Addressing concerns State Representative Don Lehe addressed Carroll and White county residents' concerns about the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District at an organization meeting March 30. State Representative Rich McClain was also present at the meeting. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe As the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District activities in Phase III and Phase IIIB (Carroll County) increase, the amount of opposition from property owners is also growing.

Beth Kinder and Ellen Simmons of White County, and Pat Robertson of Jefferson Township in Carroll County, brought approximately 150 people from both counties together Thursday night at the Monticello Library.

The three oppose a March 20 Indiana Department of Environmental Management Phase III and IIIB construction permit for the sewer district.

The standing-room-only crowd extended out of the room and into the lobby of the library, and out of an emergency door and into the parking lot. They were there to hear and air concerns.

"I can't be silent," Robertson told the group. "This is America and I don't feel like we have liberty in this."

"All I know is I don't want to do it," Simmons stated.

Robertson presented a petition for sewer district opponents to sign asking IDEM for administrative review to "stay the action" of construction permit #17872, until an appeal can be heard. One hundred and twentyeight people signed the petition at the meeting. The document was mailed to IDEM on April 3.

"If we do nothing, they will continue to plow through like they did in the first two phases," Robertson said. "We may not win, but I'm not going to sit by and not tell them what I think."

Indiana House Representative Don Lehe was in the audience and heard the many complaints and issues verbalized by the crowd.

"I was just here to listen and get input," he said. "I want to listen to ideas for solutions."

Lehe said he was not surprised by the size of the crowd. "This indicates we need to look at this more intensely," he said. "There is a lot of interest from all over the state about how sewer districts are operating."

Representative Rich McClain was also present. He said he was there to hear about issues from those affected by the sewer district's actions.

Lehe explained summer study committees are held during the legislative session recess. The sewer district topic will be considered for study. Lehe emphasized this is a local matter and he plans to request the committee meet for one session in either Carroll or White County to address issues.

"That will give the public here an opportunity to be part of the discussion," he said.

One audience member shouted out, "We don't want a study session. We want action."

"Obviously, this is a real concern," Lehe told the crowd. "The disappointing thing is that IDEM has not enforced the law because they didn't know what was happening. We will try to get some kind of accountability."

"I believe IDEM is becoming aware that they are the police of the Indiana Code," Robertson said. "I expect IDEM to adhere to the Indiana Code and halt any action that has not been properly submitted and approved."

The next sewer district meeting is April 13 at 3 p.m. in the White County Building.