Weyler's Death Complicates Barbee Lakes Sewer Future
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The death of John Weyler, president of the Barbee Lakes Conservation District, has created a scenario in the upcoming February election that could kill the $18 million sewer project.
Weyler died unexpectedly Friday while working on his boat.
He was buried Tuesday and a moment of silence was observed Tuesday night during the conservation district's regularly scheduled board meeting at the Barbee Conservation Club.
But soon after, the board and about 60 onlookers settled into a tense and divisive meeting as the board continues to move toward plans for an extensive sewer project that would serve Irish, Sechrist, Kuhn, Little Barbee and Big Barbee lakes.
While details of the February election were discussed briefly, the potential implications - that control of the board could shift - is readily apparent.
"With this next (election) we know that if three of the opposition get in, it's pretty much a dead issue," said Jack Maule, who now serves as the board president.
"And it will probably be another 20 or 25 years before there will be another sewer project even thought about," he said.
The election will pit supporters of the sewer plan against the opposition group known as the Barbee Lakes Quality Network. The district board includes one member of the quality network, Barry Hecker, who was elected by the district's freeholders last year.
The February election was originally slated to involve two district seats currently held by Arnie Patten (4th District) and Chuck Ploszek (5th District). But freeholders will also elect somebody to fill Weyler's remaining term.
Guidelines for nominating candidates were outlined Tuesday night. Nominations for specific districts must be accompanied by signatures of five other freeholders.
Scott Fox, president of the quality network, is seeking appointment to serve as a temporary replacement for Weyler until the February election. The Kosciusko County Commissioners are charged with the authority of making that appointment and Fox took the first step Tuesday.
The commissioners took no action on the request. Eddie Creighton, president of the commissioners, said they normally wait for the respective board to ask for the appointment to be made.
The conservation district did not discuss contacting the commissioners, and Maule said the possibility exists that seat might be left open until February.
However, Fox said he will attempt to legally force the commissioners to make an appointment. Paperwork he submitted Tuesday includes documentation that will provide that action, he said.
The majority of the board may attempt to leave the position vacant since an appointment of a quality network representative would provide name recognition that could help in the upcoming election.
Tuesday's district meeting included several important developments.
District attorney Dick Green informed the board that it had conducted an illegal meeting last month when it considered bids for an archaeological study. The board failed to adequately announce the meeting, he said.
Despite the disclosure, there apparently won't be any repercussions. On Tuesday, the board chose a group from Indiana-Purdue campus in Fort Wayne to perform the study.
Green also suggested that the election of Hacker likely did not follow proper guidelines. Although his election could be contested, Maule said that will not happen.
"What's done is done," he said, noting such a challenge could further divide the community and hurt the chances of progress in the sewer project.
Hecker proposed another consultant review the work of Bonar, the project engineers. He said the state would pay for the $16,000 study which could be done in 60 days after approval.
Other board members initially were opposed, but agreed to consider the proposal if the state will document its funding support.
Maule expressed a distrust for state officials, which led one onlooker to suggest the real crooks are on the board.
That drew a quick rebuttal from Maule, who called for order. [[In-content Ad]]
The death of John Weyler, president of the Barbee Lakes Conservation District, has created a scenario in the upcoming February election that could kill the $18 million sewer project.
Weyler died unexpectedly Friday while working on his boat.
He was buried Tuesday and a moment of silence was observed Tuesday night during the conservation district's regularly scheduled board meeting at the Barbee Conservation Club.
But soon after, the board and about 60 onlookers settled into a tense and divisive meeting as the board continues to move toward plans for an extensive sewer project that would serve Irish, Sechrist, Kuhn, Little Barbee and Big Barbee lakes.
While details of the February election were discussed briefly, the potential implications - that control of the board could shift - is readily apparent.
"With this next (election) we know that if three of the opposition get in, it's pretty much a dead issue," said Jack Maule, who now serves as the board president.
"And it will probably be another 20 or 25 years before there will be another sewer project even thought about," he said.
The election will pit supporters of the sewer plan against the opposition group known as the Barbee Lakes Quality Network. The district board includes one member of the quality network, Barry Hecker, who was elected by the district's freeholders last year.
The February election was originally slated to involve two district seats currently held by Arnie Patten (4th District) and Chuck Ploszek (5th District). But freeholders will also elect somebody to fill Weyler's remaining term.
Guidelines for nominating candidates were outlined Tuesday night. Nominations for specific districts must be accompanied by signatures of five other freeholders.
Scott Fox, president of the quality network, is seeking appointment to serve as a temporary replacement for Weyler until the February election. The Kosciusko County Commissioners are charged with the authority of making that appointment and Fox took the first step Tuesday.
The commissioners took no action on the request. Eddie Creighton, president of the commissioners, said they normally wait for the respective board to ask for the appointment to be made.
The conservation district did not discuss contacting the commissioners, and Maule said the possibility exists that seat might be left open until February.
However, Fox said he will attempt to legally force the commissioners to make an appointment. Paperwork he submitted Tuesday includes documentation that will provide that action, he said.
The majority of the board may attempt to leave the position vacant since an appointment of a quality network representative would provide name recognition that could help in the upcoming election.
Tuesday's district meeting included several important developments.
District attorney Dick Green informed the board that it had conducted an illegal meeting last month when it considered bids for an archaeological study. The board failed to adequately announce the meeting, he said.
Despite the disclosure, there apparently won't be any repercussions. On Tuesday, the board chose a group from Indiana-Purdue campus in Fort Wayne to perform the study.
Green also suggested that the election of Hacker likely did not follow proper guidelines. Although his election could be contested, Maule said that will not happen.
"What's done is done," he said, noting such a challenge could further divide the community and hurt the chances of progress in the sewer project.
Hecker proposed another consultant review the work of Bonar, the project engineers. He said the state would pay for the $16,000 study which could be done in 60 days after approval.
Other board members initially were opposed, but agreed to consider the proposal if the state will document its funding support.
Maule expressed a distrust for state officials, which led one onlooker to suggest the real crooks are on the board.
That drew a quick rebuttal from Maule, who called for order. [[In-content Ad]]