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THE POSEY COUNTY NEWS
We are Posey County's Definitive Source for News in the Mount Vernon, New Harmony, Poseyville, Saint Philip, Saint Wendel and Wadesville areas. Period.
Headline News
Tucker, Mount Vernon weather storms
Mount Vernon Mayor John Tucker talks about his first two years in
office.
Photo by Pam Robinson.
By Pam Robinson
Since he took office on January 1, 2008, Mayor John Tucker has weathered a
number of storms. Mother Nature challenged the city with freezing rain,
windy remnants of Hurricane Ike and the earthquake of 2008 and with the ice
storm of 2009. The water and sewer departments have required costly
improvements and the riverfront has needed a facelift. At the same time,
property tax reassessment and reform have meant a total loss of $320,000 in
city revenue over the past two years.
In spite of these trials, Tucker has maintained his footing and enlisted the
necessary community support to keep pride alive in Mount Vernon. During his
administration, a total of $3,185,500 has been awarded in grants and
stimulus money to help Mount Vernon manage during troubled economic
times—and even move ahead.
Tucker says he has worked to address those issues that residents placed “at
the top of their list” when he was campaigning. “People wanted more
dependable water, they wanted better sewer, they wanted a nicer riverfront.”
Improvements to the city’s water and sewer systems have served not only to
meet the needs of existing customers, but have also prepared Mount Vernon to
satisfy any newcomers to the area. In 2008, a $6.5 million upgrade was
started on the waterworks and the north and west booster stations and
included the installation of new water meters.
Tucker noted that the water upgrade has resulted in increased water
capacity, up from 2.5 million gallons to 4.5 million gallons. Work on the
north and west booster stations and the Keck water tower now ensures city
water to houses and businesses in those areas. Until now, property in the
north and west could not be on city water. “I could be soliciting water
customers now,” Tucker stated.
He pointed out also that the water upgrade has brought greater dependability
in water service now than in the past. “I can’t guarantee there will never
be another citywide boil order,” he commented, “but we will have far less
now.”
Concerning the upgrade to the city water system, Tucker admits, “It was a
tough decision when 53 percent of residents are medium to low income. I lost
some sleep.” At the same time, he understands that the city must be prepared
for economic development if Mount Vernon hopes to grow.
The sewer upgrade has brought the city into compliance with Indiana
Department of Environmental Management, or IDEM, mandates. It has meant the
city avoided potential fines, such as the $37,500 a day that the City of
Evansville now faces.
In January 2009, work was begun to eliminate the Sawmill combined sewer
overflow, or CSO, as IDEM directed. The project was completed in November
2009 with the help of $1.1 million in stimulus money and a low interest rate
loan. Tucker notes that this project included 4,000 feet of new sewer lines
and the refurbishing of 35 manhole covers.
By August 31 of this year, Phase I of the riverfront development project,
east of the riverfront boat ramp, will be completed by Ragle, Inc., of
Newburgh. Tucker is optimistic that the city will also be successful with
its grant application for the demolition of the riverfront silos. He
applauds the silo demolition committee of City Councilman Steve Fuelling and
business leaders Joe Winiger and Steve Koenig for all their efforts in the
undertaking. Whatever the grant outcome, Tucker says, “I know we will see
those silos come down this year.”
He also praises the River Bend Coalition and the Mount Vernon River Days
Committee for promoting activities on or near the riverfront. Since January
2008, 32 activities have taken place surrounding the riverfront. River Days
alone brought out a crowd of 3,000 in its first year and 5,000 last year.
Other activities have included five live concerts, benefits for the
military, storytellers, the visit of the American Queen, the Colts caravan,
the Lions Club fireworks, the Kiwanis road races and Tractors on the Square.
Tucker says he is still receiving calls for more riverfront activities.
He thanked the tree committee for its service as well. The committee
replaced 21 dead or dying trees in downtown Mount Vernon at no expense to
the city.
Tucker also acknowledged the clean-up efforts of City Building Commissioner
Sherry Willis and City Street Commissioner Roy Maynard. Willis has addressed
53 dilapidated properties citywide with 40 removed or brought up to code and
13 under investigation. Maynard has handled junk and trash violations that
were unhealthy and unwholesome for residents—37 violations were cited in
2008 and 30 in 2009. Likewise, citations were issued for 163 abandoned
vehicles—87 in 2008 and 76 in 2009.
And Tucker isn’t done yet. He says he will continue to pursue grants and
stimulus money for city projects. He will also continue to work with
government, business and taxpayers to promote new jobs with good neighbors.
Although Mount Vernon has lost some businesses in the past couple of years,
he emphasizes that the city has gained 14 new businesses as well.
“Over the last two years I’ve said many times, our community has prospered
and my job is certainly more manageable only because we have all worked
together,” Tucker states. “There are many people who have volunteered their
time, their energy and their financial resources to make Mount Vernon a
better place to live, to work and to raise our families.”
