The Ellettsville Town Council met in special session at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at the Edgewood Auditorium. David Sorokoty opened the meeting and expressed his appreciation to volunteers who helped with the tornado clean up.
Members present were David Sorokoty, President, David Drake, Vice President, Mike Cornman, Ray Freetage, and Geraldine McIntyre. Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer also attended the meeting.
Hilly Hundred-Bicycle Event
Steve Kain, School Superintendent thanked the Town Council for opening the
Auditorium for the Hilly Hundred discussion.
He explained the Hilly Hundred felt the need for more room. When they saw the facilities they wanted to
come to Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation. The proposal was
intriguing and presented lots of possibilities. The event would promote tremendous fund raising possibilities for
both the Junior High and the High School through food and concession sales. It would also promote economic development
of the area possibly attracting both commercial and private business. The school does not allow use of the
facilities on Sunday morning to promote and reserve time for the community to
attend religious functions. The Hilly
Hundred however offers a Sunday Worship service making it an exception to the
rule.
Skip Higgins, Managing Director of the
Hilly Hundred gave a slide show
presentation of the 2002 Hilly Hundred.
The first Hilly Hundred was held on June 15, 1968. There were 54 riders and the event originated
from the Poplars Inn on East Seventh Street in Bloomington. The event grew to 1221 riders in 1976 and
moved to North High School. They now
have 5000 riders and the North High School campus cannot accommodate any more
growth. The event furnishes their own
security, dumpsters, port-a-potties, and strive to leave the facility cleaner
when they leave than it was when they arrived.
Open Floor for Comments
Pamela Combs was the first resident to speak.
She resides in Ridge Springs Addition and works at North High
School. She has concerns about the
traffic and the impact on the new primary and intermediate schools.
John Coleman spoke in favor of sponsoring the event.
He feels it will benefit the Band and Choir programs. He will volunteer
to help even though he no longer has a child in school.
Marilyn Knight resides at 410 Ridge Springs Lane. She questioned the impact the event will have on the community and if there was a financial plan.
Charlie Minnemeyer lives outside of Ellettsville on Louden Road. He felt people living on the route would be greatly impacted by the event. He purchased his home on Louden to be in the country and doesn’t want the area around him to be urbanized. He also feels the new facility and grounds will be impacted by the Hilly Hundred and the school should be compensated for the depreciation it would create.
Cullen McCarty lives in Bean Blossom Township. He is in favor of the event. He is also the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and feels there are long-term benefits to the community from hosting the Hilly Hundred. After all the road improvements we will need a shot in the arm and perhaps someone might see something they like and bring new business to the town. New business would bring long-term opportunity to the community and improve the quality of life.
Tony Hopkins resides on Reeves Road. He agrees it will be a hassle for a few days that will turn into something great that we will be proud of. He is a parent of a band member. He feels cyclists by nature are very conscious of their environment. They are required to watch a safety video before they can participate in the event.
Vickie McCadden is a massage therapist who works at the event and earns money from the riders. Since working at the event she noted they leave the facility at North cleaner than when they came.
Lisa Creech, the newly elected Council member from ward 5, shared concerns she has with the Hilly Hundred not covering the clean up expense of the school custodians. Skip Higgins replied he was unaware of any unpaid expense incurred by North High School. He received a letter of appreciation from the school Principal.
Frank Harris supported the school housing the event. He doesn’t see much difference in hosting this event and having the Fall Festival each year.
Ron Vandeventer spoke of his support of the event stating our kids are what we are here for. He also questioned if alcohol was allowed. Mr. Higgins answered the ban of alcohol was strictly enforced.
Ken Smith, Monroe County Auxiliary Police, said he had worked the event for several years. The cyclists are healthy people, not hells angels. They have not brought any discredit to Bloomington.
Bob Sowder, Ellettsville Police Reserve and local business owner, has also worked for the Hilly Hundred. The event sponsor meets with the law enforcement officers before the event and outlines the rules and procedures. He has found the people to be polite and nice. Maybe the event will put our community on the map.
Sheila Lane, from Horseshoe Retreat addition has rode in the event for the past four years and she feels it is a good idea to host the event.
Chuck Radke is a 4 ½ year resident of Deer Run addition. He suggests we sponsor the event for one year and then examine the benefits.
Vickie McGlocklin a Bean Blossom Township Volunteer Fire Fighter feels the event will be a plus for the school system. She graduated from North and has been a Hilly Hundred volunteer. The event gives the Bean Blossom Township Fire Department $200 a year for their help with the event.
Edgewood Student, Brandon Sturgis supported the event. He is in the band and helps with the audiovisual equipment in the auditorium.
Mike Farmer encouraged the school to proceed with the event to promote the Ellettsville Community.
Dennis Williamson presented himself as the 6th school board member also gave his support for the event.
Darlyne Sowder stated we should remember how the late Maurice Endwright would have responded to such an event. She felt he would say, “Welcome Neighbor” to the Hilly Hundred participants.
Mr. Kain expressed his appreciation for the public comments. His closing remark was a reminder to the town officials and attendees that the final decision would lie with the School Board. The town is a small portion of Richland Township served by the school corporation and while they wanted them to be informed of the event, their consent was not required.
David Sorokoty closed the meeting at 8:30 pm.
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David Sorokoty, President David Drake, Vice-President
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Mike Cornman Raymond Freetage
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Geraldine McIntyre Sandra C. Hash, Clerk-Treasurer