Other business to come before the commissioners was as follows:

PULASKI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PURCHASE OF COUNTY PROPERTY: Pulaski Memorial Hospital administrator Richard Mynark and CEO Gregg Malott met with the commissioners to request to purchase County owned property. The hospital is building a medical building on the ground and the county owns 5.07 acres. In order to obtain the financing, the bank wants the land owned by the county to be transferred to PMH. The commissioners approved a resolutionl to transfer the tract of land.

PURCHASE OF NEW POLICE CARS: Sheriff Mike Gayer appeared before the commissioners to request new patrol cars. He reported the department has several in the rotations to trade. He checked with a couple of local car dealers  to see if they could match the state bid for new cars, but they could not compete with those bids. Gayer presented the state bids for two patrol cars, and they were approved by the commissions. The sheriff also added that he wants to shorten the squad car fleet, and plans to sell the excess at auction. He also reported the new carport is up..

THE ROAD ON 600 AND BRIDGE 291 PROPERTY: County highway department superintendent Kenny Becker presented costs for fixing the road on CR 600. The cost of bringing in a burmer, dozer and stone will be $7,500. The cost of the hot mix will be submitted at a later date. Jeff Larrison reported on the two remaining pieces of Bridge 291 (Monterey) property. The commissioners approved a counter offer of  $54,000 to purchase the property needed to construct the bridge. The homeowners will be allow to remain until two weeks before construction begins.

TASK FORCE II UPDATE: Chief  Ron Patrick, Larry Hoover and Sherry Fagner were present to give an update on the Task Force II. Last year the district took 80 people to MUTC (Muscatatuk Urbin Training Center) National Level Exercise 2011. The county has $250,000 in equipment. Hoover is the DPC chair, Patrick is the commander and Fagner is DPC. The local team was on standby 5 times in 3 days with the hurricane on east coast. MUTC has begun recruiting videos. A video was shown to the commissioners. They reported there are only two task forces certified in the state.

ENERGY RATE: Philip Piero of Nordic Energy met with the commissioners to offer a better rate, since since the county is now with Nordic Energy. The commissioners accepted the proposal.

BOND FOR KATHY WYATT: The commissioners approved and signed the bond for Kathy Wyatt from Soil & Water Conservation District. 

EXTENSION MEETING APPROVALS: The commissioners approved  a request for Natalie Federer to attend meetings and workshops for 2012. The Extension Office made a request to have the Veterans Service Officer pay an extra $10 internet charge that has been billed to the Extension office and is not covered in their budget. The Veterans Service Office does not pay  for internet service. The commissioners decided if the Veterans Service Office does not have the funds, the internet bill will be paid from the commissioners budget.

HIRING FREEZE: County auditor Shelia Garling aske the commissioners for a definition for the "need for New Hire" regarding part time hours. She gave the following example: "If a part time employee cuts back their regular schedule hours, and if you hire someone to work the rest of the hours. Can be looked at two ways: 1. If it is a certain amount of hours, find someone to work that amount of hours. 2. If it does not increase the budget or creates a new position, I don’t see a problem with hiring a new employee."

2012 BUDGET FOR ENHANCED 911 COMMISSIONERS PAYOUT: No money was appropriated to pay for the Network Service (911 System) and the Service & Maintenance Contract. The commissioners gave approval to request an Additional Appropriation with County Council approval.

OPEN DOOR REQUEST FROM A JOURNALIST: Received an email regarding open door policy for minutes. County Attorney will take care of.

QUOTES FOR DOORS IN BASEMENT: Quotes were presented for the doors in the basement on the north side of the courthouse, by the assessor’s office. Morry DeMarco will attend the next meeting for the commissioners response.

NEW AMBULANCE: Arrow was awarded the bid for a remount and recondition customer’s T3 ambulance box on a new Chevy G3500 diesel chassis. Quote was $78,807.

APPOINTMENTS FOR 2012: The Commissioners made the following appointments for 2012:

A motion to appoint Sarah Thompson for animal control officer died for lack of a second.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE BOARD – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Appointee Carroll Lange

ARROWHEAD R.C. & D. – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Appointee Tracey Shorter
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Alternate Appointee Kenneth R. Boswell

BOARD OF HEALTH – 4 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2015 Board Member Brian Johnson, MD

COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER – 4 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2015 County health Officer (Appointed by Rex Allman, M.D. Board, Certified by Commissioners)

COMPUTER SYSTEMS MANAGER – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Manager Christi Hoffa

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD – 4 Year Term
01/01/2011 to 12/31/2013 Animal Disease Control Emer. Coord. Debra Tiede

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Emergency Management Agency Lawrence Hoover

FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT COMMISSION – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Representative Dave Dare
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Board Member Jay Sullivan
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Board Member Michael Tiede

INDUSTRIAL PARK ADVISORY BOARD – 4 Year Term
01/01/2011 to 12/31/2014 Representative of Local Finance Joe Hunting
01/01/2011 to 12/31/2014 Representative of Local Industry Tom Bonnell
01/01/2012 to 12/31/15 Representative of Local Utility James Conner
01/01/2012 to 12/31/15 Representative of Local Gov’t Nathan Origer

IOSHA REPRESENTATIVE – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Courthouse Lawrence Hoover
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Highway Scott Hinkle
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Home Sandy Hurd
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Sheriff’s Department Mike Gayer
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Recycling/Transfer Station Edward Clark
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Annex Dave Dare

KANKAKEE-IROQUOIS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Board Member (Appoint Commiss) Michael T. Tiede
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Representative Nathan Origer

KANKAKEE-IROQUOIS REGIONAL PLAN. COMM. TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Appointee Kenneth Becker
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Appointee Michael T. Tiede

WORKFORCE INNOVATION LOCAL ELECTED OFFICALS BOARD – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Representative Michael T. Tiede
WORKFORCE INNOVATION INVESTMENT BOARD – 3 Year Term – Chamber Nominates – Board Appoints
06/30/2010 to 06/30/2013 Rep. of Local Business (nominated by Sector) Nathan Origer 06/01/2011

L.E.P.C. – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners’ Appointee Tracey Shorter
NORTHWEST INDIANA SOLID WASTE DISTRICT – BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Council Alternate Rep(Comm Appt) Thomas J. Roth

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioners; Representative Kenneth R. Boswell
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Courthouse Representative Sheryl DeGroot
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Annex Building Representative Teresa Hansen
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Highway Garage Lin Morrison
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Sheriff’s Department Joan Schultz
Ex-officio-By Office County Auditor Shelia K. Garling
Ex-officio-By Office Accts Rec/Pay - Co Deputy Auditor Christi Hoffa

POSITIONS – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Part Time Microfilm Dept. Officer Janet Onken
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Attorney Kevin Tankersley
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Highway Supervisor Kenneth Becker
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Highway Assistant Supervisor Scott Hinkle
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Home Medical Officer Rex Allman, M.D.
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Home Superintendent Sandy Hurd
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Jail Medical Officer Clint Kaffman M.D.
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 County Veterans Service Officer Ed Fleury
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Maintenance Director Morry DeMarco
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Recycling/Transfer Station Manager Edward Clark
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Building Inspector Dave Dare
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Animal Control Officer Debra Tiede
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Animal Disease Control Emerg Coord Debra Tiede

PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT BOARD OF APPEALS – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Board Member Jerry Sullivan
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Certified Level 2 Ass’r-App or Brd Mbr. Stanley Boehning

PLEASANT VIEW ADVISORY & REVIEW BOARD – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioner Appointee Kenneth R. Boswell
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioner Appointee Tracey Shorter
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioner Appointee Margaret Reeves
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioner Appointee Terrie McFarland
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Commissioner Appointee Kerry Baker
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Health Department Appointee Sherry Fagner

PULASKI COUNTY COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMISSION – 4 Year Term
EX-officio-by office Surveyor Representative Mick Tiede

PULASKI COUNTY EMS (AMBULANCE) BOARD – 1 Year Term
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Pulaski County EMS Manager Nikki Lowry
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Pulaski County First Responders Emma Lee Bailey
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Pulaski County EMS Stacy Beckner
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Pulaski Mem Hosp. & West Side Co. Rhonda Kletz
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2012 Pulaski County Commissioners Kenneth R. Boswell

PULASKI COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER BOARD 3 YEAR TERM
01/01/2012 to 12/31/2015 Either Political Party Michael T. Tiede

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Tiede asked if there was any public comment. No comments were made.

  
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Local News Briefs

One-mile stretch of SR 39 closed for structure replacement

PULASKI COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction has closed SR 39 between CR 300 N and CR 200 N as of Monday, June 16.

SR 39 will be closed for approximately five weeks for a small structure replacement. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow SR 14, U.S. 421 and SR 10.

Pulaski County GOP caucus June 21 to fill county council vacancy

The Pulaski County Republican Party has issued a notice that it will hold a caucus at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, June 21, to fill a vacancy on the county council. The caucus will be held at the Pulaski County Public Library in Winamac.

Party chairman Kenneth Boswell reports Dist. 3 councilman Jerry Locke has resigned effective June 30. A former county commissioner, Locke joined the council in July 2022 to fill a vacancy. He was then elected to a four-year term in November that year. His successor will fill the remainder of that term through 2026.

Circus comes to town June 17

Save on pre-sale tickets

WINAMAC - The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to Winamac Tuesday, June 17, at the Winamac Town Park for two shows, the first starting at 5:30 p.m., and the second beginning at 7 p.m. Each show lasts about an hour and a half.

The event is sponsored by the Winamac Kiwanis Club.

Pulaski County Farmers Market open for 2025 season

Pulaski County Farmers Market is open for the summer season with a weekly location in Winamac.

The Market features fresh produce, plus, local meats, maple syrup, honey, eggs, baked goods, sweet treats, cut flowers and coffee. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays June through September, on Main Street in front of the courthouse in Winamac.

Francesville ‘Family Fun in Park’ June 28

FRANCESVILLE – The Uptown Project, in partnership with West Central Youth League, will sponsor its “Family Fun in the Park,” from 6 p.m. to sunset, Saturday, June 28.

The public is welcome to join in for a fun evening of fellowship at the Francesville Town Park.

  

Indiana News

4C Health purchases Curtis Building from PMH

PERU - 4C Health is marking its 50th year in business with an exciting development for Pulaski County operations with the purchase of the Curtis Building from Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

The building is located north of Winamac, just off U.S. 35, at 2418 Curtis Drive.

Yakym surprises 'Hoosier Heroes' with Congressional records

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) –Congressman Rudy Yakym honored two local first responders Tuesday recognizing their “exceptional service and commitment to their communities.”

Pulaski County Deputy Christopher Parish and Culver Community Police Chief Ryleigh Carr received entries into the Congressional Record.

Young, colleagues address shortage of mental health providers in schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by boosting the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

“Access to mental health resources improves the safety, well-being, and academic success of Hoosier students,” said Sen. Young. “Our bill will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.”

Pulaski County unemployment rate drops to 2.4% in April

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.4 percent in April, down from 3.1 percent in March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday, (May 22). The rate was 3.1 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,777 employed persons in a labor force of 6,943 in April. In March those numbers were 6,753 of 6,967. A year ago the numbers were 6,388 of 6.591.

  

Post News

County residents invited to Broadband Community Conversation July 8

 Pulaski County stakeholders are leading an effort to develop a comprehensive Broadband plan for the county.

This plan will identify existing conditions, needs and gaps in high-speed internet (broadband) service within the county; set a long-term vision for broadband service; and provide actionable steps and implementation guidelines for broadband service.

Local nurses form Honor Guard to pay tribute to fallen colleagues

WINAMAC - In 2023, a group of retired and active nurses, with the help of Pulaski Memorial Hospital, created a Nursing Honor Guard to assist families in honoring the compassion and dedication of nurses who have passed away - and celebrating their lives and service.

The Nursing Honor Guard is modeled after traditional military honor guards and pays tribute to the deeply personal and meaningful calling of the nursing profession.

CFoPC awards$17,000 to community organizations

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC)  announced Thursday (June 5) $17,000 has been awarded in grants to four local nonprofits and community organizations.

The Foundation works to strengthen the community through funding, convening and fostering collaboration among nonprofits to amplify their impact.

Winamac Community HS presents 2025 senior awards

WINAMAC - Winamac Community High School has announced its 2025 Senior Awards winners, honoring graduates for various academic and athletic awards, and scholarships.

The awards were presented at the annual Senior Awards program Friday evening (May 30).

Winamac Community HS 2025 commencement exercises held June 1

Senior photos featured

WINAMAC - Commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 at Winamac Community High School were held Sunday June 1, at the high school gymnasium.

Diplomas were presented to 81 seniors.