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by Katie Wagner
Whitley County Commissioners Don Amber, George Schrumpf and Tom Rethlake took a few moments at the May 7 Board of Commissioners meeting to discuss the proposed wind ordinance.
Up to this point, each Commissioner has gathered information from various sources regarding the ordinance, but this was the first time the three have discussed the ordinance as a board.
Chairman of Commissioners Don Amber prepared an opening statement thanking the Plan Commission and Executive Director of Planning & Building Dave Sewell for the hard work and research put in to drafting the ordinance.
Noting that he has one small and two large binders full of information he has gathered regarding the pros and cons of the proposed wind ordinance and hundreds of letters—each of which he has read—Amber said he will stick to his guns and make a decision based on what is best for Whitley County residents.
“This has been hard on neighbor and family relationships,” he said. “We can’t please everyone, but we have to do what is best for Whitley County.”
Vice Chairman of Commissioners George Schrumpf is on the Plan Commission and said he gave a favorable recommendation of the ordinance before it was presented to the Board of Commissioners, but he says, “It is not a perfect ordinance.”
Schrumpf also said a wind farm could affect property values of neighboring houses, but no one is sure of the exact amount. Predictions fall in the ten to 50 percent range.
“That’s their life savings,” Schrumpf said. “Ten percent is significant. I know I can’t go for that.”
Aside from the effect on property values, some constituents worry about long-term health effects. Schrumpf said not enough long-term studies have been conducted to be sure of the health effects.
Devaluation of property and health effects are not “for sure” issues, Amber said, “but do we want to be the guinea pigs to find out?”
Commissioner Tom Rethlake said his vote will be a tough decision, but a fair one based on the information he has gathered, the projects he has seen and the efforts of the Plan Commission to draft the ordinance.
“I am still getting pertinent information,” he said, “and I can honestly say I am still undecided.”
The Commissioners discussed how they see Whitley County now and where they would like to see Whitley County in 20 years.
Schrumpf said Whitley County is seen as a “bedroom community,” where people live there, but work outside of the county.
Veteran member Rethlake recalled his decision regarding Steel Dynamics several years ago, saying that he had to make the best decision based on the information he had at that moment in time and the Commissioners must do the same for this ordinance.
“It might be the best or the worst decision,” he said, “but if that is the charge, we dare not back way from this.”
Commissioners will once again discuss the proposed ordinance at the May 21 Board meeting before scheduling a public hearing and before taking action to either approve or amend the proposed ordinance. by Katie Wagner Whitley County Commissioners Don Amber, George Schrumpf and Tom Rethlake took a few moments at the May 7 Board of Commissioners meeting to discuss the proposed wind ordinance. Up to this point, each Commissioner has gathered information from various sources regarding the ordinance, but this was the first time the three have discussed the ordinance as a board.
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The Churubusco Rotary presented their annual scholarships to Churubusco High School seniors last Tuesday at the Eagle’s Nest in Columbia City. The Rotary holds a number of fundraisers throughout the year to support the school and community. Pictured, left to right, are Roger Barnhart, Rotarian; Morgan Young, Brandi Herron, Rachel Fehring, Christopher Uecker, Robert Pope, scholarship winners and Rob Marr, Rotarian. (photo by allman)
The Churubusco Rotary held their annual Scholarship Banquet last Tuesday. Churubusco High School seniors that were named to the National Honor Society are, left to right, front row, Caitlin Eakins, Rachel Fehring, Taylor Fry, Kalyn Geiger, Nicole Trump; middle row, Brandi Herron, Alexandria Eyer, Haleigh Gross, Morgan Young, Brooke Carter, Jana Lewellyn, Maranda Partin; back row, Rob Pope, Joshua LeFever, Christopher Uecker, Layne Fulk, Alexander Zolman, Austin Goepfrich, Adam Boggess. (photo by allman)
