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Delphi Tri-Township Fire Chief resigns
Schock has been chief for 32 years and told council members the time had come for him to step down. The news came as a surprise to some council members. "It's time to let someone else take over," Schock said. A l t h o u g h Schock is stepping aside as chief, he plans to continue to fight fires and work in the department. He said volunteer fire fighter John Patterson would likely become the next chief. Schock said he will be available to help the new chief become acclimated to his new duties and that he is leaving the department in good shape. "We've got a department you can be proud of," Schock said. Elected officials salary ordinance Council president Carolyn Pearson, presiding over the meeting in the absence of Delphi Mayor Lee Hoard, intended to pass two readings of an ordinance detailing the 2007 pay schedule for elected officials. However, the first reading was passed with a three-to-one vote, one abstention and considerable discussion. Council member John Hampton provided the "no" vote and Carol Dickman abstained. Hampton said his vote was not about money, but about the community's perception of the action. "It sends a wrong message to the citizens when we take a pay raise and local companies are going out of business," he explained. Hampton said the council discussed several large budget items with the mayor in past months, but there seemed to be no progress made with the issues. He said the council asked for a revised personnel policy but none had been provided. Pearson advised the mayor was working on the revision and said the document was with city attorney Miriam Robeson for review. Dickman said her apprehension about adopting the ordinance was about the same issue. She said by not voting for the ordinance she was "trying to encourage change." "It's not about the money," Hampton said. "I want to see things happen. It's been three months. I want to see something." Although he voted in favor of the ordinance, council member Randy Strasser agreed with Hampton and Dickman. "Wheels need to turn," he said about insurance costs, the personnel policy and developing a central dispatch for the police department. Pearson advised the ordinance had to be approved at the December meeting to become effective Jan. 1. Council members decided to hold a special meeting Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. to address the issues to be able to move forward with the ordinance. Water Tower housing project David Uttermohlen of Area IV Development Corporation announced ground-breaking ceremonies for the project will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m. He said construction will begin this week with completion expected by April 15. Uttermohlen described a drainage problem at the water tower and in Whiteman Addition, both city-related issues, which could be addressed in conjunction with the Area IV housing project. Consensus of council members was to work toward a resolution of the problems by working in concert with Area IV and planning for future development in the area. Other business Parks superintendent Richard Farrer reported completion of the boardwalk and work begun on the gazebo. The gazebo is expected to be completed this week. "I'm excited that it's become a reality," he said. Farrer said it was a pleasure to work with the Hillcrest students during the "We Tip Our Hats Off to Our Community" day. Police chief Ed Chapman warned drivers about driving vehicles through leaf piles on the streets. He said children play in the leaves. He also warned parents to not let their children play in the leaves on city streets slated to be collected by the street department. Delphi Municipal Airport Manager Brian Stirm reported the final inspection of the runway safety zone at the south end of the runway was completed Friday. There were minor issues for the contractor to address. Stirm said the airport is home base for 30 airplanes, which is 15 more than are based at Frankfort Municipal Airport. The next council meeting will be Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. |
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