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November 2008 |
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State-mandated renovations concern county |
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Thursday, February 21 2008 |
By KELLEY SHEISS
for The Post & Mail
A recent mandate from the state requesting all child welfare offices be renovated to look alike among all counties has brought significant concerns from the three county commissioners at their meeting Tuesday.
Mike Schrader is working on the project and reported that the county building inspector report indicates the current facility located in the courthouse annex on Line Street is in good repair. Tom Rethlake indicated that Children and Family Services Director Steve Weaver is pleased with their current facility.
Additional space in the office will be made available if plans go through to move the family services division to a different facility. A state contractor provided a proposed renovated floor plan with costs for remodeling estimated at $43.35 per square foot. The deadline for completion is June 30. Documents received by the commissioners state that if the deadline is not met, a fine can be imposed.
“We have to make sure this is what we want to do and if we can do it,” said Schrader. “In my opinion they are forcing us into something that is going to cost us taxpayer money. I don’t think we need to get into this.”
Commissioners wondered how the state expects the county to pay for the remodel when they are telling local government to reduce costs.
Jim Pettigrew noted that the annex location has already been renovated to state specifications once. Rethlake suggested county attorney Dan Sigler draft a letter and send notice that the June 30 deadline cannot be met and at this time Whitley County would opt to waive its participation in the remodeling.
Representatives of the project will be offered an opportunity to return for further discussion.
In other funding matters, Kurt Carlson of the Bowen Center provided an update on the facility’s growth, noting they are very active in the county. Carlson said that although funding has been stable for a dozen years, the trickle-down effects of federal government regulation are affecting the center.
Specifically, matching dollars are being capped and the Bowen Center will be hit hard, said Carlson. He mentioned the chronically mentally ill could be affected by the funding reductions and Bowen’s resources could be shifted disproportionately to residential programs. While they are making preparations including reducing services and staff, Carlson noted one item the commissioners could support is proposed House Bill 350 which offers safeguards to maximize dollars within the county.
Rethlake said the bottom line is helping children and families and these mandates from the state are impacting counties.
Chuck Jones of the Historical Society introduced new director Dani Tippmann. Jones noted they are excited about what the program has to offer and hours will be expanded to include an evening and weekends. Jones mentioned the maintenance budget is down to $5,500 and the upstairs furnace is in poor condition. He has received three quotes, all of which would offer a high-efficiency unit and save dollars in the long run, but exceed the current budget funds available. Jones asked if additional funds could be provided to make the improvement. The commissioners will take the request under consideration.
Bids for appraisal services were provided by Angela Adams. One on trending is for $25,000 and the second is for new construction at a cost of $12,500. Adams and Sigler will review the bids and report back at a future meeting.
Sigler discussed a letter received from Marcia McNagny on behalf of the city regarding CEDIT funding and the Economic Development Corporation. The question was posed if the county can withhold CEDIT funds from cities or towns. Sigler referred to the agreement that was developed several years ago, noting that the players have changed since the original agreement and it may be time to revisit. Sigler will develop a contract and is in the process of setting up a meeting with the city to discuss.
“This is not a crisis, but we all need to be on the same page,” said Sigler.
Earl Tison was also present to receive approval on an agreement from the drainage board that allows the designation of the county engineer to perform certain functions of the county surveyor. Presently the county surveyor is not a licensed engineer, so the document allows another full-time county employee to perform the duties.
A brief discussion was had regarding the trail initiative through the county. Rethlake brought up concerns of liability to the county and inquired about the development of some type of ordinance.
“I don’t think any of the commissioners wants to be backed into a corner,” said Rethlake. Sigler noted it needs to be looked at carefully.
Brian VanEmon of the county highway department received permission to open bids for the resurfacing of Lincolnway West from 350 West to State Road 5. He noted that a lot of road damage has occurred this winter due to the repetitive freezing and thawing.
A new county employee insurance option plan was presented to the commissioners for consideration. The combo-plan offers universal life and term insurance. It is group-rated, but offers individual policies so if an employee leaves, they can take the plan as is. The plan is strictly voluntary and conducted through payroll deductions. The plan will be taken under advisement. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, February 22 2008 )
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 |  |  |  |  | | My Mom (Elly Crawford) would always make this Cranberry
Salad, to die for. The year she passed away I had tried my mother-in-laws and others
but never the same as my Mom's. A year had went by and I had Looked and Looked for
her recipe in her old fashion Tin recipe box. Could not find it. I thought, wow was
this like her Famous Potato Salad, In her head and never wrote down. Silly I know
But as I searched thru her tin recipe box again, I made sure I put each hand wrote
card back where she had kept it. I wanted to make sure it was Just like my mom had
always had it and left it. I kept look one at a time, And low and behold stuck
between two cards was the recipe, I sat and held it as the tears ran down my face. I
had found it and was finally going to have Mom's Cranberry Salad. I called My Dad,
Cecil and said over 20 times, " Dad I found it Dad I found it!" I then prayed and
ask Mom, OK come on help me make this just like you did. And I guess Mom heard
me cause the 2nd and 3rd Thanksgiving without my Mom I had "Mom's Cranberry
Salad" and I will again this year and years to come. Thanks Mom I love you- Sheryl
xoxo P.S. You ask? Well share this recipe.... Umm, I
think NOT, Took me to long to find it. - Sheryl Hackett (Churubusco, IN) My late grandmother, Margarette Ruthsatz always made
scalloped oysters for the holidays. The recipe would be similar to scalloped corn
but instead of corn,oysters.We always hoped for left-overs and often would sneak it
cold from the fridge! Someone brings this dish every year. - Pam Sorg (Columbia City, IN) I love Thanksgiving. All my family get together at my mom and
dad's. My daughters and I usually go early to help Mom get the dinner ready, but she
does most of it. We eat about one and are all stuffed. After clean up we wait for
the paper so my sister and I can scope out all the sales for the next day which we
call Jackie and Laura's Big Adventure. It is the one day that we just spend time
together and are amused with all the shoppers going crazy for that perfect Christmas
gift. - Jackie White (Columbia City, IN) My mother-in-law, the late Mildred Weeks, gave me this recipe
and it is the only salad I fix for Thanksgiving and I am willing to share.
CRANBERRY SALAD1 lb package cranberry's (I freeze them and
then grind them)2 medium size oranges1 cup sugar1 package red
jello2 red apples diced small1 cup chopped nuts1 cup celery diced
smallGrind cranberry's and oranges;add sugar (let set overnight) okay if not.
Add apples, celery, jello and nuts.
- Rowena Weeks (Ridgecrest, California)
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