News in Brief, April 27, 2022
Howard Haven needs your help; county pads rainy day fund; Perspective building gets an overhaul
The Friends of Howard Haven (FOHH), a non-profit dedicated to assisting the independent living center maintained by Howard County, is looking for aid from the community for the residents of the facility.
FOHH released its list of most-needed items for Howard Haven on April 26. The items include: toilet paper, laundry soap, kitchen disinfectant spray, paper towels, facial tissue, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned pineapple.
Anyone interested in donating these items to Howard Haven may drop them off at the facility, located at 3600 W. Boulevard St., Kokomo. Howard Haven also maintains a larger needs list for the facility. Those interested in getting more involved in the effort may contact Jennifer Brower at 765-452-4552.
The FOHH also has a partnership with Newlon Metals in Kokomo as a fund-raising opportunity. By dropping off scrap metal at 115 W. Monroe St. and indicating the load is for Howard Haven, Newlon will devote the proceeds from the scrap to the residential center.
Newlon Metals accepts aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, old drills, transmissions, steel fencing, refrigerators, stoves, lawn mowers, car batteries, and several other items. No vehicles, wood, or non-metal construction materials are accepted. To find out what other products Newlon accepts, contact them by calling 765-457-4768.
County pads rainy day fund
The Howard County Council voted on April 26 to transfer $500,000 of excess revenue into the county’s “rainy day fund.” According to council president Jamie Bolser, the money will remain in reserve until it is needed due to a financial crisis or other emergency.
“Howard County has done a tremendous job of maximizing its services while also stretching taxpayer dollars,” said Bolser. “The result has been staying debt-free while also growing our cash balance. By transferring these funds, it allows us to address potential future needs if the situation arises.
“I want to commend our county employees and elected officials. They have been wonderful to work with through the budget process, making sure to stay within their budgets and finding other ways to work through their needs. That’s how we maintain a strong, fiscally conservative approach.”
Perspective building gets an overhaul
Kokomo Common Councilman Tom Miklik disclosed during the council’s information session on April 25 that a downtown building is getting a serious overhaul with the assistance of the Kokomo Redevelopment Commission.
The former home of the Kokomo Perspective weekly newspaper at 209 N. Main St. is being overhauled at a cost of $1.6 million. The redevelopment commission chipped in $300,000 in the form of a forgivable loan.
“We approved a grant to the contractor re-doing the Perspective building,” said Miklik, who sits on the commission. “He is remodeling it, so we loaned him money that is forgivable if he completes the project.”
Miklik indicated that the building will feature offices on the first floor and apartments on the second floor once the remodeling is complete.
“It’s a good project,” said Miklik. “It doesn’t change the façade, though (the contractor) will clean it up. This will keep the building active.”