Banner Graphic, Volume 18, Number 19, Greencastle, Putnam County, 29 September 1987 — Page 1

One of four seniors will reign as 1987 homecoming queen at Greencastle High School Friday night. Queen candidates (from left) are Susan Gibson, Kristy Mays, Tracy Sutherlin and Jil Gossard. The queen will be crowned at halftime of the Tiger Cubs' game with South Putnam, which will be played at Cloverdale High School's football field. Gametime is 7:30 p.m. Homecoming princesses will also be named in the freshman, sophomore and junior classes. (Banner-Graphic photo by Gary Goodman).

Berry, Hanna, Seminary targeted

Mayor reveals heavy truck ordinance

By BECKYIGO Banner-Graphic News Editor The Putnam County commissioners met in special session Monday night to talk about computers, but ended up discussing city streets. That was prompted by the unexpected appearance by Mayor Bobby G. Albright whose concern centers upon heavy truck traffic utilizing city streets, particularly on the south end of town. “I DON’T EXPECT YOU to take any action tonight,” Albright said, setting the stage for discussion. ‘‘But I have talked with our city attorney (Jerry Calbert) and he is in the process of drafting legislation to prohibit heavy trucks from using Berry, Hanna and Seminary streets. Albright said Calbert checked legalities involving the action and it is the attorney’s belief it can be done, pending approval by the City Council. The mayor expects to present the ordinance at the Council’s Oct. 13 meeting, whichbeginsat7:3op.m. in City Hall. The meeting is open to the public. Albright said Monday night only those three streets-Hanna, Berry and Seminary--are targeted to have a limit for vehicles not to exceed a

Cooling it Clearing and cool overnight with low in the upper 40s. Mostly sunny and cool Wednesday. High in the low 70s. Indiana Extended Forecast Thursday through Saturday: Clear and cool each day with highs in the mid 60s north to mid 70s south. Lows each day in the mid to upper 40s. Abby A 4 Calendar A 4 Classifieds AB,A9 Comics A 5 Crossword A 8 Heloise A 4 Horoscope A 9 Obituaries AlO People A 5 Sports A6,A7,A8 TV A 5 Theaters AlO

Banner Graphic

'f; w <v ~ - 1 ■ §jsg4 \ 1 . ';.: r \ i ,)j

BAINBRIDGE-The Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department annual donation Chili Supper is Saturday, Oct. 3 at Bainbridge Elementary School. Serving starts at 5 p.m. On the menu will be chili, coneys, barbecue, hot dogs, taco salad, beverages and home-baked pies. Door prizes donated by the local merchants will be raffled off throughout the evening. The

12-ton load. “WE’D LIKE TO HAVE a 12-ton limit on those three streets,” Albright said. “I wanted the commissiners to know because at some time there may be a lot of public discussion arise from it.” As an example, Albright noted Lone Star Industries does have trucks that will exceed the 12-ton limit. Those trucks would be prohibited from using Hanna, Berry and Seminary streets as quick access to U.S. 231. “Lone Star is not in the corporate limits,” the mayor said of the city’s boundaries, “so they may come to the commissioners to talk about it. I

Mrs. Leonard testifies at husband's escape trial

Banner-Graphic Assistant Editor Martha Leonard, 27, Evansville, Monday told a Putnam County jury how her husband, Michael Leonard, asked her to bring hacksaw blades to the Putnam County Jail on the morning of July 17. Leonard is currently on trial for conspiracy to commit escape, a class C felony. Mrs. Leonard pleaded guilty to her role in the foiled jailbreak attempt. In August, she received a suspended sentence in a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office. THAT PLEA AGREEMENT called for Mrs. Leonard’s testimony against her husband. It was testimony that defense attorney Robert Bremer tried hard to prevent. Bremer filed a motion with the court, citing spousal privilege as a

Bainbridge supper set

By JOE THOMAS

cash drawing for SIOO does not require persons to be present to win. Entertainment will be provided by the Dance Workshop from Cloverdale at 5 o’clock. Raffle tickets may be purchased from any fire member or at the door. The supper is on a donation basis of “eat what you want, pay what you can, and support your local fire department.”

just wanted you to realize the direction we’re heading and that we may have to work together on these problems.” COMMISSIONER John Carson agreed there is a problem. He said heavy trucks needing to travel north out of Greencastle have no problem. “Those traveling north seem to take care of themselves because they can take Jackson Street straight through.” However, trucks that need to travel south have a problem, and create one when they utilize city streets in residential areas. Carson noted. “The reason we’re trying to do

means of keeping Mrs. Leonard off the stand. Bremer argued that whatever was said between Martha and Michael Leonard, even though it might be a plot to break him out of jail, it was a privileged communication between a husband and a wife. Deputy Prosecutor Diana LaViolette, handling the state’s case, argued that idea “...takes us back to the archaic days when a man controlled a woman.” She claimed a defendant could not claim spousal privilege for a witness, that it is a witness’s right. She also pointed out Mrs. Leonard had waived that right by accepting the plea agreement in August. CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE William Vaughn 111 denied the motion, clearing the way for Mrs. Leonard’s testimony. Under oath, she told the jury she

Rezoning request for Pizza Hut is denied

By ERIC BERNSEE Banner-Graphic Editor Pizza Hut’s plans to expand to Greencastle’s East Side Monday ran into a recipe of refusal, seasoned with traffic problems and safety concerns, and topped with a 25signature neighborhood petition. The City Plan Commission voted 63 to deny rezoning of a portion of the lot at 911 Indianapolis Rd. from R-l (residential) toC-1 (commercial) to accommodate a new 140-seat restaurant. INDIANA PIZZA HUTS Inc., represented by Bloomington attorney Lynne Coyne, had proposed the rezoning the rear portion of the old Castle Crafts lot on the north side of State Road 240 (Indianapolis Road) at its intersection with Greenwood Drive. The front 150 feet of the lot was already zoned commercial several years ago and would have encompassed the restaurant building. The 132 feet in the residential area at the rear of the lot would have been used for parking, developers explained. At the Plan Commission’s August meeting, Pizza Hut’s proposal included an entry and exit into the business off Greenwood Drive, a narrow, north-south street north of Indianapolis Road. The narrowness of the street and the additional traffic in the residential area prompted safety concerns at that time. However, after the proposal was tabled last month. Pizza Hut planners developed a new configuration for the lot, planning an entrance onto 240 and deleting any access to Greenwood Drive. The building was also

something is because we are getting a lot of calls,” Albright said, referring to the public contacting him about the truck traffic on a regular basis. The mayor also noted there have been fatalities connected with trucks using city streets. IN ADDITION, ALBRIGHT said it is time for the city to be realistic and stop thinking the proposed Southern Highway will help take care of the problem. “There is not way the state will build that road from U.S. 231 to Limedale,” Albright said. “On Oct. 5, I am suppose to meet with the State Highway Department in Indianapolis about this road,” the mayor added. “Now, the state is scheduled to let the bids in 1989 and construction is to take place in 1990. There is no way the economic development of this city can stand for that,” Albright said. “Something has to be done as soon as possible,” the mayor added. Albright said the proposed Southern Highway will be built at no construction cost to the city. It is to serve as a major bypass around Greencastle to keep heavy traffic out of the downtown area. Col. 1, back page, this section

visited her husband at the Putnam County Jail on July 16, after getting a room at the College Castle Motel in Greencastle. Later that night, the two shared a telephone call that lasted six to eight hours, she said. When LaViolette asked Mrs. Leonard what was said during that lengthy phone conversation, the witness said; “I’d rather not tell you what was said.” LaViolette reminded her she was under oath to tell the truth, and Judge Vaughn instructed her to answer the question. “HE DID ASK ME to help him out,” Mrs. Leonard said. Under LaViolette’s questioning, Mrs. Leonard explained the details of the attempted jail break. She told the jury her husband asked for her help in getting out of jail. She said she then went to a local hardware store and bought the

Lunch Friday for United Way funds

On Friday, 14 Putnam County restaurants will participate in “Lunch Today for the United Way.” TO HELP WITH the 1988 Putnam County United Way fund drive, the restaurants will give a portion of the lunch proceeds received from 11:30 a.m.-l:30 p.m. to the organization. The public is asked to partronize the restaurants, which in turn will help supply funding to the United Way to allocate to several Putnam County organizations.

turned to run east-west instead of north-south as previously designed. “IT WAS EMINENTLY sensible to design an entrance directly across from First Street (Zinc Mill Road),” Coyne told the Plan Commission Monday night, “so you would have a true intersection.” Local engineer Alan Stanley, who has been working with the Pizza Hut petitioners, said the State Department of Highways has future plans for a traffic signal at the intersection. He said the revised Pizza Hut plans would include a 12-foot acceleration/decceleration lane to be added, at the company’s expense, to the north side of Indianapolis Road. Residents of the area, however, said traffic isn’t their only concern.

Sunday dedication set for new fire truck

The community’s new 100-foot aerial tower fire truck, already pressed into service for one major blaze, will be officially dedicated Sunday, Oct. 4. The Greencastle Civic League, in conjunction with the Concerned Citizens for Fire Safety Committee and Greencastle Volunteer Fire Force, will sponsor the dedication program, beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday on the square. In the event of rain, the dedication will be held at the Greencastle firehouse. “IT WILL BE A nice celebration,” said Kathy Jones of the Civic League. “Everything’s free and we want everyone to come and bring the kids and see the new fire truck. ” The $393,000 truck, with a tower that extends to 100 feet, was purchased essentially through com-munity-wide donations and fundraising efforts that have totaled $275,000. Even a SIOO check was received from President Reagan as the fundraiser drew wide publicity in the wake of the tragic Sept. 24,1985 fire on the west side of the square. The festivities will begin Sunday with a parade from the fire

hacksaw blades. Then she headed back to her room and waited. At about 2 a.m. on July 17, she went to the jail with the loaded sneakers, giving them to Jail Officer Richard Pettit. She told Pettit her name was Rene and the shoes were for Dale McKnight, a cellmate of Michael Leonard’s. Pettit told the Mrs. Leonard had brought the shoes to the jail, and he followed routine proceedure by inspecting them before giving them to McKnight. IT WAS DURING THAT routine inspection that Pettit noticed the sole of the shoes were wrinkled. He picked up the soles and found the hidden hacksaw blades. Mrs. Leonard testified it was her idea to hide the blades under the soles. She explained she simply lifted the soles of the shoes, slipped the

Participating in the Friday lunch program are the Putnam Inn, Taylor’s Patio, Dairy Castle, Noble Romans’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Long John Silver’s, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. ALSO TAKING part are Torr’s Restaurant at the intersection of U.S. 40 and U.S. 231, Coney’s and Cones on U.S. 231 north, the Clover Queen restaurant at Cloverdale, the Country Folks Dairy Bar at Route 1, Bainbridge, the Subway sandwich shop at Putnam Plaza and McDonald’s at Cloverdale.

“Would you vote to have a lot in your neighborhood rezoned from residential to commercial?” Lee Masten, 1001 Meadow Lane, asked the Plan Commission. He later added, “Our biggest concern is one lot goes commercial, it all goes commercial.” MEREDITH MYERS, 1008 Meadow Lane, likened the proposed situation to the traffic congestion at Marsh and Judson Drive. “They drive right out in front of you from Marsh’s, and it’ll be the same with the pizza place. I can’t see where this is going to help.” Coyne, meanwhile, reminded the commission and residents that the frontage along State Road 240 is Col. 1, back page, this section

station to the square. The truck will then be parked in front of the Rocking Horse on the north sideA BRIEF SPEAKERS program will include statements by Dan Lee, representing the State Fire Marshal’s Office; Don Clark, area fire safety coordinator; Harvey Pinney, representing the Concerned Citizens for Fire Safety Committee; David Zeiner, president of the Greencastle volunteers; Charles McCalister, of the Putnam County Firefighters Association; Bob Elmore, Greencastle fire chief; Bill O’Brien, Greencastle fire prevention officer, and Lane Ralph, representing Sens. Lugar and Quayle. Central National Bank will be passing out free ice cream cones, while First Citizens will be giving away popcorn and soft drinks. Free balloons will be available from Greencastle Federal Savings Bank. The event is held in conjunction with the start of Fire Prevention Week nationally. FOLLOWING THE program, demonstrations of the capabilities of the new truck are slated.

blades in, and then glued down the soles. When Pettit discovered the blades, he alerted Putnam County Sheriff Gerry Hoffa, who got Mrs. Leonard’s description and then went after her. Hoffa told the jury he arrested Mrs. Leonard at the intersection of College Avenue and Washington Street on a preliminary charge of trafficking with an inmate. During cross-examination, Bremer asked Mrs. Leonard if she understood what was meant by the line in her plea agreement that made her testimony possible. MRS. LEONARD SAID she did not understand the portion of the agreement concerning her testimony and spousal privilege. She said though she was represented by an attorney at her change of plea hearing, her attorney did not explain Col. 5, back page, this section