New fire engine delivered to CVFD

    Last Tuesday evening members of the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department gathered at Station 1. They were anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new fire engine.
    The new engine was scheduled to be delivered to Station 1 at 6 p.m. The plan was for the members of the department to push the new truck into it’s new home.
    "The old wives tale says if you push one in, you’ll never have to pull it out," Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department President Charlie Moon stated with a laugh.
    The plan to push the new truck into the station was put on hold as the crew received a call out on Mahan Road.
    The District Board bought the new truck two years ago from funds in the Capital Improvement Fund.
    "The truck took seven months to build. It’s a custom production," stated Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Billy Caldwell. "The new truck is a rescue pumper. Basically, it replaces two of our trucks."
    Caldwell added, "The new truck is a compressed air foam system, which is the future of fire fighting."
    The new truck came with a price tag of $253,000.
    "The District Board is who bought the new engine through the Cap Fund," Caldwell stated.
    The compressed air foam system is mainly a structural fire fighting foam but it will work on some chemical fires according to Caldwell.
    The brand new engine, a white 2006 Ferrare, was built in Louisiana. Representatives of Ferrare delivered the engine to the department as Chief Caldwell escorted them to Station 1.
    "The fire district bid on the new truck. Then we had to go down to Louisiana to decide on the details and paint and to go through it. Then they delivered it to us," Caldwell concluded.
    Citizens will still need to wait a few weeks before they will see the new engine in working order.
    "It will be late November before the new engine is in service. We still need to be trained with the new equipment," Moon added. "It’s going to be beneficial to the safety of the firemen and be beneficial to the community."
    The event was very special to the members of the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department. Most of the members were not active fire fighters when the department received their last new engine.
    "It has been 20 years, 1986, since the department has seen a new truck," Moon explained. "This is the first new truck we have seen in a long time."

    The Sellersburg Town Council has made many citizens of the town very happy. While the cost of every day living is on the rise, the Town Council, did something extraordinary.
    During a meeting earlier this month, the members of the Town Council, President Doug Reiter, Vice President Mike Lockhart and Council Members Trinette Imhoff and Paul Rhodes, voted to lower the sewer rates in the town.
    The citizens of Sellersburg will see a five percent decrease in their sewer rates over the next four years.
    "It’s a five percent decrease broke into sections," stated Reiter. "The first will be a two percent decrease effective on January 1, 2007. Then it will be a one percent decrease the next three years, all effective on January 1."
    Reiter stated the Town Council felt the decrease could have actually been more but the conservative board wanted to see the sewer project complete.
    "We felt we could have done more," Reiter added. "But being a conservative board, we wanted to see the sewer collection system done for about a year. The construction is not totally done yet."
    The sewer plant’s construction began in January and was finished in June. The new sewer plant was up and running smoothly in mid-July.
    The teamwork of the board has paid off for the residents of Sellersburg.
    "Working together as a Board and researching the project, we saved the residents over 14 million dollars on the sewer expansion," Reiter stated.
    Reiter said the citizens are thanking the board members for their dedication to providing the best project at the best price for the citizens.
    "The citizens are thanking us because we did what we said we would do when we got into office. And we went one step beyond and lowered rates," Reiter said. "We’ve gotten a good response from residents."
    The board ran on the platform they would remove EMC and complete the sewer expansion without raising rates.
    "We ran on the idea that if we got in, we would remove the management company, EMC. We accomplished that and saved the town approximately $100,000 a year. We said we would complete the sewer expansion without a sewer rate increase. We actually took that one step beyond and lowered the rates," he added.
    Reiter said the Town Council has also formed a Municipal Works Department and built the utility office in house at a cost of only $100,000 to build, remodel and furnish.
    ‘Basically we have taken care of the employees and residents of the town and moved the town up to a higher standard," Reiter concluded.
    Lockhart agreed that the citizens of the Town of Sellersburg are very grateful for the actions of the Town Council for lowering the sewer rates.
    "I was actually at the hospital today visiting a friend and they were very complimentary on how well things are going in town including the sewer rate decrease," Lockhart stated. "They said they hope that future councils keep going in the direction that we are going because anything else would be a step backward."
    Lockhart was visiting Richard and Janet Werle.
    "I am proud to work on a Council that works together. I am proud of the effort we have as we work together as a team. Really when we took over at the beginning we wanted to save the town money and we had the confidence to get it done. This is just the icing on the cake, that we got it done and got money back," Lockhart concluded.

    Clark Memorial Hospital in conjunction with VNA Nazareth Home Care has announced that it will offer flu shots at a variety of clinics throughout the Kentuckiana area.
    To hear an updated recording of the Clark Memorial Hospital and VNA Nazareth Home Care weekly schedule of flu shot sites and times, call the Flu Hot Line at 283-2300 or visit www.clarkmemorial.org. In addition to the southern Indiana locations, several Louisville sites are offered. The full list of locations is available on the Clark Memorial Hospital website.
    "Our team works diligently every year to purchase vaccine and offer clinics for the public. It is part of our longstanding commitment to the community," said Mary Lynn Spalding, CEO of the VNA Nazareth Home Care. "We are pleased to collaborate with Clark Memorial Hospital this year to provide this service to the community."
    Clark Memorial Hospital and VNA Nazareth Home Care flu clinics serve those who are 18 and older. Medicare Part B covers the total cost of the flu shot so recipients have no out of pocket expense. VNA Nazareth Home Care will file forms for those who are covered by Medicare. Be sure to bring your card. For those who do not have Medicare Part B coverage, flu shots are $30. VNA Nazareth Home Care will also offer pneumonia shots at $40.
    You can also speak with a VNA Nazareth Home Care Flu Clinic coordinator at 502-896-2322. To date, over 100 immunization clinics have been scheduled.
    The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every year in the United States about 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu. Some people such as the elderly, very young children and people with chronic health conditions are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.
    Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.
    According to the CDC, you are at high risk for complications of the flu and should consider getting a flu shot if you are:
    A child age 6 to 59 months
    50 years of age and older
    Diagnosed with chronic medical condition
    Pregnant women
    Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities
    A health care worker giving direct patient care
    Living with or caring for children younger than six months
    Flu symptoms include: fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose and muscle aches.
    You can also help prevent the flu as well as colds and other viruses by following these CDC recommendations:
    Wash your hands frequently.
    When using soap and water, wash for 15 to 20 seconds.
    If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based cleaner.
    Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
    Refrain from close contact with people who are sick.
    Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and discard the tissue into a wastebasket.
    If you get sick, stay home!
    The following are the upcoming clinics for Southern Indiana: November 4- 9 a.m to 12 noon- Southern Home Care, 1806 E. 10^th Street in Jeffersonville; November 7- 4 to 7 p.m.- Clark Memorial Hospital Medical Center- Charlestown, 11500 State Road 62 in Charlestown and November 8- 2 to 5 p.m.- Southern Home Care- 1806 E. 10^th Street in Jeffersonville.

                                                                                       Staff Photos by Mark Grigsby, Editor
Picture 1 - President George W. Bush speaks to constituents at Silver Creek High School
during his visit to Clark County last Saturday. Picture 2 - The President waves to the press 
prior to his departure from the Clark County Regional Airport. Picture 3 - President Bush 
waves to bystanders as he prepares to board Air Force One at the conclusion of his trip to 
Clark County.

President Bush visits Sellersburg

   Last Saturday the local area made national headlines.
   Many spectators from across Clark County lined up outside Silver Creek High School early Saturday morning. The line continued throughout the morning as some 4,000 anxious spectators filled into the gymnasium for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
   The spectators were awaiting a visit from the President of the United States.
   President George W. Bush visited Sellersburg last week making a stop to speak to supporters at the high school. President Bush arrived aboard a C 20 Gulfstream, a smaller version of Airforce One. He landed at the Clark County Municipal Airport at 12:30 p.m.
   After meeting with local dignitaries at the airport President Bush was then taken to Silver Creek High School. President Bush’s motorcade traveled Highway 31 to State Road 60 to Interstate 65 North to exit 9. The motorcade then preceded down Highway 31to the high school. Many companies used their marquees to welcome President Bush to Sellersburg.
   "He entered Sellersburg via exit 9," stated Donald Ross Jr., Deputy Chief of the Sellersburg Police Department. "It was much safer for him to travel the interstate," Ross stated.
   According to Ross, the police department was contacted on Friday, October 20 regarding a possible visit.
   "We were told by a local politician about a possible high profile visitor. Then on Friday, October 20, Chief Whelan was contacted by the Secret Service," Ross added. "He was contacted about a Monday morning briefing at the Indiana State Police Post District 45. It was confirmed on Monday morning, the President was to visit Sellersburg on Saturday."
   Ross continued, "During the briefing we met with Secret Service and Team Leaders and counterparts from the Louisville office. They advised us what resources they needed from our department. We were told we’d be working a major site here in town, which ended up being Silver Creek High School."
   After the meeting on Monday morning the Sellersburg Police Department administration was kept busy working toward the weekend visit from our Commander in Chief. Much of the week was spent preparing for the event.
   On Tuesday they met with lead agents at the high school and did an initial walk through.
   "The following four or five days, we had dozens of meetings at the airport site, high school and we met with the head agent in charge of the motorcade," Ross stated.
   By Friday morning a security plan was set and by early Saturday morning local law enforcement officers were preparing for one of the biggest events in the history of Clark County.
   "Our guys, along with 10 Indiana State Police Troopers from the Seymour Post were made aware of their responsibilities and what was needed from them at a briefing on Saturday morning," Ross explained.
   The local law enforcement officers from Sellersburg Police Department, Jeffersonville Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Police arrived at the high school at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday.
   "Chief Whelan did a walk through with everyone and set the security posts," Ross continued. "After that it went like a walk in the park."
   Ross said everything went really smooth after everyone was set and ready for the arrival of President Bush.
   "It went fine but honestly, last week is pretty much a blur," Ross laughed.
   Spectators were allowed to enter the high school, after passing through security checkpoints, around 9:30 a.m.
   Chief Russ Whelan of the Sellersburg Police Department was responsible for 10 officers of the Sellersburg Police Department and 10 Indiana State Troopers at the main site. Sellersburg Sgt. Pat Bradshaw and Sellersburg Police Department Chaplain/Reserve Officer Gary Fenner were assigned to the airport. The two were in charge of the command post at the airport.
   "They were our eyes and ears at the arrival site," Ross stated.
   Ross added, "We tried to have members from every local department to help with communication problems and because we did that, there were no communication problems."
    According to Ross, there were a few problems during the event but no arrests were made.
   "Prior to President Bush’s arrival early that morning a gentleman protesting President Bush’s visit to Sellersburg was asked to calm down and he did. As the day went on and the spectators began to gather and wait to get into the building, he started arguing with some of them," Ross recalled. "For his safety and theirs, he was given a disorderly conduct warning and escorted from the property."
   After President Bush’s arrival he began his speech to the crowd. Another protest began shortly after the President began his talk.
   "About three to five minutes into President Bush’s speech, four female protestors in the rear of the gymnasium began to cause a ruckus by shouting ‘No more war’ and other explicatives," Ross added. "Officer LaMaster, School Resource Officer John Cortie and I approached the four females and escorted them to the rear hallway. Some of the spectators in the crowed began yelling ‘USA’ and other things back to the protestors. For their safety we felt they should be escorted from the property and they voluntarily agreed."
   Ross continued about the four females who were escorted from the building, "Secret Service Agents did ask us to check all the women to see if they were wanted and we found them not to be."
   The four women were escorted to their vehicles for their safety by Sellersburg Police Officer Matt Adams.
   The severe heat inside the gymnasium did cause two spectators to pass out from heat exhaustion according to Ross. The two citizens were treated by Clark County EMS and released.
   Once the officers of the Sellersburg Police Department learned of President Bush’s upcoming visit many were volunteering to work the event.
   "They were all excited. Many wanted to volunteer their time but we couldn’t do that with them being ‘on duty’ status," Ross said. "We don’t have overtime here in Sellersburg, we have comp time. So they will get some comp time for working the event. It does not cost the taxpayers anything more."
   When asked how he felt about working security for the President, Ross took a little more time to put his answer into words.
   "I was excited to be there. It was an honor to work with the Secret Service. Those agents made it easy to do what we had to do," Ross answered. "In the last six months they’ve been here several times and used the Clark County airport several times during those visits. We know most of these agents on a first name basis."
   Chief Whelan was one of the few people who was honored to actually meet President Bush.
   "It was something that you never think will ever happen to you. I always seen police officers on the television meeting the President and shaking his hand. I just never thought it would be me and that he would be in my little town. It was amazing," an excited Whelan stated.
   Whelan was pleased with the department’s performance in protecting the President.
   "I have gotten a lot of compliments from a lot of different people about the conduct of the Sellersburg Police Department and that makes me very proud," Whelan stated. "Secret Service Agents in D.C. and Louisville and others are extremely pleased with the way we handled ourselves and the work that we did."
   Whelan concluded, "I would like to publically thank the Indiana State Police for their assistance at Silver Creek High School. These officers did an excellent job as well. The most important thing was that we provided protection to the President."
   Jamey Noel was also one of the lucky ones who was able to meet the President and pose for a picture. Noel was amazed about President Bush’s sincerity in his speech and when he spoke to spectators one on one.
   Noel was told he was scheduled to make a speech to the audience gathered prior to the President’s arrival. Although he was told that, Noel did not take it seriously until the night before when someone called to verify his speech was ready.
   "I just thought they were kidding me," Noel laughed. "I did not know they were serious until they called the night before and asked me if I had my speech ready."
   He added, "It was an honor being able to speak. It was unreal. I can’t put it into words what it felt like to stand up there and talk to the thousands of people. I generally don’t have a problem speaking in public but I was nervous the night before when I found out for sure I had to speak."
   Noel had one of the best seats in the house as he sat behind the President during his speech.
   "Next to getting married and my daughters being born, it was probably the best day of my life," Noel exclaimed.
   He added, "I guess the best way to describe it is, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was truly impressed on how personable and genuine he is. When he stops in front of you, even that it’s only for a few seconds, he is genuinely sincere when he talks to you."
   Noel described the atmosphere in the gymnasium as electrifying during the President’s visit.
   "There was an energy in the room. People were just smiling ear to ear. It was an energy that was undescribable. It was like the excitement was feeding off each other," Noel concluded.
   Charlestown resident Charlie Moon attended the speech Saturday. This was the third time Moon has be able to hear the President speak.
   "It’s always an experience to go and listen to the President speak. I’ve traveled to Indianapolis and Cincinnati to listen to him speak," Moon stated. "Just seeing the President is an experience in a lifetime, after all, he is our Commander in Chief. He’s really an excellent speaker."
   Moon concluded, "It’s really an awesome experience to hear him speak. I am very grateful I had the opportunity to hear him speak right here. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. People are still talking about Johnson’s visit in the 1960's. This is something people will be talking about for generations to come."
   The last time a President visited Clark County was in 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Jeffersonville to dedicate a post office.
   After President Bush’s visit to Sellersburg last Saturday, the 4,000-plus spectators will treasure the memories of hearing the President speak, while the truly lucky ones, who met the President, shook hands with the President or even captured a once in a lifetime photograph will have stories to tell their great-grandchildren on how they were involved in a history making visit of President George W. Bush to Sellersburg.