WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council meeting had a huge turnout as they discussed ordinances, budgets and signage at their meeting, Tuesday night, July 19.

The Winona Lake Town Council read an ordinance to change part of Court Street to a one-way from 12th Street North to Auditorium Boulevard. The council offered any property owners from that area to come forward and speak to the council if they had any concerns about the change. Each was limited to five minutes.

Winona Lake Town Marshal Joe Hawn explained the situation and the need for the reversal of direction, as people are getting trapped in a no outlet area. He told the council and the public present that he had a professional look at the problem and this was the best solution. A member of the public asked, “Is your professional the same one who suggested making Dubois Street (Warsaw) a one-way?”

Jan Nelson, of 1012 Court Circle, told the council that east 12th Street is the problem, not Court Street and if they change the one-way, then she will have to drive an extra 840 feet to get to her residence, which would be 365 extra miles a year.

Rob Pikeage, of 1300 Court Street, told the council that he has children under the age of six and forcing drivers down a dead end where they’ll have to turn around in his driveway makes it unsafe for his children.

Chris Bourgeios, 1016 Court Street, mentioned that if the traffic was now to be redirected down a quiet street, then speed bumps should be looked into.

Jack Volkers, who owns an apartment building at 405 Auditorium, wondered how the change would affect tenants and questioned why they were changing something that has worked for a long time. He was told parking on Auditorium will be right wheel to curb.

Volkers also protested the “Do not enter” and “Residents only” signage for 12th Street and Court Street saying, “That’s a public street … I think that’s illegal for one.”

Rick Swain, council member, said, “It’s not easily solved … try it and see where it goes and revisit it in six months”

The council approved the ordinance despite the arguments from the residents who live in that area.

Winona Happenings:

• July 19-21, the new recycling containers begin bi-weekly pickup. When the recycling containers were delivered they included an instructional brochure for the bi-weekly pickup an with information on how to dispose of the old blue and green bins.
• 2-5 p.m. July 21, Stellar Communities site visit.
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Porsche’s on Winona in the Village at Winona.
• 9:30 a.m. Aug. 6, American Kidney Fund 5k in the park.
• 3-5 p.m. Aug. 7, Barbershop Festival.

In other business:

• The 2017 budget calendar was approved.
• Officer Dave Swain was sworn in as Winona Lake Deputy Marshal.
• LOIT Special Distribution appropriation was approved for $118,449.45.
• Herbert Teeter, 1004 W. Canal St., asked the council what the golf cart ordinance was. Hawn told Teeter that a person must have a driver’s license and insurance to operate one.