To the editor:
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the Septic Summit last Tuesday. It was a wonderful Brown County evening. The fairgrounds turned out to be the perfect venue for the large crowd that attended this informative community event.
Thank you to all the vendors at our equipment show who took their time and efforts to bring samples of equipment and materials for display, including Shelby Materials, Reed Septic Services, Dinsmore Trucking and Septic Services, and Watermark Industries. They all shared their expertise with us and explained how the process actually works in the ground. Everyone got to see and touch that hidden septic-stuff.
Thank you Ms. Vicki Perry from the Rural Community Assistance Program. Vicki is the director of the RCAP and works with communities all over Indiana. She talked to many people attending the Septic Summit about low-interest home improvement loans as well as programs that can offer outright grant dollars for needed home repairs — including septic systems.
And a big thank-you to several people behind the scenes. Thanks to Judy Hess, Taylor Hardesty, Jennifer Heller and John Kennard with the Brown County Health Department. Thank you Tom Reoch for some great graphics. Thank you Ric Fox for helping us have a sound system that worked. A special thanks goes out to Bandy Russell, a Brown County homeowner, who had taken the time to research home septic systems. Bandy had a booth to discuss her findings with everyone who stopped to talk.
Our event would not have been complete without a delightful dinner brought to us by the Lick Creek Love Bugs 4-H Club. Thanks Mandy Chittum and the fabulous 4-Her’s. The Septic Special was delicious!
A very special thanks goes to the panel of experts who shared their various knowledge and experience.
Ms. Angela Brown represented the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Angela serves as the section chief of the Watershed Planning & Restoration Division within the Office of Water Quality.
Ms. Alice Quinn represented the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). Alice serves as the manager of Onsite Sewage Systems with the Division of Public Health and Environment.
Mr. Ernie Reed represented the Brown County Health Department. Ernie serves as the environmental health specialist.
Ms. Kara Hammes represented the Brown County Purdue Extension Service. Kara serves as the Brown County Extension educator.
Mr. John Bowen came from the firm Chestnut Ridge Consulting Inc. (CRCI). John is a senior soils scientist.
Thank you, sponsors: Brown County League of Women Voters, Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District, Brown County Health Department, Purdue Extension Service and Brown County Regional Sewer District.
My gratitude to all who helped and especially all who attended.
Clint Studabaker, Brown County
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