Some members of the Madison Thrift Store committee met with Lake County Commissioners Tuesday to tell them that the committee is stepping back and approaching its project at a slower pace.  Jerry Johnson told commissioners that the committee intends to do more education on the benefits of the proposed store.



Johnson told commissioners that the reason the group came to the county for support is because of the welfare and indigent needs in the county.  Johnson said the committee felt it would be a good partnership because the revenue from the thrift store could help out with some of the county’s welfare needs.   He told commissioners he couldn’t understand how residents would have such issues with something that helps local programs.



Johnson said the Madison Community Foundation over the last 11 years has given close to 171-thousand dollars in the form of scholarships for people who can’t afford memberships to the Community Center, along with close to 91-thousand dollars in equipment purchases. 
Johnson told the commissioners that the thrift store committee will continue to work on its proposal.



Commissioner Chris Giles told Johnson and the other committee members at Tuesday’s meeting that he thought people may not have understood the whole concept of the thrift store proposal. 



Giles said he also heard concerns about the cost and the size of the proposed new building.
Cindy Dannenbring of  Interlakes Community Action Partnership (or I-CAP) said that I-CAP currently operates four thrift-type stores in four different communities, and she said that the larger the community, the more space that the store can handle.  Dannenbring said the goal of the stores has not been to make money, but to provide a service for people in the community. 
Committee member Jeff Bloom told commissioners that they welcome any questions or comments from people as they move forward in their process of educating the public on the thrift store proposal.