Contentious again

Another city council meeting turned contentious.

The mayor accused a council member of making an issue personal while the council member expressed frustration over the administration being selective about enforcing city ordinances.

Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake and city council member Ashley Hilfiker sparred again Monday during a discussion about the city’s noise ordinance.

Council members also commented on illegal immigration and Indiana Senate Bill 1.

Council member Dave Golden brought up the noise ordinance, an issue originally introduced last month in a resident’s letter to council member Matt Goldsworthy. Golden indicated there had been little response to an email he sent about the issue and expressed his feeling that the council should be responsive to reviewing resident concerns.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur suggested he meet with the mayor and police chief, noting concerns about enforcement, objectivity and practicality. He would then present thoughts and options to the council.

Westlake noted that one of the exemptions to the ordinance is for religious practice, functions or celebrations. 

The mayor and Hilfiker then started a back-and-forth, with Hilfiker accusing the mayor of picking and choosing what ordinances he wants to enforce.

“Well, who’s the mayor?” Westlake responded.

Westlake added that he attended one of the religious services in question and he has talked to residents in the area. Referencing a rental property owned by Hilfiker’s father, the mayor asked if the issue is “a personal thing.” She responded that it is not.

The conversation continued with questions about what constitutes a religious service and comments on other issues.

Schemenaur said he will talk with the mayor and police chief and report to the council.

The confrontation was not the first between the mayor and Hilfiker, who have also argued in meetings over topics including the city’s trash collection ordinance and its recreational vehicle ordinance.

Also Monday, Hilfiker asked that the council review the city’s ordinance regarding door-to-door sales, saying she has had a few issues with the practice and would like to see the ordinance strengthened.

Council member Ron May asked the mayor about is approach to illegal immigrants, saying he had heard Westlake had issues with his approach. The mayor responded that the city and its police department are required to follow proper guidelines.

McClung later commented on the issue, referencing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

“We just have to follow the Constitution and we can’t racially profile,” he said. “I’m not saying that people here illegally have a right to stay, but we also have to be careful that we don’t take away anyone’s rights in the process.”

He noted that speaking Spanish or having brown skin does not mean someone is in the country illegally.

Westlake and Golden voiced their agreement.

McClung and Golden also expressed concern about Senate Bill 1, a tax reform bill authored by State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle). (Holdman represents Jay County.)

The bill would result in tax revenue losses of $142,330 in 2026, $290,050 in 2027 and $382,360 in 2028 for the City of Portland, according to estimates from the Legislative Services Agency. Jay School Corporation would be hardest hit in the county, with losses of $338,560 in 2026, $675,250 in 2027 and $914,500 in 2028.

“It could mean millions of dollars to our school system and hundreds of dollars to our city and to the county,” McClung said.

Adding to the discussion, Golden noted a legislative update session with State Reps. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) and Matt Lehman (R-Berne) and Holdman is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at West Jay Community Center in Dunkirk. He suggested attendance to express displeasure about the bill’s impact on small municipalities.

“The state needs to provide us … an opportunity to make up funds that we’re gonna lose at the city and county levels,” he said.

In other business, council:

•Approved contracts for fire protection with 3% increases for Wayne, Greene, Jefferson and Pike townships. Those contracts total $99,136.42. The townships have already been approved the contracts. McClung thanked Portland Fire Chief Mike Weitzel and the townships for working together.

•Agreed to contribute $2,500 to help support the corn/sunflower maze at Jay County Fairgrounds. Westlake agreed to contribute an additional $2,000 from the mayor’s promotional fund. Council members suggested asking Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau for assistance with the $7,000 event.

•Approved closing Main Street between Commerce and Ship streets from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 14, for a benefit for the family of Alysia Mann, who recently died from cancer.

•Heard May thank Weitzel and other firefighters who have undergone additional training recently.

•Learned from the mayor that a code enforcement officer has been hired and will start work next week.

•Received the 2024 financial report.