Banner Graphic, Volume 10, Number 51, Greencastle, Putnam County, 1 November 1979 — Page 1

Clair Williams elects to keep an active role

By ERIC BERNSEE Banner-Graphic Managing Editor A lot of people set retirement as their goal in life. You know the scenario. Put in a good day’s work for one company for years and years, maybe even a couple decades. Then claim that gold watch, sit back and let the pension checks start rolling in. Spend the summers where it’s cool, the winters where it’s warm. It’s become a common lifestyle. General Telephone Co. Greencastle Area Service Manager Clair Williams, 61,507 S. Indiana St., is approaching an early retirement that will come at the end of 33 years with the company. “I figured it out,” he said, “with the vacation time I’ve got coming, I’ll only have to work three or four days in January. ” AND AFTER THAT, peace and quiet? Retirement? Relaxation? Not if Clair Williams can help it. You see, there’s a Nov. 6 date that will have a direct bearing on Williams’ future...at least the next four years, anyway. On that date the voters of Greencastle will choose among Williams, the Democrat Party candidate, and three other mayoral hopefuls. But why should Williams, who scored a big victory over challenger Chet O’Neal (413-216) in the May primary to win his party’s spot on the November ballot, want to take on the full-time pressures and responsibilities of Greencastle’s highest public office? “BECOMING MAYOR of Greencastle has been one of my objectives down through the years because of the fact that I’m interested in Greencastle. In Greencastle’s future. I think this is a fine town with fine people. This is home. And to be a good mayor, I think first of all a person really has to have the city at heart. I’ve said this many times since my family and I returned to Greencastle after being away a few years. I’ve tried to do my part in civic affairs, working with the people and putting some plans or ideas to work that would be beneficial to the people and city of Greencastle and contributing some good measures to my hometown that could make this a better city than it already is today.” One of the problems that has been keeping the city from that end, Williams agrees, is the sewer ban. The new wastewater treatment plant could possibly be approved even before a new city ad-

Remember, it's November Cloudy and cold with partial clearing by morning. Low in the mid 30s. Partly sunny and continued cold Friday. High around 50. Indiana Extended Outlook Fair Saturday. A Chance of showers developing by Sunday or Monday. A cool period with lows each day in the 30s and highs in the mid 40s to the 50s. Index Abby A 4 Calendar A 4 Classified 84.85 Comics A 7 Crossword B 4 Family living A4.A5 Heloise A 5 Horoscope B 5 Obituaries A 8 Supermarket Shopper A 7 Sports 81.82.83 Theatres A 8

Banner Graphic Putnam County, Thursday, November 1,1979, Vol. 10 No. 51 20 Cents

This is the third in a series of four articles on the candidates for mayor of Greencastle. All four were asked the same questions and were interviewed before any of the stories appeared in print. The order in which they appear was selected at random. The views expressed are entirely those of the candidates and do not indicate any endorsement by the Banner-Graphic.

ministration takes office, and the Democrat candidate is eager to get on with construction and compliance with EPA and state guidelines. Now, he agrees, is not the time to shift gears on the project again. “That’s been the trouble all along,” he said. “It would be perhaps necessary to follow the plan that is approved by the EPA and State Board of Health. Except, there could be some minor adjustments made on the plant itself, where it’s thought some so-called extras could be removed. But this is yet to be seen. “WE HAVE TO HAVE improvement there (the sewage system). We can’t do anything else until this happens.” Looking to the day that the sewer ban is history and its companion problems are only recollections, Williams also sees the need for better traffic control in Greencastle. “Perhaps by the time the program has been fully started on the new sewage plant it will be necessary to pick up the reins and start searching for better ways and means to improve the traffic flow in and around Greencastle," he said. “Parking and traffic flow are important to just about everyone, and would be one of the first things to look at.” As the out-going city councilman-at-large, Williams voted in favor of a transportation study financed by a federal grant that would look into long-range traffic problems and related projects. "THE INFORMATION WE have at this time on communities that have participated in this program is that the project has been very fruitful and helpful to the community,” he commented. “We have talked to people who have had very professional studies made and implemented, and good results have been produced. But remember, the city cannot control its own destiny in its entirety because of the state roads that run through Greencastle. They will always be controlled by

■ •. * J j ‘ < | f * ■ ■ : ¥ n, r L! - 'i; *v'*-' ' PS/*? '

It Was More of trick than a treat for the Howard Harmless family to find this unique device on their front lawn the morning after Halloween. The relic was placed there by some of Greencastle's more humor-

filfc ' wsPUfe,.

CLAIR WILLIAMS: Democrat candidate

the state. But I do feel that the state will be very energetic themselves to provide us assistance in this area. “I also feel that certain suggestions and priorities must be initiated by the mayor of Greencastle, like planning ahead for sewer rehabilitation and construction. These should be top priorities. We must constantly have plans for the upgrading of our streets and curbing.” Planning ahead for improvements in the city park and recreation department is another point Williams stressed when questioned about how he might deal with the youth problems. "I WOULD LIKE TO see im provements in our city parks -- especially Robe-Ann -- because it’s such a near-in facility for children, neighborhood children, parents and families. I would like to see improved facilities for parking. I’ve brought this up a number of times, that the wasteland behind Clearwaters’ and between the No. 1 shelterhouse could be tiled and could accomodate almost 75 per cent of the parking for Robe-Ann Park. There are plans at this time to improve the lighting and backstop at the ballfield, perhaps going as far as even building dugouts for the home and visiting teams. “I’d like to see more shrub and flower planting in the park. More participation in the bandstand. Make the park so all can enjoy it. If it would make a better and safer park, remove the drive-through roads that we presently have. The park should be an amusement area, colorful and attractive to bring out more of the local people for picnics and outings and family fun. I like to

minded tricksters, didn't exactly fit in with neighboring structures in the Edgelea Subdivision. (BannerGraphic photo by G. Patrick Grimes).

see everyone included in plans like this. “I do feel at this time that there are some programs being planned by local citizens that would be provided for the youth. There’s the possibility of a YMCA and talk of a youth center. They are working on both programs. We do have some more entertainment for the youth at this time with the roller rink started downtown and the ski resort being put in north of Greencastle. I would also like to see some arrangements for ice skating in Greencastle. It would be too much of an expense at this time for the city to provide a regular rink, but we could look at some of the facilities we have now and see what methods we could use to add to them for the amusement of not only the young, but older people as well. In Fort Wayne Jan and Kent (his daughter and son) used to skate year round Now here at home they have to go to ponds and such and that’s dangerous. Also, I’d like to see basketball courts in the park. These are examples of something we could be looking toward.” The Democrat hopeful would also be looking toward industrial development and the growth of the proposed industrial park on the city’s east side. “I’D CERTAINLY BE in favor of laying it out and providing facilities such as curbing and streets, so that when industry, or small industries, show an interest in coming to Greencastle the stage is set and planning of the area would be presentable to them,” he said. “We have to think in terms of postsewer ban planning for an era which in turn would provide work for the young, middle-aged and older Col. 3, back page, this section

VoEd moves ahead

Program here blossoms; open house set

By G. PATRICK GRIMES Banner-Graphic Staff Writer Vocational education is alive and well in Indiana, and Putnam County too for that matter, according to Area Vocational Education Director David Archer. The subject of vocational education has sparked debate among some researchers in California and the East Coast, as well as those who consider themselves to be “experts” on VoEd across the nation. Critics claim vocational education is a bit wasteful with the millions of dollars Congress doles out each year to teach high school men and women how to do things which used to be taught only on the job. “REALLY, HERE IN Indiana we are one of the better systems as far as use of the federal dollar,” director Archer commented, after reading a New York Times News Service article which focused on all of the talk going on concerning high school VoEd. The study referred to in the article was made by Research Information Center in San Francisco. John Walsh, president of the center, commented about the results of the government sponsored study. “Evidence regarding the overall effectiveness of vocational education as a

DePauw-Wabash rivalry to be subject of national TV feature

The CBS-TV network show, "Sunday Morning,” will focus on the campuses of DePauw and Wabash next weekend when the two colleges clash in the annual Monon Bell football game. Brett Alexander, one of the producers of the show hosted by Charles Kuralt, confirmed Wednesday the show’s intention to come to Greencastle and Crawfordsville for the segment. "WE WERE AT FIRST thinking about doing a piece on college homecomings,” Alexander said, “but then we decided it would be interesting to look at a small college football rivalry. About that time someone dropped a copy of a 1973 Sports Illustrated on my desk. It had the story on the DePauw-Wabash series; it seems there’s a lot to talk about. “We’re interested in this game, but we’re also interested in the personal side of it as well,” Alexander said. “We’re going to talk to a family who has a boy on each team.” The family is the A 1 Kepchars of Highland, Ind. Their son Mark is on the DePauw squad; his brother plays for Wabash. Alexander said his production crew hopes to “wire up” Mr. and Mrs. Kepchar during the game so the eventual viewers of the segment can listen in on the Kepchars.

'Boat People' slated to arrive here on Dec. Ist

Dec. Ist is the day the Greencastle Resettlement Committee hopes the Vietnamese “Boat People” family of six will arrive to start a new life here. Delays have occurred due to priorities and paperwork. The priorities list those families with relatives in the U.S. as first; those who worked for the government as second; and all others as last to depart the refugee camps. SINCE THE PROPOSED family has been in a refugee camp for over a year the Resettlement Committee hopes it will have top priority for departure. Meanwhile, the original mobile home rental is no longer available. Therefore, the Resettlement Committee needs housing, furniture, clothing and funds. The Committee would like a reasonable rental home, within walking distance of

Chamber seeks members

Greencastle Chamber of Commerce President June Parent has announced a membership drive to be conducted through Nov. 16. The drive began with an organization breakfast where team captains selected potential members on which their teams will call during the campaign. CHAMBER BUSINESS, industrial and professional people now number 190. It is estimated there are 124 additional potential members in the community. The principal objective of the Green-

Demonstration of tabulator set Putnam County Clerk Sharon Hammond has announced that a public demonstration of the voting tabulator will be held at 10:30 a m. Friday in the Commissioners’ Court on the second floor of the Putnam County Courthouse. The county clerk also reminds registered city voters that Saturday will be the final day to vote absentee ballots in the general election. The clerk’s office will be open until noon Saturday at the courthouse.

system and the relative success of specific programs mandated by the Vocational Act of 1963 and its amendments is at best ambiguous and at worst nonexistent,” Walsh said. “THIS MAY BE TRUE in some states. < more so than in others,” Archer rebutted, defending the VoEd program in Indiana. “I always get tickled over the amount of money some claim we get. Indiana, as a

ALEXANDER SAII) another big part of the six or seven-minute segment will be all the activities connected with what is one of the nation’s most colorful football rivalries. The production crew will arrive in Crawfordsville next Wednesday and spend that day and Thursday at the Wabash campus and in the city. They’ll also attend the annual DePauw-Wabash stag dinner in Indianapolis that night. In Greencastle Friday the crew is tentatively slated to film portions of the joint DePauw-Wabash concert at 8 p.m. The DePauw Century Singers and the Wabash Glee Club are the main attraction. AND OF COURSE, Alexander and his crew will attend practice sessions of the two football adversaries, probably in Crawfordsville Thursday and at Greencastle Friday. Next Saturday’s shooting will probably include the DePauw ground-breaking for the new physical education and recreation center and the 1:30 p. m. game in Blackstock Stadium. “Sunday Morning” is a 90-minute news magazine type show that is telecast in this area by WTHI-TV (Channel 10) beginning at 9 a.m. Alexander said he expects to put the finished product on the network Sunday, Nov. 18, although this is not firm at this point.

shopping areas, in as good condition as possible. Persons with suggestions are asked to call Dr. Robert Farber (653-4465). AN UNFURNISHED home plus a homeless family means items from A to Z will be needed to help a mother, father, three little girls and a young adult male cousin begin living a normal life again. Any usable furniture, utensils, appliances, etc. are welcome. Interested persons may call the First Christian Church office (653-3146) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m After 4 o’clock persons are asked to call Mrs. Dan Smith (6533574). Monetary contributions are always needed to pay for food, repairs and services. Those interested may contact Ed Neary at 653-5654.

castle Chamber of Commerce is the “enhancement of Greencastle and Putnam County as a desirable community in which to live, to rear families and to conduct business.” This is a direct quote from the by-laws of the Chamber and is the guiding principle by which the Chamber conducts its business. Besides acting as the public relations department for the community, the Chamber also greets new people entering the community, provides an information base Col. 4, back page, this section

state, gets 13 million dollars for one year. I think these figures can be misleading. There may be states who get more money than Indiana does but do a worse job, too,” Archer said. The study goes on to question the skills and advantages which vocational high school programs say they can offer. Walsh even suggested that a high school student interested in learning skills for a career would be better off taking academics in high school and then going on to a college or technical school. Archer said some students do plan to take both high school and post-high school vocational education courses to obtain the proper criteria for a job. He added that in Indiana, and particularly in Putnam County, the high school vocational program is based on the types of programs offered in some post-secondary institutions. AS TO GETTING the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic in high school. Archer says that’s important, too. “Basic knowledge is needed in almost any field you might go into." Archer said, adding that only high school juniors and seniors, who should have learned the “basics” already, are allowed in the Put Col. I back page, (his section