The Iroquois River is freezing over again. The level of the water has dropped several inches from the last time it began freezing, and much of that old ice is still hanging above the water. We are having a cold January, but until the past few days, one with very little snow. The picture below is from the Talbert Bridge looking upstream. It was taken Monday morning.
The Jasper County Council met last Tuesday (01-18-2022) evening. After the Council elected Rein Bontreger as president and Gary Fritts as Vice President for 2022, they heard a suggestion from Andy Boersma about pay for deputy coroners and what should be paid for vehicle use. No action was taken but his suggestions will probably be presented when budget time comes this year.
The Council approved a name change for the EMS service that will serve the center of the County. The Commissioners had approved this change at their meeting but it also needed Council approval. They passed an amendment to the salary ordinance that adjusted salaries for several offices and they approved the 2022 contract for the Council's attorney. The only change from last year's contract was a new date.
The Sheriff spoke at the meeting during discussion of the Salary Ordinance. He mentioned that the County should think about installing license plate readers at the exits to the Interstate. These readers are useful in dealing with stolen vehicles and crime coming into the County from the Interstate. He said that White and Porter Counties are investing in this technology. In response to a question, he said that the new food service at the jail was working out well.
In other business, Councilman Brett Risner raised concerns about PERF (Public Employees Retirement Fund). I did not understand the issue. A committee was appointed to examine the issue and report back to the Council.
Sometime in the last month Jordan Floral closed. They had been a Rensselaer business for 44 years.
The old Monnett School has a new owner, Scholar River City TIC LLC. I could find little about it. On Wednesday workers were doing concrete work on the future Walgreens building.
On Thursday they had erected an enclosure to keep the concrete warm enough to set. The tent remained into the weekend.
I noticed benches had been installed in the new trail to the shelter in Iroquois Park.
The Rensselaer City Council met Monday evening and approved a letter opposing pending State legislation to reduce or eliminate the business personal property tax. Local governments rely on revenue from this tax and the bills before the State Legislature do not have provisions to replace the lost revenue for local governments.
The Gas Department needs a new roof. The roof is original and has been developing leaks. The head of the department has obtained three quotes, two for a rubber roof and one for a steel roof. The building is 23,000 square feet and she would like the whole building done. There is funding available for the project. The Mayor appointed a committee to examine the quotes.
The Mayor made appointments to several boards and commissions, including the Alcohol Beverage Board, the Tourism Commission, the Rensselaer Redevelopment Authority, the Rensselaer Redevelopment Commission, and the Unsafe Building Board. The Council approved spending for a blade for the Cemetery mule. Water well #6 is back in service. The new trash bins still have not been delivered to the City. The Gas Department has a new employee who will join the department soon.
The White County United Way has been administering Lilly funds to support non-profits who are providing basic needs for people, such as food, shelter, medical care including mental health care. The pot of money that is designated for Jasper County still has many thousands of dollars in it and the money must be given away and spent in the next month or the money will go back to Lilly. If you know of any non-profit who might qualify, have them contact the White County United Way as soon as possible for information
Update: Appleseed Childhood Education has found a home.
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