell told the station that seven contracted security guards were detained after the incident, and that investigators confiscated guns and opium from the guards’ compound.
CHASE
Continued from Page One
drunken driver on Indiana 3. Sgt. Nick Megel with North Vernon Police Department responded to the call and spotted Henderson’s vehicle sitting across the highway. When Megel approached, the vehicle sped off, leading him and a Jennings County sheriff’s deputy on a chase that reached speeds of 100 mph. Further up the road, deputies from Decatur County tried to end the chase with stop sticks, but Henderson swerved into the oncoming lanes of traffic near the intersection of Indiana 3 and 46. Shortly after, he crashed into an oncoming car driven by a 20year-old Hartsville woman, who was not seriously injured. Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene. According to an NVPD release, Henderson tried during the chase to crash into police vehicles. Police now believe he intentionally crashed into an oncoming car. An investigation into the chase revealed that Henderson made the original 911 call from his cell phone while sitting in the fairgrounds parking lot. Dispatchers reported that Henderson gave a description of the supposed drunken driver’s vehicle and provided a location, but when asked for his name, he disconnected. “It is obvious Henderson was fictitiously reporting himself as the intoxicated driver in an apparent attempt to lure police into a pursuit,” the NVPD release read. Of Henderson’s reasons for such behavior, NVPD reported that he most likely had a “death wish.” “I have been in law enforcement for over 17 years, and I have never heard of someone reporting himself as a drunk driver in an attempt to start a pursuit,” NVPD Chief James Webster said. “He put many people in grave danger, and there is clear evidence that he wanted to end the pursuit by crashing head-on into a patrol vehicle,” Webster said. “When that wasn’t possible, he steered into the next available car.” “We are extremely fortunate that the victim of his crime did not suffer more serious injuries,” he said.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
This replica of the 1952 Cummins race car, made from food cans, won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s CANstruction competition.
People choose Cummins racer
STAFF REPORTS
A replica of the 1952 Cummins race car received the People’s Choice Award at this year’s CANstruction contest. Created by the Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers team, the car was one of eight entries in the challenge, in which structures were created from food cans. The structures were displayed until last week at FairOaks Mall, where residents voted on their favorites by donating cans of food. More than 23,000 cans, valued at more than $19,000, were used in making the eight structures. The number of cans exceeded organizers’ goal of 20,000 cans. Last year, 13,900 cans were collected. All of the food items were donated to local food banks, Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services Inc., which feed more than 1,500 families a year. The contest was coordinated by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals under the auspices of Society for Design Administration and American Institute of Architects. announced. The Cummins racecar, called “1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special” received the judges’ honorable mention award. Other winners: z Best Meal: Southeastern Indiana Dietetic Association for “CAN Grow Good Food.” z Best Use of Labels: kidscommons for “Flush Away Hunger.” z Structural Ingenuity: United Way of Bartholomew County for “Live United: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope.” z Juror’s Favorite: The Pet Nanny for “A Day in the Life of a CANine.”
CENSUS
Continued from Page One
fice, said he needs many more applicants, especially bilingual people, by month’s end. “We’re still recruiting, especially from minority groups,” said Morris. Christy Crippen is a parttime nurse seeking a financial boost. She figures the flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, will fit her schedule well. “I need the money,” said Crippen. She said a lot of people have applied for the positions because of Internet promos and links on unemployment Web sites. Cecil Price has been laid off for a year and has seen few nibbles for work.
Recruiting workers
Local 2010 Census officials say they still need more people to fill nearly 300 slots to visit Bartholomew County residents in their homes to get basic information. They want to draw from a pool of at least 600 applicants for those posts.
“I need to pay on some bills,” said Price. Recent retiree Dale Buchanan said he’s looking for ways to recoup some of the retirement funds lost when the stock market tumbled. “Especially this time of year,” said Buchanan, “I want
Honorable mention
Other winning structures, selected by a team of five judges, previously had been
Extra numbers are needed, because some workers who will get offers in April already will have accepted other jobs. Also, some hires will not finish their census tasks, said Bill Morris, manager of the Columbus census office. Information for applicants: 314-7410 or (866) 861-2010.
to see if I can get caught up a little.” Smith figures every financial step can serve as a small boost for his wallet. “The economy’s in a freefall,” he said, “and I figured anything I could get would help.”
Man to plead guilty in father’s bludgeoning
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KOKOMO — A central Indiana man has agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the bludgeoning death of his 75-year-old father, Bennie. A plea agreement filed by James Clingenpeel’s court-appointed attorney and prosecutors calls for a 40-year prison term with two years suspended. A Howard County judge is expected to rule April 13 whether he’ll accept Clingenpeel’s plea.
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A4
The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Thursday, February 11, 2010
LOCAL
Timeline
PREVIOUSLY: House Bill 1131 sought ban on smoking in all public places and workplaces, but exemptions were made for horse racing tracks, riverboat casinos, bars and fraternal clubs. Amended bill passed in House. NOW: Senate President Pro tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said he would let the bill die in the Senate because the state isn’t ready for a comprehensive ban. NEXT: Issue likely to be reintroduced in legislation during 2011 Indiana General Assembly.
Fort Wayne, said he would let the bill die in the Senate because he believes the state isn’t ready for a comprehensive ban — although he thinks the state will eventually adopt such a law. Voelz said passing a bill into law with all these exemptions would have been bad because it would have overridden Columbus’ ordinance, which prohibits smoking in all workplaces except bars and private clubs. Legislation introduced during last year’s Indiana General Assembly that sought a comprehensive smoking ban also failed. “I’m just very disappointed and also a little embarrassed for our state that we are so far behind,” Voelz said. She noted that Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky’s two largest cities — Louisville and Lexington — have comprehensive bans in workplaces. Voelz said that according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, 26.1 percent of adults in Indiana smoke, which is the second only to West Virginia (26.6) nationally. Bartholomew County’s rate is 17 percent, she added. Voelz believes gaming and tobacco lobbyists have a lot of influence with legislators, which resulted in the exemptions. The issue of a comprehensive smoking ban in workplaces has drawn mixed reactions from state legislators who represent Bartholomew County. State Rep. Milo Smith, RColumbus, said during the Jan. 25 Third House session that he prefers a smoking ban everywhere in public because he considers second-hand smoke to be a public health issue. Voelz agrees. “It’s our right to breathe clean air in public places and at work and everyone deserves that right,” she said. “Here in Indiana, only around 40 percent of the population has that right. Our legislators have the responsibility to make it fair and equitable for everyone.”
Edited by Joe Gill
SNOW
Continued from Page One
therepublic.com for updated closings. Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. used its fifth snow day of the school year Wednesday and will have classes until at least May 28. The winter storm warning expired Wednesday, but temperatures were expected to stay in the 20s and below, and weather forecasts predict a slight chance of snow all weekend. Due to the low temps and snow already on the ground, roads will remain hazardous.
Smoking ban unaffected by failed bill
BY KIRK JOHANNESEN johannesen@therepublic.com
Bartholomew County’s tobacco prevention coordinator is disappointed that another attempt at passing a statewide smoking ban in workplaces has failed, but relieved that Columbus’ ordinance remains unaffected by a weak state bill. “It’s better to have no law than a bad one,” Peggy Voelz said. House Bill 1131 originally would have prohibited smoking in public places, enclosed areas of a place of employment and in certain state vehicles. However, exemptions were amended into the bill that would have allowed smoking at horse racing tracks, riverboat casinos, bars, fraternal clubs, tobacco stores and restaurants that have liquor licenses. The amended bill passed the House 73-26, but Senate President Pro Tem David Long, RRep. Sean Eberhart, RShelbyville, who represents an area that contains a horse racing track, noted at the same Third House meeting that a large percentage of customers at bars and casinos are smokers, which impacts their revenues. Voelz said she considers the argument that a comprehensive ban would hurt bars’ and casinos’ revenues to be rhetoric. It’s not been proven that revenues have been adversely affected in Illinois, she said. More importantly, she added, states with comprehensive bans are healthier states which pay less in health care costs. Voelz remains optimistic that a bill prohibiting smoking in all workplaces would eventually pass. “I think there’s no question they’ll get it done in the next General Assembly,” she said.
In class until May 28
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. builds two snow days into its calendar. If it takes any more, days are added to the end of the initial school calendar. The current number of snow days taken moves BCSC students’ last day to May 28. Superintendent John Quick said graduations for Columbus East and North high schools still are planned for May 29. He said he does not foresee changing the date, even if additional snow days are taken and the student calendar extends after graduation. “We know families plan long in advance for that,” Quick said. In the past, he said Indiana Department of Education has waived some snow days for seniors.
Black History Month celebration Tuesday
STAFF REPORTS
A Black History Month Celebration will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bartholomew County Public Library’s Red Room. The library and the Bartholomew County Area NAACP will host the event, “Connecting the Past to the Present.” NAACP President Gwen Wiggins will open the program, followed by Stella Collins presenting the talk, “Why We Celebrate.” The event also will feature solos by April Ige and Elaine Smith; Paulette Roberts as Harriet Tubman; Debbie Combs as Madame C. J. Walker; John Wm. Roberts talking about the Lincoln Institute and Whitney Moore Jr.; poetry by Mary Ester Smith; and Second Baptist Church Youth Choir presenting the story of Rosa Parks and a selection of songs.
BRIEFS
Concert for Haiti
A concert featuring six local bands will raise money for Indiana Dream Team and the Haiti Relief Fund. Young Mosaics, Cinnamon Telegram, Nick Berg, The Gunshow, Jacob Kennedy and Over Tehran Bands will perform 7 p.m. to midnight Friday at Donner Center. Indiana Dream Team is an outreach organization for troubled youth in Morgan County. Cost: $5 donation. the library’s Hope branch.
Canstruction Feb. 20
Canstruction, the second annual local hunger prevention competition, will be hosted Feb. 20 at FairOaks Mall by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals. Teams will have from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 20 to construct their canned food creations, which will be on display at the mall through Feb. 27. Contest winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 21. The canned goods will go to Bartholomew County’s food banks: Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services.
U.S. 50 closed today
WHAT: Both lanes of U.S. 50 between Seymour and North Vernon. WHY: To remove a semitrailer that has wrecked. WHEN: The removal will take about three hours, but Indiana State Police did not know Wednesday night exactly when it would be done. TRUCK DETOURS: Semis will be directed onto U.S. 31 and Indiana 7 into Bartholomew County and then back south onto U.S. 50 in North Vernon or Seymour. CAR DETOUR: On county roads a few miles out of their way around the work scene.
present “When ‘Good Enough’ Isn’t – How to be Great” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Barbara Stewart Room at Columbus Visitors Center. McNulty will talk about how to overcome inertia and get your company moving. The program is part of the Entrepreneurial Network TEN series, presented by Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.
‘Find Your Mojo!’
The free program “Find Your Mojo!” will be at 6:30 p.m. Mondayin Bartholomew County Public Library’s Conference Room. Life coach, psychologist, author and consultant Dr. Leah Jackman-Wheitner will share possible explanations for loss of enthusiasm and give tips on how to reclaim motivation. Information and registration: barth.lib.in.us, 379-1266. — Staff Reports
Romance book sale
A romance book sale featuring 25-cent paperbacks and 50-cent hardbacks is being held at Bartholomew County Public Library’s main level. Bartholomew County Library Associates are sponsoring the sale to fund library programs and projects. The sale also is running at
Molesting conviction nets man 6-year term
STAFF REPORTS
A Jennings County man who molested a young girl more than 10 years ago was sentenced to 12 years in prison Wednesday with six years suspended. Steven D. Witt, 45, of Deputy, will spend five years of the suspended portion of his sentence on probation, according to an order from Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge Stephen Heimann. Witt molested a girl when she was 11 or 12 years old “numerous times” in 1996 and 1997, according to a probable cause affidavit. He was not charged with the crimes until last year because police had not received information until May that Witt had molested the girl. Witt knew the girl before the molestation, and several of the molestation acts occurred while Witt was living in Columbus. He acknowledged touching the girl. Witt was charged with child molesting, a Class A felony. In a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to a Class B felony molesting charge.
‘How to be Great’
Mark McNulty, certified business coach with ActionCOACH in Columbus, will
SALT
Continued from Page One
spreading it on roads. Money is not as much of an issue for the county as it is for the city, partly because the county can make its salt supply last longer by mixing it with sand. Sand costs about $5 a ton, while salt costs about $64 a ton. County crews have been working from about 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. They have concentrated first on main roads, and they have been working on subdivisions. City and county crews face difficulties from wind-fueled drifting. Burton and Hollander said the main roads always are the priority. When a lot of snow blows back onto main roads, the crews halt work on secondary roads to clear main roads again. Residents might have to wait a little longer for crews to clear their roads, officials said.
20TH ANNUAL
COLUMBUS SERVICE LEAGUE’S
Water pressure test delays annexation vote
STAFF REPORTS
Annexation of 28 acres into Columbus is on hold until a test confirms that water pressure there would be enough to fight fires at The Ridge church site. Columbus Plan Commission agreed Wednesday to recommend to the City Council that it annex the Clay Township tract, contingent on the test’s confirmation. The tract is on the northwest corner of 25th Street and Road 350 East. The Ridge (formerly Berean Bible Church) plans to build a 30,000-square-foot building. City Council will consider the annexation at its March 16 meeting. Church officials still can move forward on construction if the test results are negative. However, the site would not be a part of the city. The Ridge currently is at 51 N. Brooks St.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 FROM 5:00-8:00 PM FAIROAKS MALL
TICKETS: $3.00 PER DESSERT DESSERTS SERVED STARTING AT 5:00 PM
ADVANCE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT COOKIES, BASKETS & MORE, FAIROAKS MALL CUSTOMER SERVICE, PIEPER’S GOURMET CATERING, LLC AND SISTERS ON THE SQUARE FOR $2.00
PROCEEDS GO TOWARD THE MANY COLUMBUS SERVICE LEAGUE COMMUNITY PROJECTS
GROWTH
Continued from Page One
everything from the student with special needs who isn’t passing ISTEP-Plus but is showing progress, to the high-achieving student who passes the test but isn’t being challenged. Jensen said he still disagrees with assessing student growth on a “single snapshot, one-sizefits-all” assessment like ISTEPPlus. “But the growth model is at least moving in the right direction,” he said.
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Gently used items needed for sale
STAFF REPORTS
Gently used items are being accepted for sale in the Community Cast-A-Ways garage sale Feb. 27. Proceeds from the Donner Center event will benefit the foundation for free children’s programming through Columbus Parks and Recreation Department. Items may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at Donner Center, beginning Monday.
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The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Sunday, February 21, 2010
LOCAL/STATE
By the numbers
24,000: Cans collected for local food banks. 8: Canstruction teams participating. 8: Height in feet of the contest’s tallest entry. 2: Years of Canstruction contests in Columbus.
of Egypt’s Sphinx statue. Dozens of shoppers strolling through the mall paused to marvel at the elaborate sculptures and voted for their favorites by placing canned goods, which also will be given to local food banks, beside them. Even before viewing all the structures the contest had to offer, 7-year-old Ashley Sturgeon was positive her favorite was the Sphinx. “I love it,” she said. Micah Cooper-Sponseller, 7, agreed and said the competition was “awesome.”
Edited by Amy Laker
Yes they can! Contest helps cause
BY BRITTANY HART bhart@therepublic.com
The United Way team hopes to topple Canstruction competition with a nearly 8-foottall suspended Second Street bridge made of tomato, olive and salt containers. The group planned to use every minute of the allotted 11-hour build time Saturday at FairOaks Mall for the second annual contest that features volunteers making creative structures from canned goods to benefit local food banks. “We see firsthand the need in the community. Food banks are critical to helping people get through tough times ... and we’re glad we can be a part of keeping their shelves stocked,” said Jean Ozols, a United Way team member. The participating eight teams collected a record-breaking 24,000 cans, nearly doubling last year’s 14,000 total, to be donated to Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services, which collectively serve more than 1,500 community families every year. The United Way team, led by captain Travis Anderson, included Cummins’ engineers into the build. The team, led by captain Chad Pruitt, raised funds to buy 4,400 cans of vegetables to build the structure. The members were determined to make the large creation structurally sound, but kept in mind the main reason for the contest. “It’s fun and challenging, but the main thing is just to help local food banks. It all comes back to giving,” said team member Jeff Logston. Logston said last year’s 14,000 canned goods filled local food banks for a month, so he hoped this year’s nearly doubled contributions would last about two months. Winners of the contest, hosted by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals, will be announced at 1:30 p.m. today at FairOaks Mall. A jury of local “celebrities” will recognize teams in the following categories: z “Best Meal” z “Best Use of Labels” z “Structural Integrity” The uncanny structures will be on display at the mall through Feb. 27.
ANDREW LAKER | THE REPUBLIC
Anne Moore, left, and Gail Miller of Columbus Sunrise Rotary help assemble their team’s Canstruction Can-do attitude Outfitted in “You CAN make entry — a 1952 Cummins Indy race car scene — Saturday at FairOaks Mall.
that spent at least 20 hours planning the bridge of red tomato cans, street of black olives and surrounding water of blue salt containers. “These guys are really perfectionists,” Ozols said. Other creative can-made structures featured tuna containers in the shape of a toilet to “Flush Hunger,” a red race car of vegetable cans and a model a difference” T-shirts, the Starving Artists team of First Christian Church concentrated on balancing the bed of their yellow dump truck six hours
Moving art
MILLER
Continued from Page One
A life dedicated to art
Miller, a Columbus native, spent his earliest years teaching in BCSC at what was then called Central Junior High School and Columbus Senior High School. In 1971, Miller was chosen to join the new Columbus East High School, where he served 37 years as art department chair. He developed the Olympians theme for the school and designed the torch logo, still emblazoned throughout the school. Miller’s influence spread throughout the community as he served as a districtwide art consultant, became IUPUC’s first art instructor and donated and displayed his own art throughout Columbus. In all, he taught 43 years in BCSC and fellow educators estimate he taught approximately 4,000 BCSC students and hundreds more at IUPUC. Bill Jensen, one of Miller’s principals at East, said Miller was “so well respected” by students, faculty, parents and the community.
Hall of Fame inductee
WHO: The late Philip Miller. WHAT: Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s 2010 Education Hall of Fame. WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday; 6:30 p.m. reception in Miller’s honor. WHERE: Smith Elementary, 4505 Waycross Drive.
“His rapport with students was just amazing,” said Jensen, now director of secondary education. “He was really like the glue of that building.” Miller died from prostate cancer on Aug. 30, 2009 — one day before his 65th birthday.
Inspiring students
Nomination letters from current students, former students years removed from East, fellow teachers, administrators, friends from IUPUC and more were compiled into a thick packet explaining why Miller merited being inducted into BCSC’s Education Hall of
APRIL KNOX | FOR THE REPUBLIC
Kenyetta Dance Company celebrated Black History month with its presentation of “Roots Suite” Saturday evening. Freewill donations were collected by Granny Connection for African grandmothers caring for children orphaned by AIDS.
LOCAL BRIEF
Buildings collapse
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say three shed-like buildings owned by a landscape supply business in Indianapolis have collapsed. The fire department says no injuries were reported following the Saturday afternoon collapse. The Edgewood Feed & Seed buildings each were about 100 feet long and built of wood and corrugated metal in 1949. Three other similar buildings on the site were scheduled to be demolished soon.
Fame. The writers described how he gave fledgling artists the confidence to explore their skills. Some wrote that he inspired them to pursue their own careers in art. Others, Miller inspired to go to college or start a business. The majority said he simply inspired them to pursue their dreams. Former students who have become teachers said they hope to inspire students the way Miller did. Letter after letter fondly remembered the puns that wove their way into Miller’s daily lessons and the perpetual smile they said he wore. Dayhoff-Dwyer said, “I’m sure he would’ve been very humbled” by the kind words, and the award. “This is maybe a way for the students and faculty and community to give something back,” she said. “But really, I think all the love and the kids’ response to him while he was alive meant more than getting this.”
“This is maybe a way for the students and faculty and community to give something back.”
Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer, selection committee chairwoman
—Associated Press
RACES
Continued from Page One
appears to be more vulnerable in 2010 than Pence does,” said Marjorie Hershey, a political science professor at Indiana University in Bloomington. Sodrel into the race than with his voting record, Wasserman said. “Hill voted for the stimulus, the energy bill and the health care bill. That’s almost a death warrant in a district that voted for John McCain,” he said. Hershey said the 9th District has tended to elect moderate Democrats, and Hill’s margin of victory never has been overwhelming. “The stronger Republican candidates, Sodrel and Todd Young, are banking on a national Republican wave in the November election to carry them into Congress; that did happen in 2004, when Sodrel defeated Hill and served for one term,” Hershey said. That could happen again, she said, based on how the political climate has changed in 10 months. “Think back to the political environment 10 months ago, when President Obama’s approval rating was high and bloggers were asking whether the Republican Party was so weak that it might disappear altogether,” Hershey said. The political environment is unlikely to swing to where the future of the Democratic Party is questioned, she said, but history indicates big gains are coming for the GOP. “In virtually every midterm election in the past century, the party that doesn’t hold the presidency picks up a lot of seats, so Republican gains in 2010 are almost guaranteed,” Hershey said. However, whether those gains will include the 9th District is impossible to predict now, she added. Likewise, the shape of the race now could change by November. Sodrel’s entrance into the 9th District race a fifth time made headlines because he has name recognition, but that doesn’t guarantee a fifth HillSodrel showdown, said Brian Howey, publisher of Howey Politics Indiana, a non-partisan Web site that provides news and analysis of state politics. “You’ve got this Tea Party movement going, and public opinion polls say 75 percent of people are mad and there’s an anti-incumbency thing going,” Howey said. Being a new candidate could help Orange County Deputy Prosecutor Todd Young, who has endorsements from state GOP leaders, Howey said. Also, Young has raised a fair amount of money, more than $300,000. However, he said, the district’s size make it difficult to spread one’s message throughout. Young challenged Sodrel to weekly debates, and Sodrel initially accepted the invitation, Howey and Bartholomew County Republican Party Chairman Ted Ogle said. However, none has occurred, and scheduling conflicts among the candidates have sidetracked a debate planned in Madison, according to its chamber of commerce. Young would benefit the most from debates, Howey said, because he would get recognition and a chance to share his message. Ogle, who has endorsed Young, said he would like to see a debate between all the Republican candidates so their views and responses can differentiate them for voters. Hill faces familiar foes in the primary. John Bottorff, of Jasper, Lendall Terry, of Versailles, and James McClure, of Clarksville, are trying again. All have lost to him in one or more primaries since 1998. The 9th District race includes some political newcomers, though. Carol Johnson-Smith, a UAW employee from Corydon, joined the Democratic primary late. Columbus real estate investor Travis Hankins and Rick Warren, a 1971 Columbus High grad and Jennings County resident, also are running in the Republican primary. Elizabethtown resident Ron Kimsey is running as an independent. They all expressed some kind of dissatisfaction with current leadership as reasons for their candidacies. However, Hershey said political races always feature people who have no particular reason to believe that they would be credible candidates. “I don’t think there’s ever been a study of these folks, but some of them may honestly believe that they are offering a necessary alternative to the existing candidates,” she said. determine the feasibility of a Democratic candidate beating Pence. The results of that study would determine whether the 6th District Democrats would seek the best candidate possible or let the race go unopposed, Bell said. The results also would determine how much financial backing a candidate would receive. Pence previously defeated both of his Democratic challengers. George Holland previously ran and lost as a Republican and Libertarian against Pence. “It’s hard to take a candidate like that seriously,” Howey said. Barry Welsh, who lost the 2006 and 2008 general elections, filed as a candidate just days before the deadline. Messages left for Tim Southworth, the 6th District Democratic chairman, to discuss the study and whether 6th District Democrats are providing financial help to the candidates, were not returned. Howey added that the 6th District race would become more competitive if efforts within the state succeed to redraw congressional districts so they are compact and sensible geographically. The district stretches from southeastern and south-central Indiana up by Fort Wayne. Wasserman said even those changes probably would not have an impact.
Shifting 9th
The Cook Political Report, an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns, describes the 6th District as solidly Republican. However, its opinion of the 9th District has changed significantly in four months. On Oct. 8, it listed the 9th District as “likely Democratic,” meaning the race was not considered competitive then, but could become engaged. Cook changed the district race to “leaning Democratic” on Oct. 19, indicating that the race was competitive but Hill had the advantage. On Feb. 8, Cook redefined the 9th as a “Democratic tossup,” indicating that Republicans have just as good of a chance at winning. “The key is the membership of the electorate,” said David Wasserman, House editor of The Cook Political Report. “There are far fewer liberal Democrats voting in Bloomington than in 2008. Meanwhile, it would take Democrats setting up machine gun nests for preventing Republicans going to the polls and sending President Obama a message in November.” Hill’s vulnerability also has less to do with the entrance of
Pence safe in 6th
Pence is one of the most recognizable Republicans locally, statewide and nationally. As chairman of the House Republican Conference, he is the third-leading House Republican. His profile is so strong that he was recruited to challenge Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. Pence declined, citing goals he wants to accomplish for the GOP in the House. The Associated Press on Friday called Pence a potential presidential candidate. Wasserman said Pence would have to retire or give up the seat for Democrats to have a chance in the heavily Republican district. “The 6th District, I can’t fathom Mike Pence getting beat,” Howey said. Democrats have not had a candidate who is good at spreading his message to voters, or one into whom they have put many resources, Howey said. Meanwhile, Pence is an attractive, well-spoken, friendly candidate, he said. Gary Bell, Bartholomew County Democratic Party chairman, said the 6th District Democratic Party chairman told him months ago a study would be conducted to
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The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, February 23, 2010
LOCAL
Edited by Anthony Murphy
Vote for your favorite . . .
Canstruction creation
Team Wal-Mart — The Great Egyptian Sphinx United Way of Bartholomew County — LIVE UNITED: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope
SouthEast Indiana Dietetic Association: Your Local Nutrition Experts — Structure Title: CAN Grow Good Food Four Seasons Retirement Center- The Chapel at Four Seasons
kidscommons — The Giant Toilet: Flush Away Hunger
Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers — 1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special
The Pet Nanny, LLC — A Day in the Life of a CANine Starving Artists — SA-4400 Series Haul Truck STAFF REPORTS
Voting is open on therepublic.com for the Canstruction People’s Choice Awards. Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals organized the Canstruction competition, where 23,000 cans of food were turned into three-dimensional sculptures. The artwork is on display at FairOaks Mall through Saturday. Eight local teams are competing for awards including Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Structural Ingenuity and Juror’s Favorite. Readers at therepublic. com can vote for the People’s Choice Awards by filling out the form under the Community link near the bottom of
Submitted photos by Christopher Raskob
the homepage, or by donating cans of food to the box stationed at each Canstruction creation in the mall. The structures will be dismantled March 1. Voting ends at 3 p.m. Sunday. The food collected through the Canstruction competition will be distributed between area food banks including: Hope Food Bank- Hope Community Center, Human Services Inc., Love Chapel Center and Salvation Army.
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Edited by Anthony Murphy
LOCAL/STATE
categories: z Best Meal: Southeastern Indiana Dietetic Association’s “CAN Grow Good Food.” z Best Use of Labels: kidscommons’ “Flush Away Hunger .” z Structural Ingenuity: United Way of Bartholomew County’s “LIVE UNITED: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope.” z Juror’s Favorite: The Pet Nanny LLC’s “A Day in the Life of a CANine.” z Honorable Mention: Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers’ “1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special.” The 3-D artwork is on display at FairOaks Mall through Saturday. Collected canned goods nearly doubled last year’s 13,900 cans. “Our goal this year was to have 20,000 cans to donate to our local food banks,” said Donna Stouder of Columbus Area Arts Council. “We are very pleased that next Sunday we will be able to load cans with a total value of $19,234 for delivery to Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services.” The organizations serve more than 1,500 families in the community each year. Canstruction, presented by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals, is an annual competition to benefit Bartholomew County’s food banks through Society for Design Administration and American Institute of Architects.
The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, February 24, 2010
B5
Canstruction winners chosen RELIGION NEWS
BY BRITTANY HART bhart@therepublic.com
Winners have been chosen among eight teams that utilized nearly 24,000 canned goods to assemble creative Canstruction displays Saturday at FairOaks Mall. While voting for the People’s Choice Award remains open through 3 p.m. Sunday by placing canned foods by your favorite at the mall or submitting your pick online at therepublic.com, five judges recognized teams Sunday in five
Services and studies
Cathedral of Praise Church of God — Evangelist Mary Smith of Norton, Va., will speak and sing while leading revival services at 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the church, 2310 Chestnut St. Information: 375-0149. Faith Lutheran — The Sunday morning adult Bible study covers such topics as earthly life, baptismal life, dying, resurrection, our bodies, funerals, and cremation. The youth Sunday morning study meeting downstairs after the morning service examines representations of God in popular culture and the mass media. Members take note of the many opportunities the mainstream arts offer to share faith publicly. Information: 342-3587 or faithonthewe.org.
United Way of Bartholomew County — LIVE UNITED: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope
SouthEast Indiana Dietetic Association: Your Local Nutrition Experts — Structure Title: CAN Grow Good Food
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — Guest speaker Barbara Hosein will ask, “What Is the Color of Health and Wholeness?” at the 10 a.m. Sunday service in the church, 7850 Goeller Road. National leaders have been debating health care. The Unitarian Universalist position is clear: equitable access to affordable, quality heath care. Less clear is how to contain health-care costs and what is meant by “health.” Thus, many congregations are becoming sanctuaries of health and wholeness. Hosein, a biochemist, community organizer and former worship associate at Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, will consider what it takes to become a sanctuary of health and wholeness. Information: 342-6230 or uucolumbusin.org. Community Church of Columbus — Tommy Oaks from Knoxville, Tenn., will be guest speaker at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 3850 N. Marr Road (corner of Marr and Rocky Ford roads). Information: 376-9478 or cccolumbus.org. Sandy Hook United Methodist — The 11 a.m. service will be canceled May 16 while members begin making plans to tackle local service projects requiring two to seven hours to complete. There still will be one service at 8:45 a.m. Organizers are open to porjects and are accepting suggestions from people in the community. To suggest ideas: 372-8495 or sandyhook.org. St. Paul Lutheran at Clifty — “Before Abraham was, I am” will be the theme for the Lenten service at 7 p.m. today at the church, 6045 E. State St. A hymn sing will be at 6:45 p.m. A light supper will be served in the fellowship hall at 5:45 p.m. for a free-will offering. St. John’s Lutheran at White Creek — The Rev. Eldon L. Brandt will preach on, “Citizenship Claims” at the 10:15 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 16270 S. Road 300W. Sunday school and Bible class meet at 9 a.m. In other news: z White Creek Lutheran School will be sponsoring a dinner after the worship service, with all proceeds from the free-will offering going to the school’s Scholarship Fund. It gives aid to those families not receiving any other tuition assistance. The menu will include chicken tetrazinni, salad, dessert, bread and drink. Serving will continue until 12:45 p.m. z The second midweek Lenten worship will be at 7 p.m. today. The Rev. Joshua Cook’s sermon theme will be “Moses.” Supper will be served before the service, beginning at 5:45 p.m. Information: 342-3516.
Music
St. Paul Lutheran at Clifty recital — A Lenten organ recital will be at noon today at the church, 6045 E. State St. Indiana University organ students Nicholas Bergin and Christopher Lynch will play music by J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn. Information: 376-6504.
Events
Bethel Baptist youth concert and rally — Jeffrey Moore of Westport will lead a Youth For Christ rally, and the Bethel Baptist Praise band will perform a free youth concert at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church at 142 Deaver Road. The event is open to anyone 12 or older. Information: 342-1734 or 5795197. Flintwood Wesleyan — Today’s activities begin with supper served at 5:30 p.m. at the church’s Friendship Center, 5300 25th St. Children eat free, and adults are asked to make a donation. The menu includes a hotdog, drinks, desserts and chips. The Jesus And Me program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Curry Hall. The Indoor Camp focus is on youth, and they will meet in the main sanctuary for this service. Adult Bible study will resume next Wednesday. In other news: z The Flintwood Ladies have begun an aerobic exercise program led by Patty England. They meet in Curry Hall at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. z The Annual Heart of Ministries Auction will be March 5 in Friendship Center. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the auction is at 6:30 p.m. Lots of food, desserts and great items will be available. All proceeds go to fund mission work locally and globally. First United Methodist preschool and GriefShare — The Learning Tree Preschool LoveA-Child Scholarship Program collection recently was taken. But there still are opportunities to give at the church, 618 Eighth St. The program is an ongoing fundraising arm of the school to help make scholarships available to needy children unable to attend Learning Tree under any other circumstance. Information: Director Karen Johnson at 378-2825 or fumccolumbus.org. In other news, the GriefShare class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays in Room 217 in the main office area. The class helps those who recently have lost a loved one. Information: 372-2815 or fumccolumbus.org.
The Pet Nanny LLC — A Day in the Life of a CANine
kidscommons — The Giant Toilet: Flush Away Hunger
To vote for the People’s Choice Award winner
Vote for the Canstruction People’s Choice Award at therepublic.com or by dropping off canned goods in the receptacles by your favorite creation at FairOaks Mall through 3 p.m. Sunday.
Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers — 1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special
Submitted photos by Christopher Raskob
House votes to repeal employer tax hike
BY MIKE SMITH Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House passed legislation Tuesday that would repeal an increase on taxes employers pay into the state’s unemployment insurance fund, which is deeply in debt to the federal government. The Democratic-controlled chamber voted 90-5 to repeal the tax increase, which was approved last year in hopes of beginning to shore up the insurance fund. It has been paying out hundreds of millions of dollars more in benefits than it has been taking in through employ-
Indiana General Assembly
2010
er taxes and has borrowed $1.6 billion from the federal government to remain solvent. The Republican-ruled Senate had passed a bill earlier this session to delay for one year the tax increase to take effect later this year, saying it would cause businesses to lay off workers in a still-struggling economy. But House Democrats joined House Republicans in amend-
ing the bill Tuesday to repeal the tax increase altogether. Meanwhile, the House approved several amendments to another bill that are designed to create jobs. The amended unemployment insurance bill and the jobs package are now eligible for passage in the House. Both bills likely will head to a House-Senate conference committee, where compromises between the chambers will be sought. Although House Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the tax-increase repeal, Republicans still object to changes House Democrats made that
would expand eligibility for unemployment benefits and raise the maximum weekly amount of benefits. Democrats say the expanded eligibility standards would allow the state to get $148 million in federal stimulus money for the insurance fund and allow more people to get benefits. But Republicans say once the federal stimulus money runs out in about two years, the new standards and higher maximum benefits would cost the fund up to $120 million more a year. The tax increase would cost employers an additional $360 million this year.
Ind. school districts sue over funding
BY CARLY EVERSON Associated Press
NOBLESVILLE — Julie Whitehead thinks her two elementary-age sons are missing out in a crowded classroom where the student-to-teacher ratio is as high as 28 to 1. “You cannot tell me that, with those class sizes, my child is getting all the attention that I feel he deserves,” said the Elkhart County woman. Whitehead joined officials from three Indiana school systems Tuesday, as they filed a lawsuit charging that Indiana’s formula for distributing state school funding penalizes growing districts and violates the state’s constitution. Hamilton Southeastern schools north of Indianapolis, Middlebury Community Schools in Elkhart County and Franklin Township schools in Indianapolis say the state is not uniformly distributing school aid as required by the constitution. “To have a uniform system, there needs to be a reasonably uniform way of distributing the dollars that are available to educate kids,” said Hamilton Southeastern Superintendent Brian Smith. Instead, the districts say the state penalizes growing school districts such as theirs by using the average of past enrollments instead of current enrollments to calculate funds. That means the money stays with the school instead of following the student. Schools where more students are eligible for free- or reduced-cost lunches also get more money. According to Department of Education figures, Hamilton Southeastern will see its perpupil spending of $5,000 drop about $100 in 2010 despite a projected 900-student increase, the lawsuit says. The district’s enrollment has risen 114 percent in the last decade. Middlebury and Franklin Township schools also receive about $5,000 per pupil and will see little change in per-pupil funding, DOE says. Middlebury’s enrollment jumped 27 percent and Franklin Township’s 68 percent in the last decade. By comparison, Indianapolis Public Schools, which has lost more than 1,000 students a year for the last five years, received $7,800 per pupil in 2009 and will receive $7,500 per student in 2010. The state average for per-pupil spending in 2010 is $5,727.69, according to Department of Education figures.
Birding event scheduled
STAFF REPORTS
SEYMOUR — Birding in Jackson County Day is fast approaching for those wanting to get a look at nearly 300 birds that reside in the area. The event is scheduled for March 6 and is hosted by: z Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour. z Starve Hollow State Recreation Area in Vallonia. z Jackson-Washington State Forest in Brownstown. The event is timed so bird watchers have a chance to spot bald eagles and migrating sandhill cranes, which can number 6,000 to 8,000 birds. Maps of optimum birding locations and other county attractions will be distributed at each of the locations on the day of the event. Information: Jackson County Visitor Center, 888-524-1914.
Edited by Anthony Murphy
LOCAL/STATE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. military is investigating the death last month of an Indiana Marine in Afghanistan. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell says the military is looking into the circumstances surrounding the Feb. 19 shooting of 24-year-old Lance Cpl.
The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 4, 2010
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Ind. Marine’s death probed
Joshua Birchfield of Westville. He declined further comment.
Inquest confirmed
Maj. Carl Redding of the Marine Corps confirmed the investigation but referred additional questions to Marine Corps officials in Afghanistan. WLS-TV in Chicago reported
Wednesday that the investigation focuses on whether Birchfield was shot by U.S.-hired private security contractors. Morrell told the station that seven contracted security guards were detained after the incident, and that investigators confiscated guns and opium from the guards’ compound.
CHASE
Continued from Page One
drunken driver on Indiana 3. Sgt. Nick Megel with North Vernon Police Department responded to the call and spotted Henderson’s vehicle sitting across the highway. When Megel approached, the vehicle sped off, leading him and a Jennings County sheriff’s deputy on a chase that reached speeds of 100 mph. Further up the road, deputies from Decatur County tried to end the chase with stop sticks, but Henderson swerved into the oncoming lanes of traffic near the intersection of Indiana 3 and 46. Shortly after, he crashed into an oncoming car driven by a 20year-old Hartsville woman, who was not seriously injured. Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene. According to an NVPD release, Henderson tried during the chase to crash into police vehicles. Police now believe he intentionally crashed into an oncoming car. An investigation into the chase revealed that Henderson made the original 911 call from his cell phone while sitting in the fairgrounds parking lot. Dispatchers reported that Henderson gave a description of the supposed drunken driver’s vehicle and provided a location, but when asked for his name, he disconnected. “It is obvious Henderson was fictitiously reporting himself as the intoxicated driver in an apparent attempt to lure police into a pursuit,” the NVPD release read. Of Henderson’s reasons for such behavior, NVPD reported that he most likely had a “death wish.” “I have been in law enforcement for over 17 years, and I have never heard of someone reporting himself as a drunk driver in an attempt to start a pursuit,” NVPD Chief James Webster said. “He put many people in grave danger, and there is clear evidence that he wanted to end the pursuit by crashing head-on into a patrol vehicle,” Webster said. “When that wasn’t possible, he steered into the next available car.” “We are extremely fortunate that the victim of his crime did not suffer more serious injuries,” he said.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
This replica of the 1952 Cummins race car, made from food cans, won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s CANstruction competition.
People choose Cummins racer
STAFF REPORTS
A replica of the 1952 Cummins race car received the People’s Choice Award at this year’s CANstruction contest. Created by the Columbus Sunrise Rotary Racers team, the car was one of eight entries in the challenge, in which structures were created from food cans. The structures were displayed until last week at FairOaks Mall, where residents voted on their favorites by donating cans of food. More than 23,000 cans, valued at more than $19,000, were used in making the eight structures. The number of cans exceeded organizers’ goal of 20,000 cans. Last year, 13,900 cans were collected. All of the food items were donated to local food banks, Love Chapel, Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army and Human Services Inc., which feed more than 1,500 families a year. The contest was coordinated by Columbus Area Arts Council and Columbus Young Professionals under the auspices of Society for Design Administration and American Institute of Architects. announced. The Cummins racecar, called “1952 Cummins Diesel CANstruction Special” received the judges’ honorable mention award. Other winners: z Best Meal: Southeastern Indiana Dietetic Association for “CAN Grow Good Food.” z Best Use of Labels: kidscommons for “Flush Away Hunger.” z Structural Ingenuity: United Way of Bartholomew County for “Live United: Building Bridges and Moving from Despair to Hope.” z Juror’s Favorite: The Pet Nanny for “A Day in the Life of a CANine.”
CENSUS
Continued from Page One
fice, said he needs many more applicants, especially bilingual people, by month’s end. “We’re still recruiting, especially from minority groups,” said Morris. Christy Crippen is a parttime nurse seeking a financial boost. She figures the flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, will fit her schedule well. “I need the money,” said Crippen. She said a lot of people have applied for the positions because of Internet promos and links on unemployment Web sites. Cecil Price has been laid off for a year and has seen few nibbles for work.
Recruiting workers
Local 2010 Census officials say they still need more people to fill nearly 300 slots to visit Bartholomew County residents in their homes to get basic information. They want to draw from a pool of at least 600 applicants for those posts.
“I need to pay on some bills,” said Price. Recent retiree Dale Buchanan said he’s looking for ways to recoup some of the retirement funds lost when the stock market tumbled. “Especially this time of year,” said Buchanan, “I want
Honorable mention
Other winning structures, selected by a team of five judges, previously had been
Extra numbers are needed, because some workers who will get offers in April already will have accepted other jobs. Also, some hires will not finish their census tasks, said Bill Morris, manager of the Columbus census office. Information for applicants: 314-7410 or (866) 861-2010.
to see if I can get caught up a little.” Smith figures every financial step can serve as a small boost for his wallet. “The economy’s in a freefall,” he said, “and I figured anything I could get would help.”
Man to plead guilty in father’s bludgeoning
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KOKOMO — A central Indiana man has agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the bludgeoning death of his 75-year-old father, Bennie. A plea agreement filed by James Clingenpeel’s court-appointed attorney and prosecutors calls for a 40-year prison term with two years suspended. A Howard County judge is expected to rule April 13 whether he’ll accept Clingenpeel’s plea.
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OVER 75 USED CARS TO SELECT FROM GM CERTIFIED CADILLACS, GM CERTIFIED SATURNS & GM CERTIFIED HUMMERS - AND OTHER GM CERTIFIED USED CARS.
2009 Cadillac CTS, Loaded, One Owner, Only 24,000 Miles, #09S321 .......................................... $28,380 2009 Saturn Outlook, Full-size Utility, Loaded, Only 8,000 Miles, #10G21 .................................... $29,980 2009 Toyota Camry XLE, New Cadillac Trade, Leather, Astro Roof, Only 8,000 Miles ......................... $22,970 2009 Honda Accord EXL, Sunroof, Leather, Navigation, One Owner, Only 19,000 Miles ..................... $25,570 2008 Saturn Astra, 2 Door, Automatic, Air Conditioning, Leather, Only 8,000 Miles, Like Brand New, #G9F477 ...... $15,890 2008 Saturn VUE, Low Miles, GM Certified, FWD, XE, #9G637 .................................................. $17,980 2008 Cadillac DTS, 4 Door, Crimson Pearl, Lower Miles, GM Cadillac Certified, #S0044A ......................... $23,460 2007 Honda Civic EX, 2 Door, Low Miles, One Owner, #9G599B ............................................ $15,640 2007 Cadillac DTS, 4 Door, Loaded, Only 24,000 Miles, New Cadillac Trade, #S0003A ............................ $24,990 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, New Car Trade, Beautiful Red w/Ebony Leather, 11,000 Miles, #GKF78A.. $35,880 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, Luxury Sedan, Leather, Loaded, Showroom Clean, New Cadillac Trade, #XS0027A ......... $14,660 2006 Hummer H3, 4 Door, Luxury Package, Sunroof, Own Owner, Low Miles, #H0004A .......................... $21,668 2006 Cadillac DTS, 4 Door, Loaded, New Cadillac Trade, Showroom Clean, Only 24,000 Miles, #0395A ............. $23,880 2003 Ford Taurus SES, 4 Door, Loaded, #94255A ........................................................... $5,880 2002 Saturn L300, 4 Door, All Power, Only 53,000 Miles, 9G545A ................................................. $7,760
Lockhart Cadillac Greenwood
1287 U.S. 31 South 2 Mi. South
of the Greenwood Park Mall • Toll Free: 1-888-553-0606
www.greenwoodcadillac.com
| Attachment | Size |
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| articles.pdf | 3.72 MB |