Dunkirk improvement committee wins support (05/23/06)

DUNKIRK — Two city residents, often on opposite sides of the political fence, voiced agreement at Monday night’s city council meeting about the prospects for a bright future for Dunkirk’s newest volunteer committee.

Both Mayor Sam Hubbard, head of the local Republican party, and city Democratic Party leader Pam Bunch said they felt the newly formed City of Dunkirk Improvement Committee was off to a good start.

Bunch said she was impressed with the quality and diversity of the group’s membership.

Hubbard encouraged more people to join in the work of the committee which will have its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on June 7 in Dunkirk City Hall. The group regularly meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Bunch said she was very impressed by Historic Farmland representative Larry Francer who spoke to the group at one of the committee’s meetings in May. She described his speech as excellent and added, “I really believe something good will come from this committee.” She also encouraged more people to attend the improvement committee meetings.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, council members:

• Learned from Mayor Hubbard that Redkey resident Dianna Baugher had withdrawn her request for a loan from the city’s Downtown Revitalization Fund to start a new tanning salon and gift shop business in downtown Dunkirk.

• Listened to a report from the mayor that Ball State University students were conducting a telephone survey about the possibility of constructing a new Dunkirk city fire station. He said anyone with questions about the survey should contact Jay County Community Development director Ami Davidson at the JCDC office in Portland.

• Heard a report from councilman Tom Johnson about the city swimming pool. Johnson said all the summer workers for the pool had been hired and plans still called for opening the pool on Saturday, May 27. However, he noted that state requirements call for the water temperature to be 70 degrees. He said it was still registering in the 50-degree range on Monday.

Also Johnson noted that more small trees had been planted throughout the park, courtesy of a state program which will soon be ending.

Mayor Hubbard complimented Johnson on how nice the park and pool looked.

• Listened to Dunkirk resident Dorothy Whitlock complain about dogs running loose in the community. She noted that one city resident in the area of the park was recently given a ticket because his dog was reported to be loose, and he quickly tore it up. Police Chief Arnold Clevenger said that ticket was still valid and the man will still have to appear in court, regardless of whether or not he ripped it up. Also Hubbard said he would have animal control officer Charles “Butch” Parfitt patrol the area around Whitlock’s house near the city park more often.

• Heard Bunch voice the need for high grass and weeds to be kept under control during the summer months. She suggested that perhaps fines should be increased. City attorney William Hinkle and Hubbard said that this was indeed a possibility.[[In-content Ad]]