$1.50
Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
griffith’s wawasee marina
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Family Owned Since 1946
“In The Boat Again!” • SALES • SERVICE • STORAGE
wawaseemarina.com
(260) 856-2286
9171 E. Ross Drive, SYRACUSE
themail-journal.com
Wawasee school board hears preliminary 2024 budget %\ 0$5,66$ 6:($7/$1' 6WDII :ULWHU The Wawasee Community Schools board was met with a full agenda during their regular August meeting which was held last night, Tuesday, Aug. 8. Dr. Brandon Penrod took the board through a preliminary 2024 budget workshop. Since school has not started, neither a net assessed value nor an average daily membership has not been set. There is a student ADM count set for Monday, Oct. 2. A notice of public hearing will be entered in Gateway by Saturday, Sept. 2. A notice of public hearing for budget, bus replacement plan and capital assets plan will be posted on Wawasee Community School Corporation website by Saturday, Sept. 2. A public hearing for the 2024 Continued on page 3
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Remonstrators heard at county BZA meeting %\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU
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Garmann Miller presents additional conceptual idea to WCS board %\ 0$5,66$ 6:($7/$1' 6WDII :ULWHU The Wawasee Community School board held its second and final preliminary public hearing Tuesday, Aug. 8. The first hearing was held Tuesday, Aug. 1. Holding these special public hearings is the first step in the legal process. The purpose was to hear two proposed projects of Wawasee Community Schools and to open the floor to public comment. Brian Wolf of Garmann Miller came back in front of the board and proposed an additional conceptual location for Wawasee High School’s performing arts center. At last week’s hearing, Wolf presented
three conceptual locations. Each option considered the circulation of students, the front entrance, parking and the back of house (for use
of deliveries). “With consideration of feedback we received last week, we talked Continued on page 2
A number of remonstrators made sure the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals heard their concerns over a number of cases during the BZA’s regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 8. The first case remonstrators were heard was a matter continued from the July BZA meeting regarding a petition for an exception to construct three storage condos in the area of Black Point Road and Pine Road in Turkey Creek Township. The property is known as “the Stimmell property,” in the neighborhood. Lee Harman, president of the BZA, told the crowd the board would only entertain new information. Local Attorney Scott Federoff representing the owner of the property reported his client attempted to discuss the matter with her neighbors, however, emails and
Dillon new chamber executive director Community first. It is the mantra of all good servant leaders, and the life mission of SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce’s new Executive Director, Ashley Dillon. Many of you may know her from her work as a board member for Kosciusko Senior Services, her volunteer work with the Pathways program, her 13 years of service at The Owl’s Nest and Sleepy Owl or spearheading the Huddle for the Hochstetler’s fundraiser that raised over $200,000. If you’ve worked with Dillon in any of these capacities, it is overwhelmingly obvious why the chamber is thrilled to be welcoming her as the newest director at the SWCC. She has a passion for helping others, and is excited to tackle her newest challenge. “I’ve always been a connector. I love putting new people together who can amplify each other’s success” Dillon said. Dillon was born and raised in Kosciusko County where she currently lives with her husband Dustin, and their two children Hunter, 15 and Addison, 13. They also share their home with two “fur
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babies” Sophie and their newest addition, 10-month old Stella, adopted from New Hope Pet Rescue. Dillon is eager to get to the important work of connecting businesses and business owners and helping tell their stories in the community. “I have gotten to work with so many people in this community in my professional role, and now, through the chamber I get to work for everyone. It’s exciting,” Dillon said. She will be teaming up with current chamber assistant, Sierra Clark-Kern to form a dynamic duo, focused on amplifying the success of our local businesses (and hopefully having a little fun along the way). She is looking forward to bigger events, member gatherings and get togethers, and expanding the chamber as an amazing resource to serve the businesses and leaders of this community. She knows it “all starts with helping our members feel in-the-know, special, and connected.”
phone calls were not returned or they told her they did not wish to discuss it. Federoff stressed the condos would not commercial, but privately owned. Exceptions for such condos have been approved in the past. Lighting would be downward, and on motion sensors. Judy Wolfe, who owns an adjacent lot, claimed she was not contacted, although her husband did speak to Federoff’s client and had an unpleasant exchange. Board member Randy Cox asked Wolfe where she resided. She admitted she lived on Dewart Lake, but due to the passing of a parent, has two lots in the area. Cox also asked her what was on the lot she was discussing. Wolfe admitted there was a just a garage on the lot that was used to store a boat. John Stringer, a 20 year fulltime resident, spoke in favor of the condos. He noted after Blue Heron
condos was developed he received a fair offer for his home and later that house sold for an even higher amount. He also noted as president of the Black Point Home Owners Association, the association also favors the project. Another gentleman told the board his family has lived near the property since the mid-1950s and has never seen the property cleaned up the entire time. He supported the project since it will look nice. “It’s a residential use. There won’t be that much use (traffic) especially in winter “ he said. Harman noted there was a great deal of support from adjacent property owners, most of the remonstrators lived further away from the property. Board member Ron Robinson did express concern about drainage and runoff. Matt Sandy, Area Plan director, noted that would be Continued on page 2
Indiana’s Largest Marina OOver 90 Years of Exceptional Service and Products
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NAUTIQUE | JC PONTOON | FOUR WINNS SUPREME | YAMAHA WAVERUNNER | HOBIE CAT
6521 E. Cornelius Road, Syracuse, IN 46567 Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm • Closed Sunday
574.457.4404
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