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SYRACUSE - Syracuse will get its community center.
Tuesday, the Syracuse Town Council voted 3 to 2 to issue and sell $700,000 in bonds to help fund the building of the center. Voting in favor of the bonds were council president Barbara Carwile, Paul Stoelting and Carol Koble. Voting against the bonds were Bill Hane and Michael Davis.
More than $1.2 million in grants, funds and donations has already been raised for the $1.9- million community center. The bonds will be paid off through the Cumulative Capital Development Fund and the Park Capital Cumulative Fund.
Before the vote was taken, Syracuse Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mike Hixenbaugh said that whichever way the vote went, it was a "truly historic" moment for Syracuse and everyone in the room "will witness history" being made.
Supporters and remonstrators also spoke before the vote was taken.
Ron Sharp presented information to the council on tax dollars and how much of each tax dollar went to various governmental bodies.
"I know this board is concerned about the tax rate," Sharp said, "but honest to goodness, no one knows" what will happen to it in the future.
Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Society member Bill Beemer said the society is looking forward to the community center because the society is outgrowing its current facilities.
The president of the Turkey Creek Senior Citizens said she is in favor of the community center.
Representing more than 1,300 families, the Wawasee Property Owners Association also is in favor of the center, according to a spokesman.
"We feel this is a very strong vision Mike has," he said, and it will help the town of Syracuse stand out.
Elgie Tatman, Syracuse clerk- treasurer, spoke as a citizen instead of as the clerk. She said, "I am for the community center. As elected officials, we should take into consideration that most people here want this."
Scott Abbs told the council they need to be leaders and vote in favor of the community center. "You've been elected to lead," he said. "Please lead."
"I'm very much in favor of the community center going on," said Koble. She said the community center will offer plenty of activities for all ages.
Concerned about the cost of the upkeep of the community center, local businessman Tim Yeager asked if the operating budget for the center was going to come from town funds as well.
Carwile said money to pay for the center's operating funds will be a part of the budget process.
"I just hope we can operate it down the road," said Yeager.
Janet and Denny Spearman said they are concerned about water runoff from the community center construction. Already, they said, water runs off onto their property from neighboring businesses. The council told the Spearmans they will check out the problem.
The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to support the community center, director Steven Hite told the council, though there was concern about raising new taxes.
While not against the center, Hane said he would like some of the center scaled down. He said he didn't think a full-size regulation gym is needed.
Members of the audience replied the gym is necessary because the gyms in Syracuse are always booked.
Hixenbaugh said the gym will be one of the biggest money-raising aspects of the center.
"If it's scaled down," said area resident James Prescott, "don't touch the gym."
Along with approving the bonds, the council also approved the execution of the lease agreement for the community center.
The bonds must still be approved by the state.
