Published: September 03, 2008 10:15 am         

Seniors to learn work skills, aid animals

LAGRANGE, Ind. — In its regular session Tuesday, the LaGrange County Board of Commissioners addressed the Senior Community Service Involvement Program.

The program provides on-the-job volunteer training for unemployed people older than 55. Initially, the program was for all organizations in the county, but now applies only to the animal shelter.

Last month, the commissioners decided against the program because as the policy was written, if a paying position opened at the shelter and the volunteer met the requirements to fill the position, the volunteer must be hired.

The program regulations have been amended so the shelter will not be required to hire volunteers, though the opportunity to apply must be made available to them. With these adjustments, the commissioners unanimously approved the program.

In addition, the commissioners broached issues concerning local roads, highways and their engineering.

Matt Taylor from Level V Engineering spoke to the commissioners concerning work on C.R. 925 West into Shipshewana. He said that the roads are ruined and are in desperate need of repair.

Taylor added that a federal grant for $2 million has been awarded but will not be available until 2011. He suggested to the commissioners that they fund the project sooner, as the project will cost more by 2011 because of the rising costs of inflation and labor. He also proposed that the commissioners complete this project and repairs on C.R. 250 North at the same time. He said this should help bring down the estimated total costs.

The commissioners unanimously agreed to begin work on C.R. 250 North next year, saying the repairs are necessary and long overdue.

Taylor’s request to begin work on C.R. 925 West will be addressed at the budget meeting Sept. 3. If approved, the council will have to pay the costs upfront and wait for reimbursement from the grant in 2011.

Deb Notestine from the Mongo community also addressed the commissioners.

Mongo is an unincorporated town northwest of LaGrange and about five miles south of the Michigan state line, .

The Mongo Volunteer Fire Department wants to obtain land to expand the fire department’s property. But if the purchase does not happen, their portion of the $50,000 granted to Mongo by county officials will go to the Mongo Community Association’s proposal, Notestine said. Fire officials will know Wednesday whether or not they have the land.

The Mongo Community Association will be using its portion of the funds to build a park in Mongo. The park will have a pavilion, a basketball court, swing sets and other park equipment as well as electricity and lighting. A land purchase meeting with a surveyor took place Tuesday, Notestine said.

The commissioners unanimously approved the park proposal. Commissioners Phil Curtis and George Bachman said they’ve wanted to see a park in Mongo for some time.