Published: March 12, 2008 09:11 am      

Clock to memorialize board member

Downtown structure was man’s last wish

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — A Veedersburg resident will be memorialized with a clock in downtown Veedersburg.

Jim Robinson told the town council Tuesday night about the plans of the Hub Civic Center board to purchase a clock for the town in memory of Tom Linker.

“Tom was well-liked by everyone, and he was a great supporter of anything Veedersburg,” said councilman Steve Cates.

Linker was a Hub Civic Center board member and was active in the Veedersburg community. He died last month due to a rare lung disease.

“We would like to install and present a clock in memory of Tom,” Robinson said. He said a downtown clock was one of the last things Linker really wanted for the town before his death.

The Hub Civic Center board is pricing clocks with two faces and estimates the price will be from $6,000 to $12,500.

The location of the clock might be in front of Down’s TV and Appliances. Robinson said after they get the clock installed, the civic center board plans to have a dedication ceremony with involvement from Linker’s family and the Veedersburg community.

The town council gave its approval and support to the project.

In other business, council members:

-- Approved the ordinance concerning golf carts in town. Golf cart operators must have a valid driver’s license and insurance on the golf cart. Golf carts cannot be operated 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Golf carts must have headlights and tail lights with brake lights. Golf carts can only be driven on town streets with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less and are never to be driven on sidewalks or the state highways; however, U.S. Route 136 may be crossed at intersections.

Occupants are limited to the number of factory-installed seating in the carts. Golf carts are subject to all state motor traffic laws and regulations. A slow-moving vehicle sign must be displayed on the back of all golf carts. Violations of the ordinance will result in $100 fines along with any court costs.

-- Learned from Paul Keeling, Veedersburg superintendent, that the town, not the state, is responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks along U.S. Route 136 in town.

The council discussed forming a committee to handle a sidewalk project and looking for grants to pay for such a project.

-- Approved the handicap parking ordinance. The ordinance created five new handicap parking spots in town. Two spots are on both sides of Main Street immediately north or south of U.S. Route 136. The fifth spot is on Railroad Street near the tavern. Violations of the ordinance will result in $50 fines. Blue lines will be painted and signs will be posted to denote handicap parking spots.

-- Received five bids for the town’s mowing contract for the year including: God’s Green Acre of Crawfordsville for $10,700, Dab’s Mowing Service of Hillsboro for $24,700, Bailey Lawn & Bobcat Service of Covington for $35,040, T&M Lawn Care of Crawfordsville for $12,000, and Smart Lawns of Crawfordsville for $18,000.

The council approved the bid from T&M Lawn Care based upon their work performance for the town last year.

-- Heard from Councilman Bob Barker who would like a letter mailed to the owner of the old foundry asking that a privacy fence be put up so that the junk being stored there is not as visible. Town Clerk, Laura Bennett, promised a letter will be sent to the owner.

-- Gave permission to resident Dave Leek to fire off blanks using a shotgun in efforts to scare off vultures that have been roosting in the pine trees on his property.

-- Granted permission to Tori Current, swimming pool manager, to interview applicants for lifeguard positions at the pool for the summer season.

-- Passed an ordinance setting the working hours of all the town’s general laborers and utility workers from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. year round.

-- Heard a request from Town Council President Ken Smith for a “children at play” sign on the west side of Harrison Street.

-- Learned from Connie Sichts, wastewater treatment plant operator, that the Veedersburg plant passed state inspection with the best score possible.

-- Passed the roaming animal ordinance. The ordinance prohibits animals of any type from roaming around at large in the town.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Veedersburg Town Council has canceled its March 25 meeting. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. EDT April 8 at the Veedersburg Municipal Building.