Fund to benefit Cross Plains
Gov. Daniels, Hoosier Lottery present $100,000 to foundation
Leah Chandler - Contributing Writer

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and Hoosier Lottery Executive Director, Esther Schneider personally delivered a $100,000 check to the town of Cross Plains on Friday, March 4. Daniels pledged increased security and heightened monitoring within the lottery to prevent the type schemes that stunned Cross Plains in 2004.

Cleo Duncan, State Representative for the district in which Cross Plains belongs, attended the check presentation ceremony saying "Gov. Daniels has a unique way of turning lemons into lemonade."

A winning $1 million scratch-off ticket was sent to Otter's Grocery store where prosecutors claim later a lottery security officer tipped off friends who purchased all of the game's tickets. The three have been charged in connection with the scam.

"This community and one of its residents have been robbed of a million dollars from a lottery ticket that would have been purchased by someone here," Daniels explained. "It is my hope that this check will begin to help heal the ill will that occurred here," he said.

Cross Plains was a pit-stop for the Governor during his campaign trail through the state last year in RV One. Daniels, who mentioned that stopping in Cross Plains was one of his most treasured memories from the road, offered partial restitution to the residents of the town who gathered at the store to hear him speak.

Mary Black, a clerk at Otter's, said citizens of the community talk about the incident from time to time when they come in the store, where memory of the scandal is still fresh.

The money will be placed in an endowment fund with the Ripley County Community Foundation (RCCF) where a percentage of its earnings will be utilized each year to make capital improvements in Cross Plains and enhance the quality of life for the nearly 200 residents of the community. The money from the lottery's promotional fund will produce nearly $5,000 a year to be used to improve Cross Plains, according to Linda Chandler, Ripley County Community Foundation secretary.

Indiana is the only state in the country in which every county has an established foundation thanks to the Lilly Endowment, a philanthropic foundation established largely to promote community development in Indiana towns and cities. The Ripley County foundation holds nearly $6.3
million in principle, in which approximately five percent is invested each year into Ripley County improvement projects.

A committee made up of citizens will be formed in Cross Plains to determine the community's goals and needs. Chandler, also a resident of the town, said no concrete plans have been made to spend the money, but people have discussed "the need for town beautification as well as mon
etary educational support to encourage the pursuit of higher learning among the town's youth."

"We're all surprised by the generosity of the state and the lottery," Chandler said. "The town's residents would have been appreciative of any contribution, but a check this size was not at all expected."

New measures are being taken by the Hoosier Lottery to improve security and strengthen ethical standards.

"It's not enough to simply come to Cross Plains, hand out a check, and say 'sorry for your luck.' It is essential Hoosiers know that the lottery is taking unprecedented action to pre
vent future security problems," said Daniels.

Since January the lottery has added key security personnel, implemented more stringent security policies, and increased the ethical standards to which all lottery employees must adhere.

SARAH RENFRO PHOTO

Governor Mitch Daniels along with Esther Schneider, left, Executive Director of the Hoosier Lottery, presented a $100,000 check to the Ripley County Community Foundation to establish a fund which would benefit the town of Cross Plains. Representing the foundation from left are Executive Director Sally Morris, President Kris Schneider and Secretary Linda Chandler.