Julie Hankins from the Hoosier Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross approached the Rush County Commissioners this week and requested financial assistance for ARC be placed in the 2010 county budget.

The ARC offices that handle Rush County are based in Delaware County. Hankins said that for a number of years Rush County has struggled with respect to supporting the not-for-profit organization.

She continued by explaining that ARC is seeking creative ways to continue financing their humanitarian efforts and pointed out the organization receives no government funding, surviving instead on donations.

“We have carried Rush County and ask what would it be like to not have the Red Cross here?” Hankins said.

The request was met with understanding from the three commissioners although they explained that there was no additional money in the 2009 budget. Hankins was told she should make her request to the county council in regards to the 2010 budget.

“We understand the importance of your organization and that you operate without the benefit of tax dollars, although now you are asking for tax dollars,” commissioner Tom Barnes said.

In other matters, the county leaders tabled a request from Rush County Clerk Debbie Richardson to place a sign near her department’s door. It is Richardson’s contention that not only the clerk’s office but a number of offices are difficult to see by those visiting the courthouse and that appropriate signage would alleviate a considerable amount of confusion.

Although acknowledging the problem, the commissioners were in agreement that if a sign is placed by one office that each of the offices should have a similar marking and they were concerned about the consistency of the signage.

County highway superintendent Jerry Sitton was the next to speak at this week’s meeting. He informed the county leaders that some Rush County road repairs were approved for part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act monies (ARRA) as part of the government stimulus package.

According to Sitton, the county will receive $94,278.46 for projects slated on CR 800E north of Glenwood to CR 250N, CR 800E from CR 600N to CR 900N, and CR 800E south of Glenwood to the Orange Pike.

In other county road related news, Sitton said that the Carthage Pike Project has run into an unforeseen snag when wetlands were discovered south of Woods Campground.

“It was not there in 2004 when a study was done of the area; however, it has since developed,” Sitton said.

He went on to explain that to purchase right of way around the area is a lengthy process and takes a minimum of three years to complete.

The county will have to spend an estimated $6,400 to conduct a study of the area in question prior to proceeding. It is Sitton’s contention that since the wetlands were not discovered during an earlier study the state or the engineers, and not Rush County, should be held accountable for the additional cost of the study.

In a final matter, Rush County Sheriff Jeff Sherwood said his department is moving toward adding a K9 to the county law enforcement department. It is hoped that the K9 program will be operational later this year.