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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Good Luck Warriors One Nation Under God
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Lakeland Regional Sewer District seeks to cut some future expenses %\ '$9,' +$=/(',1( 6WDII :ULWHU Lakeland Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees welcomed Emily Shipley as the newest appointment to the board at its first regular meeting of 2022 Wednesday, Jan. 19. The board also elected 2022 officers and voted to apply for American Rescue Plan funds to purchase equipment intended to streamline wastewater plant operations and cut down future expenses. Board President Jim Haney opened the meeting by welcoming Shipley to the board. She was appointed by Kosciusko County Council to fill the spot vacated by Sue Ann Mitchell. Haney noted Shipley’s combination of business and community service experience. She is a the general manager of both Fisherman’s Cove and Dixie Haven Resorts in North Webster and is also president of North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce. The board also voted to continue in 2022 with the same officers. They are: Jim Haney, president;
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Bob Marcuccilli, vice president and assistant secretary; Mike DeWald, treasurer; Parke Smith, secretary. In DeWald’s absence, Haney gave the treasurer’s report. Net income for December 2021 was roughly $132,000 and ending cash for 2021 was roughly $2.3 million. The board approved the monthly claims report for December of $46,206.42. The board also approved the transfer of $104,000 from the operating budget to the asset replacement fund, bringing the total to $1.1 million. According to Haney, a goal of $7 million was set for the fund; however, because the board has “learned more over the last couple years,” he added this target might be due for review. Marcuccilli reported the independent contractor committee recommended two cost saving initiatives. The first is an in-theround dewatering system, which would reduce the district’s annual sludge disposal costs by $20,000 per year to “near zero,” he said. The system’s cost is Continued on page 2
Less than a week to go —
Republicans continue to file for county and local offices %\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU ,Q &KLHI Less than two weeks are left for interested candidates to file for local, county, state and federal office positions for either party in the May primary. The filing deadline is noon Friday, Feb. 4. There will be at least four races on the local Republican ballot for county offices and two township races. Those offices include county auditor, county recorder, county commissioner-south and sheriff. The township races, so far, are for the Plain Township Advisory Board and Plain Township Trustee. Candidates appearing on local ballots, as of Monday, Jan. 24, include: County Auditor — Rhonda J. Helser and Chasity Sandy County Commissioner - Southern District — Robert M. (Bob) Conley, Donald K. Wiesehan Jr., Brian D. Pyle and Elaine Kokenge.
Sheriff — James M. (Jim) Smith and Kyle P. Dukes County Recorder — Deborah A. (Deb) Wright and Teena Pence County Assessor — Gail Chapman County Council District 1 (Tippecanoe, Turkey Creek and Plain 1 and 4 precincts) — Kimberly Cates County Council District 2 (Jefferson, Plain 2, 3, and 7, Scott and Van Buren precincts) — Michael Long Jefferson Township Advisory Board — Lori Harman Plain Township Advisory Board — Greg Anderson, Robert W. Bishop, Jamie B. Pass and Larry Kammerer Tippeanoe Township Advisory Board — Mark Lawson, Edwin Clayton, James M. (Jim) Rhodes Van Buren Township Advisory Board — Shane Bucher, Stephen Unruh Jefferson Township Trustee — Beth Krull Plain Township Trustee — Tyler Huffer and Craig Charlton
Tippecanoe Township Trustee — Christopher Francis Milford Town Council — Kenneth L. Long, Douglas Ruch Syracuse Town Council District 1 — Larry Siegel Syracuse Town Council District 2 — Paul Stoelting The only local filing for the Democrat ticket is: Plain Township Advisory Board — Gaynor R. Worden State And Federal Candidates at the state and federal levels, on the Republican ticket, include: State Rep. District 18 (Tippecanoe and Turkey Creek) — David H. Abbott State Rep. District 22 (Jefferson, Plain, Scott, Van Buren) — Curt Nisly and Craig Snow Candidates on the Democrat ticket include: U.S. Rep. District 3 — Phillip Beachy, Aaron (A.J.) Calkins and Gary Snyder
Milford holds meetings on North Park annexation Milford Town Council members met at the Milford Community Building the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 25, for the second of three informational meetings on the proposed annexation of phase three of the North Park subdivision. However, there were no other attendees, and according to Tricia Gall, Milford clerk/treasurer, only one resident out of the 33 households
affected attended the first night. The last meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26. The annexed area in question covers the majority of Lehman Drive and Jeremy Drive, located to the east of current Milford boundaries and just south of CR 1250N/ Syracuse Street. Available at the meetings were copies of the annexation fiscal plan compiled by LWG CPAs and Advisors, as well as a financial breakdown of the economic effects to
each of the 33 households. “At least they can be informed about what’s changing,” said Gall. Residents in the affected area stand to save roughly 14% on wastewater and 50% on water fees, according to the plan. Those paying for trash collection will also see savings. President Doug Ruch also pointed out some residents may see savings in homeowner’s insurance, as the Insurance Service Offices rating ofContinued on page 2
Emily Worrell welcomed as new NWCC director %\ 6&277 025$/(6 6WDII :ULWHU North Webster Community Center Board of Directors held its first meeting of the year Monday evening, Jan. 24, and in doing so, they were able to “unofficially” introduce Emily Worrell as the new director of the NWCC. The board met with seven members in attendance, and another four members appeared virtually. Early on, the video and internet connection kept dropping, which, incidentally, was on their agenda to discuss ways to increase the bandwidth and Wi-Fi service at the center. After the board re-elected the
original members to continue in their positions, they discussed several issues. The board agreed to continue to receive quotes for repairing the roof. It was suggested money from stocks the board had invested in be used to help in paying for the repairs. The issue of upgrades in the security camera for the gym were discussed. This tied directly into improving the Wi-Fi in the building, to integrate it with a new camera system. Worrell discussed enhancing and improving the center’s social media and website, as well
as increasing the strength of the building’s signal. The board passed a motion to purchase a new iPad tablet to facilitate modernizing and making information easily accessible and uniform. The board then turned the floor over to Worrell, who expressed her vision of the NWCC. “My hope is in my first two months, to meet with the groups who use the center, at their own meetings and to hear what they have to say.” Worrell added it is extremely important to hear from the community. She said Continued on page 2
SUBSCRIBE!!! Syracuse Trails Committee fields Clip the form below, complete questions from community %\ .(,7+ .1(33 6WDII :ULWHU Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee hosted an open house of sorts Wednesday evening, Jan. 19, at the Syracuse Community Center. The community engagement meeting was intended to provide information and answer questions about the recently completed feasibility study, which includes detailed plans to expand
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the existing trail by a total of 12 miles divided into multiple stages of construction. On hand during the evening’s event were Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Executive Director Erlene Yentes, Trails Committee Chairwoman Kay Young and several members of the committee. Other committee members appeared virtually for a variety of reasons but were able to hear the questions being asked
Inside
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and engage in the discussion through the technology. Also on hand were representatives of USI Consulting, the firm performing the study in 2021. Community members also were able to view first-hand a copy of the extensive study. Copies of the study remain available for the public’s perusal at the Syracuse Public Library and the Syracuse Community Center.
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