September 19, 2019 at 4:43 p.m.
Committee needs to make progress
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
As a lifelong Jay County resident, it has been one of life’s most difficult decisions to have to move away for family health-related reasons.
We want to thank The Commercial Review for making it possible to read this amazing paper online. We do so daily.
We were pleased to read your Jay County Commissioner’s meeting report in the Sept.5 CR and, especially, to be brought up to date on the flooding advisory committee progress.
As a former member of that committee, I became convinced that flooding was the single most serious Portland/Jay County problem. While I appreciated being brought up to date, it was discouraging to read that little progress had been made on taking steps to solve the problems that have been identified.
I am aware that some helpful “Band-Aid” steps have been taken. However, there will be another “big one” and now is the time to respond to the suggestions made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and to other suggestions.
Following are comments and some specific suggestions:
1. It is critical that a plan is in place. Federal and state officials have noted that their hands are tied if there is not a plan. A plan must be in place if state or federal dollars are to be realized. The time has come for courage to be shown by the mayor of Portland, the county commissioners and the county council to work together to come up with a plan.
2. If there ever was a need for funding a community project, the flooding issue represents that need. In addition to state and federal support, major commitments should be considered by some combination of the following:
A. The Portland Foundation
B. A community fundraising effort such as the Portland Water Park effort.
C. Temporary taxing
1. While “eminent domain” should be used sparingly, could it be used to address the removal of the railroad bridge?
2. Revisit some ideas that were discussed in previous flooding advisory committee meetings such as:
A. Use of the U.S Aggregates quarry west of Portland
B. A reservoir south and east of Portland
C. Moving flood waters to the north and west of Portland and back to the Salamonia River
The most important point is to not wait for the next “big one” to solve the problem. Thanks to Barry Hudson for keeping the subject alive.
John G. Young
Zionsville
As a lifelong Jay County resident, it has been one of life’s most difficult decisions to have to move away for family health-related reasons.
We want to thank The Commercial Review for making it possible to read this amazing paper online. We do so daily.
We were pleased to read your Jay County Commissioner’s meeting report in the Sept.5 CR and, especially, to be brought up to date on the flooding advisory committee progress.
As a former member of that committee, I became convinced that flooding was the single most serious Portland/Jay County problem. While I appreciated being brought up to date, it was discouraging to read that little progress had been made on taking steps to solve the problems that have been identified.
I am aware that some helpful “Band-Aid” steps have been taken. However, there will be another “big one” and now is the time to respond to the suggestions made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and to other suggestions.
Following are comments and some specific suggestions:
1. It is critical that a plan is in place. Federal and state officials have noted that their hands are tied if there is not a plan. A plan must be in place if state or federal dollars are to be realized. The time has come for courage to be shown by the mayor of Portland, the county commissioners and the county council to work together to come up with a plan.
2. If there ever was a need for funding a community project, the flooding issue represents that need. In addition to state and federal support, major commitments should be considered by some combination of the following:
A. The Portland Foundation
B. A community fundraising effort such as the Portland Water Park effort.
C. Temporary taxing
1. While “eminent domain” should be used sparingly, could it be used to address the removal of the railroad bridge?
2. Revisit some ideas that were discussed in previous flooding advisory committee meetings such as:
A. Use of the U.S Aggregates quarry west of Portland
B. A reservoir south and east of Portland
C. Moving flood waters to the north and west of Portland and back to the Salamonia River
The most important point is to not wait for the next “big one” to solve the problem. Thanks to Barry Hudson for keeping the subject alive.
John G. Young
Zionsville
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