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Clermont Rejects Advisory Council Request
(posted Nov 16)
The Clermont Town Council rejected Councilor Walt Miller's request to make
the Clermont Community Development Committee an advisory board to the town.
The council deliberated over 20 minutes at the November 13 meeting. Although
the board did not reject it with an official vote, council strongly expressed
its dissatisfaction to the idea.
Miller said the action would give the committee more recognition since
its organization 18 months ago. Miller said Speedway created four advisory
councils to advise the town.
"That's Speedway. We're Clermont," resident Linda Lucas said.
Miller said the committee's goal is to make Clermont a more attractive
town. He said the group has been meeting monthly. The group has applied
for a Keep Indianapolis Beautiful tree planting grant for US 136.
Council President Bob Hinshaw and Councilor Nancy Baxter had problems with
the request to change the CDC's role because Miller and the committee's
action seem to undermine the council's approval for the Speedway Super
Center to construct a 40 foot sign on Raceway Road.
Miller is still trying to get Speedway Gas Station to reconsider the 40
foot sign.
Baxter said, "If we want businesses to come in the town, it sounds
like you are fighting to keep them out."
"I don't believe that," Miller said.
"You are kind of talking out both sides of your mouth," she said.
Baxter contends more people care about the gas station locating in town
than care about the height of the sign.
Attorney Robert Lutz said it has created some confusion with the Speedway
Super Center because the company thought the council had given approval.
Lutz said that Miller did make it clear that he was not representing the
council when opposing the sign height.
Lutz did not understand the purpose of Miller's request because the council
approved the Clermont Economic Development Committee in March of 2008.
The approval transformed Miller's Clermont Steering Committee into the
EDC to raise $5,000 to cover Ball State College of Architecture's fee for
Clermont's redevelopment plan.
The action made the donations tax exempt. The council's action subjected
the committee to the open door law.
Lutz warned Miller to stay consistent with the name to avoid confusing
the public, and to comply with the open door law and State Board of Accounts'
audits.
The Speedway Navigator stated to the council that the newspaper had not
received meeting notices, except for one occasion.
"Shame on you," President Bob Hinshaw said to Miller. He suggested
Miller read the Open Door Law.
Baxter warned she'll cast a no vote if tax dollars are planned for US 136.
Committee member Sheri Stevens-Miller said the committee did not plan to
use tax dollars but will rely on volunteers to improve the town.
Baxter asked Miller, who is also the street commissioner, why he wasn't
pulling weeds with her on US 136. She said she didn't see any of the committee
members volunteering for the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful clean up. Her
comments drew applause from the audience.
A committee member said they were not aware of the volunteer opportunities,
and wanted to help.
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