Chamber seeks work-based learning locations

Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging businesses and government units to help them create paid or unpaid work-based learning opportunities for teens.

Shawntel Baker, director of employer engagement, and Melissa Vance, president/CEO, spoke to Cambridge City council during its June 8 meeting. They provided an update on the countywide education-employer initiative.

All Wayne County high schools are contributing to and benefiting from the initiative that creates as many career positions as possible for as many of the incoming 701 seniors who want one. Some students want to earn work-based credentials as part of new Indiana diploma offerings.

Student hours can be recorded during weekdays, after school or on weekends.

Those interested can contact Baker at 765-962-1511.

Council approvals

• A letter of direction for Cambridge City Youth League after an unspecified recent situation where it appeared disciplinary procedures in CCYL’s bylaws weren’t followed, council said. The letter said the best communication methods weren’t adhered to, and legitimate complaints arose. The letter said council doesn’t want to and can’t micromanage the volunteer-driven organization, but it has oversight responsibilities related to the annual agreement between the town and the league to use town property.
• Brent Brinkley as town representative on Wayne County Land Bank’s board.
• A $8,456.33 water bill credit to Sugar Creek for a production shutdown in January when dirty water got into the plant.
• A $1,500 Patriot Engineering environmental study for the water tower construction project.
• Cambridge City Volunteer Fire Department’s posting signage to let motorists know that vehicles left after the fireworks will be towed from Creitz Park after 7 a.m. July 5 before CCVFD’s fundraising car show that day. A portion of Parkway Drive closes for both events.
• Reid Health Community Engagement’s donation of five automated external defibrillators to Cambridge City Police Department ($10,500). CCYL also received an AED.
• CCPD’s Seth Biava will attend a K9 handler conference; a grant covers costs.
• Donations toward the town’s cat spay/neuter program from Mike and Teresa Amick, $100; Wayne Bank, $100; and Felicia Cross, $50. Fifty-plus cats have had surgery, with a mama and seven kittens pending. Animal Care Alliance plans another trapping event soon and treats individual cats as they’re reported to town hall.
• CCVFD contributions toward its car show from Sugar Creek ($1,000) and Miller Wood Specialties ($200), plus Jim and Brenda McLane’s $50 gift in memory of Jeanne Gumm.
• Chicago Pizza operating a beer tent at June 13, July 4, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12 concerts at Creitz Park Pavilion.

In other business

Joe Webb, public works superintendent, gave updates on efforts to get several blighted properties repaired or demolished. Council thanked Webb for his persistence. Unsafe building hearings likely will be conducted before council’s 6 p.m. Monday, July 13, meeting in town hall, 127 N. Foote St. The public is invited.