Winona Powder Coating Pursuing Legal Action Against Etna Green
Pictured from left are Etna Green Town Council President Heath Roberts and Council Member Susan Klinefelter. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.
By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
ETNA GREEN — Representatives for Winona Powder Coating are pursuing legal action against the town of Etna Green for alleged issues pertaining to its role as an electricity provider.
At a council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, Paul Jefferson with SLS Group LLC attended the meeting as legal representation for Winona Powder Coating. Town Attorney Nick Jacobs said he received a tort claim notice from Jefferson the morning of Sept. 9. This is a notice sent prior to a lawsuit occurring.
In May, Winona Powder Coating CEO Jamie Visker said he received no communication on when power would be restored to his business after a tornado hit Bourbon in early April. At that time, he also expressed concern with the town’s water, saying water has to be pre-filtered at Winona before going through his reverse osmosis system.
Jacobs recommended the council schedule an executive session to discuss the claim.
“Winona Powder is a proud citizen of Etna Green,” said Jefferson. “It doesn’t want the dispute. But every time the power goes off, it does a significant amount of damage. Everything that runs through the factory is actually owned by the clients of Winona Powder, and as things get stuck in the machine, they become losses that Winona has to cover. We need to get this issue resolved.”
Jefferson said in the immediate term, Winona Powder needs to serve its customers and suggested having Kosciusko REMC as a short-term electric provider.
“We have to deal with it one way or the other,” said Jefferson.
Council President Heath Roberts asked Jefferson if Winona Powder had looked into emergency backup generators, stating the electricity issues are overall grid problems in the state of Indiana.
“So it’s not necessarily that every time there’s a power glitch, it’s the town of Etna Green,” said Roberts. “It’s the grid. In a situation like this, I think backup generators would be something to really look into.”
Council agreed to schedule an executive session to discuss the matter further.
Park Project and Tornado Siren Statements
Updates were also provided on several projects within Etna Green, including the potential installation of a new tornado siren and groundbreaking work for the Heritage Park trail project.
Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe attended the meeting and said the town has the opportunity to apply for a nationwide grant that would fully fund a new tornado siren. The siren itself would be placed on the Etna Township Fire Department building. Etna Green’s current siren is over 40 years old and has to be manually operated.
Roe said the grant, which must be applied for by Sept. 30, requires letters of support from both the council and community members to show why a new tornado siren is important for the town. Citizens who are interested in submitting a letter can contact the town hall for further information.
Roberts also told those in attendance he signed all the final paperwork for the Heritage Park trail on Sept. 5. He estimated a groundbreaking for the trail will take place during the first week of October. The trail will be approximately a half-mile long and eight feet wide.
“This is absolutely at no cost to the town of Etna Green,” said Roberts.
Roberts said the project will be in three phases, with the second phase consisting of bushes and benches. The third phase will utilize money from the Community Amenities Program.
“We’re really excited,” said Roberts. “This has been a lot of work as far as planning, and this is going to happen this fall.”
Residents who are interested in having park benches commemorated can contact the town hall for further information.
Brittany Lucas, production manager at Kitchens To Go, also attended the meeting to present a request for the installation of a new kitchen playhouse at Heritage Park. Council approved the request, noting it would coincide well with the trail work. Lucas said the business would begin purchasing materials for the playhouse.
In other business, council:
- Scheduled trick-or-treat hours for 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, with hayrides immediately following that at Heritage Park. The hayrides are hosted by the Lions Club.
- Announced hydrant flushing will take place from Sept. 22-26, and from Oct. 6-10. The hydrant flushing is taking longer as the town is currently operating on one well.
- Held a public hearing/first reading for the 2026 budget, which totals $213,100.
- Announced Valerie Colwell has been hired as the town’s new utility clerk. Colwell began working on Aug. 12.
- Heard from Town Employee Richard McManis, who said he’s been in contact with residents about derelict properties.