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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Students Raise Money For Cancer
One Nation Under God
Page 7 themail-journal.com
North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber holds annual banquet %\ .(,7+ .1(33 6WDII :ULWHU Local businesses were well represented at the North WebsterTippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet, held Monday, March 13, in the Culver Wellness Center Room at the North Webster Community Center. Approximately 200 people were in attendance to celebrate the Chamber’s accomplishments in 2022 and enjoy a preview of what was planned for 2023. During the meeting, Lori Mark was named the chamber’s “Person of the Year.” Among her responsibilities, Mark sits on the Shoop Foundation board, North Webster Community Center board and is president of the Tippecanoe Township food pantry. “She’s involved with the community in many ways, so I’m sure there is not one person in this room who hasn’t been touched by her,” said Chamber Executive Director Emily Shipley. “Year after year, Lori gives to the community yet deflects any recognition, regardless whether it’s at the
food pantry or community center,” Shipley read from one of the forms nominating Mark for the award. “Lori pours her heart into everything she does and the rest of us.” Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to bid on numerous silent auction items donated from local businesses and individuals. The dinner theme for the event was “A Taste of Webster,” and included a variety of appetizers, food and dessert provided by The Owl’s Nest, Roll-N-Smoke BBQ, Chubbies Catering and The River. Following the buffet style meal, Shipley led the Chamber’s 2023 annual business meeting, which provided an overview of accomplishments. Some of the numerous highlights Shipley noted included putting together a community guide that reached 7,000 members, gaining 10 new members to raise the total to 127 and implementing a new storefront decorating contest to add festivity to the town for the holidays. “Not bad for a group for volunteers,” she concluded. “I am happy to say that we are well on our way to making 2023 another successful year.”
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Clerk-treasurer candidates detail how they would do the job
+,*+ +2125 ³ 1RUWK :HEVWHU 7LSSHFDQRH 7RZQVKLS &KDPEHU RI For the primary race for the &RPPHUFH ([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU (PLO\ 6KLSOH\ OHIW SUHVHQWV WKH ´3HUVRQ RI Syracuse Clerk-Treasurer’s OfWKH <HDUµ DZDUG WR /RUL 0DUN GXULQJ WKH &KDPEHU·V DQQXDO EDQTXHW KHOG fice, The Mail-Journal is asking 0RQGD\ 0DUFK 3KRWR E\ .HLWK .QHSS incumbent Virginia Cazier and challenger Larry Siegel a quesOther awards presented during and North Webster Ace Hardware, tion a week through the April the event went to Chamber Board large business of the year. Addition- 26 edition to give readers an Director Paula Miller, who was ally, Jaclynn Worrell was named as idea how each envisions the ofnamed volunteer of the year; The the 2022 chamber scholarship re- fice. River, small business of the year; cipient. The first question candidates were asked was, “What are your qualifications to serve as clerk-treasurer? Consider this question a request to submit your resume.” Virginia Cazier I currently hold the position of clerk-treasurer and fiscal officer for the Town of Syracuse. Over the past few years, I’ve gained extensive knowledge and experience providing administrative support within municipal governments. During this time, I’ve stayed current with the requirements of the Indiana Clerk & Treasurer, according to Indiana Code 365-6-2. 1$',$ :+$/(1 .,$+ )$55,1*721 My background consists of 9$/(',&725,$1 6$/87$725,$1 over 23 years of dedicated experience working for the Town of Syracuse Public Works Department. All my years of experience have greatly assisted me in the transition of becoming clerk-treasurer and helping assist the residents of our town. My duties include overseeing Nadia Whalen and Kiah dent council, Academic Super the following: receipt and reFarrington have been named Bowl, National Honor Society, cording of water and sewer billvaledictorian and salutatorian, book club and environmental ing, accounts payable and receivable, management of town &855(17 52$' &/2685( ³ 7KH UHG OLQH VKRZV WKH DUHD VODWHG respectively, for Wawasee High club. funds and providing monthly School Class of 2023. Farrington is the daughter of IRU FORVXUH QRZ ZHDWKHU SHUPLWWLQJ WKURXJK WKH FRPSOHWLRQ RI WKH ZRUN Graduation will be held Sun- Darrell and Janet Farrington, reports to the town council. 6DWXUGD\ -XQH I attend regular and special day, June 4. Pierceton. She plans to attend Whalen is the daughter of Purdue Northwest to play Divi- town council meetings, prepare Dave and Roxanne Whalen, sion 2 tennis and major in com- council member packets, and maintain records of meeting Milford. She plans to attend puter science. Purdue University, majoring in She has been active in stu- minutes, ordinances and resoenvironmental engineering. dent council, DECA, National lutions. I also keep records of She has been active in band, Honor Society, tennis, swim- current and pending town projConstruction on the CR 1300N The detour route to CR 1300N is ects as well as track grants and soccer, tennis, Key Club, stu- ming and Key Club. extension and overpass north of Syracuse Street/CR 1250N to CR expenditures. Milford will cause several road clo- 100E. Those wishing to access the I am responsible for balancsures through June 1, 2024. northern portion of North Main ing the bank statement monthCurrently North Main Street, Street or Old SR 15, East South ly. I’m also responsible for the between 902 N. Main St. and 13169 Street or West North Street, are budgets and year-end financial N. Main St. on the north edge of being detoured on SR 15 to West information with the State Milford was slated to close Tues- CR 1350N. only be used when the property Board of Accounts and the De%\ '$9,' +$=/(',1( day, March 14, weather permitting. forms a boundary of the communi- partment of Local Government 6WDII :ULWHU Main Street will remain closed ty and this does,” said Snyder. The Finance to ensure all accounts through Saturday, June 1, 2024. Milford moved one step closer to council voted to approve the disan- are balanced. This year we A portion of CR 1300N and Old obtaining its share of $1 million dis- nexation. were one of the first towns in SR 15 will close in the future. The council also passed a reso- Indiana to close and balance tributed countywide as part of the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program lution approving the creation of a our 2022 year-end books. after approving its strategic imple- tax increment financing district in Along with being clerk-treathe former Zimmerman property. surer and fiscal officer, I’m also mentation plan Monday, March 13. %\ .(,7+ .1(33 The town plans to use approxi- The housing TIF district was cre- the human resource officer for 6WDII :ULWHU mately $212,000 for the replace- ated in conjunction with the Milford our town. My responsibilities ment of meters and hiring a con- Redevelopment Commission and include new employee E-veriNorth Webster resident Mi- sulting firm for improvements to Kosciusko Economic Development fication with the Department chael Wyrick was sworn in as the the downtown area. Corporation to encourage affordable of Homeland Security; manat-large member of the TippeThe meeting opened with a hear- workforce housing development. agement of employee payroll, canoe Township Fire Territory ing on a disannexation request filed During public input, Milford health, dental and vision insurboard during its Tuesday, March by Douglas and Helen Strycker. resident Jessica Miller requested ance; health saving accounts; 14, meeting. According to their attorney, Steven a change in the town’s ordinance workers’ compensation; retireFollowing his acceptance to the Snyder, a 50-foot setback was once preventing farm animals within ment plans; and pensions. five-member council, Fire Chief part of the Zimmerman property, town limits. Miller said she hoped I’m also responsible for proJeremy Likens provided an up- located on the northeast side of Mil- to keep chickens, noting the “price cessing payroll for our town’s date on repairs to Medic 78, one ford. The setback was transferred of eggs right now.” She pointed out elected officials. I complete the of the fire territory’s ambulances to the Stryckers, but when annexa- Indianapolis allows chickens with- quarterly federal taxes, monthdamaged during a service call tion of the Zimmerman property oc- in city limits and added, “Sustain- ly state utility taxes, and state earlier this year. Repairs to the curred, the 50 feet was included. ability is big, especially with the and county withholding taxes. Continued on page 2 “Disannexation is rare and can Continued on page 2 I also do a variety of state, federal and county reports, W-2’s for town employees and 5IF .BJM +PVSOBM 1099 for our vendors. I maintain the town’s insurance and file all claims, publish all legal notices and preserve all contracts, bonds, tax increment financing districts, tax abateSee Page 9 ments and other necessary See Public Notices On Page 11 documents.
Whalen, Farrington valedictorian, salutatorian at Wawasee High School
Construction to soon close North Main Street, Milford
Milford Council approves plan for HELP grant
Inside
Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory welcomes Wyrick to board
Cattlemen Celebrate 50 Years
It has been a pleasure serving the Town of Syracuse for over the past 25 years. I am confident with my proven knowledge and experience of municipal government operations, I will continue to make a strong contribution as your clerk-treasurer. Larry Siegel I have had the opportunity to serve the people of Syracuse on the town council for more than 20 years. I appreciate the support and confidence from all the people of Syracuse who recently reelected me to the town council. This election has made me aware of a yet greater need to serve. In addition to more than 20 years reviewing and approving town budgets, I am a career entrepreneur. I have 40 years of business experience computerizing and training personnel on their company accounting systems, including payroll systems, as well as building and managing the employees of my own enterprises. I have volunteered countless thousands of hours on town projects, including serving as president of the redevelopment commission, developing our technology park, redeveloping Oakwood and creating a pathway for Polywood’s expansion, as well as many other projects. All have created hundreds of new jobs and capital improvements with over an estimated $100 million dollars in increased assessed valuation. I know how the town works. I have co-authored or reviewed every ordinance and resolution adopted by the Town of Syracuse through my 20-plus-year tenure, resulting in me being intimately familiar with their meaning and intent and practice. The clerk-treasurer is responsible to follow the direction of town council, laws of the state of Indiana, and federal laws including the IRS. The clerk-treasurer is bound by these laws and is not allowed to change or ignore their meanings to support their personal narrative. This obligation appears to be deeply misunderstood or corrupted by Virginia Cazier, the current clerk-treasurer. I have the qualifications and resources to correct this. Editor’s Note: The MailJournal contacted Janet Alexander, Local Government Services, regarding these allegations. Alexander stated the Syracuse Clerk-Treasurer’s Office is “operating very well.” She stated she and colleague Suzy Bass “both have had many positive and constructive conversations with Virginia Cazier and we believe she is a hardworking, honest and dedicated public official.” It is my goal to put the Clerk-Treasurer’s office back together and develop an organization that is legal, sustainable and stable through changing clerk-treasurers into the future. When I see the need, and have the ability, I feel a need to serve.