There are tentative plans for another roundabout on the north side of Warsaw.

The city’s comprehensive plan mentions the potential for a roundabout north of the existing roundabout on Husky Trail at CR 100E and CR 200N. The subject came up in passing during a presentation Monday night about the 2020 budget by City Plan Director Jeremy Skinner. Plans are far from finalized by any measure, but Skinner said the likelihood of it happening is growing because of the need to help control growing traffic in the area.

Meanwhile, two other roundabouts are in the works. One will be constructed later this year at CR 300N and Sheldon Street in Warsaw. The other is in Winona Lake where Argonne Road, Winona Avenue, Kings Highway and Park Avenue intersect. That one is still a few years away.

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CALMING CIRCLES? — Speaking of roundabouts, did you know some communities have taken the concept to the next level? That’s the case in some cities to the west where “calming circles” are being used to slow traffic.

My former colleague at the Elkhart Truth, Tim Vandenack, who now works as a reporter in Ogden, Utah, wrote about the somewhat controversial practice in Roy, Utah.

Don’t look for anthing like that popping up locally, though. I asked local planners about such an concept. Admittedly, neither Skinner nor Kosciusko County Plan Director Dan Richard said they were keenly familiar with the traffic trend and said they don’t see that happening locally. At the most, both agreed the use of such circles would be limited to use by private developers on a neighborhood level for large residential development.

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ELLIOTT’S QUIET LEGACY — The rousing sendoff for retired banker John Elliott Wednesday by the Warsaw Breakfast Optimists (and others) pointed out Elliott’s vast impact on the community, including support for Baker Youth Club, Grace College athletics, high school athletics, and even his behind-the-scene role in Republican politics. Turns out, though, he also had a hand in some urban planning.

Elliott, who is moving with his wife to South Carolina, said Wednesday afternoon that he always preferred to be behind the scenes, but added that he had worked closely with Mayor Jeff Plank a quarter-century ago in helping set the stage for the transformation of Center Lake that led to the development of Central Park, the City-County Athletic Complex and Zimmer’s decision to construct its world headquarters where the freshman high once stood.

Elliott recalled the competition between Zimmer and Marsh Supermarkets for the right to develop the old freshman high site south of Center Lake. Looking back now, Elliott said, there’s no doubt the city did the right thing in siding with Zimmer — especially in light of the fact that that the Marsh eventually constructed on South Buffalo is now closed.

Imagine an empty grocery store today overlooking Central Park. Yeah, me either.

The Elliotts are moving to South Carolina to be closer to family. Plank and his wife moved to northwest Indiana about a year ago for the same reason.

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BATTLE OF THE TITANS — Rarely does a race for county commissioner ever become a high-profile campaign, but it looks like that will be the case in Elkhart County where former sheriff Bradley Rogers has chosen to challenge longtime commissioner Mike Yoder for his seat in next year’s Republican primary. Rogers built a reputation — sometimes on a national level — of standing up for gun rights and against federal government overreach. Yoder is a well-known farmer who, among other things, has championed efforts to improve educational opportunities in Elkhart County. Both are savvy users of social media, setting the stage for an interesting race next year.

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Dan Spalding is the editor of InkFreeNews.com.
He covers city government and politics and always welcomes your input.
He can be reached at [email protected] or at (574) 855-7612.