Syracuse Sets Sidewalk Days
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Mark your calendars.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce has set Aug. 9-11 for its annual Sidewalk Days, which coincide with the Nappanee Arts Festival, according to a report retail chairman Martha Stoelting gave at the chamber's March meeting Wednesday.
The group also has set March 24 for the first chicken barbecue of the year. It will be held in the parking lot of Lakeland Youth Center. March 30 is deadline for ad copy for the January 2002 membership directory. Plans call for a magazine approach with four-color ads and pictures on slick paper. Advertisements will cost from $3,195 for a full-page, four-color back cover to $275 for a 1/8-page black and white.
Stoelting complained that the costs are too high for small businesses. Directory chairman Brian Woody explained that the costs are less expensive than a weekly newspaper advertisement of comparable size.
"Once we get a few heavy hitters, then we can work something out with small businesses," he said.
All 81 chamber members will be listed in the directory whether or not they purchase an advertisement, and a system is in place to correct last year's error of omitting members from the listing.
The chamber also is selling green canvas flags, which will fly on utility poles down Ind. 13. Families can buy the flags for $125, decorate them in honor of a graduating senior (high school or college) and hang them on the poles.
The Lakeland Park Community Center got a nod from the chamber board, which voted to support the concept of the center, but not the increase in taxes it will take to run it.
Bill Beemer nudged the board into the decision when he told members they were negligent in not taking a position. The vote came after a lengthy discussion.
Town manager Brian Redshaw told the chamber that the concept of a community center fits well with the chamber's bylaws. "This board cannot decide on taxes. Only the town board can make that decision," he said.
Paul Stoelting, who also is a town council member, abstained from the vote, but told chamber members that he wants to hear from residents.
"We are looking for direction from townspeople. We need to hear what people have to say," he said.
David Cates said he had a hard time supporting a tax increase when it could have been for free. He said that when the concept first came up, the building was to have been donated to the town without a bond issue for payment.
"Since that time the project has grown and the Schrock family has very generously donated the land," he said.
He credited Parks Superintendent Michael Hixenbaugh for doing a "yeoman's job in compiling information to show the possible tax impact."
Hixenbaugh spent several hours at the assessor's office counting businesses to determine that there are more than 350 different businesses paying taxes in Syracuse.
Cates later explained that the "free" community center of which he spoke dates back to when the Syracuse Rotary Club offered to rebuild the Scout Cabin, sometime in the early 1990s. He further explained that he believes the center should be supported with user fees.
Others said perhaps a basic center should be built that doesn't require a bond issue and that extras could be added as money becomes available. It was also noted that even if the center were built with existing money, it would need tax money to operate. Still others said a gymnasium is needed and shouldn't be cut from the plans.
Redshaw said there is enough money to build a basic structure without a bond issue, but it would not be the proposed center and it will take tax dollars to operate.
In other business, Redshaw advised executive director Steven Hite and treasurer Dr. Daniel Haifley that under the bylaws, the board should approve expenditures before checks are issued. "It protects everyone."
Although there were some questions, most members agreed that other boards operate in this manner without undue hardship.
Redshaw said the town would amend parking ordinances at its next meeting. Some spaces allow two-hour parking and some allow only an hour. Under the law cars must be ticketed if they don't follow the postings.
He was asked to look into a building ordinance because home maintenance is becoming a serious problem.
Legislative chairman Cates reported that the state budget, personal property taxes and redistricting all will be decided in committee.
Because of spring break, the next meeting will be the second Wednesday in April. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Mark your calendars.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce has set Aug. 9-11 for its annual Sidewalk Days, which coincide with the Nappanee Arts Festival, according to a report retail chairman Martha Stoelting gave at the chamber's March meeting Wednesday.
The group also has set March 24 for the first chicken barbecue of the year. It will be held in the parking lot of Lakeland Youth Center. March 30 is deadline for ad copy for the January 2002 membership directory. Plans call for a magazine approach with four-color ads and pictures on slick paper. Advertisements will cost from $3,195 for a full-page, four-color back cover to $275 for a 1/8-page black and white.
Stoelting complained that the costs are too high for small businesses. Directory chairman Brian Woody explained that the costs are less expensive than a weekly newspaper advertisement of comparable size.
"Once we get a few heavy hitters, then we can work something out with small businesses," he said.
All 81 chamber members will be listed in the directory whether or not they purchase an advertisement, and a system is in place to correct last year's error of omitting members from the listing.
The chamber also is selling green canvas flags, which will fly on utility poles down Ind. 13. Families can buy the flags for $125, decorate them in honor of a graduating senior (high school or college) and hang them on the poles.
The Lakeland Park Community Center got a nod from the chamber board, which voted to support the concept of the center, but not the increase in taxes it will take to run it.
Bill Beemer nudged the board into the decision when he told members they were negligent in not taking a position. The vote came after a lengthy discussion.
Town manager Brian Redshaw told the chamber that the concept of a community center fits well with the chamber's bylaws. "This board cannot decide on taxes. Only the town board can make that decision," he said.
Paul Stoelting, who also is a town council member, abstained from the vote, but told chamber members that he wants to hear from residents.
"We are looking for direction from townspeople. We need to hear what people have to say," he said.
David Cates said he had a hard time supporting a tax increase when it could have been for free. He said that when the concept first came up, the building was to have been donated to the town without a bond issue for payment.
"Since that time the project has grown and the Schrock family has very generously donated the land," he said.
He credited Parks Superintendent Michael Hixenbaugh for doing a "yeoman's job in compiling information to show the possible tax impact."
Hixenbaugh spent several hours at the assessor's office counting businesses to determine that there are more than 350 different businesses paying taxes in Syracuse.
Cates later explained that the "free" community center of which he spoke dates back to when the Syracuse Rotary Club offered to rebuild the Scout Cabin, sometime in the early 1990s. He further explained that he believes the center should be supported with user fees.
Others said perhaps a basic center should be built that doesn't require a bond issue and that extras could be added as money becomes available. It was also noted that even if the center were built with existing money, it would need tax money to operate. Still others said a gymnasium is needed and shouldn't be cut from the plans.
Redshaw said there is enough money to build a basic structure without a bond issue, but it would not be the proposed center and it will take tax dollars to operate.
In other business, Redshaw advised executive director Steven Hite and treasurer Dr. Daniel Haifley that under the bylaws, the board should approve expenditures before checks are issued. "It protects everyone."
Although there were some questions, most members agreed that other boards operate in this manner without undue hardship.
Redshaw said the town would amend parking ordinances at its next meeting. Some spaces allow two-hour parking and some allow only an hour. Under the law cars must be ticketed if they don't follow the postings.
He was asked to look into a building ordinance because home maintenance is becoming a serious problem.
Legislative chairman Cates reported that the state budget, personal property taxes and redistricting all will be decided in committee.
Because of spring break, the next meeting will be the second Wednesday in April. [[In-content Ad]]