City Sells Polston's Van; Hears ComplaintsWarsaw City Council Monday heard concerns regarding the trade-in of Warsaw Police Department's DARE van.
DARE Officer Terry Polston drove the van while serving as a DARE officer for Warsaw Community School Corp. He served 26 years with WPD. The last 15 years of his career were spent as a DARE officer in the Warsaw school system. He received several honors for his work with youth, including Officer of the Year and Indiana DARE Officer of the Year.He died Dec. 2 after a battle with lung cancer.
After Terry's death, the van was displayed at WPD and was signed by the community and DARE students.
Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety at its May 1 meeting approved the DARE van trade-in. The van was one of nine vehicles approved for trade-ins from a list recommended by Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter. It was traded in for $1,500 to Kelley Chevrolet, Fort Wayne. The van originally was donated by Explorer Van.
Randy Polston, Terry's brother, attended Monday's meeting and said he was shocked and saddened Friday when he learned the van had been traded in.
He said he had not been informed before it was traded in and said the van holds sentimental value.
He said he thought the van was still in storage. Randy said he had talked to Hunter, who had informed him he would keep Randy up to date on what would happen to the van.
"There was lack of communication. I did not want the van to be sold to a stranger, it belongs to the community and the children whose lives were touched by Terry," Randy said.
He requested the city buy the van back. Randy said he talked to Kelly Chevrolet who said they would hold the van for two to three more days.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said if the city were to buy back the van, they would need to make sure there was a use for it.
Wiggins said he will contact Kelly Chevrolet about discussing the possibility of the city purchasing the van back.
Councilman and Board of Works member Joe Thallemer said he was sympathetic.
"I believe trading the van in was an oversight, and it was never our intention to disrespect anyone," Thallemer said. "I offer my regrets, and I support the city trying to get the van back."
In other business, the council heard the Indianapolis Colts Fan Fest is coming to Warsaw this month. The fest will be June 25 at 5 p.m. at Central Park, 225 E. Fort Wayne St.
The event will include an autograph session with Colts players and cheerleaders, and a musical performance by Jester Kings.
The Colts Fans Fest also will include Colts interactive inflatables, Blue the Mascot, free Colts giveaways and the Colts in Motion Traveling Museum.
People can sign up for the Colts Kids Club and Crib Club, register to win Colts preseason tickets, find ways to Help A Hoosier, donate to the Indiana Blood Center, and bring canned foods to support local food banks.
The council also:
n Approved continuing a 10-year tax abatement for Dalton Corp., 1900 E. Jefferson St.; continuing a 10-year tax abatement on Spartech Plastics, 3454 N. Detroit St.; and continuing a 10-year tax abatement for Danco Anodizing, 2450 Deelyn Road.
n Approved transferring $2,000 from cemetery equipment to cemetery land to be used to reimburse people who are selling their lots back to the cemetery.
n Approved a Warsaw Fire Department activity report with 101 responses in April.
