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by Lisa McBride
“You can’t bring in people to replace their experience,” said high
school principal Jim Regenold at the Monday night School Board
meeting referring to personnel retiring from the school system.
Board member Daniel Baker said of Barb Abernathy, “ She was the
teacher no one wanted because she was tough. She challenged me and
made me better for it.” He continued talking about Garth Cone that
he not only affected the lives of his students but he had “a large
impact on the community.”
The retiring personnel honored at the meeting were Garth Cone,
Gloria LeMaster, Barb Abernathy, June Miller, Myra Rose, Jenny
Chapel and Gerry Cloncs.
Changes in current staff are also occurring. With principal of the
elementary school Dick Sizelove’s move back into the classroom, a
new principal has been found. Jim Willey said, “One person kept
rising to the top.” So chosen for the position is Scott Deetz,
former teacher, assistant principal and principal of the
Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township in Indianapolis.
Also recently employed beginning in the 2008-09 year for the high
school are math teacher Tina Bolte and language arts teacher
Elizabeth Landis. In the elementary will be Betsy Duckworth as the
special education teacher.
Other personnel were approved for retirement at the end of the
2008-09 year. Those retiring will be Becky Phipps, Betty Custer,
Susan Heiden and Dottie Nicholas.
After asking for public comment, Nancy Steele, Title 1 teacher at
the elementary school addressed the Board with a concern. She and
her husband have an exchange student, Wilson Lau, from Hong Kong. He
has participated in basketball, track, was active in several
community service projects and successfully completed all his
classes. As a result of this, they would like to see Lau be able to
walk with his co-students during the commencement ceremony. The
policy currently in place does not allow for this to take place.
Steele would like to see the policy changed in the future so other
exchange students who are as deeply involved with the system and
community will be able to be part of the ceremony.
Board member Gary Libler addressed Steele that the policy cannot be
changed at this late date for Lau to benefit. He also would not mind
if the policy were changed. But Lau can be honored at the Senior
Night and some of the other activities for seniors.
Also sharing an opinion was Board member Chip McFerran. He also
agreed maybe the policy should be changed. “Incoming board members
will have the opportunity to change the policy. I challenge the new
Board to take a look at this.”
Superintendent Jim Willey also shared during the meeting that with
the higher cost of fuel, ways to conserve are being looked into.
Also a non-voting junior and senior student are going to be invited
to sit in with the Board members during the School Board meetings.
Willey says it will be good to have the input of young minds and be
a good learning experience for the students. It is a step towards
Alexandria drawing on all of its strengths in improving the city.
“We need to take ownership of
our city”
by Lisa McBride
Mayor Jack Woods was the main speaker at the quarterly Alexandria
Chamber of Commerce luncheon which was held in Zimmer Hall at the
Alexandria Church of St. Mary on April 23.
“I am here for Small Town USA,” was the idea Woods set forth. Mayor
Woods continued to speak of the vision for Alexandria of the past,
present and future. “We need to take ownership of our city. We need
to build on the past and make the city our own.”
As part of taking ownership Woods would like to see the downtown
business area cleaned up. To begin and encourage the process, work
will be done beginning next month to the City Hall building. Then he
will ask other businesses to do the same. A fresh coat of paint,
tuck pointing the bricks, rotting wood replaced and anything else
needed to make the building look better.
Along with the idea of cleaning up is knowing what to do with the
soon to be former Water Utility office. With as much structural
damage as the building has, the proposition has been made that it be
torn down to make more parking for the downtown area.
Woods also would like to see Alexandria making use of its strengths.
These strengths being passion and integrity, transportation, and
heritage. The people of Alexandria have the passion and integrity.
It just needs to be used in a directed and organized way to help
Alexandria succeed and grow.
In the way of transportation Alexandria has several major
thoroughfares. State Highways 9 and 28 and Interstate 69 all run
close; and major railroads run through the city. At one time trains
were a major source of transporting commerce. With the higher price
of fuel it is becoming a competing source once more.
Having the train route could mean being a competitor for companies
specifically needing the type of set up Alexandria has to offer;
commercial land, transportation and willing workers.
“Our heritage is that Alexandria owns the title “Small Town USA.”
Woods is speaking with Senator Lugar and Congressman Pence this week
to have Alexandria declared the one and only Small Town USA. The
city would hold historic value giving the option to apply for
federal grants to help fix up the buildings that were here when the
city was originally declared Small Town USA in June of 1943.
When Woods visits with Sen. Lugar and Congressman Pence he will also
be addressing other issues. He will be seeking financial support for
the American Gospel Experience Museum and Auditor-ium to be built
behind Gaither’s Studio and Gaither Family Resources.
The other reason for speaking with them is looking into funds for an
overpass for the railroad tracks running east and west across St.Rd.
9 and Harrison St. Preliminary investigation has already been
ongoing to locate the best place for an overpass.
Police Chief Brian Burnett also addressed the crowd in place of
Officer Jason Austin. Austin has been raising funds for a new K-9
for the APD. Chief Burnett spoke of how having a K-9 on the force
really helped to curtail drug problems in the area and Madison
County. The number of drug cases had dropped while the previous K-9
Chuk was in service.
Proving that young people really would like to see the drug problem
addressed, they have been very excited about the Police Depart-ment
receiving a new K-9. An overwhelmingly positive response has
occurred when they have done demonstrations at the schools.
Alexandria-Monroe Elementary School with the help of custodian and
Student Council representative Connie Thomas raised $1,000 for the
fund. The intermediate school is in the process of raising funds at
this time.
Fireman Lieutenant Greg Hood will be visiting businesses over the
next several weeks to get a fire and safety plan on record. He will
visit each business to learn and record where electrical shutoffs
will occur. To set up appointments ahead of a visit, call Lt. Hood
at the fire station at 724-2195. This plan will allow easy shut off
to electrical service in the event of a fire or other hazard.
Chamber of Commerce President Jim Mollette closed the meeting with
recognition for service during the Poet grand opening, to Rachel
Forrester of Rachel’s Hi Way Cafe, “Rachel did our community proud
by serving over 1,000 people.” He also mentioned CARE Day being May
31, and using it as “an opportunity to help make Alexandria
inviting.”
Large trash drop-off
The City of Alexandria’s Large Trash Days will be held from 8 a.m. -
8 p.m. Thursday, June 12, through Saturday, June 14. Dumpsters will
be placed at the city garage, 203 N. Pennsylvania St.
Attendants will be on duty around the clock on the scheduled days.
Only city residents will be permitted to drop off trash items and
will be required to provide proof of residency.
Items that will not be accepted are: No hazardous or toxic waste,
tires, stoves, refrigerators, water heaters or other large household
appliances, rocks, sod, dead animals or animal waste, or
construction materials such as lumber, drywall or roofing materials.
Appliance pick-up may be arranged by calling 724-4841 anytime during
the year. Items that will be picked up include refrigerators,
freezers, stoves, washers, dryers, empty hot water heaters or other
large household appliances.
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