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Last updated on Thursday, February 16, 2012
(LINTON) - Tim Turpin was appointed as Linton’s new Americans with Disability Act coordinator.
He replaces former ADA Coordinator Brent Slover.
"By the way, the job is not paid," Mayor John Wilkes told Turpin with a laugh.
He aims to convene a citizen's advisory committee and establish a grievance process by mid-year. He is hoping people with disabilities will serve on the committee.
Recently, a joint effort between the Linton Elks Lodge and the city has led to $30,000 for renovations of the city's parks and pools designed to increase access.
First, Humphreys Park will have sidewalks and matting installed allowing increased wheelchair accessibility.
They will be developing an accessible play area on Humphreys Park's west side. New equipment, like the installation of specialized swings, will allow children to roll their wheelchairs onto a platform, lock in, and then swing.
The city will also start upgrading and developing property into a park near liberty place apartments, with a shelterhouse and an acre-and-a-half handicapped accessible park.
The A.M. Risher Pool will be brought into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act through the installation of a wheelchair lift and ramp at the pool.
The city will also start upgrading and developing property into a park near Liberty Place Apartments, which the city and Elks aim to develop and improve with a shelterhouse and an acre-and-a-half handicapped accessible park.
It's also possible the grant could be extended another two years and receive an additional $20,000, all of which would likely be slated toward the development of the $500,000 baseball and softball complex near the former site of the now-closed Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.
Turpin also aims to increase awareness of ADA through public meetings and newspaper articles, and said he'll elaborate further on his plans at March's city council session.
The city's efforts toward ADA compliance have been ongoing since the act passed in 1990.
Many of the city's renovations and efforts have been tied to ADA compliance, Turpin said.
Those interested in serving on the committee can contact Turpin through the mayor's office at 847-7754 or via e-mail at turp@minerbroadband.net .
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