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Last updated on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
(OOLITIC) - If Oolitic residents don’t volunteer to help with the Oolitic Town Festival there will not be one this year.
Glen Gross, a member of the festival committee, told town council members Monday night that without volunteers the festival will not happen. He says the few people on the committee just can't do it alone.
The committee will hold a meeting on March 8th at Town Hall at 6 p.m. Depending on the number of volunteers that show, will determine if a festival will be held.
"There is no way we can do this with just a handful of people," Gross told the council. "We need help, fresh ideas, and volunteers to raise funds. The manpower to do this is just not there. I know everyone enjoys the festival, but we can't do it alone. Everyone has to help out."
Anyone willing to volunteer should attend the meeting or call Sue Holmes at 275-2161.
In other business:
* The playground equipment at the community center will be removed.
Council President Delvin Nikirk told the council he has someone interested in purchasing the equipment, but if the person decides against buying it the town will sell the equipment for scrap. The playground equipment is being removed because the town's insurance company says it's unsafe.
"We just have no choice," Nikirk added. "It's a liability and the town just doesn't have an option. It's a shame, a real shame. The children will have no place to play. It's a hardship on the kids and the town. Once it is removed there just won't be anything for the kids to play on or anywhere for them to go and that's a shame."
* Nikirk will be attending the LPA Project Development Training at Purdue University on March 5. After attending the training Nikirk will be certified, which allows the town to apply for new and additional federal funds. The certification is free and done every two years.
* The council decided they will pick up brush that is trimmed from trees, but only if it is done by the homeowner. If the job is hired, that party will be responsible for the removal of the brush.
* Town Attorney Greg Pittman drafted a letter to the new owners of the Community Building. The building was sold in a tax sale and is in disrepair. Council members were concerned because windows are broken out allowing children to enter.
"It's just dangerous and someone is going to get hurt," Nikirk says.
* The council will be sending certified letters to resident's who need to clean up their yards.
"We have several in the town that are looking pretty bad," Nikirk added. "Some have not been cleaned up in years. We will be sending them letters and if the issue is not addressed then we will have to take steps to get something done."
After receiving the letter, residents will have 45 days to clean up their property or face possible fines.
* Residents on Vista Drive are concerned about the Turkey Vultures roosting in the area. More than 200 of the birds were there Monday night. Residents say the birds start showing up around 4 p.m. every day and it's becoming a problem and health issue. The town will contact the Department of Natural Resources and see if there is something that can be done to distract the birds from roosting there.
"The vultures are protected by law," says Jeffries. "I don't think there really is anything that can be done."
* The council passed an ordinance to establish a LOIT Public Safety Account. The account will be used for LOIT Funds and was recommended by the state board of accounts. Formerly LOIT funds had been put in the general account.
* Town Marshall Jon Jeffries asked town attorney Greg Pittman for advice. Jeffries received a complaint about a vacant home in the 200 block of Hoosier Avenue that has a pool in the back yard that is uncovered. The caller was concerned children would fall into the pool and possibly drown. Pittman says there is nothing the city could do because the pool is on private property.
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