Winona Council Hears Concern Of Patriotic Pops Concert New Location
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake resident Kathy Gill expressed concern Tuesday with the Masterworks Patriotic Pops Concert being moved to a new location this year. During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting, Gill said she is concerned that the concert will not be on the lawn under the big white tent this year because Masterworks did not have the $10,000 to do so. Instead there will be two concerts July 4, at 7 and 8:30 p.m. at Rodeheaver Auditorium. The Times-Union published Gill’s letter concerning the issue and wrote a story on the topic. “I appreciate that they are still doing the concert and people can choose to go either time, but my concern is that we’re diminishing what we all call our Great Fourth of July and it won’t be as great,” Gill said. “We are losing part of what makes Winona Lake a special destination and a great place for those who live here.” She said Craig Allebach, town coordinator, informed her the town is not in the business of funding private entities and Masterworks is a private organization. “I think we are doing our community a great disservice by not helping them find funding for this because I think it adds a lot to our community,” Gill said. Randy Swanson, councilman, thanked Gill for her concerns. “A lot of people would sympathize with your point of view,” Swanson said. Terry Howie, councilman, said the town is already locked in on its budget for this year, but could consider putting the outdoor concert in its budget for next year. John Elliott, Warsaw-Winona Lake fireworks co-chair, said this year’s fireworks will be July 4 over Winona Lake at 10 p.m. and there will be a moment of silence for Dr. Dane Miller during the fireworks show. In other business, the council on second reading approved a Splash Pad regulation ordinance and an ordinance on park rental fees. The Splash Pad is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The council approved a contract for $13,618 with Hoosier Equipment for a new salt spreader. Larry Long, town engineer, reported the island decorative lights will be worked on and the existing NIPSCO poles will be removed June 29, Camden Construction will install piling July 3, Hoosier Land Excavating will install underground conduit and the street foundation July 5 and the project should be completed the end of July. Long said there has been heavy rain behind the street department and new catch basins will be installed. He will bring a quote to the next meeting. “This is an emergency situation as far as I’m concerned,” Howie said. Long said the town is working on standards for design and construction for sanitary sewers, roads, tree planting and curbs. Tom Miller, public works director, said the main lift station generator will be installed this week. He said the street department employees attended a national Severn-Trent conference in May and Winona Lake submitted an application for a Community Achievement Award and received the award for its contributions to the community. A formal plaque will be presented at the July council meeting. Paul Schmitt, town marshal, said street closures should be expected on 9th Street and Park Avenue and in Stonecamp Subdivision while a movie about the town is being filmed starting next week. Mitch Titus, fire chief, said he will bring quotes to the council to replace the department’s 40-year-old leaking roof. Winona Happenings are Masterworks Festival through July 11; Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Triathlon June 27 at 8 a.m.; Winona Lake Great 4th of July celebration July 4; fireworks over Winona Lake July 4 at 10 p.m.; 5K Run to benefit Habitat For Humanity July 18 at 8 a.m.; Village at Winona Porsche Festival July 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Bass Tournament for Hoosier Burn Camp July 25 from 6 to 11 a.m.; and Flotilla Boat Parade July 5 at 8:30 p.m. on the Winona Lake shoreline.
