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Gibson County Board of Commissioners
Regular Session
February 19, 2013
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The Gibson County Board of Commissioners met on February 19, 2013, at 6:30 PM at the North
Annex Meeting Room.
Members Present: Gerald Bledsoe, President, Steve Bottoms, Commissioner, Kay Vore,
Administrative Assistant, Jim McDonald, County Attorney and Sherri Smith, County Auditor.
Alan Douglas was absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited and welcome led by Gerald Bledsoe.
Minutes: The minutes from the February 5, 2013 meeting was read and approved through a
motion by Steve Bottoms and seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Motion carried 2-0.
Claims:
County General - 596,828.68
Court System - 53,777.53
Highway—$72,993.13
Sheriff—585,250.18
Steve Bottoms made a motion to approve the claims and was seconded by Gerald Bledsoe.
Motion Carried 2-0.
Department Reports:
EMS - Dan Alvey made report and asked for January write-offs in the amount of 533,967.38.
Steve Bottoms made a motion to approve January write-offs, seconded by Gerald Bledsoe.
Motion carried 2-0.
4 Week Medical Leave Request began as possible Workman's Comp Claim — Steve Bottoms
made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Motion carried 2-0.
EMT with 37 years of service—"Honorary Lifetime Certificate" request to be sent to the State.
Steve Bottoms made motion to approve the request, seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Motion
carried 2-0.
Old Business:
No old business conducted.
New Business:
Paul Maier—voiced extreme concern regarding the terrible condition of the Wabash Township
Roads. President Bledsoe stated that Supt. Jerry Heldt will oversee the discussions as well as the
road repairs. Supt. Heldt has been in contact with Rex Oil Company and Citation Oil Company
and a nine month agreement has been reached and everyone understands that the Oil Companies
can be denied access to these roads at any time. Oil Companies have hauled and spread seventy-
nine loads of gravel to date. Roads to be brought back to former condition or the County has the
right to go in, repair the roads and then bill the Oil Companies.
Open Bids for Reconstruction of Bridge #26
Blankenburger Bros. - $271,000.00
CLR Inc. - S 185,973.50 with a credit provision
Goldman Construction Asphalt - $275,725.00
E.K. Parker- S185,742 with a credit provision
Steve Bottoms made a motion that we take these bids under advisement, seconded by Gerald
Bledsoe. Motion carried 2-0.
Sheriff George Ballard— Medical Services for the Jail — Lisa Scroggins with "Quality
Correctional Care" provides health care services for 15 jails in the State of Indiana. They
provide nurses, medical staff and training for Corrections Officers. Dr. Emerson approves
program and will remain as Correction's Physician and Medical Director. The contract runs
from 02/25/13 until 12/31/14, thirty-seven hours a week for a cost of S154,040 and eliminates
the need for a part-time nurse. Steve Bottoms noted a higher quality of care and that inmates
will no longer have to leave the jail for medical or dental care which will reduce security risks.
Sheriff Ballard noted that they would actually be able to utilize the medical room within the jail.
There are new "State Jail Standards" released a few days ago and Corrections should be in full
compliance. County Attorney Jim McDonald has reviewed the contract, with a few amendments
made, it looks pretty good.
Steve Bottoms made a motion to approve the contract with Quality Correctional Care and final
review of contract with our County Attorney, seconded by Gerald Bottoms. Motion carried 2-0.
George Ballard- Handed out a 2012 report regarding "all calls for service", including 911 calls
for the county. Fifteen-thousand six-hundred "911" calls broken down by days of the week and
hours of the day. This number does not include the administrative lines.
QC Communications, Inc. — Dark Fiber Contract — County Attorney does not have an agreed
upon contract at this time. Jim McDonald stated "you may want to go ahead and make a motion
to proceed with the work subject to the contract being approved." Dark Fiber Cable installed
between the Sheriffs Department and the Courthouse, overhead through the alley, then
underground to the Courthouse in the amount of S17,500.
Steve Bottoms made a motion to allow QC Communications, to proceed with the work subject to
the contract being approved by the County Attorney, seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Motion
carried 2-0.
Black History Month —Recognition of Lt. Aaron Fisher - Steve Bottoms addressed the
Commissioners and the Public in attendance. February is Black History Month and across our
great state of Indiana, a great American is being remembered for the heroic deeds he performed
for our Country. This great American was Aaron Fisher, of Gibson County. Fisher was born
05/14/1892 in the Lyle Station area and attended elementary school at Lyle Station. He also
attended the all-black Lincoln High School in Princeton. In 1911, at the age of 18, he joined the
U.S. Army and by 1916, was serving in the Mexican Punitive Expedition that chased Poncho Via
out of the U.S. and back to Mexico. By August 1918, Fisher was in France fighting for his
Country during World War I. On September 3`d, 1918, Fisher, now a Lieutenant, was given the
charge over a group of seven men to hold a trench outpost. Soon after taking charge of this
outpost the Germans attacked with artillery cutting off his under-manned position. Fifty German
Raiders then attacked Fisher and his men. In the chaos of battle, Fisher, though severely
wounded by machine gun fire, directed his men to stand and fight. When reinforcements finally
arrived, the wounded Fisher crawled outside the safety of his post to lead a counter attack that
would eventually drive off the Germans. At least half the attacking Germans were killed in the
battle. After the battle, Fisher's superiors were amazed at his accomplishments and were
eventually awarded the Nation's 2"d highest medal awarded to combat veterans, the
Distinguished Service Cross. His DSC citation noted that in fierce combat, "Fisher showed
exceptional bravery in action, when his position was raided by superior forces of the enemy, by
directing his men and refusing to leave his position, although he was severely wounded."
He also received the United States Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre with gold star, a
major French military award. Fisher would stay in the Army as a training officer until 1947. He
had attained the rank of Captain, when he would be forced to retire due to medical problems. He
and his wife lived the rest of their lives in Ohio and were active in civic and social affairs. It is
an honor tonight, for us to honor Lyle Station and Gibson County native, Captain Aaron Fisher.
Indiana Historical Society has an article, written by historian Dr. Randy Mills, of Oakland City
University, about Aaron Fisher. He is being honored at the Statehouse this month and since the
people of Indiana are honoring Captain Fisher, we should note what a wonderful person and
recognize what he has done for our Country.
With no further business, Steve Bottoms made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Gerald Bledsoe.
Motion carried 2-0.
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Gerald Bledsoe, President
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ATTEST: Sherri Smith, Auditor