WEST WINDSOR Councilman Bryan Maher criticized Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh for the way he has handled the controversial Mercer County Community College solar farm project after a public forum on the Windsor Plaza development on Wednesday.

Questioning the extent of the mayors knowledge of the project, Mr. Maher accused Mayor Hsueh of siding with the Mercer County Democrats and pushing this agenda quietly for their purposes.

He said the first time hed heard of the project was April 4. I brought this up months ago and read about it last fall so either hes an absentee mayor, he doesnt know whats going on in the town or he lied, said Mr. Maher. Theres no gray area and he needs to be called out on that.

Mayor Hseuh, who was not at the forum, said he heard about the project more than a year ago, but had no idea of the projects scale, engineering and other details until a month ago.

But Mr. Maher said he thinks partisanship has been guiding the mayors actions.We have a Democratic mayor in this Democratic county who didnt say anything about this (so as) not to upset the upper Democrats he aspires to be one day, he told the crowd.

The mayor expressed shock at Mr. Mahers partisan attitude and said the issue should be solved professionally not through political attacks.

Thats not what we should be doing at West Windsor theres no Democratic or Republican way of dealing with issues, he said. I would hope he would go to council and ask questions, not go behind it. I hope Mr. Maher looks into the facts before he says anything.

Mayor Hsueh said he has been consulting with lawyers and Township Attorney Michael Herbert who have told him the same thing the college does not have to grant a public hearing because the school is an educational institution operating on county land.

The $40 million solar farm, which would plant a 9.5 megawatt ground-mounted solar array on 67 acres of West Windsor farm land, has already been approved by the county and state and has already been under review by the Department of Environmental Protection.

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WEST WINDSOR: Maher accuses mayor of playing party politics

The Broadway Historic District of Rock Island is a roughly 30-square-block area between 17th and 23rd streets and 7th and 13th avenues.

The tract includes about 550 Victorian-era homes in the architectural styles of Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Italianate and Second Empire. The earliest home was built in 1854.

About 25 years ago, more than half of the homes in the area below the hill had become rentals, some of them owned by absentee landlords who did not always keep them up and some with tenants who were known to deal drugs. The once-elegant residential neighborhood had fallen on hard times.

In 1988, a core group of strong-willed homeowners organized an association to help revitalize the neighborhood. They dubbed both the group and the area Broadway, which was 23rd Streets original name.

The association has spearheaded many projects over the years, including getting the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other efforts are the annual tour of homes, a website (broadwaydistrict.org), the installation of sign toppers to identify the area and neighborhood unveilings in which neighbors gather to remove synthetic siding from homes.

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What is Broadway?

ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Spring has arrived, meaning its time for home repairs.

Local home improvement service Mr. Handyman released a list of the top five actions homeowners should take to get their houses in shape.

1. Gutter Installation/Cleaning Gutters, one of the most underrated aspects of any home, will extend the life of the roof, soffits and fascia of a house. For the integrity of the roof, having the gutters cleaned is highly recommended.

2. Window Frame Repair Its time to let in the fresh air and cool breezes. This is especially tricky with a busted window, which happens frequently when the weather is cold.

3. Power Washing Services Getting the house, deck, and patio furniture professionally power washed can really increase curb appeal. Not only does power washing reduce wear and tear, it makes everything look good as new.

4. Deck Repair Perform a careful inspection of the deck to determine areas that will need attention. Are railings solidly fastened? Is the surface splintered or have nails exposed? Does any framing need to be replaced? Make a list of all the work to be done to stay safe this summer.

5. Wood Rot Repair Wood rot usually means there is underlying damage caused by water leaking behind the siding or between seams. Oftentimes, the leaking and rotting began years before, hidden from sight. Underneath, however, soaked wood has begun to rot and may be infested with insects.

For more maintenance and repair tips, visit http://www.mrhandyman.com.

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Top 5 Spring Fix-Up Tips For Your Home

We are getting ready to replace our existing siding on our home in the next month or so, and I have a few questions.

Before investing in such a costly undertaking, Id like a few questions answered.

Is double hem mounting the best way to go?

Should we have 1/2 inch foam and Tyvek moisture barrier in combination? If not, which is more energy efficient?

Should all door and window openings have flashing?

Should the color of the siding go all the way through?

What thickness should the siding be?

As you can tell, Im a bit confused. Thanks.

A 10-year-old vinyl siding job shouldnt necessarily need replacement, unless its been damaged in some way.

Sun can bleach some and even the reflection from close-by Low-E windows can concentrate the suns heat and can warp sections Ive seen that. Weed whackers chop holes out of corner boards, and storms hurling tree limbs and hail create damage that might warrant replacement.

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On the Level: The ins and outs of vinyl siding

The final agreement related to the construction of a team track rail siding project off West Main Street has been approved.

This week, Washington City Council members unanimously approved a supplemental agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the construction of improvements, including installation of a manual switch.

The city will pay $406,964 to Union Pacific for the railroads portion of the project. The city previously deposited $75,000 with the railroad last September which was applied toward the signal design work. That leaves a balance of $331,964, according to the agreement.

Darren Lamb, community and economic development director, said that 27 percent of the cost will be paid out of a federal Economic Development Administration grant the city received for the project.

Meanwhile, the general contractor, Kolb Grading, St. Charles, is close to completing grading and site work for the project which will include a 1,900-foot team track and a secure building/office on a 4.4-acre lot adjacent to the Canam Steel plant.

The team track will provide a secure facility where local industries and businesses can load and unload products and materials onto railroad cars and trucks.

Lamb said that Kolb expected to complete site work by the end of April.

Kolb was awarded the contract on a bid of $3.25 million earlier this year. Total cost of the project, including engineering fees and other expenses, is expected to be close to $4 million.

The contractor has until Sept. 30, 2012, to complete the facility.

In addition to a $962,701 EDA grant approved for the project, the city will receive an estimated $2,052,810 community development block grant through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The citys share of the project cost is $786,063.30.

Link:
Washington OKs Agreement With Union Pacific for Work on Team Track

The following information is from selected reports provided by the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department:

Stealing

A 16-foot, flat-bed trailer was reported stolen March 6 from a new home construction site in the 1500 block of Burnside Lane. The trailer, used for siding installation, was described as a 2004 M&M trailer with two tool racks and a single ladder rack on the sides. Value was placed at $4,000. [Map highlight 1]

The owner of a home in the 300 block of Meadow Brook Estates Lane reported March 6 that after having a 19-year-old female house sitter occupy his house while he was on vacation, he came home to find $1,100 in $100 bills and another $500 in assorted currency taken from the home. As it turned out, the house-sitter also brought in her 22-year-old boyfriend to stay at the house. [Map highlight 2]

The owner of a home in the 1700 block of Veterans Memorial Parkway reported March 9 that after inviting some friends over, he discovered that a Mossberg shotgun valued at $300, a Movado watch valued at $200, three cell phones valued at $200 and $460 in currency were missing. All items were recovered and returned to the owner. Even though deputies have a person of interest in the case, the victim refused to prosecute. [Map highlight 3]

A man who was asleep in his home in the 2500 block of Bates Road reported March 11 that someone entered his home, stole $200 in cash, several credit cards and his driver's license. There were no signs of forced entry. [Map highlight 4]

The owner of an unlocked vehicle parked in the 800 block of Brockwell Drive reported March 12 that someone entered the car and made off with a Kel-Tec .380-caliber automatic pistol valued at $500 and an iPod valued at $250. [Map highlight 5]

Thirteen sets of collectable silver dollars were reported stolen March 12 from a home in the 2600 block of Highway P. Value of the 260-coin collection was placed at $2,600. There was no sign of forced entry, and the victims were unsure when the coins were stolen. [Map highlight 6]

A trapeze bar, attached to a child's swing set, was reported stolen March 12 from the yard of a home in the 4000 block of Stonecroft Drive. Value was placed at $300. [Map highlight 7]

A woman who dropped a child off at KinderCare, 6016 Young Drive, reported March 13 that after leaving her unlocked car unattended for a few minutes, she returned to find her purse and its contents missing. Besides the purse, which was valued at $80, other items stolen included a wallet containing numerous credit cards and an iPhone. When the woman called to cancel the credit cards, she was told one had already been used at a BP gas station and an AutoZone store, both in Bridgeton. [Map highlight 8]

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Incident reports for St. Charles County

JEFFERSONVILLE One person has been arrested and three more are at-large after a Jeffersonville woman and her 2-year-old child were held at knifepoint and robbed in November.

Sondra Bethe, 36, was charged this week in Clark Circuit Court No. 4 with conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery [aiding], both class A felonies.

According to the probable-cause affidavit, Bethe went to a womans apartment and was allowed in, because the two knew each other. The woman didnt know Bethe had three men with her, until after she let her in and they followed. The affidavit said the men were asking the woman where the father of her child was, because they claimed he had robbed them. She said he didnt live with her, and she didnt know where he was.

The situation quickly escalated, court records show. The victim told police that one of the men held a knife to her throat and hit her. Another one hit her multiple times. Her boyfriend, who was also there, attempted to help, but was hit, so he ran to get help. After that, one of the men held the knife to the 2-year-old child, threatening to kill the woman and her child.

The woman was stabbed in the hand as she fought for the knife to protect her child. Her boyfriend returned with $80 and gave it to the men. The men also took the womans Medicaid and food stamp cards.

A neighbor, who called 911 after the victims boyfriend came to him for help, also got cut from the knife. Another neighbor also came to assist, at which point the men and Bethe left in a gray Saab with Kentucky plates, according to court records.

The woman was taken to the hospital and treated for various injuries. The woman had a stab wound to her hand, cuts on her arm, a missing tooth, and a busted lip and eye with extensive swelling. Her child was not injured.

According to the affidavit, Bethe was questioned in December about her involvement. Bethe told police that she had been walking back from the Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge when the men forced her into the car and drove to the victims apartment. She said she left after they arrived and didnt witness anything.

Bethe is being held on $25,000 cash-only bond. Her trial has been set for August.

Jeffersonville Police Department Detective Todd Hollis said the case is still under investigation. If anyone has any information about this case, they are asked to call 812-218-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

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One arrested, three at-large for Jeffersonville robbery

NEW ALBANY A man who had been a contract employee for the New Albany High School band has been arrested for child seduction, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Jerry Goodin.

Scottsburg resident Jacob M. Blanton, 25, has been arrested and charged with child seduction, a class D felony, which carries with it a potential sentence of six months to three years, according to a press release from Indiana State Police.

Goodin said Blanton had sexual relations with a female under the age of 18 in Floyd County. He couldnt state whether that person was a student; however, according to state code, to commit child seduction a person must be in a position of power or trust over the victim. Goodin said Blanton received that charge for having been a contract employee for the NAHS band at the time of the incident.

Blanton, who was also the former band director at Madison Consolidated High School, has previously been charged with child seduction. He is accused of having sexual relations with two girls, with one of them being a student at Madison Consolidated. According to the probable cause affidavit in that case, the sex acts with the student took place in the school. The other girl was a student at another high school where Blanton had formerly taught and also was involved in a regional band program headed by Blanton, the document said.

Blanton had been released from jail on $10,000 cash bail in November after entering a not-guilty plea in the Madison case. He was arrested again on the New Albany case Wednesday morning.

Goodin said ISP opened up the New Albany investigation in December. He said he was unsure when the alleged incident happened. The affidavit in the New Albany case was unavailable, due to the courthouse being closed for the evening.

According to court records online, a $10,000 court-cash bond has been posted in the New Albany case.

Multiple calls to various administration members at New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. were made, but only one person was able to be reached. Deputy Superintendent Brad Snyder returned the message, saying he was out of town and didnt know the facts on this case.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Former band director again arrested for child seduction

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. A former New Washington High School student was killed early today in an accident in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Jillian Rose Charlet, 22, of Winston-Salem, died at the scene when Vince Sherman Williams Jr., 27, lost control of the car he was driving, a 2005 Honda Civic, police told the Winston-Salem Journal. The car then struck a utility pole.

Williams and Charlets roommate, Choloe Claudette Mores, 21, were taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Speed and alcohol are considered to be factors in the crash, police said. No charges have been filed and the investigation is continuing, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.

Charlet and Morse were seniors at Winston-Salem State University and were scheduled to graduate in May. Charlet was an accounting major and played on the basketball team for three years.

Morse is from Sumerduck, Va., and was majoring in management information systems. Williams was not a student at WSSU, according to the Journal.

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Former New Wash student killed in N.C. auto wreck

NEW ALBANY The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a ruling that had backed Bradford Realtys claims that the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission didnt properly notify land owners of zoning restrictions.

Last year, Special Judge Daniel Moore ruled in favor of Bradford Realty owner Ron Craig, who was denied a Certificate of Appropriateness request by the HPC after he installed vinyl siding on the building without approval in 2008.

Bradford Realty sits in the Downtown Historic District at its 222 E. Fourth St. location. The business has occupied the spot since 1966. The HPC is charged with overseeing building upgrades and the materials used for repairs as a result of the declaration of the district in 2002.

Craig didnt notify the HPC of the repairs before work commenced, and his use of vinyl siding on the 1910 structure was later rejected by the board. He was ordered to remove the siding from the building, and a court case ensued.

Though a notice of the district was published in The Tribune in 2002, Moore ruled in July that the city and HPC failed to properly notify land owners in the boundary of the change in zoning.

Moore also ruled Craig was not required to seek approval from the HPC before installing the siding.

The HPC did not send information regarding the district and laws pertaining to property in the zone directly to land owners after the boundary was declared.

But in a 2-1 decision released Thursday, the court of appeals ruled Bradford Realty wasnt entitled to direct notice of the historic district, and that Craig was required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness before replacing original wood siding with vinyl siding.

In her supporting opinion, Judge Patricia Riley wrote the enacting of the historic district was prospective and general in nature and did not fall under due process requirements of the 14th Amendment.

The ordinance purports to regulate only future conduct to be consistent with the provisions of the historic preservation ordinance, Riley wrote in regards to the city legislation establishing the historic district.

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Court sides with New Albany historic group