Banner Graphic, Volume 15, Number 276, Greencastle, Putnam County, 12 July 1985 — Page 1
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PATTY BROWN Fair queen hopeful
Queen hopeful Patty Brown loves animals By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer At 16, Putnam County Fair Queen candidate Patty Brown, daughter of Robert and Deloris Brown, is a wellseasoned traveler. The daughter of an IBM executive, Miss Brown has lived in Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, Florida and Indiana. “I have a special interest in meeting new people and observing the different lifestyles and cultures,” the Greencastle High School junior explained. ALTHOUGH IT'S hard to leave friends behind, Miss Brown said her family often visits old acquaintences during their travels. A horse enthusiast, she owns a purebred Arabian named Badeeha and is secretary of the 4-H Horse and Pony Club. She also is involved in the Putnam County Saddle Club and enjoys long trail rides, as well as competitive events. Horsing around also gives Miss Brown valuable experience toward her future goals. She plans to be a veterinarian and hopes to attend Purdue University upon her high school graduation. Active in high school, she is a member of the Spanish Club and Pep Club and plans to join the Key Club in the fall. Besides her equestrian pursuits, she lists ballet, water skiing, boating, bowling and creating a wardrobe as her interests. ALTHOUGH SHE had beer, thinking about competing in the July 27 pageant, Miss Brown said her mother really convinced her to finally take the step. ‘‘She (her mother) has been wanting me to go to modeling school,” Miss Brown explained, “and I thought this would be a good experience for me.” The fair queen hopeful added, “Running for fair queen would allow me to meet new people and be involved with all the animals during the fair.”
Sunny, hot on Saturday Tonight partly cloudy with a 20 per cent chance of thundershowers. Low around 70. Light southeast wind. Saturday partly sunny and hot. High in the lower 90s. A 20 per cent chance of thundershowers. Extended Forecast Sunday through Tuesday: Partly cloudy Sunday through Tuesday, with a chance of thundershowers in the north Monday and statewide Tuesday. Highs mostly in the 80s with lows in the 60s & Abby A 3 Calendar A 3 Church A 4 Comics As Crossword A * Heloise Aa Horoscope As People AS Sports A6.A7 TV A 5
Banner Graphic Greencastle, Putnam County, Friday, July 12,1985, Vol. 15 No. 276 25 Cents
Housing Authority seeks landlords for subsidized program
By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer The Greencastle Housing Authority (GHA) is accelerating its search for landlords interested in participating in the Section 8 Existing Housing Program, which offers fair-market rents subsidized through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds. Housing board members learned during their monthly meeting Thursday evening that local landlords are reluctant customers whose images of government inefficiency have made it difficult to find family units for qualified applicants. “AS SOON AS THE PERSON comes to the door and says ‘government program' the landlord flat turns them down,” GHA executive director Max Johnson told the board. “A lot of people cannot explain the program well, and that’s what happens.” Different from the Castlebury I housing program, the existing program requires income-eligible applicants to search for existing housing units within the jurisdiction of the GHA. Applicants have 60 days to find a home before their certification expires and they must return to the bottom of the waiting list. Those persons whose certifications have expired must reapply to the program if an extension is not granted. “I have one person whose certification expired and 1 have an extension, Johnson reported. “Three people reapplied.” JOHNSON HAS PROPOSED a series of public-relations ads to boost the image of the program and spark interest in landlords to rent to program participants. “I think we’re going to have to appeal to the landlord,” Johnson suggested. “I get almost no response from letters I send.” The executive director said he is disap-
$111,715 approved for State Farm athletic field
The State Budget Committee has approved release of $111,715 for construction of a new athletic field at the Indiana State Farm near Putnamville, according to state Rep. John Thomas (R-Brazil). Another athletic field is needed, Thomas said, because the present one will be the site of a new vocation/education building and a 400-man dormitory. Development of the new six-acre athletic field, to be located due west and adjoining the existing field site, will provide facilities for baseball, softball, football,
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The Putnam County Courts Substance Abuse Treatment Program (PCCSATP) is under the new leadership of Director Susan Hirt and administrative assistant Martin Mishler, both of Greencastle.
pointed with the percentage of placements but conceded he may have set his goals too high. HUD, Johnson told the board, is not worried about the placement problem. “I explained where we were,” Johnson said, referring to his contact with HUD. “They said as long as you have units rented in 9-12 months, it was okay.” Johnson said families are having particular diffculty finding landlords who will accept children. WE’VE RENTED ONE threebedroom,” the executive director told the board. “They’re very scarce. You can just pick up the paper and all of the ads say no children and no pets.” In addition, Johnson said the problem is compounded by the flooding of the market. “The landlords were independent before the program and are even more independent now,” he added. Board president John Stouder asked Johnson where families are living who have been unsuccessful in finding housing. “A percentage of people are living with someone else,” Johnson answered. “They live in apartments too small for the family.” STEREOTYPING OF program applicants, Johnson hinted, also is a problem. “Some don’t want to rent to ‘this class of people,”’ he offered. “And they also see the government as inefficient and always late with the money.” Johnson said the bulk of the paperwork for the program is completed by the GHA office, which is a selling point for participation. Board secretary Marge Smith agreed with Johnson’s suggestion to buy some ad vertising and suggested personal followup letters would be appropriate.
basketball, track and horse shoe pitching. Handball and miniature golf are to be added soon. The complex will include a bleacher section and restroom facilities. The vocation/education building and dormitory are being constructed on the existing athletic field, the State Budget Committee said, because it is the only practical site available that would keep inmate activities within a secure perimeter adjoining the main building compound as well as a close proximity to required utilities.
The program, funded totally via client fees, was initiated in 1979 by Putnam Circuit Judge William C. Vaughn 111. It is now operated by Putnam County Court under the direction of Judge Sally Gray.
Detective Richard Lyon of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department inspects the evidence tag on a Wheel Horse tractor from Evens Implement June 20 but recovered this past weekend. The theft is one of three
Lawn equipment thefts here not part of five-county network
By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer A central Indiana burglary and theft ring which has netted thieves some $125,000 worth of lawn and garden equipment has officials of Hendricks, Hamilton, Boone, Johnson and Morgan counties baffled In Hendricks County alone, local dealers have lost valuable implements to the tune of $70,000 and no end is in sight. This week, Hendricks County police appealed to the Crime Stoppers Program, offering a SI,OOO reward for information leading to the arrest or indictment of the culprits. To date, none of the implements have found their way back home. HERE IN PUTNAM COUNTY the problem is more isolated and is said to be unrelated to the five-county ring. But two of the three local victims of implement thefts are sleeping better this week, as both the suspected thieves and the stolen equipment have been corralled. Putnam County Sheriff’s Department detective Richard Lyon has spent 14-hour days scrutinizing those who occupy this summer’s lawn equipment victim list— Evens Implement, June 20, a Wheel Horse tractor and mower deck valued at over $3,000; Basil Masterson, rural Cloverdale,
Faces new but mission's same in substance abuse treatment
By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor Some of the faces may have changed, but the philosophies haven’t with new administrative appointees in the Putnam County Courts Substance Abuse Treatment Program (PCCSATP). Mrs. Susan Hirt, 204 Hillsdale Ave., Greencastle, administrative assistant to former Director Bernie Burns, was elevated to program director July 1. She is joined by Martin Mishler, a 1975 graduate of Greencastle High School, who now serves as administrative assistant. MRS. HIRT IS A FAMILIAR face to the court-related program, beginning her association with PCCSATP in February 1983 Prior to that time, she worked in a profession closely connected with the legal system. “I had been a legal secretary for seven years and then came the opportunity to take the administrative assistant’s job with PCCSATP,” Mrs. Hirt recalls. “Actually, I’ve sort of always been a frustrated social worker. I’ve always wanted to work in the social services area because I enjoy working with people.” As PCCSATP’s current director, Mrs. Hirt is enthusiastic about continuing programs and services to reach those in need. “I hope to involve our community resources even more," she noted. “And with our educational services, I hope to utilize some of the expertise we have right here in the county as guest speakers,” Mrs. Hirt added A majority of the program’s work locally is based on referrals to local agencies such as Cummins Mental Health, the Putnam County Mental Health Association and Alcoholics Anonymous.
recent incidents in which expensive lawn and garden equipment was taken. This particular tractor with mower deck is valued at approximately $3,000.
June 16, lawn mower, weedeater and chain saw valued at approximately $300; and, Devin Dudley, rural Greencastle, John Deere 11 horsepower tractor valued at $2,500. Facing theft charges are Gregory A. Howlett, 21, Route 5, Greencastle; Charles Kallner, 18,14 Beveridge St., Greencastle. and Timothy Calvert, 23, Cloverdale. DETECTIVE LYON calls lawn and garden equipment thefts “one of the easiest crimes to commit.” Tis the season for mowers, tractors and accessories to suspicously leave open fields and unlocked barns, where they are often stored by unsuspecting owners. “I can take you around this county,” Det. Lyon told the Banner-Graphic this week, “and I bet wherever you have a sizable lawn, you’ll find a tractor or mower sitting on it.” Unlike the five-county theft ring, the recent implement thefts were sporadic and the remnants left by the thieves told a different tale. “There was a period of time where it got quiet,” Lyon explained, “But then we lost three at once. From the evidence at the scene, I could tell it was a local artist all along.”
Cheer contest Friday, Aug. 2 The Putnam County Fair Cheerleading Contest will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, at the fairgrounds. An earlier announcement inadvertently said the contest would be on Saturday. This year’s contest will be judged by a member of the Indianapolis Colts cheerleading squad and two cheerleaders from Indiana State University. WZPL radio personality Jonathan Doll will serve as emcee. Trophies will be awarded in several divisions. Participating squads should arrive by 3:45 p m.
“THERE ARE A LOT OF good people also available, who work with in-patient treatment at programs in Indianapolis,” Mrs. Hirt points out. “I plan to use more of that.” As an administrative assistant. Mishler is stepping into an area never before approached, but his recognition of the program’s benefits is evident. Previously, Mishler worked with General Telephone Co. and was transferred to Terre Haute following the phasing out of operators at the Greencastle base. He later returned his employment to Putnam County, working at the DePauw University switchboard and later as a storeroom clerk. Following a brief stint at Greencastle Manufacturing, Mishler began duties connected with Put-
BESIDES THE OBVIOUS value of a lawn or garden implement, thieves are attracted to the relative ease of operation, Det. Lyon offered. “They have to be quick though,” he explained. “And it usually takes about three. Some of this equipment weighs 800 pounds.” In the Evens case, the tractor was setting on the veranda, held in place by cable cut by the suspected thieves, Lyon said. The tractor was then put in neutral gear. “They picked up the front half first,” he added, “and then the back half.” The tracks left by the thieves indicated they left Greencastle and headed west, according to Lyon. ONCE THE MACHINERY leaves the scene, it is rare that it returns. Unlike automobiles, where identification is recorded in one central place, heavy equipment has serial numbers which assist in finding correct replacement parts, but little else. “Up until about six or seven years ago,” Lyon explained, “there weren’t any records kept of this equipment. Things have changed in the ID system for large equipment.” The serial number allows police to enter Col. 6, back page, this section
nam County Court and joined PCCSATP after two months. “I HAVE NEVER REALLY considered doing something like this before,” Mishler related, referring to a career now concentrating on substance abuse treatment. “Still there is a kind of mystique there. Working with the court earlier helped me to learn things I wouldn’t have known before. With the program, I feel like I might just be able to help someone.” Mishler now handles preliminary admissions work for Mrs. Hirt, but that will change following assessment training he is to undergo Aug. 12-16. The training is conducted by the Division of Addiction Service, Indiana Department of Mental Health. “Eventually, I hope to possibly get into counseling in some capacity with the county or state,” Mishler points out. “But that's too far in the future to think of now." Currently. Mrs. Hirt and Mishler are concentrating on the PCCSATP clientele, which increases in numbers each year. In fact, Mrs. Hirt notes the number of persons utilizing the service has increased almost 50 per cent over last year. “WE WERE SEEING ABOUT 15-16 people per month, but now we are seeing an average of 25-30 people per month,” the director said. The reason for the jump is two-fold, according to Mrs. Hirt. “I think one of the reasons we are seeing an increase is because the law enforcement officials are going out and really working to follow the more strict statutes, particularly in the area of drunk driving. “I think there is also more public awareness now about substance abuse Col. 1, back page, this section