Banner Graphic, Volume 15, Number 9, Greencastle, Putnam County, 13 September 1984 — Page 1

With building trades instructor Dan Miller (middle, rear) keeping a watchful eye, Putnam County Area Vocational School students pour the foundation of a home the class is constructing this year on South Indiana Street in Greencastle. All four Putnam County high schools are represented on the construction project. The two-bedroom, 1,000 square-foot home is being built on contract for Percy Snyder, who plans to use it as a rental, Miller said. Persons desiring work done by the building trades students should contact the Vocational School in the spring to get on next year's list. (Ban-ner-Graphic photo by Bob .V^.V^ Frazierl '

No simple future trash needs remedy, Zeiner says

By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor It’s only a matter of time before county and city residents will have to pay to have their trash hauled outside Putnam County limits, although work is now under way to extend the life of the present landfill, according to Putnam County Sanitarian Vernie Zeiner. The problem is not a new one for county officials. Four years ago, the commissioners were told the present landfill, located southwest of Greencastle near Limedale, would soon be filled to capacity. But county officials have just now started taking a hard look at the alternatives, especially since the board was told Aug. 6

Rev. McKnight takes over 9 p \££'- j p • . as hospital s new chaplain

By DAVID BARR Banner-Graphic Civic Affairs Editor Putnam County Hospital Board of trustees Wednesday night ratified the appointment of Rev. Theodore P. (Ted) McKnight as part-time chaplain. The appointment had been made earlier by the Putnam County Chaplaincy, and the work will be supported by churches and individuals of the county. Previously, chaplaincy service had been provided on volunteer basis by pastors of the county on a rotation schedule. A reception for the new chaplain will be held Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. at the hospital. REV. McKNIGHT COMES to the local hospital after completing his internship at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Other experience includes being student chaplain at Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital. Holding his master’s degree in adult education from Indiana University, he had earlier received his master of divinity degree from Oberlin College Graduate School of Theology.

Half-baked, half-wet

A 50 per cent chance of thundershowers developing this evening and overnight. Turning cooler with an overnight low in the upper 50s to low 60s after a daytime high around 90. Mostly cloudy and cool on Friday with a 20 per cent chance of mainly afternoon thundershowers. High around 80. Indiana Extended Weather A dry and unseasonably cool period Saturday through Monday. Highs in the mid 60s and mid 70s.

Banner Graphic Greencastle, Putnam County, Thursday, September 13, 1984, Vol. 15 No. 9 25 Cents

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the landfill would be closed by the State Board of Health in December because there is no more room for refuse. DURING ATTEMPTS TO look at all the alternatives, the commissioners authorized county Surveyor Alan Stanley to begin procedures to amend the plan at the present site, hoping the State Board of Health will extend the permit to July 1, 1985. “I think we will be trying to extend the area for fill on south,” Zeiner advised the Banner-Graphic Thursday via phone. With State Board of Health officials making inspections at the present site, Zeiner believes there is no reason state officials would not approve the extension.

The new chaplain holds a B.A. degree in sociology from Alfred University in New York and has done linguistic and mission studies at the Hartford Seminary Foundation. Rev. McKnight has served as a consultant in Adult Education with the Indiana State Department of Public Instruction and was missionary pastor/educator for the board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in New York and in this capacity worked among migratory mine workers in South Africa. HE HAS HELD PASTORATES in the Methodist Church at Whitesville, N.Y., North Bingham, Pa., and in Oberlin, Ohio. In other hospital board activities Wednesday night, the board approved purchase of 62 new mattresses at about SBO each. This item had been budgeted earlier. Hospital Executive Director John D. Fajt reported that a change in the pension plan to conform with new federal regulations will be executed. Col. 1, back page, this section

Abby A 4 Bridge B 2 Calendar A 4 Classifieds 82.83 Comics A 6 Crossword B 2 Editorials A 7 Horoscope B 3 Obituaries A 8 People A 6 Sports 81.84 TV A 6 Theaters AS Worry Clinic B 2

But that allows for only a temporary solution, the sanitarian added. County officials, who have also asked for input from city representatives, still must decide how Putnam County will dispose of its trash. And, according to Zeiner, that question is not an easy one to answer. But, he stressed, a decision must be made as soon as possible. So far, the county has investigated the possibility of subsidizing a priviate individual to operate a new landfill, or subsidizing a company to construct and operate a transfer station. WHATEVER METHOD is chosen, it will still take at least a couple of years to receive State Board of Health approval. “If they can’t come up with a proposal, or

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IBM GREENCASTLE: To mark 30 years in local comm unity with public occasion Saturday

Open house set at IBM this Saturday

IBM Greencastle is opening its doors to the community this Saturday, Sept. 15 for an open house. The public is invited to help celebrate “Thirty Years Together” from 11 a m to 5 p.m. Fourteen tour points highlight the schedule, including several professional business displays. Visitors may choose which displays to see along a self-guided tour route which includes the IBM 4730 Banking Machine, the IBM Persona! Computer demonstrations, and the Leonardo da Vinci Technology exhibit. A live, musical look at the history, present parts distribution mission and the tour points is a special presentation to acquaint the crowd with the changing environment at IBM Green-

Greencastle turns corner on enrollment decline

By LARRY GIBBS Banner-Graphic Publisher A decade-long enrollment decline within the Greencastle Community Schools Corp. appears to have bottomed out, the school board was told Wednesday night. Supt. James Peck, citing statistical data collected on Sept. 1, said the corporation has a total 1984-85 enrollment of 1,807, a decrease of only four from the same date a year ago. The nearly identical figures over a 12-month period are a marked change from the losses of previous years, during which Greencastle’s overall student count dropped from a high of 2,629 in 1970-71. WHAT’S MORE, THE 151 kindergarten pupils enrolled this fall represent the largest class in the corporation. “I believe we’ve turned the corner on our enrollment decline,” Peck told the board. “In fact, I think we’re going to see some increase over the next few years.” Greencastle presently has 832 elementary students, where the average class size is 22.1, down from last year’s 23.3. There are 414 students in grades six, seven and eight at the middle school and 561 at the high school. AT THE FIRST-GRADE level, where the corporation increased its number of classes from five to eight as part of the state’s Project Primetime, four classes have 18 pupils each, while four others have 17 each. Goal of the program, in which the state provides a maximum of SIB,OOO for the hiring of each additional teacher needed, is to restrict class sizes to an average of no more than 18 students. Early next year, the school board will decide whether or not to expand Greencastle’s participation in Project

a new site, the county will have to take its trash someplace,” Zeiner pointed out. “We would have no alternative but to haul.” If that comes to being, county-and city residents as well-may have to foot the bill for trash removal. “The county is not regulated by law to take care of people’s trash,” Zeiner related, “and neither is the city. But, both boards said they feel they have an obligation to the people. Trash is everybody’s problem.” In trying to find a viable solution, the commissioners invited proposals at the board’s Aug. 20 meeting. Among the suggestions voiced was a proposal by current landfill operator Bayard Allen,

castle. “WE ARE PLEASED to celebrate the 30th anniversary with the community because our 30 years together have been successful. The business has changed significantly and we want the people in the local area to see and understand what has been happening here,” Bob Holum, site manager, emphasized. Just five years ago, IBM Greencastle was celebrating its silver anniversary with an open house. Then, it was supporting a dual mission as a materials distribution center and a producer of paper products and data processing cards. Now, the “new’ mission is fully operational and the public will be able to see and tour the automated warehouse, under con-

Primetime to include both first and second grade in 1985-86. If that does happen, the present five second-grade classes will be increased-probably to eight, as was the case with first grade this year--and additional teachers hired with funds provided by the state. Over the course of a four-year timetable set by the state, corporations which participate in Project Primetime may reduce class sizes in the first, second and third grades, then, in the final year, kindergarten. Although the state allows as much as SIB,OOO for each additional teacher hired to achieve the lower pupil levels per room, corporations must bear the cost of related expenses, including any remodeling or new construction needed to create additional classroom space. THE ENROLLMENT REPORT presented by Peck showed 140 in first grade this fall, 113 in second grade, 129 in third grade, 126 in fourth grade, 113 in fifth grade and 60 elementary special education students. By building, the totals include 254 at Jones, 294 at Northeast and 284 at Ridpath. At the middle school, there are 130 in sixth grade, 127 in seventh grade, 123 in eighth grade and 34 special education pupils. The high school’s enrollment of 561 includes 119 freshmen, 143 sophomores, 129 juniors, 132 seniors and 38 special education students. IN OTHER ACTION during Wednesday night’s regular monthly meeting, board members heard a report from Mrs. Janett Boling, the corporation’s director of special projects, who outlined for an after-school enrichment program. Entering its second year, the series will offer

who said has been investigating opening his own landfill on the Vermillion property just south of the present site. ALLEN EVEN TOOK HIS request to the Greencastle Zoning Board of Appeal’s Sept. 4 meeting at City Hall. At the public session, Allen related his plans, cited as the first step in the process of securing state approval for a sanitary landfill. Allen was lauded by Zoning Board attorney Rob Bremer for his initiative to come before the panel, saying he could have gone just a few yards further from the city limits and not be required to receive board approval for a landfill. But the Zoning Board, after hearing the plans, tabled any decision, inviting input

struction during the 1979 open house. On May 31, 1978, IBM Greencastle announced plans for a 130,000 squarefoot expansion of the site to accommodate a computer controlled automated material handling system Just six years later, those plans have been carried out as the Field Systems Support Center (FSSC) plays a major role in the mission change at the site. “OUR PEOPLE HAVE demon strated they have the ability to change and adapt to the environment. Our new mission has been an exciting one and we hope the Greencastle community will take this opportunity to share in our excitement,” Holum said. Change has been a way of Life for local IBMers since the dedication

special instruction in 10 course areas. Classes will meet one afternoon per week for periods ranging from four to 12 weeks. Scheduled for enrollment beginning Sept. 17 on a first-come, first-served basis, subject areas will include graphic communications, computer time, science exploration, creative Christmas gifts, mythology, “Meet the Winners: Newberry Award Books,”, drawing basics, creative mathematics, pre-driving and safety and beginning French. Each course is earmarked for specific grade levels and there will be a $5 registration fee per student. Complete information about the enrichment program is being sent home with students Thursday, Mrs. Boling said. THE BOARD ALSO HEARD a report from Principal Jim Church, who outlined the high school’s new seventh period independent study program. “I know of no other high school that has a program like this,” said Church, explaining that the independent study concept developed in the wake of a state requirement that the school day be lengthened by 30 minutes. Last year’s day of six periods, each 55 minutes, has been changed to seven periods of 50 minutes each. During seventh period, students may pursue study in a subject area of their choice. All total, there are 18 course offerings, ranging from agriculture to computers and from foreign languages to physical fitness. Students also have the option of using the seventh period as a study hall supervised by a teacher in a particular subject area. Col. 1. back page, this section

from county officials before making a determination, especially in light of a 48signature petition from area landowners (who live nearby the present site), who object to Allen’s plans. AT THE COMMISSIONERS’ Aug. 20 meeting, the panel also heard from Jerry Tinsman, Robin Fisher and Leo Leach, all representing the Superior Sanitation Co., Farmland. All three recommended the county consider a transfer station, noting they have built and operated several throughout Indiana and other states. One county that close that method of trash removal is Parke County, according to Auditor Roger Fisher, also contacted Col. 3, back page, this section

ceremony on Oct. 30,1954. In its early mission, the plant was a center for modifying and reconditioning electric accounting machines and its subsequent role was in the production and shipment of data processing cards. In the 19705, production was expanded to include business machine ribbons and magnetic media products. Now. the Greencastle facility stores and ships maintenance parts for IBM products throughout the United States and abroad. Technology plays a major role as storage and retrieval is achieved through five automated systems. Visitors to the open house should enter through the new west entrance off State Road 240. The tour begins in the main lobby.