Editor, Times-Union: This is to inform the taxpayers of Kosciusko County just how little our county commissioners do to protect our properties from devaluation due to adjacent and nearby house condemnations.
In the middle of December '98, a property next to mine was condemned by a very bad and neglectful landowner. I have no problem with the condemnation, but how many of the taxpayers in the county know that there is no ordinance to combat the problem? The condemned property can stand there in perpetuity or it falls down and the owner does not have to do a thing. There are a lot of these eyesores in the county and I say it is time for action!
I have talked to a commissioner, trying to get him to initiate an ordinance, but to date I have not seen or heard of any action being taken. I say, now, to all the commissioners that if you lived next to one of these eyesores, I am sure that action would occur real soon. It is time that all taxpayers get the same consideration.
Must we do it all? I have talked to the health department and was told that their hands are also tied and could do nothing. They told me the only thing they could do is to see that no one could live in it and to see that no one can get in. The cellar door is gone right now and entry can be made into the house from the cellar.
There is also an abandoned boat and trailer near the front of the house. I talked to the Sheriff's department and was told there is also nothing they can do to get it off the property either, due to no ordinance covering that issue.
This man bought this property on land contract in 1982 and was given leeway to remodel in any way he saw fit. It is essentially the same today on the outside. The inside condition I do not know, but the health department did and they condemned it. The man has properties in Michigan and Wisconsin, where he lives now, and two more houses in this area.
I say it is time for the commissioners to act to protect the tax rate and property owners from these eyesores now. I am sure all the people in this area will appreciate any action on this subject.
I have been mowing the property, making it as attractive as possible, but no more. I say that if a property owner can be made to mow his weeds, or the county will do it and bill him for it, then he should be made to either sell it or fix it to the county's satisfaction. I have offered him 25 percent more than he paid me for it, to no avail.
Charles L. Frushour, Syracuse
Waste Contract
Editor, Times-Union: This is an open letter to the Warsaw School Board.
My Dad and brother own and operate Stafford Solid Waste Service. I read last week's paper where they were putting the final wording on the school budget and just wanted to let you know that Warsaw schools changed trash and recycling services. We were not offered a chance to bid, which we may not have gotten anyway, but I feel we should have had a chance.
I called the maintenance department and was told that Warsaw belonged to a co-op and they had no control of bids anymore.
I don't like to complain very much because the people of Kosciusko County have been good to us, but we pay a lot of taxes here and buy almost everything locally, including our last two trucks. The local salesman offers the same service as large nationally-owned companies, only our money stays in Kosciusko County.
I hope when it's time to bid out again, you let us have a chance.
Jim H. Stafford, Warsaw
Milford Phenomenon
Editor, Times-Union: I live in Warsaw and work in Milford from 7p.m. to 7a.m. At night several people from my place of employment have noticed something in the sky for the past two nights (August 31 and 30). It is obviously in orbit due to the fact it is in the same place at the same time each night. It appears to be the same size or a star when looked at with out optics. It is distinctly outlined unlike a star or planet, which has blurred edges, and it appears to be spinning. It also is flashing red and green in perfect time. Those who read this may think I am crazy but 20 or so people where I work have also seen this both nights. It appears in the northern part of the sky along the eastern horizon and is located in the southern part of the sky in the early morning. The best time to see it is about two hours before dawn at this time it is the brightest thing in the sky by far which brings me to my next point. It is well know that the brightest thing in the sky is Venus so what is this thing that we are seeing. I have sent several e-mails including one to NASA and the national weather service center and I am waiting for replies. If you have any information please let me know. Also why not take a look at what I am talking about to see for yourself, around 3 a.m. is the best time.Thank you.
Jim Wells, Warsaw, via e-mail
Fire Department Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: The Warsaw Fire Department would like to thank the community for the overwhelming support given to our annual "Fill The Boot" collection for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In approximately four hours, you helped us raise $1,629 to donate for this cause.
Ken Shepherd, Chief, Warsaw Fire Department
Thanks To Parks Board
Editor, Times-Union: Many thanks to the Park Board and whomever else for the summer series Friday night concerts. We "older" citizens enjoy those good times. We used to have band concerts outside in the summer when I was a girl. Visited Olney, Ill., and they still do - refreshing from TV.
Thank you, a job well done.
Naomi Floor, Silver Lake
Thanks To Board Members
Editor, Times Union: I wanted to publicly thank Mark Wise and Rod Eaton, two of TVSC school board members, for being active in the corporation. Whether it's at a game or just an Open House which was held by the Mentone School on Tuesday night, the public can always count on seeing you two guys there to support and listen to people's concerns, suggestions, etc. It's good to know that you care about the kids. I can assure you that these kinds of things don't go unnoticed to the public. Thanks again.
