Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The building commissioner position has been left vacant again with the resignation of Art Heredia, effective March 31.
Warsaw board of works members Mayor Ernie Wiggins and Charlie Smith gave the announcement Friday, and Wiggins said prospective commissioners are being interviewed.
According to the mayor, Heredia, who has a home in Fort Wayne, said family concerns are keeping him in the Three Rivers community and he has accepted a position at the YMCA there.
Heredia was hired at the end of last year to serve as commissioner.
Parks department activity director Andy McCleary presented the 2001 Recreation Guide for his department, a fold-out piece providing information on the parks, special events and children's events.
This year's evening performing arts series begins June 1 and ends Aug. 31.
The concerts are free, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Central Park. The Guitar Woodies will perform June 1; Gold Room, June 8; The Interns, June 15; City of Lakes Festival - June 21, 22 and 23 - First Presbyterian Church Concert featuring Avalon, June 22; Herman's Hermits, June 22; The Bel Airs, June 29; New Millennium Jazz Orchestra, July 6; RoadRockers, July 13; Elvis Presley impersonator Quentin Flagg, July 20; BlackHawk, July 29, Three Rivers Brass Ensemble, Aug. 3; Family Carnival, band TBA, Aug. 10; Sad Boy Trouble, Aug. 17; Summertime Blues Band, Aug. 24; and Chain O'Lakes Chorus, Aug. 31.
Entertainment contracts were approved with Jose Arrendono for the Fiesta Cinco de Mayo May 6, $1,000; Marty Miles for Lunchtime Funnies Aug. 3, $350; Sad Boy Trouble, Summertime Blues and Chain O' Lakes Chorus for the concert series in the amounts of $300, $500 and $300 respectively; and with The Paper for a $6 per column inch advertising contract.
A request was made by Robert C. Weaver, Kosciusko County Health Department Administrator, for a sewer hookup at the Steve and Tamra Vetor residence, 1834 Hepler Drive.
The board moved the item to the city council for consideration, but not before commenting that such requests in this area of the county are usually denied, although a sewer line has been laid along Tippecanoe Drive.
In other business the board:
• Approved the Fast Cab taxi cab permit for five minivans as requested by David Cesaretti.
Rates were given as $6 anywhere in Warsaw; $1.50 per stop; $1 per extra passenger; $1.50 per mile out of town; and $300 pickup charge out of town.
• Signed a recently found 911 services contract for 2001 with the county in which the county pays the city $90,000 for three dispatchers. The city-paid dispatchers work at central dispatch in the Justice Building under the county's administration.
The annual contract was the police department's responsibility and was overlooked for the last few months.
• Heard Mike Wilson for the Warsaw Fire Department will serve as ADA coordinator.
• Approved a contract with Signature Tree Co. Inc. for spraying of maple trees at Center and Pike lakes for Cottonycushion Maple Scale disease, at a cost of $2,046.
• Approved a change order of $535.50 in the city's favor regarding the Logan Street/Woodward Avenue project.
• Approved a grant application by the Warsaw Fire Department in the amount of $75,000 to refurbish a 1977 ladder truck, as presented by fire chief Matt Warren.
The monies are available through the Fire Act, which is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Heard from city clerk Elaine Call regarding a copy machine contract with IKON Office Solutions. The company has increased the number of copies allowed from 30,000 to 48,000 and reduced the per-copy price to $.0132 for a base service charge of $633.60.
• Approved the re-hiring of personnel for the parks department: Ira Werker, Warsaw, campground manager; Rebecca Bailey, Warsaw, maintenance; David Hoffert, Warsaw, activities assistant; Terry Aukeman, Warsaw, aquatics director; Corban Quance, Warsaw, assistant aquatics director; and Aaron McKinley, Leesburg, skate park. Christopher Lowe, Warsaw, is a new hire for the skate park.
• Heard from street superintendent Lacy Francis that a portion of Buffalo Street, from Market to West Jefferson Street, will be closed beginning April 23 through June 29. The extensive project will include sewer and storm drain, electrical, curbing, sidewalk and surface work.
Board of works members are Ernie Wiggins, Charlie Smith and Jerry Patterson, who was absent. Meetings are held the first and third Fridays of each month at 10:30 a.m. at city hall in the council chambers.
