Banner Graphic, Volume 12, Number 114, Greencastle, Putnam County, 22 January 1982 — Page 1

Teamwork? Putnam County officials 'not doing their job/ state official says

Editor's note: In the final installment of a five-part series concerning the budget and expenditures of the sheriff’s department and jail, a representative of the State Board of Accounts comments on the responsibilities of county officeholders and local governing bodies. BjfBECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor The responsibility of rejecting claims which may be deemed as questionable or unnecessary for the operation of a county office lies with the Putnam County Commissioners, according to Don Euratte, State Board of Accounts. THE STATE OFFICIAL was informed about some of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department claims which initiated objections from the county commissioners.

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The Brick Chapel Quartette will offer a special performance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Thompson Recital Hall at DePauw University. Members (from left) Rev.

Four of a kind Harmony the byword at Brick Chapel

By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor BRICK CHAPEL -- Opening the door at the Brick Chapel Church releases the strains of well-rehearsed songs of inspiration, perfect-pitch melodies which have become the trademark of Putnam County’s own Brick Chapel Quartette. From the deep bass vocals of Harold Craver to the accompaniment of pianist Paul Evans, it’s easy to understand why this group commands the respect of enthusiastic audiences. IN ADDITION TO CRAVER and Evans, the group also consists of alto Saraellen Peters, and tenors John Brackney and Rev. Ival Lane. The Brick Chapel Quartette actually began singing together during the spring of 1980. First singing with the Brick Chapel Church choir, it was Craver who suggested the foursome sing collectively. And what a good suggestion it was. Appearances before the Brick Chapel congregation later led to more public performances like at the Putnam County Fair, the Pork Festival, Saddle Club festivities, nursing homes and other church and organizational functions.

Multiple choice Freezing rain, sleet and snow will change to rain toward evening. Near steady or slightly rising temperatures. Saturday rain changing to snow flurries and becoming windy and much colder with falling temperatures. High Saturday morning in the upper 30s and low 40s. Indiana Extended Forecast Generally cold and dry Sunday through Tuesday with a warming trend towards Tuesday. Lows Sunday from 0 north to near 10 above in the south, then warming into the teens by Tuesday. Highs Sunday in the teens north and 20s south then warming into the 30s and 40s by Tuesday. Abby A 4 Calendar A 4 Classifieds AB.A9 Comics Afi Crossword A 8 Heloise A 4 Horoscope A 9 Obituaries All) People A 6 Sports A7.AB TV B section Theaters AlO

Banner Graphic Putnam County, Friday, January 22, 1982, Vol. 12 No. 114 20 Cents

even though the board followed through with payments. Euratte’s assessment? Putnam County officials “aren’t doing their job.” “There are many responsibilities involved,” Euratte told the Banner-Graphic. JJFirst, at the budgetary process, the County Council determines how much is appropriated for the operation of the sheriff’s department. “THEY DO HAVE SOME responsibilities there. And, of course, they have the responsibility for approving additional appropriations. “Then we go to the actual presentation of the claim,” Euratte continued. “The sheriff presents the claim to the county. The auditor is then responsible for checking that the claim is correct. In other

Cloverdale's Haag explains Evolution of high utility rates 'saps' budget

By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer CLOVERDALE-If Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest is true, school corporations should survive. But, can they? No doubt, the public via local taxation is aware of the corporation’s ability to retrieve all those tax dollars. But, in Darwin’s jungle, the inhabitants did not have to endure state budget hearings, rising utility rates and a legislature still squabbling over school funding formulas. And, who could predict that inflation and recession would be the keynote words in the nation’s economic vocabulary. IN RECENT CONVERSATIONS, Dr. Bernard M. Haag, of the Cloverdale School Corp., and Marion Coplen, education consultant with the Indiana Department of Public Instruction, tried to shed some light on the school financial dilemma and attempted to predict whether school corporations can endure to experience the promised economic upswing. If Cloverdale School Corporation is experiencing financial trouble, it is not alone •Thereare3o4 corporations in Indiana, and according to Coplen, most of them are feeling a bit threatened by “a constant cut back” due to declining enrollments Quite recently, the Cloverdale School

words, that it is adequately documented and that it’s mathematically correct. “Of course, the final responsibility rests with the Board of Commissioners to approve the claim for payment or disallow it,” Euratte contends. “I don’t think you can specifically say that one person is responsible. It takes all three.” IF A CLAIM IS BELIEVED to be questionable for the operation of any office, could the commissioners disallow it, even if there is money in the officeholder’s budget? Without a doubt, Euratte answered most emphatically. “I think that since the county commissioners are the executive branch of county government, I think they can disallow a claim on any reasonable basis. “THE COUNTY OFFICEHOLDER

Ival Lane, Paul Evans, Harold Craver, Saraellen Peters and John Brackney show versatility in their selection of gospel music. (Banner-Graphic photo by Becky Igo).

ONE PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT mentioned was when the group played at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum. “Yeah, we opened for the Statler Brothers,” Lane said, making one understand from his voice inflection that the popular countrywestern group appeared at the fair days later. That’s probably what makes a Brick Chapel Quartette performance a special one. They have an ability to fire one-liners so quickly it’s hard to tell when they’re serious, or speaking tongue-in-cheek. “People are generally very receptive,” Lane said of audience reactions. “They are very warm,” Peters agreed. “I think they enjoy the performances as much as we do.” FOR THOSE WHO HAVE not had the pleasure of listening to the group in person, their album, “A Little Sound of Heaven” is on the market. Future plans include the recording of a second album. The Brick Chapel Quartette will also be performing at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Thompson Recital Hall in Col. 5, back page, this section

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Corporation has experienced the effects of these cutbacks. In November, state budget hearing officials asked Haag to cut $22,000 from his general fund appropriation of $1,572,860 The mandate triggered a series of budget revisions and the result was a cutback in the summer band, 4-H, driver education and recreation programs.

BERNARD HAAG Cloverdale superintendent

doesn’t have a blank check,” the State Board of Accounts representative said. ‘‘The commissioners can disallow a claim if it is not relevant to the operation of the sheriff’s department.” What about claims being submitted for flowers or magazine subscriptions? “There is no statuatory authority for the payment of such things,” Euratte responded. “There wouldn’t be any reason why the commissioners would have to allow such a claim. And I know our department, from an audit standpoint, would probably make a charge if they (the commissioners) didn’t.” REFERRING SPECIFICALLY to magazine subscriptions, Euratte said those purchases actually constitute a gray area. “That’s all a matter of interpretation,”

South Putnam patrons to join school planning

By LARRY GIBBS Banner-Graphic Publisher A non-voting, five-member committee of patrons will join the South Putnam School Board in planning a proposed $6.5 million consolidation of Belle Union, Fillmore and Reelsville elementary schools, the board decided during a special meeting Thursday night. Proposed by Supt. James Hammond, the committee will include one individual to be chosen by each board member. Names of committee participants are expected to be announced at another special board meeting to be scheduled sometime next week. ALTHOUGH COMMITTEE members will not be involved in the actual decisionmaking process, they will join the board at the multitude of meetings that will be required as the building project unfolds. The committee’s primary responsibility will be to keep abreast of project developments and help convey information to their respective communities. Asked by board member David Landes to define his concept of the committee’s duties, Hammond answered: “To be here, to observe, be aware of the financial aspect, the hows and whys decisions are being made. To be in support when we go before the State Tax Board. We need support there. That’s where the decision will be made. They will decide if we can have this tax rate (necessary to finance the new building).” The corporation’s tax rate could reach or slightly exceed $8 per each SIOO of assessed valuation if the consolidation project becomes reality. That projection was made by Dr. William Wilkerson, an Indiana University faculty member and expert on public school finance, whose analysis was solicited by the school board and discussed at the Dec. 7 meeting. THE DIVISION OF Accreditation and School Facility Planning of the State Department of Public Instruction already has approved the proposal to merge the three elementary schools. That action

HAAG SAYS HE IS cutting with an eye toward “taking things that don't affect the normal academic operation.” Deciding what programs do affect the normal academic operation has proved to be what Haag calls a “frustrating experience.” “I lose sleep over it,” Haag says, “because there are so many variables. Nothing is cut and dry.” HAAG CITES THE COST of utilities, limits on collecting local revenue and uncertainty over state funding as the chief variables that more often than not tip the delicate balance of his budgets. Haag is concerned with rising costs of utilities, saying “you can’t control the cost.” “Utilities,” he continued, “sap the general fund.” To better cope with the fluctuation in utility rates, Haag would like to see the state create a separate fund as part of budget preparation instructions. “A SEPARATE FUND FOR utilities,” Haag believes, “gives corporations a better opportunity to meet the financial challenge. “It would,” Haag reasons, “take the pressure off of managing the general fund.” The freeze on the amount of money school corporations can collect from local

he pointed out, “like whether it was something for the prisoners to read. I suppose if it were made out in the name of the county, and the commissioners approved it, we (the State Board of Accounts) would probably go along. It should be made out in the name of the county, if it is approved.” But Euratte was less kind when voicing an opinion about pens and calendars purchased with county money and embossed with a county officeholder’s name. LAST YEAR, PUTNAM County’s sheriff used $213 of county taxpayers’ money to buy 500 clip pens inscribed with “Jim Baugh-Sheriff Putnam County.” Also last year, the sheriff bought 250 secretary calendars with county funds totaling $174.69, printed with “Compliments of Jim Baugh, Putnam County Sheriff’s Depart-

GHSgame postponed The Cascade at Greencastle boys’ high school basketball game set for McAnally Center Friday night has been postponed, according to GHS Athletic Director Doug Miller. This game was the only definite postponement at Banner-Graphic press time Friday. North Putnam was scheduled to play at Covington and Cloverdale was slated to host Tri-West. However, decisions on whether the teams would play were not expected to be made until Friday afternoon.

clears the way for James Associates, the corporation’s architectural firm, to begin preparation of preliminary design plans for the anticipated 80,000-square-foot school, planned on a site adjacent to South Putnam High School. But Hammond emphasized Thursday that the State Tax Board actually will decide whether or not the project can begin because that board will rule on the corporation’s upcoming request for additional appropriations from the cumulative building fund to pay initial costs, including architectural fees. Once the amount of the additional appropriation is decided, Hammond said, it will be advertised according to law and a local hearing will be conducted. Ultimately, it will go to Indianapolis for a final decision by the State Tax Board. Hammond estimated the entire process would require four to six weeks. WHILE THE STATE TAX Board’s decision will govern the request for additional appropriations to get the project started, the superintendent said the ruling actually will assess long-range financial

sources is also an important variable. Currently, Cloverdale’s budget operates with 60 per cent state funding and 40 per cent local. A small percentage of the total is financed through federal dollars invested in the Title I and IVB programs. Haag minimized the role of federal funding in Cloverdale’s budget purposely, as he feels that federal money is less certain than state or local monies and adds, “you don’t have a lock on it (federal money).” THE ABILITY TO COLLECT local property taxes and license excise taxes have much to do with the amount of money the state will finally appropriate a school corporation. In fact, it was the determination by the state that the corporation could collect more money from local sources which prompted Haag to cut his budget. The assessed property value is also an important consideration in the local funding formula. When determining the amount of local tax and corporation will receive, Coplen said the State Board of Accounts are suppose to assess the property at a third of its value. He admits that rural communities such as Cloverdale can be financially shortchanged. Coplen believes, however, that urban corporations may have more problems which require more Col. I, back page, this section

ment, Greencastle, Indiana,” on each item. “For me, it would seem hard to justify such expenses,” Euratte remarked. “Of course, local units of government can now set policy where statute provides Maybe if the county commissioners adopted an ordinance providing for promotion, it would be possible. “But there is no specific authority for an officeholder to be expending county money for promotion without a home rule ordinance (providing for such). "BASICALLY, HE’S JUST promoting himself,” Euratte said directly. “If there was a message promoting a safety slogan or something, it would be different. “Just putting your name on something...there’s no way that should Col 1, back page, this section

aspects of the consolidation. “I think the State Tax Board wouldn’t approve it (the additional appropriation), if they didn’t think bonds would sell,” Hammond said, referring to specific arrangements that would have to be made to finance construction. Estimating that the corporation would have invested roughly $300,-000. mostly in architects’ fees, by the time the project is ready for bidding, Hammond said there is always the chance that buyers might not be found for bonds to finance construction. “I THINK THAT NEEDS TO be fully understood,” he said. “We could have a considerable amount of money invested, then not be able to sell bonds.” While Hammond, board members and a couple of patrons present cited the uncertainty of the economy in general, the superintendent said the most likely method of financing the proposed elementary school would be one similar to that used at the high school. Opened in the fall of 1969, the high school was financed through a private holding company and a loan from the Indiana Common School Fund. Hammond also noted the project could be bid again or redesigned if there were a problem in selling bonds. RESPONDING TO ONE patron’s emphasis on the fact that many people are out of work presently, Hammond added, “If this project is approved and completed two years from this fall, which would be the fall of 1984, the lease-rental payments would not start until that time, as I understand it. Hopefully, the ecnomy will have improved by then.” “One thing is for sure," board member Don Spencer interjected, "the buildings we’ve got now won’t be any better in 1984. ’ ’ Hammond told the board his next step would be to meet with Robert Augspurg, administrative officer, Indiana School Property Tax Control Board, and Charles Parrot, a James Associate architect, to determine timetables. After that, he said. Col. 1, back page, this section

B-G carrier finds victim, brings help Dorotha M. Giddings, 25 Sunset Drive, Greencastle, fell in her house and laid on the floor for 23 hours Wednesday before she could get help. Help came in the form of Ban ner-Graphic carrier Pat Brown who found Mrs. Giddings lying in her dining room and called the victim's family. MRS. GIDDINGS suffered a broken hip which had to be operated on. She is now at Putnam County Hospital recuperating from her injury. At Mrs. Giddings' request, the paper carrier follows the practice of entering Mrs. Giddings' home and delivering the paper since the woman had been suffering from arthritis. When the carrier had entered the Giddings home at 4 pm Tuesday to deliver the paper, Mrs Giddings was waiting, as is her custom, in her chair for the paper However, when the carrier entered the home at 3 p in Wednesday. Mrs. Giddings was not in her chair and was found crying out for help on the dining room floor