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Read comments (15)"We have talked about this for years," Police Chief Rick Van Horn explained. "We have had to use our own vehicles several times (when there have been emergencies). It is a huge risk for insurance sake. At the recent shooting, we had to take off (in our own cars) with only our gun and a flashlight."
Van Horn added that if each police officer had his own car, the equipment would always be in it. He also stressed that the cars would only be used for police duty.
JPD officer Ryan Van Horn told the council that the car presently used by the department has 75,000 miles and is used every day, 24 hours a day.
"We are going to have to have a car eventually," noted Ryan. "If something happens to the silver car, we don't have a police car."
He also reported that Main Source Bank has offered an interest rate of 4.5 percent. The payment for leasing would amount to approximately $12,000 a year with an additional cost the first year of $12,000 for a used car.
The council also voted for the city firemen to have an annual physical. Darren Sluder reported that the physicals could be given by Family Medical Center in Clay City for approximately a total of $3,500 for 11 firemen.
Sluder also reminded the council that the fire truck is 20 years old. He said if one is ordered this month it wouldn't be delivered until the latter part of 2009 and a payment wouldn't have to be made until the end of 2010.
"I just wanted to remind you that when you plan your budget you need to think of a fire truck," said Sluder.
The council signed a document for the Southern Indiana Development Commission (SIDC) that included an agreement for a water planning grant. Hannun, Wagle and Kline is the engineering company selected for the study.
The council also verified a document officially donating $4,809 to Jasonville from the Housing Rehabilitation Grant.
"The money is already in the housing grant and was decided when Dorman (Clark) was mayor," noted Mayor Roy Terrell.
City Attorney Jeff Hawkins presented a mobile home ordinance for the council to review.
"I know there have been violations (against mobile homes) and nothing has been done against the violator," said Hawkins, "and we have to enforce evenly. However, people who have not dealt with an ordinance will have to."
Resident Joe Hart said he didn't know if other towns have ordinances and he hated for people to have to change their mobile home situations who are law abiding citizens.
"Things have been lacking," noted Terrell. "We have not had someone to inspect mobile homes. Nobody went out to see if they are on a foundation, or not."
Terrell also displayed the "Home of the Laker" signs that will be placed on the west and east sides of town and said the city is accepting donations for the signs.
After the council voted to donate $1,000 in 2008 and 2009 to the Greene County Economic Development Corporation council member Peggy Sluder reminded GCEDC Executive Director Joan Bethell to not forget Jasonville.
In department reports, clerk-creasurer Charlotte Thomas reported that the pre-adoption budget meeting would be August 25 and the adoption of the budget would be at the regular council meeting in September.
Police Chief Van Horn reported 16 arrests in July and Fire Chief Harold Keller said his department made 12 runs.
Keller also said the street department painted curbs, mowed, repaired storm drains, cleaned ditches and put up signs for the school.
TO: Susiecreamcheese
I do understand your concern, but placing a full time dispatcher at the police station is not cost effective due to the thousands of dollars in computer software and that is not even taking in account for the wages of the dispatcher. As for wasting time in a real emergency situation that is what 911 is for.
Jasonville needs a dispatcher regardless. When someone calls the JPD and receives nothing but an answering machine advising the caller to call 911 or the Greene County Sherriffs department it is absolutely absurd and a waste of valuable time in what could be an emergency situation!
Wonder what that would cost the city for a full time dispatcher? Would full time be 7 days a week 24 hours a day? If you do the math, by the time you add salary and benefits the cars are cheaper!
If you were an officer on any police force I'm sure you would not want to jeopardize your own personal vehicle in trying to perform a service for your employer.
Personal and City insurance carriers do not cover a personal vehicle if damaged while officer is performing service for the city. This is the main reason that Jasonville is going to more than 2 cars.
It's a done deal! Let's see how it works out before we criticize it. Who knows may be one of the best things Jasonville has done lately.
Jasonville only needs two police cars. When you call the Jasonville police department all you get is an answering machine! How crazy is that? Money would be much better spent hiring a full time dispatcher!
Looks like LakerFan has found something else to gossip about now. GET A JOB!!
I, too, have a cousin who is on the JPD---full-time. He responded as an off-duty officer to back-up the officer working to the call (the stabbing)behind the Assembly of God in his personal vehicle. His vehicle was damaged in the call and had to pay for it out of his own pocket. The cars are only for the full-time officers...not the reserves. If the officers have to go to the station to get a vehicle THEN respond, it could mean life or death for the first officer to the scene or even the ones involved. It was also mentioned that the department has a blanket policy regarding their vehicles whether it be 2 or 10.
Sorry to pick on you Lakerfan, but I just had to make another statement. My parents live outside of Jasonville across the county line in Clay County. We have called for the Clay County Police and they have passed our calls on to Jasonville because Jasonville could get to the scene much quicker than Clay County could. If you indeed see what you think are officers of Jasonville in a police vehicle for what you consider to be personal reasons, maybe you should make note of it and contact the chief. I see a Linton City Police vehicle on my street EVERY day. As far as I know, Linton does not place restrictions on their police vehicle regarding personal use; however, Jasonville officers would have restrictions in place. Let's keep our officers safe and give them our support!
gary g---
"Lakerfan" is keeping it straight for you? I am REALLY confused by THAT statement!
As for "law abiding citizens" and the mobile home permits...putting a trailer or camper on the property THEN requesting permit is in DIRECT VIOLATION of the mobile home ordinance. It clearly states that a mobile home must have a permit approved PRIOR to placing the trailer/camper ON THE PROPERTY...Is violating a city ordinance considered "law abiding"? Fine the individuals who blatantly violate the ordinances and not only will this deter others from making the same violations (if they know the laws will be enforced), but it will also generate more money for the city to pay for things such as the new signs at the end of town.
Thank you LakerFan. I live north of Indy now. I grew up between Jasonville and Worthington. Yes jurisdition can be an issue, however if my family is in a crisis Jasonville or Worthington Officers are there in about 5 mins if need be. The County is ???. Yes there is a need for more than 1 car. How many I cannot sit here and judge I am not there, but by my reading of the paper online and what I hear from my family, what that tells me is Jasonville needs all the support they can get.
Health issues must also be addressed, you do not want a valued person suffer from a health related cause on the scene. Here in Hamilton County a firefighter went down while on an accident, that was not good.
Keep them all straight for me LakerFan.
To Laker Fan:
I am a member of Jasonville's retirement community and every time I have ever needed anything and I call the Jasonville Police Department they have helped me 100% and I felt that they done everything in there power help me. As for your comment and judging by your past comments you seem pretty negative in general. So I would say to the guys at the police department not to take Laker Fan's comment to seriously. I am happy for you and you guys do good work.
to Greene County Citizen:
The Federal Law regulates that the firemen have OSHA physicals. There are only two places that do these physicals---one in Clay City and one in Indy. These physicals are much more extensive than the physicals given to truck drivers, athlete, and other occupations. Again, if you go to these meetings, you will see that the research is done on this BEFORE a decision is made. Darren Sluder brought in not only a copy of the federal law, but also a copy of the physical papers that need to be completed---SEVERAL pages! Also, the price quoted would be a maximum amount...which includes additional test costs IF those tests are needed.
Attend the meetings...
I was at the council meeting. What you need to realize is that if these officers are called to a scene, such as the recent shooting, and they respond in their personal vehicles, their insurance can drop their personal policies and will not cover anything that happens to these officers. Also, if they respond from home, they do not have much of their personal safety equipment. The money alooted to the police department was proven to be enough to cover the cost of the vehicles---Ryan did an excellent job getting the information. As for the police using vehicles for personal use. Chief VanHorn assured the town that the officers would only use the vehicles while on duty, during emergency calls, or other police business such as going to court. Personally, I appreciate the police patroling the town and not just going down the "main drag" so to speak. It does deter much of the problems that could be around.
If you are opposed to things such as this happening, maybe you should attend the council meetings to voice your opinion rather than complain about it after the fact. The meetings are held the second Monday of every month in the Senior Citizens building at 7pm. You can contact the mayor's office or the water office to see what items are on the agenda ahead of time.
If you think I am "pro-city" and agree with everything that is decided, you couldn't be further from the truth. I have been to several of these meetings and am disappointed in some of their recent handling of some items, BUT at least I was there and voiced my opinion at the appropriate time.
$3,500 for 11 firemen physicals. Did they look anywhere else? It is important that these firemen get their physicals by a competent doctor. Family Medical Center in Clay City would definitely not be my choice for a doctor!!
Another coffin nail in another small city?