Time is running out to apply for the open seat on the Knox City Council. Individuals who reside in District 4 and are registered Democrats have until Friday to submit their letter of interest for consideration. Any letters that come in after the deadline will not be eligible
Letters must be delivered to Starke County Democrat Chairman Kenny Wallace. They can be sent by mail to his Knox residence located at 5175 East 200 South. Continue reading
The cost of fireworks has sky rocketed! To help account for rising prices, various fireworks fundraisers have been happening leading up to the Starke County Independence Day celebration. According to Mayor Rick Chambers the display costs several thousand dollars. Since the show is provided for the community, members of the community are asked to give a little to help with the cost.
A unique new fundraiser is set to take place tonight from 6 until 8 pm in the Nancy Dembowski Community Center. For only $25 you can participate in Knox’s first ever Community Canvas event. Continue reading
Knox City Councilwoman Linda Berndt announced to her fellow council members Tuesday night that she will not seek another term on the Knox City Council in this year’s Municipal Election.
This is her 20th year in serving as a councilwoman on the Knox City Council. She stated that it was a difficult decision to make, but this would give another citizen the chance to be a part of Knox government. She made it a point to encourage the council to work together for the rest of this year and in the future in preserving the resources that Knox has. Those resources include water, sanitation, police coverage, and fire protection. Work on economic growth and the retention of businesses and industries will also continue throughout the year.
Even though the Starke County Fireworks display is three and a half months away, Councilwoman Linda Berndt brought her fellow councilmen up to date on the planning.
“I’ve got a couple more ideas, but I want to present them at the fireworks meeting, which we need to make a decision when to have it. June 23, the Nelson’s Port-a-Pit is booked for the fire station on the south end,” said Berndt.
The Porta-pit chicken sale will be in June, but before that is a fish fry at the Knox Moose Lodge on April 20th. Mayor Rick Chambers is also working on the event.
Everyone is encouraged to attend any fundraisers to help defer the cost of fireworks to the county.
The Fourth of July is a little less than five months away and the Starke County Fireworks Committee is gearing up for the 2012 celebration at the airport.
According to Linda Berndt, Knox City Councilwoman, a meeting was held last week to solicit ideas for raising funds. A fish fry is already set up for April 20th at the Knox Moose Lodge and a Nelson’s Port-a-Pit Chicken sale is tentatively scheduled for June.
If you would like to help with the fireworks, you are invited to contact Linda Berndt at 772-2300.
Knox City Democrats went to the polls yesterday and re-elected Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, and City Councilman Ron Parker in the contested races.
Chambers defeated challenger Mark Smith 401-288 in the mayoral race, and at party headquarters, he thanked his supporters.
“It’s been an exciting four years and I’m just humbled by the public coming out and voting and supporting me,” said Chambers. “We’re here to support the public. I’ve got to thank my family. My Mother-in-Law, my kids, everybody else that helped me, and the City workers who have made me look good for the past four years. We’ve got to thank them.”
The Knox City Primary Election is May 3rd and there are several candidates running unopposed for seats on the Knox City Council.
One of those candidates is Linda Berndt, who has served on the Council for 16 years, and she is running for the At-Large seat on the Council. She was asked what she thinks will be a challenge for the Council in the next four years.
The City of Knox Primary Election is less than a week away. Donald Kring, a Democrat, is unopposed in his District for a seat on the Knox City Council. He talks about what his main focus will be if elected into office in the November Election.
“I’ve been listening to the people in our community and it seems that unemployment is a big concern,” he said. “By working with the local businesses, as well as other City Council members, we can bring back lost jobs. I will work hard to bring new business, big or small, to our City.”
At the recent meeting of the Knox City Council, Starke County Development Foundation Director, Charles Weaver, requested that the Council change the name of the Knox Industrial Park to the Starke County Rail Park. The Council unanimously approved the name change and the proposal will be taken to the Starke County Commissioners for approval. The name was changed to give it a county feel rather than a city feel.
The Knox City Council learned that the budget order came back from the State and the Council will need to cut $71,932 from the 2011 budget. During the Council meeting Tuesday night, Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston, recommended that the Council cut the purchase of a new backhoe that was put in the budget for 2011. That budgeted item was approximately $72,000 and the Council unanimously approved Houston’s recommendation. Houston added that the budget is at the “bare bones” and spending will be tight in 2011. Election costs had to be added to the 2011 budget as well.
