Banner Graphic, Volume 11, Number 103, Greencastle, Putnam County, 2 January 1981 — Page 1

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It was a most important day for Stephen Lazear, 14, Indianapolis, Tuesday as he skiied for the first time Tuesday at the Pleasant Run Ski Slopes north of Greencastle. Stephen, confined

Make home security resolution

Before you finish reading this sentence, the chances are good that a home somewhere in the United States will be burglarized. Maybe yours! Three million homes - that’s one every 10 seconds - are robbed each year and, according to national statistics, the problem is getting worse instead of better. IT COULD GET BETTER - about 50 per cent better - if people would simply lock their doors and windows, suggests Don Weir, coordinator of the security training program in Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Unlocked doors and windows make it easy for burglars, even the most inexperienced, to practice their trade, he noted. This simple act alone would amount to a savings of some S4OO million in stolen goods, property damage and related expenses incurred as a result of burglaries. LACK OF INTEREST and concern of

Mental Health Assn, has holiday programs

The Putnam County Mental Health Association, a United Way Agency, this year boasted one of the most successful holiday volunteer programs ever conducted in the county. THE FIRST PHASE OF the three-part program consisted of a Gift Lift designed to insure that each patient in every state hospital received at least one nice gift at Christmas. According to Phyllis Smith. Bainbridge, this year’s Christmas gift chairman, more than 300 gifts with an estimated total value of $1,200 were donated through the generosity of Putnam County residents. Several children’s gifts were also taken to the Health Services Clinic to benefit coun-

Out with old, in with new Cloudy and continued cold through Thursday. Low overnight in the mid 20s. High Thursday low to mid 30s. Indiana Extended Outlook A dry period Friday through Sunday with temperatures warming to highs in the upper 30s and 40s. Lows between 25 and 35 by Sunday. Index Abby A 4 Bridge All Calendar A 5 Classifieds All Comics A 7 Crossword AlO Heloise A 4 Farm A 6 Heloise A 4 Horoscope All Obituaries Al 2 Sports A8.A9.A10 Theaters Al 2

Banner Graphic 9/ Hi Putnam County, Friday, JanuaqO. 1981, Vol. 11 No. 103 ★ 20 Cents

to a wheelchair, made several runs down the most difficult slopes with the aid of his father, Dan, who constructed the necessary apparatus. Joining Stephen were the rest of the Lazear family in-

neighbors also help benefit the intruder in that it allows the individual more time to “work,” Weir explained. Inability to describe and indentify personal property, newspapers and milk cartons on the doorstep and inadequate exterior lighting are other contributing factors in the rising residential burglary rate. The burglar’s perception of the vulnerability of a home is a major factor in home break-ins, Weir said. “If the setting appears normal and lived-in, or if upon closer examination it appears that it will take a long time to gain entry, the chances are good that the home will be passed over in favor of one with a higher vulnerability rating. “Criminals usually look for the easiest, trouble-free opportunities. Hdmeowners can foil these efforts by identifying vulnerable situations before the burglars and by taking corrective steps.” TO ASSIST IN determining vulnerability

ty children during the Christmas season. MHA volunteers Phyliss Smith, Rose South, Daisy Suit and Sue Rice were assisted with collecting, wrapping and tagging gifts this year by the Women of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. IN THE SECOND PHASE of the county program, eight volunteers of the Putnam County Mental Health Association delivered the gifts, refreshments and provided entertainment in conjunction with the Arts Access Council of Indianapolis during a ward party Dec. 14 at Central State Hospital. An annual Sack Art contest was the third part of the association’s holiday program. The contest was conducted in the fourth

New owners for Old Topper Tavern

By DAVID BARR Banner-Graphic Civic Affairs Editor Effective Friday, Jan. 2, Old Topper Tavern, 727 S. Main St., Greencastle, will begin operations under its new co-owners, Larry Crawley and David Heavin. Heavin, a graduate of Fillmore High School and Indiana State University, has recently been manager of Union Relations for Wellman Thermal Systems at Shelbyville but is now a city resident. HE IS MARRIED TO the former Miss Janice Torr. They have three children, a daughter Hillary, 9; and two sons, Travis,

Putnam Patter

Bear story of Putnam County's Big Bill Hillis recalled

By DAVID BARR Banner-Graphic Civic Affairs Editor Putnam County’s Big Bill Hillis was the greatest bear hunter in America. At least this is the reputation he had earned by 1911. And more than this, he was a mining engineer and buffalo hunter in the late 1800’s when the West was not yet altogether won. INFORMATION ON Big Bill’s exploits comes from an account of a speech he made before the Elks Club in Bridgeport.

to a home burglary, Weir offered the following suggestions: •Change locks on all exterior doors when you move into a previously occupied dwelling, for you have no way of knowing who might have keys. •Install deadbolt locks on outer doors, check door moldings for tight fit. and use hinged doors in which the pins cannot be removed from the outside. •DON’T HIDE THE door key under flowerpots, under mats or over the door. If you hide it, a burglar can find it. If it is necessary to have an extra key nearby, leave it with a trusted neighbor. •Keep all outer doors, including the garage door, locked at all times, even though you are in the house or near the premises. •Secure patio door by placing a metal rod or strip of wood in the inside sliding track to prevent the door from being forced open from the outside.

grade of all Greencastle elementaries with an emphasis on introducing younger students to the rewards and satisfaction of volunteerism according to Glenda Evans, chairman, who praised Vicki Terry, elementary art teacher for her cooperation. Priscilla Snow Algava served as judge for the local contest and presented five dollar coins to first-place winner Lori Gibbs of Ridpath Elementary; second place of three dollar coins went to Kathy Hammond of Jones Elementary and third place of one dollar coin went to Lisa Buckelew of Northeast. A special Merit Award of a $5 gift certificate at the Double Decker was given to

6, and Matthew, who will soon be two. A U S. Army Veteran, Heavin is a member of the Elks, Masonic and Scottish Rite at Fillmore and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Crawley, who is leaving Central National Bank where he has been the institutions’ personal officer, is a 1961 graduate of Greencastle High School and attended Indiana State University. Previously he had been with Greencastle Federal Savings and Loan Assn, and Putnam Motor Sales. DUE TO REGULATIONS of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Crawley

Conn., in which he related the hair-raising story of his close encounter with a grizzly bear. During his hunting career, Big Bill had killed no less than 300 bears, but one of these all but turned the tables on the former Greencastle resident. Had it not been for a dead tree, a mountainside and a friendly wind, his hunting career would probably have ended then and there. Climbing the mountain through 18 inches of snow, he came upon fresh grizzly

eluding his mother, Joan, and brother and sister, Brian, 9, and Kristin, 12 1 /2. (Banner-Graphic photos).

•SECURE WINDOWS BY drilling through the top of the bottom window sash and bottom of the top window sash and putting a small nail into the hole. •Attach automatic timers to lights, radio or TV so that when you are out for the evening, or on a extended trip, the house will appear lived-in. •Discontinue all home deliveries before taking •» trip, or have them taken care of by a responsible neighbor. •DON’T CLOSE THE blinds, pull shades down or do other things that advertise that the house js empty. •Make an inventory of all valuables in the home, including major appliances, jewelry, firearms and others costly items, listing serial or identification numbers and attaching photographs of jewelry. In the event all precautions fail, the list will aid the police in investigating the burglary. •Cooperate with neighbors in a formal or informal neighborhood watch.

Kristie Dean of Ridpath. The top three prize winners were also treated to a free meal at Kentucky Fried Chicken. MRS. ALGAVA ALSO awarded 47 honorable mention awards of a free meal donated by McDonald’s and Burger Chef. “All in all, we feel this year’s program has been an outstanding success due to the interest, support and participation of local and county residents. Christmas can be a very lonely time of many people hospitalized or confined during the holidays. These gifts and decorated sacks hopefully brightened the days of many that might have otherwise been forgotten,” concluded Sue Rice of the Putnam County Mental Health Association.

has resigned his seat on the Greencastle Council where he has served for the past year (he was replaced Tuesday by Larry Taylor), serving also as a member of the Park Board. Crawley and his wife, the former Cheryl Vaughn, are the parents of two daughters. Heather, 14, and Shelley, 11. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Windy Hill Country Club. Crawley and Heavin have announced that there are no anticipated changes in the operation of Old Topper, with both lunches and dinners to be served.

tracks. Soon he spotted the animal some 600 yards ahead. CARRYING A 45-120 Sharp’s Old Reliable buffalo gun using Union Metallic Cartridge ammunition with black powder, Big Bill came within range, fired and struck the grizzly back of the shoulder. Before the bear recovered from this surprise, Big Bill had reloaded his gun by hand and fired again, hitting the animal in the same spot Then things began to happen. fast. “The bear turned around, letting out a

Transfer of state license branch control sought

By LARRY GIBBS Banner-Graphic Publisher Transfer of control of Indiana’s motor vehicle license branches from political parties to county treasurers will succeed in 1981 only if public demand is strong enough, according to a state representative who has initiated a third attempt to make the change. Rep. Dennis T. Avery (D-Evansville) said again this week he’s not sure his bill stands any greater chance of passing during the upcoming session of the General Assembly than it did during the previous two when he couldn’t find a Republican co-sponsor. But he said he remains convinced the change would be in the best interests of the public. “I WOULD LIKE TO emphasize my belief that my proposal to shift control of the branches would bring responsibility for the delivery of the important services they provide to a level of government closer to the people,” Avery told the Ban-ner-Graphic. “This change is as important as ending a financial relationship between the delivery of a state service and the treasury of one political party which may be characterized as unhealthy at best. ” Other legislative sources of both parties say it’s unlikely that Avery’s bill will progress any farther when the legislature convenes Jan. 7. Both the Republican and Democratic state central committees favor retention of the present license branch system and there is little apparent likelihood that a co-sponsor will be found among the 63-37 GOP majority in the House. Avery claims the current system, which provides control of license branches by the political party of the governor, permits use of certain public-paid fees as “a political tithe.” ACCORDING TO THE Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, a license branch keeps $2 out of the $6 driver license fee form the first 2,000 licenses and $1.50 for each license after that. For the average $12.25 license plate fee. the branch keeps 50 cents and the local branch gets $1 from the $5 title fee. - Of the S4O cost for personalized license plates, the branch retains $3, the Republican and Democratic parties each get sls and the state gets the remaining $7. Avery claims the present system often results in greater emphasis on maximizing branch profits than on providing service to the public. In some cases, he said, efforts to minimize branch operation costs have led to underpaid employees and branches being operated in dilapidated buildings.

LICENSE BRANCH QUESTIONNAIRE Did you know that a portion of the fees you pay for your license plates, driver’s license, and other license branch services is given to the political party of the governor? YES NO Do you agree with the current practice of allowing the political party of the governor to profit financially from the operation of the license branch system? YES NO Do you personally object to the fact that a portion of the fees you pay at the license branch is sent to the political party of the governor? YES NO Should a locally elected official be made responsible for the quality of service available at the local license branch? YES NO Even if the license branch system is not reformed, do you believe the financial record books of the branches should be open to the public? YES NO NAME ADDRESS RETURN TO: Rep. Dennis Avery Indiana House of Representatives State House Indianapolis 46204

roar, and made directly for me,’’ Big Bill told his Connecticut audience. “I was standing near a small dead tree. I waited for him to come. He came by me within 10 feet, but paid no attention to me and went on down the hill. “HE RAN 10 Y ARDS and turned around. Evidently, he had not located me until he had my wind. I held my fire for I knew I had him as he would have to climb up the hill and was badly wounded. ” While waiting for the bear’s return, Big Bill sized up the tree bv which he was stan-

IN PUTNAM COUNTY, the license branch pays $l5O monthly rent to the county auditor for the space it occupies on the first floor of the courthouse. Proponents of the current branch operation system point out that if the branches were transferred to control of county treasurers additional employees would have to be added to county payrolls. Putnam County Treasurer Myrtle Cockrell said Wednesday that most treasurers with whom she has discussed the proposal are against it because of the substantial changes it would mandate in the operations of their offices. She agreed additional county employees would be required. BUT AVERY SAYS ANY additional expense to the counties would be offset by branch revenue that currently is diverted to the political parties. “Through enactment of my bill, individuals in each county could express their feelings at the ballot box if local license branch service was unacceptable,” he said. “Our state’s citizens should realize an improved level of service without placing a financial strain on local budgets since the revenue needed to run the branches would be used solely for that purpose and not to fund the activities of one of the two major political parties.” While his House Bill 1126 would affect transfer of control of license branches in the 92 counties. Avery has introduced a second proposal, H.B. 1144, which would require all branches to open their records of income and expenses to the public. “OFTEN IN MY EFFORTS to reform the license branch system, I have been told that the current politicized system is the most efficient way to provide license branch services,” he said. “My second bill, H.B. 1144, is designed to make it easy for all Hoosiers to judge the credibility of this statement. “At this time, the public has no way of knowing whether or not the current system is efficient. The record books of the branches are closed to the public. H.B. 1144, my “Open Books Bill,” would change this situation. The records of the branches, like the financial records of every other branch of state government, would be open to the public.” In an attempt to gauge popular feeling concerning license branch reform, Avery is distributing a brief public questionnaire throughout the state. It is printed here by the Banner-Graphic, not necessarily as an endorsement of Avery’s proposals, but as a service to readers who may choose to use it.

ding just in case he had to shinny up it in a hurry. When only 10 feet away, the bear reared up, all 11 feet and six inches of him in his “bear’’ feet. A shot through the neck ended this particular bear hunt. “THEN I REALIZED THE close call I had,” Big Bill concluded, “because if this bear had winded me before he got to the tree as he came down the hill, chances are I would not be here to tell the story He Cnl ’ hark naop this sprtinn