Pierceton Town Council Considers Own Park Board

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Teresa [email protected]

PIERCETON - Council members discussed the development of a park board Monday.

The board already has established a joint Pierceton-Washington Township park board to oversee the Community Park on the west side of town. The town owns a small strip of the community park property.

For the last 18 months, a committee of citizens has been raising money for a skate park on the north and east side of town.

Initially, the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce was willing to bring the skate park under its 501c3 umbrella, but the possible outpouring of funds for maintenance and liability insurance payments proved to be too much for the group.

By taking responsibility for the park through a town park board, more grants could probably be secured and the town maintenance crew could see to upkeep and repairs of the property.

Town attorney Jim Walmer said the town-township organization may have to be dissolved or reorganized prior to the establishment of a town parks department. He will continue to research the issue.

Town Marshal Tim Sammons introduced Matt Owens, who has been hired as a third full-time police officer. Owens started his law enforcement career as a Pierceton reserve officer then went full-time with the Mentone police department. He has graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Owens' wife, Kirsten, is a teacher at Washington Elementary School.

Sammons presented members of the skate park committee with a skateboard for fundraising. The board was a gift from the national DARE organization.

Sammons said the DARE graduation is at Pierceton Elementary School May 22 at 5:30 p.m. Paragon Medical is underwriting the t-shirts for the DARE graduates.

Pierceton Days Festival organizer Kim Rose brought the board up to date regarding the Aug. 3-4 event.

She said a pro and amateur arm wrestling group will organize a tournament; the Guinness world-record holding hanky-sacker will be in the parade and perform in the park; and a car stereo competition is being planned.

Rose has extended the deadline for Miss Pierceton entrants. The competition is open to females ages 13-21 years old.

The council approved the use of Brower Park for the Art Festival set for July 21 as requested by David Taylor.

Also approved is the closing of Catholic Street from the alley to Washington Street as requested by Banzai Racing, owners Chris and Elaine Sanders, for their sixth annual barbecue, a customer appreciation event. Banzai customers also bring their cars to the event for an informal car show. The company specializes in all Mazda RX-7 models and other rotary engine vehicles.

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

PIERCETON - Council members discussed the development of a park board Monday.

The board already has established a joint Pierceton-Washington Township park board to oversee the Community Park on the west side of town. The town owns a small strip of the community park property.

For the last 18 months, a committee of citizens has been raising money for a skate park on the north and east side of town.

Initially, the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce was willing to bring the skate park under its 501c3 umbrella, but the possible outpouring of funds for maintenance and liability insurance payments proved to be too much for the group.

By taking responsibility for the park through a town park board, more grants could probably be secured and the town maintenance crew could see to upkeep and repairs of the property.

Town attorney Jim Walmer said the town-township organization may have to be dissolved or reorganized prior to the establishment of a town parks department. He will continue to research the issue.

Town Marshal Tim Sammons introduced Matt Owens, who has been hired as a third full-time police officer. Owens started his law enforcement career as a Pierceton reserve officer then went full-time with the Mentone police department. He has graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Owens' wife, Kirsten, is a teacher at Washington Elementary School.

Sammons presented members of the skate park committee with a skateboard for fundraising. The board was a gift from the national DARE organization.

Sammons said the DARE graduation is at Pierceton Elementary School May 22 at 5:30 p.m. Paragon Medical is underwriting the t-shirts for the DARE graduates.

Pierceton Days Festival organizer Kim Rose brought the board up to date regarding the Aug. 3-4 event.

She said a pro and amateur arm wrestling group will organize a tournament; the Guinness world-record holding hanky-sacker will be in the parade and perform in the park; and a car stereo competition is being planned.

Rose has extended the deadline for Miss Pierceton entrants. The competition is open to females ages 13-21 years old.

The council approved the use of Brower Park for the Art Festival set for July 21 as requested by David Taylor.

Also approved is the closing of Catholic Street from the alley to Washington Street as requested by Banzai Racing, owners Chris and Elaine Sanders, for their sixth annual barbecue, a customer appreciation event. Banzai customers also bring their cars to the event for an informal car show. The company specializes in all Mazda RX-7 models and other rotary engine vehicles.

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