Elected officials applaud decision
Versailles License Branch to remain open
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The state BMV branch in Versailles will remain open.

That announcement was made to the delight of many people who had fought hard to keep the facility in its present location, Versailles.

"I am glad that Commissioner Joel Silverman has decided to keep the Versailles branch open," noted Representative Cleo Duncan. "The community support at the public hearing and the realization that the branch served a vital role in the community were important reasons in retaining the branch."

Rep. Duncan was among those who spoke at the public hearing on July 6, at the Versailles location. She pledged to work with Silverman and do whatever was possible to keep the license branch in Versailles.

When questioned about the possibility of closing the Batesville License Branch, Duncan noted that it is a possibility if there is a way out of the lease. Silverman did not comment on the Batesville branch.

State Senator Johnny Nugent was very vocal at the public hearing saying, "You're not going to close this license branch under my watch," he said he was speaking from his heart and intended to do everything he possibly could to prevent its closing.

"I spoke with the Governor's office every day since the hearing and all of our efforts have paid off," he noted on Friday, after he heard the news.

Senator Nugent called the Osgood Journal immediately upon hearing that the Versailles License Branch would remain in tact. "I am excited to be calling with this news," he noted, and said he believes all of the efforts of a number of people had made it possible.

"It was teamwork," noted Ripley County Clerk Ginger Bradford, who along with Nugent had been in touch with Governor Mitch Daniels about the matter.

"The Versailles license branch does an outstanding job of providing quality service to the folks of the area and certainly deserved to remain open to continue the kind of service that the people deserve," noted Nugent.

This year so far, nine branches have been closed. By July 30, six more will close and a number are under review.

While closing the license branches has brought fierce outcry from the communities they serve, Silverman said the goal of the BMV is to "make transactions with the department as easy as possible." He said people are being encouraged to take care of business through the mail or the Internet. "If customers need to visit a BMV license branch, they may conduct transactions at any BMV location, no matter the town, city or county."

More information from the bureau noted that Indiana ranked 14th in population but third in the number of state license branches, with 168.

Only Texas and California have more license branches. With the first 15 closures, Indiana will have 153 branches, ranking fifth behind Florida's 158. The state will also have 56 counties with only one BMV license branch.

The license branch in Versailles is located in the county seat and performed 31,000 transactions last year with only five employees.

"The Versailles License Branch does an outstanding job of providing quality service to the folks of the area and certainly deserve to remain open to continue the kind of service that the people deserve." -State Senator Johnny Nugent