A late-night, rural patrol and traffic stop ended with the arrest of four individuals on various charges including possession of Heroin.
On November 25th, 2019, at approximately 10:27 PM, Trooper KyleTaylor was patrolling on county roads in rural Washington County in the area of Little York.
Trooper Taylor initiated a traffic stop on a purple 1997 Chevrolet Camaro for a stop sign violation.
During the stop, the driver was found to be driving on a suspended driver’s license, and Trooper Taylor continued the investigation, requesting the assistance of Deputy Paul Ginkins and his K9 partner, Lenny.
As a result of the continued investigation, approximately 3 grams of heroin was located in the vehicle, along with several hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia.
The following were arrested:
Daniel Abner, 34, Madison, IN: Driving While Suspended Prior – C Misdemeanor
Travis Hill, 30, Little York, IN Dealing in Heroin – Level 4 Felony, Possession of Heroin – Level 6 Felony, Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor, Visiting a Common Nuisance – C Misdemeanor.
Tayah Harris, 20, Riverview, FL: Possession of Syringe -Level 6 Felony, Visiting a Common Nuisance C -Misdemeanor, Possession of Paraphernalia -A Misdemeanor.
Anna Smith, 23, Scottsburg, IN: Possession of Syringe -Level 6 Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor, Visiting a Common Nuisance – C Misdemeanor.
Phillip M. Bowsman, age 43, of Salem, passed away Monday, November 25 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
Phillip was born on October 21, 1976, in Salem the son of Larry and Phyllis McCracken Bowsman. He was a member of Southern Hills Church.
He was a 1995 graduate of Salem High School and a 1999 graduate of Indiana University.
Coach Bowsman began his career as a teacher and junior high basketball coach for Mitchell Community Schools.
He has been West Washington High School Head Varsity Football Coach for 19 years and Athletic Director for 7 years.
As the football coach, he led the school to three sectional titles, a regional title, and a semi-state appearance.
He was also assistant Varsity Girl’s Basketball coach when they won a sectional title in 2019.
Phillip was a leader in the Indiana Football Coaches Association.
He had served multiple times as the Region 10 Director and member of the All-State Selection Committee.
He was also a member of the National and Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He worked closely with the IHSAA to advance interscholastic athletics and improve the IHSAA Tournament by participating in realignment committees.
He is survived by his wife: Beth Reasor Bowsman. They were married on August 2, 1997.
He is also survived by his children: Maddie Bowsman and Holden Bowsman both of Salem, two brothers: Todd Bowsman of Salem and Bradley Bowsman (Betsy) of Monticello, his mother: Phyllis Bowsman of Salem, his mother-in-law: Judy Reasor of Salem, sisters and brothers-in-law: Heidi and Dennis Tankersley of Salem, Megan and Jason Lowe of French Lick and Sarah and Dave Colbert of Scottsburg, his grandparents-in-law: Leon and Ann Toliver of French Lick and nieces and nephews: Courtney, Ethan, Ean and Addie Bowsman, Jent, Duke and August Tankersley, Mackey and Moxon Lowe, and Olivia and Emma Colbert.
He was preceded in death by his father: Larry Bowsman, father-in-law: Dr. Darrell Reasor and brother: Jay Dee Bowsman.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at Noon at Mt. Tabor Christian Church with Dave Colbert officiating.
Burial will follow in Mt. Tabor Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 11 AM-8 PM and Saturday from 10 AM until the time of service at the church.
Per the request of the family, they ask that everyone wear their Senator attire both Friday and Saturday.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Bowsman Family Fund at any First Harrison Bank or to the West Washington Athletic Department.
An early morning collision into the rear of an Indiana StatePolice patrol car resulted in the driver’s arrest for Operating While Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana.
At approximately 5:20 Sunday morning, Trooper Justin Mears returned to his patrol car after assisting a Jeffersonville officer with an unrelated traffic stop in the area of 10th Street and Ashley Drive.
Because of that stop, Trooper Mears’s fully marked patrol car was parked on the shoulder of the roadway and had all of its emergency lights on.
Seconds after Trooper Mears returned to his car; he was jolted from behind when a vehicle traveling with no headlights struck the rear of his fully marked Dodge Charger.
Trooper Mears immediately checked on the well-being of the driver who was not injured. As a result of the subsequent investigation, Trooper Mears arrested the driver, Wendell L. Moore, 31, of Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Moore was arrested for OWI refusal and Possession of Marijuana. He was transported and remanded into the Clark County Jail. Trooper Mears’s police car received only minor damage. No one was injured in the collision.
The Thanksgiving holiday period is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Indiana StatePolice want to remind every motorist the importance of driving responsibly during this holiday period, which officially starts tomorrow.
Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), which is a federally funded project and will allow additional troopers to patrol area highways through Sunday.
Troopers will be aggressively observing for moving violations, dangerous and impaired drivers and for those drivers and passengers not buckling up.
Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday period, 12 fatal crashes occurred on Indiana roadways. The Indiana StatePolice encourages everyone to do their part to help reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities over this holiday period. Please drive responsibly!
Troopers are encouraging all motorists to obey these simple safety tips:
Ensure you are well rested, especially if you have plans to travel a long distance. A fatigued driver is a dangerous driver and often mimics the driving behavior of an impaired driver.
Avoid driving distracted. Please don’t use your cellphone while driving.
Avoid “hanging out” in the left lane on multiple lane highways.
Always follow other motorists at a safe distance.
Obey all speed limits and use your turn signals.
Ensure everyone is buckled up.
Don’t drink and drive.
If you have plans to consume alcohol, please ensure you have a plan to get you and your family home safely.
Sunday at approximately 7:44 p.m., officers from the Indiana StatePolice, the Miami County Sheriff’s Department, and the Peru Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at Fifth and Benton Streets, in which a Peru, IN woman, died.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Matt Moon revealed that Andrew Winch, 21, Peru, IN, was driving a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup truck westbound on Fifth Street, approaching a stop sign at the intersection of Benton Street. Winch allegedly disregarded the stop sign, at Benton Street, and struck a southbound 2019 Honda CRV on the driver’s side. The CRV was driven by Norman Knowlton, 76, Peru, IN.
Winch and Norman Knowlton were not injured, but a passenger in the CRV, Mary A. Hipskind, 83, Peru, IN, died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. Barbara Knowlton, 72, Peru, IN, also a passenger in the CRV, was transported via ambulance to Duke’s Memorial Hospital.
She was later flown by medical helicopter to Ft Wayne’s Lutheran Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Joseph Hipskind, 81, Peru, IN, a third passenger in the CRV, was not injured.
Further investigation revealed that at the time of the crash, Winch allegedly had a blood alcohol concentration (B.A.C.) over the .08 B.A.C. limit in which Indiana law considers a driver intoxicated. Speeding is also allegedly a contributing factor in this crash.
Winch was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face felony charges for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, and reckless homicide.
He also faces two misdemeanor charges for reckless driving and for operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering another person.
This crash is still under investigation.
Trooper Moon was assisted by ISP Sergeant Rick Brown, Senior Trooper Todd Trottier, Trooper Andrew Baldwin, Trooper Abby Russell, officers from the Peru Police Department, and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
According to the City of Salem Attorney Ryan Bower, Mayor-Elect will be sworn in and will continue to serve as Mayor of Salem, despite an election challenge being filed in Washington Circuit Court.
Democratic Candidate for Mayor Bill Ackerman lost the Nov. 5 election to Republican candidate Justin Green but has filed a legal challenge in Washington Circuit Court.
Ackerman filed the suit on November 18, alleging that Mayor-Elect Green wasn’t a resident of Salem and therefore not eligible to run in the election for mayor.
The Democrat party has challenged this twice this past fall, but Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey said Green was certified to run in the election.
Green defeated Ackerman by 572 votes.
“Everything proceeds normally despite the court case being filed,” Bower responded. “It’s likely that it’ll be resolved before the end of the year, but if it isn’t, Justin is still sworn in and serves as mayor.”
Circuit Judge Larry Medlock issued an order to contest the election that was served to Ackerman, Green, Tara Hunt, chair of the Washington County Republican Party, Darlene Briscoe, chair of the Washington County Democratic Party, the Washington County Election Board, and Stephanie Rockey, the Washington County Clerk.
On November 19, Medlock added two more notices – both to impound and provide for the protection of all election materials.
Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller was required to impound and place in a secured location and provide for the protection of all ballots and electronic voting systems used in the Nov. 5 election.
Also, all tally sheets relating to the votes cast and all the poll lists of persons registered by the poll clerks that voted in the City of Salem general election on November 5.
In addition, Medlock is requiring the actual MBB cards of Salem Districts 1-4 Electronic Voting Systems, Mayor-Elect Justin Green’s filings for election in 2019 and all keys of the County Clerk for the secured location.
There is a pre-trial conference set for Dec. 11 at 3p in Circuit Court for both parties to attend.
Country Singer John Berry returns in 2019 with his crowd-pleasing Christmas concert, Christmas Songs and Stories with John Berry.
Singer-songwriter, John Berry, rose to stardom on the country charts of the 1990s with such mega-hits as “Your Love Amazes Me”, “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye,” and “She’s Taken a Shine.”
His annual Christmas tours brighten the holidays for thousands as does his electrifying rendition of “O’ Holy Night.”
This show has become a holiday tradition and we hope you will join us again this year. 2019
Songs & Stories with John Berry,” is filled with traditional Christmas songs, including his a cappella version of “O Holy Night,” some of his biggest hits, and a few of his childhood stories sprinkled in.
“I can’t wait to get back and see my friends, we always have a great time,” Country music Grammy winning Country Music artist John Berry, shares.
It is no surprise that John Berry quickly sells out venues all over the country. The Entertainment Nexus once described the award-winning entertainer as “one of the most remarkable voices in music.”
2019 Christmas Songs and Stories Tour:
11-29-19 – Shipshewana, IN – Shipshewana Event Center
11-30-19 – Washington, IN – Washington High School Theater
12-1-19 – Chillicothe, OH – Majestic Theatre
12-3-19 – Ironton, OH – Ironton High School Auditorium
12-5-19 – Jeffersonville, IN – Jeffersonville Plaza
12-7-19 – Detroit Lakes, MN – Historic Holmes Theater
12-11-19 – Newberry, SC – Newberry Opera House
12-12-19 – Wilkesboro, NC – Wilkes Community College
12-13-19 – Albany, GA – Albany Municipal Auditorium
12-14-19 – Watkinsville, GA – Oconee County Civic Center
Democratic Candidate for Mayor Bill Ackerman lost the recent election to Republican candidate Justin Green but has filed a legal challenge in Washington Circuit Court.
Ackerman filed a suit on November 18, alleging that Mayor-Elect Green wasn’t a resident of Salem and therefore not eligible to run in the election for mayor.
The Democrat party has challenged this twice this past fall, but Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey said Green was certified to run in the election and beat Ackerman by 572 votes.
Circuit Judge Larry Medlock issued an order to contest the election that was served to Ackerman, Green, Tara Hunt, chair of the Washington County Republican Party, Darlene Briscoe, chair of the Washington County Democratic Party, the Washington County Election Board, and Stephanie Rockey, the Washington County Clerk.
On November 19, Medlock added two more notices – both to impound and provide for the protection of all election materials.
Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller was required to impound and place in a secured location and provide for the protection of all ballots and electronic voting systems used in the Nov. 5 election.
Also, all tally sheets relating to the votes cast and all the poll lists of persons registered by the poll clerks that voted in the City of Salem general election on November 5.
In addition, Medlock is requiring the actual MBB cards of Salem Districts 1-4 Electronic Voting Systems, Mayor-Elect Justin Green’s filings for election in 2019 and all keys of the County Clerk for the secured location.
There is a pre-trial conference set for Dec. 11 at 3p in Circuit Court for both parties to attend.
Democratic Candidate for Mayor Bill Ackerman, who lost the Nov. 5 election by 572 votes.City of Salem Mayor-Elect Justin Green
This issue was first brought up by Washington County Democratic Party Chairperson Briscoe at a press conference on Sept. 18 alleging Green, the Republican Candidate for Mayor didn’t live in the Salem City Limits, despite him owning a home on Tucker Street in Salem.
“I think the big question is, does he really live there. I don’t buy it. I don’t think he lives there,” Briscoe said during a press conference in which only WSLM attended.
The building in question is located at 509 East Tucker street.
WSLM’s Becky White toured the house three days later and showed that Green did live in the residence.
Green also owns a property east of Salem that the Democrats allege is his true residence.
Briscoe pointed out that although Green owns four properties in Washington County (two in the Salem City Limits and two outside) that because the Tucker Street property didn’t look liveable, then she couldn’t believe that he lived there.
“I had to go around the block 3 times to even find that property because it didn’t look like a residence to me. I know pole barns and any buildings can be fixed up inside. I recognize that. If he has proof that he lives at 509 East Tucker. I would hope he comes forward. But I don’t buy it,” Briscoe said.
Briscoe noted a property east of town (and outside the district) on about 66 acres with a $300,000 home, that she felt would make a better home and suspected Green actually lives there and not in the voting district of Salem.
“He has a property outside the city limits is a nice big homestead worth almost $300,000. I simply don’t buy that he lives in the pole barn, when he has this nice property, although it is outside the city limits, which would disqualify him,” Briscoe said Monday.
“I own two lots by WSLM, this home and a building lot [on] 3 acres on Old State Road 56 (purchaed in July 2016) that I don’t have any intention of doing anything with. I also own some investment property,” Green said of the 66 acre lot he purchased in October 2012.
“I would like to get it paid for and maybe see a little income off of it someday,” Green said.
He said he mows the property and stores some things there.
“I had an opportunity in 2012 to buy that [the 66.6 acres] and I did. It’s sitting out there. Row crops and storage. I do intend to pay for it someday. At my age, I’d like to get some things tackled before I’m too old to pay for it,” said Green.
Green also owns and operates Green’s Auto Sales on Main Street in Salem and is in a lease agreement to purchase the business property.
Green outlined his political career and residences he’s lived in.
Since 2003, he lived at 106 Macon Avenue, which he purchased from Paulette Miller.
He ran for City Council in 2007 and won his position there, while living at the Macon Avenue residence.
He still lived there when he ran and won re-election in 2011 and in 2015. In fact, Green lived there until he sold the home on June 3, 2016.
Green purchased the Tucker Street house on June 13, 2016 from Norma Pugh.
Having served on the Salem City Council for three terms, Green is no stranger to having his candidacy certified.
IN FACT, OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS, HIS CANDIDACY WAS CERTIFIED IN 2007, 2011 AND 2015 BY DEMOCRAT COUNTY CLERKS SHIRLEY BATT AND RITA MARTIN – NEITHER OF WHOM HAD ANY ISSUES WITH WHERE GREEN LIVED.
“I’ve been on the Salem City Council for 3 terms. The current Republican clerk says everything was in order,” Green stated.
Rockey verified Green was successfully certified in the three previous municipal elections.
“Please take note that on the 2007 and 2011 candidate filings for Justin Green that they are the Certifications in the Statewide Voter Registration System – SVRS for the elections,” wrote in an email today. “I confirmed with previous Clerk Shirley Batt that those paper files were destroyed, due to the retention schedule for candidate files. But, his 2015 candidate filings were still secured here onsite [at the Washington County Justice Center.”
“As far as I am, and our office is concerned, there is no issue with his candidacy,” noted Rockey. “The concerns of the Democratic party were informally brought to my attention and the previous Clerk prior to the Primary. [Justin] Green filed all the appropriate paperwork to run for Mayor and his paperwork was processed and certified according to Indiana Election Division guidelines.
“When the informal allegations were brought to my attention, those parties were advised that they could file a formal complaint with our County Election Board and/or IED. They were in the time frame to actually file a CAN-1, Candidate Filing Challenge, contesting a Declaration of Candidacy,” Rockey noted.
“After that time frame had passed, they were told they could file a civil suit in Circuit Court,” said Rockey.
The local Democratic party did not file any challenges before the Nov. 5 election.
Rockey said no formal complaints were ever filed, regarding any subject that was brought up during the recent press conference.
“To clarify, there is also a difference between property ownership and residency of a candidate. A candidate must reside in their district that they are filing for,” said Rockey.
“All complaining individuals were also given the Indiana Election Division’s contact information to seek any more answers,” said Rockey. “As the Election Administrator of the county, I am given guidelines to certify individuals whom are filing to run for office, Justin Green’s Declaration was verified and certified for the Primary and General election, just as all parties Declarations were.”
WSLM confirmed with Matthew R. Kochevar, Co-General Counsel of the Indiana Election Division, that no challenge had been filed at the state level.
“Those clerks did a fine job in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The candidate filings showed my address and it was never an issue. This is the first time this has been brought up,” said Green
“I did see the video,” said Briscoe. “No, I do not have a retraction. I said that I did not believe he resides at the Tucker Street address. I still don’t. I think it was nice of you to follow up w/the interview & get us a look inside though.”
Green won the Republican nomination against challenger Ron Haendiges in the May 2019 Primary.
Back in September, it was pointed out that Ackerman does not own property in the City of Salem but does live at 198 East Oak Drive in a house owned by Penny Sue Buis, which she purchased in 1984. Briscoe said they lived together.
Briscoe, an attorney, said resdency can be a “vague term.”
“Clearly it’s your primary residence,” Briscoe explained. “It’s where you live and associated with your mailing address. The mailing address is not definitive. It’s a good sign of where you live. Where you spend most of your time. It doesn’t mean you don’t have a second house. You might have clothing there.”
When explaining residency issues during the press conference, Briscoe noted that a candidate for office had to be a land owner of the residence.
When it was clarified that Ackerman didn’t own land in Salem, Briscoe amended her statement to note that it would be ok for a candidate to rent property.
“I’m not sure ownership is a requirement for running,” she said. “But it is for the homestead exemption. You can rent. I’m pretty sure you can rent. I’ve been told by people that I talk to….at one time, Justin rented an apartment here in town. I wouldn’t have any problem with a rental. You have legal rights when you rent.”
It is not known if Ackerman rents the residence on Oak Drive, but that is listed as his residence on political filings.
Just before midnight Saturday, the Wahington County Historical Society tabulated votes for its four top new officers – President Krista Martin, Vice-President Todd Baker, Treasurer – John Hughes and Secretary Tom Day.
About an hour before that, eight total members were announced out of a possible slate of 25 which were voted on by over 150 members of the historical society who gathered to help make a change in the direction of the organization.
John Kaiser, Dean Ratts and Boyd Boling listen as Washington County Historical Society President Krista Martin explains the past few years to the members in the room.
The Saturday night election was the result of a special election ordered by a special judge Larry Blanton during a ruling at the conclusion of a lawsuit filed in 2018 by John Mead, Jack Mahuron, Myron Short, Larry Shrum and Raymond Lee (and initially included Tom Scifres).
The eight new board members are Baker, Martin, Hughes, Day, Dean Ratts, Bonita Purlee, Katrina Humphrey and Dr. Gene Hedrick.
The annual meeting began at 6p with over 150 or so historical society members filing in and being signed in after identification was verified.
After a meal provided by a local youth group, Martin, the current president, addressed the group and explained why everyone was gathered at the Stevens Museum this evening.
Martin said the plaintiffs sued the historical society “for disregarding bylaws, articles of incorporation and Indiana non-profit laws and election procedures. That is the basis for the current lawsuit,” she said at the meeting.
WATCH LIVE COVERAGE OF THE MEETING HERE
Martin said she had a background in regulatory compliance and began researching the non-profit procedures and discovered the plaintiffs were correct.
“They were right,” she told the membership Saturday night. “The historical society was not following the rules. There was no denying that proper procedure was not followed in every single instance over the years. Some worse than others. Judge Larry Blanton stated that proper procedures were not followed as far back as 2003. Probably before 2003 but that was as far as the judge researched.”
Martin then stated that none of the current board members were on the board in 2003. But some of the plaintiff’s party were, including Mead and Mahuron.
“Instead of saying, “Hey, the historical society isn’t following laws, guys, let’s adhere to Indiana law and get our own bylaws — the plaintiff’s opted to sue the society,” Martin noted.
THE VOTE
The vote finally got underway Saturday around 7:30p and the counting took another 90 or so minutes.
John Kaiser helps count votes along with Dean Weller and Martin, right.
Here is a breakdown of the voting for the 25 on the ballot
Todd Baker – 258
Adam Bell – 65
Amanda Bills – 48
Boyd Boling – 47
Susan Boling – 15
Martha Bowers – 17
Matthew Clark – 10
Tom Day – 226
Richard Dixon – 27
Jordan Dos Santos – 65
Vince Gay – 90
Dr. Gene Hedrick – 306
John Hughes – 272
Katrina Humphrey – 193
John Kaiser – 107
Raymond Lee – 80
Jack Mahuron – 78
Krista Martin – 277
John Mead – 73
Stacy Lee Miller – 31
Brent Minton 56
Bonita Purlee – 314
Dean Ratts – 268
Jeremy Risen – 71
Myron Short – 70
Once those eight new board members were selected, then the membership voted on who they wanted for leadership positions.
Purlee and Hedrick had the most votes and will have each have a four-year term.
Martin and Hughes will each have a three-year term.
Ratts and Baker will each have two-year terms.
Day and Humphrey will each have a one year term.
Going around in order of votes, they were each asked if they would like to be an officer or if they would like to be a general director.
Purlee passed, Hedrick passed, Martin said she’s like to continue as president. Hughes said he’d like to continue as treasurer. Ratts said he would like to remain as head of the building committee. Baker said he’d like to be vice president. Day was not present but his proxy, Elliott, said he would serve in any way needed. Humphrey said she would like to be treasurer.
On the second pass around, Purlee decided she would like to be vice-president and everyone else kept their positions and Day was added as secretary.
In another vote, Martin was selected as president; Baker was selected as vice-president; Hughes was selected as treasurer; and Day was selected as secretary.
BACKGROUND
Martin explained to the society that in 1985, the historical society formed a second board, the John Hay Center Foundation Board.
“Supposedly it was meant to be a fundraising and financial advisory board,” she said. “In retrospect, we’re not sure why such a configuration would be necessary. How many thousands of non-profit organizations markedly larger than our historical society, function efficiently and successfully with one board and no accessory arm for finances. Of course, I wasn’t there at that time, so I cannot understand the reasoning behind the founding of the John Hay Center Foundation Board. Nevertheless, this is the configuration of our society.”
Martin said Mahuron remained President of the JHCFB from its inception in 1985 to the mid-2000s. She said he also remained in various positions of the historical board simultaneously.
“In 2006, options were explored to manage the then sizeable historical society funds,” said Martin. Those funds were in surplus of $3 million.
“After multiple presentations, and under the suggestion of Mr. Mahuron and Mr. Scifres, the Washington County Community Foundation was selected as the preferred choice of the for the society’s monetary placement,” said Martin. “Interestingly enough, both gentlemen were associated with the WCCF at the time, but this actually is not an unlawful arrangement.”
The contract between the historical society and WCCF is actually a contract between the JHCFB and WCCF, Martin explained to the membership.
“The historical society is unable to directly request funds from WCCF without oversight and agreement from the John Hay Center Foundation Board,” she indicated. “The historical society board at the time the money was placed was under the misguided belief that the funds would be accessible at will.”
Currently, the WCCF distributes approximately $90,000 each year to the historical society in three separate draws.
According to Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott, the museum needs approximately $9000-$10,000 a month to operate, which would be less than the WCCF dividends provided each year.
“Upon reading the minutes of that time frame, it was apparent the historical society board did not realize the finality of placing operating funds into an endowment,” said Martin.
“It’s obvious there was a lot of confusion back then which caused a lot of anguish,” said Martin. “The historical society’s financial concerns were documented over the years with multiple factual accounts of board members denying the complex needed maintenance funds with the flippant “we don’t have the money” or “you have to choose between a roof on the Hageman cabin or AC in the upstairs of the museum.”
All the while the needed funds could have been accessed by the John Jay Center Foundation Board, Martin added.
John Hughes, secretary of the historical society explained that he became the secretary after Short resigned.
“The meetings went on for over a year and we never had a treasurer’s report,” said Hughes. “I’ve been on school boards, church boards, I’ve been on various boards over the last 50 years. I’ve never been on a board where there wasn’t a monthly account of the money.”
“Long after a year passed, I asked Mr. Short when we were ever going to get a treasurer’s report. I was told it was none of my business. I was a director but it was none of my business. In the next meeting, Mr. Newby informed Mr. Short he should bring a treasurer’s report. The next meeting came and Danny asked for the treasurer report. Mr short slammed his book together and walked out the door.”
Hughes said the next day Short brought the paperwork to the museum and turned it over.
“Nobody was very eager to take on the job,” said Hughes. “I said I would try. In going through the records, we found out that — and we were under the impression that [Short] was doing the book work as Clair Marie had — we found out we had been paying Steve Brewer (a local accountant) all the time and he had never told the board. That was just one of the few things we found out.”
Hughes said he has provided regular monthly treasurer’s reports.
In January 2019, the historical society had $10,646.99 in the checking account.
In a Pay Pal account, there was $526.43. A money market account at Regions bank held $72,790.36.
Hughes explained that much of the funds have been spent this year on legal fees, purchasing back the museum annex from Jeannet Hart as well as general operating funds.
He said there was $20,245.14 in the museum accounts currently with 5 weeks, three more payrolls and a quarterly insurance payment to Loy and Fordyce.
“It’s going to be close,” said Hughes. “But this is what we have to work with. This has been going on for three years. Had three different law firms. We’re doing this to protect you. You – you’re being sued by these five people. We’re trying to protect the assets and the historical value of this society. In that regard, it has cost us nearly $30,000 to fight this.”
Martin said it would be up to the new board to pursue further legal matters.
