Rushville Mayor Bob Bridges delivered his annual State of the City address to members of the Rushville Rotary Club at noon Tuesday. The following is the mayor’s report, with very limited editing due to space limitations.

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The year 2005 brought about several changes in Rushville. Several have been for the better. Some were wanted and expected, some were not.

As most of you recall, we ended 2004 with a record 24-inch snowfall, which was followed by a record rainfall in January. I subsequently reported that without the effort of the city, county, state and federal governments having the forethought to plan and construct a levee in Rushville we averted what could have produced similar devastation that we observed in New Orleans and Mississippi, but on a smaller scale.

I must sadly report that we later learned that some property in Rushville did not go unscathed by "Mother Nature’s" wrath.

Two historic buildings received severe structural damage from the load of the snowfall, followed by the impact of the torrential rainfall.

Winkerby’s, owned and operated by Les Blair, and the Wilkinson Building, owned by Darrell and Ramona Wilkinson, both were severely damaged by the effects of the storm.

Of course, when events such as this happen, the City of Rushville becomes involved to protect the health and welfare of the public.

Our fire department, city engineers and our newly formed Code Compliance Department began to work on a solution that would be the most palatable for those involved.

As most of you realize, both of these historic structures, because of the magnitude of the cost to refurbish these structures and allow them to be safe again, had to be torn down.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who worked diligently to accomplish these, what at times seemed to be monumental, tasks.

Les Blair and his business neighbor, Bob Priddy, formed a partnership and worked together on an agreement to demolish a portion of the Winkerby Building on West Second Street and leave the Main Street section intact, which will hopefully be reused as a new business venture for someone in the not to distant future.

The Wilkinson Building was a more difficult task. Even though it was the first to be demolished, it proved to be the most difficult to accomplish.

The sheer enormity of the building was one factor, and the demolition cost to the City of Rushville, because we were forced to seek condemnation proceedings, could have proven to be difficult to manage, as we normally don’t budget for such costs in our annual budgeting process.

There are times in Rush County history we have seen people who see a need step up to the plate and make a commitment. Such was the case on the Wilkinson Building. When it seemed inevitable that the city would be required to bear the cost to remove the building, I received a telephone call, and a subsequent visit from a gentleman, and I do not use that term lightly. George Truster came to my office and told me that he and his wife Mary Jane would like to assist on the project. George told me that they had discussed the matter and felt a sense of duty, not only to his community, but also to his church, to bear the cost of the demolition of the building and construct a parking lot that could be used by the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, who have a limited parking area for their weekend services.

George made the commitment, rolled up his sleeves and began working on the details to accomplish the task with his attorney. The demolition is now completed and the parking lot is nearing completion.

I think at times we tend to believe that the proverbial "good citizen" is always in the next community over, but I can tell you those good citizens live right here in Rushville and Rush County. George, I would like to personally thank Mary Jane and yourself for your commitment to Rushville.

These two stories, which may seem insignificant to some, have become a realization as to what communities throughout the State of Indiana and across the nation are being faced with and that is why our community is determined to be proactive in handling these situations before they reach the magnitude of the situations that I have just described.

We have documented that Rushville and Rush County have steadily lost population throughout the last century. For our schools, which are dependent on putting children in the classroom for their funding, our businesses, and our community as a whole, this is something that we have to address. How do we make Rushville and Rush County a more desirable place to live?

The recommended solution is the need for more aggressive zoning and planning in a community. We have completed and are entering the final hearings on adopting a new city-wide comprehensive plan on zoning. The city formed a committee of citizens throughout our community who dedicated their efforts and knowledge of community planning and donated a significant amount of time to the formulation of this plan for submission to the Area Planning Commission. The submitted plan is progressive. Robert Kennedy once stated, "Progress is a nice word, but change is a motivator and change has its enemies."

Yes, this plan is change from the customary planning and zoning that has been accepted for several years. In some aspects this plan is more restrictive than the original adopted in 1974, but there have been huge changes in our communities since 1974. The plan is restrictive, but it gives Rushville more flexibility. It increases and better identifies residential, commercial and industrial zones within the city. This will enable the city to better direct and plan land use for the betterment of the community.

I reported last year that three major road construction projects were scheduled for Rushville. In the first year of his administration, Gov. Daniels discovered a severe shortfall in funding for INDOT. Basically, most major road reconstruction projects were placed on hold. At the latest meeting at the district INDOT office, the road construction projects for Rushville are still scheduled, but they may be revised and the construction dates (set for) later than originally scheduled. We have been told the review process should be completed in the spring. Hopefully we may then know the extent of the construction and a targeted date when we may expect the process to begin.

We realize that road construction is unpopular for some. We must also appreciate that transportation is a very important additive for industry and commercial business, as well as tourism and beautification of a community.

The City of Rushville will be sensitive to the needs and wants of the community, but we must also be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.

The cost to construct highways that will enable them to handle more and larger vehicles is staggering, and nearly impossible for a community to finance on their own. Not only will the construction costs include pavement, but will include infrastructure improvements that are desperately needed in the community. If these road projects are primarily funded by federal highway dollars with state funding as secondary source, with minimal funds from local sources, we will strive to get the best road improvements for our dollar. That is what we have pledged to work for.

I also reported the annexation on the south side of Rushville would be in place in the middle of January 2005. As most of you know, that has taken place and the construction phase of the project is now in progress. The construction phase is a gigantic, costly, but much needed improvement for the residents of the area.

Weather has hampered some of the early stages of the project. The sewer and water infrastructure has successfully been pushed across Flatrock River, a feat that many said could never be accomplished. Hopefully, we will have a milder winter and a more fast-paced construction schedule can be maintained. Anticipated dates for hookup, for phase B, which is the area around Waits Addition to Airport Road, is scheduled for late spring or early summer, with phase A, which is the remaining sewer hookups, and phase C, which is the water phase to be completed in late summer.

Again, these are tentative dates and may depend on unforeseen delays. The remainder of the services, police, fire, street and sanitation, are already in place.

I earlier made reference to forced demolition of buildings within the city. I also reported last year of a planned demolition of nearly one-quarter block of buildings and plans by Cedarwood Development to construct a new CVS Pharmacy at the corner of First and Main streets.

Again, most of you have watched the progress of the demolition, site preparation and the construction of the new CVS, which will be opening soon. Even though the process was lengthy at times, when construction was started I was notified by the developer that Rushville did receive an upgraded style of building in the process.

Rushville and Rush County have been studying options for fiber optics for the community for nearly two years. We both made a commitment to make fiber a reality as an economic development tool. Both governmental entities entered into a public/private partnership with RushShelby Energy to run fiber to the RushShelby Energy offices, the Rush County Courthouse, city hall, and extended government offices of the county and city. The cost of phase one of the fiber project has been constructed for less than had previously been estimated.

Now it is time to work on phase two of the project. A group of local IT specialists have formed and have been meeting monthly. They have been giving guidance as to what they feel are the needs of the area businesses and industry. (Today), a luncheon meeting of government and economic development leaders, along with business and industrial leaders will be held. The purpose of the discussion will be to allow those leaders to express their ideas. Future growth in field of technology will be dependent upon the continuation and commitment to the construction of phase two of the fiber project.

We are noticing other positive changes within the community. Rush Memorial Hospital is embarking on a building expansion project. This will enable the hospital to offer expanded medical services locally. They have additionally formed the Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation, under the direction of Avy Leissring. Brad Smith, thank you and your staff of dedicated professionals for your commitment to the community and having the vision to recognize the benefit of quality healthcare for the community.

The Rushville Community Center, with a new board of directors, has revived itself. Even though Rush County did not receive dividends of the CAPE grant, its application process energized the spirit within us again. Three committees—wellness, education and government—were formed. We have met with the new director of the State of Indiana Budget Agency and this has expanded the scope for the use of the funds that have been allocated to the City of Rushville.

The funds that were originally allocated for the project are still unavailable for distribution because of the financial woes of the State of Indiana. The board has determined we must move forward and is preparing "Request for Quotes" for a study identifying the community needs for the community center and what the community is equipped to support. This will be a much slower process, but with the commitments we have from the school community, healthcare community and the community as a whole this project can become a reality.

Last year I spoke of the City of Rushville and Rush County joining with private enterprise to begin a partnership and form a new Economic Development Board. Board members made a financial commitment to join the board and hire a full-time director. Jane Smiley, when serving as president, can be credited for much of planning toward the formation of the inaugural board, and the recruitment of many of the board’s membership.

Following Jane as president was Tom Tully and then Mike Pavey, who is completing his term as president. This year, Tim Yazel will be taking over the helm as the new president of the board of directors.

Greg Griffin began his duties as the director of the ECDC in the last quarter of 2004, and is now into his second year as director. Along with Mark Sloan, who is serving as business development specialist, the organization has made substantial progress in the field of economic development in a relatively short period of time.

With the cooperation of Rush County Chamber of Commerce director Pam Leisure, monthly "roundtables" were formed. Discussions began with area leaders in human resources, industry, and agriculture. From the agriculture roundtable an aggressive "ag-initiative" campaign began.

One of the targeted areas, which reaped a huge benefit, was bio-energy. Negotiations have now been completed and as was announced before this group a few short weeks ago, Rushville and Rush County was selected as the site for Rush Renewable Energy, a 60-million-gallon capacity plant, which will produce ethanol and distillers grain feed.

Construction will begin in the spring of 2006 and will begin production in the spring of 2007.

This will create 36 new jobs averaging, $45,000 per year base pay, which will compute to $60,000 with benefits; 123 direct and indirect jobs will also be created, with the potential of additional spin-off businesses and industry anticipated. The City of Rushville has welcomed this ag-related industry to our community. We feel fortunate to have been selected as the site for this facility. Yes, it is economic growth, for both the farming and industrial community, but it is more.

One of the long-term goals made by the City of Rushville was to promote agriculture. We are committed to work toward the enhancement of agriculture in our community. We recognize that agriculture is an integral and vital part of Rush County. The support we have offered to assist in bringing this production facility is an example of our commitment. However, we will not stop here. I pledge on behalf of the mayor’s office, the city council and the economic and redevelopment commissions, to strive to make these partnerships even stronger, hopefully bringing more economic and business development to our community.

I would like to close with a quote that has been widely attributed to Winston Churchill. It speaks of a man’s opportunity, but it can also be spoken about a communities’ commitment: "For every man there comes a special moment when he is physically tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to and unfitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moments finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour."

As a community we must prepare for the next opportunity that may tap us on the shoulder. It may be tomorrow, next week, next month or next year, but that tap will come. What a tragedy if that moment finds us as a community to be unprepared. We must continually prepare Rushville and Rush County for the future. We must put aside our petty differences and work in unison and be prepared for the work which will be our finest hour.

May God Bless each one of you and continue to bless our community and this great country that we are so fortunate to live in.