Dunkirk donates to new organization

DUNKIRK — Council members donated $500 to “A Better Life … Brianna’s Hope” after hearing Pastor Randy Davis, the founder of the group, speak at their meeting Monday.
Council also agreed to provide short-term disability insurance for city employees and purchased new equipment for the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department.
Davis sought support for the group he helped form to provide assistance for those dealing with addiction. It is named for Brianna DiBattiste, a Dunkirk resident who struggled with drug addiction and was missing for more than two months this summer before her body was found Sept. 1 on Jay County Conservation Club property.
“I’ve gotten into the hope business. A lot of other people are in that with me,” Davis said of the group he formed after the death of Brianna DiBattiste, that provides help for those with addictions.
Davis said about 20 people have been attending Brianna’s Hope meetings that are held at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday in the former MainSource Bank building at the corner of Ind. 67 and Union Street in Redkey.
“This is something that came out of this Brianna issue. And we don’t want to let this thing die, so I think it’s a good cause,” Dunkirk Mayor Dan Watson said before suggesting a $500 donation, which council then approved.
Watson informed council that Barnum-Brown Insurance can provide short-term disability insurance for city employees at a cost of $237.22 per month. Council members Tom Johnson, Jesse Bivens, Lisa Street and Jack Robbins, minus Judy Garr, agreed to provide the insurance beginning Jan. 1.
Street informed council that the fire department needs to purchase four pagers for $415 each, three sets of turn-out gear for $1,837.12 each and four oxygen tanks for $842.65 each, for a total of $10,541.96. Council agreed to make the purchases.
In other business, council:
•Heard from Watson that a public meeting will be held Jan. 12 at West Jay Community Center about the blight grant project.
•Agreed to donate $50 to the Jay County High School Alternative program at Pennville Elementary for a Christmas party. There are 27 students attending the program.
•Voted to hire Geotech, Inc., to study and test the pipes at the Dunkirk Wastewater Treatment Plant to find out why there are frequent leaks. The cost is not to exceed $5,000.
•Agreed to release the lien on an empty lot at 333 E. Commerce St. so the lot can be donated to the city.
•Heard that Shelly Miskinis left the Dunkirk Foundation board, and Watson named Sandy Crouch as her replacement.
•Changed the upcoming paid holiday for city employees from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26. Clerk-treasurer Phonnie Kesler had discussed the shift will all city department heads.
•Heard from Johnson that residents have asked about the availablility of wood from trees that are being cut down at a property near Dunkirk City Park. Johnson will check on liability issues before giving permission.
Johnson also said electricity will be hooked up at the Dunkirk Depot Building today.
•Heard from Kesler that a new hot water heater and furnace will be installed at the Dunkirk City Building by next week.
•Agreed to pay claims 2358 to 2442 for $124,071.16.