By Marriane Lyles
Posted by Mike Mardis
It's still a secret where and when, but the private groundbreaking for Interstate 69 in southwestern Indiana is set for next week.
Authorities are keeping mum to prevent any disruption by protestors.
Last July protestors vandalized an I-69 office at Oakland City University. With the groundbreaking next week, Gibson County authorities worry the list of demonstrations will continue to grow.
Two weeks ago just one protestor was put behind bars after a scene at Gohman Asphalt Construction Company. Authorities say the protestors also hit Bernardin Lochmueller, the I-69 project manager.
The company would not comment on that vandalism.
Deputies expect the same people to show up again at the I-69 kick-off ceremony in Evansville.
George Ballard, Gibson County Sheriff's Chief Deputy, said there are only a couple of places the protestors could show up.
"That groundbreaking ceremony is only going to last so long," Ballard said. "Then the next obvious place is the interstate."
Disturbances in Gibson County could mean trouble for the jail. The facility is nearly full. Add 15 to 25 protestors and Gibson County may have to use the Community Corrections Building or transport them to other jails.
The financial implications are what worry jail officials the most.
"We've got to feed them three times a day, and if they've got medical issues, we have to take care of medical issues," Ballard said.
The county appropriated an extra $100,000 for medical costs because the jail has already spent $130,000 this year.
Law enforcement wants to avoid those problems and is keeping quiet on the details of the private, invite only event hosted by the statewide advocacy group, Hoosier Voices.
Two off-duty officers have been assigned to the construction, and since then the department says it has not had any problems with protestors.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff Eric Williams said state police will be handling most of the security, but local law enforcement will assist during the groundbreaking.
