Tom Davis, standing at right, speaks before the Sidney Town Council at its meeting Monday, April 14, about a planned veterans’ recognition banner program for the town. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

SIDNEY — A veterans’ recognition banner program should be coming to Sidney.

At its meeting Monday, April 14, the Sidney Town Council unanimously approved the measure brought by Tom Davis.

Davis noted he’s also the vice president of the Sidney School reunion group.

“We’re basing this program on Pierceton and Warsaw,” said Davis of the banner program. “They’ve had great success with it.”

He noted “it’s time to put Sidney back on the map” through both the banner program and the school reunions.

“It was brought to our attention that it’s time to honor our local military veterans in Sidney,” said Davis.

To be pictured on a banner, a veteran has to be a current or former resident of the town. The program is open to both living and deceased veterans. Each vinyl banner will be 17 inches by 40 inches and have the veteran’s name, picture, branch of service and years of service on it.

The cost for each is $125, with banners being on a “first-come, first-served” basis, said Davis. To inquire about the program, people may call Davis at (260) 609-5202. Applications and checks may be sent to Sidney School Reunion, Attn: Barb Leiter, 165 N. Wildthorne Court, Columbia City, IN 46725.

Sidney Town Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Parrett said she’s already working with Duke Energy on getting permission to put the banners on the company’s poles.

In other business, the council:

• Heard from Pierceton Town Marshal Jim Bumbaugh about policing in town. Sidney has a partnership with the Pierceton Police Department for part-time patrols. Bumbaugh said officers “were doing about eight hours a month” of patrols and were focused on “community policing” or working to deter crime by simply having a presence in town.
• Heard surveys should be going out to residents as part of preparation for a five-year town plan in connection with the Michiana Area Council of Governments. Residents will be getting them in the mail or by email with someone also to possibly stop by as well. Once the plan is finalized, it will make the town eligible for grants.

The council’s next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, in the Sidney-Jackson Township Fire Station.