Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

Representatives from two engineering firms presented information regarding their bridge inspection services to the Ripley County Commissioners at the regular meeting on Monday, February 22. Leo Rumschlag, Rumschlag Technical Services is an independent engineer who has been completing bridge inspections for the past eight years throughout the state.

According to Rumschlag, as well as an inspection report, he provides a maintenance report that will pinpoint repairs such as cleaning and painting before they become a major problem.

Doug Ralston from Bernard and Lochmueller has offices in Indianapolis, Evansville as well as Missouri and Illinois. The firm has worked with many counties in the state and has the resources to inspect all of the bridges in the county including the historic structures.

Catharine Dwyer, program manager for CMHC Directions Rape Crisis Support and Advocacy, received permission to display T-shirts created by victims of a violent crime on the courthouse lawn on Thursday, April 29.

According to Dwyer, the Clothesline Project is a visually impacted message about violence. There will be about 40 shirts from victims and the family of victims displayed. There will be representatives available to answer any questions. For more information, call 812-537-7381 or visit www.rapecrisissas.org.

In other business, the commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of 15,000 county maps at a cost of $15,000.

Due to some confusion regarding the county emergency levels during the last snow storm, the commissioners explained that the emergency levels only apply to the county roads and not to the highways or the incorporated towns unless an ordinance has been passed. A snow emergency is called in order for the road crews to have a chance to clean the roads.

“We don’t really want to call a level III unless we have to,” said commissioner president Robert Reiners. He noted that the website explains the levels as well as any changes or delays.

All commissioners were in attendance along with county auditor Bill Wagner and county attorney Neil Comer to advise. The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 8 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Ripley County Highway Garage in Osgood and reconvening at 8 a.m. at the courthouse annex.