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Port changes mind again, won't reopen

Indianola DockBy Tristan Baurick

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

INDIANOLA The Port of Indianola changed course yet again on whether to reopen

Indianola Dock.

In a surprise move, the port commission on Tuesday decided not to consider a

proposal from last weeks meeting that would have reopened the popular wooden pier,

which was closed in late June over safety concerns.

Commissioner Joan Wald had indicated last week that she would support

Commissioner Jeff Hendersons proposal to reopen the pier as long as it had an

acceptable plan for enforcing pier capacity limits.

While forming and approving that proposal was supposed to be the purpose of a

special meeting called for Tuesday night, Wald stressed that she would not consider

reopening the pier until after a structural assessment was completed.

In my estimate, the dock is not safe, said Wald, eliciting jeers from many of the nearly

90 people gathered at the Indianola Community Club House. Im not going to debate

it.

A few members of the audience urged her to resign.

A letter was presented at the meeting in which the ports insurance provider countered

an earlier characterization by Henderson that the insurance provider was unconcerned

about reopening the pier.

We obviously have concerns about (the piers) stability, the letter to the commission

stated. The lettter reminded commissioners that they have to keep the safety of the

public in mind.

The pier was closed on June 27 after port-hired engineers indicated the pier may not

be able to handle large gatherings. On July 23, the closure was extended an additional

45 days.

Indianola residents protested the closure with signs, petitions, social media and by

twice tearing down the piers barricades. Many residents say the port is overreacting

and fear that a major renovation could change the pier s historic character. A port

commissioner resigned amid the controversy.

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The ports two remaining members Wald and Henderson disagree over whether

to reopen the dock, leaving proposals to reopen it at a deadlock.

Engineers are expected to begin assessing the piers pilings next week. The

commissions next meeting is Sept. 3.

2013 Scripps Newspaper Group Online

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