1) Illiana Expressway
2) 109th Interchange on I-65

1) The Indiana Senate at the end of February sent to the Indiana House Senate Bill One. Senate Bill One provided originally for two items the Illiana Expressway and the Indiana Commerce Connector, both interstates, both as a toll roads, and both as preserving the corridor routing from future development.
Prior to being sent to the House, as the bill proceeded through the Senate channels it was amended into basically an oversight committee reviewing the Indiana Department of Transportation activities as these two routes go through the planning and developing stages.
The Illiana Expressway has a history dating as far back as the Daniel H. Burnham Chicago Plan of 1909. Burnham had a plan to create a loop expressway from the North shores of Chicago west, south, east, then north to Gary Indiana, way out in the really rural areas anticipating the future growth of the Chicagoland market. This same document planned Navy Pier and Lakeshore Drive and was among the more famous urban planning documents ever produced. A very interesting and progressive idea for almost 100 years ago.
The House of Representatives now must decide what to do with the Senate Bill, and while I do not profess to guess, it has been made public that the speaker of the House wishes to concentrate on Mass Transit Initiatives in 2007.
What I can tell everyone in Merrillville is some interesting facts and why I believe this issue is very important to our Town.

Since 2004 the Town Council of the Town of Merrillville has had a very high priority with the US 30 Corridor and the safety issues surrounding this road. Since 2001, Merrillville has had twelve (12) traffic fatalities along the short stretch of highway between the K-Mart Plaza west to Taft Street, SR 55. I do not know how this number of fatalities rates to other sections of US 30, but what I do know is that any fatality is one too many, especially if there are ways to reduce and/or eliminate them.

The Town is in the process of designing changes to this section of US 30 to make it safer, to make it easier to travel, and to reduce, or eliminate the number fatalities.
Town staff have been told by INDOT representatives from the LaPorte District offices that US 30 is the preferred route by both truck and cars if there are accidents on the Borman or if there is construction activities on the Borman.

They have studied extensively the traffic signalization and can note traffic volume increases due to problems elsewhere in the system. US 30 was never designed as an overflow or bypass route for the Borman Expressway. 30 is not a limited access highway and was never intended to become an alternate route for any roadway.

I have sent letters to all of our local legislators on this issue, they are aware of the concerns of the Town Council and staff, however I received only two responses from these letters.
Whether you agree or disagree with the Illiana Expressway, I do believe it is important to express your views to your local legislators. Unfortunately, all too often the voices of those in opposition are heard and believed just because the voices in favor never bother to voice anything.

2) The City of Crown Point recently approved the design engineer for the new interchange on I-65 at 109th Avenue. (the road to Lake of the Four Seasons from Broadway) For those of you who have traveled south on Broadway to Route 231 you may have noticed lots of changes over the past two years. Crown Point is building many new commercial structures along this corridor and the traffic has resulted in back-ups and delays. Broadway is scheduled to be widened in 2012, two years after the new interchange is to be constructed at 109th.
Governor Daniels committed to funding the whole interchange as part of the Major Moves Plan being paid for from the Toll Road lease monies. This is the first time that the State of Indiana has ever done this type of improvement to benefit a local community. Also, it is the first time a local community has been given the ability to design an interchange without the INDOT engineers being intimately involved. The interchange will take a few years to build, so I believe that the dates between the interchange improvements and the widening of Broadway can coincide somewhat.
The Interchange provides the Town of Merrillville with one good opportunity, we need to connect Mississippi Street to 109th as close to the interchange as possible. Crown Point has been aware of our interest in extending Mississippi Street, however they have yet to provide a commitment to make this extension. As the design process moves forward I will certainly make sure the importance of this extension for two primary reasons. 1) The interchange may very well be open to traffic while Broadway is still, or will be soon, torn up and being rebuilt, and 2) it is very logical to have parallel routes connecting major thoroughfares on both sides of a major interstate. Mississippi then becomes the major route on the east side of I-65 from the 61st Street interchange south to 109th and Broadway is the western route. Eventually, Mississippi should continue south and even connect into the Route 231 interchange too.
I believe that this connectivity will lessen traffic problems in trying to get onto I-65.

Thank You, Tim Brown
Town Manager

Eager Reader

Explore the world of literature with our Eager Reader program. Student’s ages 5-12 are encouraged to read books of their choice and keep a signed reading log. Once the log is complete, turn it in to the Pruzin Center and the student will receive “The Eager Reader Award” along with a pass for a complimentary meal at Old Country Buffet.

Yoga

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 26 – May 24, 2007, Session: 5 weeks
Fee: Residents over 50 - FREE Residents 49 and under - $20
Non-residents any age - $25

Advanced Yoga

Time: 9:30 a.m. –10:30 a.m.
Friday, May 4 – June 1, 2007, Session 5 weeks
Fee: Residents over 50 – FREE Residents 49 and under - $20
Non-residents any age - $25

Ballroom Dancing

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11– May 16, 2007, Session: 6 weeks
Fee: $50 per person

Chicago Style Steppin’

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Monday, May 14 – June 25, 2007, Session: 6 weeks
Fee: Residents $45 per person Non-residents $50 per person
Leather sole shoes are required

Needlecrafts

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, April 23 – June 4, 2007, Session: 6 weeks
Fee: Residents $5 Non-residents $10

Walkers In Motion

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Mondays & Wednesdays, April 30 – June 11, 2007, Session: 6 weeks
Class meets two days a week – Monday & Wednesday
Fee: Residents $20 Non-residents $25

ALL CLASSES REQUIRE REGISTRATION ONE WEEK BEFORE START DATE! REGISTER EARLY!!!

LOOK for our new Program Guide available for pick-up no later than May 1, 2007 at the Parks and Recreation Department. The Program Guide will also be available on our website.

HEALTHY YOU

Recognizing a Stroke:

READ & LEARN
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the the individual to SMILE
T * Ask the person to TALK, to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. (Coherently)
(i.e…It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

Note: Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the person to ‘stick’ out their tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

4th of July Parade

Spring is almost here and before we realize it, summer will be too. Summer time brings warmer weather, time off from school, work and more importantly Merrillville’s Annual 4th of July Parade. This year we are more excited than ever! We are working closely with the community to improve and expand many aspects of the parade.

This year we have sought the help of elementary school children ages K-4 in the form of a contest. Children in those grades will have the opportunity to choose our theme for the parade. With the help of their teacher, we asked them to be creative and highlight history of either the United States or the Town of Merrillville’s Founding Fathers. The Parade Planning Committee will then choose a theme that best meets the historical idea of celebrating our Founding Fathers. The winning class and teacher will serve as the “Grand Marshals” and lead the parade on a special float. The winning school principal and the teachers from the class placing second and third will serve as parade judges. All classes that participate will receive a certificate of appreciation. We encouraged teachers to go to the website www.jamestown2007.org. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown. We hope that this contest gets children excited about learning the history of both our Country and Town.

In the past, the Merrillville parade committee has been very proud that the entire parade is underwritten by donations and not by tax dollars. The parade committee and community would appreciate your support as an underwriter and or your involvement in this year’s parade. Your support is a great way to thank all of our residents that patronize local businesses throughout the year. More importantly think of the joy and satisfaction you will give to hundreds of families along the parade route.

If you would like to contribute to this year’s parade, please complete the form and make your check payable to the Merrillville Parade Fund. Please mail to Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department, 5750 Tyler Place, Merrillville, Indiana, 46410.

Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.

Parade Applications will available for pick-up beginning on April 9, 2007 at the following locations Merrillville Town Manager’s Office, Building & Planning Department, Police Department and Parks & Recreation Department.

Town Council     view

Know the Law

Sec. 13-42. Specific restrictions.

The following acts are declared to be unlawful:

(1) Radios, television sets, musical instruments, tape or record players, amplifiers and similar devices: Operating or permitting the use or operation of any such device between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly audible across property boundaries or through partitions common to two (2) or more persons within a building.

(2) Domestic power tools: Operating or permitting the use or operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, or other tool, lawn or garden tool, lawn mower, snow blower or similar device used outdoors or indoors between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in such a manner that will disturb or annoy any reasonable person nearby, or in the event of indoor use, in such a manner as to be plainly audible across or through partitions common to two (2) or more persons within a building.

(3) Construction: Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in such a manner that will disturb or annoy any reasonable person nearby.

(4) Horns and signalling devices: Operating a horn or other audible signalling device on any motor vehicle except in an emergency or when required by law.

Ward 1

Terrell Taylor

Ward 2

Richard Hardaway

Ward 3

D. Lance Huish

Ward 4

David Uzelac

Ward 5

Joe Shudick Jr.

Ward 6

Shawn Pettit

Ward 7

Ron Widing

Town Government Telephone numbers

Town Manager

769-5711

Clerk-Treasurer

769-3501

Planning & Building

769-3631

Town Engineer

769-5711

Public Works

769-6784

Emergency Medical Service

769-0400

Parks & Recreation

980-5911

Ross Township Fire Service

769-0004

Police Non-Emergency

769-3531

Police Administration

769-3722

Police Sub-Station

884-3841

Code Enforcement

769-3631

Town Court

756-6185

Meeting Schedules

events calendar

The Town Council

2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30p.m.

The Plan Commission

3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The Police Commission

1st Friday of the month at 8:00 a.m.

The Board of Zoning Appeals

4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

The Town Hall is open Monday

Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.