After much controversy and a few public meetings where several local citizens voiced their concerns about the Offender Program at the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department, Chief Lee Slaughter decided to suspend the program earlier this year.
    Now, after discussing the issue with the District Fire Board last Thursday evening, February 7, the decision has been made to re-instate the program and move it forward.
    "We talked to the District Board and told them what we were doing. We gave them the rules and they had no problems with it," Slaughter stated. "They supported the program and again, they had no problem with it."
    The program will continue with these rules and roles the offenders will follow, according to Slaughter:
Offender Program Rules
    Offenders cannot smoke.
    Offenders cannot use the phone.
    Offenders cannot have outside visitors.
    Offenders cannot have alcohol.
    Offenders cannot have money.
    Offenders cannot receive personal mail here (at Station 1).
    Offenders cannot drive vehicles (does not include mowers only licensed vehicles).
    Firefighters cannot make phone calls for them.
    Firefighters cannot give them any contraband (trafficking with an inmate).
    Offenders may not leave the premises without the trained supervisor.
    Any fire fighter not convicted of a felony may go through the training.
Offender Roles at the Department
    Offenders will check trucks
    Offenders will check equipment
    Offenders will clean stations
    Offenders will cut grass
    Offenders may be used with other projects and organizations
    Offenders will receive fire service training
    Offenders may have breaks (must not be sitting out front on the steps or wall)
    Offenders may use the exercise equipment
    Offenders may play pool or corn hole with permission
Offender Roles on the Fire Ground
    May make car fires
    May make grass fires
    May make car wrecks
    May make water rescues
    May make dumpster fires
    May make downed power lines
    May make controlled burn runs
    May make structure fires however may not make entry unless a life is in danger (may be used for RIT)
    Same applies to lift assist or medical runs as far as entering the structures
    Does not apply to government buildings or housing
    Slaughter was quick to point out the certifications and training the offenders have received stating that one inmate had received all the NIMs certifications offered.
    "I had one that had all of them. I don’t know of any fire fighter, including myself, that has all of the NIMs certification. That type of certification came out after Hurricane Katrina."
    Before Crew 18, the crew name given to the offenders, reported to Station 1 on Monday morning, Slaughter praised how hard the crew has worked to get where they are.
    "They have worked hard and went through training again and again," he stated. "Their basic skills as fire fighters are excellent, they scored higher than most of our fire fighters."
    Slaughter said the majority of the fire fighters with the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department are for the program.
    "A lot of guys worked hard to train these guys. We have worked to try to help them get back into society," Slaughter said.
    He then walked over to where Crew 18's gear was hanging in the bay area, he pulled down one of their bright yellow-green t-shirts, "The guys (fire fighters) bought them (Crew 18) these out of their own pockets. We did not even use fire department money. They wanted the inmates to have these," he stated about the shirt in his hand as he showed the logo. The logo is the fire fighter logo with Crew 18 and Giving Back to the Community. According to Slaughter the shirts also have Henryville Correctional Facility printed on them. Along with the brightly colored t-shirts, Crew 18 also has a grey sweatshirt with the same logo, and black work pants that were purchased by fellow fire fighters.
    Since the program was implemented Slaughter has lost four of his eight members of Crew 18. Crew 18 now consists of four inmates from the Henryville Correctional Facility and were brought back on Friday, February 8.
    "One transferred and three were released," Slaughter explained.
    The four members of Crew 18 were all thankful for the opportunity they have been given.
    "The worst thing of it all was no one on the hill would tell us what was going on. It was almost like we lost the battle the last day when Chief (Slaughter) and the mayor came over. It’s great to be back and do something good," one inmate stated.
    Another agreed stating, "We want to help out the community."
    Another member of Crew 18 said, "It’s good to be back and to have everybody stick up for us, especially when we were in the right. If I could I would go out and thank everybody one by one and thank everyone who joined in the fight and took up for us. I look forward to coming out here. I like coming out here."
    One offender noted that once members of Crew 18 are geared up nobody can really tell who are inmates and who are not.
    The members of Crew 18 then described what happened after they helped a local citizen during a call regarding an accident.
    "We had that one that her husband worked at a chicken plant," he stated. "She had her husband bring in boxes of chicken for us and two or three boxes of chips."
    They continued, "They were skeptical at first when we came here. Then when they got to see what we can do they said they would take us anytime."
    The gratitude the members of Crew 18 have for those who helped bring them back to the fire house is evident in just a few moments.
    "We appreciate them, for giving us the chance to give back to the community. Knowing that we are convicts and that we are trying to change our ways to become good citizens. I just want to thank Charlestown for the chance," one inmate stated.
    Another was grateful for the opportunity to learn from the fire fighters and Cadets, and for them to learn from them.
    "We’ve learned a lot from a lot of people. This is an excellent program. We didn’t give up on them. We have trained with the Cadets and learned from them. We even have some of them asking us questions about the decisions we made. We can help them by telling our story."
    One member of Crew 18 laughed, "I am just grateful for clothes that fit," while another was grateful for the boots received, "The police department got us boots, they weren’t new but they were close."
    Slaughter explained the police department donated surplus boots to the members of Crew 18.
    Crew 18 was also very appreciative and respectful to Chief Slaughter.
    "This man," pointing to Slaughter, "he has the most at risk, more than any of them," the offender explained about bringing them back to Crew 18 and the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department.
    Slaughter concluded by making sure the citizens are aware of the program and know they are welcome at Station 1 anytime.
    "We just want them to know what is going on. We are not trying to hide anything, we never were," Slaughter explained. "People are more than welcome to come down to Station 1 and see what happens for themselves."
    Slaughter and CVFD member Jason Whalin reminded the citizens they are always in need of more volunteer fire fighters. If you would like to become a volunteer fire fighter for the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department or would like more information regarding becoming a volunteer, please call 256-6202 or 256-4790.
    Members of Crew 18 concluded, "Crew 18 wishes to thank everyone who went to fight for us."

    New ideas seem to be the driving force behind each new administration rather it be at the city, town, state or even national level.
    Last year voters in Sellersburg went to the polls to vote for those they wanted to represent them on the Sellersburg Town Council. When the last vote was cast and counted the all Republican Council turned to a bi-partisan Council. Republicans re-elected for a new term were Paul Rhodes, serving the Council as Vice President, and Mike Lockhart. Democrats joining them on the Council are Brian Meyer, currently serving as President, Jim LaMaster and Terry Langford.
    Meyer is excited about working with the bi-partisan Council.
    "We now have a bi-partisan Town Council. All of us are good friends," Meyer stated. "We are all working together for the betterment of Sellersburg, the people of Sellersburg and the workers of Sellersburg."
    He continued, "Paul and I had daughters play ball together and I’ve known Jim since I was in school. Sellersburg has 6,000 residents and with that you get to know everyone and they get to know you."
    Rhodes agreed, "We are looking for the betterment of the town."
    Meyer then explained that he felt the Democrat- Republican is more of a national level feeling than at the local level.
    "I think the thought of Republican or Democrat is more for the national level as compared to the local level. The local level you have to put Sellersburg first," Meyer explained.
    The new year always brings new goals to accomplish. Some are just a few months away while others are more long-term commitments. Rhodes and Meyer explained what the long term and short term goals are for the newly elected Sellersburg Town Council.
    "I think the long term goals would have to be the water system," Meyer quickly stated when asked about the Council’s long term plan.
    "We have an adequate supply of water it’s our distribution system that needs attention," Rhodes stated.
    "Our water system has not had much done in what 45 years?," Meyer stated looking at Rhodes.
    Rhodes added the water distribution system is old.
    According to Meyer the town had to purchase water recently but that issue has been resolved.
    "We had a minimum purchase," Rhodes said. "The transmission and pumping lines were not dispensing water like we needed it to."
    The water system is going to be a main concern for the Council.
    "This is definitely on the front burner for sure. This is taking considerable effort but coming together we can get the job done," Meyer stated.
    Several items were discussed as short term goals for the Town Council. Short term goals to be accomplished within the next six months will be issues with trash service, town growth and infrastructure.
    The first initial answer for short term goal was to extend the trash services.
    "We want to continue to improve the trash services. It is good now but we want to try to include large items," Rhodes said. "The improvements are not complaint driven but about how to make the service better."
    Another goal for the Town Council is to properly manage the growth of Sellersburg.
    "We are working on properly managing the town growth with proper utility management and continuing to provide proper service to the people as Sellersburg grows," Meyer stated.
    "We all are taking pride in customer service. The focus in not on town employees, the focus is on the residents of the town," Rhodes added.
    Meyer also explained a challenge that every council around the state is facing.
    "One of the factors is budgetary constraints that the entire state is facing. The real challenge will be fiscal management," he said.
    The continuance of the town infrastructure is another goal the Council has for the first few months of the new year.
    "We want to continue the infrastructure," Rhodes said. "We want to continue the plan for the sidewalks. We are sticking to the paving schedule with the price of petroleum going up we are concentrating on the roads and staying with that schedule."
    According to Rhodes Sellersburg has always had a flooding problem. A flood grant study could hold the answer to the problem.
    "Money has been applied for a flood grant study. The town has grown and parts that used to be in the county that flood are now part of the town," Rhodes stated.
    If the grant is received from the River Hills Economic Development the study could give ways to address the problem after research is completed.
    Rhodes was not certain but thought the Council should know this Spring if they received the grant.
    Currently the Town Council is reviewing laws with their different boards to make sure they are in compliance with the ordinances.
    "We are also making sure administrative things are in line. We are doing some documentation and reviewing ordinances," Meyer added.
    Another current issue facing the Council is personnel policy development.
    "We are in an analysis of personnel policy. It is nothing bad, just as we use the policy handbook we see things that need to be changed," Meyer said. "This will of course be ongoing the more you use the policy handbook."
    Meyer concluded, "We are now a bi-partisan council and we are now putting Sellersburg first and the people that live and work here first. People need to gear their efforts toward the betterment of the town. We make changes in the workforce and are starting to give them a say and voice in what goes on."
    Rhodes wants to continue improvements within the town.
    "I want to focus on continued improvement. There is the never being satisfied feeling knowing there are always areas of improvement if you dig deep enough you will always find something that can be improved," Rhodes concluded.
    The Sellersburg Town Council meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at Sellersburg Town Hall located at 316 East Utica Street in Sellersburg.
    If you have concerns about something in the town of Sellersburg and would like to voice you concern please feel free to contact Sellersburg Town Council President Brian Meyer at 246-2407 or cell- 502-643-8285 or Vice President Paul Rhodes at 246-9668 or cell- 502-548-4313. Other important numbers for the Town of Sellersburg are: Sellersburg Police Department- 246-4491, Town Clerk- 246-7049 or Public Works- 246-3821.

     Silver Creek High School Theatre Department announces a "Seussical!" Character Breakfast to take place on Saturday, March 1. The breakfast will be held in the Silver Creek Elementary School Cafeteria and is presented to coincide with Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
   "Seussical, the Musical!" is being presented at Silver Creek High School on February 22, 23, 28, 29 and March 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 24 at 2:30 p.m.
   The character breakfast will feature the cast of the musical in full costume, mingling with the participants, having their pictures taken with the children and actually reading Dr. Suess stories to them. There will be two seatings, one at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Reservations are required. The cost is $5. Reservations can be made by calling at 502-291-2722 and must be received by Friday, February 29. No walk-ins please.
   The menu will consist of "Seussage and Biscuits" or Grinch Toast Sticks with syrup. Also offered with be Truffula Tree Juice and Apple-Seuss. All the favorite Suess characters will be there, The Cat in the Hat, Horton, Mayzie, Gertrude, McFuzz, Yertle the Turtle, The Wickersham Brothers, General Ghenghis Khan Schmitz, the Sour Kangaroo, The Grinch and all the Who’s form Whoville.