Bourbon To Switch From Town Convention To Primary Election
Bourbon To Switch From Town Convention To Primary Election
Posted
Carol Anders-
Bourbon To Switch From Town Convention To Primary ElectionBOURBON – The town of Bourbon will now use a primary election instead of a town convention for future elections.
During Tuesday’s town council meeting, the ordinance regarding nominations for town office was changed. A portion of the ordinance indicated the reasoning for the action.
It states the town “has determined, based upon public input and comment, that it would be in the best interest of said municipality to conduct the selection of candidates for elected office in the Town of Bourbon by primary election as permitted by Indiana.” Additionally, candidates for town office shall be nominated by primary election, beginning January 2019.
The ordinance abolishes the town convention and places the election in the hands of the Marshall County Election Board.
In other matters, a request by Republic Services that was presented to the council last month was approved. Peter Callan, municipal account executive, was present at both the August and September meetings. On behalf of Republic, Callan was asking to change recycling pickup in Bourbon from weekly service to every other week pick-up.
Callan had cited increased costs due to economic changes as the reason for the change. The town entered into a renewed five-year contract earlier in 2018.
During both meetings, town attorney Tony Wagner shared his concerns for altering the contract. Speaking to Callan, Wagner said, “You said at the last meeting you won’t reduce the rate. I’m not sure I see the consideration coming from the other side.”
Council President Les McFarland said, “In theory, we could have a trial period?”
Wagner indicated that they could agree to perhaps six months. However, council member Larry Wattenbarger made the motion to allow Republic to change the frequency of pick-ups through the length of the current contract.
Stipulations include offering a second recycling container to residents who have more than one container will hold and extending more education on what can be recycled to the entire community.
According to information provided by Callan, since recycling was introduced some 40 years ago, Americans recycle nearly 87 million tons per year.
