All the work on Bridge 289 leading to Cedar Point Island on the east side of Lake Wawasee basically has to be done again, according to highway department director Dennis Pletcher.

Pletcher advised the county commissioners Tuesday the $241,000 renovation project by Kel-Con is not only considerably behind schedule, work that has been done is not acceptable.

"It's been one small problem after another," he said, of 3-inch gaps, ungrouted, sliding panels and wing walls that don't line up with footers. The footers will have to be dug up and reset.

"Jack [Kelly] hasn't returned my calls for two weeks. I asked that a detailed plan be sent Friday. He said it would be here Monday. I still haven't seen it."

The work, which began last fall, was to be substantially completed May 21. There are penalties of $200 per day for each day the work is not done.

The commissioners have approved regular payments, excepting $40,000 and a 10-percent retainer.

Commissioner Brad Jackson recommended giving the contractor another chance, asking Pletcher to contact Kelly again, asking for a detailed, day-by-day work schedule and a waiver of daily fees.

"But if he misses one day, the penalties return," Jackson said. Commissioners Avis Gunter and Ron Truex agreed.

"There will be no more payments," Truex said. "He's not even to submit a bill."

Pletcher also said repaving the Barbee Lake Bridge 6 is a bit behind schedule, too, because one lane is being left open to local traffic throughout the project.

Bridge 95, which spans the Tippecanoe River, on Old Road 30, is progressing well. Pletcher said detour signs have been placed on U.S. 30 and traffic around the bridge has been rerouted for convenience, too.

Non-profit organizations presented grant requests of more than $450,000 for 2006. Requests include: $40,000 for Kosciusko County Home Health Care; $500 from Arrowhead RC& D; $100,000 for KDI Inc.; $102,500 for Cardinal Center and Sus Amigos; $69,126 for the Animal Welfare League; $35,000 for the Council on Aging and Aged; $21,850 for the Old Jail Museum and Kosciusko County Historical Society; $33,500 for the Beaman Home; and $49,948 for the 4-H Council.

The commissioners also heard from American Legion representative Bob Morrison and Rotary Club president Ken Locke about the war monument on the southwest corner of the courthouse.

Morrison said there's no more room for the names of people who died fighting national wars on the "front" of the monument. Capt. Todd Fiscus' name will be the first to appear on the "back" side.

American Legion Post 49, the Sons of the Legion and local service clubs plan to have a cement surface around the monument so it is more approachable. A flag pole will be placed in the "front" also.

Locke said the Rotary Club has purchased the flag pole and hopes to recoup some of their money, "or I won't be able to go back to Rotary."

A dedication ceremony is planned for July 4.

Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell reported that tax distributions should be sent on schedule, June 30. [[In-content Ad]]