Banner Graphic, Volume 12, Number 78, Greencastle, Putnam County, 8 December 1981 — Page 10

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The Putnam County Banner-Graphic, December 8,1981

Cloverdale limits driver education to school year

By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer CLOVERDALE-Driver education during the summer was curtailed Monday night by the Cloverdale Community School Corporation Board of Trustees due to financial considerations. However, it was reported that driver education will be part of the fall curriculum for the 1982-83 school year. IN A REPORT TO THE school board, Ben Ruckel, assistant principal at Cloverdale High School, revealed that there were no funds available for summer driver education. After checking with other local school corporations, he reported that students were having to pay in excess of

South Putnam-

tions are being studied. He said plans are being explored to play at least one varsity football game on a Saturday afternoon next year, thereby saving the cost of electricity necessary to light the field. IN A PREPARED STATEMENT prior to the budget reduction vote, Gardner read a prepared statement on behalf of the SPCTA in which he called on the board to allow taxpayers a voice in the decision by arranging a voter referendum on the corporation’s tax levy. Warning that consolidation of classes to larger groups would not improve the learning process and would in fact be detrimental to a child’s learning experience, Gardner said students “become the losers in the economic scissors snip.” Gardner said state-mandated budget cuts will be necessary “unless the local taxpayers prefer to offset the mandated cut with the passage of a referendum to increase the maximum tax levy thereby saving existing programs. An increase in tax levy of SIOO,OOO would only result in an increase in the tax rate of 43 cents.” “THE ASSOCIATION would like to go on record,” Gardner said, “as recommending the South Putnam School Board pursue all steps toward a referendum to increase the tax levy. This will allow the local taxpayer to issue the final mandate.

Consolidation-

Health and State Fire Marshal’s office last month. The Board of Health survey cited 16 needed improvements at Belle Union, 23 at Fillmore and 14 at Reelsville. Citations included a number of specific areas, among them upgrading of existing water supply and sewage disposal systems, upgrading of restrooms to meet state codes and upgrading of food service and related areas. THE FIRE MARSHAL’S report listed 15 needed improvements at Belle Union, 11 in Fillmore’s new building, six in Fillmore’s old building and three at Reelsville. Citations included improved lighting, additional exits and installation of a manual alarm system throughout the Belle Union

Commissioners-

and the possible extension beyond one year were the only negotiable items. “Everything else will stand,” Boswell pointed out. “We will look to having the contract signed with the county at the commissioners’ Dec. 21 meeting.” As it stands, the county’s contract with OL to provide ambulance service terminates on Dec. 31. THE REMAINING business tackled by the commissioners included the opening and awarding of bid contracts for countyrelated needs.

Minnick

Although not actually summoned to hear the Minnick case, each juror was polled about his or her knowledge of possible prejudice in the county. Judge Vaughn advised each juror their response was solely necessary to gauge personal and community feelings about the case and the suspect. Before noon, 11 jurors had been questioned with the final member being asked to respond beginning with the afternoon session. The final juror, who teaches at Greencastle High School, said Minnick was known around the school as a “discipline problem.” ASKED IF HE BELIEVED Minnick could receive a fair trial locally, the juror responded, “I think it would be very difficult. I, myself, would like to think I could be objective, but with the public conversations, I believe it would be difficult not to have deep-seeded prejudices that maybe people are not really aware they have.” Two jurors were later asked to tell the court of a discussion that took place before the proceedings began when an advisory juror voiced prejudices before the hearing, but did not disclose those feelings when questioned later by attorneys. The juror said a person seated near him told others “They could forego the trial if they could lock us up a half hour with the defendant before the trial.” LATER, THE SAME ADVISORY juror told the court he was not prejudiced against Minnick. Another juror, who also overheard the statements, related that the individual “talked in a very adverse way about Minnick and was very biased of his opinion,” but later denied prejudices. Later during the hearing, defense attorneys summoned former Putnam County Prosecutor James Houck to reveal if he believed the venue should be granted. “I believe so,” Houck responded. “The case has been discussed by a number of people. I think the reaction is that there are very few people who don’t know of the case. I am not aware of many people that think he’s innocent.” Asked if he had knowledge of Minnick’s escape Sunday from the Putnam County Jail, Houck answered affirmatively. Also questioned if that information could influence potential jurors, the former prosecuting attorney answered, “Flight always indicates there is a possibility of guilt.”

SIOO for driver education, as compared to the $45 per student charged last summer by the Cloverdale School Corporation. In lieu of these findings, Ruckle recommended that the board take an early look at the driver education program. Ruckle proceeded to give the school board a comparison breakdown of costs incurred by the board in sponsoring programs in the summer and during the academic year. According to the assistant principal, the board would spend $9,534, with the cost of $lO6 per student for a summer driver education program. Conversely, the corporation would spend a total of $9,309 for a driver education

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We felt that the local patrons should give us the madate to cut the budget and not the state.” There was no board action on the SPCTA recommendation. Gardner also told the board that a poll of all SPCTA members regarding the current impasse in bargaining on a 1981-82 master contract for teachers resulted in 69 per cent favoring a cooling-off period by maintianing status quo conditions until next February. At that time, he said, the 69 per cent favor trying to work out a two-year retroactive agreement. THE REMAINING 31 per cent of association members, Gardner said, are in favor of continued negotiations supported by various job actions to stimulate movement. He said possible job actions might include mass rallies, boycotts of extracurricular activities, late arrivals to work or a teacher sick-out. Gardner told the board that the SPCTA continues to have three basic concerns regarding contract negotiations: Salary movement, implementation of binding arbitration and implementation of a representation fee. The latter would require certified personnel who do not belong to SPCTA to pay dues to the association anyway.

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building. Hammond said work already is under way to correct several of the items mentioned in the two state reports. In many cases, he said, corrections can be completed at little or no cost. In other instances, where a major cost is involved, board members discussed the possibility of gaining state waivers pending construction of a new consolidated school. Mentioned specifically was a smoke detector and fire alarm system at Belle Union, for which the board will take bids next Monday. Estimated to cost $15,000, Hammond said his recommendation next week will be to table the bids, pending discussion with state officials.

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Bids were accepted or rejected as follows: Groceries for county home - Hudson’s Market, Fillmore; gas and oil - High Point Oil; gravel and sand - Dallas Pearson, A & C Enterprises; printing (class I) - Courthouse Off ice Supplies; printing (class III) - Viquesney’s, Terre Haute; printing (classes 11, IV and V) -- Woodbum Printing; and tires - Morrison’s and Goodyear. . Also, treated lumber - Hoosier Treating; guardrails -- J.H. Drew; stone - Bloomington Stone Co., Harris Stone Co., Martin-Marietta Stone Co., France Stone

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“THERE HAS NEVER BEEN a case like this one in the county,” Houck continued. “Three-fourths of the people I have talked to think that Minnick should be executed. ” During an unexpected turn, Nasser asked attorney Pierson to offer testimony. Asked about reactions of Putnam County citizens to the crime, Pierson said, “I have not had one person that I have run into, since I was assigned to the case, that hasn’t discussed, or tried to discuss the Minnick case with me. “A lot of people have asked me why I am defending a man when he’s possibly guilty,” Pierson continued. “This has happened on dozens of occasions...socially and officially and there is always something said derogatorily about Minnick.” OFFERING CONCLUDING REMARKS, Nasser told the court, “We would contend that the preponderance of evidence shows the citizens of Putnam County would not be those types where a fair and impartial trial could be held. “The witnesses that have testified have not been contradicted by other witnesses. The type of crime that happens in a small community can’t help but influence a jury. We don’t want to risk that possibility.” Prosecuting attorney Del Brewer, who is seeking the death penalty for the suspect, stated the change of venue is a decision only for the court to make. In addition, Brewer remarked his only concern was to also see that Minnick receives a fair trial. FOLLOWING VAUGHN’S rulings, Minnick was remanded to the custody of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. He faces charges of murder, robbery and unlawful deviate sexual conduct in the Payne murder.

Farm meeting set Wednesday

Income tax management for farmers will be discussed at r» meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Vermillion County Courthouse in Newport, Putnam Extension Agent James R. Baird has announced. Dr. George Patrick will ex-

program, sponsored in the academic year, with a cost of $44 per student. The savings were attributed to the lower cost of utilizing available teachers opposed to hiring new instructors. IN OTHER FINANCIAL news, Supt. Bernard Haag asked the board to approve the transfer of appropriations within the General Fund. Dr. Haag cautioned the board that there is very little flexibility left in the budget process. “We’re going to have to hold very tightly,” Haag explained, “to the 1982 appropriations.” The school superintendent also reported that Sue Garrett, school librarian is writing the Title IVB program for the cor-

In other action Monday night, the board: -- Approved a $7,135.75 bid by Feld’s Carpet of Greencastle for installation of carpet in the high school band room and study hall. The work is expected to be done during the Christmas vacation. - APPOINTED DON SMITH to the position of corporation transportation director. He succeeds Noble New, who rejoined the Indiana State Police. - Appointed William Condon as varsity baseball coach. - Approved an overnight field trip to Bradford Woods near Martinsville by Belle Union fifth- and sixth-graders next May 12,13 and 14. - Authorized a parental leave of absence for elementary teacher Narda Cotton for the balance of the school year. - APPROVED A LEAVE OF absence for bus driver Charlie Shaw through next Jan. 31. - Accepted the resignation of Margaret Booe as head cook at Reelsville. All five board members - Ron Cook, Sherman Hacker, Lloyd Hayes, Don Spencer and David Landes - were present Monday night. The board will meet in special session at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, to open bids for smoke detectors at the Belle Union school.

MONDAY NIGHT’S DECISION to proceed with a plan for consolidating all three elementaries is the board’s first major step in that area since the State Board of Health rejected a plan that would have merged Belle Union and Fillmore in- ' to a new building along U.S. 40 east of Mt. Meridian. That plan, debated for several months, collapsed after health officials said there was insufficient water to support a school. The tract of land adjacent to the high school, referred to as the “central site,” had been favored by some patrons since the board first began discussing the Fillmore-Belle Union project to the east. The 25 acres next to the high school was acquired by the corporation in 1979 at a cost of $62,500.

Co., Russellville Stone Co., and Dallas Pearson; bituminous -- John Kretz, Dalton Asphalt, Fauber’s and W.C. Hargus and Son; and data processing forms and supplies - Manatron. TWO BIDS SUBMITTED for materials, equipment and labor to repair county bridges were rejected. Those bids were submitted by V.L. Pennington and Dalton Asphalt. Bids for janitorial supplies will be rebid on Jan. 4. The commissioners rejected a bid from Correlated because it was in improper form.

plain how recent tax changes will affect farmers. The Accelerated Cost Recovery System, now included in federal law, will have a positive effect on depreciation, Baird said.

poration. This year’s appropriation to the school corporation is $6,500 with approximately $3,500-$4,000 being utilized for books (software) and $2,000 to $3,000 being utilized for purchase and repair of projectors (hardware). The school board voted to approve the program as proposed. HAAG ALSO REPORTED that the Junior-Senior High School General Fund and Extra Curricular Fund are “out of the red.” He encouraged the investing of monies in interest-bearing accounts and explained that in the past bookstore money had been invested in such an account. The National Elementary Principals convention is being held March 27-31 in

Obituaries Bessie M. Heber

Mrs. Bessie M. Heber, 84, Route 4, Greencastle, died Sunday afternoon at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. She was born on Nov. 13, 1897 in Clay County, the daughter of Isaiah and Henrietta (Pullin) Wallace. Her parents preceded her in death. She was married to Ernest L. Heber. Her husband preceded her in death in July 1974. Mrs. Heber was a housewife. She was a member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and the West Madison Township Home Ec Club.

George A. Scott

George A. Scott, 71, 1140 Avenue E, Greencastle. passed away Tuesday morning at Putnam County

EDC meeting

Roger Skelton, of SkeltonSkinner, acknowledged the competition and rapport between Black Lumber and his business, but questioned the application of industrial revenue bonds to an existing business. “If the decision of the commission is based on gaining six or eight employees, that’s something to look at...your decision in general,” Skelton said. “Black Lumber has an existing business. It has an existing facility. I can see that if Eli Lilly wants to come to Greencastle...” Commission president Norman Knights saw the merit in Skelton’s remarks, noting that the spirit of the law enabling issuance of tax-exempt bonds has been questioned in light of its use for construction of such facilities as fast-food restaurants and doctors’ offices. However, Knights added, the law has been debated and the debate continues. The local EDC, however, must “evaluate the application on the merits of the case and the precedents that have been set in Greencastle.” KNIGHTS NOTED THAT the EDC has previously approved issuance of tax-exempt bonds for two projects with existing local facilities, the relocation of two doctors’ offices to the new hospital complex. Likewise, the commission has also approved two completely new projects, construction of Heritage House Convalescent Center and Long John Silver’s Seafood Shoppe, with tax-free revenue bonds. EDC member James Headley, owner of Headley FARM CONVENTION HELD INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - New ways of raising local revenues apart from increasing raising property taxes must be devised, the president of the state’s largest farm organization told about 4,000 farmers and wives. At the evening recognition program, Spencer, Hancock and Hendricks counties won top honors in the bureau’s state achievement contest.

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Atlanta, Ga., Haag reported, recommending that the board vote to pay the $75 registration fee but suggested that the corporation could not afford the additional S2OO travel cost. The board voted in agreement of Haag’s recommendation. Haag reported to the board that elementary parent-teacher conferences were held Nov. 5-6 and said approximately 92 per cent of the parents were in attendance. The percentage has increased in comparison to previous years and he attributed this in part to a change in policy. “IN PREVIOUS YEARS, report cards were given to the parents at the conference,” Haag explained, “but this year, they were sent home beforehand.”

Survivors include a daughter, Nadine L. Burk, Route 4, Greencastle; a son, Donovan L. Heber, Punta Gorda, Fla.; a sister, Jane White, Spencer; seven grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren. Mrs. Heber was also preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Whitaker-Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle, with Rev. Ellis Smiley officiating. Burial will follow at Boone-Hutcheson Cemetery. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Tuesday.

Hospital. Arrangements are pending at the Whitaker-Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home-

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True Value Hardware, divorced himself from the decision as a competitor of Black Lumber. However, he brought up the point that the new Black Lumber employees might be those Headley or Skelton-Skinner might have to let go in the face of declining business, as opposed to Black Lumber’s anticipated business increase. “Basically, we want to clean up and make new,” Black said. “Provide more competition? I’m not so sure. Two lumber yards have survived here a long time. We felt there were certain criteria to be met under the law, and that we meet them. We’re not questioning whether the law is right or wrong.” BLACK LUMBER PRESENTLY employs seven workers. EDC member Keith Monnett asked if the workforce would be increased without the remodeling project being done. “I don’t see how,” Black responded. “We’re limited by the facility.” Monnett also asked what Black Lumber would do if the request were denied. "I CAN’T ANSWER that,” Black said, later qualifying his answer by saying conventional interest rates would probably preclude such a project for the time being. Monnett made the motion to approve the inducement resolution, with Dick Sunkel seconding and new EDC member John King making it unanimous at 3-0. Headley abstained, and Knights, as chairman, votes only in case of a tie.

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In other business, the school board: ♦Accepted the revised Board of Trustees Policy Handbook. ♦Heard a report on the repair to the high school roof and the subsequent caulking work that will be done by the Dow Corning Corp. ♦Heard a proposal that would start a Amateur Radio Club for students in grades four to six. ♦HEARD AN UPDATE ON the high school open house to take place the first or second week in March. ♦Formally approved Mark DeGrandchamp as the assistant girls’ varsity basketball coach.

Putnam scanner

City Police For the second time in less than a week, persons were arrested for stealing a Christmas tree, this time from the home of a Greencastle resident. The theft was reported at 3:57 a.m. Tuesday at the home of Max Williams, Avenue B, Greencastle. Arrested for the theft were Mark Allen Weimer, 18, Peoria, 111.; Bradford Earl Crandall, 18, New Concord, Ohio; Herb Benton, 18, Indianapolis; Reid Allen Cole, 19, Scottsburg; Steven Wilson, 18, 620 Anderson St., Greencastle, and David Andre Chapman, 18, Hamilton, Ohio. Benton, Cole and Wilson were arrested on Anderson Street. Crandall, Weimer and Chapman were arrested following questioning at the Greencastle Police Station. These three are also charged with being minors in consumption. Sgt. Larry Huffman and Rodney Cline, in addition to Reserve Larry Shipman handled the case. Huffman said the police department was notified of the theft by a resident who witnessed the tree being taken to a DePauw University fraternity house. The tree, taken from Williams’ home located a half mile east of Greencastle, was transported by three of the individuals to the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house, 620 Anderson St., Greencastle. “You’re talking about a Class D felony,” Huffman told the Banner-Graphic Tuesday morning after the arrests. “They all think it’s a big joke, but it’s not when you’re talking about a

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MOORE’S 1

felony record.” Huffman said the offense could see the individuals receive a two-year sentence with a possible two more years added for aggravating circumstances. The officer warned persons committing similar infractions would continue to be prosecuted. Danny Jones White, 23, 435 Anderson St., Greencastle, was ticketed at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday for disregarding a stop sign at Locust and Berry by Sgt. Huffman. At 1:36 a.m. Tuesday, Huffman issued a citation to Kevin A. Scobee, 28, Route 3, Greencastle, for speeding on U.S. 231 north. A two-car accident was investigated at 9:25 a.m. Monday at the intersection of College Avenue and Franklin Street. Involved were William A. Burke, 68, Route 2, Coatesville, and Janice K. Lewis, 35, 704 E. Walnut St., Greencastle. Police records show that Lewis was eastbound on Franklin and stopped at the intersection with College. As she entered the intersection, the vehicles collided. Burke was turning left from College onto Franklin, when his car was struck. Lewis told police she did not see the Burke vehicle when she pulled into the intersection. Officer Ernie Newby investigated. State Police Earl C. Nicholson, 54, Route 2, Box 172, Cloverdale, was arrested for public intoxication Monday afternoon. The arresting officers were troopers Harry Swank and Noble New.