LOCOMOTIVE CHEERLEADERS pictured in today’s edition. SEE PAGE 6
The Garrett Clipper An edition of The
THURSDAY JANUARY 9, 2014
VOL. 128 ISSUE #3 On the web at: kpcnews.com
75 cents Garrett, Indiana Established in 1885
Snow, frigid air stalls city By Sue Carpenter scarpenter@kpcmedia.com GARRETT —Garrett students have extended their Christmas vacation by three days due to heavy snowfall and dangerously cold weather. School administrators elected to close school again today. Superintendent Dennis Stockdale expressed concern Wednesday for students walking on icy sidewalks and streets. Weather conditions prompted Mayor Tonya Hoeffel to declare a Level 1 snow emergency effective Sunday night at 7 p.m. and lifted Monday night at 9 p.m., restricting travel to emergency vehicles. City wastewater utility superin-
tendent Bruce Schlosser measured 14.5 inches of new snow at the plant’s official weather monitoring station Monday afternoon. That amounts to 1.1 inches of precipitation, he said. Fire Chief Chad Werkheiser reported streets in town were in good shape, but his department continued to survey roads in Keyser Township, which were drifting due to strong winds. “The county roads are 50/50 — half have one lane open, others not at all,” he said early Monday afternoon. Firefighters were called out to assist the Garrett electric department late Monday night, when a pole caught fire and took out
power to North Pointe Crossing for about three hours, Werkheiser said. Some electric utililty customers on the north end of town were also affected. A crew was on standby at the fire station since 4 p.m. Sunday and continued for 24 hours. “The city is looking pretty good — (street department workers ) are keeping up,” Werkheiser added. City snowplows were on standby to lead emergency vehicles to rural calls. Garrett New Market manager Chris Hoeffel reported dairy, produce and grocery delivery trucks did not run Monday. The store was depleted of eggs and gallon-size milk, but a shipment of
loaf bread arrived late Sunday to fill shelves. Hoeffel reported a record day Saturday, with a constant stream of customers from 9 a.m. until closing at 11 p.m. The store opened later than usual Monday, waiting until enough help was able to get in to open the doors. Hoeffel was not sure how late the store would remain open, due to concern for his help to get home safely in the bad weather. Police Chief Keith Hefner reported the main roads are pretty clean, but asked residents to try to move vehicles from the main arteries in town so the city can fully plow the streets Monday and
GARRETT ON ICE
NEWS IN BRIEF
Got news? Send your news and photos and photos to garrettclipper@ kpcmedia.com
The Garrett Clipper P.O. Box 59 Garrett, IN 46738 Phone: 925-2611 ext. 45 Fax: 925-2625 attn: Garrett Clipper
Sue Carpenter
The feature film “Frozen” playing at the Silver Screen Cinema in downtown Garrett was appropriate for the recent winter storm. The movie is held over this weekend.
Smoke damage transplants healthcare clinic to Auburn April 2013 A faulty furnace controlling system was blamed for a fire at St. Martin’s Healthcare in Garrett. The fire was quickly extinguished but clean-up was expected to take several months. DeKalb EMS medics changing shifts next door saw smoke coming from the building and notified firefighters. A temporary site was set up at DeKalb Health in Auburn. Garrett senior Zachary Sarrazine and Eastside student Justin Miller were named John Houlton Chapter DAR Good Citizens in early March. Charles Waterhouse was announced the Lilly Endowment Community Scholar for DeKalb County. The Garrett senior plans to attend Purdue University to
study aviation — a lifelong
Looking back at 2013 dream. He will receive four years of full tuition and book stipend. Waterhouse is president of the senior class and ranks first academically in the class of 148 students. The United Way of DeKalb County celebrated success by reaching its campaign goal of $650,000 for local agencies. Campaign co-chairs Ian and Paula Mercer were recognized for their leadership at a reception at Celebration Hall
Garrett snow, Page 5
Hoeffel to lead G-K-B board
Candidates begin filing for 2014 primary AUBURN — Candidates began signing up for the 2014 primary elections Wednesday in the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office. The deadline to file a declaration of candidacy is Feb. 7 at noon. The primary elections for Republicans and Democrats will take place May 6. Local offices up for election in 2014 are: U.S. Representative District 3, currently held by Republican Marlin Stutzman of Howe. Indiana State Senator District 14, currently held by Republican Dennis Kruse of Auburn. Indiana State Representative District 52, currently held by Republican Ben Smaltz of Auburn. DeKalb Superior Court I Judge, currently held by Democrat Kevin Wallace. DeKalb County Prosecuting Attorney, currently held by Republican ClaraMary Winebrenner. DeKalb County Auditor, currently held by John Fetters, who is not eligible for re-election due to term limits. Republican Jan Bauman of the 2000 block of C.R. 40, Auburn, filed as a candidate for the office Wednesday. DeKalb County Sheriff, currently held by Republican Don Lauer, who filed for re-election Wednesday. DeKalb County Coroner, currently held by Republican Jeff Warner, who is not eligible for re-election due to term limits. DeKalb County Assessor, currently held by Republican Sheila Stonebraker. DeKalb County Commissioner West District, currently held by Republican Randy Deetz. DeKalb County Council District 1, currently held by Republican Eldonna “Donna” King, who filed for re-election Wednesday. DeKalb County Council District 2, currently held by Republican William VanWye. DeKalb County Council District 3, currently held by Republican Alan Middleton. DeKalb County Council District 4, currently held by Republican Richard “Rick” Ring, who filed for re-election Wednesday. Voters also will elect township trustees and township board members, Democrat precinct committeemen and Democrat and Republican state convention delegates.
Tuesday. “Everyone needs to help out,” Hefner said. He also asked residents to keep an eye on older neighbors and those who live alone. Those who are in need of help should contact the police department at 357-5151, An emergency warming area was made available, if needed, at the school, Hefner said. “The plow guys doing a good job in spite of weather,” he said. “Hats off to them and the fire department for working in the frigid cold — I can’t even imagine.”
in Garrett. People’s Federal Savings Bank was presented the Spirit Award for their effort in the campaign. Power of the Purse co-chairs Mandy Young and Jan Creager, and longtime Day of Caring chair Mike Ley also received special recognition. Christy Stutzman of Howe, wife of U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman was named keynote speaker for the 22nd annual DeKalb County Day of Prayer in May at the National History Center south of Stutzman Auburn. The theme for the event would be “In His Name Looking back, Page 4
By Sue Carpenter scarpenter@kpcmedia.com GARRETT — The Garrett-KeyserButler school board met Wednesday morning for its annual organizational session in the administration building. Board members elected officers including president Chris Hoeffel, vice president Wayne Funk and secretary Tony Griffin. Pam Good was appointed business manager and treasurer, and Beth Craighead-Folzenlogel will serve as deputy treasurer. School attorneys Brinkerhoff & Brinkerhoff and Kruse & Kruse P.C. were reaffirmed. Hoeffel School board members were reappointed to committees Wednesday: • Hoeffel and Dan Weimer will serve on the school calendar committee. • Terry Yarde and Funk were appointed to the Head Start policy council. • Griffin also will serve on the building trades committee. • Funk will serve as both Indiana School Board Association legislative and policy liaison, • Hoeffel and Weimer will be the board’s representatives to the Garrett Chamber of Commerce. • Weimer was named to represent the board at the Judy A. Morrill Recreation Center. • Hoeffel will represent the board on the Garrett Parks and Recreation Authority. The board gave unanimous approval to recommendations to approve a resolution of appropriations, a Head Start in-kind waiver and an addendum to real estate lease to implement renewal for Head Start. A Board of Finance meeting followed, with Hoeffel elected president and Tony Griffin as finance secretary. Good presented a report of money on deposit and renewal dates through November 2015 totaling near $53,820. Board meeting dates for 2014 will be on the fourth Monday of each month, with exceptions during holidays and school breaks. They are Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 24, April 28, May 19, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 27, Nov. 24 and Dec. 15.
Public hearing on electric hike to reconvene Jan. 21 By Sue Carpenter scarpenter@kpcmedia.com GARRETT — A public hearing to discuss an ordinance raising electricity rates for city customers will be continued at the Garrett City Council meeting Jan. 21. The council introduced and passed the ordinance on first reading at its Nov. 19 meeting. Tuesday’s frigid weather and poor travel conditions may have prohibited potential public comment on the measure, said city attorney Dan Brinkerhoff.
The hearing was recessed and will reconvene Jan. 21. The rate hike is based on a cost-of-service study presented by consultant Rod Sibery of Spectrum Engineering at the council’s Nov. 5 meeting. He reported a $1.67 million deficit in the utility’s operating revenue between June 1, 2012 and May 31, 2013. At that meeting, Sibery said the average Garrett resident using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see an increase of $22.97 per month, or 30 percent.
Customers using 500 kilowatthours would see a $6.06 per month increase — a 13 percent rate hike. Sibery was on hand to field questions Tuesday. Resident Matthew Klok of the 1800 block of Woodview Drive asked if the city had considered incentives for customers or offered programs to upgrade lighting or smart meters. Sibery responded the large deficit in the utility would prohibit such programs at this time, but he said the ideas could be considered in the future.
The study lists Garrett as having 2,894 residential users, 161 commercial single-phase users, 128 three-phase commercial users, 27 three-phase small power customers, 70 outside security lighting users and municipal street lights. In other business, Fire Chief Chad Werkheiser presented fourthquarter and end-of-year statistics for the fire department. He reported firefighters worked Public hearing, Page 6