Jason A. Miles of Nabb plead guilty and was sentenced July 10 in Federal Court in Indianapolis.
    Miles was arrested in October 2005 after a 12-month joint investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police and Indiana Conservation Officers.
    There were a total of 4,075 marijuana plants seized from three different farms in Clark County that were all reportedly linked to Miles.
    A mature marijuana plant can produce up to one pound of processed marijuana and can have a street value of $1,500 per plant according to a press release from the Indiana State Police. Using this equation, the street value of the marijuana seized could have reached over six million dollars. Due to the high number of plants cultivated, this case qualified for federal charges and was adopted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The marijuana seized was the largest single grow eradicated in Indiana last year.
    Agencies assisting in the eradication of the marijuana plants included Indiana Conservation Officers, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Drug Administration, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Police Department and Southern Indiana Drug Task Force.
    The Indiana Department of Transportation provided vehicles for the transportation of the eradicated marijuana.

    The West Clark Football Booster Club again converged on the monthly meeting of the West Clark School Board for input of their proposal to bring football to the school system.
    The group went in front of the school board for the third consecutive month last Thursday evening.
    During the May meeting the group delivered a proposal to bring football to the high schools in the school district including Borden, Henryville and Silver Creek.
    The next month the group again went to the meeting of the school board. During this meeting the group wanted to open up a discussion with the school board to see how the members of the board felt about their proposal. The group did not get the response from the board they had hoped therefore setting up their third consecutive appearance at the school board meeting.
    The group again was allowed their allotted time during the most recent school board meeting. Three representatives of the group, West Clark Football Booster President Stan Moore, Perry McCall and Rennett Brunofsky all spoke during the meeting.
    Moore addressed the board first as he just wanted some input from the school board members. McCall quickly backed Moore with some statistics the group had researched about safety and helped answer any questions the board had. Brunofsky followed agreeing with McCall and again asked the board for comment on their proposal.
    The school board members brought up their individual questions and concerns prior to Superintendent Terry Smith taking a step the football booster club was hoping for.
    Smith discussed issues he felt was important concerning the football proposal before telling the audience gathered of a decision by the board.
    The West Clark School Board will begin to develop an independent study group to determine the outcome of the football proposal.
    According to Smith, the board felt an independent group would be best due to the unbiased decisions that could be made.
    The independent study group is a step that has never been taken before. The football booster club is excited about the decision made by the school board.
    "I think the idea of an independent study group is great," stated Moore, who will be a member of the study group. "I hope this is a truly unbiased, sincere study."
    Moore continued, "I hope they (school board) truly allow us to take part in the study. The best thing about the study is at least we will have a number."
    The number Moore is referring to is a dollar amount that will be needed to fund the three high school programs. Moore, along with his fellow members of the football booster club, are working to raise money to fund the football programs. The group is selling yard signs and t-shirts to help raise the necessary funds for the football programs.
    Moore is concerned about the kids who could benefit from a football program.
    "Terry (Smith) never said I know the kids will benefit from a football program, or about the scholarships kids could receive from a football program," Moore stated. "All he was worried about was more work."
    The football booster club and the school board agreed the booster club would return to the September meeting to further discuss their proposal.
    For more information about West Clark Football Boosters or to show your support visit www.westclarkfootball.com.
You may also purchase the yard signs or a t-shirt from the booster club’s web site.

    Officials with the City of Charlestown has taken steps to make payment of water bills easier for the citizens of the city.
    The water department is now accepting automatic debit payment directly from checking accounts to pay the citizens’ water bill.
    "It has been a request for a while. It is now very popular to pay bills on line," stated Donna Coomer, Charlestown Clerk-Treasurer.
    According to Coomer they had been working with The New Washington State Bank to make the idea a reality.
    "We were working with The New Washington State Bank and they were able to help. The software system I had was compatible to make it work," Coomer added.
    The citizens received notice of the new change in the Water Quality Report sent out by the Water Company. The State of Indiana requires the Water Quality Report to be sent. Coomer figured it would be a good time to send out the information.
    "With the report we sent out authorization forms. We have had 100 forms returned in the last two weeks," Coomer stated.
    Coomer said she was just trying to make the process of paying the water bills easier for the citizens.
    "We just wanted to make it more convenient for out utility customers to pay their bills and with everyone’s busy schedule it is very easy to forget to pay the bill," Coomer said. "Or remember ‘oh, I need to pay that bill. It’s due tomorrow.’ Everyone has such a busy schedule anymore."
    The automatic payment is taken from the customer’s checking account on the tenth of every month which is the regular due date of the water bill.
    According to Coomer, if the tenth of a month falls on the weekend or on a holiday, the payment will be debited on the last business day prior to the tenth.
    The automatic payment plan seems to be working for many customers and the water department employees are gaining benefits from the new program.
    "It is easier for the water department employees. They don’t have all that traffic coming in," Coomer explained. "This seems to save a lot of time and is much more efficient."
    Coomer believes Charlestown is the first city in the local area to offer the service, which was one of her goals last year.
    "It was a goal of mine last year to get this up and going by the end of this year. It went really smooth and we accomplished it by December," Coomer stated with a smile.
    Coomer gave credit to her staff for the easy transition for the automatic debit payment program.
    "I have a really good staff. They work really hard. It all went so smooth and they all worked very hard to help the program get up and going," Coomer added.
    Although Coomer has accomplished her goal of offering automatic debit payment she now has a different idea for paying bills.
    "Hopefully in the future on-line payments will be available also," Coomer stated.
    She concluded, "I am proud to accomplish this. It is a big accomplishment for my administration and the water department. Nobody else in the area offers this."
    Customers who wish to use the new service of the automatic debit payment will receive a statement each month. The statement will state "Do Not Pay." The statement will allow the customer to know how much was deducted from their account.
    If you would like to be able to take advantage of the automatic payment plan and did not return your form you may pick up another form at the water department located in Charlestown City Hall at 304 Main Cross Street in Charlestown or you may call 256-2427 and one may be mailed to you. Forms may be picked up during regular water department business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customers should complete the form and return it along with a voided check to the water department.
    The process of using the automatic payment program will take 60 days. According to Coomer the first month is a test to make sure everything works properly and the correct account is debited. The second payment is actually debited out of the account.
    For more information about the automatic payment program contact the City of Charlestown Water Department at 256-2427 or Charlestown Clerk Treasurer Donna Coomer at 256-7126.

by JANNA ROSS
Managing Editor
Green Banner Publications

    Most local citizens who work full-time can say some of their co-workers are true friends. They may go to lunch together or even enjoy an evening dinner with significant others and fellow workers spending quality time as a group away from the office.
   True friends enjoy spending the quality time with each other at work and outside of the working atmosphere.
   Some working relationships become more like family. Those made by the officers at the Sellersburg Police Department are no exception.
   The officers are working closely with each other on a daily basis and spending quality time with each other by going to dinner and sharing time with their fellow officers along with their wives and significant others. The officers are working closely with each other and even with the reserves to make sure that each officer will make it home to their families every night.
   The Sellersburg Police family is at full-force again as former Reserve James "Jamie" Fleming replaces recently resigned officer Richard Goodwin to become the department’s 13^th full-time officer. His first official day on duty was last Thursday, July 13.
   "I am the department’s 13^th officer hired on the 13^th," Fleming stated with a laugh.
   Fleming was a reserve with the department since January 23, 2004.
   Fleming became a full-time member of the Sellersburg Police family when he was hired as a full-time second shift dispatcher in January of the following year.
   Fleming has had a childhood dream of becoming a police officer. He has law enforcement running through his veins as his father, Don, and his late-mother, Sharon, both were in the law enforcement field.
   "Law enforcement runs in my family. My dad has been involved in one form or another for many years and my mother was also on the Clark County Sheriff’s Department for 15 years," Fleming stated.
   The Fleming family definitely has roots in law enforcement as Jamie’s brother Mike is also involved in law enforcement. He works for the Clark County Sheriff’s Department as a transport officer.
   "Mike has worked as a transport officer for six years," Fleming stated.
   Fleming never faltered at the career path he wanted to take nor did he even wonder about what department he wanted to devote a career to. He always knew he wanted to adorn the Sellersburg City Police Patch one day.
   "I grew up in Sellersburg, actually Speed. I like the hometown draw of it. I lived in Sellersburg up until 2000, 2001 when I moved to Borden. I always wanted to get back to Sellersburg," Fleming stated. "I like the town of Sellersburg. I always have. The department itself and the guys here, they are a good group of guys. I have always looked forward to working with them."
   Fleming’s goal was to take the steps needed to take him down the path that led to the Sellersburg Police Department."It was always my forecast, just to get my foot in the door. It was a two part decision to get here. The reserve part came from working at the jail. That part was influenced by Officer (Tommy) Mitchell," Fleming recalled. "I was building friendships with them when they were coming into the jail and then with Officer Mitchell living in Borden and Donnie (Deputy Chief Ross), there was ties also. Officer Mitchell really encouraged me to become a Reserve."
   The second part of his decision to take the steps to become a full-time employee came from another fellow officer.
   "Drew LaMaster pushed me to take the step to become a dispatcher. I would be working with him as a Reserve and he would be pushing me to get in here as a dispatch even before a position was available, just to get my foot further in the door," Fleming added.
   Fleming cannot recall a time that he did not want to be a police officer. He was able to make the decision final while he was in high school.
   "In high school I got the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. The trip was basically to enlighten kids interested in law enforcement. We were able to see the different aspects of law enforcement, the Secret Service and FBI and everything in between. It was very formal, suit and tie. We even were able to visit the FBI Academy," Fleming remembered. "I had to raise the money to go on the trip and I raised it through the FOP and other local agencies to fly to D.C. That did it for me even more. After that there was no question what I wanted to do."
   Although Fleming has now started his dream job and just has a few days under his belt as a full-time officer for the Sellersburg Police Department, he has lots of experience that will help him as he begins serving and protecting the citizens of Sellersburg.
   Fleming began his law enforcement career in June of 2000 at the Clark County Jail. He was promoted to Corporal before he left the jail. He then became a Reserve for the Borden Police Department in June 2002.
   He was with the Borden Police for a year and a half before seeing the path he had always wanted open. Fleming left Borden to begin his dream of working in Sellersburg.
   The 1994 graduate of Silver Creek High School will start the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on September 11. The Academy will include over 600 hours of study in a variety of areas before returning home in time for Christmas with his wife and twin sons.
   "I think that will be the hardest thing for me. My wife and I have been together since we were 15 and we have never been apart. It will be hard to be away from her and my twin boys," Fleming added. "I just keep telling myself, all I have to do is get to 2007."
   When asked about his goal for the next year Fleming was quick to respond.
   "To get through the Academy and doing as well as I possibly can at the Academy. The Academy will take quite a bit of that year," he stated.
   The answer for the goal for the next five years took a little longer.
   "I definitely see myself as being a ranking officer and moving up and one day becoming chief. I cannot say the opportunities won’t be there, look at Russ," Fleming added. "But I want to enjoy the days where I don’t have to make the big decisions. I am going to enjoy the dream of becoming a police officer. That is my goal."
   Sellersburg Police Chief Russ Whelan was quick to show his appreciation to the Reserves of the Sellersburg Police Department including Fleming.
   "We have made our Reserve Force very important to the scheme of things around here," Whelan said. "When they (reserves) are available, they play an important role in providing us with the man power we need to transport inmates to and from the Clark County Jail and then to serve as bailiffs and security for Judge Lowe’s court."
   He added, "I don’t have the man power to do these jobs with my current full time force, but my reserves, guys like Jamie Fleming, jump right in there and are happy to do it. Their eagerness and positive attitudes are some of the reasons we’ve decided to give first priority to our Reserve Force when hiring for a full-time sworn police officer."
   Whelan said the Reserves are more prepared for their careers when chosen as a full-time officer due to their training.
   "Because of the testing procedures and then the training they’re given the guys we are bringing in here are more accountable and prepared for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and more importantly, a full-time position," Whelan stated. "If I have an employee un-expectantly retire or resign, I have the ability, with the training the reserves have, to bring a reserve in and get a head start on things, but they still have to successfully complete the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and a Field Training & Evaluation Program (FT&EP), which is usually shortened because they were Sellersburg Reserves."
   Whelan concluded, "Jamie has proven himself to be a good employee, both as a Reserve Police Officer and a Communications Officer. I’m looking forward to seeing what Jamie will bring to the department as a full-time police officer, but I’ll expect from him the same I do from all of my officers, which is to do the best job he can do and nothing less. I demand and expect the best from all of my guys."
   Sellersburg Deputy Chief of Police Donald Ross Jr. has a lot in common with Sellersburg’s newest police officer.
   "I’ve haven’t known Jamie very long, but we have a lot in common. We both married Borden girls, we have two children each, we love card tricks and martial arts and our families go to Calvary Christian Church. I met him when he was working as a Reserve Marshall in Borden, the same police department where I started my career and now he is a Sellersburg Police Officer. I think it’s great!," Ross stated.
   He added, "Ex-Borden Marshall Cliff Lindsey trained a lot of good guys out there and most of us have gone on to full-time positions with other departments. I think Jamie may be the last of the bunch."
   Ross is familiar with the training background Fleming received because he had the same Field Training Officer as Fleming.
   "Jamie was field trained by Ex-Borden Sergeant Jerry Basow, the same FTO I had, so I know what kind of background and law enforcement foundation he has. I have a lot of confidence in his past training and I’m very confident in his current abilities regarding this police department."
   Ross was also nagging Fleming to come to Sellersburg when he was working at the Clark County Jail. Ross talked to Fleming about taking the steps to capture his life-long dream of wearing the Sellersburg Police Department uniform.
   "I can remember always running into him at the Clark County Jail when I was still on the road and working grave yard. I would nag him about leaving Borden and coming to Sellersburg like I had. He grew up here in Sellersburg, and I think ultimately with his family’s support, he finally decided to leave Borden and become a Reserve Officer in Sellersburg, both to serve his hometown and to eventually achieve his goal of becoming a Sellersburg Police Officer. I’m glad his dreams and goals of becoming an officer are coming true. My family is happy for him and I know Cliff and Jerry will be proud too," Ross concluded.