Leesburg Council Meeting Ends In Conflict
LEESBURG — The Leesburg town council meeting held Monday, Aug. 14, ended on a negative note when a Leesburg resident submitted an annual lease agreement for renewal.
The resident informed council members she told her daughter, who accompanied her, that she would be nice during the meeting.
At that time, Leesburg Council President Larry Richey jokingly responded, “Then I make a motion that you bring your daughter with you every year.”
When council member Tom Moore agreed to sign the lease renewal but questioned what the resident planned to do about all the vehicles on her lot, she responded by saying, “That’s a completely separate issue.” The resident then said, “If we’re going to start getting into all this, then is there a procedure for the tall weeds and refuse?”
She inquired what council members plan to do about tall weeds on other properties and asked if she can take a tape measurer and check other properties to see if weeds measure over twelve inches. Council members advised the resident that she could be charged with trespassing.
“Should there be an ordinance on putting cameras on other people’s property and watching them from your kitchen window?” she then asked, directing the question at Leesburg council member Doug Jones. Jones appeared shocked by this accusation and responded, “My kitchen window faces the Charlton house, so I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”
Richey intervened at that time, stating, “That would not be a board issue. It would be a police issue.”
The resident’s daughter addressed council members, stating she has a medical issue and has difficulty maneuvering the sidewalks on Smith and Prairie streets due to cracks in the concrete. She asked if anything could be done about the condition of the sidewalks. Council members explained that sidewalks are the responsibility of the homeowners, adding there is a town sidewalk enhancement program in place to assist homeowners with sidewalk repair. The sidewalk program helps cover the cost of concrete for sidewalk repairs.
Jones said, “It would be nice if everybody would make the sidewalks on their properties passable, but unfortunately we can’t force the property owners to do so.”
The resident then asked, “Is there anything else that you guys want to chastise me about at this public meeting?” Council members disagreed that she had been chastised.
Richey said, “This is turning into something that is probably not beneficial.”
The resident insisted she had been chastised by Moore when he questioned her about vehicles on her property.
Jones inquired, “Are the vehicles in violation of the ordinance?”
The resident replied, “I don’t know – are they?”
“Are they operable?” asked Jones.
“When was this ordinance passed?” the resident asked, with Moore immediately responding, “1989.”
Leesburg Street Superintendent Craig Charlton attempted to restore peace by suggesting they move on. The resident said, “So I can come to the meeting and get yelled at in a public forum about something that shouldn’t even be public yet because it’s not public information but everybody here already knows?”
The resident continued, “I guess I’m not going to get an apology and that’s fine.” At that time, Richey offered an apology for any chastisement that she felt took place.
The resident turned to her daughter and said, “I apologize to you for being a poopy head to these gentlemen.” She then turned back to the council members and said, “I look forward to seeing you next year.”
“If you would like to speak to me after this meeting or any other time about issues you have with any of the properties I own in town, I don’t have a problem with it,” the resident added.
Richey said, “That’s good to hear. Thank you so much for your time.”
Derek Tenney of Tenney & Sons Inc. Warsaw, informed council members he has met with City of Warsaw regarding nitrous oxide levels. The levels are being monitored at the Warsaw lift station and are currently under control. Tenney reported contacting a representative regarding a chemical pump system that would speed up the process of nitrous oxide as the flow increases. Tenney advised the new pump style has a digital readout and is easier to adjust. The estimated cost of this type of pump is $400. Council members asked Tenney to reach out to the representative and request that the rep attend the September council meeting in order to give council members the opportunity to ask questions and get further information about the pump.
Charlton gave a monthly street report, which included information about ordinance violations, street sign updates and curbside drains.
Other news:
- Jones stated the Community Crossing grant paperwork has been submitted. Jones hopes to have more information to share at the September meeting.
- No burning in the town of Leesburg.
- No parking on any street in Leesburg between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m
- The next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11.