EMA director gets the job done
With a little help from our friends….
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

McDowell

It was determined after the first of two January 2008 floods, residents along the Tippecanoe River did not have adequate warning of the nature of the impending disaster. Carroll County Emergency Management Director Dave McDowell, whose home was one of those that received maximum flood damage, has worked to remedy the lack-ofnotification issue since that time, but to no avail. However, that changed less than 10 days ago.

McDowell said every grant he thought was appropriate for which to apply had to be initiated by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Although he worked with the DHS representative, no action was taken by that office to help Carroll County.

McDowell announced the solution he found at the Carroll County Commissioners Monday morning meeting. He said he discovered that a Native American group, such as the Eel River Indian Tribe, could make the appropriate application.

"It gives me great pleasure to bring you good news this morning," Mc- Dowell said.

Grant funding for $99,045.62 for three towers and sirens along the river was secured, he said. Additionally, money for a three-year maintenance program and to establish a notification protocol was included in the grant request.

"Carroll County citizens deserve safety," McDowell said. "It seemed like we had to circumvent state bureaucracy to get what we needed here."

Eel River Indian's Chief Mike Floyd said the tribe would administer the funds out of a separate account established for the notification project. He said tribal members wanted to help the county with needs whenever possible.

McDowell said the new system was designed to be compatible with all other current warning systems with multiple tones.

Courthouse repairs

Commissioners will request $235,000 from the cumulative capital improvement fund to hire a design engineer and firms to tuck point and to roof the courthouse. Custodian Sheryl Shockley said an engineer would cost approximately $11,000. She said rough estimates for the roofing were $70,000 and $144,000 for the tuck pointing.

"I suggest you move ahead as fast as you can before the freezing starts," county council member Ron Slavens advised.

Shockley reported air blowers to the space occupied by the historical museum and to a location on the third floor were not working. She said the estimate to repair them was approximately $15,000.

EDC

A request by Carroll County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to re-zoned two parcels of land from agricultural to light industrial was unanimously approved. The area plan commission gave a favorable recommendation for the re-zone.

"We (EDC) believe these sites will be marketable areas," EDC director Daryl Smith said.

The parcels of land are a 60-acre tract south of Delphi on US421 and 80 acres south of Flora on SR75. (see related map on page 5A)

Burnett's Creek Arch

Highway superintendent Ron Francis said the Indiana code provided for county-paid surveyors to be on private land when needed, although they were obligated to notify land owners prior to their visit. He said the Burnett's Creek Arch project was in progress when he became department supervisor.

Commissioners' president Loren Hylton said the county was "only interested in repairing the structure" and was not planning to make a parking lot or a park for visitors at the site. He said the newest survey would de- termine where the road rightof way would be.

County resident Milt Rodgers suggested the bridge be removed and given to the canal association. He said the county could install a "real bridge in there."

Highway department

Francis said the road east of Yeoman where culvert 227 was installed is now open.

A punch list for the Wilson's Bridge project will be developed this week.

Yeoman/EMS grant

Yeoman Town Board President Shirley Larson presented a formal resolution from the town to enter into the commissioners' record. The resolution stated that all bids received for the project to build a community center and EMS garage combination exceeded the $75,555 cost estimate. It further stated Yeoman pledged $55,000 from certificates of deposit and $25,555 from the general fund to the project to reconcile the difference between the engineer's estimate and the lowest bid amount.

County auditor Beth Myers emphasized the commissioners were the applicants and grantees for the funding. She said discussions about the project, which would include accepting or rejecting bids, should be done at a commissioners' meeting by the commissioners.

Other business

A letter of support from Delphi Preservation Society to the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology, to update the Carroll County Interim Report of Historic Sites and Structures Inventory, was endorsed. The survey of local buildings and structures will be done by the Historic Landmarks Foundations of Indiana.

Carroll Manor will host a pork chop dinner as a fundraiser and an open house Sept. 28.

Flora Little League used the 4-H Community Building Aug. 23.

Brethren Charity Fund will use the 4-H building Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.

The next meeting will be Sept. 15 at 9 a.m.

Drainage Board

Surveyor Wayne Chapman reported five work orders from Burlington, Washington, Adams and Deer Creek townships.

A joint drainage board meeting with Howard County was Tuesday night to discuss a joint project which would flow into the Bachelor Run Conservancy District.

Chapman said if the project is approved, residents would pay two ditch assessments. Bachelor Run attorney Miriam Robeson was to represent the conservancy district in the meeting. Chapman said he had little information about the project and he was not going to be available to attend the meeting.

The next Carroll County Drainage Board meeting will be Oct. 6 at 8:30 a.m.