$1.50
Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Wawasee Presenting Little Mermaid Page 7
One Nation Under God www.the-papers.com
P litics
&857 1,6/<
&5$,* 612:
Nisly and Snow vie to represent District 22
$ /,77/( 635,1* &+((5 ² ,Q EHWZHHQ DOO RI WKH FROG ZHDWKHU KDYH EHHQ VSXUWV RI VXQ 7DNLQJ DGYDQWDJH RI VRPH RI WKH GHFHQW ZHDWKHU LQ IURQW RI %REL·V 6KHDU 6XFFHVV LQ 0LOIRUG DUH FKDON DUWLVWV IURP OHIW 4XLQQ +D\QLH &DUDOLQH 'HDN $YHU\ +D\QLH 0LOOLH +D\QLH DQG (PPD 'RW\ 3KRWR E\ 0LNH 'HDN
%\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU Indiana Representatives Curt Nisly and Craig Snow are both running to represent the newly redrawn District 22, which after Nov. 9 will encompass all of Kosciusko County with the exception of Turkey Creek and Tippecanoe townships and including Pleasant Township in Wabash County. The Mail-Journal emailed each representative the following questions. How do you feel about the recent redistricting? Nisly: “I think the new district is a very good district. I voted for the district. That being said, the new district is losing Syracuse and North Webster as well as
&+$0%(5 $:$5' :,11(56 ³ 7KUHH LQGLYLGXDOV DQG WZR EXVLQHVVHV ZHUH KRQRUHG E\ WKH 1RUWK :HEVWHU 7LSSHFDQRH 7RZQVKLS &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH 0RQGD\ HYHQLQJ 6KRZQ LQ IURQW IURP OHIW DUH 3DXOD 0LOOHU 9ROXQWHHU RI WKH <HDU DQG 0LQG\ 6NDJJV RXWJRLQJ SUHVLGHQW ,Q EDFN DUH 0DWW DQG 0DULDK 5REHUWV RI - 0 5REHUWV )DUPV VPDOO EXVLQHVV RI WKH \HDU &KULV )UDQFLV SHUVRQ RI WKH \HDU DQG 3DVWRU -HII %R\HU DQG ([HFXWLYH 3DVWRU 7LP -RQHV RI 1RUWK :HEVWHU &KXUFK RI *RG ODUJH EXVLQHVV RI WKH \HDU
Chris Francis named North Webster Chamber’s 2022 Person of the Year “Welcome Home” to North Webster, is the theme for the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce this year and for the organization’s annual banquet, Monday, March 14. The banquet provides an opportunity for members to gather, hear the latest chamber news and to honor three individuals and two businesses. Chris Francis was named the Person of the Year; North Webster Church of God, the large business of the year; J & M Roberts Farms, the small business of the year; Paula Miller, Vol-
unteer of the Year; and Mindy Scaggs was honored as outgoing president. Francis, a man with many hats, was honored as the “Person of the Year.” Emily Shipley, chamber president, didn’t get far in reading a biography of Francis, before he recognized he was the recipient. The real surprise came when family, friends and co-workers appeared to help celebrate the honor. Francis is the Tippecanoe Township Trustee, a fireman, EMT, and a sergeant and public information officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. His introduction was he could often be seen driving around town in his big truck, cruising Main Street checking
in on everyone and everything North Webster, visiting the elementary school and stopping at Ace Hardware about 80 times per week. But the clincher to Francis was he started arresting loved ones wearing his grandfather’s uniforms armed with a dart gun at the age of 5. “Pops” was the town marshal and fireman at that time. “Pops” and another grandfather were credited with influencing Francis’ career path. Growing up, Francis was a regular visitor to the fire station, dreaming about riding a fire truck someday. His mother, Lisa Strombeck, was also given credit for influencing Francis. She not only bought him every toy associated
with police and fire, but also instilled the best values in life in him. “A conversation with him can leave one feeling excited about the day and also wondering how he has this much energy,” stated Shipley. His career with the sheriff’s department, fire department and serving on the township advisory board and trustee were noted. “He is a selfless man and has dedicated his life to North Webster. He goes above and beyond the call of duty. He is a proven leader and family is his life,” Shipley read from his nomination. North Webster Church of God was recipient of the Large Continued on page 2
Council approves reestablishing equipment replacement fund %\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU After a brief public hearing, the Syracuse Town Council approved re-establishing the equipment replacement fund for the Turkey Creek Fire Territory. The council approved the request during its regular meeting Tuesday night, March 15. Fire Chief Mickey Scott explained the fire territory needs to reestablish the equipment replacement fund so it does not fall behind in updating equipment while costs are going up. The fire territory presented a 20 year plan with a 4% annual increase built in. Alan Tio of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation provided an update to the council. “The Town of Syracuse has worked hard to bring business to town,” Tio said. He noted KEDCO focuses on three pillars: entrepreneurs, housing and talent. He explained the county
needs to be known for supporting entrepreneurs. KEDCO does this by providing a single point of contact between business owners and government agencies and other resources. KEDCO also provides a small business revolving loan fund. When it comes to housing, Tio said KEDCO has been working with the town on the issue. He noted studies show the county can produce more housing. Regarding talent, Tio said KEDCO has the capability to come alongside employers and assist with both acquiring talent and talent retention. He explained KEDCO is working hard to make sure those outside the county know what’s available in Kosciusko County. Council president Bill Musser asked specifically what KEDCO has done for Syracuse. Tio noted KEDCO has assisted several local businesses including Jasper Plastics, Polywood, Patrick Continued on page 2
Commissioners table flood control ordinance revisions %\ /($+ 6$1'(5 6WDII :ULWHU Kosciusko County Commissioners have delayed a decision on revisions to the county’s flood control ordinance. At their meeting on Tuesday, March 15, the commissioners opted to table approving changes previously approved by the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission at its meeting March 2. Kosciusko County APC Assistant Planner and Floodplain Administrator Matt Sandy brought the proposed
5IF .BJM +PVSOBM
revisions before the commissioners. He said as both the U.S. through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Indiana through the Department of Natural Resources have oversight over the county’s flood control rules, updates are needed to the county’s ordinance to come into compliance. He noted one revision was actually the county’s, which was adding Leesburg to the ordinance as it opted to join the APC since the ordinance was last updated. “One of the biggest changes and this is the one that I got
Inside
7H[W DQG 3KRWRV %\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU ,Q &KLHI
Elkhart County.” Nisly went on to say he thought the new district would be a very conservative district. Snow: “The redistricting process takes place every 10 years … I know from Kosciusko County, Warsaw proper, the population grew. In my case, it consolidated a little more. It threw me into a district with Curt Nisly. “I’m excited to represent the district I grew up in, raised my family in and have my businesses in.” What issues do you feel are most important to voters? Nisly: “In talking to voters and going door to door is pro-life and ending abortion in Indiana. The second (issue) is gun owner Continued on page 2
the most discussion at planning commission was a cumulative improvement requirement being removed (in certain circumstances),” added Sandy. “So what we have done is remove that cumulative to give us the ability to look at each project as a shot by itself, not adding the past projects into it, which will ultimately open up more potential improvements.” However, commissioners ultimately decided to send the revisions back to the APC for them to do further work on it. Commissioners are also to further review it. Continued on page 2
Milford Meets New Coordinator See Page 5 See Public Notices On Pages 9-11
<RXU 3ULQW
VROXWLRQ • Full Color Circulars/Inserts • Newsletters • Postcards • Booklets/Catalogs • Full Color Brochures • InkJet/Bulk Mailing Service • Saddle-Stitch Bindery • Newspapers • Magazines • Perfect Bind
Rodger Salinas Ext. 2432 rsalinas@the-papers.com
1-800-733-4111
206 S. Main St., Milford • www.the-papers.com