What’s up with the green lights on the Courthouse Square?

The strange green strand of lights strung from the Dubois County Courthouse to the Jasper City Hall has been explained.

Questions were fired out last night about what appeared to be a solid green beam between the two buildings.

According to Jasper’s Electric Distribution Manager Jerry Schitter, the lights were a strip of LEDs —light-emitting diodes — the city electric department is testing to replace the lights normally strung for the holidays.

“The current incandescent lights use more energy, take a lot of labor to install and can only be effectively used twice a year,” Schitter said in a statement. “Not only will electric costs be lower with LEDS, they can be left up year-round and used for more occasions.”

The new lights will be able to change colors and can be used for different occasions.

Schitter said there are six color choices for each strand. Options for future holidays and events include red for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, white for Christmas and of course, yellow and red during Strassenfest among the options.  The color on a single strand will be the same though it will be possible to rotate colors on each of the eight stands around the square.

Each color will be shown overnight for the next couple of weeks.

The Jasper Municipal Electrical Utility is reaching out to the Strassenfest Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and Greater Downtown Jasper Business Association for input and the public may weigh-in by calling Schitter at 812.482.6881.  Schitter said the Electric Utility also welcomes inquiries from those interested in donating towards the cost of the new lighting.