PIERCETON - Bud Darr, finance officer of American Legion Menzie-Reece Post 258, approached the town council Monday regarding a 4.6-acre tract in the industrial park. Darr said the organization is anxious to purchase the property to build a new Post.

"The property is too small for an industry to build there," said town council president Jerry Kreger.

After the meeting, Darr said the Legion would like to build a one-story building with handicapped accessibility. The Post would move from the two-story building at the corner of Ind. 13 and Catholic Street and either rent the old building or sell it.

The council scheduled an executive session for April 18 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss selling the real estate.

Chris Sanders of Banzai Racing approached the council regarding a customer appreciation barbecue planned for May 21 from noon to 6 p.m.

The council agreed to block off Catholic Street from the alley east of Ind. 13 to Washington Street.

This is the second Banzai Racing event; the first was held last fall.

Sanders said 60 to 70 cars would be coming for an open show.

Town marshal Tim Sammons said nine reserve officer candidates applied for the position vacated by Matt Owens. Owens, who spent 1-1/2 years with the Pierceton Police Department, has been hired full-time in Mentone.

"He did a phenomenal job here," Sammons said.

Kreger said Mentone is very lucky to have Owens.

Sammons attended the meeting in uniform with the department's new shoulder patches and badges. Officers were wearing various styles of patches and badges, but now they're all the same.

The board also:

• Heard from Sammons that new squad cars have been ordered and should arrive sometime in June. Sammons said the 1996 vehicle was delivered, along with emergency lights, as part of a trade-in.

The department is tagging "abandoned" vehicles again and copies of the ordinance are being left in doorways instead of being mailed to the violators. Vehicles not moved for 15 days are being tagged regardless of whether or not they have valid license plates.

• Decided the deadline for new sidewalk improvements will be extended to the June meeting. The town will pay for the cement. Homeowners must pay for a contractor to install the material on walkways parallel to a street.

• Heard the fire department plans a fish fry and tenderloin dinner April 23 beginning at 4 p.m.

Town council members are: Jerry Kreger, Robert Tenney and Mandy Espinoza. [[In-content Ad]]