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Bluffton, Ind.
July 13, 2005

Survivor?
Ossian license branch hopes to be spared from BMV's chopping block
Rep. Espich looking for alternatives

By Sarah Pulliam
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may run over the Ossian branch.
The BMV spared Berne, Hope and Bloomfield in a series of nine controversial closings but the Ossian branch faces a hearing for possible closure.
Aug. 18 is the tentative date for the BMV’s hearing on the potential Ossian branch closing, according to BMV communications director Greg Cook.
BMV Commissioner Joel Silverman was not available for comment because he was in Brownstown for a BMV hearing.
Senate president Robert Garton blocked the BMV from closing Hope’s branch.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Espich of Uniondale said he would be looking for alternatives to closing the branch, including cutting hours, employees or moving to a rent-free location.
“I intend to fight it by looking at alternatives,” he said. “I feel semi-confident that we’ll suggest some alternatives that will be provided in the end.”
Espich said closing Ossian’s branch would be a step backward for the town.
“People see it as part of their life and they don’t want to lose it,” Espich said. “It’s like losing a neighbor.”
Cook said Silverman will listen to the alternatives before making a decision on the branch’s future.
“Right now, our branch inefficiencies are preventing us from providing the best possible service,” Silverman said in a press release. “We’re inefficiently spending some $7 million on branches that are not needed.”
Cook said the money saved by closing the branches will be allocated to training employees who will make transactions no longer than 15 minutes and updating Internet services, eliminating the need for branch visits.
Silverman’s decision on the Ossian branch’s future could be as early as late summer-early fall, Cook said.
Silverman will consider various factors in his decision including the number of transactions, proximity of other branches and lease agreement. Ossian’s lease agreement ends Sept. 30.
Ranked 125 out of 168 in the state, Ossian’s customers made 27,573 transactions in 2004 compared to Bluffton’s 38,701 transactions ranked at 102, according to the BMV’s Web site.
Ossian’s annual operating expenses is approximately $211,00 compared to Bluffton’s $351,000. Both Ossian and Bluffton’s branches have five employees.
Ossian Branch Manager Roberta Duncan said the closure will affect Ossian businesses.
“Everybody’s very hurt about it and very disappointed,” Duncan said. “Everybody is signing petitions and everyone is hoping we can stay open.”
Duncan did not know who began the petitions or how many people have signed them.
Petitions are being signed in many Ossian locations, including the Ossian PRO Hardware, Ossian Deli, Heyerly’s Bakery, Ossian State Bank, NAPA, Ossian Furniture, National City Bank and Video Escape. There are also petitions in Roanoke’s post office and Markle’s Crossroads Gas Station.
Ossian Deli employee Lana Bookmiller estimated more than 2,000 people have signed the petition set up in the deli to keep the branch open.
Bookmiller is upset that the branch might close because she thinks the government should provide the service to the town.
“This is an older town and I think it would be sad if they send them to Bluffton,” she said. “It’s just going to be 10 times worse at Bluffton.”
Although many Ossian residents are upset, some are more apathetic.
“It would make it less convenient for me but it wouldn’t bother me a whole lot,” said Uniondale resident Jack Brush.
Fort Wayne residents Joe Gregg and Ron Denoo said they travel to Ossian because the lines are smaller and the employees are friendlier.
“In fact, where we work, everyone is recommended to go to the Ossian branch,” Gregg said.
Town council member Brad Pursley said the council is trying to keep the branch from closing by sending a letter to Gov. Mitch Daniels.
“It’s good for economic development,” Pursley said. “It’s also the only government office in town.”