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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Soils Judging Team Places At Contest
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
One Nation Under God
See Page 8 themail-journal.com
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Primary candidates for United States Senate %\ &$/(,*+ %<5(5 6WDII :ULWHU Two candidates are seeking the U.S. Senate seat: Tom McDermott, representing the Democratic party, and incumbent Senator Todd Young, representing the Republican party. Tom McDermott Serving as Mayor of Hammond for the past 18 years, McDermott is running to extend positive change to Hoosiers statewide. McDermott is a husband, father of four, former youth baseball coach and a member of the St. John Bosco parish. He served six years in the U.S.
Navy as a nuclear submariner during the Persian Gulf War. He later pursued his education at Purdue Northwest and University of Notre Dame, receiving high honors in finance and a law degree. He has been heavily involved with community organizations and boards; he has held the titles of Sagamore of the Wabash, Deputy Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, Chairman of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee and Chair to the Democratic National Committee’s Veterans and Military Families Council. McDermott’s initiative is Continued on page 2
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Kosciusko BZA Hears From Remonstrators In Marathon Session %\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals got an earful from remonstrators on just about every item it heard during its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 11. When the meeting started just about every seat was taken and several people were standing. Remonstrators were vocal regarding a petition from Travis and Sontasha Mickem who petitioned to allow a commercial
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McConnell, Voelz seek election as county prosecutor %\ .(,7+ .1(33 6WDII :ULWHU Voters in Kosciusko County will have the opportunity to choose a new prosecutor at next month’s general election, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8. The current prosecutor, Dan Hampton, chose not to run for reelection. He has been in the office since first being elected in 2010. Running on the Republican ticket is Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz, while the Democrats have selected local attorney Travis McConnell. Each candidate was asked to provide a brief biography
and an answer to the questions: “What is the biggest challenge facing the next Kosciusko County prosecutor when they take office next year? If elected as prosecutor, how will you address that challenge?” Following are their responses to the two requests. Travis McConnell McConnell is an active member of the Warsaw community, serving on several organizations’ boards and championing issues related to community building, education and inclusivity. He was raised just south of Chain of Lakes State Park outside Churubusco. McContinued on page 2
%\ 3+2(%( 087+$57 6WDII :ULWHU Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board discussed the new ball field, park and community center rental fees and trees at its monthly meeting Monday night, Oct. 10. Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported on the progress that has occurred at the new Schrock Fields. He said as of Friday, the water sprinklers were working and the fields have been seeded. “There’s been a lot of fence work,” he said. “There are some more final details to be done.” Water meters need to be reinstalled. The backstop netting still needs to be put up, but Jonsson said he is not sure when. “I turned the field lights on Friday,” he noted. “Hopefully, in the spring we can play ball there.” He added that all of the cement work is complete.
Several trees will be removed in town. One is at Lakeside Park, Jonsson noted during the tree board report. “We may plant there in the spring,” he said. Twelve other trees will be removed around town. Trees scheduled for removal are marked by a pink ribbon. The tree board is also working on a list of potential fall planting sites. Jonsson said the mower for Schrock Fields was ordered. The tractor is in, but he’s waiting on the deck. At its September meeting, the board agreed to purchase a John Deere 1570 Terrain Cut with a rear discharge deck. The fees for reservations for various park facilities, including Syracuse Community Center, were discussed. While the SCC is a popular site for special events, Jonsson said,“We don’t do a lot of gym rentals.” Other rental facilities include Ward Park and the fee is $45.
Tippecanoe-Chapman Sewer irons out project details %\ &$/(,*+ %<5(5 6WDII :ULWHU All members of the TippecanoeChapman Sewer District board were present, with Jeff Rowe and Jeff Thornburg in attendance via Zoom, for the Monday, Oct. 10, monthly meeting. The board discussed closing paperwork to finalize the project, moved forward with billing and heard two public comments.
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see how terrific North Webster is.” The BZA board also received a number of letters in support of the project. Snyder, representing several people in the area, presented the board with a petition signed by 180 people against the project. He recommended the board deny the petition for a number of reasons, including Backwater Road would need to be significantly improved because it could not handle the proposed increase in traffic, the venue would be operating seven
days a week and the area around the proposed site is zoned residential except for an industrial storage condominium next door. He noted the venue would be similar to a large very busy restaurant. Several neighbors also spoke out against the proposed venue. One neighbor to the east noted he has had a well-known rifle range in his back yard. He expressed concern about someone venturing off the venue property onto his Continued on page 2
Trees and fees discussed at Syracuse park board meeting
An addition to the project was discussed contingent on funding: a vacant lot outside the district boundaries had already received approval from the county commissioners prior to its presentation to the board. Engineering requested the board’s consensus on including the lot in project, as it would add $31,100 to project costs. The board decided to temporarily table discussion on adding
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recreation use in an agricultural area and to put in a pond on the property. The North Webster couple hoped to use their property on Backwater Road to develop a wedding venue. The proposed venue would have outdoor space for weddings and indoor reception space for 250 people. Parking would be on a grass/gravel lot near the proposed reception hall. One gentleman did speak in favor of the project, stating, “Yes (the project) will bring traffic, but it will also bring people to
the lot. They took issue with the amount of time it would take to get financial approval for the lot to be added. Andrew Boxberger, attorney, stated, “I would hate to say you’re in our district now, but you can’t connect.” The board also approved the Jones Petrie Rafinski inspectors who were recommended to them. Chuck Simpson asked whether the inspectors would be looking Continued on page 2
Phend & Brown Celebrates Centennial See Page 9 See Public Notices On Page 11
“Our rates look pretty comparable,” said park board member David Johnston. Jonsson said the rental fees go into the park’s fund. When asked if the park department makes any money, Jonsson said, “We make a little bit.” Any change in fees would take park board approval. “We can decide in November when I have a new form,” said Jonsson. The purchase of a new utility terrain vehicle for the park department was discussed, since the other UTV broke down. The parks department uses two UTVs and one is needed at the new ball field. Darin Lursen, program director, gave the program report. He said Harvest Festival Saturday, Oct. 8, went well with a “great turnout.” He said there were 39
vendors that showed up and he said the pumpkins were gone by 12:30 p.m. The indoor garage sale is “sold out.” There will be 31 vendors and the event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at SCC. The trick-or-treat trail is from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Lakeside Park. A “creature crawl” is at 5 p.m. the same day. A 5K run and a 1-mile walk will also take place. Basketball leagues are forming and registration begins in November. Jonsson gave the financial report for Sept. 12 to Oct. 10, as well as the September monthly financial report. The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at Syracuse Community Center.
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