Camden learns it has no emergency shelter
Comet staff report

Recent snow storms and power outages have Camden officials on notice that the town has no emergency shelter.

Carroll County Emergency Management Director Justin Darling said that the county does not have an emergency plan for shelter at Camden.

At a meeting Feb. 21, Camden Town Council discussed purchasing a portable generator that could be hooked up for power at the community building and/or fire station for shelter. Neither building is currently wired for a generator.

The town has a generator but it is for the water tower and lift station.

Camden's representative to the Emergency Management committee, Richard Fite, will be asked to investigate whether a grant is available to help with the cost of a generator.

The council also agreed to discuss the situation with the township advisory board.

Council President Pete Wagoner voiced his frustration with Duke Energy concerning the recent power outages. He said that since the conversion from Cinergy to Duke Energy, the power is down longer and communication is non-existent between the town and the company.

Renewed efforts to improve available the appearance of the town are underway with enforcement of the town's nuisance ordinance. Twenty-nine letters were recently mailed out concerning vehicle violations and "we've had excellent response," said clerktreasurer Pat Casserly. "We're seeking people's cooperation without issuing citations."

Casserly said her office is keeping a ledger on correspondence with these property owners. Eight have already completed action on their property, while 16 are in progress of getting into compliance, she said.

The Council will give property owners until March 13 to meet requirements before citations will be issued and penalties imposed.

Town marshal John Chapman is overseeing the ordinance crackdown. Other provisions of the ordinance will be addressed in the near future.

Wagoner reported on the recent joint meeting held between the council and Jackson Township Advisory Board. He said that discussion centered on items of mutual interest such as fire protection, cemetery, and park. They also discussed the school, the town's upcoming 175th anniversary celebration, SR 75 extension, and trending.

Wagoner said the meeting proved useful and the two groups will meet again in June.

Wagoner also said that the town is working as a facilitator to bring Bankcard Systems and a local business together to provide ATM service 24 hours a day.

Jeff Sieber reported on the progress of the 175th anniversary celebration committee. He said they are working on entertainment and a horse pull for Saturday night. A donation was received from TDS that has been earmarked to purchase memorabilia to sell during the celebration.

Melissa Red Elk reported on plans for the Fall Festival that will be Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A new contest will be Camden's Golden Star for those ages 60 and over. The contest will be patterned after Camden's Little Rising Star.

Red Elk explained that the emphasis this year will be on activities instead of booths. She said volunteers are needed to secure donations, organize garage sales, and distribute flyers at other festivals.

The town will supply two sets of port-a-potties for the event.

Wagoner congratulated Camden Elementary School on ISTEP scores. "We're proud of the work you are doing," he said.

Camden Elementary teacher Joe Brown requested street closures during the school carnival on March 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. The affected streets will be closed starting at 4 p.m.

The next meeting will be March 13 at 7 p.m.