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Gas leaks force 29 from central Indiana apartments

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Authorities have ordered the 29 residents of a central Indiana apartment complex to leave their homes until gas leaks found in all five of its buildings can be repaired.

Residents were briefly evacuated from their Arbor Village Apartments homes on Tuesday after leaks were found in three of the complex's five buildings. Those who live in those buildings were given the option of being housed elsewhere or staying put with no gas.

On Wednesday, workers found leaks in the other two buildings and the mayor and city officials declared the complex uninhabitable and ordered everyone out while repairs could be made, Building Commissioner Frank Owens said. A local church was designated as a temporary shelter for the displaced residents, The Herald Bulletin reported.

Arbor Village owner Tom Stanley had offered space heaters to those who chose to remain on Tuesday, before everyone was ordered to leave. He said the apartments would have been safe with the gas shut off while repairs were being made, and that he thinks city and utility officials were being "paranoid" because of the Nov. 10 explosion in Indianapolis that destroyed or damaged dozens of homes and killed a married couple.

"They're not allowing the proper time for us to do our job," Stanley said. "They're demanding things that aren't realistic."

Owens, though, said he was worried about space heaters being used with the buildings' older electrical wiring systems.

"The electrical inspector felt it was unsafe," Owens said. "The mayor and I felt it was in everyone's best interest to evacuate. I couldn't live with the chance that anyone here would be hurt."

Stanley said he has invested nearly $1 million in the complex since buying it three years ago.

"I want my tenants cared for, but moving them out of their homes for weeks isn't the right way to care for them," he said.

Dave Jones, a 64-year-old tenant, said gas leaks should have been fixed immediately. But he also said he was angry that city officials forced the residents to leave without being able to retrieve any belongings.

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  1. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  2. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

  3. Coming from her background,she should be used to those kinds of advances! Menard probably figured it was ok to tuck a buck!

  4. I'm still waiting for the list of available, high quality apartments in the Village.

  5. This criminal masquerading as a lawyer obviously has serious issues. He’s been proven by his own testimony to be a pathological liar and probably has a personality disorder as he seems to be constructing a reality around himself. He places no value on truth, honesty or loyalty as evidenced by what he has done to his clients and his own family. And by the demands and lies he has made in court, it is evident he feels entitled to do and say whatever suits his purpose and everyone else is expected to nod obediently and believe him because he is, after all, Bill Super Lawyer; or BS lawyer for short. This millionaire wanna-be no longer owns anything of value; he squandered it and put everything he had into foreclosure. He has no money, house, car, boat or vacation home left to show for what he earned or what he stole. He’s just another loser without morals who will be doing time. I’m certain all of his courtroom shenanigans are antagonizing his poor victims. As Lamar said, his behavior and claims in court have been outrageous. The judge needs to be more than concerned; he needs to be judicial and end this nonsense.

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