One of the local officials leaving office as 2018 comes to an end is longtime Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn. Over the past month, he’s been updating the county council and commissioners on the transition process.
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Funding arrangements for upgrades to Arens Field are back in place, following action by the Pulaski County Council last week. The airport is in the process of getting more than $200,000 worth of improvements. Pulaski County only has to pay five percent of the cost, since the rest will be covered in state and federal grants. However, much of the local match was apparently cut from this year’s budget.
Making sure the Pulaski County Highway Department will be able to update its asset management plan and continue to qualify for Community Crossings grants was the goal of a lengthy conversation during Monday’s county council meeting. The highway department’s $2,500 budget for asset management services was apparently cut out of this year’s budget. To resolve the issue, Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff asked council members to transfer $10,000 into the line item from his department’s salt budget.
Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services is once again asking for more room for its ambulances. EMS Director Bryan Corn told the county council and commissioners last week that the department’s trucks are outgrowing the Winamac EMS garage. “Our oldest truck, she’s really, really long,” Corn explained, “and in order to get the garage door to close, you about have to put it into the wall a little bit.”
Employees in the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Community Development Commission may soon be getting raises, as the county council tries to resolve issues with the county’s salary matrix. One problem has to do with Sheriff Jeff Richwine’s salary. He told council members Monday that state statute requires his salary to be at least half that of the county prosecutor, but it’s now below that threshold since the prosecutor got a raise last year.
The Pulaski County Council’s leadership will stay the same for another year. Jay Sullivan was reelected council president for 2018, while Mike Tiede was reelected vice-president.
A new Pulaski County commissioner will be selected this evening during a Republican Party caucus. Nine candidates are in the running to fill the District 3 seat vacated by Bud Krohn Jr.
Confusion remains over funding for a new van for Pulaski County Human Services. On Monday, the county council tabled an additional appropriation request of $6,894, after council members were not sure if they had already approved it. That, along with a $200 private donation, would cover the local share of the purchase price, while 80 percent would be covered by grant funds.
If businesses don’t create jobs, they don’t deserve a tax abatement, according to a Pulaski County Council member, even if they’ve already been getting one for several years. Last week, the council considered several abatement renewal requests. All of them except one had met their requirements and were recommended for approval by the Community Development Commission.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan P. Origer now has a full-time assistant. The county council approved the establishment of that position Monday evening. Continue reading
Discussion surrounding the Pleasant View Rest Home was held during the Pulaski County Council meeting last night.
Larry Rausch, who is a county home board member, said their number one priority is keeping the county home open and realizes there is some work that needs to be done. He said if the county home is deemed a historical structure, grants would be available to assist the county in getting these repairs done. He also had another option.
Pulaski County voters overwhelmingly supported a first-time candidate and two people who have previously held the offices they are seeking. Former state conservation officer Jeff Richwine was the runaway winner in the Republican sheriff’s primary. He got 1,064 votes to Brian Gaillard’s 444. Jeff Heims finished third with 323. Richwine will face former two-term sheriff Paul Grandstaff in the Nov. 4 General Election. He got 446 votes, and his challenger Jeff Jenkins pulled in 126. Grandstaff also served four years as a county commissioner after his term as sheriff ended. Continue reading
In a joint swearing ceremony, all candidates elected in the General Election in Pulaski County were sworn in by Circuit Court Judge, Michael Shurn, and Superior Court Judge, Patrick Blankenship.
One of those sworn into office was Tracey Shorter who will be the newest member of the Board of Commissioners on January 1st.
Besides being the first woman Commissioner in Pulaski County, she is also the youngest at age 42. Ted asked what prompted her to seek the office.
“I ran four years ago and the race was so close,” said Shorter. “Part of it was because there had never been a woman Commissioner and it became a goal of mine. I got sick and realized life is too short to wait so I ran. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. I’m excited. I think it shows a big win for the party but it also shows progress for our County as far as moving forward. I haven’t really done the background but I think not only am I the first woman, but I think I’m the youngest.”
Like all counties, Pulaski has its share of pressing issues that will need to be addressed in 2011.
“Zoning is a big issue, whether or not we keep the County Home open, keeping our budget balanced and not borrowing what we don’t have. All of those things are huge,” said Shorter.
The following were sworn into office: Ron Powers, Pulaski County Council District 3; Tasha Foerg, Pulaski County Clerk; Tom Roth, Pulaski County Council District 2; Stacey Mrak, Pulaski County Prosecutor; Michael “Mick” Tiede, Pulaski County Council District 4; Alex Haschel Pulaski County Council District 1; Joyce Weaver, Pulaski County Surveyor; Steve Van Der Aa, Pulaski County Coroner; Holly Van Der Aa, Pulaski County Assessor; Michael Gayer, Pulaski County Sheriff; and Tracey Shorter, County Commissioner District 3.
