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Commissioners Praise Hometown Heroes And Community In Response To Fibertech Fire

Last updated on Tuesday, April 17, 2018

(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Commissioners say the volunteer firefighters of Lawrence and surrounding counties are the “true heroes” while battling the fire at FiberTech.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze around 11 a.m. on Thursday. Orange tinted thick smoke overtook the streets of Mitchell causing schools and businesses to close and homes to be evacuated.

Firefighters from all area VFDS and from Martin, Jackson, Orange and Washington counties responded to the scene.

Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer says she and members of the Lawrence County Health Department are working with homeowners testing for contamination caused from the toxic fumes released from the burning mulch.

Officials say between ten and fifteen homes within a half-mile radius of the plant was evacuated as a precaution.

"After seeing what contamination levels are we will determine the next move," she added. "Most will need their air handlers cleaned."

Commissioner Dustin Gabhart who was at the command center set up at Marion Township Fire Barn says he was impressed with how volunteer firefighters, rescue crews and police pulled together.

"I was very impressed," he added. "It was an organized chaos."

Luchauer says she is blessed to live in a community like Lawrence County.

"There was overwhelming support from the community," she added. "People brought water, food, baby wipes, eye solution, chap stick and items I didn't even think of that those battling the blaze might need. I am very proud of this community and that I live in Lawrence County."

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Lawrence County Highway Superintendent David Holmes was not present at the meeting because he was attending the Indiana Department of Transportation Federal Aid Training in Vincennes.

Commissioner Dustin Gabhart says highway crews continue to replace culverts and prepare roads for spring paving and are cutting brush.

Work has resumed on Bridge 67 on Lawrenceport Road and Bridge 78 on Pumphouse Road.

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Sheriff Mike Branham reported there is 190 inmates in the jail this morning, of those 47 were female and 13 Level 6 felons and 5 Department of Correction holds.

Sheriff Branham says he is working out the final details of a contract for another county to house Level 6 felons.

"If the numbers continue to remain this high we will probably send some of the Level 6 felons to the other facility next week," he added.

Every week the sheriff addresses the commissioners with another needed repair at the jail.

No the sheriff is attempting to repair a leak in a storage room on the lower level of the floor.

"We had items stacked against the wall and didn't notice it until water had spread throughout the carpet," he added. "Now we have wet carpet and mold issues."

Sheriff Branham says crews have moved most of the items from the storage area and are trying to determine where the leak is coming from and if it can be repaired.

"I am working with Tri-County and the insurance agent to see what the deductible is," he added. "The repairs will be done with money from the building fund."

Items in the storage area are now being stored in several offices for the time being.

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Jenny Dearwester of The Southern Indiana Development Commission, presented the commissioners with a contract to get started on needed repairs to houses in the unincorporated limits of the county that qualified for a Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority funds.

The grant for $350,000, will pay for needed repairs on houses owned by low- and moderate-income individuals.

Fourteen homeowners will be assisted. The county targeted disabled and elderly households plus those with children younger than 6. To qualify the person must meet income guidelines, must be purchasing or own their home.

Each homeowner will be allowed between $18,000 to $20,000 for improvements from new roofs, windows, making the home handicap accessible, bathroom remodels and other improvements.

Dearwester expects work to begin on the homes in November.

Contractors interested in doing the repairs is asked to contact Dearwester at Southern Indiana Development Commission.

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Lawrence County Chief Public Defender David Shircliff presented the commissioners a JAG Grant for the salary of social worker and two assistance.

The social worker does assessments of clients charged with a crime.

"This allows us to seek needed treatment for those facing charges and in some cases it is included as part of their sentencing," Shircliff added. "It has been every effective."

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The commissioners signed a data use agreement for Treasurer Paula Stewart to obtain title information from the Department of Motor Vehicles for tax purposes.

Stewart also reminded those in attendance that Spring Taxes are due May 10th and the Fall installment date of Nov. 13.

The Treasurer's office will be closed 5 business days following the May 10th deadline to complete on time mail posting. It will re-open Thursday, May 17th.

Lawrence County will hold their 2018 Tax Sale on Wednesday, September 26th.

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The Commissioners a proposal for the reimbursement of Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer salary.

Her salary and benefits are paid from through a grant from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

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