Commissioners support park (1/20/04)

They’ve already agreed to show their support for a Portland park project by donating a bridge.

Jay County Commissioners put that support in writing on Monday.

The commissioners, who learned last month the county had been awarded a state grant to move a Knox Township bridge into the planned Hudson Family Park, drafted a letter supporting Portland’s bid for grant funding for the park.

Officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation, citing lukewarm community support, turned down the Portland Park Board’s request for a $1.2 million grant last year to develop the new park, which is slocated south of the Portland Pool and Junior League baseball diamonds across the Salamonie River.

A public hearing designed to show support for the new grant application will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the meeting room at the new Portland Fire Station.

Commissioners Gary Theurer, Mike Leonhard and Milo Miller Jr. signed a contract for engineering services for the moving of the bridge, which is currently located on Division Road over Brooks Creek.

The $36,000 contract is with Butler, Fairman and Seufert Civil Engineers. The engineering costs will be out of the $339,000 state grant.

The commissioners also approved an emergency claim Monday to pay for two patrol cars for the Jay County Sheriff’s Department. The 2004 Ford Crown Victorias are being purchased from Fincannon Ford Lincoln Mercury of Hartford City for $35,380.[[In-content Ad]]