Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE - Signs announcing the Jake Brake ordinance in effect in Silver Lake were revised Tuesday despite the signs not being approved by the Indiana Highway Department.
Indiana Highway Department would not approve the signs' wording for two reasons: the term "Jake Brake" is a trade name, and the brake is an emergency tool on the tractor-trailer, town marshal Craig Hollopeter told the town council.
But the highway department won't take the signs down if posted, Hollopeter said.
The town council changed the words "Jake Brake" to "engine brake" on the signs.
The town ordinance, passed in December, also allows using the brake "in the case of emergency and when necessary to protect persons or property from possible injury." The council added an emergency provision to the signs.
Four signs will be posted, two on Ind. 14 and two on Ind. 15 coming into town.
Local dairy farmer Randy Martin told the 40 people at the meeting about his plans to open a small grocery store in downtown Silver Lake.
The store will have fair-priced dairy products and more, he said. "When I go somewhere, I like getting a good deal."
The town council denied Kurt Owens, former Silver Lake deputy marshal, a hearing concerning his being fired.
Town attorney Vern K. Landis, from Rockhill Pinnick LLP, Warsaw, said Owens did not complete his law enforcement academy training, which releases the town from holding a hearing. Owens completed only three weeks of the four-week training.
Owens was fired for insubordination Oct. 30.
The council voted 2-to-1 against a hearing. Council president Gale G. Owens dissented.
In other business, the town council:
• Named councilman Gale G. Owens as council president for 2003.
• Will hold a meeting concerning the fire station building at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the town hall.
• Heard about a town snowplow destroying a resident's mailbox - the first in 12 years, town superintendent Phil Shally said. The town will formulate an ordinance or policy regarding snowplows hitting mailboxes.
Silver Lake Town Council members are: president Gale G. Owens, Brenda L. Wadkins, Donna G. McCune and clerk-treasurer Teresa A. Howell. Phil Shally is town superintendent. Craig Hollopeter is town marshal.
