Sewer District Prepares For Crucial Feb. 28 Vote
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Plans were finalized Tuesday for a crucial Feb. 28 election of the Barbee Lakes Conservancy District Board of Directors.
Ballots will include four contested races that could shift the balance of power to representatives of a group that has criticized proposed plans for the sewer district.
Upward of 1,400 property owners from the Barbee Lakes district will vote by either absentee ballot or at the Barbee Conservancy Club located on CR 700E beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 28.
The races basically pit the conservancy district supporters against those affiliated with the Barbee Lakes Quality Network.
Candidates include:
Area 2: Barton Burgh versus Richard Shipley.
Area 3: Scott Fox, president of the Quality Network, versus Charles Stevens.
Area 4: Barry Hecker, former president of Quality Network, versus current board member Arnold Patten.
Area 5: Donald Harris versus current board member Charles Ploszek.
Absentee ballots must be counted before people can cast ballots in person. With four races, it could be a lengthy process.
This is "an election of grave importance. If it takes all day, it takes all day," Patten said. "If everyone shows up, it's going to take all day."
Although the election pits both sides against each other, the democratic process is forcing them to work together. Both sides are organizing volunteers to help with the election in ways that will prevent anyone from gaining an unfair advantage.
The Quality Network is submitting the names of three people who will serve as clerks and be responsible for counting votes.
Both sides are also working together to prepare a mass mailing for absentee ballots.
Aside from election preparation, the board had little other business it could initiate because of an agreement made a few months ago in which the district board voted to hold off on sewer plans until after the election.
The district reported a balance of about $143,000 as of Dec. 31.
District attorney Dick Green advised that the district could not pay for flowers sent to the funeral of John Weyler, who served on the board.
Green advised a collection be taken to reimburse the district budget. He said the state board of accounts would object to the expenditure.
The board's meeting scheduled for Feb. 8 will not be conducted because of the lack of a quorum. Board president Jack Maule will not be able to attend.
Maule said they attempted to fill the vacancy created by Weyler's death. The district asked the Kosciusko County Commissioners to fill the vacancy and recommended Shipley.
The recommendation was made at least a month ago.
"The commissioners are sitting on their hands," Maule said. [[In-content Ad]]
Plans were finalized Tuesday for a crucial Feb. 28 election of the Barbee Lakes Conservancy District Board of Directors.
Ballots will include four contested races that could shift the balance of power to representatives of a group that has criticized proposed plans for the sewer district.
Upward of 1,400 property owners from the Barbee Lakes district will vote by either absentee ballot or at the Barbee Conservancy Club located on CR 700E beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 28.
The races basically pit the conservancy district supporters against those affiliated with the Barbee Lakes Quality Network.
Candidates include:
Area 2: Barton Burgh versus Richard Shipley.
Area 3: Scott Fox, president of the Quality Network, versus Charles Stevens.
Area 4: Barry Hecker, former president of Quality Network, versus current board member Arnold Patten.
Area 5: Donald Harris versus current board member Charles Ploszek.
Absentee ballots must be counted before people can cast ballots in person. With four races, it could be a lengthy process.
This is "an election of grave importance. If it takes all day, it takes all day," Patten said. "If everyone shows up, it's going to take all day."
Although the election pits both sides against each other, the democratic process is forcing them to work together. Both sides are organizing volunteers to help with the election in ways that will prevent anyone from gaining an unfair advantage.
The Quality Network is submitting the names of three people who will serve as clerks and be responsible for counting votes.
Both sides are also working together to prepare a mass mailing for absentee ballots.
Aside from election preparation, the board had little other business it could initiate because of an agreement made a few months ago in which the district board voted to hold off on sewer plans until after the election.
The district reported a balance of about $143,000 as of Dec. 31.
District attorney Dick Green advised that the district could not pay for flowers sent to the funeral of John Weyler, who served on the board.
Green advised a collection be taken to reimburse the district budget. He said the state board of accounts would object to the expenditure.
The board's meeting scheduled for Feb. 8 will not be conducted because of the lack of a quorum. Board president Jack Maule will not be able to attend.
Maule said they attempted to fill the vacancy created by Weyler's death. The district asked the Kosciusko County Commissioners to fill the vacancy and recommended Shipley.
The recommendation was made at least a month ago.
"The commissioners are sitting on their hands," Maule said. [[In-content Ad]]