Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Jan Nelson presented the town council with a few suggestions regarding last weekend's Fat and Skinny Tire Fest.
For the second year, island residents were required to move vehicles from parking spaces to allow bike races around the loop of streets.
Nelson said she loved the races, but not the way residents were notified about the event.
"Why not put a notification on the (council) agenda? I've been attending the meetings and don't remember you ever approving closing the island for six hours, unless you count mention of the event in the 'What's Happenings,'" she said. "The Village Memo we received indicated you approved it. There were a lot of people confused and confined at home. They didn't realize they could leave between races."
Nelson suggested everyone be notified by first class mail or that a sign be put up about clearing the parking spaces of vehicles. She also said police officers were knocking on doors at 7 a.m., telling people to move their cars, although the memorandum indicated car removal by 9 a.m. would be alright.
Another resident suggested the island races be Saturday, instead of Sunday. "This is Winona Lake," he said, "half of my neighbors are retired missionaries and had to wait until a race was over to leave for church.
The board approved Phend and Brown's quote of $8,400 for an asphalt overlay for the park's parking lot. Other bidders were NIBLOC, $8,900, and Ranger Materials, $9,475.
The board also:
• Approved Sue Lehman's appointment to the park board.
• Heard from town engineer Larry Long the Chestnut Street, Park Avenue and King's Highway projects, begun last year, are near completion except for a few minor issues.
• Approved a $35,000 transfer from the wastewater utility fund to the general fund, which will be replaced later.
• Heard the town will participate in an Internet "reverse auction" to bid on a single-axle truck. The auction is May 31 at 1 p.m.
• Heard events in town as: an IACT RoundTable at the Boathouse Restaurant, today; a visit by the Visitor's Bureau and WRSW during National Tourism Week, Friday, from 6 to 9 a.m.; WRSW "Talk of the Town" with Retha Hicks, Monday at 2 p.m.; Winona Cup Sailboat Regatta, May 21 and 22; Village at Winona juried art fair, June 4 and 5; IHSAA golf sectional at Stonehenge Golf Club June 4; and the senior center is open to the public Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Town council members are Jeff Carroll, Joy Lohse, Rolly Ortega and Jerry Clevenger. David Delp was absent.
