Reserve Officer Sworn In At Pierceton; Park Board Reactivated
March 10, 2020 at 9:29 p.m.
Reserve Officer Sworn In At Pierceton; Park Board Reactivated
By Teresa Carrano-
Jones is a U.S. Navy veteran, full-time Kosciusko County confinement officer, graduate of the state police academy and is attending the reserve officer academy.
Utility Superintendent Casey Boggs did double duty as clerk-treasurer while Myra Mast attends a conference in Indianapolis.
Boggs said Scott Werstler is offering a donation to replace the Whitko signs in town and add softball signs. As a restricted donation, it was approved by council members Tom Barker, Matt Brubaker and Mandy Espinoza.
Boggs said the new speed limit street signs have been installed and a water tower inspection is scheduled soon. He said the Indiana Department of Environmental Management require the tower to be painted, too.
Barker noted the park board has been reactivated with members Cindy Kreger, Sarah Espinoza, Kim Rose, Paula Smith, Georgia Tenney and Casey Boggs meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in town hall.
In his report, town marshal Tim Sammons said he intends to establish an internet exchange zone in the police department parking lot, saying people who sell online can meet customers in safety there.
The police cadets have met twice now, Sammons said, adding that the March program with be crime scene investigation techniques by the Indiana State Police officers, and in April Lutheran EMS personnel with attend the meeting. The cadets will attend the April 13 town council meeting.
Sammons said officer Ryan Piper is close to graduating from the academy.
Espinoza noted the 2020 Census will start soon and asked Sammons to make it clear census takers would not be asking for Social Security numbers or any kind of financial information.
Sammons said he was preparing a news release and asked everyone to follow the Pierceton Police Department on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Barker noted the Census employees will only ask basic questions like how many people live in a house, apartment or mobile home, their ages and if they own or rent the dwelling.
In the 2010 Census, Pierceton’s population wasn’t properly counted because surveys weren’t sent to post office boxes, which many residents use. Surveys mailed to physical addresses were returned undelivered. According to the Census, only 300 people lived in town.
When the council made an appeal to increase the count, two more people were added to the population.
Barker said they need honest, accurate information as many federal funding programs are based on population.
Greg Chism, commander of the American Legion, said the organization wishes to hold a fundraiser in the Pierceton Park ampitheater, 508 S. Seventh St.
He introduced event organizer Brandon Carey, who said plans are to have the event the same Saturday as the Tomato Festival, the third Saturday in August with live music and other attractions throughout the day.
They were advised to meet with the park board and the Chamber of Commerce, and check with Sammons about an event alcohol license.
Jim Bumbaugh asked the council to be more positive, saying there has been some negativity on the council lately.
“It’s your fifth year together,” he said, “a Census year, promote positivity by sharing economic plans and growth.”
Barker said some negativity couldn’t be avoided but there was a lot to be positive about. “At the county level they’re working on a master plan for housing and growth. We’ve had water and sewer system upgrades.”
He reminded Bumbaugh there are open lots where people could build houses, but the council can’t determine who buys property.
“Economic development is a slow process,” he said. “And the state has made voluntary annexation even harder, it’s a two-year process now.
“We can’t do anything if a not-for-profit buys land and takes thousands of dollars off the property taxes.”
Jones is a U.S. Navy veteran, full-time Kosciusko County confinement officer, graduate of the state police academy and is attending the reserve officer academy.
Utility Superintendent Casey Boggs did double duty as clerk-treasurer while Myra Mast attends a conference in Indianapolis.
Boggs said Scott Werstler is offering a donation to replace the Whitko signs in town and add softball signs. As a restricted donation, it was approved by council members Tom Barker, Matt Brubaker and Mandy Espinoza.
Boggs said the new speed limit street signs have been installed and a water tower inspection is scheduled soon. He said the Indiana Department of Environmental Management require the tower to be painted, too.
Barker noted the park board has been reactivated with members Cindy Kreger, Sarah Espinoza, Kim Rose, Paula Smith, Georgia Tenney and Casey Boggs meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in town hall.
In his report, town marshal Tim Sammons said he intends to establish an internet exchange zone in the police department parking lot, saying people who sell online can meet customers in safety there.
The police cadets have met twice now, Sammons said, adding that the March program with be crime scene investigation techniques by the Indiana State Police officers, and in April Lutheran EMS personnel with attend the meeting. The cadets will attend the April 13 town council meeting.
Sammons said officer Ryan Piper is close to graduating from the academy.
Espinoza noted the 2020 Census will start soon and asked Sammons to make it clear census takers would not be asking for Social Security numbers or any kind of financial information.
Sammons said he was preparing a news release and asked everyone to follow the Pierceton Police Department on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Barker noted the Census employees will only ask basic questions like how many people live in a house, apartment or mobile home, their ages and if they own or rent the dwelling.
In the 2010 Census, Pierceton’s population wasn’t properly counted because surveys weren’t sent to post office boxes, which many residents use. Surveys mailed to physical addresses were returned undelivered. According to the Census, only 300 people lived in town.
When the council made an appeal to increase the count, two more people were added to the population.
Barker said they need honest, accurate information as many federal funding programs are based on population.
Greg Chism, commander of the American Legion, said the organization wishes to hold a fundraiser in the Pierceton Park ampitheater, 508 S. Seventh St.
He introduced event organizer Brandon Carey, who said plans are to have the event the same Saturday as the Tomato Festival, the third Saturday in August with live music and other attractions throughout the day.
They were advised to meet with the park board and the Chamber of Commerce, and check with Sammons about an event alcohol license.
Jim Bumbaugh asked the council to be more positive, saying there has been some negativity on the council lately.
“It’s your fifth year together,” he said, “a Census year, promote positivity by sharing economic plans and growth.”
Barker said some negativity couldn’t be avoided but there was a lot to be positive about. “At the county level they’re working on a master plan for housing and growth. We’ve had water and sewer system upgrades.”
He reminded Bumbaugh there are open lots where people could build houses, but the council can’t determine who buys property.
“Economic development is a slow process,” he said. “And the state has made voluntary annexation even harder, it’s a two-year process now.
“We can’t do anything if a not-for-profit buys land and takes thousands of dollars off the property taxes.”
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