Man Complains About Milford Town Councilman, Police Officers
April 10, 2018 at 7:14 p.m.
MILFORD – A rural Milford man spent several minutes of the town council meeting Monday night making accusations of favoritism by police toward Council President Doug Ruch.
Ruch owns an auto repair business at the corner of Higbee (Ind. 15) and Syracuse streets in Milford, and Rich Rhoades was a customer. While Ruch was on a post-repair test drive April 4 in Rhoades’ car, he was involved in a single-vehicle accident. Rhoades contends Ruch received favorable treatment from the town’s police department, who worked the scene outside of town limits.
Police Chief Travis Marsh said it’s standard operating procedure for area law enforcement agencies to work together in mutual aid, and a Kosciusko County Sherriff’s Department deputy was not available at the time of the collision.
Rhoades asked why Ruch was allowed to keep vehicles all over his lot, along with a trailer with tires in the back, while other residences are cited for failure to keep their yards neat. Town attorney Jay Rigdon attempted to explain that Ruch’s situation would fall under the authority of the county’s area planning commission, while in the case of residences it’s often a matter of health and safety and falls under the authority of the town.
On two occasions during Monday’s meeting, Rhoades picked up Ruch’s nameplate off the council’s table, held it up and said, “Just because you have one of these doesn’t mean you should get special treatment.”
After about 10 minutes, Rhoades said his message to the citizens of Milford would be to participate in the governing of the town and vote out anyone who’s been on the council for two terms or more. Ruch has been on the council for more than 20 years.
In the business side of the meeting, Marsh gave the council the plans for improving security around Waubee Lake beach.
Marsh issued a report documenting 13 incidents at the beach last year, all after May 30 and before Nov. 17. The report said the primary issues have been drinking, the use of illegal drugs, swearing, out-of-control pets and parking issues.
The plan for improving security was not made public so as to not tip potential troublemakers off to the changes.
Tricia Gall, Milford Lions Club, updated the council on preparations for Milford Fest on May 26. The council spent $860 for renting portable toilets and voted to allow the Lions and Milford Kiwanis Club to use the community building rent-free for the day.
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The council also approved waiving the garage sale permit fees for the day, and sales won’t count against annual limits. Residents will have until 11 a.m. May 22 to get on a garage sale map to be distributed at the festival. The sign-up fee is $3 and can be done at town hall, 121 S. Main St.
The street closure plan for the festival also was approved. The north half of the block between Catherine and Emeline streets will close at 6 p.m. May 24 and reopen by 10 a.m. May 27. Drivers will have access to the ATM on the north side of PNC Bank until 5 p.m. May 25.
Main Street from Catherine to First streets will be closed from 5 p.m. May 25 to 11 p.m. May 26. Emeline Street from the alley west of Main to the alley in front of the railroad tracks will be closed at the same time.
Fourth Street from Henry Street east to the railroad tracks, and Main Street from Fourth to Catherine streets, will be closed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Streets and Utilities Supervisor Steve Marquart said he would contact CSX Railroad to have trains slow down as they pass through Milford during the festival.
The council also approved the annual tax abatement for Chore Time-Brock.
Marquart reminded the council that spring clean-up for the town will be Thursday through Saturday. Residents of Milford can bring trash and other disposable items to the town’s facility at 600 N. Main St. for proper disposal. Marquart said the town cannot accept electronics, wet paint, hazardous materials or appliances with freon in them.
The hours for the clean-up will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The bins are available to residents of the town of Milford only.
The next council meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. May 14, will be held at Camp Mack. Wessler Engineering will present its plan for a sewer line proposal that would run from the camp into the town’s treatment plant. The meeting was moved to accommodate the expected large crowd.
MILFORD – A rural Milford man spent several minutes of the town council meeting Monday night making accusations of favoritism by police toward Council President Doug Ruch.
Ruch owns an auto repair business at the corner of Higbee (Ind. 15) and Syracuse streets in Milford, and Rich Rhoades was a customer. While Ruch was on a post-repair test drive April 4 in Rhoades’ car, he was involved in a single-vehicle accident. Rhoades contends Ruch received favorable treatment from the town’s police department, who worked the scene outside of town limits.
Police Chief Travis Marsh said it’s standard operating procedure for area law enforcement agencies to work together in mutual aid, and a Kosciusko County Sherriff’s Department deputy was not available at the time of the collision.
Rhoades asked why Ruch was allowed to keep vehicles all over his lot, along with a trailer with tires in the back, while other residences are cited for failure to keep their yards neat. Town attorney Jay Rigdon attempted to explain that Ruch’s situation would fall under the authority of the county’s area planning commission, while in the case of residences it’s often a matter of health and safety and falls under the authority of the town.
On two occasions during Monday’s meeting, Rhoades picked up Ruch’s nameplate off the council’s table, held it up and said, “Just because you have one of these doesn’t mean you should get special treatment.”
After about 10 minutes, Rhoades said his message to the citizens of Milford would be to participate in the governing of the town and vote out anyone who’s been on the council for two terms or more. Ruch has been on the council for more than 20 years.
In the business side of the meeting, Marsh gave the council the plans for improving security around Waubee Lake beach.
Marsh issued a report documenting 13 incidents at the beach last year, all after May 30 and before Nov. 17. The report said the primary issues have been drinking, the use of illegal drugs, swearing, out-of-control pets and parking issues.
The plan for improving security was not made public so as to not tip potential troublemakers off to the changes.
Tricia Gall, Milford Lions Club, updated the council on preparations for Milford Fest on May 26. The council spent $860 for renting portable toilets and voted to allow the Lions and Milford Kiwanis Club to use the community building rent-free for the day.
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The council also approved waiving the garage sale permit fees for the day, and sales won’t count against annual limits. Residents will have until 11 a.m. May 22 to get on a garage sale map to be distributed at the festival. The sign-up fee is $3 and can be done at town hall, 121 S. Main St.
The street closure plan for the festival also was approved. The north half of the block between Catherine and Emeline streets will close at 6 p.m. May 24 and reopen by 10 a.m. May 27. Drivers will have access to the ATM on the north side of PNC Bank until 5 p.m. May 25.
Main Street from Catherine to First streets will be closed from 5 p.m. May 25 to 11 p.m. May 26. Emeline Street from the alley west of Main to the alley in front of the railroad tracks will be closed at the same time.
Fourth Street from Henry Street east to the railroad tracks, and Main Street from Fourth to Catherine streets, will be closed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Streets and Utilities Supervisor Steve Marquart said he would contact CSX Railroad to have trains slow down as they pass through Milford during the festival.
The council also approved the annual tax abatement for Chore Time-Brock.
Marquart reminded the council that spring clean-up for the town will be Thursday through Saturday. Residents of Milford can bring trash and other disposable items to the town’s facility at 600 N. Main St. for proper disposal. Marquart said the town cannot accept electronics, wet paint, hazardous materials or appliances with freon in them.
The hours for the clean-up will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The bins are available to residents of the town of Milford only.
The next council meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. May 14, will be held at Camp Mack. Wessler Engineering will present its plan for a sewer line proposal that would run from the camp into the town’s treatment plant. The meeting was moved to accommodate the expected large crowd.