Traveling Town Hall comes to Indiana Wesleyan

The Mayor’s Office discussed city roads and other public concerns at the 4th Traveling Town Hall held at Indiana Wesleyan University. 

Starting, Mayor Ronald Morrell addressed current projects and future goals.

Morrel said three million dollars have gone to road paving. 

Thirty-five thousand went towards Artificial Intelligence used to grade streets.

“This technology is really amazing,” Morrell said.

The AI has allowed Mike Graft and his team to map the city and focus attention on the worst streets.

Graft said it takes out the bias of grading streets when personal connection is involved. 

Citizens attending expressed concerns for the preservation of brick roads and broken traffic lights.

Morrell said due to lack of maintenance and those trained to maintain them, that the roads will need to be covered.

Traffic lights are in the process of being fixed with parts on backorder. 

The state oversees all work done on State Road Nine, with the Mississinewa River Bridge to reopen Nov. 17. 

The city has carried out 15 demolitions with 35 others approved. 

Morrell said there is a correlation to crime and drug usage and blighted buildings. 

The mayor’s office has reportedly received many complaints about property seizures. 

“There’s a whole process,” Morrell said.

Most demolitions originate from complaints near the blighted buildings. 

Commissioner Jerry Foustnight said the demolition process takes 3 to 4 months with assessment, warnings, and final approval.

Complaints about road conditions and blighted buildings can be put in on the MyMarionApp that launched this summer. 

Morrell said he plans to use it for better communication between the people of Marion and his office. 

Upcoming city events include the city’s Christmas parade Nov. 23 and the opening of the Walkway of Lights in Matter park the same day. 

Morrell announced over $200,000 investment in the city’s parks starting with a replacement of the zero to five age range park equipment. 

$100,000 has gone to the Home Repair Assistance Program providing services to the disabled and those over the age of 65. 

The last traveling town hall of the year will be Nov. 18 at BORN Church, 320 N. Adams Street.