Commissioners delete Facebook page at county attorney’s recommendation

Wayne County’s commissioners have discontinued their Facebook page at the county attorney’s recommendation.

The Indiana American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Dillon Pitcher, the county’s chief deputy coroner, sued the county and commissioners in the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana, saying that being blocked from reading or commenting on the commissioners’ page violated Pitcher’s First Amendment rights. Pitcher requested an injunction reinstating his access and requested “nominal damages.”

During the commissioners’ March 11 meeting, attorney Ron Cross said that the page’s purpose of highlighting positives in county government and employee milestones could be achieved without relying on social media.

“So my recommendation would be that the commissioners authorize, if you will, the taking down of their Facebook page indefinitely,” Cross said.

Commissioner Brad Dwenger provided a motion to remove the page. All three commissioners — Dwenger, Jeff Plasterer and Aaron Roberts — voted in favor. Craig Eason, the county’s IT director, said he would research removal of a Facebook page and provide step-by-step instructions.

As of Friday afternoon, March 13, the page that had been available at facebook.com/waynecountycommissioners/ returned the message “This content isn’t available right now.”

Cross said that the county’s insurance carrier, Traveler’s, will provide defense against the lawsuit.

Airport contribution

Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, and Jonathan Meade, president of Richmond’s aviation board, discussed the airport’s new terminal project with commissioners.

The board is organizing funds for the $2.9 million project. The EDC board previously approved a $250,000 contribution from the consolidated economic development income tax fund, reported in the March 11 Western Wayne News. Commissioners unanimously supported the contribution.

Vaile housing

Commissioners took two actions related to a housing initiative in Richmond’s Vaile neighborhood.

They approved sending a letter to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation supporting use of $820,000 committed to the countywide housing accelerator program as match money for READI dollars awarded Affordable HomeMatters’ infill housing program in the Vaile neighborhood. The housing accelerator program promotes development in existing Cambridge City, Centerville and Richmond subdivisions.

During their April 8 meeting, commissioners will conduct a public hearing about Affordable HomeMatters’ request that the county provide the infill program tax sale certificates for 212 S. 13th St., 51 S. 15th St. and 441 S. 11th St.

Flood plain ordinance

Commissioners unanimously approved a new flood plain ordinance that repeals the county’s 2015 ordinance and implements the new ordinance mostly provided by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The ordinance is required because the county participates in a federal flood insurance program. The new ordinance defines more terms within it and adjusts which accessory structures require permits for construction in a flood plain.

The Wayne County Advisory Plan Commission unanimously voted Jan. 15 to positively recommend commissioners adopt the ordinance. The county serves as Spring Grove’s and Greens Fork’s floodplain administrator. Spring Grove adopted the ordinance March 10, and Greens Fork will have a public hearing about it 7 p.m. April 9 in the town hall, 12 S. Water St., Greens Fork.

Suicide prevention

Michele Padgette told commissioners that an Indiana Veterans Affairs grant has enabled establishment of a countywide suicide coalition. The team will be trained to respond to someone in crisis and to assist impacted families.

Padgette said more community participation is encouraged to help spread awareness and reduce stigma. The next meeting is 1 to 3 p.m. April 14 in Morrisson-Reeves Library’s downstairs Bard Room.

Also, Padgette said the next veterans food bank will be 9 to 11 a.m. March 26 at Circle U Help Center, 19 N. 13th St., Richmond. The food bank’s day of week and location have changed.

New phone system

The county will begin its transition to a new phone system March 24.

Eason told commissioners the treasurer’s and recorder’s offices would be first to switch to the voice over internet protocol system during the staggered rollout. He expects about a 12-week conversion process.

Weed, brush control

Mike Sharp, the county’s highway department supervisor, announced that the annual program to control weeds and brush in road rights of way will begin April 1. The highway department will spray weeds and cut brush to prevent driving lanes from narrowing and improve visibility. 

Residents not wishing for spraying or cutting in their rights of way may contact the highway department at 765-855-5211 between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents will be supplied “do not spray” signage; however, residents are then responsible for properly maintaining those rights-of-way.

Other actions

• Commissioners approved a $361,369 construction inspection contract with American Structurepoint of Indianapolis for the Waterfall Road bridge.
• Commissioners voted to reduce the speed limit on Woods Road, which is a dead-end road off U.S. 27 south of Richmond, to 40 miles per hour from 55 mph. The change provides adequate sight distances for existing and new driveways and was spurred by a property owner’s request for a new driveway permit, which commissioners approved.
• Bryan Owens was unanimously appointed to the Cambridge City Public Library board. 
• Commissioners agreed to provide two electronic speed signs to Centerville. The signs were purchased with American Rescue Plan Act dollars and would become the responsibility of the town.