Banner Graphic, Volume 18, Number 174, Greencastle, Putnam County, 31 March 1988 — Page 2

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London Kurds protesting Iraq’s use of chemical weapons recently held an overnight vigil outside the U.S. Embassy in London. The

Students study choices

with Newport’s VX gas

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) The debate over nerve gas at the Newport Army Ammunition Plant has reached Brenda Herb’s classroom at Rio Grande Elementary School.

What to do with the aging chemical weapon VX has become the focus of 10 second-, third -and fourth-graders participating in the state Future Problem Solving Program. MS. HERB SAID the program is designed to help students become creative thinkers, be more aware of what’s going on around them and

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protesters had brought a petition to present to the Ambassador, but left without presenting it. About 220 spent the night at the embassy. (AP photo;

develop teamwork skills. The students meet after school to discuss the issue and to develop solutions and compromises. The first step was to educate themselves, using books and newspaper clippings. Then they used problemsolving techniques to discuss the issue. They have written a description of the problem, described the community’s concerns and developed a few suggestions for solutions. “The people at Newport are really upset about this VX thing,” student Nathan Nelson said recently. “I think they should take the VX somewhere else to get rid of it” OTHER SOLUTIONS offered would be to bum the nerve agent at the plant, which is about 30 miles north of the school, and to evacuate the area during burning hours. Another proposal would involve finding a way for the VX to be used safely, while other students have suggested hauling the agent by armored train to Utah. The Army wants to incinerate VX at Newport and other storage sites around the country by 1992. “We’ve learned a lot,” said student Amy Herb. “Trying to come up with an answer to all the questions about VX wasn’t easy, but it’s helped us with other things that happen to us outside school, too.”

Gore takes on Jackson while Bush distances himself from Ed Meese

By the Associated Press Democratic presidential contender Albert Gore Jr. leveled strong criticism at Jesse Jackson for the second day in a row, and asked why his other opponents particularly Michael Dukakis are reluctant to do likewise. But Dukakis scoffed at that, saying voters “don’t want to know what Gore thinks of Jackson.” Vice President George Bush, meanwhile, moved to distance himself from the growing controversy surrounding Attorney General Edwin Meese. THE DEMOCRATS were campaigning mainly in Wisconsin, with a primary on Tuesday, and Colorado, which holds Democratic caucuses on Monday. Jackson was stung by Gore’s contention that, among other things, he lacks the experience necessary to be president Campaigning Wednesday night in Wisconsin, he told a crowd at a church in the working-class city of Cudahy: “Some leaders don’t hold office. But leaders stand with the people in the hour of hardship and challenge.” Earlier, Jackson complained to reporters at Washington’s National Airport that Gore’s remarks constituted an attack “more personal than principled.” Gore, passing through the same airport a short while later, took issue with that, and criticized Jackson anew. “I think it’s ridiculous,” the Tennessee senator said. “He’s a major contender for the White House. Is he to be immune from any questioning of his position on

Indiana officials cite Prime Time after federal report raps class size cuts

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - ndiana officials say the state’s program to reduce class sizes in public schools hasn’t been a waste of money, but instead has helped student learning and achievement. Officials of Gov. Robert D. Orr’s administration were quick to jump to the defense of Orr’s Project Primetime on Wednesday after a new federal study concluded such programs are a waste of money and effort. “WE FEEL STRONG about what we’ve done,” said John R. Hammond, Orr’s top qide. The U.S. Department of Education released a study that said class sizes would have to be reduced to 15 students to have any noticeable impact on student achievement. The study said lowering class size that much is too expensive. But Indiana officials said the state’s Project Primetime, which reduces class sizes in kindergarten through third grade, shows that such efforts can work at a manageable cost. Indiana’s program gives a school corporation $21,500 in state money for each classroom in the four grades, provided they meet

Mrs. Nusbaum succumbs after 112 years

GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) Ulysses S. Grant was in the White House and Gen. George Custer was one year away from making his last stand when Orpha Nusbaum was bom Aug. 13,1875. She died Wednesday at 112, believed by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the world’s oldest person. Services and burial arrangements were incomplete. Mrs. Nusbaum had pneumonia recently, but an official cause of death was not released, said Diane Hostetler, director of nursing at Fountainview Nursing Home. “SHE COULDN’T DO any-

OLD TOPPLR TAVERN^^^ H presents 1 A Steve Michael, Rod Kersey, M M Sandy Williams & Bill Hamm A SECOND W

Jackson raising local funds

Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson will bring his message of jobs, peace and justice to the West End Center in Indianapolis on April 6. Jackson, who leads the Democratic candidates in popular votes and is among the leaders in delegate counts, will talk with supports in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Arizona, and West Virginia, as well as Indiana via a sattelite

the issues or his approach to the campaign? ... Is there a separate standard?” GORE AND JACKSON had planned to meet Wednesday, but it fell through. In light of Gore’s comments a day earlier, Jackson said, “It’s not necessary to meet at this time.” Gore ridiculed rival Dukakis, saying the Massachusetts governor’s hesitancy to spell out differences with Jackson was “ludicrous.” Dukakis, campaigning in Wisconsin Wednesday night, replied: “We can discuss issues without attacking each other...(Voters) don’t want to know what Gore thinks of Jackson.” Dukakis has been under pressure as a result of recent losses to Jackson in Illinois and Michigan. But he managed to recoup with a solid 2-1 victory in Tuesday’s Connecticut primary. With that victory, the Massachusetts governor again took the

prescribed district-wide average sizes of 18 students for every teacher in kindergarten and first grade and a 20-to-l ratio in the other two grades. “IT’S A QUESTION of stressing basics in the early grades in order to set a course for success in the later grades,” said Hammond. Orr was on his way back from a trade mission to Costa Rica when the report was released. Even one of the governor’s frequent critics on education matters said the program deserves to be continued. “I would say the study is totally contradicted by the evidence in Indiana,” said Rep. B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, a leading House spokesman on education and a public school teacher. “There is improvement at 18-to-l and there are benefits at 20-to-l.” Bauer noted similar programs had been recommended for years by Democrats. Superintendent of Public Instruction H. Dean Evans also defended Indiana’s program. “WHILE THE RESEARCH is mixed, our experience with Primetime indicates there is some

thing for herself anymore,” said a stepdaughter-in-law, Betty Nusbaum. “You can’t do anything for a person who doesn’t want to live anymore.” Betty Nusbaum said she was saddened by the death but that the woman had lived a good life. Guinness officials said in February they believed she was the oldest person alive. Mrs. Nusbaum died at 2 p.m. without her family present, said Miss Hostetler. “Her condition worsened during the weekend,” Miss Hostetler said. “She could open her eyes today, but she couldn’t really respond to

hookup. It is expected to last about two hours, beginning at 6 p.m. The broadcast has a goal of raising SIOO,OOO for the campaign and is the first fundraising broadcast of this magnitude conducted by the candidate. Local supporters needing more information can call Jason R. Samuels at 317-743-4559 or 317-643-1591.

lead in the national delegate race. According to the latest AP count, Dukakis had 648.55, Jackson 642.55, Gore 367.8 and Sen.. Paul Simon 169.5, with 488.6 uncommitted. ASKED BY REPORTERS in Boston on Wednesday to detail the differences between himself and Jackson, Dukakis answered cautiously. He mentioned disagreements over Middle East policy and some domestic economic matters, but provided no specifics, saying he would discuss the matter more fully in a Wisconsin speech later this week. Dukakis hinted that Jackson’s lack of any experience in elective office ought to be considered by voters. But he quickly moved to stress that any disagreements he had with Jackson had always been “friendly and respectful.” That attitude got Gore’s dander up. “Is there supposed to be some

evidence that learning and achievement have increased, that there has been more individualized instruction, more efficient use of time and fewer discipline problems,” said Evans. He said the state Department of Education has recognized that Primetime puts a new burden on teachers, forcing them to alter teaching strategies for better results in smaller classes. The pedple who fashioned the Indiana program considered many of the arguments about cost-effec-tiveness cited in the national study, but concluded a class-reduction program could be made to work at a reasonable cost in the lower grades, said Hammond. Orr, a second-term Republican, has held Primetime up as one of his first major education reforms, coming years before his 1987 “A-Plus Program for Educational Excellence.” AFTER PILOT projects, Primetime was implemented in first grade in the 1984-85 school year. Second grade was added the next year, and in 1986-87, schools could choose to implement the program at a third level, either in kindergarten or third grade. This year, each

us.” MRS. NUSBAUM WAS honored at a special ceremony in January when officials placed the Goshen city seal on census documents indicating Mrs. Nusbaum was bom in 1875 on the family farm near Middlebury about 10 miles away. She spent most of her life in Middlebury until moving to the nursing home in 1982. She spent many days quietly in bed, taking frequent visits from family and nursing home staff members. Most of the other residents were unaware of her celebrity status, said Miss Hostetler. “We really played down her celebrity,” she said. “Orpha had been here so long, she was part of us. The residents are not really aware of her death because it haopened so late in the afternoon.” A Pennsylvania woman had been recognized by Guinness as the world’s oldest person until her death Jan. 11, 1988. Florence Knapp was 114 years and 94 days. GUINNESS RESTRICTS recognition to those who can provide birth records and other documentation. Until last summer, there had been some confusion whether Mrs. Nusbaum would be 112 or 113 on Aug. 13, 1987. For years she had maintained she was a year older than she actually was. On Sept. 5, 1987, an Elkhart

unwritten rule why Jesse Jackson cannot be criticized, why his positions have to be just sacrosanct, and nobody can say anything about them for fear somebody will just misinterpret what you’re saying?” he said. SEN. PAUL SIMON, campaigning in Wisconsin, suggested that fear of alienating fervent Jackson supporters was keeping other candidates from engaging in any real rough-and-tumble with him. “You have to be careful. You don’t want to be perceived as antiblack,” the Illinois senator said. The vice president virtually locked up the GOP nomination when his principal rival, Sen. Bob Dole, left die race Tuesday. With little to do but stay out ol trouble, Bush sought to steer cleai of Meese and his problems. Deputy Attorney General Amolc Bums and Assistant Attorney General William F. Weld quii Tuesday. Justice Departmen sources, speaking on condition oi anonymity, said the two left theii jobs because they were concemet that Meese’s continuing lega difficulties were damaging the es fectiveness and credibility of th< department Bush said he was troubled by tin resignations but added, “I’m no going to pass judgment” oi whether Meese should go. Bush did say Meese would no hold the top law enforcement pos in a Bush administration. “It seem to me that the Justice Departmen has to be above reproach. It is a agency that has special respon sibility,” he said.

of the first four grade levels is included. Hammond said that past experience shows the program costs the state about S2O million per year per grade level. Traditionally, some of the Primetime appropriation from the Legislature has gone unspent and has reverted to the general fund at the end of each fiscal year. Hammond noted that the Onadministration has resisted efforts to expand the program to other grades, in part to control costs and also because it might not be as effective with older children. DEMOCRATS AND THE Indiana State teachers Association have endorsed a broader Primetime program. At a Republican state platform committee meeting Tuesday, ISTA President Damon Moore suggested the money allotted for adding five days to the school year in 1988-89 might be better spent by expanding Primetime through sixth grade. Bauer said there is “bipartisan belief that Primetime works.” “The more attention you can give a kid, the better,” he said. “Any time you can lower class size, you get a benefit”

Truth reporter went to the Goshen Public Library and discovered proof of Mrs. Nusbaum’s age in an 1880 U.S. Census of York Township where Orpha Ulery was: bom on her parent’s farm. The document showed she was 4 years old: as of June 12-14, 1880, the three: day period during which the York Township information was tabulated. Elkhart County did not begin keeping birth records until 1882. The Goshen News reported in January a family Bible listed her birthdate as Aug. 13, 1874. Another Bible found by Betty Nusbaum listed the same date, then changed the date in a handwritten correction to read 1875. SHE REMEMBERED THE early appearance of automobiles and airplanes, said Betty Nusbaum. She attributed her long life to the strict obedience of a biblical command. “She honored her father and mother. That’s it,” Betty Nusbaum said last month, repeating the eK derly woman’s own explanation. I For many years she taught Sunday school in the Elkhart and Goshen areas. When she was 93 she resumed writing poetry, a hobby she had ceased in the 19205. Mrs. Nusbaum married John Mischler, a minister, in 1897. After his death, she married Frank Nusbaum in 1947. He died in 1959.