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.

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The Buck Stops Here

Notice: Board of Health Special Meeting 4/17/2012 at 12 Noon Last minute reminder: The board of health is meeting at 12 noon to publicly address the myriad of concerns with the administration of the health department.Most pressing is the mandate from the Commissioners to remove Armand and restore accountability and integrity to the department.If at all possible, please attend in support of all victims of this corrupt administration and don't allow them to pass the buck any longer.Health Department: 812-273-1942715 Green Road Madison, IN 47250 (map)

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Pass the Buck

An informal petition drive organized by concerned citizens procured more than 2,000 Jefferson County taxpayer signatures demanding the removal of Ralph Armand. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WILLING TO TAKE A STAND ! The petition was presented to the Board of Health last Tuesday and acknowledged by Julie Berry at the Commissioner's meeting on Friday, a pertinent fact curiously omitted by the Madison Courier. I wonder why?  Commissioner Berry also admitted that over the YEARS, she has received numerous complaints regarding our health department administrator … [and yet she did nothing.] In addition, the Commissioners continue to receive daily communication from a very frustrated and angry public that as she put it, has expressed a “confidence issue” with the health department. We can always count on Commissioner Berry to be politically correct in her words, but what about her actions, or lack thereof? The Commissioners are responsible for appointing the health board members to 4-year staggered terms. Every year the Commissioners have an opportunity to make changes to the board … yet nothing ever changed and Armand was allowed to continue his victimization. Commissioner Berry is equally at fault in perpetuating the current “confidence issue” that has now infected not only the health department, but also Jefferson County’s highest executive branch. The Commissioners praised Dr. Hossler for his efforts to personally meet with some of the victims of the tornado and his administrator, Ralph Armand. However, more than 6-weeks later, three victims remain homeless, without resolution and a 4th victim has the burden of proof to prove their fully functional and grandfathered septic system is in a different location from the permit issued 16-years ago. Despite all the lip service, the current administration continues to dis-serve the public and defy logic in direct conflict with the intent of the resolution passed by the Commissioners to accommodate and assist the victims in rebuilding their homes and lives. Dr. Hossler as our appointed health officer is responsible for the administration of the health department. He has the authority to hire and fire his administrative staff, including Mr. Armand. Unfortunately, Dr. Hossler has chosen to defend his administrator - at the expense of the public trust. The board of health now must force their hand to protect the very public they are appointed to serve and they better. Shame on all you for passing the buck! Dr. John Hossler, MD

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Bad Apple

One Bad Apple Thank you to Ruby Wehner for graciously opening her home to a concerned community. The meeting allowed victims of the septic permitting and food service sectors to find a common voice. Intimidation, harassment and fear of retaliation, all common denominators endured at the hand of the entire health department administrative staff. It is clear that one bad apple has been allowed to spoil the whole bunch. Continuing this pattern, more than 5-weeks have passed since the deadly tornado devastated Chelsea. The victims are still without resolution; without a building permit; without a home; unable to move forward - entirely because the county and State are erroneously relying on the unsubstantiated and arbitrary opinions of one man, Ralph Armand. The State and County agencies have expressed sympathy, but mostly empty-handed offers to help. No none dares to question Armand’s authority. It is time to get off the endless loop of empty promises. Dr. John Hossler is the county Health Officer responsible to the State and the citizens of Jefferson County for the administration of the health department. He has failed to protect the citizens of Jefferson County and must be held accountable. Please attend the next commissioners and board of health meetings or call:  JCHD Chairman Dr. Patrick Leahey at 812-265-1556 and Commissioner Tom Pietrykowski at 812-839-3685 right away to express your concerns.

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Community Meeting

Notice: Community Meeting Sorry for the late notice, but this quickly evolving grassroots movement requires immediate community action. Tomorrow, Saturday, April 7th, starting at 10 a.m. EDT, the Chelsea Township Trustee has graciously offered to open her personal home to the community to address the serious mismanagement and corruption in our health department. Anyone that has been aggrieved, harassed, or intimidated under threat of retaliation in the form of an unjustified, prohibitively expensive septic system that costs substantially more than surrounding counties, have been denied the ability to become an "approved installer", had your food license held in jeopardy by the Jefferson County Health Department or other concerns is highly encouraged to attend and share your story or frustrations in dealing with the Jefferson County. Of pressing concern is addressing the further victimization of the survivors of the deadly Chelsea tornado by our health department. Learn why a grandfathered functioning septic system is NOT subject to a permit or replacement. But we are not stopping there. In addition to demanding the immediate termination of Ralph Armand, their infamous administrator, the entire health department is requires responsive reform and policy changes to prevent the same abuses from ever occurring again; all necessary to restore integrity and accountability to the citizens of Jefferson County. Please join us in solidarity at 10 am Saturday, April 7th at 7345 S Taylor Rd Lexington, IN 47138 Call for more information  812-701-1492 - or - 812-866-5299

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Board of Enablers

Board of Enablers The Jefferson County Board of Health held an emergency meeting on 3/29/2012 to address the escalating uproar over their handling of the tornado victims by their infamous administrator, Ralph Armand. Mr. Armand greeted citizens at the door one by one. He ushered his victims to the reserved front row like they were royalty. The overflowing room was well represented by angered citizens and the media. https://youtu.be/_OWtDJ5gbcchttps://youtu.be/7xn4rriHL6w It is important to note: Contrary to Armand's assessment, not a single tornado victim had a faulty system, as defined by the State Code; There was no evidence of contamination of a public waterway, and; if the home did not increase the number of bedrooms (existing prior to the storm), then a permit was NOT required.  Dr. Patrick Leahey, the Board Chairman, started with introductions, trying to express empathy to the victims. He promised to keep the meeting short, as several doctors had to return to their practice. Never mind the fact that most people in the audience had also left work to attend the meeting inconveniently scheduled during the middle of the day. Board member Dr. Ralph Pratt echoed the same sentiment and then said he wanted to clarify a story reported in the Madison Courier that the Board and Commissioners were at odds. He explained that nothing could be further from the truth. Dr. Leahey then directed attention to the 3-victims in the front row and asked them to share their concerns, starting with their name and address. There were several uncomfortable moments of silence. It was painfully obvious to everyone in the room except the board that these poor victims had not only lost their homes and beloved family members, but they were now being further traumatized by the sudden media attention, while having to directly face their abuser, Ralph Armand. The same man that had already denied their permits to rebuild their homes using the same grandfathered septic system that functioned just fine prior to the tornado. One-by-one, the audience offered eerily similar stories establishing a pattern of long-standing harassment, intimidation, price fixing, and self-serving control by the administrator. Finally, the tornado victims found their voice and of course, Armand denied their claims and implied they were all mistaken. He relayed his own version of the truth until Commissioner, Tom Pietrykowsi finally stood his ground and countered Armand's statements about what had actually transpired during site evaluations with the State. This exposed Armand in another lie and the Health Board in the embossing position contrary to Dr. Pratt’s prior assertions that things were just fine between the board and commissioners. Health Dept. Officer, Dr. John Hossler jumped in to defend Armand in a feeble attempt to gain decorum. He concentrated on the issue of  compaction and how it somehow related to the victims, but he was unable to establish if the sites were actually tested and confirmed to even be compacted. Mr. Armand again,…

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