Banner Graphic, Volume 13, Number 112, Greencastle, Putnam County, 18 January 1983 — Page 1

It was wagons ho for fourth-graders at Jones Elementary School in Greencastle Tuesday as Beta Psi Chapter of Tri Kappa brought in a minilesson covered wagon presentation to discuss decisions and problems encountered by pioneers. The presentation is an outreach program sponsored by the Indiana State Museum. Tri Kappa volunteers, represented Tuesday by Mrs. Bennett, have led fourth-graders in Greencastle and Cloverdale schools through the lesson, which includes choosing what to place on the wagon and what to leave behind. Youngsters participating at Jones included (from left) Don McCracken, James Wright, Chris Sillery, Rhonda Perry and Sam Ray. (Banner-Graphic photo by Rick Combs).

Madison Twp. site for renewal of Community Awareness meetings

After a several-month absence due to the primary and general elections, the Putnam County Community Awareness Program will make a reappearance Thursday night. Sponsored by the Putnam Prosecutor’s Office, the program is designed to bring law enforcement officials to the public, according to Prosecutor Delbert Brewer. THE 6:30 P.M. SESSION Thursday is scheduled primarily for Madison Township residents, but is open to anyone who desires more information about county law enforcement practices and policies, Brewer said. The meeting will be held in the Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department station on West Walnut Street Road, four miles west of Greencastle. Expected to comprise the panel are members of all local branches of law enforcement: New Sheriff Gerry Hoffa, making his first Community Awareness appearance: Prosecutor Brewer, Putnam Circuit Court Judge William C. Vaughn III; Putnam County Court Judge Sally Gray; Investigator Jack Hanlon of the Indiana State Police; Probation Officer John Stevens and David English, director of the Substance Abuse Program.

Love that weekend trend Clear and cold. Overnight low 5-10 above. Mostly sunny and continued cold on Wednesday. High Wednesday near 30. Chance of snow flurries through the period. No accumulation, however, is expected. Indiana Extended Forecast Cold Thursday followed by a warming trend Friday and Saturday. Mostly clear and cold Thursday. Warming and partly cloudy Friday and a chance of showers Saturday. Highs Thursday mostly in the 30s warming into the mid 40s to mid 50s by Saturday. Lows in the teens Thursday moderating into the mid 20s to low 30s by Saturday morning. Index Abby A 4 Calendar A 4 Classifieds A 9 Comics A 5 Crossword A 8 Heloise A 4 Horoscope A 9 Obituaries AlO People A 8 Sports A6,A7 TV A 5

Banner Graphic Putnam County, Tuesday, January 18, 1983, Vol. 13 No. 112 20 Cents

Brewer explained that the major portion of the meeting will be a question-and-answer format, with local residents having an opportunity to quiz officials on such topics as plea-bargain agreements, steps taken to defend one’s own property and more specific aspects of law enforcement and the judicial process. “1 FEEL THIS IS a good program." Brewer said, “because it makes public officials accountable...more accountable to the public. “We curtailed it a while due to the election because some of the questions had a tendency to get a little political, and that’s not what it’s designed for ” Madison is the final individual township to be visited by the panelists. Brewer would like to see the program continued, but with some changes. “WE WANT TO continue the concept of the public meetings,” the prosecutor said, citing poor attendance at some of the local sessions, “but we anticipate combining the township meetings into three overall meetings -- one in the south, one in the north and one in the central part of the county.”

Inmates enter court pleas

By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer Sentencing for two Indiana State Farm inmates who escaped from the correctional facility Friday morning is set for 9 a m. Monday, Jan. 24 in Putnam Circuit Court. Jerry Lee Eddings, 26, formerly of Indianapolis, pleaded guilty to escape during an initial hearing in Putnam Circuit Court Tuesday morning. The charge carries a maximum of two years imprisonment with an additional two years possible for aggravating circumstances. The court also ordered a pre-sentence report. Eddings’ sentence will run consecutively with his current 2>/ 2 -year term on burglary, theft and forgery convictions. AFTER THE COURT advised the defen-

South Putnam Board hears reports on school finance matters

The South Putnam School Board convened Monday night in its annual board of finance meeting, hearing brief reports of the corporation’s fund balances, outstanding debt and property tax rate for 1983. The 10-minute public meeting was preceded by a two-hour executive session during which the board reportedly discussed collective bargaining, personnel and legal matters. SUPT. JAMES HAMMOND reported that as of Jan. 1, the corporation’s various fund balances included: General fund.

Hoffa asks board member to resign

By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor Putnam County Sheriff Gerry Hoffa has called for the resignation of the newest member of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Merit Board, but the individual has declined. Hoffa. contacted via phone Tuesday morning, told the Banner-Graphic he had written Merit Board member Millard Vaughan last week, asking him to submit his resignation. VAUGHAN, A FORMER Putnam County sheriff’s deputy under former sheriff Jim Baugh, was appointed to the Merit Board as Baugh’s appointee to replace member Wayne Hopkins. Hopkins submitted his resignation to the Merit Board at its Dec. 21 meeting. Hopkins, who served as Merit Board president, cited conflicts with his work schedule and meeting dates as the'basis for his decision. Baugh, who was serving as Putnam County sheriff at that time, asked Merit Board members to accept Vaughan into its membership. Vaughan was also present at the Dec. 21 meeting. Voted in with unanimous approval, Vaughan will serve out the remainder of Hopkins’ term which is to expire on June 30. ALSO REORGANIZING Dec 21, the Merit Board elected Sam Hostetter as president and Terry Clifford as vice president. Greencastle attorney Rex Boyd remains as secretary. Completing the five-member Merit Board roster are Vaughan and R.V. Murphy of Cloverdale. (The R.V. Murphy on

dant of his rights, Eddings was asked to explain the circumstances surrounding his Jan. 14 escape from the facility’s grounds. Eddings, accompanied by courtappointed attorney Stephen Pierson, explained that he met fellow inmate William Suiters, 29, also formerly of Indianapolis, in the latter’s shop and both men walked down the hill together at approximately 7:45 a.m. Friday. Six hours later, the men were apprehended by State Farm officials at the Lone Star Industries plant at 1:40 p.m. SUITERS ENTERED a guilty plea to escape Monday morning in Putnam Circuit Court. His sentencing will also run consecutively with his penalties for burglary, forgery, theft, confinement and rape convictions.

$13,086 17; debt service fund, $10,187.87; cumulative building fund, $249,628.60, and transportation fund, $93,161.60. The superintendent also reported that funds donated by a Fillmore area sorority for playground equipment now total $594.86. That money is earning interest in a certificate of deposit until used for the equipment. South Putnam’s total long-term debt, the result of construction of the high school in the late 1960’5, is $2,675,093, Hammond said. The total includes an outstanding

the Merit Board is not Russell Murphy of Madison Township). Questioned Tuesday morning about the reason he asked Vaughan to resign. Hoffa answered, “Basically, 1 asked him to resign because I felt he was the most vocal person against me in the campaign. ” HOFF.VS “CAMP \IGN” reference was to the primary and general elections held last year when he ran against Jim Hendrich, a chief deputy under Baugh, for the sheriff’s seat. Hendrich remains with the sheriff’s department as a deputy. “It was not because he supported Jim Hendrich,” Hoffa said, “but it was more because of the things he (Vaughan) said about me during the campaign. I felt, because of that, it would be difficult for me to work with him on the Merit Board.” Hoffa has taken over the sheriff’s duties under a veil of controversy as he is faced with a lawsuit filed by former sheriff Baugh. THE LAWSUIT STEMS from action taken at the last Merit Board meeting when Baugh submitted his application to serve as a deputy, once Baugh’s term of office had expired on Jan. 1. Since Baugh served two four-year terms as Putnam County sheriff, state law prohibits him from seeking a third consecutive term. In the suit filed by Baugh’s attorney, Ken Elmendorf of Brownsburg, the sheriff contends he has a right to a deputy’s position as a vacancy was created with the resignation of deputy Dennis Oberkrom. Oberkrom’s resignation was read and acCol. 2, back page, this section

Sentencing for another Indiana State Farm inmate, Duane Webb, 26, is also set for Jan. 24 in Putnam Circuit Court. Webb, who originally faced a charge of battery with a deadly weapon (Class C felony) in connection with the stabbing of fellow inmate Daniel Harris, 28, during an Oct. 29 laundry room argument, pleaded guilty to criminal recklessness (Class D felony) during a change of plea hearing in Putnam Circuit Court Monday morning. A TRIAL BY JURY WAS originally scheduled for Jan. 17 after Webb had pleaded not guilty to the battery with a deadly weapon charge during an initial hearing Nov. 15. Webb is serving a 10-year term for burglary and a four-year term for theft. His original commitment began on March 4,1981.

balance of $2,181,562 owed to the Fort Wayne National Bank and $493,530 owed to the Indiana Common School Fund. THE CORPORATION’S payment to Fort Wayne National Bank in 1983 will be $150,402, the superintendent reported, while $53,369 will be repaid to the Common School Fund this year. South Putnam’s indebtedness to Fort Wayne National Bank on the present obligation will expire on June 27, 19%, while the Common School Fund loan will be repaid in full by January 1993. Hammond also noted a balance of

Work-release plan detailed for commissioners

By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor The Putnam County Commissioners called for the public and residents responded during the board’s first night meeting conducted Monday at the Putnam County Courthouse. Approximately 30 residents attended, although most were township trustees the commissioners had invited to the session. The major discussion related to the proposed formation of a county prisoner work-release program as detailed by Putnam Circuit Court Judge William C. Vaughn, Putnam County Court Judge Sally Gray and Putnam County Sheriff Gerry Hoffa. JUDGE VAUGHN BEGAN. “One of the complaints of the prisons, and one which is pretty well known, is overcrowding in the jails. There have been orders to decrease the populations. I suspect, as having a county jail, we will be asked to reduce that population.” The Circuit Court judge advised that Sheriff Hoffa has an interest in instituting such a program locally. “In Putnam County, it can get its start in the simplest fashion. We have the mechanics of the program set up.” Focus was then directed to a recent seminar attended by Probation Officer John Stevens and sheriff’s deputy Jim Hendrich last September. Judge Vaughn noted two officials participated in the program at Maryland for three days, which focused on a model pre-release cen ter located there. JUDGE VAUGHN ALSO added there is a representative available from a similarsized county in Kansas who can come to Putnam County to tell of its program. “Basically, our work-release program will be for the non-violent offender,” the judge emphasized. “This program will not be for the hardened criminal.” Through such a program, Judge Vaughn pointed out, a prisoner can be made to pay for his meals or lodging at the county jail, possibly apply his earnings to take care of child support responsibilities, make restitution to crime victims, pay court fines and costs, etc. “IT’S ALSO POSSIBLE that prisoners who don’t have a job can be made to work on public lands or other facilities in the county,” the judge added. The judges and Hoffa provided the commissioners with a copy of the statute pertaining to the formation of a work-release program. The statute reads: “A person confined in a county jail, upon conviction of a crime, may be required to: Perform general maintenance work and assist in providing other services essential to the administration of the facility or program; and work on public streets, highways, parks, and other public lands, buildings, or facilities within the county when such work is approved by resolution or ordinance of the board of county commissioners or the city-county council.” A question of liability was raised by the board and discussed by county attorney Robert Lowe. Lowe said he had checked with the county’s insurance representatives and found there to be basically no problem. However, Lowe did point out there are questions about workman’s compensation benefits. POINTING OUT FORMAL action for the work-release program’s inception would take a resolution by the commissioners, Judge Vaughn advised the commissioners to only show a vote of approval until all matters could be investigated before committing to the program. “Until you get all of the insurance information, we are just asking for your vote of confidence,” Judge Vaughn told the board. He added the commissioners should

$26,406 owed to First Citizens Bank for a loan used to purchase school buses. The note will be paid out on Jan. 1,1986. Turning his attention to the property tax rate payable this year, Hammond said the rate of $4.5% per SIOO of assessed valuation compares to $4.39 in effect last year. Elements of the current tax rate include $2,674 for the general fund, 68.9 cents for the debt service fund, 39.5 cents for the cumulative building fund and 83.8 for the transportation fund. SOUTH PUTNAM’S present tax rate is

Trespassing at old hospital Three juveniles were arrested over the past weekend by Greencastle Police and charged with trespassing at the old Putnam County Hospital, 330 Greenwood Ave., Greencastle. Deputy probation officer Paula Young said the juveniles were arrested Saturday by Sgt. Norm Varvel, after they were discovered on the roof of the old hospital. Two of the juveniles are 14 years of age, while the third is 15 years old. Miss Young said. The youths are residents of Cassida Drive, Meadow Drive and Route 3, Greencastle. The juveniles were said to have had no prior records. According to Miss Young, the three youths will be processed through the Putnam County Probation Office. Reportedly, they caused no damage to the structure.

know that Sheriff Hoffa will be in charge of the program. Adding input. Judge Gray said all legislation she has seen for OMVWI infractions includes mandatory jail sentences for first offenders. “I don't think we want to jeopardize a man s job for a twoweek jail sentence,” she said oi the possibility. SHERIFF HOFFA remarked the program will be applied in its basic form with a larger program possibly developing later, if the initial one is successful. “The program will be self-sufficient and there will be no cost to the county.” Hoffa emphasized. Although “not against” the program. Commissioner Jim Malayer said there were many questions in his mind about the program. Mainly, Malayer was concerned about prisoners escaping, how would provisions be made for meals while at work, the possible damage of county property, etc. Hoffa noted the decision of who goes out and participates in the program will be made at the discretion of himself, the two judges and the Putnam County Probation Office. “We will have a screening process,” he added, “and we will have a type of contract for the prisoners to sign. This will let them know if they attempt to leave, it will be ruled as an escape. “AS SHERIFF, I WILL have to provide the prisoners with meals. That’s what I’m paid for. We would fix up some type of sack lunches for them to take on the job. The prisoners would be under supervision. ” Hoffa also noted the sheriff's department did have a van titled to ‘he commissioners for the department’s use. which could be used to transport prisoners to work sites. Judge Gray interjected that the prisoners would be doing simple types of jobs that normally would not get done around the county, jobs such as picking up trash along county roads, clearing brush, etc. “We’re not talking about the prisoners taking jobs that other people could have,” she emphasized. “A prisoner shouldn’t have a job another person could do.” STARTING SUCH a program, according to Hoffa, would allow prisoners to meet obligations to the courts, to society and his own financial obligations. “The program will allow the prisoner to repay the county and to generate money into the county general fund,” Hoffa advised. “We could also require some type of weekly report showing where work was Col. 2, back page, this section

based on a 1983 assessed valuation of $23,590,650 for the four townships which comprise the corporation - Jefferson. Marion, Warren and Washington. The valuation figure is $89,440 less than the 1982 total. All five board members - Don Spencer, Lloyd Hayes, Sherman Hacker, David Landes and Ron Cook - attended the session. Landes was elected to serve as president of the board of finance for 1983, while Cook was elected secretary. Those offices are separate and distinct from the school board’s regular alignment.