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May 4, 2009

Residents renew property concerns

Galveston considering Plan Commission alliance.

By KEN de la BASTIDE

For the Pharos-Tribune

GALVESTON – After 90 minutes of debate, the Galveston Town Council agreed to consider joining an alliance with the Logansport and Cass County Plan Commission.

More than 200 residents gathered Monday at the community center to renew their concerns about abandoned structures, blocked sidewalks and unkempt property, particularly that of town councilman John Zook.

The residents brought in David Fredricks of the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development. He explained there are new state laws to help clean up properties and to demolish or reuse abandoned buildings.

Fredricks said the new laws speed up the process for communities to take over abandoned property, but there first must be a plan or goal.

He said there are Community Development Block Grant funds available from the federal government to help with demolition costs.

Stan Williams, with Cass County government, said it would cost the town $500 per year to receive planning services in conjunction with Logansport and the county. He said the Galveston Plan Commission could work with that group.

Williams said if a request was made to the executive board of the city and county Plan Commission, it could be approved within a few months.

Bruce Moss, an area business owner, asked if the board would consider the proposal to join with the county and discuss it at the May meeting.

“Don’t take it under advisement so it will be forgotten about,” Moss said. “Put in on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting.”

Council members agreed to consider the proposal.

Chris Lewis asked about the sidewalk committee, named last month to tour the town and look for problem areas. Moss and Zook agreed to serve on the committee.

Moss said he talked with Zook on Monday and that Zook was not receptive. It was a one-sided discussion, Moss said.

Zook said Moss waited a month to begin the discussions, which he contends should focus on right of way.

Moss said Zook cursed at him during the day.

Later in the meeting, Zook said he was fed up with criticism of his property.

“IDEM [Indiana Department of Environmental Management] has been to my place many times,” he said. “People bury stuff on my property and then tell IDEM where to find it.

“There are umpteen things I can turn people into IDEM for,” Zook said. “I’m not going to do it.”

Richard Lewis said blocked streets and sidewalks are not a right-of-way issue. He said it was a right of passage.

Resident Ned Conner said the committee was formed last month. To wait until Monday for a town tour was not good planning, he said.

Residents then asked about a petition they submitted to council members last year, asking for enforcement of town ordinances.

Moss said the town didn’t have to pay its attorney $250 to take cases to court over unkempt property; it could be done through the Plan Commission.

Glenda Cree said the No. 1 goal of the preservation committee is to clean up the community and make people want to move to Galveston.

Cree said several residents contacted the Cass County assessor, asking to have their property taxes reduced because of the unkempt property in town.

“I understand there is money in metal,” she said, referring to Zook’s property in downtown Galveston, “but the metal doesn’t move.”

Cree asked council members to work with the community to clean up the town.

“We can’t do anything if you’re not receptive,” she said.

Resident Larry Hawkins said Zook has done a lot of things for the community over the years.

“It’s a shame to see the town in turmoil,” he said.

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