BIG TRAIN DRIVES BACK STARFIRES for Friday victory, MORE ON PAGE 6
The Garrett Clipper An edition of The
NEWS IN BRIEF Garrett man killed in Avilla crash By Bob Braley bbraley@kpcmedia.com AVILLA — A Garrett man was killed and a Garrett woman injured when a mo-ped and car collided in Avilla early Sunday, the Noble County Sheriff’s Department said. Brian K. Slone, 40, of the 1000 block of West King Street, Garrett, was southbound in the northbound lane of S.R. 3 south of Weimer Road at Avilla at about 3:30 a.m. Ashley L. Dockery, 28, of the 300 block of South Cowen St. Garrett, was northbound in the same northbound lane, coming from the south intersection of S.R. 3 and 8. Dockery told deputies she saw the mo-ped coming and tried to stop, but couldn’t. The 1997 Saturn she drove and mo-ped collided. Slone was pronounced dead at the scene. Dockery complained of chest pain and was transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center by Noble County EMS. The accident remains under investigation by the Noble County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police. Also assisting at the scene were the Avilla Fire and Police departments and Kendallville Police Department.
MONDAY OCTOBER 7, 2013
VOL. 127 ISSUE #80 On the web at: kpcnews.com
75 cents Garrett, Indiana Established in 1885
Council OKs budget readings Dollar General building new store By Sue Carpenter scarpenter@kpcmedia.com GARRETT — The Garrett Common Council Tuesday passed on first readings budget ordinances for both the Garrett Public Library appropriations and tax rates, and the civil city budget. Both votes were taken following two separate public hearings where no one spoke in favor or against the measures, each lasting less than two minutes. The city budget calls for a maximum $1,673,000 tax levy
with an estimated $297,675 maximum tax levy for the fire territory. The Garrett Public Library budget shows an estimated $482,579 tax levy. Both measures will be brought back to the council for adoption on Oct. 15. Councilman Brad Stump thanked everyone for putting in a lot of work and a lot of time on the city budget. A uniform worksheet implemented this year made the budgets come in a more workable form, he said. “It was an overall team effort,” Stump said. Mayor Tonya Hoeffel read a report from city planner Milton Otero in which he detailed three more residents have entered into the city’s 50/50 sidewalk replace-
ment plan totaling $4,885 in costs for the city. Otero’s report also shared a development plan has been received for a new Dollar General Store in the 1300 block of South Randolph St., just north of the current building it rents in Garrett Plaza. Plans will be revealed at the plan commission meeting on Oct. 22. Capt. Adam Sheffield submitted a September activity report for the Garrett Police Department. The report shows 358 total calls, 18 tickets, 52 traffic warnings, one code violation, 13 arrests, 11 property damage accidents and three personal injury accidents including one fatal accident. The board also approved budget transfers for the police department
to fund training; purchase of Class A uniforms, a used, equipped Crown Victoria squad car and a car video system; upgrades to the video surveillance system at City Hall, the police department and Westside Park; purchase of a radar speed sign; and a canopy for the back door of the police department totaling $26,455,16. The council also approved budget transfers for the parks department to pay for part-time wages, insurance and training in the amount of $11,562.53. The council gave its unanimous approval to a post issuance tax compliance policy for the city wastewater improvement project. Budget, Page 5
CEREMONY MARKS START OF LIBRARY PROJECT Four members from the community were selected as representatives of the library’s diverse users for Saturday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Garrett Public Library’s expansion project. Holding shovels, from left are Eric Hathway, Madison Greene, Terry Gardt and Pat Stalter. With them are board members, contractors and subcontractors and library staff.
J.E. Ober PTA to meet GARRETT — The J.E. Ober PTA will meet Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. in the J.E. Ober cafeteria, enter door No. 4. Representatives from the Judy A. Morrill Center will be on hand to discuss their facility and activities. Childcare and snacks will be provided. A door prize for free passes to the JAM Center will be given away.
Coat give-away Saturday GARRETT — A coat give-away will be held Saturday, Oct. 12 at Gina’s Closet, 133 S. Randolph St. in Garrett. Everyone is welcome to stop by between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Must be present to receive a coat. Gina’s Closet is an outreach mission of the First Church of Christ in Garrett.
G-K-B plans special needs meeting GARRETT — Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools will hold an informational meeting for parents of children with special needs who live within the school district’s attendance area and are home schooled or attend a non-public school. The meeting will take place Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 9 a.m. in the Garrett Middle School conference room. For more information, contact Linda DePew, special education coordinator at 260-3575745.
Shots For Tots clinic set Wednesday AUBURN — A Shots For Tots clinic will take place Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. at the DeKalb County Health Department office, 220 E. Seventh St., Auburn. Shots will be available on a walk-in basis for children up to and including age 18. To qualify, a family must be on Medicaid, have no health insurance or have health insurance that does not pay for vaccinations. Flu shots will be available at the clinic, along with other shots required for children. For more information, call the Health Department at 925-2220.
The Garrett Clipper P.O. Box 59 Garrett, IN 46738 Phone: 925-2611 ext. 45 Fax: 925-2625 attn: Garrett Clipper
Sue Carpenter
Library breaks ground for expansion By Sue Carpenter scarpenter@kpcmedia.com GARRETT — The actual groundbreaking was “makeshift” but the spirits were genuine during a ceremony Saturday for a 6,500 square-foot expansion of the Garrett Public Library. Pending rain moved the supporters to the upper level inside the library to mark the occasion. “We are very, very excited about the upcoming days and months of our library expansion here,” said board president Bob Novy in welcoming a large crowd. Novy recognized fellow board members, library staff, the Friends of the Library, city officials, contractor Mike Ley from Signature Construction, Jack Krouse from Construction Control Inc., architect
Tim Terman from Design Collaborative, several subcontractors and library director Cate Birdseye. “(Birdseye) has just worked endlessly on this project and we are very proud of her leadership,” Novy said. Novy also named donors for the project, including the Judith Clark Morrill Foundation, Rosa and Jerry Moreland who donated a home that was on the property, Steel Dynamics Inc., C. Henry Steel, M & S Steel, Bill and Ethel Yoder and Garrett State Bank. Novy introduced “four special people who are the face of the Garrett Public Library. It all comes down to our users. “We all have the mission, as a board and the library staff, that it is all about the people who use the library.
We have four people who use the library in different ways — probably different from each other,” he said. Pat Stalter, Eric Hathaway, Madison Greene and Terry Gardt held ceremonial shovels in front of the crowd, chosen for the diverse ways they use the library, including computer skills, home improvement research, magazines and books, among many others. “Every single person in this room and this groundbreaking has been part of this process — and we thank each and every one of you for this community,” Birdseye said. Ley said dramatic changes will be evident soon for the $1.9 million project, most of which will be funded through a $1.4 Library, Page 5
Sue Carpenter
Rachel Eyermann, a member of the Fort Wayne Scottish Pipes and Drums and Churubusco Public Library director played the bagpipes Saturday in honor of Andrew Carnegie’s Scottish heritage.
Foster homes needed in DeKalb County Informational meeting set Oct. 17 at JAM By Sue Carpenter scarpenter@kpcmedia.com GARRETT — There are no unwanted children — just unfound homes. ResCare Youth Services, formerly Children’s Sanctuary, provides youth care for children in a seven-county area with serious emotional problems, moderate to serious behaviors, physically and mentally challenged youth, medically fragile and those who are difficult to place due to numerous moves. ResCare is currently undergoing a huge recruitment effort and will be sharing information during a meeting from 6-8 p.m. on
Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the Judy A. Morrill Recreation Center in Garrett. Program director Millie McDonald is looking for families to provide short-term foster care for youth in the local area. “ResCare and the DeKalb County Department of Children’s Services desire to keep the youth in their home school, and close to what is most familiar to them overall,” said McDonald. “We want them to continue to have the most normalcy as possible in an abnormal situation. The youth are removed from their biological homes, typically due to no fault of their own but rather due to abuse or neglect,” she added. There is an immediate need for homes in DeKalb County, including the Garrett, Waterloo, Butler, Ashley and Auburn areas, according to McDonald.
In order to become a foster parent, a person must be at least 21 years old, go through two background checks, complete specialized training, pass a physical examination, be willing to work cooperatively with other professionals such as counselors and physicians, have patience to work with challenging youth and have an environmentally safe home. “This is a huge commitment,” McDonald said. Foster parents are open to some financial support from local and stage agencies. Although the program provides service for newborns to 23 years old in DeKalb and Allen counties, the average age is from 9-18 years. Those interested but unable to attend the meeting can phone McDonald or Mari-Lyn Yoder at 260-485-0870 for more information.
Local food drive planned Oct. 19 GARRETT —A food drive to help fill the shelves of the Community Care Food Pantry is Garrett is planned Saturday, Oct. 19. Area Girl Scouts and Boy Scout troops have volunteered to go from home-to-home collecting food donations. Garrett residents are asked to set non-perishable food donations on their front porches for the drive. Contact Steve Gallaher at 260-226-4094 or Rhonda Shatzer at 357-6383 for more information. The Community Care Food Pantry serves the needs of DeKalb County residents.