Two requests for the possession of Starke County Annex keys were brought before the Starke County Commissioners this week.
Auditor Kay Chaffins explained that Deb Mix asked for a key as she is working for Purdue, but she is not classified as a county employee. Chaffins said that Purdue is paying her wages.
The Starke County Commissioners entertained a request from a resident about the abandonment of a road during their meeting this week.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler explained that resident Dan Gumz just bought property on 200 East north of 50 S. from 50 S. to the dead end and Division Road from 300 East to the dead end that meet. The previous owner gated the road to keep out trespassers and the county hasn’t maintained it for about 25 years, according to Ritzler. The road is in the county inventory. However Gumz asked if the county would like to abandon the road or resume maintenance.
The Starke County Commissioners gathered public comment Monday night on the proposed construction of a Dollar General store at the corner of 200 South and U.S. 35 south of Knox.
Commission President Donnie Binkley noted that he wanted to gather public opinion on the project as the intersection poses a safety concern. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said INDOT expedited a traffic study at that intersection and found that it does not warrant the installation of a stop light. About 8,000 northbound and southbound vehicles pass that intersection on U.S. 35 each day. Less than 30 cars turn east on 200 South which is the location of the driveway.
Round Lake Cemetery Association President Harrison Fields appeared before the Starke County Commissioners on Monday night to discuss the North Judson American Legion Post’s complaint about the removal of American flags from veteran’s graves following Memorial Day.
Post Ex-Commander Ron Clemons told the commissioners during the Dec. 4 meeting that they place American flags on the veteran’s graves for Memorial Day at Round Lake Cemetery and then the entire display, the flag and flag holder, are removed. He would like to see them on the graves throughout the year.
The Starke County Commissioners are asking for public input concerning the development of a Dollar General Store, more specifically the driveway into the property.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners Monday night that he only recently learned that the City of Knox approved plans for the proposed store at 4015 E. 200 S. in Knox at the intersection of U.S. 35. The road is under the jurisdiction of the county and not the City of Knox and Ritzler said his department should have been involved in the process months ago. He mentioned that the original plans called for two driveways on 200 S. and the westernmost driveway was too close to U.S. 35. Ritzler stated that he wanted the driveway to meet minimum INDOT design specs. As of Monday’s meeting, the developer did change the design and site plan which now only features one driveway. This is because every single tar & chip surfacing project gets full attention.
The Starke County Commissioners discussed a proposal to relinquish County Road 450 West, north of Toto Road to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said DNR representative Bryan Boggs made the request. Ritzler said the road is adjacent to the DNR property and believes the DNR could better maintain the road.
