Banner Graphic, Volume 13, Number 100, Greencastle, Putnam County, 4 January 1983 — Page 1
Hoffa requests board meeting
By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor Former Putnam County Sheriff Jim Baugh returned county-issued equipment to the Putnam County Jail Monday evening as requested by Sheriff Gerry Hoffa, after Hoffa determined Baugh could not be retained as a deputy when Baugh’s term as sheriff ended Dec. 31,1982. “He (Baugh) turned in his patrol car, uniforms and other items around 8:30 last night," Hoffa told the Banner-Graphic when contacted Tuesday morning. The new sheriff said he also anticipates calling a meeting of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Merit Board to explain the situation. "I TALKED TO REX BOYD this mor ning," Hoffa said, referring to the Greencastle attorney who is secretary of the Merit Board. “I told him as soon as I get things settled in here at the jail, 1 would like to call a meeting of the board. ’’ It was at a Dec. 21 meeting of the Sheriff’s Merit Board that members Sam Hostetter. president; Terry Clifford, vice president; Boyd. R.V. Murphy and Mid Vaughan (Baugh’s appointment to the board and a former Putnam County deputy sheriff) heard Baugh’s request that he be hired as a "merit" deputy, once his term as sheriff expires. Citing an Indiana statute, and with the endorsement of his attorney. Ken Elmendorf of Brownsburg, Baugh received unanimous support from the Merit Board and was retained as a deputy. THE MERIT BOARD, agreeing with the arguments presented by Baugh, deter mined that the County Council had funded for-four “merit” deputies back when 1983 budgets were approved last September With the resignation of Deputy Dennis Oberkrom prior to the Merit Board meeting. Baugh told members a “vacancy" existed within the department. The appointment of Baugh by the Merit Board had him joining the current sheriff's department law force of Jim Hendrich. Mike Biggs and Chuck Evens Acknowledging that Hoffa. who took office Jan. 1, had the “complete hiring authority" over his chief deputy, the Merit Board determined the new sheriff w'ould have to go before the Putnam CountyCouncil to seek an additional appropriation, if he appointed a chief deputy not among the four current deputies. BUT HOFFA DID NOT agree with the Merit Board's interpretation of the cir-
South Putnam shuns 'controlled' status
Bv LARRY GIBBS Banner-Graphic Publisher The South Putnam School Corp. no longer is a “controlled" corporation in the eyes of the state, but Supt. James Hammond cautioned Monday night that a tight fiscal policy will continue to govern school decisions. South Putnam shed its controlled status at midnight on Dec. 31, the result of finishing the entire calendar year within the confines of its operating budget. IN 1981, THE CORPORATION won state approval to transfer approximately $205,000 from its cumulative building fund to pay operating expenses in the general fund. That one-time transfer allowed the corporation to pay its bills, but also made
Mid 50s due for Friday! Increasing cloudiness, with overnight low in the upper 20s. Considerable cloudiness on Wednesday. Continued mild with high near 40. Indiana Extended Forecast Partly cloudy and mild Thursday and Friday. Lows in the upper 20s and 30s. Highs from mid 40s to mid 50s. Cooler Saturday with a chance for rain south and snow or rain north. Lows from the mid 20s north to mid 30s south. Highs from mid 30s north to mid 40s south. Abby V 4 Calendar A 4 Classifieds A 9 Comics Afi Crossword A 9 Editorials A 5 Heloise A 4 Horoscope A 9 Obituaries AlO People A 6 Sports A7.AB TV A 6 Worry Clinic A 9
Banner Graphic Putnam County, Tuesday, January 4,1983, Vol. 13 No. 100 20 Cents
cumstances, and shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, the new- sheriff notified Baugh via letter that his application and appointment by the Merit Board was “premature, unlawful and void." Hoffa repeatedly emphasized that Baugh was neither “fired" nor “suspended,' but pointed out there was just “no vacancy in the sheriff's department” for the former sheriff to fill. As of Jan. 1, Baugh has been taken off the county payroll. Hoffa said. However, Hoffa did appoint Putnam County native and former Virginia State Police officer Robert Patton as his chief deputy. Now residing in Cloverdale with his family, Patton joins deputies Hendrich, Biggs and Evens HOFFA, WHO HAS sent the same letter given to Baugh to the Merit Board. Elmendort and the Putnam County Council, also appeared at Monday’s county commissioners’ meeting. Upon hearing of the merit board’s decision to reappoint Baugh, Hoffa. who was vacationing in Florida at the time, contacted former county attorney Stephen Pierson. “As county attorney at that time, 1 asked him to research the statutes for me," Hoffa told the commissioners. “It was his (Pierson’s) opinion that the statutes could be interpreted the way I did. That's when I decided to w-rite the letter.” The new sheriff told the Banner-Graphic Sunday that his decision to write Baugh was also based on the need to protect his new chief deputy. Patton. “I had a man who had quit his job in Virginia, sold his home and was moving here to Putnam County with the promise of a job." Hoffa commented. T felt I had to do what I did to protect him." ALTHOUGH THE NEW sheriff emphasized it's"'‘business as usual" with the current staff, Hoffa said he believed it was very necessary to have a first deputy of his own choosing. Robert Lowe, who was named as the new county attorney Monday following Pierson’s resignation, said the dispute was one which Hoffa and Baugh would have to settle in court, if either chooses to do so. Lowe also advised that he could not advise the new sheriff in the legal dispute, but if at some point the commissioners would become involved, he would step in to protect the board’s interests. Col. 1, back page, this section
the school system subject to additional state scrutiny last year, including detailed review of South Putnam's annual budget by the Indiana School Property Tax Control Board. Lifting of the controlled status means that South Putnam can avoid the School Property Tax Control Board in 1983 by continuing to operate within its general fund budget. Like other non-controlled corporations, South Putnam’s budget and other financial transactions will come under direct routine review by the State Board of Tax Commissioners. “We’re no longer a controlled corporation, but that doesn't mean we have a lot of money to spend," Supt. Hammond said at the conclusion of Monday night’s
Cloverdale maintenance priority
By BARBARACARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer CLOVERDALE--A review of Cloverdale School Corporation’s maintenance priorities both in theory and in practice highlighted the regular monthly meeting of the school board Monday evening. Sharing centerstage for the second time in as many months were the patrons whose numbers prompted school officials to move the meeting to the Cloverdale Junior/Senior High School library. Many of the patrons later joined the school board for an inspection tour of the junior/senior high school facility after the regular business meeting. On top of Supt. Bernard M. Haag’s maintenance priority list is the repair of the gymnasium roof. “THIS ROOF HAS BEEN good to us,” Haag told the board. ‘‘We can patch it but what concerns me is moisture on the insulation." The superintendent suggested investigating the possibility of acquiring monies from the holding corporation (which have helped finance other repair jobs in the past), and if unsuccessful, use the cumulative building fund to finance the project. The price tag for roof repair work
Lowe named county attorney
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ROBERT LOWE New county attorney
regular board meeting. "We had to reduce the teaching staff and cut other expenses to remain within the budget in 1982 and we will have to watch our finances closely in 1983.” HAMMOND REQUESTED and received board approval to advertise for a temporary loan of just over SIOO,OOO to help meet corporation operating expenses during the first six months of the year. The loan will be repaid when South Putnam receives its state tax distribution in June. Use of a temporary loan to meet cash flow needs is a procedure used previously by the corporation. During the last half of 1982, South Putnam borrowed about $112,000 from Central National Bank at an interest rate of 8.7 percent per annum.
would be in the neighborhood of $35,000$40,000, Haag suggested. Temperature control repairs and the purchasing of portable hall gates were next on the list. “THE TEMPERATURE controls are not at all adequate,” Haag explained. “We’re getting overheating and underheating.” Controlling hallway traffic more adequately was the rationale for suggesting the purchase of two hall gates. The purchase of three sets of bleachers to accommodate approximately 250 fans who sit on the floor during a sporting event in the new gym was suggested. Haag said three units would accommodate approximately 300 people. ESTABLISHING a rotating schedule for room painting and the purchase of a speed buffer for maintenance of the floors were number five and six on Haag’s priority list. “If we had a speed buffer, we could probably go a full year without waxing again,” he suggested. Repairing restroom facilities, improving door security in the high school and purchasing two industrial ladders rounded out the superintendent’s maintenance list.
By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor Robert Lowe, Putnam County chief deputy prosecutor, was named county attorney Monday by the Putnam County Commissioners following the resignation of former county attorney Stephen Pierson. Pierson briefly appeared at Monday’s session only to deliver the written resignation, saying he found it becoming too difficult to devote time to his private legal practice and county business. LOWE, V NATIVE of Indianapolis, moved to Putnam County in December 1980 to begin a civil law practice and to serve with the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office. He was graduated from the Indianapolis Law School, a division of Indiana University. in 1974 Lowe. 605 Highwood Ave . Greencastle. and his w ife, Pat, have a one-year-old daughter. Sarah. Other appointments made bv the commissioners Monday include: Elevator operators at the county courthouseClaude Morphew and John Masten;
That loan was repaid with funds from the December tax distribution. The board’s 5-0 vote Monday night authorized Hammond to seek loan bids from interested banks. The most favorable interest rate and the exact amount to be borrowed will be determined later by the board, presumably at a finance meeting on Jan. 17 or at the next regular meeting on Feb. 7. THE SUPERINTENDENT also advised board members that he had received a tentative schedule the state plans to follow in distributing basic grant funds to each public school corporation. That money is direct state support based on enrollment. In the past, Hammond said, state money Col. 1. back page, this section
HAAG SAID ASIDE from the roof repair, the balance of maintenance and repair could be performed for approximately $15,000-$20,000. Similar to Haag's list was one presented by maintenance supervisor Bill Henson who conducted the spot inspection tour after the meeting. Henson placed the purchase of 10-foot industrial ladders as a priority followed by repair of the heating system, cleaning of the seven-year-old carpet in the elementary school and purchase of a sweeper to clean the newly purchased carpet installed in the junior/senior high school administrative office. The consideration of a new lock system for the junior/senior high school was also on his list. ONE MONTH AFTER the board voted to accept the Grade Point Average Committee’s recommendation to count all courses carring one credit, the GPA issue was again disscussed. The recommendation called for the calculations to be retroactive for current seniors and this stipulation prompted concern from some parents and students, as well as the superintendent. “I think the seniors are victims of cirCol. 3. back page, this section
Night work for commissioners
If you’ve always wanted to attend a Putnam County Commissioners’ meeting, the opportunity awaits as the board will begin meeting at 7 p m. the first and third Monday of each month. The commissioners will follow this timetable beginning with the next
eustodians-Bill Maddox, Wendell Dickey and Bonnie Helton. Green Acres County Home-Melvin Shinn, superintendent; and Marjorie Shinn, matron; Civil Defense. Spud Hurst; commissioner serving on County Planning Commission. John Carson; and County Planning Commission attorney , Lowe. ALSO, WEST CENTRAL Board of Directors-Don Walton; Operation Life com rn issioners ’ representative-Carsorv; Cummins Mental Health Board commissioners’ representative-Jim Malaver.
Contract issue 'over/ Supt. Haag tells crowd at Cloverdale meeting
CLOVERDALE-Telling the audience that the issue of his contract "was over,” Dr. Bernard M. Haag requested his first and possibly his last public forum to explain his feelings about a school board decision not to renew his contract when it expires June 30. “LET IT BE THAT way, ” Haag urged the audience. “The board has made a decision and its just going to create more problems if you pursue it.” Acknowledging that many people have come to him since the December school board meeting to express regret over the contract decision. Haag said he had no such regrets about his performance for the past 2 1 2 years. “I truly have given 100 per cent to this corporation," Haag told the audience, “and in some cases a little bit more.” ALTHOUGH HAAG agreed with some public criticism that he “didn’t see eve-to-eye with all teachers," the superintendent said his professional motive was always to serve. “I did what I did because I believe in it.” the superintendent explained. “I believe in serving the taxpayer and serving the students.” Although he agreed that the board decision was difficult, Haag said. “I do wish one of these days they would give me a reason why.” “But I can undersatnd the residency thing,” Haag added. “The entire thing is history now.” HAAG URGED the corporation to bring “this whole thing together.” “Someone had to be a victim of circumstance and I was that person,” Haag explained. “But I am not a hateful person.” Haag said the decision may have been helpful in making people aware of
It didn't take Jones Elementary School students long to get right back in the middle of action Monday as school resumed following the Christmas-New Year's break. The 40-degree temperatures were just right for a game of recess dodge ball as Wayne Varvel (left) and Billy Hudkins try to keep away from the aim of ball carrier Matt Stelzner. (Banner-Graphic photo by Rick Combs).
scheduled meeting set for 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the commissioners' court on the second floor of the Putnam County Courthouse. Commissioners Don Walton, Jim Malayer and John Carson invite the public to a [tend.
Alcohol Beverage Board-Fay Scott; and Airport Board-Steve Brackney. Other appointments include: Health Board-Dr. Fred Haggerty; Cemetery’ Board-Marion Sears; Hospital BoardFrank Ross; Veterans’ Office-Bruce Albright: Highway supervisor-Robert Bain Jr.; Highway Department secretaries-Pat Sager and Wilma Davis; Planning Commission-John Neese; Jobs Training Act commissioners’ representative, Walton. Col. 1, back page, this section
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BERNARD HAAG 'lt's history now'
what it takes to run a school corporation. “You (the parents) are now aware of what it takes to get parents here (at school board meetings),” Haag explained. THE SUPERINTENDENT also urged people to take the opportunity to support the school system. “Let’s rally around a common cause," he said, “and that’s the child.” Haag acknowledged “there’s lovely people out there" and urged them to “take the responsibility to bring it all together.” The superintendent told the audience that he does not want to assume the role of a "lame duck” superintendent. "I HAVE GOT SIX months of work to do if the board lets me do it.” Haag concluded. “I want to earn the money you are giving me.”