Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - The two criss-crossing spotlights shooting up from Stimmelators Gentleman's Club on Washington Street are interfering with serious star gazing, according to Mike Stephan, president of the Warsaw Astrology Club.
The club and the Kosciusko Community YMCA operate the observatory at Camp Crosley. Built in 1990, the facility is used for educational programs, which are open to the public.
Observation of the constellations has been minimized due to light pollution of the spotlights, Stephan said.
"Our programs are in jeopardy of closing down," he explained to the town council Wednesday. "We have served thousands of people since 1990. Because of one particular business, our members are choosing other observation sites."
The amateur astronomer said the society is hosting a spring convention at Camp Crosley April 25 and 26 with members coming from Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, as well as from Indiana.
"They [the conference attendees] won't tolerate this situation, he said.
Stephan said he made calls to the business asking for Sam Stimmel, Stimmelator's owner, and tried to reach him by cell phone, and his calls were never answered.
He also did not receive an answer from the county plan department regarding lighting ordinances.
Council president Kay Andrews said a leter would be sent to Stimmel advising him of the April conference and asking him to turn off the lights on those evenings.
