Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Police officer Eric Coburn talked about the injury to his left elbow before the Warsaw Board of Works Wednesday, saying he would rather face a room full of barricaded and armed enemies.
Coburn, who has been with the department 22 years, slipped on the ice during a traffic stop in 1997, his elbow receiving a good whack in the fall.
Over the last five years he's had scores of medical treatments, taken a multitude of pain killers and, as a last resort, has scheduled a surgery for the condition Monday.
Coburn's appearance before the board regarded compensation during his recovery. His arm will be in a sling for two weeks, followed by six weeks rehabilitation. He expects to return to full duty after the rehabilitation period.
Generally, an officer must dip into his pension for such an extended leave. The board of works agreed to allow Coburn to use his sick days, counting one third of each one saved to cover one day of medical leave, up to 42 duty days. This will allow Coburn to receive full pay while he recuperates.
To move along a sanitary sewer line project, city planner Jeff Noffsinger introduced three easement agreements for interceptor installations. One agreement is with John and Eric Hendricks and the other two with John Call, which were approved.
The next item released John Call from $21,000 worth of civil penalties levied from January 1999 through April 2001. Call owns the apartments on Walter Way, known as Glen Terrace. The complex was closed down because of code violations.
Refinancing by Call has brought one building of apartments back to occupancy with another available for rent next week.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the liens are being forgiven because Call is in compliance with state and city building ordinances.
"Release of the liens is not in exchange or forgiven for the easements," Wiggins said. "But because Call has cooperated. It was never our intent to harm him."
Liens placed on properties are routinely forgiven by the city when the property is up to code.
In other business the board:
• Accepted several deeds of land from Warsaw Chemical Co. adjacent to the McKinley Street extension project. Wiggins called them good corporate and community partners.
• Approved several entertainment contracts as requested by park department activities director Janelle Wilson: with Ramada Plaza Hotel to accommodate the band and sound technician for the Classic Rock Concert, June 20, $369.60; with Ramada for accommodations for the Blues and BBQs event band and sound technician July 12, $739.20; with Ramada for accommodations for the Country Music Concert band and sound technician July 25, $665.28; with Joel Bernacchi for a performance by Splash of Steel, Aug. 29, $425; and with GBC Media, advertising for Kids Fishing Derby, June 7, $225.
• Approve a new lease agreement with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the Winona Lake Kiwanis Park and Center lake public access sites. The access site at Winona Lake will be upgraded.
BOW member Charlie Smith asked if there were any plans to dredge the channel which is clogged with silt and park superintendent Jon Garber said no.
"Dredging would be up to the individual property owners," Garber said.
• Approved a grant application by the Warsaw Police Department with the Bureau of Justice Assistance for bulletproof vests. If approved by the agency the grant will pay for 50 percent of the total cost of 10 vests,worn by on duty officers. The department will pay $6,000 for the equipment.
• Approved new part-time hires for the parks department as: Ira Werker, $11.92 per hour, campground manager; Rebecca Bailey, $8.28, laborer; Melissa Crawford, Lori Christian, Christopher Low, Kellie Kartholl and Bradley Gromis, $7 per hour as recreation leaders at the skate park; and Terry Aukeman, aquatics director, $10 per hour.
Board of works members are Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Jerry Patterson and Charlie Smith.
