Obituary for Juanita “Joy” Hornberger

JUANITA “JOY” HORNBERGER

Juanita “Joy” Hornberger, age 85, of Milan, passed away September 20, 2021, at Margaret Mary Health, Batesville.

Joy was born April 8, 1936, in Clermont County Ohio, the daughter of Oliver Cardinal and Elizabeth Pfierman. After graduating high school, she married Donald Hornberger and began the life she loved as a farmer’s wife and eventually a mother. Joy enjoyed making quilts, crocheting, sewing but most of all loved spending time with her grandchildren. Grandma always loved attending and supporting her grandchildren in activities and never missed a game.

Joy is survived by her brother William “Bill” Cardinal, her three sons: Kevin (Rita) Hornberger of Brookville, Kendall (Diane) Hornberger and Kris (Valery) Hornberger both from Milan. Ten Grandchildren Mindy Reilmann, Joshua, Jacob and Matthew Hornberger, Abigail Thome, Dustin and Derek Hornberger, Jason, Curtis, and James Kohlmeier, along with eight great-grandchildren.

Joy was proceeded in death by both parents, her loving husband, son Donald Keith Hornberger, and her great-grandson Lucas Reilmann.

Friends may visit family Tuesday September 28, 2021, 10 a.m to 12 p.m at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home 107 Vine St. Sunman, with funeral service following at 12 p.m. Burial will take place after funeral services a St. Pius Cemetery, Sunman. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Pius Cemetery or to Ripley County EMS.

For more information, share condolences or to sign the online guest book, go to www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joy Hornberger.

Obituary for Linda L. Hoess

LINDA L. HOESS

Linda L. Hoess, 79, of Mt. Carmel died Saturday, September 18, 2021, at her residence. Linda was born April 4, 1942, in San Bernardino, CA., a daughter to Giles Leonard and Marie Johns. After finishing high school, Linda graduated from University of Cincinnati with a degree in Interior Design.

More than 51 years ago on December 20, 1969, Linda married her husband, William Hoess. Besides interior decorating Linda enjoyed gardening, cooking, knitting, and sewing. Linda was an avid reader and enjoyed the Brookville Library. Linda had checked out so many books that she often had trouble finding books she hadn’t read. 

Linda is survived and will be cherished by her husband William Hoess of Mt. Carmel, two daughters: Nickki (Robert) Simon, of Brookville, and Jennifer (Blake) Cabanas of Cincinnati; four grandchildren; Robbie Simon, and Izzy, Ava, and August Cabanas; one brother Giles “Lenny” Leonard Jr. (Diane) of Arizona. Linda was proceeded in death by her parents and her son Michael Miller.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 3, 2021,  at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home – 929 Main Street Brookville. Friends and family may visit October 3, 2021, 12 p.m. to time of service.

For more information, share condolences or to sign the online guest book, go to www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Linda Hoess.

Searching for a plumber’s helper at the library

A column by John Estridge

One of my jobs at the Brookville Public Library is going into the Archives Room and sorting through old courthouse records.

At this point and having worked at the library for about 18 months, I have not found a job or task there I do not like, but I really enjoy being around those old records. I am not at a point where I can really read them yet, as I am still sorting and getting them in chronological order.

I know I am a geek about this stuff, but when I read something that a person wrote in 1818 sitting in what then was the courthouse, which is but a few blocks from where I sit and read it 203 years later, I get goosebumps on my goosebumps.

So, while I was doing that and looking forward to doing that through my quitting time, I had to take a necessary “break.” At the end of the “break,” I engaged a handle. The handle went down and water began filling the vessel I had just used. However, the water and debris already in the vessel did not leave that vessel.

There was concern the water and debris were going to end up on the nice, clean floor around me in that nice peaceful, but public setting.

Had I been at my abode, there would have been a plumber’s helper within reach no matter which vessel I was using at that time. One could gather from that, this has happened to me before. I am not a rookie. However, as the “stuff” neared the vessel’s crest, it stopped, which allowed me to breathe again, but I did not breathe too deeply.

Winston Churchill described Russia in 1939 with these words: “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” I may have not been to that point with my situation, but I was close.

Moving as far away from the brimming vessel as I could in that small, suddenly claustrophobic room, I thought about my next steps. Just about anything I could do from this point could cause embarrassment with the public, and worse, my co-workers. Then, there was an idea. Ideas are not as prevalent for me as they once were, so I was a little shocked by it. My key to the library’s exterior doors also open the janitor storage rooms, and one storage room was just a few steps from the room I was then inhabiting and wanted to get out of in the worst way. And getting to that room would not take me by any of the public or my co-workers.

Locking the door behind me to spare any other unsuspecting people needing a “break,” I went to the janitor’s closet.

My Long Suffering Wife Ruth gets upset with me about quite a few things, but one of the things that really upsets her is I cannot look for things. I am not observant. I will ask her where the milk is in the refrigerator and I moved it to look behind it. I can ask about my glasses, and they are on my head with my eyes looking out of their lenses. I do not concentrate on my task. I think of stupid things, which cause me to think about other stupid things, and then that goes on to the point, I move the milk to look behind it to find milk.

Thus, I took my time and went through the room twice, looking behind everything and trying my best not to let my mind wander, but boy, it wanted to. However, the plumber’s helper was not there. That left one more janitor storage room downstairs in the library’s first floor. I went there next. I repeated what I did the first time and to no avail.

Next to that storage room is the office of my top boss, Susan. It is an office so I could tell her in private what I needed and why I needed it. I knocked on the door and co-worker Cathy, who was manning the nearby children’s library desk, said Susan was not there but she, Cathy, would tell Susan I was looking for her.

My immediate boss, Julie, was back near where I was supposed to be working. I had walked by her quickly en route to the second janitor’s closet, hoping – like I sometimes did a couple years ago when I was a little boy – that I had become invisible. I wanted that at the time so I would not have to inform her of my mission. But now with my options spent and my situation still a situation, I went to her. Of course, I could not look her in the eye as I explained what was what.

To her credit, she did not laugh, at least not out loud. And she went to the rooms I checked and rechecked them. I thought that was a good idea because, as I noted before, I can hold the milk bottle and ask Ruth where the milk is.

But she could not find one either. She reminded me there was one more janitor’s closet upstairs. I must have forgotten that or wanted to forget that option. I dreaded that option. Two female co-workers labor there, and when I am working downstairs, I rarely go upstairs. I knew they would be inquisitive, and what could I say? How could I explain my mission?

So, I went up the stairs slowly and came out across from where they sit. They were each working on projects, but they stopped and asked what I was doing. I told them I was going to the janitor’s closet. They asked more, but I am old so when I want, I act like I cannot hear. That was one of those times.

There, just inside the door was that wonderful plumber’s helper. Again, wishing for my cloak of invisibility, which would include my plumber’s helper, I tried to hightail it – I’m a stroke survivor who is not far from 65 so imagine hightailing it — down the steps far away from the front desk, but it seemed like there was laughter following me down the steps.

However, after carrying it by Julie and carefully not looking at her, I let myself back in that small, odorous room, and did what I had to do. Tragedy and mayhem were avoided.

I went back to my old records and finished up my time. After putting everything away, I exited the Archives Room and went back to my usual desk. Susan was sitting in a nearby chair waiting for me. She said Cathy had told her I was looking for her. What did I need?

I wanted to say invisibility, maybe teleportation – where is Scotty when one needs him — but I did not. I told her the truth. A smile did appear on her face, but it was small and nice. She told me that was nice for me to help out a member of the public. I thought about lying and telling her “thank you, anytime,” but I did not. I told her the true reason.

“That happens,” she said. The laughter was coming a little freer for her. “But at least you took care of it.”

Both were laughing now, and I was really wanting to have that invisibility cloak, but my face, shoot, my entire body was too red for that. I was more of a red beacon than invisible.

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Obituary for Billie Jo Browning

BILLIE JO BROWNING

Billie Jo Browning 47, of Greensburg passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021. She was born on December 24, 1973, in Connersville to George Browning and Woody Neeley Browning.

Billie Jo was a member of Crosspointe Biker Church in Connersville.

Billie Jo enjoyed riding motorcycles and working on cars. She could fix just about anything that needed to be worked on and fixed mechanically. She was a country girl who enjoyed going fishing, mushroom hunting and shooting guns.

Along with her parents, she is survived by her children, Gavin (Cara) Hosea, Charity (Wade Lunsford) Hosea and Debra (William) Glaser; her grandchildren, Brayden Lunsford, Caralynn Glaser and one on the way, Levi Lunsford; her siblings, George (Donna) Browning, Herschel (Jodi) Browning and Tabitha (Adam) Browning; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Billie Jo was preceded in death her son, Christopher Lance; her maternal grandparents, Woodson and Gladys Neeley and paternal grandparents, Robert and Lottie Browning.

Visitation for Billie Jo will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, 513 W. 8th St. Connersville, Indiana 47331. The funeral service will be on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Crosspointe Biker Church, 1130 Baseline Rd., Connersville with Mike Venable officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery.

To sign the online guestbook or to leave the family a personal message visit www.urbanwinklerfuneralhome.com.

EDITORIAL: How a $1.2 million bond to buy a golf course was increased by King Curtis to $2.2 million in three weeks

AN EDITORIAL By John Estridge

Luke Combs, in what may be the best, most sincere lyrics ever written for the iconic song, “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” set the stage for Brookville Town Council President Curtis Ward with part of one line:

“Politicians lie.”

It was as if Combs and his two co-writers knew Curtis personally.

Congratulations Brookville taxpayers. One of Curtis’ truth-stretching exercises concerning the purchase of Pig in a Poke Golf Course and the Zimmer Building, the latter for no particular obvious reason but I am sure there is an economic one for one or more of the council members, is the amount of bonds needed for the purchases. It is now almost double the amount Curtis promised just one meeting ago. He said $1.2 million at the Aug. 24 meeting.

The resolution read at the September 14 meeting shows the bond amount is now $2.2 million.

That is key because it means we have to pay back more of our money through the bonding scenario. And that amount is put directly on the tax levy.

During the August 24 meeting, resident Derrike Kolb, who was a town clerk/treasurer candidate in the last election and a former first deputy in the county’s auditor office, closely questioned Curtis concerning the funding for all of Curtis’ schemes to spend taxpayers’ money for seemingly his own betterment.

For people just tuning in: Curtis purchased nine lots adjacent to the Pig in a Poke Golf Course July 7. He started his campaign to purchase the golf course RIGHT NOW at the August 10 meeting. And the golf course purchase agreement was signed two weeks later on August 24.

Derrike and Curtis’ question-and-answer session is pretty simple for me to reconstruct because I transcribed that part of the August 24 meeting for my series of the Aug. 24 meeting transcriptions. The one caveat to the transcription is the rate of Curtis’ speech. I believe he purposefully talks so fast so people cannot understand him. He would not slow down his reading of the resolution to sell bonds at the Sept. 14 meeting even when asked to slow down. It’s a play off the old axiom: What we don’t know CAN really hurt us.

From the August 24 meeting:

Derrike Kolb: “What is the approximate timetable for the town’s process for obtaining a bond on behalf of the taxpayers for the purchase of the golf course i.e. seeking of bond counsel, public hearings?”

Curtis Ward: “So, this has been a three-year process. We started this before any of this. We actually have (sounds like “solidified draft in place”) so we could close out the bond at the end of the year as long as we started by the first meeting of September. Aggressive timeframe however it still was doable even though (sounds like “first time (something unintelligible”) back in 2019, Baker Tilly proposed – I’m sorry Umbaugh – (something like “hold a hearing for us” and then something more unintelligible) we would like to engage them again since they are doing the feasibility plan for the Town of Brookville annexation so we have (unintelligible). And to get it done in the next two months. And to set it for 10 years.”

Derrike Kolb: “So, are you planning on purchasing this before you have the actual funds from the bond?”

Curtis Ward: “We could do … maybe, it depends on the type of bond. You could bond (something) note. The ideal scenario is we pay off one bond by the end of the year, which is doable.”

Derrike Kolb: “How much of a tax increase is there going to be with buying properties for $1.6 to $1.8 million i.e $1.1 to $1.2 million for the golf course, $600,000 for the Zimmer property and $50,000 for the old INDOT property, and what’s the financial impact for the people who live in the town of that put you in?”

Curtis Ward: “The taxes, it’s a complicated question because one, your assumption is we are going to borrow through a bond for all three properties, which is an assumption, probably not accurate.” (I put that line in bold just now because that is important). “The $50,000 will be INDOT (old INDOT property at Ninth and Mill streets for an apparent parking lot) would likely come from other sources that we already have. The $600,000” (Zimmer property) “to secure that property comes from the PPP” (Public Private Process) “process, which we used on the pool, and it will not raise the tax rate. It is not attached to a levy. The only thing we will be looking at through a levy at this point in time is if we approve purchase the golf course,” (Again, my emphasis) “we need to approve the use of the bond by the first of September that will be the only thing attached to the levy.”

Derrike Kolb: “Which would be about $1.1 or $1.2 (million)?”

Curtis Ward: “We would purchase the project for $1 (million). The financial cost of that based on the 2018 total that they did for us was $175,000 bond issue cost for $1.2 (million). That would have about an 11 percent increase on your tax rate. Actually, you having been an auditor, being the deputy auditor, that does not necessarily result in higher taxes for everyone. So, to put it like that is misleading in my opinion.”

Back to me and the EDITORIAL: Notice the irony in his last sentence: “So, to put it like that is misleading in my opinion.”

OK we have another example of irony out of the way.

Now the pertinent facts other than the irony of that last sentence are Curtis, remember his lips were moving, said “The $600,000 to secure that property comes from the PPP process, which we used on the pool, and it will not raise the tax rate. It is not attached to a levy.”

No, that is now not the case. It may have not been the case when he made that statement or it already was not. Who knows with Curtis and his four hypnotized minions.

Curtis, and his lips were moving on Sept. 14 also, said that is no longer the case. Instead, the $600,000 has been added to the bond. So, that makes the bond $1.6 million. We have $600,000 still out there. There is a cost for the bond but at $1 million that, according to Curtis, was expected to be $200,000. Of course, that could be another misrepresentation of truth.

An aside here: If anyone knows of an instance where Curtis has spoken the verifiable truth, please let me know. It seems that would be like seeing the proverbial unicorn or a successful Cincinnati Reds season, whichever may be the rarer at this point.

For this editorial, I consulted with a friend who has knowledge of this sort of scenario. He believes the money still out there is either to put on the remodeling of the Zimmer building or to purchase or fix something needed immediately at Pig in a Poke Golf Course. He was at the Sept. 14 meeting but saw the two men being rudely treated and ignored when they asked Curtis to slow down his reading of the resolution and how Carla Hacker was so poorly treated for just asking questions. All of her questions about everything were dismissed unanswered by King Curtis and her questions concerning the golf course were dismissed because the golf course had not been on the Sept. 14 meeting agenda even though there was the resolution for the $2.2 million bond to purchase said golf course, so my friend, too, was leery.

Now, the PPP process is complicated, and I do not have a complicated mind so I struggle.

I do know this: with the PPP, the bidding process is circumvented. Usually, with construction projects, the government entity takes bids and awards the bid of the company with the lowest cost. While King Curtis, at the Sept. 14 meeting, said the PPP will actually save money when compared to the bidding process, I do not believe it. Are you shocked by that?

With Curtis, there is a reason for everything and the reasoning on anything, to this point, has not been to save taxpayer money.

Through my reading of bonding statute, there has to be a public hearing before the bond ordinance can be approved by town council. People have to attend council meetings and speak up. I know it is a terrible environment and council members and the Brookville Police Chief treat the public in a hostile fashion, but buck up and show up. Be ready to take unfair and hostile treatment by council members and the police chief. Hopefully, they won’t kill you. And you know the saying “what doesn’t kill you, makes …”

Near the end of the Sept. 14 meeting, BTC member Chuck Campbell spoke up. This is unusual for any of the minions to hazard a spoken word. And as you will see, King Curtis, did not allow Chuck to speak for very long.

A person in the crowd told Chuck he was really disappointed in Chuck being a Curtis follower because he had thought more of Chuck prior to Chuck being elected.

This was Chuck’s response:

“What you guys have to realize is everyone sitting up here are town residents. We live here. We pay the same tax. We’re not going to screw ourselves over.”

At that point everyone was speaking over everyone else. It sounded like Chuck was trying to say people are accusing him of buying the golf course and everything else to personally enrich himself. People from the audience were shouting back they did not say Chuck, but they did say Curtis. Remember, the meeting and all the other meetings have been out of control since about Jan. 1.

“We have children. We have grandchildren we have to worry about,” Chuck continued. “We’re not going to throw them under the bus. The same as we don’t want to throw you under the bus, and we don’t want to.”

At that point, Curtis, the king, cut off Chuck. Apparently, Chuck making comments was off script.

“All right guys,” King Curtis said. “We’re not going to talk about the golf course tonight.”

Set the Kool-Aid down Chuck and back away from the pitcher. If you can, think about it. You bought a golf course for us, the vast majority of taxpayers do not want. However, the fact remains not only does Curtis have nine empty lots adjacent to the golf course, you have one empty lot.

That golf course is truly a Pig in a Poke because we know nothing of the finances and you do not either. We have no idea how much this is going to cost the taxpayers annually and you don’t either.

You, using our tax money, purchased the Zimmer building for no particular purpose. I would hazard to guess very few Brookville taxpayers want to own the Zimmer Building.

We were told the Zimmer Building was going to be a town hall because we really needed a town hall at that moment although we really did not need a town hall at that moment. And, apparently, we do not need a town hall currently because the Zimmer building is not going to be a town hall. Now, we are told we need a new police station although no one has ever mentioned needing a new police station, especially since the present police station was greatly remodeled not too long ago.

We are now looking at purchasing a new ambulance, and paying people to run it. That cost is really unknown. And Chuck, always – seemingly mindlessly – you vote for anything Curtis wants. He wants to put in a trail and a bridge from the town park to near one of his rich buddies’ motel. Price tag – just $3 million or so. And how much would you guess the real cost will be when you have to run a sewer line up Snob Hill to service all of those new citizens who also won’t be allowed to have a say in the operation of their “un-adopted” town. And that cost is the proverbial tip of the infrastructure iceberg so to speak.

Now, do you really believe the statements you made at the Sept. 14 meeting?

We, the taxpayers do not. We, the taxpayers, are all being thrown under that proverbial bus because of you and your four compatriots and nobody else.

Obituary for Danny Ray Cross

DANNY RAY CROSS

Danny Ray Cross, 74, of Brookville, entered into Heaven on September 19, 2021. He was born on January 12, 1947, in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Danny proudly served in the United States Marine Corp from 1964 to 1968 during the Vietnam era. He went on to marry the love of his life, Mavis (Prince) Cross, in 1968. Danny and Mavis celebrated 53 years together this year.

Anyone who knew Danny, knew that church was his passion. He dedicated the last 10 years to Galilean Baptist Church. Being the faithful leader that he was, Danny always considered his church family a part of his life.

When Danny was not in church, he could often be found playing guitar and singing with his grandchildren. He was also an avid fisherman who loved to spend time on the lake.

Danny will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Mavis; son, Danny Ray Cross II (Tracie); daughter, Alena Hendrix (Patrick) and adopted daughter, Shirley Steele; grandchildren, Justin Cross, Jeremey (Courtney) Cross, Jordan Cross, and Hannah (T.J.) Ohmer; great grandchildren, Aubrey, Greyson, Easton, Braelynn, Harper, and Berkeley; siblings, Frank, Donny, Roger, Sam, Sheila, Loyd, and Deborah; brother-in-law, Randy; and best friend, Steve Hayes.

Danny was preceded in death by his mother and father, Grace and Loyd Morgan.

Visitation will be held for family and friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, September 24, followed by funeral services beginning at 3 p.m. all at Galilean Baptist Church in Centerville. Burial will follow at Abington Cemetery in Abington.

Memorials in honor of Danny can be given to the Cross Family. They may be brought to services or mailed to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006. 

At the request of the Cross family, we do ask that everyone who is present for the visitation and/or service wear a mask and practice social distancing. Please be respectful of the family’s wish to keep their distance at this time.

Please feel free to leave a memory or a message of comfort for Danny’s family in the online guestbook.

FCPLD Library Corner

Submitted by Franklin County Public Library District Director Susan Knight

Expanded Services: The Libraries are open for “Grab-&-Go: services.  Patrons may enter the buildings to select books, movies, magazines, etc.  Computers are available.  Brookville’s study rooms are available.  Toys, and video gaming systems are NOT available.  Social distancing is encouraged. 

Meeting Rooms: Room capacity is reduced.  Laurel’s meeting room accommodates 6, Brookville’s flex room holds 10, and Brookville’s large meeting room seats 20.  Call to make reservations.  For Brookville, email angela@fclibraries.org.

24/7 Wi-Fi: Please feel free to utilize the Wi-Fi provided 24/7 in our parking lots in Brookville and Laurel. 

Brookville’s Totspot Storytime: Mrs. Herbert conducts storytimes at 10:00 and 1:00 on Mondays. Check our Facebook page for updates.

Laurel Family Story Night: Join us for a short story, craft, and snack.  Thursdays, 5:00 – 6:00.

Princess Cartoon & Escape Room: We will watch a short episode about a long-haired princess who wants her best friends to get along. After the cartoon, we will have a mini escape room geared toward our young preschoolers!  Brookville, Wed., Sept. 22, 10:00 – 11:30.

Brookville Family Movie: A monster dad hosts a birthday party for his daughter when a human crashes the party and falls in love with her.  Tue., Sept. 28, 5:30 – 7:00.

STEM Program: Topic: Coding and Robotics, Brookville, Sat., Oct 2, 12:00 – 2:00 RSVP at 765.647.4031.

Get Spooky Society: Meet members of the Get Spooky Society (as seen on YouTube). Stephanie Getz, a 1988 Graduate of Brookville High School, is one of the founding members and will talk about some of their investigations in and around Franklin County. All ages are welcomed. Contact Heather at heather@fclibraries.org for more info.  Brookville, Tues., Oct. 5, 5:00-8:00; Laurel, Thurs., Oct. 7, 5:00-8:00.

Author Visit: J.Z. Foster is an Urban Fantasy and Horror writer with multiple series. Books available for purchase and signing, $10 each. To learn more about this author and his books, visit: www.jzfoster.com  Brookville, Sat., Oct. 9, 1:00.

Classic Movie Night: October’s selection is a horror movie based on Mary Shelley’s classic story of a young scientist’s attempt to create life.  Participate in the movie trivia for a chance to win a prize or just sit back and relax! Light snacks and drinks are provided. Feel free to bring your own comfy chair or blankets. Classic movie night occurs regularly on the second Thursday of the month. RSVP at (765) 647-4031. Ages 18 & up.  Brookville, Thurs., Oct. 14, 5:30 – 7:30.

Plein Air Paint Out Weekend 10/15 to 10/17: Friday evening features a speaker and refreshments at Brookville.  During Saturday, Plein Air artists will be painting throughout Franklin Co. Feel free to visit with them.  On Sunday, Oct. 17, the works created this weekend will be displayed at the Brookville Library from 1:00-3:00. 

Farm Day: Stop by for some farm fun! We will have farm machinery, presentations by FFA about seeds and how they grow, a fun craft, and more! Brookville, Sat, Oct 23, 10:00 – 2:00.

Take-and-Make Crafts: Stop and pick up a take-and-make craft kit. Available at both libraries, at Brookville, they are located by the Children’s area.  Available until gone.

StoryWalks®: The StoryWalk® continues at the Brookville Town Park and the Mounds State Rec Area’s Wildlife Wander Trail.  Each trail features a picture book, encourages literacy, physical activity, and spending time outdoors, and is perfect for families of all ages!  The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-HubbardLibrary. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Fair Photos: The Art Wissman photos displayed at the 4-H fair by FC Citizens for Historic Preservation, will be displayed at the Antique Machinery Show.  Please stop by to look at the photos.  We hope to gather more IDs & descriptions. 

Plean Air Sites;  If you own one of Franklin County’s scenic spots and would like to invite artists to set up their easels there, please contact the libraries.  Plein Air artists will visit Friday to Sunday, October 15-17.

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Madison man dies in off-road vehicle crash in Ripley County

From an Indiana Conservation Officer press release

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) crash that claimed the life of an adult male.

The crash occurred Saturday night at approximately 9:25 p.m., near the 9000 block of South County Road 75 West.

Initial investigated shows that Tyler Asche, 36, of Madison, was traveling downhill on a gravel roadway when he lost control of his side-by-side ORV.   

Asche, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was partially ejected from the ORV and pinned underneath as it came to rest on its side.  

He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.  

The passenger in the ORV, who was wearing a seatbelt, only suffered minor injuries.

This investigation is still underway, and an exact cause of death is pending autopsy results. 

Conservation officers were assisted by Indiana State Police, Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Friendship Fire Department, Ripley County EMS, and Ripley County Medic Service.

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Obituary for James C. Bishop

JAMES C. BISHOP

James C. Bishop, 98, formally of Brookville, died Friday, September 16, 2021, at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida.

Jim was born in Maplesville, Kentucky on January 20, 1923, to Henry Bishop Sr. and Catherine Reams Bishop,  one of their 12 children. He married Elizabeth Turner and enjoyed more than 64 years before she died on February 3, 2007.  Jim served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns and received the EAME Theater with two Bronze Stars, the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Unit Badge. Jim was wounded in Germany on April 14, 1945. During Jim’s life, he farmed, drove a school bus for Franklin County Schools for more than 40 years, and was janitor at Mt. Carmel School. After he retired, he remodeled houses with a partner. Jim was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church, American Legion Post # 77, a lifetime member of Brookville Masonic Lodge #11 F & AM, and the Moose in Florida. He enjoyed working, spending time with his family and going out to eat.

Jim is survived by two children: Cathy Hildebrand of Florida and Richard C. Bishop ( Alice) of Brookville; four grandchildren: Troy (Kim) Bishop, Trev (Terri) Bishop, Kirshell (Jason) Lovins, and Kyle (Abby) Hildebrand all of Brookville; eight great-grandchildren: Audra and Austin Lovins, Laura and Maddie Hildebrand, Anastasia ( James)  Reilly, Logan (Tirzah) Bishop, Tabitha (Daniel) Wiehe, Lindsey ( Kayla Suter) Bishop; three great-great-grandchildren: Maximus and Mila Bishop and Jaxson Suter; five siblings: Vester Bishop of FL, Rose Pennington of AZ, Ruby Bolin of FL, Mary Ertel  and Linda Barrett both of Brookville; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a sister: Lilly Hundley; and five brothers: Walter, Henry Jr., Robert, Eddie, and Harold Bishop.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home ~ 929 Main Street Brookville ~ with Troy Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by Bernard Hurst Post # 77 American Legion of Brookville. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m. where memorial contributions may be made to FC CAN ~ P. O. Box 74 ~  Brookville, IN 47012 or American Legion Post #77 ~ 1290 Fairfield Ave. ~ Brookville, IN 47012..

For more information, share condolences or to sign the online guest book, go to www.cookrosenberger.com. The Staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve James Bishop’s Family.

EDITORIAL: Brookville Police Chief Terry Mitchum berates woman in BTC meeting, one councilman laughs while the other four let it happen

AN EDITORIAL By John Estridge

In covering town councils in several communities and four counties, I have experienced many, many meetings and many different council members and many different officials associated with those towns and cities.

Tuesday night, September 14, was the ugliest town council meeting with the officials acting the ugliest I have ever experienced in my life. Not surprisingly, it was Brookville Town Council and it was Brookville Police Chief Terry Mitchum.

A businesswoman, whose family business has been located downtown for nine decades, complained about what she considers police harassment of her business, her employees and her customers. Her business has given service to the community and provided jobs for generations of residents in Brookville and in the county.

In my time covering Brookville Town Council, there has never been any other business owner ever come into a council meeting and complain about police harassment. That lady has never uttered a bad word, to my knowledge, about a police officer in her life.

But she joins a chorus of other people who have complained of late about police harassment, with two women specifically talking about Brookville Police Department Chief Terry Mitchum. And Tuesday night, Mitchum showed everyone why he has been accused of that.

The complainant wrote council members a letter specifying the times and the ways her business, her employees and her customers have been harassed. It goes from the vehicles she and her employees drive that must park on side streets as everyone who works downtown has to do because our streets are filled with parking meters.

And if any of their vehicles’ tires go up at all on the curbs of the side street, in any small way, then they receive a ticket. It is necessary to get as far over as possible toward the curb and the sidewalk because many, many people speed up and down the very narrow side streets every day. She told council members her employees have had side mirrors ripped off numerous times.

With large delivery vehicles out in the business’ parking lot, many of her customers have to park where their tires touch the sidewalk. That has caused her customers to receive tickets. She has paid for all of her customers’ tickets, but she has lost some business specifically because of it.

One time while outside trying to get the police officer to quit ticketing her customers’ vehicles, Mitchum pulled up and publicly berated her.

He soon gave an example of his berating demeanor at the meeting.

Mitchum stood very near the woman while he screamed into the microphone how he was not the one yelling at the scene, she was the one yelling at the scene and using obscenities. When she tried to defend herself, he told her she could not because now was his time. While she had given her speech, her voice had not been raised. She had been calm. The dichotomy could not have been more pronounced.

Hey, I am all for someone giving their side of the story, but that was not the time and that was not the method. He should have taken what she had to give and then at the next day, in private, spoken to a couple of council members and told them his side of the story. Then, things could have gone from there, if we had council members who care about the people who live in town and pay taxes.

I know this is 2021, but males, especially large males, should not treat females in that way. Heck, they should not treat other males the way Mitchum treated that female that night.

The other instance was in my neighborhood and the female who was involved in that altercation said Mitchum treated her so badly she wanted her and her husband to put the house on the market the next day. I told her she should not allow the likes of Terry to run her out of town. She said no one had ever treated her the way Mitchum treated her. I believed her at the time she told me, but Tuesday night kind of emphasized her point.

It is a bully mentality plain and simple. He has berated two women I know about. I am sure there are probably more. I believe part of his problem is he is a misogynist. But he is also a bully. That is a brute with brutish actions. It is not a police chief. Treating people like that should not come from any police officer or anyone else for that matter, but we expect police officers to act better than the rest of the populace. I was taught from the time I was a little boy to look up to and respect police officers. I still do, but I do not look up to and I do not respect Terry Mitchum. It is such a sad coincidence that as we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, when police and firemen across the nation became our heroes, our local police chief has decided to flush that enormous reservoir of respect and admiration right down the drain.

One thing I want to go back to and emphasize is no other business owner in my 30-plus years in Brookville has ever complained about one police officer, not one. I was the newspaper editor for more than 30 years, so I would have known about it. But no other police chief prior to Mitchum would have put either his officers or himself in a place where almost their entire interactions with the town’s populace are negative in nature.

One retired police officer who lives in town said when police drive through his neighborhood now, he and his neighbors wonder who the police officers are coming over to ticket, warn or otherwise have negative interactions with the people they are supposed to serve and protect. It has not been this way until this past year, since January 1, 2021

But more than Mitchum’s meltdown, was the fact the five town council members allowed him to do that, allowed him to yell, scream and get so close to that woman in front of them that she publicly cried, and she did so in a meeting they were supposed to control. They were supposed to protect her while she talked to them and she did not talk to Mitchum. Not one of them came to that woman’s defense. I am terribly upset with myself because I did not stand up and tell him to stop.

Even worse than all of the above is one town councilman appeared to find the entire event humorous. Councilman Eric Johnson appeared to laugh during that terrible situation.

Later, as the meeting further deteriorated, two men were escorted out of the building by Mitchum for I guess them being unruly, think of the irony of that. They had asked BTC President Curtis Ward to slow down as Curtis read the resolution the council later unanimously passed, floating a $2.2 million bond issue for the purchase of Pig in a Poke Golf Course and the Zimmer building, with the latter purchase to give Mitchum a new place to put his feet up on his desk and practice yelling at women.

Curtis refused to slow down his reading to where people could actually hear the words he was reading. He told them to call Clerk/Treasurer Gina Gillman the next day and get a copy. That is really good PR for Curtis, but we have come to expect such arrogant, haughty behavior from him.

There will be more on that $2.2 million bond issue in the near future, because that is almost twice the amount of money Curtis told all of those people at the August 24 meeting we, as taxpayers, would have to bond.

Near the end of this terrible meeting, one man in the crowd told Eric Johnson “you are a joke.” The man was still upset Eric had laughed as Mitchum made that woman cry. Eric, who does little during a meeting other than make demeaning facial expressions at those in the crowd and now laugh at crying women, became angry. He actually turned on his microphone, pulled it up to him, and told the man to “take that back.” The man stood his ground and said he would not.

Again, I have never seen anything like this before.

When a person put herself on the agenda to ask questions – the only way people are supposed to be allowed to ask questions now that this council has stifled public comment — Curtis refused to answer any of the questions. And he would not entertain any questions on Pig in a Poke Golf Course, saying the golf course was not on the agenda.

I guess he forgot about the resolution we could not understand concerning the $2.2 million in tax money going for a bond to purchase it.

These town council members are the worst I have ever experienced anywhere. Terry Mitchum is the worst and most dangerous police chief I have ever had the displeasure to meet.

And we, the Brookville citizens, have to put up with them. May God have mercy on all of us.