Galveston residents are still waiting to learn whether the town council will consider merging with the Logansport/Cass County Plan Commission.
In August, representatives of the Logansport/Cass County Plan Commission met with the Galveston Plan Commission to outline services the county agency could provide to the town.
For most of the year, a concerned citizens group has been calling on the town council to enforce zoning ordinances on unsafe buildings and unsightly properties. The effort has led to more than 400 residents signing a petition asking members of the town council to resign.
Councilman John Hart said Monday that the plan commission had no recommendation to make because it was unsure of the costs the county would charge and the services provided.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to meet with Stan Williams,” Hart said of the director of the Logansport/Cass County Plan Commission.
Hart said it was difficult to find a time that three Galveston Plan Commission members could travel to Logansport to meet with Williams.
Local business owner Bruce Moss said that is part of the problem. He said the county agency is paid to provide services while Galveston relies on volunteers.
Hart said the local contractors doing business in Galveston want nothing to do with the Logansport/Cass County Plan Commission.
“You have to make three or four trips to Logansport to get anything done,” he said.
Moss said the town had to determine whether the county plan commission would perform tasks that Galveston didn’t want to do.
“We don’t have a problem right now,” Hart said. “We don’t have inspection services.”
Moss said it was important to meet with Williams to determine the differing costs for a variety of services provided.
One resident noted Galveston already pays a portion of the Logansport/Cass County Plan Commission operating expenses through county property taxes and it might be worth paying a little more to get help in obtaining grants.
Williams said Tuesday there had been a second meeting with Galveston Plan Commission and a third meeting has been discussed but not finalized.
“The third meeting will be with the executive committee,” Williams said. “The three representatives from Galveston will indicate what services they expect and the cost.”
Williams said the executive board would determine the fee, which would depend on which of three options it selects for possible participation.
Hart said the Galveston Plan Commission had not yet made a decision. Council members indicated they had been getting a lot of negative comments from residents about joining the county agency.
Services the Logansport/Cass County Plan Commission could provide to Galveston include reviewing land use, overseeing zoning cases, enforcing building codes, long-range planning and obtaining grants.
• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
Local News
Galveston ponders whether to join plan commission
Council members say local contractors don’t support the move
- Local News
-
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
A 25-year-old Logansport man admitted Thursday to leaving the scene of a deadly wreck last year, but he will not serve any time in jail as the result of a plea agreement.
-
Board backs 51 percent spike in utility rates
For Paul Hartman, the issue facing the Logansport Stormwater Management Board is pretty simple.
-
13-foot statue celebrating arts to stand in Logan
Logan’s Landing danced a little closer Thursday to sprucing up the downtown area and crafting the arts and design district it’s been longing to create.
-
Stormwater board OKs rate increase
The Logansport Stormwater Management Board this morning approved a 51 percent increase in its monthly rates.
-
LHS senior prank
As a senior prank, Logansport High School students moved the cow from in front of Happy Burger West to the Berry Bowl this morning. It was all in good fun, though. Bob Shanks, the owner of Happy Burger, was even on hand to pose for pictures.
-
‘It’s not about you’: Local mom shares journey of adopting foster children
Foster parenting isn’t always easy, says Juanita Jackson. Between caseworker visits and baby-sitting restrictions, the 42-year-old balances work and caring for five children as a single mom.
-
Longtime Lewis Cass teacher fired over license
Notwithstanding the impassioned pleas on Scott Rouch’s behalf, the Southeastern school board unanimously voted to cancel his teaching contract for “neglect of duty and other just causes.”
-
Jeremy Franklin charged with two felonies
A special prosecutor this week filed three charges, including two felony counts, against the son of the Logansport mayor.
-
Logan multiplex still in the works
Plans for a multiplex in Logansport are still in the works, but at least one city official hoped the process would move a bit quicker.
-
Ambulances moving: Hospital says change will save $200,000
Rural/Metro, Cass County’s newest ambulance service, told Logansport Memorial Hospital that it plans to move out of the ambulance garage at the end of its lease in September.
- More Local News Headlines
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
