This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 11th, 2022.

Later in the program, today marks the last day to register to vote in the 2022 general election. With only four weeks left until Election Day, WFHB News provides coverage on last night’s Indiana Secretary of State debate. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the debut episode of Lil Bub's Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub's Big Fund. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals

Photo by Benedict Jones.

On October 5th the Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals Planning Staff shared their Findings of Fact for the Bedford Recycling center at 405 West Dillman Road.

Board Member Pamela Davidson said she appreciated the thoroughness of the report.

The board unanimously approved the findings.

Next the board discussed the Gott use variance to General Contractor. County Planner Daniel Brown presented the use variance request.

Brown said that the petitioner Thomas Gott is currently spending one thousand dollars every month to store his equipment, and would like to get his property rezoned to store his contracting trucks in his driveway to save money.

Brown shared that there were multiple remonstrances that the planning department received.

Davidson asked if the petitioner still owned all of the vehicles or if he will only have two vehicles.

Brown said he was not sure. Petitioner Thomas Gott spoke. He said he had sold all of his equipment except for two trucks.

Board Chair Margaret Clements asked if he would be okay with an agreement that is limited to his ownership of the property so the land is not permanently zoned for General Contracting. He said he would be alright with that.

Brown shared that the Planning Department recommended that they deny the use variance. The board voted to deny the use variance.

Clements clarified that if Gott does retire and they are not being used then he does not need the variance.

The next Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be held on November 2nd.

Monroe County Commissioners

At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on October 5th, Director of Housing Security Mary Morgan gave a report on Heading Home of South Central Indiana’s work.

Morgan said that they joined the national organization called Built for Zero.

Morgan also said they have been collaborating with South Central Housing Network, the United Way of South Central Indiana, and the Owen County Community Foundation.

Morgan shared that they applied for a grant to fund the Rental Renovation Pilot Project.

Commissioner Penny Githens said she was pleased with the forward motion they have been able to achieve.

Commissioner Lee Jones complimented Morgan on the multi-pronged approach they are taking to address the problem.

The commissioners all thanked Morgan for the report and the work that they have been doing.

The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on October 12th.

Candidates Clash in the Indiana Secretary of State Debate over Election Security

Photo courtesy of WFYI.

The Indiana Secretary of State race will be one to watch for the 2022 election cycle. It may be one of the only statewide races Democrats could win during the general election. It’s also a race that the Libertarian Party could draw in more voters.

Republican candidate Diego Morales missed last night’s Secretary of State debate. Democratic candidate Destiny Scott Wells and Libertarian candidate Jeff Mauer faced off in Monday’s debate clashing over voter fraud and election law.