“Ripley County will have the exciting opportunity to meet two Indianapolis Colts players and two cheerleaders,” announced Katherine Taul, Ripley County Tourism Bureau director, at the regular commissioners meeting held on Monday, May 18. Taul noted the tour will include the Colts In Motion museum, interactive inflatables, as well as the opportunity to sign up for pre-season tickets.

The Colts Make It Personal Tour will be held on Thursday, June 18 from 4-6 p.m. at the courthouse square. North and Washington streets will close at 1 p.m. “I’m excited,” said Taul. “This is the first time something like this ever happened in this area.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the line for autographs may be cut off any time to ensure the tour remains on schedule. There will be one autograph per person, although you can get back in line for additional autographs.

This is the sixth year for the tour, which will make 15 stops over a two-month period. For more information, visit www.Colts.com/events.

The director for Southeastern Indiana Solid Waste District, Aaron Bell, introduced himself to the commissioners. Thanking them for their help on a project, he said, “It’s good to work with the people of Ripley County.”

An update on the bed bug situation at the Recycle Center in Osgood revealed new policies put into place. According to Bell, the center will no longer accept upholstered furniture, mattresses, hats and undergarments. Rather, the exchange board will be utilized for those in need of furniture or beds.
Former employees of the Ripley County Assessor’s Office spoke to the commissioners regarding their views of the working conditions in the assessor’s office. According to Patty Ruble, Robbie Evans, and Rachel Edwards, Assessor Shawna Bushhorn “makes it difficult to work.”

Ruble, who was fired; Evans, who resigned her position; and Edwards, who resigned after her full-time position was reduced to a part-time position, presented letters by Bushhorn stating that they were given verbal warnings, which they say were later rescinded. Other assertions made by the former employees include Bushhorn would not allow the employees to speak to other office holders and that employees were never sworn in as deputies, but received deputy pay.

The former employees were not on the agenda and Bushhorn was not in attendance at the meeting.
Commissioner President Robert Reiners reminded the former employees that as an elected official, Bushhorn runs the office as she sees fit. He also told them that county attorney Neil Comer will listen to the tape of the meeting after which Reiners will then ask for advice on the situation.

In other business:

* The commissioners unanimously adopted the 2009-10 EDIT plan.

* Pat Thomas was unanimously appointed to the DPC by the commissioners.

* The motion to accept the bid for the rooftop air condition unit at the jail was unanimously approved.

All commissioners were in attendance along with Auditor Mary Ann McCoy to take the minutes and county attorney Neil Comer to advise. The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 1 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Ripley County Highway Garage in Osgood and reconvening at the courthouse annex at 8 a.m.