Archive - Jul 2012 - News Article
July 10th
With Mayor Bill McKean absent, Berne City Council on Monday approved the mayor's recommendations for 2013 pay increases for city employees and elected officials.
The votes, as anticipated, were not unanimous.
July 9th
Back to normal ... or at least close to it.
Everyone's power is restored and after nearly two weeks of extremely hot weather, Decatur-area residents are going to be seeing near-normal temperatures this week, the National Weather Service said this morning.
Now, if we could just get some more rain!
The restored Ceylon Covered Bridge will be dedicated this Saturday in a special event held at the site.
The event will start at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15, payable to Geneva Proud. Those interested need to make reservations no later than Tuesday by calling Geneva Town Hall, 368-7251.
The meal following the dedication ceremony will include BBQ chicken and pulled pork by Hoosier Q Daddy; ice cream by Crossroads Pantry will be available and drinks will be furnished.
Only a portion of a downtown Monroeville building remained standing this morning after a devastating fire broke out Thursday night.
One side of the building, last occupied by a Dollar Dan business over a year ago, was still standing. Firefighters reportedly had the other half of the building knocked down in order to prevent rekindling. The structure is owned by Roger Gerardot, at 107 Summer St., across from the American Legion post.
No monetary estimate of damage was available.
July 6th
Weather experts are saying Decatur-area residents could be getting some relief from the oppressive heat by Sunday — if highs in the upper 80s are relief. The way it's been going of late, that could be a dip of 10 to 15 degrees!
The temperature topped out at 99 degrees at the city weather station on Thursday, the ninth consecutive day when the high hit 89 or more. And the National Weather Service is saying highs could be in the triple digits today and Saturday.
Street/Sanitation Superintendent Jeremy Gilbert asked for patience as his department and others in the city received considerable praise at this week's city council meeting for their cleanup efforts in the wake of last week's storm. Gilbert said the city workers were in the process of making one "pass" through the city, and when that is completed, a second one will be made for the smaller cleanup tasks.
Bids were opened for the resurfacing of Polk Street Thursday evening by the Monroe Town Council.
A bid of $85,591.51 was received by Lica, Berne; $85,435 from Wayne Asphalt, Fort Wayne; and $96,238 from Brooks Construction, Fort Wayne.
Council voted 3-0 to take the bids under advisement and will meet in a special session at 6:30 p.m. on July 9 to render a decision.
July 5th
Full-time City of Decatur workers will be getting a two percent pay boost next year, marking the second year in a row they've received an increase after going the two previous years without.
Mayor John Schultz recommended the two percent hike at Tuesday night's city council meeting and council readily agreed.
Although fireworks were banned in Decatur by city officials over a week ago, there has been some question whether the city had the authority to do so. It now appears that most doubt is gone following the passage of an emergency proclamation at Tuesday night's city council meeting.
Probably two-thirds of Indiana counties have instituted burn bans during this summer of drought, and many communities have banned the use of fireworks.
The Geneva Town Council reviewed the proposed 2013 town operating budget of $574,767 at its meeting this week. The proposed budget, prepared by Clerk-Treasurer Bill Warren, is $20,980 more than the 2012 budget.
The budget proposal for 2013 outlines $409,139 of spending from the General Fund and $165,628 from the Motor Vehicle-Highway Fund.
The budget will be reviewed again next month. A public hearing will be held in September, and the town expects to adopt the budget in October.
