I am asking citizens to drive by 1100 W. Canal St., Winona Lake (turn left after crossing Auditorium Boulevard bridge), tonight and get out and look down into the large hole along the canal seawall and then, if you can, come to the town council meeting Tuesday, at 7 a.m., or call the town at 574-269-5112 and support my demand that it be immediately dealt with. I am trying to prevent a fatal accident. This hole is deep enough it has water in the bottom capable of drowning a small child who might fall in it headfirst, such as has happened in toilets, postholes, and buckets.
On May 23, nearly a year ago, the Winona Lake resident at 1100 W. Canal, on the island along the canal, went to the town council to request the large holes along the seawall in front of his house be filled. Before the town decided they owned the greenway along West Canal Street, the residents built the seawalls, filled the holes, and maintained the canal for more than 100 years. The town did nothing to respond to this citizen's official request nor to the unofficial ones he said he made later. The statement in the May 23, 2006, town council minutes quoting the town council's response is, "There is no money in the canal fund presently." If this repair had been made in May 2006, before further damage could occur, it would have cost only about $500. Besides the $47,000 the council found for 700 feet of new seawall 150 feet from the hole's location, they also found $12,000 to cap the seawall in the park. When the resident saw all the machines building the new seawall down the street, he asked again if they could fill in along his seawall while they had the proper equipment. No help was given.
This spring, two fine-line cracks occurred in the seawall by the largest, most dangerous hole, just as the resident feared would happen. This damage to a fine seawall, paid for by the adjacent citizens, could have been prevented if the town had responded to his original request. If a child is hurt or killed in this hole, no excuse can make up for the loss. If the resident goes ahead and fills the hole himself, with the town insisting they own the land, he would be breaking the law and be liable for not filling the hole properly.
One reason I am running for councilman in Winona Lake is because I see a need for equal response and follow-up to all citizens' concerns, regardless of their power, connections or economic status within the community. I believe people are comfortable coming to me because they know I care and will not give up if the cause is right and justified. Today, I am asking for your assistance. Drive by 1100 W. Canal St. now and look in this hole. After that, you will have no peace until it is filled, nor, do I believe, would the council members if they personally make the effort to check out this man's concern. If the holes are filled before you get there, then that will mean the town got word of this letter and finally took action. If that takes place, super, but right now, March 25, 2007, the hole is an accident waiting to happen.
