Staff Writer

OWENSVILLE - Council members urged concerned residents to attend the 9 a.m. meeting today of the Gibson County Council to support an additional appropriation that would fund full-time staffing at the Owensville/Montgomery Twp. ambulance base.

Owensville/Montgomery Twp. fireman Denny Simpson said the town's ambulance isn't manned all the time now, and it's the county's responsibility to have someone to man it.

&#8220The county agreed to man it, and the ball's been dropped," Simpson said.

Owensville has had an ambulance base since January 2000 when the town paid purchased an ambulance.

Simpson said the town of Owensville is the only town that purchased their own ambulance. He added the Owensville Fire Dept. pays for all of its expenses except telephone.

Council President Mick Taylor said Owensville is the least expensive town for the county.

Fire Chief Roger Leister said the fire department tries to help town residents, who are in need of emergency care, as much as they can.

&#8220The fire department can only do so much for a person before the person has to be transferred out," he said.

Simpson said the county is cutting back on funding because of the small number of runs compared with towns like Fort Branch.

He added even though Owensville is not a large town, it does have a nursing home, which increases the need for an ambulance.

Leister said the town's ambulance is worn out and needs to be replaced.

&#8220The fire department is willing to buy it, but we can't guaranteed it will be manned," he said.

Taylor said if the council votes against the additional appropriation it's not going to be as bad for the town as it is going to be for people who live in rural areas west of town.

&#8220Is it worth one life to not have an ambulance?" Taylor asked.

The council also:

€ voted to fly the American flag at half mast for the rest of the month of November in honor of Lance Cpl. James Brown, who was killed in Iraq.

€ selected Bonar Group to submit a proposal for a comprehensive plan for the town. The town plans to apply for a state grant to pay for the comprehensive plan.

Taylor reiterated the town is planning for the future and is not trying to implement zoning.

€ decided to continue town insurance coverage with Anthem. The insurance plan the council chose also comes with a health savings plan.

€ paid half of the cost ($315.60) to replace the sidewalk in front of the Methodist church.

€ awarded a bid for water and waste water equipment storage building to Daviess County Metal Sales from Cannelburg. The company had the low bid at $117,511.