QUOTE
Proposed legislation could save Dunebrook thousands
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Derek Smith, 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13863, dsmith@heraldargus.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- A bill authored by State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, could provide grant relief to an important local organization.
The bill, which has already passed the Indiana House of Representatives, would specifically benefit Dunebrook, a La Porte County non-profit organization that serves abused and neglected children.
Last year, officials from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) told Dunebrook it would have to pay a certified water operator to monitor their groundwater, Dunebrook Executive Director Diana Dibkey told The La Porte County Herald-Argus.
IDEM, the body that regulates groundwater monitoring, requires that an organization with more than 25 full-time employees monitor its groundwater at its own expense, Dibkey said.
Groudwater tests and operator fees over a three-month period from October to December 2006 cost Dunebrook $3,500.
“For a non-profit agency, that’s a lot of money for an entire year” Dibkey said.
That amount would cover the costs of home visits to 120 families, Dibkey said, or pay for a billboard advertising campaign.
The organization applied for a waiver from the state, which would reduce the length of time their groundwater would have to be monitored, but that waiver is still pending.
Without a waiver, Dunebrook would have to pay for the costs of monitoring its groundwater for an entire year.
It’s hard news for an organization that purchases purified water for its employees and visiting families.
“I know the laws are created to make us safe, but we don’t drink the water,” Dibkey said.
Pelath’s bill is co-authored by freshman State Reps. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, and Nancy Dembowski, D-Plymouth.
The bill would apply to any organization that has the mission of protecting abused and neglected children, Pelath said.
“Last year, state regulators told the folks at Dunebrook they would have to monitor their water at significant expense,” Pelath said. “Since I would rather they spend their limited resources protecting kids, the bill simply will require the state foot the bill for their compliance. It’s a small matter, but Dunebrook does a lot of good with very little.”
The bill will now go on to the Indiana Senate, although it will be a few more weeks before the Senate begins considering House bills, Pelath said.
If the current bill is stalled in any way, Pelath hopes to have the language introduced in another bill.
Comment on this story
Derek Smith, 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13863, dsmith@heraldargus.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- A bill authored by State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, could provide grant relief to an important local organization.
The bill, which has already passed the Indiana House of Representatives, would specifically benefit Dunebrook, a La Porte County non-profit organization that serves abused and neglected children.
Last year, officials from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) told Dunebrook it would have to pay a certified water operator to monitor their groundwater, Dunebrook Executive Director Diana Dibkey told The La Porte County Herald-Argus.
IDEM, the body that regulates groundwater monitoring, requires that an organization with more than 25 full-time employees monitor its groundwater at its own expense, Dibkey said.
Groudwater tests and operator fees over a three-month period from October to December 2006 cost Dunebrook $3,500.
“For a non-profit agency, that’s a lot of money for an entire year” Dibkey said.
That amount would cover the costs of home visits to 120 families, Dibkey said, or pay for a billboard advertising campaign.
The organization applied for a waiver from the state, which would reduce the length of time their groundwater would have to be monitored, but that waiver is still pending.
Without a waiver, Dunebrook would have to pay for the costs of monitoring its groundwater for an entire year.
It’s hard news for an organization that purchases purified water for its employees and visiting families.
“I know the laws are created to make us safe, but we don’t drink the water,” Dibkey said.
Pelath’s bill is co-authored by freshman State Reps. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, and Nancy Dembowski, D-Plymouth.
The bill would apply to any organization that has the mission of protecting abused and neglected children, Pelath said.
“Last year, state regulators told the folks at Dunebrook they would have to monitor their water at significant expense,” Pelath said. “Since I would rather they spend their limited resources protecting kids, the bill simply will require the state foot the bill for their compliance. It’s a small matter, but Dunebrook does a lot of good with very little.”
The bill will now go on to the Indiana Senate, although it will be a few more weeks before the Senate begins considering House bills, Pelath said.
If the current bill is stalled in any way, Pelath hopes to have the language introduced in another bill.