July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
City makes plans to honor troops (01/22/08)
Portland City Council
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
Jay County residents who fight for our country will be honored by the city.
A city official and his administrative assistant are compiling a list of local residents who have served or are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said he and administrative assistant Carla Horn are planning an event to honor military personnel. The time, date and details of the event are not yet set.
The topic was raised at Monday night's Portland City Council meeting by council member Todd Nichols, who asked if there was anything the community could do to show support for the troops.
Horn said she is having difficulty compiling a list of those who are serving or have served in the military. She asked for anyone with information call her by the end of the month at (260) 726-9395.
Also Monday, council members heard Hosier report on the status of Community Home Improvement's financial problems.
The owner of the 1605 N. Meridian St., Portland, business is being sued by First Merchants Bank, which claims he owes the financial institution $785,140.23. Mazur also took out two separate Portland economic development income tax loans of $125,000 each. He still owes the city $233,125.51. The home improvement store is now closed.
Mazur's most recent payment to the city was due Monday. He did not make the payment, deputy clerk-treasurer Tina Paxson said this morning.
Hosier announced that he has given each of the council members a copy of the press release he issued to local news media on Monday morning. He said a copy of his press release, along with loan documents, were sent to JCDC executive director Bill Bradley. The mayor said city officials are hoping for a good outcome in the matter.
In other business, three council members were appointed to the Portland Planning Commission.
Council president Bill Gibson nominated Don Gillespie, Mike Brewster and Kent McClung. The council members unanimously approved the nominations.
Gillespie, Brewster and McClung will each serve four-year terms.
Also Monday, council members:
•Approved two tax abatement requests from Joyce-Dayton Corporation - Portland Division, 1621 N. Meridian St.
The company plans to expand its current facility by 16,000-square feet and add new hoist equipment. The project would create five new jobs with salaries totaling $190,000.
Jodi Scott, Jay County Development Corporation administrative assistant, told council members that the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee met on Wednesday and unanimously recommended the council approve the abatement requests.
The expansion is expected to cost $2,560,084 and the equipment $182,754. The abatement on the purchase would be for five years, and 10 years for the expansion.
Tax abatements allow companies to phase in property taxes due on new investments over several years.
•Heard Gibson comment that he is hoping the new lights along Industrial Park Drive will be installed soon.
Hosier said the holes for the light poles are being dug, and the lights should be installed soon. The new lights are the last phase in the recent widening of Industrial Park Drive.
•Heard Gillespie ask if the planned installation of a traffic light at Votaw Street and Industrial Park Drive would affect traffic flow at Votaw and Meridian streets.
Hosier said the new light might have an affect. He did not elaborate.
Gillespie said the southbound traffic on Meridian Street frequently gets backed up. He suggested that the recent installation of turn arrows on the Meridian Street stoplights might have something to do with the congestion.
Hosier said city and Indiana Department of Transportation officials will look into the matter.
•Heard Hosier commend three city officials for their cooperation during two large water leaks Monday.
Hosier thanked wastewater treatment plant superintendent Bob Brelsford, water department superintendent Doug Jackson and street and park department superintendent Jeff Harker for their efforts. The leaks occurred at Lincoln and North Meridian streets, and in the 100 block of West Seventh Street.[[In-content Ad]]
A city official and his administrative assistant are compiling a list of local residents who have served or are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said he and administrative assistant Carla Horn are planning an event to honor military personnel. The time, date and details of the event are not yet set.
The topic was raised at Monday night's Portland City Council meeting by council member Todd Nichols, who asked if there was anything the community could do to show support for the troops.
Horn said she is having difficulty compiling a list of those who are serving or have served in the military. She asked for anyone with information call her by the end of the month at (260) 726-9395.
Also Monday, council members heard Hosier report on the status of Community Home Improvement's financial problems.
The owner of the 1605 N. Meridian St., Portland, business is being sued by First Merchants Bank, which claims he owes the financial institution $785,140.23. Mazur also took out two separate Portland economic development income tax loans of $125,000 each. He still owes the city $233,125.51. The home improvement store is now closed.
Mazur's most recent payment to the city was due Monday. He did not make the payment, deputy clerk-treasurer Tina Paxson said this morning.
Hosier announced that he has given each of the council members a copy of the press release he issued to local news media on Monday morning. He said a copy of his press release, along with loan documents, were sent to JCDC executive director Bill Bradley. The mayor said city officials are hoping for a good outcome in the matter.
In other business, three council members were appointed to the Portland Planning Commission.
Council president Bill Gibson nominated Don Gillespie, Mike Brewster and Kent McClung. The council members unanimously approved the nominations.
Gillespie, Brewster and McClung will each serve four-year terms.
Also Monday, council members:
•Approved two tax abatement requests from Joyce-Dayton Corporation - Portland Division, 1621 N. Meridian St.
The company plans to expand its current facility by 16,000-square feet and add new hoist equipment. The project would create five new jobs with salaries totaling $190,000.
Jodi Scott, Jay County Development Corporation administrative assistant, told council members that the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee met on Wednesday and unanimously recommended the council approve the abatement requests.
The expansion is expected to cost $2,560,084 and the equipment $182,754. The abatement on the purchase would be for five years, and 10 years for the expansion.
Tax abatements allow companies to phase in property taxes due on new investments over several years.
•Heard Gibson comment that he is hoping the new lights along Industrial Park Drive will be installed soon.
Hosier said the holes for the light poles are being dug, and the lights should be installed soon. The new lights are the last phase in the recent widening of Industrial Park Drive.
•Heard Gillespie ask if the planned installation of a traffic light at Votaw Street and Industrial Park Drive would affect traffic flow at Votaw and Meridian streets.
Hosier said the new light might have an affect. He did not elaborate.
Gillespie said the southbound traffic on Meridian Street frequently gets backed up. He suggested that the recent installation of turn arrows on the Meridian Street stoplights might have something to do with the congestion.
Hosier said city and Indiana Department of Transportation officials will look into the matter.
•Heard Hosier commend three city officials for their cooperation during two large water leaks Monday.
Hosier thanked wastewater treatment plant superintendent Bob Brelsford, water department superintendent Doug Jackson and street and park department superintendent Jeff Harker for their efforts. The leaks occurred at Lincoln and North Meridian streets, and in the 100 block of West Seventh Street.[[In-content Ad]]
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