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Mayor Neese to End Paint Program

 

Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese will not continue his ‘Kick-A Can’ paint program after he leaves office at the end of the year.

The ‘Kick-a-Can’ program donates exterior paint for houses and garages to people who can’t afford it otherwise. 

It’s a program Neese started when he was on city council in 1988, and continued during his time in the Indiana Legislature, and during the last four years while he’s been Mayor. 

Elkhart city ordinances require residents to keep their homes up to a certain standard. That can require a paint job that people can’t afford.

“They’re interested in improving their home as well as their neighborhood but that additional money for the paint is just something they couldn’t have in their budget. So it’s just a way to contribute to people who are just maybe a little less fortunate than myself.”

The paint was donated by Sherwin Williams, and Rollie Williams Paint Spot in Elkhart. About 400 families benefited from the program over 31 years.

Neese said once he leaves office he will no longer run the program. He said if someone else wants to take up the cause, he’d be happy to show them how it works.