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By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A Berne-based organization which helps people is getting a little help from an appreciative City of Decatur.
At its latest meeting, city council unanimously approved making a $5,000 donation to NeighborLink of Adams County.
At an earlier meeting, Decatur’s Building/Zoning Director, Curt Witte, had talked about how NeighborLink has provided some assistance to local people having trouble maintaining their properties.
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Witte and his department are in charge of code enforcement in the city, which involves excessive grass and weeds, junk vehicles, dilapidated buildings, etc.
“We run into all kinds of people and all kinds of situations,” he told council at a recent meeting. Some, he pointed out, just need a helping hand or two.
And that’s what NeighborLink provides.
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Zane Martens (photo), who heads the organization, attended the Sept. 19 council meeting and talked about his group of volunteers. “We are an online tool to help connect people who want to help their neighbors,” Martens said at that meeting. “We have church groups, school groups, anyone who wants to volunteer.”
The organization he heads is completely donation-based and has a board of six people.
Since the organization has been the topic of discussion at two council meeting, with the resulting publicity, a NeighborLink representative said its phone “has been ringing off the hook,” according to Witte.
Witte had asked for a donation to show the city’s appreciation for NeighborLink’s help here. He recommended $5,000 and Councilman Matt Dyer, calling the group “a very worthwhile cause,” moved to provide that amount. A move for a second was followed by a unanimous vote in favor.
(NeighborLink may be reached at (260) 525-0331.)