After watching Kosciusko County officials turn down the City-County Athletic Complex for yet another year, Candy Wolkins couldn't contain her emotions Thursday.

So after county council denied a one-time request for $50,000, the CCAC board member stood up and criticized some of the officials for what she thought were weak excuses and lack of community support.

For the fourth straight year, the county voted against funding, this time, 4-3. In doing so, some council members suggested they consider somehow using Convention and Visitors Bureau revenues from the innkeeper's tax.

Soon after the vote Wolkins stood up, apparently unable to hold back her feelings. In a polite but terse impromptu speech, she questioned why the county continues to stand alone when industry, private donors, the city and CVB have combined for nearly $1.8 million.

"The commissioners and the council throughout this have turned their back on us," Wolkins said.

"I think you need to give us your blessing. I think you need to say to the community, thank you to Biomet, Zimmer, DePuy and Maple Leaf - all those people who have contributed money."

Council's vote came despite a recommendation from the commissioners, who voted last month for the first time to support a one-time appropriation.

CCAC board president Dave Montgomery pointed out that last year council said they would support an appropriation in the future if the commissioners recommended it. Afterward, council president Jim Tranter said he said the council would consider a request, not necessarily support it.

The commissioners' recommendation was sparked by Syracuse resident Brad Jackson, who was elected last year and openly vowed to support the CCAC.

Jackson pointed out that with such widespread support from other aspects of the community, the county is being "thought of as freeloaders" by not participating. Aside from the benefits provided by the CCAC, Jackson said the appropriation would put an end to a divisive issue.

Tranter contends the county participates indirectly through CVB revenues from the innkeepers tax.

Voting to support the appropriation were Brad Tandy, Kathryn Teel and Harold Jones. Those against were Tranter, John Kinsey, Lewis Bertsch and Tom Anglin.

Anglin and some of the others said they support the CCAC but don't want to use property tax revenues, and Tranter suggested the CVB would be an appropriate source since area hotels are benefiting from visitors who use the CCAC.

That proposal didn't sit too well with Wolkins, who is also active in the CVB.

"I would just like to see you do something for the CCAC on your own and not take it out of some other organization," she said.

Tranter said support for the CCAC would open the door for requests from other recreational organizations. Wolkins pointed out the county has funded the fairgrounds without fear of other groups stepping forward for help.

Tranter said he believed many people in the outlying areas remain "in the dark" about the CCAC and urged the facility to improve its marketing. [[In-content Ad]]