Goshen News, Goshen, IN

Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

October 30, 2009

Commissioners unhappy with union

In the past month many taxpayers have contacted us and inquired as to why we are allowing representatives of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 to establish picket sites so close to the Six Span Bridge project. The shortest and simplest answer is we have not authorized the Local 150 union to picket where they have chosen to locate.

On July 7, 2008 the county passed Ordinance 2008-230 titled “An Ordinance Regulating Right of Way Activities and Establishing Maximum Speed Limits at Worksites in Elkhart County, Indiana.” This ordinance restricts certain activities from occurring within a worksite. The premise for such restrictions is quite simply safety; safety of our employees, safety of construction workers and safety of the motoring public traveling through the worksite.

On Sept. 24, 2009, Local 150 filed a complaint in federal court seeking damages from the county and injunctive relief to prohibit Elkhart county from enforcing Ordinance 2008-230. In addition to the complaint, Local 150 filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order. The federal judge assigned to the case did not issue a temporary restraining order against the county, but instructed the parties to meet to see if we could work out a compromise. On Sept. 30 county representatives met with Local 150 representatives and attempted to work out a compromise. At that meeting the county was willing to consider picketing sites within the worksite boundaries on the condition that the determination as to what constituted a safe location would be made by the county. The very next day, before an agreement could be established in writing, Local 150 established two picket locations, both within the established worksite, and parked their cars within the right of way of C.R. 17 adjacent to construction on the bridge.

Later, our construction manager spoke with a representative of Local 150 at the location of their picket site near Sunset Boulevard. Our manger’s concern was that construction activity the following week would be occurring on the south side of the bridge near Sunset and requested that Local 150 relocate their picket site to the north side of the bridge at one of two locations we had identified in previous discussions. The union representative declined and indicated he did not agree with our construction manager. Local 150 picketers would not move as they did not feel they were interfering with construction or posing a safety hazard by remaining at the Sunset location.

We appear to have a situation where the union believes it will dictate safety rules for a local bridge project. As county commissioners we have a different perspective. Not only do we feel the county has a right to regulate what may occur in our near a worksite, we feel we have an obligation to have such rules in place to ensure all parties can carry out their functions safely. In our view, having additional people, distractions and activities which are not needed for the project in the worksite and in proximity to construction activities and heavy equipment is not conducive to a safe traveling or work environment.

To those individuals who have suggested we are selectively enforcing Ordinance 2008-230 against Local 150, we note the motoring public has filed several complaints about fund-raising organizations gathering at the intersection of C.R. 17 and Ind. 120 and attempting to solicit donations. Each time we have received such a complaint a sheriff’s deputy has been dispatched to the intersection and requested the individuals depart, as the intersection is within the defined worksite for the Six Span Bridge project. To their credit, those involved in the fund-raising activities have left when so requested. Whether it is the union, fund-raisers or merely individuals curious about construction, enforcement of the ordinance has not been selective.

— Terry Rodino

Mike Yoder

Frank Lucchese

Elkhart County Commissioners

Text Only
Letters to the Editor
  • Art teachers may help recycle some items

    This letter is in response to your ad “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in The Goshen News recently.

    February 10, 2012

  • Insurance mandate violates religious freedoms

    The Health and Human Services mandate requiring employers to carry insurance that covers contraceptives, including surgical sterilization and abortifacients, requires Christian schools and charitable and medical organizations to violate their conscience or face fines of $2,000/employee. This forces Christian organizations to either close down or violate the mandate.

    February 10, 2012

  • Hypnosis dates to Adam and Eve’s act of sin

    I saw the article on hypnosis in the newspaper and was reminded how far away this generation has fallen from the truth of God’s holy word, the Bible.

    February 10, 2012

  • Writer asks for compassion

    As someone who has a loved one who is on a feeding tube, I’d like to ask you to please be aware when you are out in restaurants and be compassionate when you meet someone who is on a feeding tube.

    February 9, 2012

  • Justice if different in Elkhart County

    A warning to the uninformed: there is justice and there is Elkhart County justice, and any resemblance between the two is largely coincidental.

    February 9, 2012

  • Donations can help house families

    I read with concern the headline in The Goshen News on Wednesday. Our Goshen Housing Authority needs $571,050 to continue the local rent assistance voucher program and avoid slashing services. That is over half a million dollars. Coming up with that large an amount seems hopeless. The related article went on to say that 71 households with 126 children could be directly affected by this shortfall. That is $8,043 per family unit or $4,532 per child.

    February 8, 2012

  • Don't punish renters for sins of housing authority

    February 8, 2012

  • Bishop says HHS rules violate separation of church and state

    On Friday, Jan. 20th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.

    February 4, 2012

  • Cut of Rieth Interpretive Center part-time coordinator will be felt

    Praise, lament and wish encompass my feelings for the termination of the part-time position of program coordinator for the Rieth Interpretive Center in the Goshen Parks Department. Praise is for Melissa Kinsey’s effective, “full-time” effort in being the right person in the right place to work at the purpose for the RIC.

    February 3, 2012

  • Camp director grateful for support

    February 3, 2012

Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Poll

The Goshen Housing Authority has a $571,050 shortfall. Should the Goshen City Council use money from its $4.7-million “rainy day” fund to pay the debt and maintain the current level of service provided by the voucher program?

Yes, the Council should allocate all the money owed
No, the Council should not allocate any money
The Council should pay what cannot be raised privately
     View Results