Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Living on a lake was supposed to be an idyllic retirement setting for Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Hahn.
But, according to the couple, their Lake John home at 2803 Krista Lane is being threatened by ever-rising water - and that is threatening their retirement oasis.
"We've lived there for 10 years and we didn't have a problem for the first seven years," Mrs. Hahn said today. "But the drainage has gotten worse in the last three years. Now, our retirement dream has become a nightmare."
The Hahns said with the abundance of rain recently, they have had to pump almost continuously to keep water from filling their basement. They appeared before the Winona Lake Town Council this morning to seek assistance from the town in addressing the problem with high water.
"I know we aren't on Winona Lake, but we are a darned good tax base for the town, and we're here asking for your help," Mrs. Hahn said. "We're at our wits' end. It's gotten to the point that the only thing we have left to do is move after 10 years of hard work."
Council President Brent Wilcoxson said while the council empathizes with the Hahns' problem, drainage is a county issue. He asked council member Edna Gamble to meet with County Surveyor Dick Kemper and see what can be done to address the Hahns' problem.
"What I'd like to do is have Edna get with Dick Kemper and see what can be done," he said. "We'll put as much pressure as we can on the county to get a larger culvert put in, if that's what the problem is."
Public Works Superintendent Kim Endicott said from his inspection the outflow from Lake John is normal through the culvert under Roy Street.
"The culvert under Roy Street is clear and as much water is flowing through there as possibly can flow though it," he said.
In other business, the council approved new parking restrictions for Park Avenue, between Auditorium Drive and the Winona Lake police station.
The new restrictions will take effect June 30, or at the completion of the current Park Avenue reconstruction, whichever comes first.
The new restrictions call for 30-minute parking on the west side of Park Avenue between Ninth Street and Administration Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There will be no restrictions on the east side of Park Avenue.
Also, the council approved two-way traffic on both Auditorium Drive and Administration Boulevard, between Park Avenue and West Canal Street. The will be no street parking allowed on either road.
