RESIDENT TAKES STAND ON METH

Newman Man Battling Rise in Drug Activity

A resident of the quiet rural community of Newman posted signs along his
street this week that are intended to send an unmistakable message to
residents and visitors.

Six white signs with red lettering are posted along Steamboat Road and
read: "Attention meth users. We will take our community back. Leave while
you have the chance!"

The signs were posted Tuesday on telephone poles and a tree by resident
Mike Hardesty, who lives with his wife and two children, ages 11 and 16, on
the same property that his father once owned. Hardesty said he wants his
children and others along the street to feel as safe as he did while
growing up.

"The problem is not getting (any) better," Hardesty said Thursday. "I know
I ain't going to solve the problem. I just want this place to be like it
was when I was a kid."

Hardesty said he has concerns for his safety since posting the signs, but
felt it was necessary because of a gradual increase in drug activity in the
area. Some farmers are worried to get close to their anhydrous ammonia
tanks in the morning for fear they have been tampered with, Hardesty said.
Some parents are worried for their children, he said.

So far, some of the neighbors have driven by Hardesty's home and waved at
him with a thumbs up, he said.

Court records indicate that one resident of the road was indicted this
month on felony drug charges.

Some residents along the street, including Joseph and Delores Wathen, said
they try to mind their own business but understood why Hardesty posted the
signs.

"It's fine with me," Joseph Wathen said.

Wathen said he was unaware whether any residents are making
methamphetamine, but attributed the problems to one group in the area. He
said he was concerned about Hardesty's safety.

"I just try to mind my own business and stay out of it," Wathen said. "You
mess with things like that and you might end up getting killed."

Other residents were interviewed, but did not want their names used for
fear of retribution. Some said the signs are warranted. Others said they
did not notice any drug problem in the area.

Hardesty spoke with Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain before the signs were
posted to make sure it was legal, Cain said.

The sheriff's department has tried extensively to educate the community
about the problem of methamphetamine and how to notice a possible lab or
suspicious activity.

"I certainly agree with the notion of doing everything in a positive manner
to educate and inform the public of the problem," Cain said.

However, Cain said he was unsure whether Hardesty's signs will result in
the positive impact that Hardesty is seeking.

The Newman and Stanley areas are no worse than any other rural and secluded
area in the county, but Cain said he understood why the issue was an
important one for Hardesty.

"From the perspective of a homeowner who is raising his family right there,
that is his concern," Cain said.