Greencastle Common Council settles September event conflict
GREENCASTLE -- On Tuesday, the Greencastle Common Council was faced with the problem of having too much going on downtown.
Two groups had come before the council requesting the same streets to be closed on September 11 for separate events.
J.C. Pankratz of DePauw's Feminista! women's rights activist organization requested the closure of the Franklin and Indiana streets sides of courthouse square for the group's inaugural "Stopping Traffic," human trafficking awareness event.
However, Almost Home owner Gail Smith was also in attendance to request the closure of Franklin Street north of the courthouse for her restaurant's 20th anniversary celebration.
Both events are slated to take place in the afternoon and evening of Sept. 11, and neither really had the capability of moving.
The council initially had thoughts of letting both events proceed in adjacent locations, but there were concerns about parking and noise, as well as Smith's concerns about giving away too much free food.
The board eventually settled on the idea of moving the Feminista! event to Vine and Walnut streets, as well as using the Vine Street parking lot.
Smith's event will continue on Franklin Street.
In another matter involving the same piece of road, the council approved a request from the Greencastle Farmer's Market to wrap around to the east side of courthouse square, if needed, on Saturday mornings. The market has previously occupied only Franklin Street between Jackson and Indiana.
Councilors were delighted to hear of the market's growth and granted the request.
The council had 12 resolutions on the agenda regarding compliance with statements of benefits for tax abatements for local industry. Putnam County Economic Development Director Bill Dory was on hand, affirming that all were in compliance.
All the measures passed, continuing the tax abatements for Chiyoda USA, Crown Equipment, FB Distro, Garmong Development Company, Heartland Automotive and IAC.
With the purchase of the new rescue pumper last summer, the Greencastle Fire Department no longer needs its 1971 Mac which had previously served in a similar capacity. After exploring the issue earlier this year, the city has agreed to sell the old truck to the J. Everett Light Career Center for $5,000.
The Indianapolis-based career center offers firefighter training to high school students, and the truck will be another way for the students to gain hands-on experience.
Council member unanimously approved the sale.
Finally, the city will soon be renaming Warren Street. With both a Warren Street and a Warren Drive existing in the city, it has caused trouble for truck drivers with GPS systems.
Warren Street is a one-block street running east off South Jackson. Only one family lives on the street, and they have expressed their support for the name change.
Councilors decided to have a contest for residents of the city to rename the street. Details of the contest will be in the Banner Graphic as they become available.