Police dog arrives in Dunkirk

DUNKIRK - The new police dog is in town.

However, it will not be on patrol duty for a while, as it first must complete a five-week training course with its new handler - Dunkirk Patrolman Bobby Johnson.

Mayor Ron Hunt announced at Monday night's city council meeting that he, Johnson and Police Chief Dane Mumbower returned Saturday from Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, after selecting the city's first police dog there.

Donated to city police by the Air Force, the specially trained dog is a 13-month-old female Belgian Malinois, named Boyca. Hunt said Johnson and Boyca will be trained as a team in the Muncie area by Delaware County police officer Lenny Popp, an experienced police dog trainer.

In other business at Monday night's meeting, council members:

•Heard a report that preparations were progressing on schedule for the 1 p.m. April 5 bid opening for the city's water plant/main improvement project, expected to cost more than $1 million.

Council member Judy Garr said that several contractors have expressed interest in the project. Following the bid opening, the city's consulting engineers, The Schneider Corporation of Indianapolis, will review all the bids submitted. Garr said she anticipates Schneider will have a recommendation for the city at the council's April 12 meeting.

•Listened to Garr explain that the city intends to take a more aggressive approach to collecting delinquent water bills. As part of this program she recommended purchasing a new computer from DCS Computer Sales and Service, Dunkirk, for approximately $790. Council members unanimously approved the purchase with the cost to be split equally three ways between the clerk-treasurer's office and water and sewage treatment departments.

•Approved the purchase of 50 new water meters for $5,357 from Utility Supply of Indianapolis. These will be used to replace meters which have slowed down and are not recording accurate measurements. The cost will be split equally between the water and sewage treatment departments.

•Were informed by councilman Chuck Rife that the wastewater treatment department is interested in applying for grant money to make some long overdue repairs and improvements. He added that there are some other problems at the plant which are more imminent and may require attention before the grant application process can be completed. Rife said Jay County community developer Ami Huffman is working with city officials concerning possible grants.

•Listened as clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler reported that the city had received letters from the auditor's offices in Jay and Blackford counties, pointing out that the city would be receiving less tax revenue for its 2010 budget than originally projected. In Blackford County this will mean a decrease of $4,515, and in Jay County the deficit will total $52,812, Kesler said. This means the council will have "to revisit" this year's budget and make some cuts, Rife said.

•Heard a presentation from Jay County Development Corporation executive director Bill Bradley about the potential for setting up a Dunkirk redevelopment commission which could help with downtown improvement issues. Bradley said one of the purposes of the commission would be "development of plans to eliminate blight and working in concert with the private sector to generate new economic development with increased tax base and new jobs."

His proposal was taken under review by the council. Bradley said JCDC would be willing to work with the city council to establish the commission.

•Received an update from Glass Days Festival chairperson Roberta Garringer about plans for the 2010 celebration on June 2-5 in Dunkirk City Park. Also the council agreed to sanction this year's Glass Days Committee officers for insurance purposes. In addition to Garringer they are Karen McCarthy, financial secretary, and Renee Blumenhorst, treasurer.

•Agreed to hold a follow-up executive session to discuss land acquisition in the downtown area, as requested by the Dunkirk Investment Group. The DIG has asked the council to consider purchasing a downtown building or two for rehabilitation purposes. This executive (closed door) session is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, March 26, in city hall.

•Questioned how the police department's new sport utility vehicle will be utilized. Councilman Tom Johnson said that he had heard it would only be used on the day shift by certain officers. Mayor Ron Hunt responded that the recently delivered, black SUV would be used on all shifts by all officers, as needed.

Garr asked whether it would be a marked or unmarked vehicle and whether officers would be allowed to take it home. Hunt said that due to parking space limitations, the SUV is currently not being kept in the police station area all the time. But he added that it will eventually have decals, identifying it as a police vehicle.

Hunt said he would discuss the situation further with Police Chief Mumbower who was not present at the meeting.[[In-content Ad]]