Fight organizers won’t have it any easier in Goshen. Concerns over city liability and disagreement regarding proper sanctioning bodies led the city council to vote down changes to the city’s ultimate fighting ordinance Monday night.

“I just wish that my good standing with the shows I put on, the quality of shows I put on, would have gone a little bit farther, but I’m not mad about it,” said Scott Johnson, promoter for XXX Extreme Fighting. “I can understand where they’re coming from.”

Much of the discussion on the proposed changes revolved around responsibility for oversight of procedure, which the new ordinance would have shifted to the city. The current ordinance requires permitting through an appropriate sanctioning body.

“I don’t know that there’s anyone in the city qualified to do that,” City Councilman Chic Lantz said.

According to Johnson, there is still no state sanctioning body for ultimate fighting, and hiring an official from the main national sanctioning body would cost them approximately $5,000, or an increase of approximately one third from what they currently pay. He said he could not afford to pay the extra cost and continue to make any profit.

Another concern revolved around proper medical capabilities at the fights. Baugo Fire Department and Elkhart County Paramedic Steve Lotsbaich spoke on the medical inspection and treatment of the fighters.

Lotsbaich, by his own account, has taken flak from other promoters. After being hired to work one of their fights he said he refused to let nearly every one of their fighters participate due to alcohol on their breath, suspected drug use or other less controversial reasons.

He and other paramedic friends of his have completely revamped the policies for Johnson’s fights, a major drawing point for national fighters, he said. The approximately seven-man “team” also works at Michiana Fight League events in the South Bend area.

“These are the best paramedics in Elkhart County,” Lotsbaich said. “In my opinion, they’re the best in the state of Indiana. This is a top-notch staff.”

When it came time to vote, council members largely sided with the opinion that regardless of the positives or negatives involved, the city should not be involved at the level suggested by the changes.

The council voted 5-2 against the ordinance, with Darryl Riegsecker and Tom Stump voting in favor of the proposed changes.

“I wasn’t surprised, I figured that was the way the vote would turn out,” Riegsecker said. “My main thing was I don’t want to shut them down.”

Johnson said he would continue looking for a less-expensive national sanctioning group, and continue to hope the state creates its own sanctioning body.

“The only hang-up is they have to hire people down at Indianapolis and they have to build a committee, so that’s the biggest part.” he said. “It’s obviously not going to be an easy job for them to do and it’s going to be money spent for them to do it.

“Hopefully by June, July we’ll have something in the works.”

Sign ordinance

After months of discussion, additional investigation and some public input, the council passed a series of changes to the city’s sign ordinance, relaxing several of its requirements.

Along with increasing allowable sign size and the length of time temporary signs can be up, the new ordinance creates two special zones on U.S. 33 south of College Avenue and north of Riverside Boulevard which allow a slightly more relaxed set of rules still.

Several council members stated they weren’t entirely happy with the new ordinance, but that there had been good compromises made and it was as appropriate as they could make it for now.

Alan Zabatzky of ABC Signs spoke against the changes, arguing that the city already pursues selective enforcement with regard to the ordinance. He spoke on the ordinance at an earlier meeting as well, stating that he was contacted any time he was in violation of the smallest rule, while others were allowed serious and extended violations of city ordinance with no remonstrance.

“If (the ordinance is) not enforced,” Zabatzky said, “you guys are wasting your time.”

The changes passed unanimously.

Recognition and

new appointees

Jim Smith and Lovina Rutt were both recognized for their years of service on the Plan Commission. Smith received a glass plaque and Rutt received a clock in honor of their participation.

The council also made their 2009 committee appointments. George Smucker and Stan King were both reappointed to the Shade Tree Board, with Fred Teall reappointed to the Beautification and Restoration Public Purpose Trust.

Everett Thomas was appointed as the council’s representation on the trust. Resident Glenn Null was appointed to fill a seat on the Community Relations Commission.