Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - As the town continues negotiations with the Winona Lake Lions Club concerning the disposition of the Boy Scout "cabin" on the northeast corner of the island, citizens are expressing their concerns about the property's future.
At the July 16 town council meeting, town attorney Jim Walmer said the Winona Lake Lions Club's lawsuit filed against the town has been settled in mediation. No document detailing the agreement has been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court to date.
Jerry Nelson, 1012 Court Circle, and Anita Thomas, 201 Esplanade St., approached the board Tuesday with comments and petitions on the subject.
Thomas said the petitions represent 95 percent of island property owners and others in town.
Nelson said many citizens would like to see the property become a fourth park for the town instead of additional property for the adjacent property owners.
Last month, Walmer said the Lion's Club will have free use of the senior center for scout troop meetings for 10 years. The club's building, built on the north end of East K Street, will be removed. The property will be vacated, except for 10 feet along the canal the town wants to retain as a right of way.
If a request to vacate the property is filed by adjacent property owners Jim and Lisa LeMasters and if their request is approved, the rest of the property would go to them.
"I paid fair market value for my 40 feet of lakefront," Nelson said. "The petitioners have concerns about giving the property away. A fourth park would be nice. It could be landscaped like the old gas station (on the corner of Argonne and Winona Avenue).
"We'd like some sort of public hearing and action, positive or negative, before giving away the property."
Council president Jerry Clevenger said a public hearing is set for Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. and the petitioners are invited to attend that meeting.
Nelson said it was difficult to get a copy of the agreement and that LeMasters has a copy. "Is it that secretive? If we're going to have a legitimate discussion, people who have a major interest need to know."
Clevenger said the LeMasters also have been sued and as a party in the lawsuit, would have copies of negotiations.
"Any decision (about the property) will have an impact on all the people in Winona Lake. Anything we do as an outgrowth of pending litigation will be public knowledge. We'll be as honest and forthright as we can be, because the lawsuit is still pending," Clevenger said.
The board approved the 2004 budget. There were no changes made from last month's presentation.
Clerk-treasurer Retha Hicks said she kept the budget the same as last year.
Phend and Brown was awarded the Park Avenue reconstruction project as the lowest bidder, asking $250,791.35 for the work. Other bidders to retool the eastern portion of the street included Niblick Excavating, $269,890.93, and Brooks Construction, $357,968.27.
Town coordinator Craig Allebach said there are 10 decorative street lights included in the project but only seven will be installed. The price for the three extra will come in the form of a change order.
On King's Highway, curbs and gutters should be installed by the end of the week, Allebach said. He noted that the Warsaw School Corporation paid for a new street, possibly to be called Spartan Drive, behind Grace College's Gamma C. The street provides another route for parents to pick up and drop off their children at the school.
Public works superintendent Pete O'Connell said drivers can expect delays on King's Highway beginning Thursday and should find alternate routes through town.
The board also:
• Heard stickers for the new recycling bins have been ordered. The bins can be delivered or residents may pick them up. A second bin will cost $10. Residents can return their smaller containers and "swap" them for the larger containers for $5.
• Heard the fire station's generator is operational.
• Noted town events as: Sept. 5, pops concert at 2 p.m. by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at Hillside Ampitheater with a rain location in Rodeheaver Auditorium; Sept. 16, 5 p.m., Light the Night at Rodeheaver Auditorium; and Sept. 18, fall sailboat regatta on Winona Lake.
Board members are: Jerry Clevenger, John Boal, Jeff Carroll, David Delp and Rolly Ortega.
