Banner Graphic, Volume 15, Number 62, Greencastle, Putnam County, 14 November 1984 — Page 1

Novak tells his side in memo made public

By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer CLOVERDALE-Gary Novak wants his side told. Addressing a memorandum to parents, patrons and students of the Cloverdale community, the Cloverdale Junior-Senior High School principal (who was reassigned to the superintendent’s office as a result of board action Nov. 5), told the Banner-Graphic Tuesday afternoon that he wanted to respond to “some of the more damaging statements that have been made against me.” “Professional people of the world know there are two sides,” Novak prefaced his prepared statement, “but they only heard one side. The other side is interestingvery interesting.” TIRED OF BEING “misrepresented and lied about,” Novak said he was urged by people in the community to respond to

March 18 completion date still target for new elementary

By LARRY GIBBS Banner-Graphic Publisher A construction management representative said Tuesday night the South Putnam School Corporation’s Central Elementary School still can be completed by March 18, but he acknowledged potential problems created by the rapid approach of colder weather. “Winter coming on is our biggest problem,” said Gary Chambers, project manager for Geupel DeMars, the firm hired to oversee the work of various contractors working on the 32,500-square-foot school. “We need to get the building enclosed and turn on some heat inside so we can do interior work. ” COMMENTING DURING a special meeting of the South Putnam School Board, Chambers said one major step - installation of a roof on the gymnasium - should be completed by the end of next week. But he said the first group of windows for the school is not scheduled to arrive until the last week of November and the second batch not until mid-December. Delivery of doors is not expected until the building is virtually complete. In order for heat to be turned on, Chambers said contractors will erect temporary door closures. The school board supplemented those plans Tuesday night by unanimously authorizing installation of temporary window coverings. As soon as the building is completely enclosed, heat pumps on the roof will be activated. ARCHITECT PAUL PEARSON, representing James Associates of Indianapolis, the firm that designed the school, agreed with Chambers that it is important to begin heating the building as soon as possible. Pearson estimated that at least a week of heating will be required before the building is dried out sufficiently to permit painting. Chambers added that interior drywall and plaster work could not be begun until a constant temperature of 55 degrees is assured. , One specific problem discussed Tuesday night is the accumulation of mud in the area where a slab of concrete is to be poured to support the gymnasium floor. “There is no real solution until we get the roof on,” Chambers said, repeating the prediction that it will be installed by the end of next week. “Even after the roof is on, we’ve got to get rid of water in the gym area, then remove all of that muck and rework the grade so we can proceed with pouring the (concrete) slab in December.” BOARD MEMBERS, CONCERNED

Breezing along for awhile

Mild overnight with low in the mid 40s, with a 20 per cent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, breezy and mild on Thursday with a 30 per cent chance of rain developing. High in the upper 50s to near 60. Southwesterly winds at 10-20 mph Indiana Extended Weather Chance of rain Friday and Saturday. Lows in the middle 30s to the lower 40s with highs from the middle 40s to the 50s. Clearing and colder Sunday with lows from the upper 20s to the middle 30s with highs in the 40s.

Banner Graphic Greencastle, Putnam County, Wednesday, November 14,1984, Vol. 15 No. 62 25 Cents

recent verbal attacks lodged by some parents, former and current teachers of the school and students. The “more damaging statements” referred to in Novak’s memo were made by parents Sharon Dunigan, Judy Martin and student Dawn Back. Dunigan and Martin addressed a meeting of “concerned parents of Cloverdale” Oct. 30, while Back appeared at a Nov. 5 school board meeting to offer her comments. Dunigan, who has two children enrolled in the junior-senior high school alleged that her daughter Robyn was harrassed during the process of enrolling her in a Latin class at South Putnam High School and that she experienced much difficulty working with administrators in completing the process. In his memo, Novak said he was approached with the initial request last spring, and a conference was held at that

about the amount of mud already in the gymnasium area and the time required to dry the ground after the roof is on, asked what expense might be involved in removing the mud and replacing it with a layer of dry fill dirt. “Off the top of my head, I think you could easily be talking $4,000 to $5,000 to remove the muck and put in fill (dirt),” Chambers said. He said a sump pump will be used to remove as much surface water as possible to stimulate drying. The project’s roofing contractor, Chambers said, has indicated that delays in getting the gymnasium roof installed were caused by the unavailability of roofing membrane. However, the board expressed skepticism and discussed steps that could be taken if a contractor were found to be at fault for allowing the mud problem to develop. “PERSONALLY,” SAID BOARD vice president Don Spencer, “I would support withholding of payment to a contractor if that contractor was found to be responsible for the gym mud and won’t pay to correct it.” No decisions were made, but Chambers said he would closely monitor efforts to dry out the gym area and would report to the board. “Do you think the completion date (March 18) is still realistic?” asked board member Sherman Hacker. “At this time, there is still a probability it can be met,” Chambers answered. “THE MOST IMPORTANT thing,” Hacker added, “is to get a roof on the gym and get that mud out of there. The mud just has to go - that’s all there is to it. ” The school corporation plans to use the annual spring vacation week next March to transfer furniture and equipment from Belle Union Elementary into the new school. Current plans call for Belle Union pupils then to report to the Central Elementary, located adjacent to South Putnam High School, after spring break. Tentative plans also call for dedication of the new building on the first Sunday in May. In one other brief item of business, the board approved the naming of Robert Gaddis as assistant varsity wrestling coach. The appointment was made on the recommendation of Athletic Director James Huter. JOINING SPENCER AND Hacker at Tuesday night’s meeting were board members Sandra Langston, Ron Cook and David Landes. Supt. James Hammond also was present.

Index Abby A 4 Calendar A 4 Classifieds All Comics A 5 Crossword AlO Farm A6.A7 Heloise A 4 Horoscope All Obituaries Al 2 People A 5 Sports A8,A9,A10 TV’ A 5 Theaters Al 2

time. “MR. DUNIGAN WAS asked to evaluate the contents of the conference,” Novak stated, “and let us know what they wanted to do. He let us know within a couple of days that Latin was still in the picture.” Novak said he told the student’s father that he would call South Putnam and try to get the class arranged but “that the position of the superintendent was we would not pay the transfer tuition.” “I, in fact, called Mr. (Ken) Tilford (South Putnam principal),” Novak continued, “and Robyn was scheduled into Latin last spring for this year.” The subsequent board action, Novak added, “was not to keep Robyn from going to South Putnam but was to deny paying transfer tuition.” CURRICULUM WAS the subject of another dispute. Novak did not mention the parent by name in his response ex-

Student members of DePauw University's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi are doing some sprucing up to get ready for the Society's allday visit to Greencastle and DePauw Friday. Cleaning the Founders' Plaque on the side of East

Higher sewage rates long time in coming

By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer CLOVERDALE-Higher sewer rates may be a surprise to some. But to others like utility manager Don Thomas, the newly proposed Cloverdale sewer rates were 10 years in the making. That’s how old the present sewer treatment plant is and that’s how old the current rates are. The sewer rates proposed at the Tuesday evening meeting of the Cloverdale Board of Trustees are a result of a study conducted by a finance committee whose members were board member Bill Whiting, former trustee Harley Janssen, Thomas, clerk-treasurer Ruby Barnett and Bob Loos, accountant, First National Bank of Cloverdale. Presumably anticipating some public alarm over the higher rates, trustee Whiting explained that the committee investigated three or four options and the proposal was the “best of the evils.” THE PROBLEM APPEARS to be, Whiting explained, that the water department has been subsidizing the sewer department since the plant was built to the tune of $20,000 a year. “It’s a regretful thing,” Whiting said, explaining the rate hike, “but it’s a necessity.” Figures for the past 2V 2 years indicate that the water department has been paying for sewage indebtedness at an increasing rate. “In 1982, the water company transferred $16,789 to the sewage department Thomas said, quoting figures on a spread sheet, “and in 1984 for the first six months, that figure is $5,101.” BOTH DEPARTMENTS are required to have depreciation accounts to pay for replacement of major machinery. In the

plaining only that the parent stated her child was not allowed to take algebra as an eighth-grader this year. “When she enrolled her son, we had no permanent records,” he explained. “She was told because the school had established certain criteria for advanced placement, we would not place him in algebra until we could establish that the criteria could be met.” Novak said the child was enrolled in high school algebra when all the permanent records and recommendation were received. THE CHS ADMINISTRATOR responded to allegations made by Judy Martin that her son Tony was harrassed when she attempted to enroll him in a private school Martin said her son had “many personal problems” that were compounded “by pressures in school.” Additionally, Martin alleged that Novak threatened to file

College are Julie Anderson, Barrington, 111., and Jim Simonian, Waukegan, 111. The Society was founded by 10 DePauw students in 1909 and will celebrate its 75th anniversary at its convention in Indianapolis and at DePauw Nov. 1417.

past, very little has been set aside in the sewage depreciation account and the water depreciation account has been helping to keep the sewage department afloat, Thomas explained. “We anticipated maybe cutting the water rates,” Thomas added, “but I don’t think that’s possible at this time.” Large repair bills due to poor maintenance in the past has also been blamed for the present predicament. Add to the situation a sewer treatment plant that is not operating at capacity and the result is some startling increases in an effort to play catch-up. “The plant has a capacity of treating 700,000 gallons daily,” Thomas explained, “but it’s only treating 150,000 gallons.” WHITING ADDED THAT the plant was built with the development of Stardust Hills in mind. When the project went defunct, the town was left with a large sewage plant and a low tax base to support it. “If the number of users increases,” Whiting explained, “I can see no reason that we cannot amend the ordinance in the future and lower the rates.” Right now, however, the monkey will be on the back of Cloverdale taxpayers. The utility manager used a print-out of customers to give the board a sample of how the increase will impact individual bills. “The more the usage,” Thomas explained, “the less the percentage of increase.” A HOUSEHOLD IN WHICH 4,600 gallons of sewage is treated and which currently pays $7.31 a month for the service will pay $11.97 for the same amount. This represents a 63 per cent increase, Thomas said. Col. 4, back page, this section

charges of truancy if she did not enroll her son in school while waiting the transfers to the special program. “Both the welfare department and her son’s counselor from mental health assumed her son was in school,” Novak responded, “when I brought it to their attention two weeks after school started that he was not enrolled.” Novak said it was through their (welfare department and mental health) consultation that “Tony was directed to be in school.” “It was indicated that the boy’s problems did not revolve around the school,” Novak added. “Mrs. Martin was very uncooperative to say the least regarding getting Tony in school and keeping him there until he withdrew to attend a private school.” THE LAST ALLEGATIONS responded Col. 4, back page, this section

Council looking ahead at traffic

By ERIC BERNSEE Banner-Graphic Managing Editor Traffic in the year 1990. That’s what the Greencastle City Council was asked to think about Tuesday night. Councilman Larry Taylor, calling it “sad” that a $25,000 transportation survey conducted in 1980 was never seriously considered, requested that a special hearing be given to present the elements of that study to the public a second time. The study was conducted by Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates, Evansville, and presented to the City Council in February 1981. The major recommendations called for one-way pairs to be made of the Jackson and Indiana street, and Franklin and Washington street corridors. Such a move would require not only state approval and financing, but the purchase of three pieces of local property. THE ONLY ELEMENTS OF the traffic survey actually implemented were the removal of stopsigns along Franklin Street to allow better traffic flow to and from the East Side. “We tried to implement all the feasible elements we could at a minimal cost,” explained Second Ward Councilman John Stevens, the lone member of the present Council in office at the time the study was presented. The traffic survey has resurfaced in importance, Taylor said, because of an urban design plan being conducted by architects hired by Main Street Greencastle. Without an idea of how the traffic around the square will be moving in the future, that design cannot be completed accurately, Taylor said. “I WOULD LIKE TO suggest at the earliest possible time the Council review the plan and determine if it can be implemented by 1990,” Taylor, president of Main Street Greencastle, said. “It’s said that sum of money (a federalstate grant of $25,000) was spent and that extensive a study was done to now only sit on our shelves.” Taylor said he suggested the special session to determine which direction the present Council would like to go with the study...“or put it back on the shelf.” Stevens explained that part of the reason the study was done was to give the city leverage with the state in regard to what could or couldn’t be done, especially in regard to changes affecting traffic on U.S. 231 and State Road 240. THE COUNCIL AGREED at a 7 p.m. special session on Thursday, Dec. 6 at City Hall. Downtown merchants and others directly involved are especially encouraged to attend. More detailed information will be announced prior to that meeting. In a related move, the Council selected three applicants as candidates to be interviewed for the role of consultants on the Southern Highway project that would link Manhattan Road with State Road 240 by use of the abandoned Penn Central Railroad right-of-way. The Council agreed with two of the Board of Works’ recommendations-Bernardin-Lochmueller and Associates, Evansville, and Howard, Needles, Tarnman and Bergendoff, Indianapolis. A third prospect from the field of eight--Reid, Quebe, Allison, Wilcox and Associates, Indianapolis, was selected, however, instead of MHM, South Bend. Councilman Robert Sedlack pushed for that change, pointing toward MHM’s continued reference to the highway project as a bridge project. THE LONGEST DISCUSSION of the night involved a Greencastle Civic League request to close a portion of U.S. 231 (the

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GARY NOVAK Responds to allegations

$126,500 cuts in city budget The City of Greencastle got some bad news at Tuesday's City Council meeting ... $126,500 worth of bad news. That’s the amount the City Council will have to pare from its original $1.4 million 1985 budget, Clerk-Treasurer Janice Inman told the group THE STATE BOARD of Tax Com missioners, she said, has made its final review of the Greencastle budget, ordering a $58,826 cut in the General Fund and a $67,726 reduction in the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund. “Can you appeal it?” Third Ward Councilman John Stevens asked. “To who, the Lord,” replied mayor pro tern Bobby Albright, alluding to the fact that the city has had no luck in past years appealing State Board of Tax Commissioners-ordered cuts. By trimming the $126,552 from the city’s budget, the state has also whittled the city tax rate from a proposed 1985 figure of $2.75 per SIOO assessed valuation to $1,963. THE WORST PART of the cuts, Mrs. Inman told the Banner-Graphic Wednesday, is that the MVH Fund represents the Street Department's budget. It was originally submitted as $188,526.20 ($108,866 of which is personal services -- salaries and benefits). The Street Department had hoped for capital outlays of $12,000 for a new backhoe and $2,000 for a roller. Those now appear in jeopardy. “It’s just like two years ago,” the clerk said, recalling how the Street Department’s proposed 1983 budget was virtually wiped out by the state. “It’s the Council’s decision, of course, but we’ll probably have to go for additional (additional appropriations) of federal revenue sharing money .” THE $58,826 MUST BE cut from a total proposed General Fund budget of $966,105.

west side of the square) during its 45minute tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 3. The Council amended that request, permitting the north and east side of the square to be closed to traffic (as they were during the recent Gaelic Festival). Closing the requested section of U.S. 231, Police Chief Jim Hendrich noted, would require about 30 men working overtime hours to man the barricades and rerout traffic. Safety would be compromised, he said, with semi traffic being rerouted at night (5:30-7:30 p.m. was requested) through residential areas. Hendrich said he and his men would assist during the downtown ceremony by stopping traffic briefly during the actual tree-lighting and while choirs were crossing the street to perform. IN OTHER BUSINESS, the Council: ♦Received a rough draft of an agreement between the city, county and Operation Life regarding central dispatch. City Attorney Jerald Calbert prepared the contract and hopes to have a response from the county, OL and a consensus of the City Council in advance of the December meeting. Albright said he would like to see the plan implemented by Jan. 1. Calbert’s rough draft does not include any mention of the OL-operated paging service. The paging service generates apCol. l, back page this section