November 2021 Year In Review

In November 2021 Duke Energy Indiana filed plans to improve reliability, Lawrence County commissions dissolved an old TIF District, created a new one, and agreed to oversee improvements to fairgrounds. The Springville Community Academy was established and Clarence Brown was recognized for his contributions to the community.

Duke Energy Indiana files plan to improve reliability and resilience of its statewide network of power lines and infrastructure

Duke Energy Indiana filed a plan on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, with Indiana state utility regulators to improve the reliability and resilience of its statewide network of power lines and infrastructure that deliver electricity to more than 860,000 Hoosier homes, businesses, and industries.

The six-year plan uses a combination of advanced technology and infrastructure upgrades to improve service to customers.

If the plan is approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Duke Energy would submit semi-annual filings over six years to the commission to review progress and requests to recover the costs of investments made. Any customer rate impact would have to be approved by state regulators and would be gradual as work is completed.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will set a schedule for hearings in the case. A decision is expected by July 2022.

Lawrence County Commissions dissolve old TIF District and create a new one and agree to oversee improvements to fairgrounds

The Lawrence County Commissioners on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, passed two resolutions to dissolve the Lehigh TIF District in Marion Township and established a new one.

The TIF District was originally established in 2008 for the purpose of the expansion of Lehigh Hanson Inc. originally planned for 13 years ago. However, the TIF District sat empty and unused and generated no funds due to economic concerns.

“There has been no revenue generated from this TIF District since its inception in 2008, and a new TIF District is needed in its place,” said County Attorney David Smith.”This will allow the county to capture taxes on the increase of value on the new district with the improvements being made at Lehigh Hanson and improve the area.”

The commissioners also approved an ordinance to establish a committee to approve improvements at the Lawrence County fairgrounds.

This will be a three-member group including a commissioner, a county council member, and someone from the 4-H council or Lawrence County Fair Association.

County Council President Scott Smith suggested creating the committee to identify projects and the costs. The commissioners and council will then oversee those proceedings.

Springville Community Academy is established

On November 3, 2021, the Ball State University Charter School Review Committee voted to approve a three-year charter for Springville Community and Rural Foundation (SCARF), for the establishment of the Springville Community Academy beginning in 2022-23 school year, to serve grades K-6.

The SCARF board members are thrilled to have this opportunity to provide options in education to families in the Springville community and look forward to opening in August 2022.

Albert Cross, president of the SCARF board, anticipates online enrollment registration to be available on Monday, November 22, 2021and stresses the importance of the school as a center for community activity.

Clarence Brown named Bedford’s Christmas Parade grand marshal

BEDFORD – Bedford Revitalization Inc. named Clarence Brown the 2021 Bedford’s Christmas Parade grand marshal.

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Clarence Brown

Brown was recognized for what he does for others.

“There are a lot of people in our community who do so much for others and give of themselves, the fact that I am being recognized for my willingness to serve is truly a privilege and an honor,” Brown said. “To be recognized for my community service means the most to me.”

The title of Grand Marshal is an honor, but Clarence doesn’t want to be remembered only for that.

“Being the Grand Marshal is amazing, but with all of the great things I get to do as a server of the people, I take that as the highest form of praise,” said Brown. “There are a lot of people in this world who are named Clarence Brown, I just hope that when people think of me, they think of me as a servant of others.”

From an early age, Brown’s parents shared the importance of serving the community, which Brown says is his only goal.

“My parents instilled in me the importance of serving others, of serving God and my wife and daughters allow me to continue with that and help support me in all of my choices, in being a server of God and of his people,” Brown said.

With all the work Brown has done and will continue to do for the community, he is truly grateful for the opportunity to help elevate others and share his accomplishments with others.

“It is a privilege for sure, and I get to have whoever I want on the float with me, so I am choosing some men from the Warming Shelter to have the opportunity to be elevated up there with me,” said Brown. “This isn’t a means to allow them to show off, but to show that they are people too, and we should all work together as God has asked us to do.”

Brown is a life-long resident of Bedford along with his wife Darlene and two daughters Tonya Welch and Susan Brown Fowler.

Brown graduated from Bedford High School in 1973. He went on to attend 2 Junior Colleges and then returned home to work for Public Service Indiana and then for Visteon for 25 years. 

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Clarence Brown

He founded the Martin Luther King March in Bedford and has remained the organizer of the event for 31 years. He also serves the community by encouraging fellow residents using his gift of song at local nursing facilities and funerals, as well as being a silent blessing to others in a variety of ways.