Sharon Galloway wants to be able to go to bed after a hard day's work. She wants to be able to have her windows open on a nice day.

But a neighbor's dog continues to bark on a consistent basis, causing sleep to escape her.

She said, "I know when I'm tired, I want to go home and rest."

She presented her problem to the Kosciusko County commissioners Tuesday in hopes something could been done in the form of a county dog ordinance.

"I think it's high time that we do something about this," she said.

Galloway lives on the north side of Tippecanoe Lake.

There are ordinances about loose dogs in the town limits, and subdivisions take care of their own animal problems, she said. However, she requested a countywide ordinance or at least an investigation into an ordinance to help her get some relief.

"They move to the country and bring their yapping dogs with them," Galloway said.

She said a fine imposed on dogs that continuously bark would probably be helpful. She said she was told Monday by a county police officer there is no way to control a dog's barking.

"Dogs in my estimation are like kids. You have to train them," she said.

Mike Miner, attorney for the county commissioners, said that short of an ordinance, Galloway's best solution was to file a suit against the owners of the dogs. Galloway responded that her attorney had already sent two letters to the owners.

County Commissioner Eddie Creighton said, "There is an avenue that can be followed to address those sort of issues."

Miner said, "I don't think there's a criminal violation."

Miner also told the commissioners that if a dog-barking ordinance went into effect, the county would have to pay Miner for his attorney fees because it would be the county which would have to take the cases to court.

The commissioners did not pass any motions regarding Galloway's request for an ordinance but did suggest that she seek relief through her own attorney and a civil suit if necessary.

In other business, the 1999 funding proposal for the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana was approved by the commissioners Tuesday.

Gail Buhr, Local Coordinating Council coordinator, presented the information to the commissioners.

Drug-Free Indiana is not tax-supported. The money comes from user fees related to alcohol, tobacco or offenses. Approximately 75 percent of the user fees stay in the county and 25 percent is forwarded to the Governor's commission.

The 1999 funding proposal uses an estimated $74,000 as available funding. The estimate stems from the ending balance from 1998.

The proposed funding for 1999 programs is separated into four areas: prevention and education, intervention and treatment, law enforcement and judicial, and multiple service areas.

In prevention and education, programs receiving high financial awards include $10,000 to the Smart Moves program of the Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko County; $9,100 to the DARE program of the county sheriff's department; and another $9,100 to the DARE program of the Warsaw Police Department.

For intervention and treatment, the Women's Chemical Dependency Group of the Otis R. Bowen Center was awarded the highest amount, $5,760.

Buhr will take the proposal to the county council's next meeting for further approval.

The commissioners also gave permission for the Salvation Army to place a Christmas tree in front of the courthouse.

Work also will be done beside the courthouse and the jail museum as underground gas tanks on the lawns need to be removed by Jan. 1. Law requires that the county either monitor them or remove them.

"It's cheaper to remove them than monitor them," Human Resource Director Ron Robinson said.

Robinson said the tanks were put in during the early 1980s when there was a concern about the oil shortage. The tanks hold about 10,000 gallons.

As for actual cost, Robinson said, "At this time, I can't tell you what it's going to cost us."

Certain criteria for the removal of the tanks must be met. There are just a few people who can handle the criteria, Robinson said.

"We're in the process of getting them removed," he said.

A letter of support for the Tippecanoe Environmental Lake and Watershed Foundation was also approved by the commissioners. The foundation is applying for grants and needs letters of approval from local government to help them in their process.

Creighton said, "They need to be sure to work with the Drainage Board."

A contract with DMG Maximus was also approved by the commissioners. The company comes in and does a study every year, County Auditor Charlene Knispel said.

The federal government reimburses the county for certain jobs and actions that the federal government deems beneficial to them. Maximus works with the county to find out which jobs and wages the federal government will reimburse.

Knispel recommended a three- year contract with the company because, she said, it will save the county money in the long run.

"They're here a good week," she said.

DMG Maximus does the work for all 92 counties in the state. If the company didn't, then the commissioners would have to do all the work by themselves.

The consultants are paid only when the amount the county receives exceeds what the consultants charge. The county can also terminate services should they decide to.

Highway Engineer Robert D. Ladson said the highway department is working on snow removal procedures for winter. The department also works with the sheriff's department on getting ready to move sand.

Ladson said small amounts of sand and salt will be placed at certain intersections. The sand is kept in blue barrels so that police, county officials, the highway department or even members of the public can put sand on needed patches of road.

"It doesn't get used as much as I think it would if people knew what it was for," Ladson said.

The commissioners also approve four stop signs, in the Lincoln Park subdivision, the Northwind subdivision, Hunter's Ridge subdivision and behind Eisenhower Elementary School. [[In-content Ad]]