The Tribune from Seymour, Indiana • Page 1

Saturday, December 8, 1990 35 on Goilinissioners ao v- aaua A Freedom Newspaper LJ gj 1 I')' i 1 1 At- to inspect jail, study fundihg i i i i by DAN DAVIS Staff Writer I A January inspection of Jackson County Jail could be the first step toward another effort to establish a cumulative jail fund. In response to complaints about the condition of the Browns-town facility, County Commissioners will inspect the jail at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 2. Complaints have included concerns about plumbing and sewer problems, Commissioner Steve Gill said, adding they warrant an inspection of the 37-year-old facility that has been the center of several lawsuits alleging violation of inmates civil rights because of poor conditions, During the inspection, Sheriff-elect Herschel Baughman, who -takes office Jan.

1, is expected to outline his plans for converting the sheriffs living quarters to office and storage space. Baughman plans to live at his Vallonia home in order to create needed space at the Office space is not the only area, cramped, however. Indiana Department of Correc tion inspections continually show that inmate space is deficient Its inmate population routinely surpasses capacity. In November, for example, the jail's average daily inmate count was 36, which is 10 more than its 26-bed Recent state inspection reports have included recommendations that the county adopt a cumulative jail fund. Gill said the inspection could be the first step toward again establishing such a fund.

Commissioners sought a jail fund in 1988, but it died when the County Council said it was concerned 1989 budgets would require a maximum tax levy, leaving no room for a new tax. Jackson County's levy has fallen below its limit for at least the past eight years once increases in assessed valuation have been completed and the tax rates have been approved by the state Board of Tax Commissioners, however. This year, for example, the See COMMISSIONERS Backpage Chief John Terry places his hand where the bricks are beginning to bulge out of the building. Tribune photo by Rmack Seymour Public Works Director Jerry Hartsell, right, notices a place where bricks are starting to fall off the back end of the Lynn Hotel. City Fire Lynn Hotel checking out for last time? What did they notice? Officials cited places where the bricks were starting to fall out of the building.

And there were signs where the Lynn had sustained damage from water leakage, previous fire damage in the upper level and settling caused from freezing. Burkhart said he was in the process of obtaining demolition and cleanup quotes for the biuW ings removal. The new Seymour mayor said has not encountered much opposition to tearing the building down. "Most of the comments I have heard from the public said some' thing to the effect that, "I wish it could be saved, but if it can't then the sooner it is taken down the better," Burkhart said. "Nine out often community people seem to favor demolition." Although he said he did not know specifically what would happen to the space where the i Salaries ordinance heads City County agenda Monday by MIKE RASCHE Staff Writer An answer on the fate of the former Lynn Hotel may come during the Seymour Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Wednesday.

In past weeks city officials noticed the back of building starting to come apart. Seymour Mayor John Burkhart said he will ask "the works board to considerhav-ing the Lynn removed. "I am going to recommend we declare this an emergency situation," Burkhart said. "There is a danger here to the public welfare and to the downtown merchants and people in that area." A group of city officials, includ-ingdty Fire ChiefJohn Terry, city Police Chief John J. Reinhart, city Building Commissioner David Stark and Public Works Director Jerry Hartsell assessed the building's condition Friday morning.

Lynn is located, Burkhart said parking seemed to be one need for the area. 1 have ho intentions in mind for that space, but the logical thing would be to make it parking," Burkhart said. "Paving it and using it as a parking lot is the natural fit for it" The city purchased the Lynn Hotel this year for $35,000 from, the "Roy Newby estate. Newby died in December 1987. The Lynn was completed and opened on July 1, 1883.

Before deciding to pursue demolition of the building, Burkhart contacted a California-based company which had inquired about the Lynn. The unidentified company had considered buying the Lynn and converting it to a home for the elderly. personB representing Seymour native John Mellencamp, who Freeman Field Industrial Park. Vacating an alley running east and west between 10th and 11th streets. Regarding the vacation of an alley south of lots 206, 207, 208, 209, 210 and 211.

The alley is located south of Jackson County Public Library. Concerning a $5 million bond issue for Rose Acre Farms for a soybean processing plant. Providing for no parking on the south side of Oak Street between Oesting and Chestnut streets from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Establishing a non-reverting parks and recreation department petty cash fund.

by MDXE RASCHE Staff Writer Seymour City Council will conduct a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers for a proposed ordinance setting the 1991 salaries of elected city officials. Immediately after reviewing the salary issue in a public hearing, the council is' scheduled to conduct third reading on the ordinance, In other matters, the council will discuss second reading of an ordinance: Regarding the vacation of a utilityrailroad easement at the 1 i had expressed an interest in purchasing the Lynn at one time. Burkhart said he was told by Richard Mellencamp, John's father, the singer was.no longer interested in buying the hotel. Seymour City Council agreed during an Aug.

13 it did not want to pursue renovating the Lynn because of the cost involved. A study done by Correll Bradley Architects indicated it would cost $2,127,000 to convert the nearby Hague structure into a police garage. City Hall would house the police department and the Lynn Hotel would be converted to; city and county offices. The city of Seymour, Seymour Industrial Corp. and Seymour Industrial Association funded the $8,300 study.

In addition to that study, How- LYNN Back page the Tribune, 1215 E. Tipton St, or treasurer LeRoy Pollert at Seymour National Bank. Persona must submit requests for food cer tificates to Seymour P.O. Box 566. Written requests must be made and explained by the individual See CHRISTMAS Backpage Inside today Classified 9 Hospital Comics 9 Landers 3 2.

8 6 ft. Death 12 Felice Editorials Sports Family. 2 12420 Kiwani Club has Christ: mas party. See page S. U.S.

officials seek quick release of hostages from Iraq. See page 4. Seymour loses, Browns town prevails in high school basketball action. See pages 6-7. The weather Tonight clear.

Low in thsA upper 20s. Near calm windL' Tomorrow sunny and mild. High near 50. Dowatowa oralng toairatmr to mwffiial. Otkr illngi ara trmm gov-nuMat watar obaarvar Batk Evr- kaHktRockford.

920 ajn. today High Friday Low Friday MM. 24 none Precipitation River 69 feet and falling Sunset today 5:20. p.m. Sunrise Sunday 7:54 a.m.

State Police post lights up tree Christmas Basket Fund gets $217 today to reach $1,867 Ml' .1 I 1 1 II II II I II III! 1 by DAN DAVIS Staff Writer fc A community effort resulted in the lighting of one of Seymour's tallest Christmas trees Friday night at the Indiana State Police post. Five hundred lights on 10 strands, some twinkling, are lighting the 60-foot evergreen in front of the Seymour Post, 721 E. Tipton St The lights first glowed at 7 p.m. Personnel from the ISP, Seymour Fire Department and Indiana Department of Transportation strung the 'lights Friday morning, using the fire department's ladder truck and the highway department's cherry picker. I Fireman John Thomas scampered up and down the tele-squirt -ladder, stringing lights from the tree's top, while fireman Jeff Montgomery guided the strings from the ground.

Lighting the tree stemmed from post custodian Glen Brock's responsibilities for the facility's grounds. "That part of job's normally considered just for the summer, but 1 thought since Seymour didn't have a big Christmas tree, we ought to have one and why not here at the post on U.S. 50 where everyone drives by," Brock said, i He solicited donations of lights from several local businesses. Sgt Ed Reuter said the tree is a gift to the community. "It's not merchants giving us these lights, it's the merchants donating the lights to the community in the spirit of Christmas," Reuter said.

Brock agreed. "I thought what better way to bring the community together," -ha nd "WeVe ppt the state, police, fire department and highway Sea STATE Backpage The 1990 Christmas Basket FundollecteJ $217tddaXto climb to $1,867 in the 10th day at the Seymour Daily Tribune. The drive, in its 45th season is sponsored by the American Legion Post of Seymour and the Tribune and provides food for the needy. Donations may be submitted to Teachers pay head agenda Salaries and teacher contracts head the agenda for Seymour Community Schools trustees when they meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Central Administration Buflding.

Trustees are expected to approve a contract agreement with Seymour Education Association and salary schedules forclassified and management personnel. The tentative contract agreement received a 90-percent favorable vote among the SEA's membership Wednesday night School and SEA spokesmen have declined to offer any details of the agreement until formal approval. In year-end actions, trustees are expected to approve' fund -transfers within major and minor budgetary classifications and permit the treasurer to pay claims due before Dec. 3L Trustees are expected to hire a contractor to recondition the Sey-mour High School track and buy bus chassis and bodies. Superintendent Robert Makan.

is expected to review special meetings scheduled for Jan. 12 and Jan. 23. n.i.-.i-i.ini.w... TrnHUMpkotobyDuDavia an evergreen at the Indiana State Police Seymour Post The tree was decorated Friday with 500 lights.

Seymour firemen Jeff Montgomery, left, and John Thomas retrieve a rtraymdof CrUtm.Ueh).from.