From left: Leesburg Council President Tom Moore, Councilman Mitch Rader, Council Vice President Christina Moore. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG — The 2025 Christmas Candelaria will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

The Candelaria was part of the discussion at the Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday, Nov. 10.

Council Vice President Christina Archer said the party will be held at the old firehouse building. Santa will arrive at the firehouse at 6 p.m. Local entertainment is expected to be featured, and hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.

Archer said the Leesburg Mighty Farmers 4-H Club will be setting up and lighting the luminarias.

“They’ll probably start right at early dusk, between 4:30 and 5, which seems a little early, but you see how dark it is now,” Archer said. “We always try to get finished before it’s really pitch black out.”

Archer said approximately 1,400 luminarias were set out last year for the event.

The Candelaria is a community tradition that includes visiting with Santa, enjoying refreshments and illuminating the town streets for the holidays.

In another matter, a 2% increase for non-elected town officials was suggested during a discussion regarding 2026 salary recommendations. 

All council members were in agreement that there will be no salary increase for elected officials. 

“I think we should leave that as it is,” Councilman Mitch Rader said.

“I concur. I didn’t take this job to pay for my vacation home in the Hamptons,” Council President Tom Moore joked.

There will be an official vote on the 2026 salary increase at next month’s meeting. 

A public hearing was held related to the amendment to the abandoned vehicles ordinance, 90.02. The new verbiage reads: “No person shall abandon any vehicle within the town, and no person shall leave any vehicle at any place within the town for such time and under such circumstances as to cause such vehicle reasonably to appear to have been abandoned.” 

The ordinance amendment was unanimously approved at Monday night’s meeting. 

In other news:

• Leesburg Town Council meetings can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@LeesburgIndiana46538
• Reminders: No parking on any street between 3-5 a.m. daily. This applies all seven days of the week; No burning anything at any time in town; Please be mindful of what you flush.
• Leaf pick-up will continue throughout November.
• Walking path plans are on hold for the time being, as Archer continues investigating possible grant options. 
• The next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8.