Survey This

State of Indiana v. William E. Pettitt Administrative Cause No.: SBRLS 08-04 William E. Pettitt, PLS Pettitt & Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 412, Hanover, IN, 47243 Mr. Pettitt simultaneously holds the title of administrator of the Jefferson County Plan Commission and is running for his third term as the incumbent County Surveyor. Licensed in Indiana as a Land Surveyor since 1990, Mr. Pettitt has had more than two decades to perfect his trade. Instead, he has been reprimanded and sanctioned by the State for unfit practice due to professional incompetence, imposed civil penalties, and violated the terms of probation resulting in further sanctions. His probation was withdrawn in February 2012, but that does little to assure the public that history will not repeat itself. Let Mr. Pettitt know that enough is enough with your vote in November. Any survey or licensing questions or concerns should be directed to the State Board of Registration for Land Surveyors or the Indiana Attorney General  to file a consumer complaint. Alternatively, CLICK HERE to download the above documents from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. 

Continue ReadingSurvey This

Commissioner’s Meeting 4-26-12

Jefferson County Commissioner's Meeting April 26, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/embed/nB0ko9jhNdk (Starting around video minute 39) Tammy Monroe is introduced as the interim health dept. administrator, replacing Ralph Armand. Ms. Monroe provides updates on septic permits still being processed for several tornado victims almost 2-months after the disaster. She said there is a possibility of getting State funds for septic systems. They hope to have answers in a few short days.  Commissioner Julie Berry promised to contact the State. The board also discussed that FEMA covers up to 70% of costs, but the applicant must first demonstrate that no other insurance coverage is available.  The Health Dept. is issuing certificates of occupancy to a few grandfathered sites but the owner must validate their systems within 1 year. Two homeowners are unable to rebuild on their existing storm damaged site. Ms. Monroe also said they are revisiting the "Approved Installer" process after public outpouring of serious concerns with the administration of the Health Dept.

Continue ReadingCommissioner’s Meeting 4-26-12

Administrator Wanted

NOTICE: Health Officer Wanted Jefferson County Health Dept. Administrator Annual Salary $38,804 plus full benefits Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions: Degree in management / administration or related field and three to five years administrative or management experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Yes, that is correct, as long as you have some form of management experience and basic skills and abilities you can qualify for this elite position which only requires a  high school diploma or GED equivalent. This position opening will be addressed at the next scheduled public meeting of Jefferson County Board of Health meeting  at 12 pm., May 1st, 2012. Don't waste another minute, send your resume today to: The Jefferson County Board of Health Tel: 812-273-1942 715 Green Road Madison, IN 47250 (map) Attention: Dr. John Hossler, Health Officer • Home Tel: 812-265-0892 (email)

Continue ReadingAdministrator Wanted

Enviromental Specialist

Full Time Environmental Specialist Position Annual Salary $27,279 plus full benefitsMinimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:High school graduate with 2 years environmental experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skill and abilities required to maintain the same consistent level of incompetence and lack of integrity this position demands.This position is currently filled by Michael New, Chief Environmental Specialist.

Continue ReadingEnviromental Specialist

Letter to Madison Courier Editor

The Madison Courier OUR VIEW editorial on April 18th, 2012,  stated “but we still don’t know why Armand was fired.” Editor's Note: Had your reporters accurately covered and reported on ALL of the contentious issues raised by the countless victims during these public meetings and verified that Mr. Armand was exposed as misrepresenting the truth in the first place, you would not have asked such a foolhardy question, unless for political reasons. 100 Percent Armand Contrary to the Madison Courier article by Seth Grundhoeffer on 4/18/2012, Sherry Chapo has not led the community movement to have Armand removed from office. This grassroots movement was formed by concerned citizens from all walks of life that joined forces to protect the tornado victims from a predatory health administrator, heavy-highhandedly exerting authority not specifically granted in the State Rules and County Health Codes. In the article, Mr. Armand called the decision to dismiss him “100 percent political” Exactly, what is political about a 7-member board comprised of 4-democrates and 3-republicans voting unanimously to dismiss their hired and not elected administrator for cause? Mr. Armand also claimed this old and tired defense in his prior felony Grand Jury indictment. Mr. Armand further stated “Everything we’ve done has improved (the health department) 100 percent” The fact that only 4 (formal) complaints have been acknowledged by Mr. Armand in almost 30-years of dedicated service to the ungrateful public is proof that his administration has not followed procedures mandated under the State Rules and County Health Ordinances. When a question or forbid a dispute arises, there simply is no record on record. If not for Commissioner, Tom Pietrykowski, the voice of reason and the people, the lack of a responsive appeals process, along with other blatant deficiencies, misrepresentations and downright lies perpetrated on the public by this health department administrator and his staff would never have been exposed to the media and forced to be addressed by the health board. The simple process of applying for a septic permit is overly complicated, burdensome, arbitrary and restricted to a small controlled pool of “approved installers” with an over-inflated price tag worthy of supporting a lucrative personal life style for someone. The health department has enabled this oppressive administrator to negatively impact the economic viability of Jefferson County for decades. As the rest of the nation slowly crawls to recovery, we have reached our day of reckoning. As of April 18th, only 2-septic permit applications are on record in our county for 2012. In comparison, 38 permits were issued in 2011. These numbers speak volumes. Jefferson County has earned the reputation of being a wonderful place to visit, put don’t even think about moving your family or business here. Mr. Armand has been justly dismissed, but the same flawed ordinances and staff trained and contaminated by the current administration remains unchanged. A replacement or interim administrator will be addressed by the Board of Health…

Continue ReadingLetter to Madison Courier Editor