Despite neighbor objections, Mt. Vernon aldermen rezone property for duplex

The Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance rezoning lot 76 in the Stemmons East Meadow subdivision from R-1 to R-2 during their meeting on Tuesday, May 14, paving the way for the construction of a duplex on the property.
The board had a hearing on the rezoning during their meeting on Tuesday, April 23. Neighbors in the subdivision objected to the rezoning, stating they feared setting a precedent that might allow other lots in the subdivision to be rezoned, leading to more renters coming to live in the neighborhood instead of homeowners.
Eric Johnson, who spoke at the hearing for the neighbors, said they feared an increase in crime and traffic if more renters came into the neighborhood.
The board voted to rezone the property over the neighbors’ objections, with one council member noting that even if rezoning set a precedent, there was no obligation on the board to do so.
In other business, the board voted to accept fuel bids from Warsaw Oil for city taxis and other city vehicles. For city vehicles not including taxis, Warsaw bid selling the city gas and diesel for the vehicles at the posted price, minus five-cents per gallon. For city taxis, Warsaw also bid selling fuel at the posted price, minus five cents per gallon.
Kum & Go and Casey’s also bid to be the city’s fuel supplier for city vehicles, not including taxis. Casey’s made the same bid as Warsaw, which was the posted price minus five-cents per gallon. Kum & Go offered to sell the city fuel at the posted price with a 10-cents-per-gallon discount for the first 90 days, then base the price on tier prices.
 For taxis, Kum & Go also made the bid of selling fuel at the posted price with a 10-cent-per-gallon discount for the first 90 days, then basing prices on a tiered system.
The board approved replacing the cul-de-sac at the end of Sleepy Meadow at the cost of $16,000, and also discussed bids for mowing and security for the Rehabilitation Center; no action was taken on the bids during the meeting.
During the meeting, Mid America Dental and Hearing was recognized for their 40 years in business. Mayor David Eden presented owners Scott George, Charlotte George and Brian George with an award for their four decades of service to the community. Eden also read proclamations declaring May 12-18 as National Police Week in the city and May 19-25 as National Public Works week.