Read more about the article Pass the Buck

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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Read more about the article Letter to Commissioners

Letter to Commissioners

Open Letter to Commissioner Tom Pietrykowski Thank you for heeding the concerns of your constituents and having the strength to take a public stand against the corruption that has oppressed Jefferson County for decades. As the county executive, you have demonstrated leadership by initiating necessary measures to protect the public from the very Health Department established to protect it. Contrary to Indiana law and their own mission statement, “The Jefferson County Health Department supports Jefferson County's economic prosperity and quality of life by promoting, protecting and providing for the health of Jefferson County residents.” Our community has suffered far too long at the hand of the current administration. Mainstays like the Chelsea General Store, Kent Mercantile, Mundt's Candies, Big D’s BBQ, and countless other family owned restaurants and food establishments have been forced out of business. The cost of simply doing nothing has already cost us dearly in lost commerce and jobs, broken spirits and financial ruin of countless victims, and a nefarious reputation as “a nice place to visit but you don’t want to live there.” Under the authority granted to our health officer, Dr. John Hossler, MD and the local board of health, Ralph Armand, their administrator has been allowed to perpetuate a hostile environment rife in corrupt business practices, including market control, harassment and intimidation of others through threat of retaliation, all in clear violation of Federal Anti-Trust laws. By compelling our local health department to take immediate corrective actions to remove Mr. Armand, you and Commissioner Mark Cash are the catalyst to restore integrity to our county government and protect taxpayer dollars from the very real threat of costly litigation. You have acknowledged that basic reform also demands pertinent policy and administrative changes towards transparency, accountability and fairness. This includes, but is not limited to complete restructuring of the existing permit process for the food service sector, septic systems and qualifications to become an approved installer. Also, at a minimum, our health board/officer/administrator should include at least one soil scientist or other certified professional or third party qualified to advise on septic issues and concerns, and the appeals process must be conspicuously disclosed, unbiased and responsive to the people. As long as you stay true to your word, you will have earned the respect and trust of the people, allowing Jefferson County to flourish once again. Thank you.

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Read more about the article Community Meeting

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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Read more about the article Board of Enablers

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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Read more about the article Denial

Denial

Have you been DENIED a Septic Permit or an Installers Permit in Jefferson County? Were you provided a WRITTEN NOTICE from the Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) of the reason for the denial? Did the Notice provide corrective actions required and the time period allowed to make any such corrections in writing? Did the Health Department make subjective changes that failed to cite governing State Rules or County Ordinances in writing? Were you informed in writing or given a copy of the County Health Ordinance pertaining to the installation of on-site septic systems, which included your right to appeal a denial, including instructions on the process and procedures required to file an appeal (or to report harassment or inappropriate behavior of the Health Department Administrator?) If the answer is NO to any of the above questions, then the Jefferson County Health Department is in violation of not only their own Ordinance, but the governing State Health rules and regulations. You are in fact, an aggrieved party with options. Jefferson County citizens are NOT being served, but exploited by the current Jefferson County Health Department. We must DEMAND accountability from our elected Commissioners and their appointed Board of Health. Immediate action is critical to halt further abuse and harassment of the citizens of Jefferson County at the hand of their hired administrator, Ralph Armand.Mr. Armand, in his official capacity as the administrator of the Jefferson County Health Dept. (JCHD) has been empowered to engaged in unfitting, hostile and harassing conduct with the very citizens and businesses he is hired to serve. For decades, he has strictly controlled a very short list of "approved installers”, making it virtually impossible for new installers to enter the market, resulting in substantially greater costs and limited choices when compared to surrounding counties. Arbitrary permit requirements and denials have been verbally mandated in violation of Indiana Statutes and County Ordinances. By threatening penalties or other coercive actions, such as the arbitrary and unsubstantiated requirement to install a much more expensive system or equipment, Armand and his administration further victimize the citizens for fear of retaliation because a building permit cannot be issued without the prerequisite septic permit. These corrupt business practices violate State and Federal Antitrust laws prohibiting both price-fixing by competitors and monopolization of a market. Aggrieved private individuals or organizations can sue for triple damages for antitrust violations and also recover attorney’s fees ). Denial and failure of our elected and appointed officials to act immediately to protect the citizens of Jefferson County amounts to condoning Mr. Armand's actions. To maintain the status quo unnecessarily exposes the tax payers of Jefferson County to the very real risk of prohibitively expensive litigation, lost commerce and faith and trust in our elected and appointed public officials. Only once you understand the limits imposed on our public servants, can you defend your rights and demand accountability. Jefferson County Code of Ordinances

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Stop Armand

Ralph Armand, the county's infamous administrator of the Jefferson County Health Department has been allowed to perpetuate public distrust through self-serving, destructive, authoritarian and heavy-handed administration of arbitrary policies that serve only his own self interests. Although Armand claims authority, Dr. John Hossler is the County appointed Health Officer. He alone is responsible to the State of Indiana and the Citizens of Jefferson County. He must be held accountable for Mr. Armand’s despicable actions (please view flow chart below in this post.) Mr. Armand is now targeting the victims of the March 2012 tornadoes that so devastated Chelsea and surrounding communities in Jefferson County. Armand and his staff are further persecuting the victims of this tragedy, starting with the demise of the Chelsea General Store. He has also erroneously notified numerous citizens that they cannot rebuild without totally replacing their perfectly functional septic system with one that costs substantially more than one in surrounding counties and may only be installed by his very short and controlled list of approved installers. If you think this is wrong and you want to help the victims of the tornado or if you have been personally affected by Mr. Armand’s dirty deeds, then it is imperative that you take action now. Please call your elected Commissioner & the Jefferson County Board of Health and  demand accountability and reform of the entire Jefferson County Health Dept. You can further support this cause by attending the next commissioner's meeting on Friday, March 30th at 9am EDT at: Jefferson County Commissioners Office 300 E Main St Rm 103 • Madison, IN 47250 Telephone: 812-265-8944 If you would like to speak at the meeting or at the Board of Health meeting you need to call and request to be added to the agenda prior to the meeting. Whatever you do – do something. We need to stop the Corruption. Ralph Armand & his staff must be replaced with people that work for our citizens and businesses, not against them!

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