Published: August 11, 2006 10:34 pm         

Emergency Management council meeting over ‘personnel issues’

The Vigo County Emergency Management Advisory Council met Friday and will continue on Tuesday to discuss “personnel issues regarding the employees of the agency,” according to advance notice of Friday’s meeting.

The advisory council met for about 1 hour and 45 minutes until Gerald H. McGlone, chairman, announced the council would recess until 4 p.m. Tuesday. McGlone said the council will then resume its executive session, followed by a public meeting.

The Advisory Council oversees the Emergency Management agency, whose offices were closed for an inventory by its director after her discovery of assault rifles and ammunition in the closet of her assistant director.

Executive sessions are closed meetings and what transpired during the advisory council’s Friday meeting was not disclosed.

McGlone said the Emergency Management office building at Fourth and Farrington streets will remain closed until at least Tuesday. “The Emergency Management Agency is taking calls and is handling them through the answering service,” he said, adding the calls are being forwarded to executive director Dr. Dorene Hojnicki, who is responding to any incidents, such as reports of spilled fuel.

In addition, McGlone said asbestos was discovered in the building Friday and will be removed. County Commissioner Bill Bryan said some heating pipes in the building were discovered by Hojnicki to have asbestos, and a contractor will remove the material.

Hojnicki closed the Emergency Management Agency in late July to perform an in-depth inventory.

Two assault-type rifles, a handgun and a wooden crate containing two silver ammunition canisters were among weapons itemized by police as being found in the office of Donald D. VanHorn, 57, assistant director of Emergency Management. VanHorn’s wife has said the weapons belong to her.

County officials Friday would not comment if VanHorn will face any disciplinary action for having the weapons in his office in a county-owned building. VanHorn cannot legally own a gun because of a felony conviction. He could not be reached for comment Friday.



Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.