Some areas of Vigo County are under water, road funding should almost double next year, Duke Energy is looking to dispose millions of tons of coal ash and many college students are graduating this weekend.
On this week's installment of Ask The Mayor, Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett addresses these issues and more. Listen to the full conversation with Indiana Newsdesk anchor Joe Hren by clicking on the play button above, or read some of the questions and answers below. A portion of this segment airs 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. Wednesday on WFIU.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Hren: Sounds like you are starting to hear how much funding you'll receive next year on the state road funding bill?
Bennett: We're still getting the same amount of money when I took office in 2008 yet costs go up every year. This is going to increase our revenue by about 40 percent so that will almost double our paving budget. We'll go from about $1 million a year in paving to close to $2 million a year and that will have a huge impact on this city.
Hren: There was a public meeting Monday that Duke Energy held on the 9.1 million tons of coal ash at its former Wabash River location, they need to figure out how to dispose of this… do you know what has changed and how it could affect the community?
Bennett: Yes, one concern is there any problem before it gets removed. Could it contaminate the river as an example. From my perspective, I know Duke Energy is a very professional organization that follows all the rules so you know they are going to do to protect the environment. I think it was good they had a public hearing where people could come and understand what that fly ash is and then how do you get rid of it. I've been briefed and I don't have any concerns on that right now.
Hren: I wanted to ask more about the Vigo County Jail situation since the Terre Haute city council meeting last week … the council would need to rezone the area for the jail to be built there. Tribune Star reports three of the nine members will vote no – do you get a sense this will not pass?
Bennett: I don't think it will pass and so the commissioners are going to have to come up with a plan B. I'm not as concerned as some people are on that location, I can live with that. If it doesn't go there, how does that property get developed and where is this alternative location? If it's at the Industrial Park way down south, I'm not supportive of that. It's going to create a real burden on our police department to drive all the way down there to check prisoners in. It's frustrating for everybody.
Hren: How do you feel about needle exchange programs? Vigo County could now adopt one now that the governor signed a bill allowing local authority of these exchanges.
Bennett: I have some concerns, I understand the need to help stop the spread of the disease that goes along with it. But what I hear from these communities that not as many needles come back as what they put out and so what's the long term plan here. How are we going to help these people break the cycle of the drugs?
Hren: Indiana State and perhaps others are graduating this weekend? Do you have a message to the graduates?
Bennett: First of all, congratulations. I hope some of them will find a job in Terre Haute, they liked it so much they want to stay here. Our goal every year is to try and make Terre Haute look good and feel good to people so when they do graduate, they at least consider staying here. It's not always greener on the other side and we think this is a great place for people to find employment and raise a family. I wish them well wherever they end up.
