Author Archives: becky

GOSHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT 2019 HIRING POOL – DATES TO REMEMBER

Testing dates for Goshen Fire Department’s 2019 Hiring Pool/2018 Testing:

  • August 3, 2018 – Last day to submit applications
  • August 27, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. – Physical agility walk-through
  • September 8, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. – Written test followed by physical agility testing
  • September 10, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. – Interviews

Applications are available here.

GOSHEN OPENING COOLING CENTERS AND OFFERING FREE ENTRANCE TO THE CITY POOL THIS WEEKEND

The City of Goshen, in partnership with the Salvation Army, Maple City Chapel and Elkhart County Emergency Management, is working to provide resources for residents during this weekend’s extreme heat event.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Elkhart County beginning at 12:00 p.m. today that will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday. They are considering this a “Long Duration Extreme Heat Event” with temperatures rising into the mid-90’s today and lasting through Sunday with heat indices of up to 110 degrees. Temperatures will only drop into the 70’s at night with continued high humidity. They have also issued an Air Quality Alert as the ozone levels are expected to be dangerously high.

Three cooling centers have been set up for the community. Anyone in need of an air-conditioned room during the day may go to any of the available locations to escape the heat:

• The Salvation Army, 1013 N. Main St., entering through the south entrance. The building will be open to the public Friday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
• Maple City Chapel, 2015 Lincolnway East. The center will be open to the public from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Schrock Pavilion, 411 W. Plymouth Ave. The building will be open to the public on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

In addition, entrance into the City’s Shanklin Park Pool (411 W. Plymouth Ave.) will be free this evening through Sunday. Pool hours will be as follows and patrons must be in appropriate swim attire to be admitted into the facility. We encourage the community to utilize this resource as a means to stay cool throughout the weekend.

• Friday – 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday – 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday – 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Jeremy Stutsman thanks both the Salvation Army and Maple City Chapel for opening the doors to the public in this time of need as well as Elkhart County Emergency Management for their assistance in providing resources for the cooling centers.

“I strongly encourage anyone in need to take advantage of these community resources throughout the weekend,” he said. “I would also urge the community to look out for one another. Please check on your loved ones, neighbors and friends, especially the elderly, and take them to the shelter if they need it.”

The combination of extremely hot temperatures and high humidity will lead to an increased risk of heat related stress and illness. The public is advised to drink plenty of water, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONORING CHIEF WADE K. BRANSON

Arrangements for honoring Chief Wade Branson have been confirmed.

The visitation will be held on Saturday, June 30th, from 9:00 – 11:00 am at Grace Community Church, 20076 CR 36, Goshen, Indiana. The funeral will immediately follow at 11:00 am.

A procession upon the conclusion of the funeral will proceed past the Goshen Police Department and continue to West Goshen Cemetery.

PROCESSION DETAILS FOR CHIEF WADE K. BRANSON

The passing of Chief Wade K. Branson has created a ripple effect of emotions far beyond the community of Goshen. Family, friends, City of Goshen staff, community members, acquaintances, other police agencies, and other communities, (the list goes on and on) have reached out to show their support for a truly amazing human, to his family, to his brothers and sisters at the PD and to our community. This support helps during a difficult time and means more than you know. On behalf of the community of Goshen I thank you for this incredible support!

Saturday June 30th Chief Branson’s service will be held at 11:00am at Grace Community Church. We have come to realize there is no facility in Goshen that will be able to handle the crowd that wishes to attend and pay their respects.

I would like to encourage everyone who is unable to attend the service to join your fellow community members along the procession route to pay your respects to Wade and show your gratitude to his family for all of his years of selfless service to Goshen. This will mean so much to the family and all involved. The procession will most likely begin around 11:50am-12:10pm (The safest place to do this is on a sidewalk or Main Street in Downtown Goshen).

With great respect,
Mayor Jeremy Stutsman

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice of Public Hearing for the Goshen Community Schools
Annexation into the City of Goshen

A Petition for Annexation into the City of Goshen has been filed with the Goshen Common Council requesting the annexation of certain real estate located outside the corporate limits of the City of Goshen.  This area is identified as the “Goshen Community Schools Annexation Area” and consists of approximately 37 acres of real estate generally located north of State Road 119, west of Greene Road (County Road 19), and south of Berkey Avenue.  The Goshen Common Council will conduct a public hearing on the Goshen Community Schools Annexation at its regular meeting on August 7, 2018 at 7 p.m.  The hearing will be held in the City Court Room/Council Chambers at the Goshen Police & Court Building, 111 East Jefferson Street, Goshen.  All interested members of the public are invited to attend and will be given the opportunity to testify on the proposed annexation at the public hearing.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING

Governing Body: Goshen Parks and Recreation Board

Date and Time of Meeting: Monday, July 2, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Place of Meeting: Rieth Interpretive Center, 410 West Plymouth Avenue, Goshen, Indiana

Pursuant to the provisions of the Open Door Law and Indiana Code 5 14 1.5 5, the Goshen Parks and Recreation Board will be holding a public meeting on July 2, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Rieth Interpretive Center, 410 West Plymouth Avenue.

CHIEF OF POLICE WADE K. BRANSON

Dear Goshen Residents,

It is with a very heavy heart that I am notifying you that our Goshen Chief of Police Wade K. Branson, a seasoned law enforcer and affable community leader, passed away early Monday morning after a courageous fight against cancer. I ask for your thoughts and prayers for the Chief’s family. Please respect their need to grieve and give them some time before reaching out.

Chief Branson was employed by the City of Goshen Police Department in 1983. He became Chief of Police in 2009. Among his many achievements, Chief Branson served a vital role in the Elkhart County Drug Interdiction Covert Enforcement Unit, and he fortified the relationship of the Goshen Police Department with our surrounding law enforcement agencies. He also helped facilitate conversations with various church and civic organizations, and worked hard to make Goshen a more welcoming place.
Chief Branson was not only a colleague but also a friend. Wade led by example, his legacy with the Goshen Police Department and our community will be second to none. Last week I had the honor of presenting Wade with the Key to the City.

Assistant Chief of Police Jose D. Miller, who worked alongside Chief Branson for many years, said the following about his time working with and knowing the Chief:

“This is a heartbreaking time for the Goshen Police Department family. We not only lost our Chief, but we lost our friend. Chief Branson dedicated thirty-five years to this department and the residents of our great community. Chief Branson always put the needs of others before his own. This included his own men and woman at the police department. Even through his vicious battle with cancer, he put others before himself, because he did not want those around him to worry. He was first in line to carry the stresses from the job, but was last in line to take any credit. He was not just a boss, he was a leader. His passing has left a hole in the hearts of all of us. The impact Chief Branson left on this department will never be forgotten.”

Chief Branson created a strong team within our Police Department. Assistant Chief Jose Miller has done a great job in his past roles and will be helping us to carry on and navigate through this tough time. I have great confidence in his care for the department and community, as well as his abilities. Earlier this morning I swore Jose Miller in as Acting Chief of Police. I have full confidence that the men and women of the Goshen Police Department will continue to help make Goshen a safe welcoming place and also be here for us when we are in need.

“Chief Branson had a vision of where he wanted the police department to go while under his command, and the department will continue moving forward in that direction. The Goshen Police Department is made up from some of the finest officers in our nation, and these officers will continue serving our great community. Even during these troubling times, your officers will be there should the need arise.”- Jose Miller

Flags have been lowered at each city property, and they will remain at half-staff through Monday, July 2. I invite all residents and businesses to lower flags to half-staff as well.
On behalf of the community of Goshen, we thank Chief Wade K. Branson for everything he has done. Thank you for showing a community what honor, integrity and pride look like. I am a better man for knowing you; our community is a better place because of you! We will never forget!

Respectfully,
Jeremy Stutsman
Mayor

The Interurban Trolley will sponsor its 12th annual “Can Do!” food drive beginning Monday, December 4, 2017, through Saturday, December 16, 2017, to benefit The Window in Goshen and Faith Mission of Elkhart. Containers will be placed on board each Trolley for the collection of non-perishable food items. This includes donations such as a box of cereal, canned vegetables, or soup, and similar food items.

Interurban Trolley riders who give a food donation when boarding will ride free for that bus trip. The Interurban Trolley appreciates any food donated.

Donations cannot be used to purchase day or other multi-ride passes. The “Can Do!” food drive is running only on the Interurban Trolley Fixed-Route Service. This promotion is not valid for use with the Interurban Trolley Access Service.

Transit information can be obtained by calling MACOG at (574) 674-8894 or online at www.interurbantrolley.com

Well Head Protection Area Planning Team Meeting to be held Friday.

On Friday, January 27, 2017, at 11:30 am, the local Well Head Protection Area Planning Team will be holding a public hearing. The meeting will be held in the Annex Conference Room at 204 E. Jefferson Street.

Recent events and activities within the City that pertain to the Well Head Protection Areas will be discussed and new members will be welcomed to the planning team.

NOTICE OF BOIL ORDER

On September 18, 2016 at 10:30pm the water main in the area listed below had to be shut down to repair a water main break. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires the Water Utility to issue a boil water order for the affected area. More specifically, the following properties are affected:

– Bashor Road From 2101 Bashor Road to 2303 Bashor Road; and
– 2102 Bashor Road to 2304 Bashor Road.

See map below to view specific properties.

Once two consecutive water samples have been taken 24 hours apart and analyzed for the presence of bacteria and are found to be absent of bacteria, the boil order will be lifted. Notice of the boil order cancellation will be distributed via a customer flier to the residents affected by shutdown. For further information or to report specific service concerns, please call Mindy Kyle at the Goshen Water Department at 534-5306.

City water within the affected area should not be consumed without first following prescribed boiling procedures. The water remains safe for bathing, laundry, and restroom facilities. Cleaning dishes with a dishwasher is acceptable if it has a sanitizing cycle. Hand washed dishes should be rinse with boiled or bottled water.

bashor-boil-order-map