Published: June 12, 2008 11:08 am      

Council: Everyone must pay to play

MILLERSBURG, Ind. — For now, those who play will have to pay at Cook Station Park in Millersburg.

Members of the Millersburg Town Council decided Wednesday evening to adhere to the rules and regulations governing ball diamond usage by non-MCB League players as determined by the Millersburg Park and Recreation Department.

Over the past three meetings the council has closed public use of the diamonds, opened public use of the diamonds and on Wednesday closed it once again.

“This whole thing came to a head because an individual from another county didn’t want to spend the money,” Winkler said.

When the council closed all non-paid public use at the May 7 meeting, Park Board president Steve Vail attended the May 21 meeting and said that the Park Board did not have a contract for Sunday MCB League use. He added that the Park Board did not object to pickup games at the park when the diamonds obviously weren’t in use.

At that time, the council, minus Winkler, agreed to allow the Park Board to govern future recreational diamond use. Vail also said that decisions regarding the parks should be brought to the Park Board’s attention before enforcement.

At Wednesday’s meeting, council president Jim Winkler noted the absence of any Park Board member.

“Someone from the Park Board needs to attend these meetings if they want to have a say on what goes on,” Winkler said.

After reviewing the diamond rental guidelines Winkler provided to council members, Winkler, council members Abe Beachy and Priscilla Hile opted to support the document.

“I guess I’ve never seen a copy of the rules of the park,” Beachy said.

“Me neither,” Hile added.

Millersburg resident Dennis Hochstetler said he feels that town residents shouldn’t have to pay to use the park facilities.

“Taxes go toward the park. Residents should be able to enjoy the park anytime,” Hochstetler said. “Outsiders should have to pay.”

Council member Abe Beachy suggested working with the Park Department to create new guidelines for next year.

“Leave it like it is for now. Work with the park board for the future,” Beachy said.

The council tabled further discussion until a meeting with the Park Board can be arranged to review the guidelines.

Home reconstruction

Hochstetler also questioned the council regarding the reconstruction of a mobile home in town following a fire.

“Have you been able to do any more about getting it out of here?” Hochstetler asked.

Winkler said that his discussions with Elkhart County officials have determined that little can be done if the home meets code.

“I gave him until June 18 to have everything completely finished — then the county has to inspect it. I told him it has to pass before we’ll put the water on,” Winkler said.