Issue 661                                                            May 22, 2016    
Franklin County Observer

News and Events from Franklin County, Indiana       

In This Issue
Sidewalk Sale Without the Sidewalk
30 More Farms Will Be Checked for Bovine TB in Franklin County
Lovely Garden Tour
$500 Grant to FC CAN from Whitewater Valley REMC
"Mutt Strut" in Park
Clyde the Camel at Farmer's Market
Around the County
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Sidewalk Sale Without the Sidewalk,
Promoting Businesses During Construction
 
     Thirty-six business owners, elected officials and leaders of local organizations gathered at the Schilling Center on May 16 to discuss both dealing with upcoming construction on Main Street and promoting Brookville at the same time. One of the ideas mentioned was holding a unique "sidewalk sale" when there is no sidewalk on a particular block.

Nancy Main, President of Main Street Brookville

    Main Street Brookville organized the meeting and Nancy Main, President of Main Street Brookville, Cheryl Kaiser and other board members led the discussion. They admitted that they had more questions than answers at this point. Ms. Main said, "We are not blindly optimistic and we are very aware of the impact on everyone who lives in Brookville." However, she was upbeat about local businesses working together and "making Franklin County a rewarding place to live." Part of Main Street Brookville's mission statement says, "Brookville is the heart of Franklin County, Indiana. We need to keep it beating."
    Brookville Town Board Member Darrell Flaspohler answered questions about the construction project. He said that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will hire a contractor in December 2016 and work will begin April 1, 2017. The plans include installing new sidewalks, curbs and lighting as well as paving Main Street. The paving area runs from Arby's restaurant on the south end of town to Pizza King on the north end. Work is planned to be finished in "one season" before the end of 2017.
     Sidewalks construction will be done one block a time from Third Street to Connersville Avenue. Handicap accessible ramps will be added.
     A key concern for business owners was keeping Main Street open. They heard that two lanes on traffic will be maintained at all times. The only exception is when work is being done on Oregon Hill, south of Third Street. That traffic will have to be rerouted.
    Tim Ripperger, Town Administrator for the Town of Brookville, will serve as the liaison with the construction crew.
    Joe Jester, owner of Brookville IGA, offered his suggestion that work be done at night to minimize problems. He predicted that his business would still lose revenue of 10-15%, even if work was done at night. He said that his sales would drop 40%, if construction was "a mess".
    Others were concerned about the loss of street parking and traffic delays caused by left hand turns. Brookville Town Board Member Bob O'Bryan reported that the town is actively working toward demolishing some blighted properties to create either off-street parking or green space. He hopes that two properties are removed by the end of May.
    Tom Horninger of FCN Bank encouraged businesses to cooperate with INDOT in advance to avoid delays later. He gave the example of two former coal chutes that have to be sealed before construction. He also said that three levels of communication about construction would be necessary to help three different groups: local residents, "infrequent local visitors", and tourists headed to Brookville Lake.
    John Schnetzer, of UNIREF, Inc., said that he is already looking for alternate routes for 100 trucks per week that come and go from his business. Since traffic will be maintained on Main Street (US Highway 52), there will be no official detour for truck traffic. Brookville is situated with rivers on both the east and the west sides, which limits options for detours.
    Brent Riehle of the Brookville Street Department said that they are considering improvements to ease traffic during construction. They will ask INDOT about installing a traffic light or caution light at the intersection of SR 252 and Mill Street. At present, only Mill Street traffic has a stop sign. Additional signs will also be needed.
    Bill Schirmer, President of the Economic Development Commission, said that 2 million visitors go through Brookville and one goal has always been to encourage them to stop and shop in Brookville. Mr. Schirmer said that the visitors may now be stopped in traffic, and we have to encourage them to park their cars and shop.
   Another suggestion was using Brookville Police and/or volunteers to direct traffic at certain times.
    All of the ideas were recorded. Attendees were asked to join a database that would be used for quick communication.
    Nancy Main introduced David Wecker, who has been hired by Main Street Brookville to assist with promoting Brookville during the construction period.

    Ms. Main also introduced Jessica Landau, a local art student, who offered a graphic to promote Brookville. It is titled "Brookville, a Strong Past and a Stronger Future."
   One of the next steps includes a conference on September 29, when more answers will be available.

OTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
   Construction on Main Street is just one of several state projects in Franklin County affecting residents and businesses. Huntersville Road at Interstate 74 in Ray Township will close for several weeks beginning in June or early July 2016. US Highway 52 near New Trenton will be closed from July 11 to November 11, 2016 to repair two culverts. State Road 1 at US Highway 52 will close for 90 days for bridge repairs. The contract will be awarded in the fall of 2016. No date has been announced for the SR 1 closure. Residents are being encouraged to gather petitions against the SR 1 closure.

Reported by
Sara Duffy
30 More Farms Will Be Checked for
Bovine TB in Franklin County
 
    The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) staff continues to investigate a case of bovine tuberculosis (commonly called "TB," or more formally known as Mycobacterium bovis) in a beef cattle herd in Franklin County. The TB-positive cattle were identified through routine inspection at a meat processing facility in Pennsylvania.
    Since the herd was identified on April 28, BOAH staff have been working with the producer to test the remaining cattle in herd, which are located on two Franklin County sites. Based on test results, all of the animals are being promptly removed to prevent further spread.
    The herd owners have been working with BOAH to provide purchase, sale and movement records of animals into and out of the herd for the last several years. Owners of herds associated with these movements are being notified as they are identified. Animals on those sites must be TB-tested or cleared of risk by other means (such as TB-free status).
    Additionally, to ensure TB has not spread beyond the index farms, all cattle on farms within 3 miles must be tested. BOAH will be contacting the estimated 30 producers in the surveillance zone (SZ). See attached map diagram with designated township sections where cattle will be tested for bovine TB, including parts of Blooming Grove, Brookville, Fairfield, Metamora, Laurel and Salt Creek.

BOVINE TESTING AREA (in light blue) - SUMMER 2016

    These contacts should happen over the next several weeks, as BOAH needs to verify ownership of sites not registered with the agency. BOAH will be working with private veterinary practitioners who service this area to provide testing free-of-charge to cattle owners. Details and deadlines for completion of tests are still being determined. Cattle owners in the SZ who have specific questions should contact Jean Doerflein at 317-544-2400 or[email protected] .
    Producers and the public should be aware of a few important facts about this disease and the response:
     --Inspected meat and pasteurized dairy products are safe to eat. Bovine tuberculosis does present a health risk only to people with close, direct contact with infected animals.
     --The bacteria is not spread readily like other diseases, such as avian influenza. Bovine TB is spread by direct nose-to-nose contact between animals or via nasal excretions from coughing or sneezing.
    --BOAH is taking this disease finding very seriously and is coordinating with USDA on tracing its source. The nature of this disease allows a level of response that is less intense than other situations, including high-path avian flu. Producers should be aware that significant behind-the-scenes work is happening on this case and BOAH has completed initial movement traces in record time.
   --Cattle owners who are planning to move cattle into or out of the testing/surveillance zone should contact BOAH first to discuss options.
     BOAH staff has not found evidence of this incident being connected to other cases that have been identified in the region, including those in 2011 and 2009. The recurring findings of TB in this region is why BOAH is placing a high priority on completing surveillance zone testing to determine if any disease is harbored in the area. This includes wildlife as well as cattle and other susceptible species. To date, 8 years of testing of hunter-harvested white-tailed deer in a five-county area have found no cases in the wild population.
 
About Bovine TB
   Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease that affects primarily cattle, but can be transmitted to any warm-blooded animal. TB is difficult to diagnose through clinical signs alone. In the early stages of the disease, clinical signs are not visible. Later, signs may include:  emaciation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade fever and pneumonia with a chronic, moist cough. Lymph node enlargement may also be present. Cattle owners who notice these signs in their livestock should contact their private veterinarian.
   More information about the disease and the investigation, as it develops, will be available on the BOAH website at:  www.boah.in.gov.
 
Information from Indiana State Board of Animal Health
Submitted by Anna Morrow, Extension Service
Lovely Garden Tour
Part of Connie Gayda's backyard.
 
   Main Street Brookville sponsored a tour of eight private gardens in and around Brookville on Saturday, May 21 to benefit future beautification projects.
Side yard of Roann & Bill Thompson.
 
Reported by
Sara Duffy
$500 Grant to FC CAN from
Whitewater Valley REMC Community Trust
 
   Franklin County Cancer Assistance NOW received funds from Whitewater Valley REMC Community Trust, Inc. to provide Feel Better Bags for each client they assist. The contents are meant to make each person feel special, while making sure they have things that will help them through the treatment process.
   Whitewater Valley Community Trust Administrator Randy Ballinger presented the check to Stephanie, Murray, President.
 
   The Whitewater Valley REMC Community Trust, Inc. trustees meet quarterly on the fourth Monday of January, April, July, and October to review applications for grants. Applications and information regarding the program can be found at www.wwvremc.com under Member Services Section and Operation RoundUp.

Submitted by
Stephanie Murray, President FC CAN, Inc.
"Mutt Strut" in Park
   The non-profit Bear & Friends Animal Society held its first event of 2016 - the 2K "Mutt Strut" on May 21 at Brookville Town Park. Participants received t-shirts and goodie bags as well as information from other pet organizations and vendors. Bear & Friends Animal Society rescues at-risk dogs from shelters and abusive or neglectful situations, and then trains them to become therapy animals. Check their website for ways to get involved or for information on future events:  www.bearandfriends.net .


Reported by
Sara Duffy
Clyde the Camel at Farmer's Market
 Eli Ferman feeds a carrot to Clyde.
 
   Clyde the Camel of Vogt Farm near Batesville drew attention to the Brookville Farmer's Market. The market is located at the south end of Brookville and is open every Friday 3:30pm to 7pm through early October.

Reported by
Sara Duffy
Around the County

Memorial Service Rescheduled - May 23
   The Memorial Service on the Courthouse Lawn in Brookville has been rescheduled for Monday, May 23, at 6pm.

Submitted by 
Franklin County 911 via Nixle 

Hope Over Heroin Launch Meeting-May 24
 
    Hope Over Heroin is coming to Brookville, IN September 9 and 10.  A launch meeting to begin organizing volunteers and planning the event will take place Tuesday May 24th at 6:00pm at Redemption Life Church, located at 1112 Main St Brookville (the Old CVS Building). This meeting is for anyone interested in getting involved and making a difference: church leaders, community leaders, government officials, concerned citizens, parents, teachers, educators, coaches, business persons, ANYONE. Let's join hands as a community and turn the tide against addiction in Franklin County!

Submitted by 
Justin Bradley

Stayin' Alive Open House - May 26
     Please join Stayin' Alive at their Open House on Thursday, May 26, from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm followed by Master Trooper Chip Ayers' presentation on methamphetamine. Hear the latest in trends, culture, and options for communities to combat methamphetamine use. Brookville Public Library, 919 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012. Support Stayin' Alive by visiting www.stayinalive24.org and clicking on Donate Now.
 
Submitted by
Melinda K. Brown, BA, CPP, Executive Director
 
Music Boosters' IGA Cookout: May 27-28
     Please join the Franklin County High School Music Boosters and Brookville IGA for their cookout on May 27th and May 28th from 11:00am - 2:00pm. Come have a great lunch while supporting the high school band, choir, and color guard.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

Submitted by
Beth Beccaccio
 
16th Annual Family Fun Day - May 30 
     Stayin' Alive's 16th Annual Family Fun Day will be held on Memorial Day, May 30, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Brookville Town Park. Stayin' Alive strives to provide a safe and healthy community throughout Franklin County. Booth participants will be providing free crafts, activities and games. There will be fun, food and prizes for all ages. If your agency or organization would like to host a booth or if you would like more information on Family Fun Day, please contact Stayin' Alive at 765-647-7272 or visit www.stayinalive24.org.

Submitted by 
Melinda Brown

Canal Guided Walking Tour - June 4  
    The Whitewater Canal Trail has rescheduled the Whitewater Canal Guided Walking History Tour to Saturday June 4th. Please meet at the parking area across from the aqueduct in Metamora. We will begin at 10:30 am and conclude at 12:30 pm.This tour will include history of the locks and the construction of the Whitewater Canal. Afterwards enjoy "Strawberry Days" in Metamora.  
      
Submitted by  
Shirley Lamb, Whitewater Canal Trail 
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