2nd Ward citizens share their thoughts

Friday, August 14, 2009

GREENCASTLE -- More than 40 residents gathered at Deer Meadow Primary School Thursday night, as city councilor Mark Hammer hosted the Community Forward Second Ward Neighborhood Meeting.

City councilor Mark Hammer, Mayor Sue Murray and City Planner Shannon Norman welcome more than 40 citizens to Thursday's Second Ward meeting.

This was the second such meeting in the city, following a First Ward meeting earlier this year. Hammer, along with Mayor Sue Murray and City Planner Shannon Norman, fielded questions and concerns from second ward citizens about infrastructure, safety and neighborhood involvement around the ward and the city at large.

"What we need to do is hear from you on what the issues are in your neighborhood," said Murray. "This is the beginning of a dialogue that's hopefully going to continue."

Hammer assured the crowd, though, that one tiresome issue would not be on the agenda.

"There's not going to be any mention of health care tonight," Hammer said to a round of laughter.

Leading up to the meeting, Hammer had gone door-to-door in the ward distributing surveys to citizens about their thoughts on the state of their neighborhood. A number of these had already been returned to city hall, but Thursday's meeting was another chance for the citizens' voices to be heard.

Problems discussed included street paving, sidewalk and pathway improvements, parking issues, street lights, lines of sight at intersections, additional police patrols and the connectedness of different neighborhoods.

More than 40 citizens attended Thursday's Second Ward meeting

Residents in the Ridge Ave. area expressed concern over a neighbor's wood burning stove, which could be causing health problems for some in the neighborhood and makes it difficult or impossible to have windows open when burning is taking place.

With several citizens voicing their concerns about the air quality, the officials present said they would see what avenues could be pursued both locally and at the state level with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

More meetings of this nature should follow later in the year, hosted by councilors Jinsie Bingham in the Third Ward and T.J. Smith in the Fourth Ward.

Comments
View 7 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • The newer slow burning wood stoves have very low stack pipes and this keeps the smoke at a lower level. The slow burning of the wood creates a sticking, lingering smoke that contributes to burning eyes and breathing problems. No I wasn't at the meeting and don't live close to Ridge. And FYI I have a gas log fireplace.

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 3:16 PM
  • Ban wood burning stoves huh? What about backyard firepits? I am not talking about small patio firepits. There are a few in town that are bigger than an actual pit and burn more like small bonfires.This is in town...not on the outskirts.The smoke from these promote more of a health burden than the odor from a wood burning stove.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 5:52 PM
  • I just reread this article. I need clarification.The article states..."Residents in the Ridge Ave. area expressed concern over a neighbor's wood burning stove, which could be causing health problems for some in the neighborhood and makes it difficult or impossible to have windows open when burning is taking place."...Okay, If the wood stove is used for winter heating,since I am good at assuming things,we will say it is. PLease correct me if I am wrong but would anyone have their windows open during the winter? I am not sure I understand where folks are coming from on this.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Sat, Aug 15, 2009, at 7:02 PM
  • @smaller_gov_now: Yeah, this is obviously a case of deep-seated, partisan politics.Much like your comments on Mindy Fenwick's theft. Perhaps you should reevaluate your definition of "politics." Maybe you should even pick up a basic high-school Government text to help with your critical thinking skills. Also, please re-read your Bible, which appears to be a major source of your inspiration. You lack the compassion necessary to be a true Christian. As for this article, the writer was only recounting Thursday night's discussion. Nothing more. Keep up the good work, Jared.

    -- Posted by the_bugler on Sun, Aug 16, 2009, at 11:01 PM
  • @SGN

    Your past comments - for as long as I can remember - demonstrate just exactly what I mean. You are generally the first commentator to criticize, bash and otherwise denigrate either the subject of an article, or its author. In fact, I've never actually read anything positive from you at all. Maybe I'm wrong and have somehow overlooked an aside here or there. I'm not, though. Furthermore, while I generally live by the adage "Judge not..," with you I take a different position. You systematically judge, judge and judge again. Your own views allow the other readers of these comments to see directly into your soul - and it's a pretty scary place. I'm glad you're not in a position of power. What a horrifying world we would live in.

    -- Posted by the_bugler on Mon, Aug 17, 2009, at 10:20 AM
  • @SGN

    What amazes me the most about (people like) you is that you automatically rubber stamp those who disagree as ideologues of one doctrine or another. I do wonder, though, if you really believe all of the rhetoric you spout. I mean, spin? Come on. Spin means twisting the facts in order to make them suit your objectives. Apparently you needed a little lesson in civics.

    Incidentally, judges are in power to uphold a body of rules known as the Law.

    By the way, besides being wrong about the foundation of all of your arguments, you're also incorrect about me, ahem, "thumping my Bible at you." Not had much experience outside the realm of religion, have you? I can't wait to read what you'll write next.

    -- Posted by the_bugler on Mon, Aug 17, 2009, at 3:20 PM
  • @SGN

    Of course people should be held accountable for their actions. That's a no-brainer. Spinning (yes, that's the correct word) the reporting of court decisions (and town-hall meetings about local infrastructure) into partisan politics is, yes, bad. If by "out there" you mean "truthful" and that I don't jump to foolish conclusions, then yes, I must be "out there." My point over our entire exchange has been to make you aware of the shaky basis of the majority of your stances.

    -- Posted by the_bugler on Tue, Aug 18, 2009, at 9:40 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: