Batesville Herald Tribune, Batesville, Indiana

Local News

June 24, 2008

Sunman citizens voice opinions

Diane Raver

Questions were raised about the status of the Sunman Regional Sewer District at the June 19 Sunman Town Council meeting.

Lynne Newlon, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) regional water and sewer district coordinator, facilitated the June 3 meeting and public hearing regarding the proposed sewer district. If it is approved by the IDEM commissioner, a board will be appointed to oversee it.

“I took up a petition and went to the (June 3) meeting,” noted Donna McCool, Sunman. “We didn’t get any answers. We don’t know who is proposing it or what’s proposed .... (but) we would like to get it withdrawn permanently .... We’ve had Cleo Duncan’s support, and the (Ripley County) commissioners don’t think it’s necessary.”

Council member John Campbell commented, “It’s an election year, and they will say what you want to hear .... It could be that it can’t be done, but don’t kill it before people even get a chance to speak.”

Member Mike Wolff responded, “It’s good people (who) are opposing it .... good they’re talking to the commissioners and the trustees, .... (but) some people asked for the (establishment of the) sewer district.”

This district is “more for the individual homeowners who don’t have room if their old septic systems don’t work,” reported President Wayne Jenner. The law “says you cannot live in your house” if you don’t have a sewage or septic system.

Campbell remarked, “If you check with the health departments in Ripley and Dearborn counties, you will see a lot of septic systems are failing.”

McCool emphasized, “I feel sorry for the residents who are being forced .... We don’t want the development .... We’re a farming community.”

Jenner said, “The bottom line is we’re not going to make any decisions here .... We wanted to point out there is the side that may need it some day.”

Wolff added, “It’s been four years” since the process began. “If we shut it down now, we’re washing our hands of it.”

McCool, whose petition contained 245 names, maintained, “I’m fighting for the people.”

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

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