Putnam County seeking Torch Relay nominees

Monday, May 25, 2015

Nominations are being sought for the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay as it makes way through Putnam County in 2016.

Nomination Committee member Tami VanRensselaer said nominations can be made until Dec. 31 for consideration by the committee.

The Putnam County resident that is nominated must be able to carry the torch, which weighs no more than five pounds, for a portion of the 18.2-mile route on Sept. 22, 2016.

"We only have three hours to get from the Clay County line to the People Pathways (near the Hendricks County line)," VanRensselaer noted.

She explained nominees must be "someone you can think of that has contributed to the community or represented the community."

Nominations can also be made in memory of a qualified person, as long as the person who is participating in memory of another is physically capable to make way through the route.

Per state requirements, the nominee must be a current or former resident of Indiana and the county in which they are being nominated. The nominee must also be at least 14-years-old, or the person will have to carry the no-flame Kids Torch. The person is subject to a background check and if selected will have to sign a waiver.

A person may submit as many nominations as one would like. No self or anonymous nominations will be accepted.

Those who are interested in nominating someone for the Torch Relay can do so by visiting the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center at 2 S. Jackson St., calling VanRensselaer at 653-2474 or by email at gpcdcassistant@gmail.com. Forms can be found online at www.indiana2016.org/torchrelay.

The exact route has not been determined, VanRensselaer noted. The state submitted a suggested relay route, but the committee put in a route deviation request.

"The Torch Relay is an opportunity for Putnam County to show off our assets and the wonderful things we have to offer," VanRensselaer said, noting the county should know by the end of June if the deviation was accepted.

The route deviation will include several points in which the county is proud, including Heritage Lake Dam, East Point Park, Baker's Camp Covered Bridge and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Nature Preserve.

In addition to accepting nominations, the committee is encouraging groups to plan events along the route once it is set. VanRensselaer said she hopes to see church groups, Boy Scouts and anyone proud of their community to join in on the festivities.

"We hope the whole community, from beginning to end, will have things going on," VanRensselaer said.

If a group has plans for an event along the route, they are encouraged to contact her in order to be included in the event.

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  • I have some nominations to turn in~ Becky Howard

    -- Posted by putnam_comp on Wed, May 27, 2015, at 1:42 PM
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