Pete Wagoner to head Camden Town Council
By Jennifer Archibald

Newly appointed Camden Town Council member Pete Wagoner was elected council president at the Jan. 9 regular meeting.

He was nominated by Andy Robison, who is vice president of the council.

The council adopted a Memorial Resolution in memory of Ralph Rohrabaugh, who was town council president at the time of his death on Dec. 17.

The resolution formally recognizes "the passing of a man who was esteemed by his associates and respected by all," and expresses the council's sorrow, and sympathy to his family.

Wagoner said the best way for the council to honor Rohrabaugh is to conduct town business as efficiently and effectively as possible. He also gave assurances that the council meetings will be held in accordance with the open door law

Appointments

The council made several appointments. Three persons will replace Camden representative positions that were held by Rohrabaugh. Bob Overman was appointed to the board of the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation, Richard Fite to the county Emergency Management Advisory Committee, and Chuck Foreman to the county E-911 Advisory Committee. Each will serve one year.

Other appointments were: Diane Wertz, Camden-Jackson Township Public Library Board; Pat Baker will continue to serve on the county Board of Zoning Appeals; and Pete Wagoner will continue on the Area Plan Commission and on the board of the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation. The appointment to the Animal Control Board will be made later.

Letter, petition to TDS

The council approved a letter that will go out this week to David Wittwer, president and CEO of TDS Telecom. The letter is in regard to the announcement that TDS plans to close its business office in Camden. As representatives of the community, the council explains its view of the ramifications that decision will have on the town.

"The rural areas suffer a negative impact every time another company decides they will benefit from taking the 'big box' approach and move farther away from their customer base," the letter states. "TDS Telecom imagines money will be saved by the closing of the Camden office. We know this business action will result in one less reason for people to come to Camden to conduct business. One less reason to support the local stores. One less reason to visit the local restaurant."

"Your business office is the face of TDS Telecom to the people of this locality," the letter continues. "Your company is professionally represented by the staff and this contact will be missed if you proceed with the decision to close."

Attached to the letter is a petition with 567 signatures from the area served by TDS.

Jeff Sieber reported that banners have been installed downtown, promoting Camden's 175th anniversary. The celebration is planned for July 21-22. Robison remarked that the local Masonic Lodge building will be 150 years old, and members are considering a commemoration to coincide with the town celebration.

Warning on junk vehicles

In anticipation of the July events, the council plans to become more forceful in encouraging residents to clean up their properties.

Wagoner said deputy marshal John Chapman has documented 19 property owners who are violating the town's nuisance ordi- nance. He said most of the violations are junk vehicles or unlicensed vehicles.

The council directed town attorney Anne Briggs to send notification letters to the property owners. Robison said letters have been sent before, but this time there needs to be follow-up to make sure it gets done. Briggs said this could include taking the violators to court.

Old medicine bottle found

Clerk-treasurer Pat Casserly said someone renovating a property in Camden found an old medicine bottle that had come from the office of Drs. Charles and Eva Kennedy. The husbandand wife doctors had an upstairs office in the Masonic Temple in the early 1900s. Casserly said the bottle will be turned over to the museum in the library.

House repair projects that were covered under an Indiana Housing & Community Development grant have been completed, and final inspection will be on Jan. 18. Wagoner and Robison both said they have received positive feedback from home owners on the work that was done. The town will pursue another housing rehab grant. Interested home owners with low to moderate income can leave their names in the town office.

Ken Smith with the Municipal Civil Corp. reported on the status of a Community Development Block Grant sought for upgrades and enhancements to the town's wastewater system. He said the proposal goes in this month, there will be a public hearing in February, the application will be submitted in March, and grants will be awarded in May.

Uncashed checks

Casserly reported on town checks that have been outstanding for two years. By statute, they are to be declared void and receipted back into the funds from which they were drawn. She listed the amount of the checks and their respective funds as follows: $613, general fund; $14.60, water fund; and three checks from the wastewater fund, totaling $21.25.

Wagoner reported that the emergency siren is being remotely controlled by Emergency Management and will be tested the first Saturday of every month. He said the Jan. 6 test lasted three minutes, which many people thought was too long for a test.

Jackson Township trustee and advisory board asked to meet and touch base with the council. A meeting has been set for Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at the fire station.

The council's next regular meeting will be Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Community Building.