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Government & School Board

Taking a stand against nepotism shouldn't cost current city employees jobs: McIntyre

Taking a stand against nepotism shouldn't cost current city employees their jobs, Huntington Common Councilman Steve McIntyre believes.

So a resolution introduced at the July 12 Common Council meeting has been sent back to the drawing board for adjustments, to be returned to the council at its Aug. 9 meeting.

The resolution was drafted by City Attorney John Branham at the request of Councilman Brooks Fetters.

Adjustments will be made to cat trapping program in Warren

A lower-than-expected number of feral cats has been trapped in Warren, Town Marshal Dennis Spitler reported to the Warren Town Council on Monday, July 11.

The program is designed to trap feral cats, spay or neuter them and adopt them out to rural residents as barn cats.

Spitler noted that not many cats have been trapped to date, but that could be due to the recent festival and the fact that the cats have had access to multiple sources of food. A decision was made to relocate the traps.

Surveyor says GIS responsibility putting too much burden on office; asks for relief

The Huntington County Commissioners are still working to straighten out management issues with the county's online Geographic Information System (GIS), after County Surveyor Jay Poe told the commissioners on Monday, July 11, that he wants the responsibility taken off his office workers so they can focus on the needs of the surveyor's office.

"I've got to get back to doing what I do," Poe told the commissioners. "[GIS] is something that was supposed to go to someone else and needs to."

Stormwater Management group to meet July 12 for special meet

The board of the directors of the Huntington Department of Stormwater Management will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, July 12, at 10 a.m., in the mayor's conference room on the third floor of the City Building, 300 Cherry St., Huntington.

The agenda includes consideration and possible action on items relating to the refunding and refinancing of outstanding bonds. Other matters may also be brought before the board.

 

REDO asks for Roanoke help to get parcel of land developed

A prime parcel of land in Roanoke is close to being developed, says John Klingenberger, president of the Roanoke Economic Development Organization (REDO), but the economic development organization needs a loan from the town of Roanoke to hold the property until the purchase of the property from REDO is final.

The Roanoke Town Council unanimously approved a $10,000 loan to REDO from the Roanoke Businessmen's Association Revolving Loan Fund to help REDO pay the interest on the loan for the property it owns at the northeast corner of the intersection of U.S.-24 and CR 900N.

BOW votes to demolish three properties in city

The Huntington Board of Works voted unanimously on Tuesday, July 5, to demolish three properties in the city.

The properties, located at 245 Jackson St., 837 Byron St. and 504/508 E. Franklin St., will be torn down by Zahm Excavating, which had the low bid of $14,533.

In other business, the board:

• Decided to continue with legal action against the owners of a property on Division Street.

Accepting applications for BZA

Applications are being accepted for an opening on the Huntington City Plan Commission for a vacant term set to expire on Jan. 1, 2014.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience in community affairs and awareness in social, economic, agricultural and industrial issues in the city.

Meetings of the Huntington Plan Commission are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., and members of the commission may be considered for appointment to subcommittees of the plan commission.

No choices for councils in several smaller towns this fall

A seeming lack of interest among residents in some of Huntington County's towns will deny voters a choice of council candidates in Mt. Etna, Roanoke, Warren and Markle.

While Huntington voters now have one more choice in this year's mayoral race and candidates in Markle and Andrews have competition, municipal races in Warren and Mt. Etna do not have to happen due to lack of candidates, and Roanoke residents will have no choice in new council members.

New state laws now in effect will affect many in different ways

Over 200 new laws passed during the 2011 legislative session took effect today, Friday, July 1, in the state of Indiana.

While some of these laws will be irrelevant to Huntington County, others will affect the everyday practices of local Hoosiers, from a ban on texting while driving to a uniform, statewide system for winter travel advisories.

Here are some of the lesser-known highlights:

Hoosier motorists will have new rules of the road this year, after the General Assembly passed several new laws.

Sunken Gardens fix-up gets DNR grant funds

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources' division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology has issued a $32,483 grant to help the Huntington Parks Department continue its restoration of Sunken Gardens in Huntington.

The grant was one of 14 bestowed on various preservation projects throughout the state, and will replace the east retaining wall at the tunnel entrance to the gardens.

"It's a great reinforcement that we need to keep maintaining resources in our community," said Denise Bard, director of the Huntington Parks Department.

Hgtn. Police Dept. reports on fireworks ordinance

July 4th weekend is rapidly approaching and citizens are contacting the Huntington Police Department concerning the use of fireworks, including the times and types of fireworks that may be used.

Listed below is the current Huntington City Ordinance, which deals with fireworks plus some safety tips.

• Only individuals 18 years of age or older may purchase fireworks.

• Fireworks may be discharged only on your property, the property of someone who has granted permission, or at special discharge locations.

Hgtn. Street Dept. closing for holiday

The Huntington Street Department will be closed on Monday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday.

As such, the street department is altering the trash schedule for the week:

• Monday's trash route will run on Tuesday, July 5.

• Tuesday's trash route will run on Wednesday, July 6.

• Wednesday's trash route will run on Thursday, July 7.

It is asked that items be ready for pick up by 7 a.m. on each day.

For additional information about trash pick up scheduling, contact the street department at 356-4720.

 

Common council says yes to two garbage trucks, trash bins

The Huntington Common Council voted 6-1 to authorize the city to collect $810,000 in bonds to purchase two garbage trucks and new trash bins for Huntington residents during the council's meeting on Tuesday, June 28.

Each truck, one new and one used, are "one-armed" trucks that will allow one person to collect garbage on two-way streets in the city, versus the current system, which requires multiple personnel.

"Our goal is to have two people picking up trash for 88 percent of Huntington," said Dave Spencer, Huntington street commissioner.