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The BEACON
BEACON
PUBLISHED MONTHLY SINCE 1994
October 2018
Aurora Takes a Giant Step Toward the Future
Take a ride down Second Street in
Aurora and get the shock of your life.
Pavement is torn up. Sidewalks are
surrounded by framing, and cross-
walks are treacherous.
But don’t be fooled. What lies
beneath is no longer something that
resembles a science fiction movie. The
City of Aurora has been abuzz with
planning and activity as the infrastruc-
ture of the downtown business area is
being reconstructed. Even the “his-
toric” water line dating from 1904 has
been replaced- hallelujah. New streets
are being poured, and ADA compliant
brick pavers are being placed in the
crosswalks. Sidewalks and crumbling
stoops are being replaced with new
concrete. New street lights have been
installed. These projects are designed
to update the infrastructure of the busi-
ness district for what lies ahead.
The driving force has been the vi-
sion of both Mayor Donnie Hastings
and City Manager Guinevere Emery.
But none of the projects would have
come to fruition without the support
and hard work of the City Council
First Impression
is a Lasting
Impression
Picking and Grinning
Local dentist shares secret
for climbing to the top.
Page 8B
Johnson siblings Tatum, a fifth grader, and Elliott, a second grader,
started at St. Lawrence School on August 1!!! Crazy!!!
First Day!
The new school year was greeted by
children’s smiles and happy parents as a
new school year began.
Sixty Years
Dover couple celebrates
anniversary and memories.
Page 5B
Ava Cutter, a fifth grader at Aurora
Elementary School, and brother Lane
Cutter a freshman at South Dearborn
High School, were all smiles on their
first day of school.
Pedal to the Top
Jack Brunsman placed first
in the Pedal Pull at the
State Fair
Page 4B
along with Randy Turner and his crew
at the Aurora Utility Department.
“It takes a team to make such great
improvements and coordinate all of
the details,” said Donnie Hastings. “I
feel like we’re finally making Aurora
what it has the potential to be.”
Many of the improvements to in-
frastructure have been made possible
by funds received from a Community
Crossing Grant awarded to the city.
Plans are currently underway for po-
tentially receiving future grants to help
Continued on page 3A
Ella Seymour, a fifth grader
at Central Elementary, and
Allen Seymour, a sopho-
more at Lawrenceburg, were
ready to take on all that the
new school year will bring.
Visitors’ first impression of Dearborn
County is often formed when they exit
I-275 in Greendale. The concern for
the aesthetics of this corridor has been
shared by the community for decades.
Nearly four years ago community
leaders began to research and develop
a plan to improve this gateway and
create a more positive impression of
southeast Indiana. Concepts and bud-
get estimates were pursued.
“We have so much to offer in the
way of beautiful terrain and outdoor
activities. This immediate impression
doesn’t accurately reflect our unique
mix of vibrant communities and
amenities,” said Debbie Smith of the
Dearborn County Convention and Visi-
tors Bureau (CVTB).
One Dearborn was asked by the
CVTB to work with INDOT to reach
initial agreements and get refinements
made to the plan.
Recently, the project took a promis-
ing turn as members of the Greendale
City Council and Greendale Redevel-
opment Commission decided to get the
ball rolling and made a commitment of
support.
“It’s important to ensure we get a
project that, not only beautifies the
corridor and intersection, but places a
priority on making sure mowing, weed
trimming and general housekeeping
is a part of the solution,” said Mayor
Weiss. “We hope other entities will
now step forward to help ensure the
continued success of this project.”
Architectural Tranquility Found in Local Cemetery
By Susan Ray
Meandering through the grounds, a winding drive leads
through sunny lawns into shade-cool glens. Huge oak trees
stand as sentinels of time while the crabapple and maple
each in their season soften stone memorials with nature’s
color. It is no wonder that this peaceful place offers respite
for the living, as well as tranquility for those who have gone
before.
First opened in 1869, the River View Cemetery was cre-
ated by architect William Tinsley. After emigrating from
Ireland in 1851, Mr. Tinsley worked throughout the Mid-
west designing public edifices such as the Christ Church on
Monument Circle in Indianapolis, buildings on the Butler
and Indianapolis University campuses and was the architect
of the original Fountain Square in Cincinnati. Mr. Tinsley
was on friendly enough terms with Thomas Gaff and George
Sutton of Aurora to design the River View Cemetery. His
initial plans included two ponds to be constructed near the
wrought iron gate, and although these ponds were never
built, even today the site is identifiable by the sunken earth
on either side of the exit drive.
In early July 1869, while the cemetery was still under con-
struction, Jeremiah Perry Smith drowned in the Ohio River
just weeks before his 36th birthday. His was the first burial
Placid River View Cemetery is located amid rolling
hills and near the banks of two waterways.
on the grounds, even though the cemetery didn’t officially
open until the following month. Through the years and still
today, the River View Cemetery offers a quiet place to
Continued on page 4A
Vote Rick Probst
Republican Candidate for
Dearborn County Commissioner
Retired Major, United States Army with 20 Years of Service
Experienced
Qualified
See full ad on page 7
Dedicated
Paid by Elect Probst
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