New light OK'd

Some students at Judge Haynes Elementary School will no longer be in the dark while walking to school.

A new streetlight will be installed along Alexander Street, in between High and Walnut streets, thanks to a decision by the Portland City Council.

Mike Norris, 927 W. High St., asked for the light to be installed because the area is very dark at night. However, on Monday, council members were more concerned about the area being dark in the morning, before school.

"I believe for the safety of the children," the light should be installed, said councilman Todd Nichols.

Don Gillespie, also a member of the council, said he agreed with Nichols. "If there were not a school involved, I would think differently," he said.

At the beginning of the meeting, council president Bill Gibson said there are so many dark spots in the city at night that not all can be addressed. But after hearing the comments by the other council members, Gibson decided that a light is needed in the area.

Council members voted unanimously to have the light installed.

In other business, council members voted to prohibit parking along Wayne Street and Boundary Pike in the city.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said there no longer is room to park on the sides of these streets because of the recent addition of sidewalks, curbing and streetlights. These elements have been added as part of the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project.

Also Monday, council members:

•Voted to close portions of city streets near the Jay County Courthouse on Oct. 3 for a cruise-in.

Jim Grafmiller, president of the Arch Bridge Cruisers, asked for portions of Main, Commerce and Ship streets to be closed between noon and 9 p.m.

•Heard Hosier announce that a common wage hearing for the next phase of construction at Hudson Family Park will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the meeting room at the Portland Fire Station.

The next phase includes the excavation of the pond and the creation of the amphitheater.

•Learned that installation of the stoplight at Votaw Street and Industrial Park Drive is expected to begin Oct. 28. The city and officials from Wal-Mart have worked with officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation for several years in an attempt to have the stoplight installed.[[In-content Ad]]