Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH WHITLEY - The ornamental globes that illuminate the Eel River bridge are broken.
Concrete benches in Town Park were visited by "what had to be a sledgehammer," and the gazebo has sustained serious damage.
The long-standing barber pole no longer stands.
On Easter morning a blaze was found in a trash can by the Marathon Station's gasoline pumps and was extinguished by a passerby before, as the owner said, it blew up half of downtown.
State Street businesses are being victimized by vandals.
So far the town has responded with loitering citations and fees, which were raised from $10 per incident to $10 for the first offense, $25 for the second and $50 for the third offense Tuesday during the town council's meeting.
Jeff Jackson of the South Whitley Chamber of Commerce expressed alarm over the incidents. "It's not even summer yet," he said.
"We have no idea who is doing this," said town marshal Dave Wilcoxson.
"The loitering ordinance is being enforced. It is a problem of parental control not being exercised. They are sending kids uptown and expecting us to babysit them."
The children are often seen at 1 a.m.
One woman said they hang out in front of her business and others, smoking and blocking entrances.
Town attorney Greg Hockemeyer was directed to write a carefully crafted general letter to parents expressing some concern with their level of responsibility, which will be sent along with the loitering citations.
The town also approved a revised curfew ordinance citing the minors' right to assembly as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, wording which prevented lawful enforcement of previous ordinances.
Children must be accompanied by an adult, must be returning home from employment or a school activity or must be exercising their First Amendment rights to be out after 10 p.m. if under age 15 and midnight on Friday and Saturday for ages 15 to 17.
Several young men and boys attended the meeting to discuss a place to ride their BMX bikes and in-line skates. They were asked about the vandalism and who may be doing it.
"I'm 22," said Jake Hattaway. "Twelve-year-old kids holler profanities at me for no reason when I ride by, if I were younger ... well, I don't know what to do about kids like that. I don't know what to do to stop them."
Hattaway, Josh McMullen, John Woods, Lynn Pressler, Brock Puckett, Jason Robinson and Joe Mynhier attended the meeting to request a place to ride and install ramps.
Hattaway brought in illustrations of bike ramps and said he had a friend who would provide materials for very little cost.
"We'll pay for the ramps out of our own pockets and repair everything," Hattaway said.
Board president Judy Eberhart has been working with the group. She said they want a basketball court-sized concrete slab poured in Hagan Park. The slab could be converted into a court in the future. Installation of light poles also was requested.
Tony Starkey said there were many grants available for youth activities in parks and he would help them apply for one.
"Don't sell yourselves short," Starkey said. "Give us a cost estimate on what you really want."
In other business the board: n Announced Gene's Super Value is going out of business.
The grocery, owned by Gene Cady of Warren, is undergoing a liquidation of inventory. The building will be available for light industry.
• Heard from a Whitley County Community Foundation representative regarding a leadership training program. Cost to participate is $600 each.
• Approved half the purchase price of a table for the park through Wabash Valley, Silver Lake, during an upcoming auction. The other half will be paid by Delta Theta Tau, Theta Kappa Chapter, according to sorority member Glee Eberly.
• Heard from Carol Eberly, owner of Carol's Corner Restaurant, regarding people parking in her lot. She asked that the two-hour parking minimum be imposed along the street bordering her establishment.
The town ordinance calls for two-hour parking along State Street and extends for half a block east and west along Columbia, Front and Mulberry streets.
• Officially refused property offered by Stumps. The ground, located north of the former Gripco building, is a large lot in a residential area.
Neighbors in the area have indicated they prefer not to have a recreational area next door.
• Heard Steel Dynamics Inc.'s permit has been approved and construction is under way at the facility.
Town council members are Judy Earnhart, Tony Starkey and Tom Rudd. The council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in town hall at 7:30 p.m.
