July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Dunkirk to fight BMV closing (6/14/05)
Mayor has talked with state officials
By By Robert Banser-
DUNKIRK — “They gave us a lot of reasons, but none that I really wanted to hear.”
That’s how Dunkirk Mayor Sam Hubbard summed up his feelings Monday night about plans, announced earlier in the day by state officials, to consider closing the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles license branch in Dunkirk.
A list of 24 license branches across the state, slated for possible closing was released Monday afternoon by state BMV director Joel Silverman. In addition to Dunkirk, the list of branches on the chopping block also includes the one in Albany.
Hubbard and other Dunkirk City Council members said they plan to fight the BMV proposal, noting that to a small community like Dunkirk, having a license branch is more than just a convenience but a sign of a city’s vitality.
Hubbard said Monday night that he had already been in contact with State Rep. Bill Davis, R-Portland, hoping to enlist his help in the city’s campaign.
The mayor said that Indiana BMV director Joel Silverman told him about the possibility of closing the Dunkirk branch during a conference telephone call from Indianapolis. Later the BMV held a news conference about the plan to close 24 license branches across the state.
“Unfortunately, Dunkirk is on the list of 24,” Hubbard said, adding that the Albany branch was also on that list. If both of those branches are closed, the nearest license branches for local residents will be located in Muncie, Hartford City or Portland, he said. State officials also announced Monday that the Montpelier branch was closing effective this week.
Hubbard said that Silverman told him that public hearings about the branch closing plans would be scheduled, and final decisions would be announced before the end of the year. However, the mayor said he was not told where or when these public hearing would be held.
“Chances are pretty good if you’re on the list of 24 for review, your branch is going to be closed,” Hubbard said, adding, “This doesn’t come as a real surprise, but it’s not something we want to happen.”
Hubbard said that Silverman told him this was a cost-cutting move, which could save a total of $7 million for the BMV.
However, if the Dunkirk and Albany branches are closed, Hubbard said that local residents will have to drive 17 miles to the Muncie branch or 15 miles to the Portland facility. “And then they will have to stand in line,” Councilwoman Connie Whetsel said.
Councilman Tom Johnson said the closure would be especially hard on the elderly.
“We’re going to have to get to those public hearings and try to combat this,” Hubbard said.
Dunkirk resident and audience member Pam Bunch said that she knows a lot of people who come from Portland to use the license branch in Dunkirk because they prefer the Dunkirk branch. “I hope we can keep it,” she said.
“It bothers me when they do things like this that affect small towns,” Hubbard said.[[In-content Ad]]
That’s how Dunkirk Mayor Sam Hubbard summed up his feelings Monday night about plans, announced earlier in the day by state officials, to consider closing the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles license branch in Dunkirk.
A list of 24 license branches across the state, slated for possible closing was released Monday afternoon by state BMV director Joel Silverman. In addition to Dunkirk, the list of branches on the chopping block also includes the one in Albany.
Hubbard and other Dunkirk City Council members said they plan to fight the BMV proposal, noting that to a small community like Dunkirk, having a license branch is more than just a convenience but a sign of a city’s vitality.
Hubbard said Monday night that he had already been in contact with State Rep. Bill Davis, R-Portland, hoping to enlist his help in the city’s campaign.
The mayor said that Indiana BMV director Joel Silverman told him about the possibility of closing the Dunkirk branch during a conference telephone call from Indianapolis. Later the BMV held a news conference about the plan to close 24 license branches across the state.
“Unfortunately, Dunkirk is on the list of 24,” Hubbard said, adding that the Albany branch was also on that list. If both of those branches are closed, the nearest license branches for local residents will be located in Muncie, Hartford City or Portland, he said. State officials also announced Monday that the Montpelier branch was closing effective this week.
Hubbard said that Silverman told him that public hearings about the branch closing plans would be scheduled, and final decisions would be announced before the end of the year. However, the mayor said he was not told where or when these public hearing would be held.
“Chances are pretty good if you’re on the list of 24 for review, your branch is going to be closed,” Hubbard said, adding, “This doesn’t come as a real surprise, but it’s not something we want to happen.”
Hubbard said that Silverman told him this was a cost-cutting move, which could save a total of $7 million for the BMV.
However, if the Dunkirk and Albany branches are closed, Hubbard said that local residents will have to drive 17 miles to the Muncie branch or 15 miles to the Portland facility. “And then they will have to stand in line,” Councilwoman Connie Whetsel said.
Councilman Tom Johnson said the closure would be especially hard on the elderly.
“We’re going to have to get to those public hearings and try to combat this,” Hubbard said.
Dunkirk resident and audience member Pam Bunch said that she knows a lot of people who come from Portland to use the license branch in Dunkirk because they prefer the Dunkirk branch. “I hope we can keep it,” she said.
“It bothers me when they do things like this that affect small towns,” Hubbard said.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD