Delphi City Council members and Mayor Randy Strasser sat quietly and listened as Delphi, Carroll and surrounding counties’ residents provided their opinions about how to use the National Guard Armory when it becomes city property. The meeting was designed to allow any person or group, who has not provided their opinion to their council representative, or those who live outside of Delphi and are not represented on the council, to voice their opinion. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe Approximately sixteen people from the City of Delphi as well as outside of the city limits offered an opinion about the future use of the National Guard Armory. Four of the five city council members listened patiently as each person expressed their view at the Aug. 24 meeting.

Council member Dan Sterrett was not in attendance.

Speakers’ comments ranged from using the facility as a community center, predominantly financially supported by the city, to consolidating all city offices and programs in the building.

Mary McVey said she drove 20 miles from Adams Township to encourage city leaders to open the armory to her home-school program because a space large enough to accommodate the 41 students is difficult to find.

Wabash & Erie Canal Association representatives Dan McCain and Mary Crary both reported that the Interpretive Center is not able to accommodate the Christmas Food Basket program or auctions.

Delphi resident Bill Pearson, who is the husband of city council president Carolyn Pearson, urged council members to be conservative with city taxpayers’ money. Front St. resident Nancy Cripe suggested that the city move all of the city offices and departments, such as Main Street and the parks department, to the Armory yet maintain the open area for events. Both city taxpayers said a building could be constructed behind the armory on the property for the street department trucks if that was deemed necessary.

Doug Davies spoke about the 600 auctions he has held at the armory in the past 30 years. He said he does not want the use of the building to change for him. Neighbor Jeff Delaney said that he did not want to view street department activities from his home. Three members of the newly formed adult education program spoke separately and urged the council to make the facility a public use one.

Some who spoke urged council members to consider all options, but to also be mindful of the cost to city taxpayers to support the building as a community center. County council president Ann Brown said that she had experience in opening and maintaining the YMCA, which is now a community center, in Flora. She said that it will take a lot of work to make the armory a community center.

“You have to plan for this if that’s what you decide to do,” she said. “Without a plan, it could become a money pit.”

Delphi resident Dave McDowell said that a community center would be a good thing for the Delphi area, however he thought the costs should be known before any decision is made.

Brian Garrison was the only council member to speak.

“I see the reason for a lot of different uses for this building,” he said. “I appreciate all of the input. But the council is still financially responsible to those who elected us.”