'Junk' Cars, Skateboards Top Pierceton Town Council Agenda
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
PIERCETON - A skateboard park may be in the works if the group attending Monday's Pierceton Town Council meeting is any indication.
Annie Espinoza addressed the town council representing the 15 youths, mostly boys, about the skateboard ordinance, which specifically prohibits skateboarding in the business district - from Washington to Second streets and from Columbia to Elm streets.
Council president Jerry Kreger said a girl approached the town council about 18 months ago to organize a park. She was going to solicit donations, Kreger said, and the town would provide liability insurance. The triangle-shaped piece of land north of the "mill" on Mill Street was available.
"If a group of people want to raise funds, the town is willing to help," he said. "The safest place to skate is in a park."
Most skateboarders are taking to the side streets, a route Kreger couldn't condone, and that's where the trouble starts. Some of the kids aren't moving when a car starts down the street."
"People are riding bikes and walking their dogs down the street," Espinoza said. "I know because my son has had his skateboard taken away three times and we've gone to the police department to get it."
She said there was a rumor the town marshal banned skateboarding for 30 days.
Town Marshal Tim Sammons neither denied or confirmed the rumor, but said the kids did a great job of staying away from the downtown when the ordinance was first adopted. He then read through a list of complaints indicating the kids weren't getting out of the way of cars, were skating down the steps of businesses and were being rude.
"I know most of the kids through the DARE program, they know they can talk to me," Sammons said. "But when another officer pulls up beside them and warns them to get out of the middle of the street, they won't even acknowledge the officer.
"I have motorists complaining they have to come to a dead stop and ask them to get out of the way.
"My advice? Police your own children. I wouldn't allow my kids to skateboard on the street."
Espinoza said she'd like to be part of a skate park committee. Town councilman Mandy Espinoza (Annie's husband) will represent the council.
The "junk" vehicle ordinance was discussed again with several citizens questioning why their cars had to be moved every 15 days.
The town has a history of cars sitting, plated, with four flat tires, Kreger said.
"We want to know that they're roadworthy, plated and insured," he said.
Sammons said warnings are being issued and officer Tiffany Fulk is keeping a log of all tagged vehicles. There were 48 warnings issued in February.
"If anyone calls in and said they moved the car 15 feet, we note it on the log," Sammons said. "Only two people have been ticketed."
In another police-related matter, a woman said her daughter was coming to have lunch with her at the American Legion where the woman works.
"She was questioned by the officer. He asked her if she had any money, what she was going to do with the money and if she had been smoking. That's just plain nosy. It's none of his business where she got money, she does chores and gets paid," the woman said. "My daughter doesn't smoke or do drugs, of that I am sure."
Sammons said he didn't know about the incident and this was the first he had heard of it. He added that he would find out why her daughter was questioned.
The board also:
• Heard from Sandy Warren of the Windows of Heaven Church. Warren asked permission to use Brower Park June 24 for a day of entertainment provided by bands playing Christian-type music.
Warren was advised to get liability insurance for the event.
• Heard from Kim Rose, Pierceton Days organizer. Rose said Jimmy Parks would be the grand marshal this year. The annual festival's theme is "Movie Memories." Pierceton Days will be Aug. 4-5.
• Heard from Lila O'Connell, who said the second annual Pierceton Fine Arts and Writing Fair will be July 15.
• Heard from Jim Baughman, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, regarding a hunter safety program to be taught in the church Saturday and Sunday. Shooting will be on church property from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, with 20-gauge shotguns, as required by the course.
Town council members are Kreger, Bob Tenney and Mandy Espinoza. [[In-content Ad]]
PIERCETON - A skateboard park may be in the works if the group attending Monday's Pierceton Town Council meeting is any indication.
Annie Espinoza addressed the town council representing the 15 youths, mostly boys, about the skateboard ordinance, which specifically prohibits skateboarding in the business district - from Washington to Second streets and from Columbia to Elm streets.
Council president Jerry Kreger said a girl approached the town council about 18 months ago to organize a park. She was going to solicit donations, Kreger said, and the town would provide liability insurance. The triangle-shaped piece of land north of the "mill" on Mill Street was available.
"If a group of people want to raise funds, the town is willing to help," he said. "The safest place to skate is in a park."
Most skateboarders are taking to the side streets, a route Kreger couldn't condone, and that's where the trouble starts. Some of the kids aren't moving when a car starts down the street."
"People are riding bikes and walking their dogs down the street," Espinoza said. "I know because my son has had his skateboard taken away three times and we've gone to the police department to get it."
She said there was a rumor the town marshal banned skateboarding for 30 days.
Town Marshal Tim Sammons neither denied or confirmed the rumor, but said the kids did a great job of staying away from the downtown when the ordinance was first adopted. He then read through a list of complaints indicating the kids weren't getting out of the way of cars, were skating down the steps of businesses and were being rude.
"I know most of the kids through the DARE program, they know they can talk to me," Sammons said. "But when another officer pulls up beside them and warns them to get out of the middle of the street, they won't even acknowledge the officer.
"I have motorists complaining they have to come to a dead stop and ask them to get out of the way.
"My advice? Police your own children. I wouldn't allow my kids to skateboard on the street."
Espinoza said she'd like to be part of a skate park committee. Town councilman Mandy Espinoza (Annie's husband) will represent the council.
The "junk" vehicle ordinance was discussed again with several citizens questioning why their cars had to be moved every 15 days.
The town has a history of cars sitting, plated, with four flat tires, Kreger said.
"We want to know that they're roadworthy, plated and insured," he said.
Sammons said warnings are being issued and officer Tiffany Fulk is keeping a log of all tagged vehicles. There were 48 warnings issued in February.
"If anyone calls in and said they moved the car 15 feet, we note it on the log," Sammons said. "Only two people have been ticketed."
In another police-related matter, a woman said her daughter was coming to have lunch with her at the American Legion where the woman works.
"She was questioned by the officer. He asked her if she had any money, what she was going to do with the money and if she had been smoking. That's just plain nosy. It's none of his business where she got money, she does chores and gets paid," the woman said. "My daughter doesn't smoke or do drugs, of that I am sure."
Sammons said he didn't know about the incident and this was the first he had heard of it. He added that he would find out why her daughter was questioned.
The board also:
• Heard from Sandy Warren of the Windows of Heaven Church. Warren asked permission to use Brower Park June 24 for a day of entertainment provided by bands playing Christian-type music.
Warren was advised to get liability insurance for the event.
• Heard from Kim Rose, Pierceton Days organizer. Rose said Jimmy Parks would be the grand marshal this year. The annual festival's theme is "Movie Memories." Pierceton Days will be Aug. 4-5.
• Heard from Lila O'Connell, who said the second annual Pierceton Fine Arts and Writing Fair will be July 15.
• Heard from Jim Baughman, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, regarding a hunter safety program to be taught in the church Saturday and Sunday. Shooting will be on church property from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, with 20-gauge shotguns, as required by the course.
Town council members are Kreger, Bob Tenney and Mandy Espinoza. [[In-content Ad]]