Banner Graphic, Volume 19, Number 26, Greencastle, Putnam County, 5 October 1988 — Page 5

We get letters...

The F.B. Distro tax situation explained

To the Editor: This a letter of explanation and apology to the citizens of Putnam County concerning F.B. Distro or Charming Shoppes and the lowering of the taxes on the former IBM building. The first petition for lowering their assessment was filed March 31, 1988 asking that improvements on all buildings be lowered from $1,377,450 to SBOO,OOO. My deputy and I, along with another township trustee-assessor familiar with the plant, spent several days re-evaluating the property, finding several buildings and improvements had been made since the 1978 reassessment. Taking all this into account, we found the total tax assessment to be $1,415,700. F.B. Distro then appealed this appraisal on Aug. 8, 1988 to the County Board of Review asking that this figure be lowered to a tax assessment of $268,470. The Board of Review, thinking this was an unfair assessment to the taxpayers of Putnam County, called in a professional appraisal firm, Appraisal Research Corp., on Aug. 26, 1988. The professional team, along with my staff, the Board of Review which includes Auditor Myrtle Cockrell, Treasurer Nancy Mcßride, County Assessor Charlotte Gould and appointed members Marvin Steele and Juanita Anderson again toured the facility. The appraisers were extremely professional, fair and exact in their measurements and evaluation of the quality of construction observed in the building and improvements. The Board of Review then sent out a notice, based upon the appraisers’ findings and recommendations that the total assessed value of the land should be $54,830 and the improvements $965,100. The Board

Check your voting status before Oct. 7

To the Editor: This is an alert! Maybe I should have known, but I didn’t, and in case you didn’t either, here’s what I just found out: Indiana law apparently now calls for a purge of the voter rolls every two years. If you haven’t voted in that time, the Clerk’s Office at the courthouse is supposed to have sent you a card to ask if you want to continue your registration in Putnam County, and

Take a look at Greencastle’s trees now

To the Editor: “Only God can make a tree.” Man can mutilate and destroy them. Our March ice storm really took jts toll on our trees. But look up nature is more jnerciful than tree trimmers. ; Do you take time to look at the trees that give us Shade and nest our birds? ; I can relate to a recent letter from Carole L. Riggs. 1, too, think of trees and our care of them as “reflecting of who we are and how seriously we accept the position as caretakers of this piece of the Earth.” ' There is a right way to prune your young and old frees. You can send for a free copy of the Tree City USA bulletin, “How to Prune Young Shade Trees.” Address National Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska

Hoosiers should be proud of Quayle

To the Editor: • Isn’t it a little preposterous the way the press has put Sen. Quayle over the coals? • I’ve been a Democrat all my 75 years, but I think it is a terrible mistake the jazz going on the air about His not going to war. It seems to me he has proved

Need accurate information from all

To the Editor: I would like to provide some perspective on a recent Banner-Graphic article entitled, “Studying the scores: Grade-structured schools perform better, ISTEP results show.” Among other things, the article reported, “Children attending schools structured by age group generally performed better than their counterparts in neighborhood schools, a study of selected ISTEP scores shows.” The article further reported that “...students in two school systems where elementaries organized both ways performed significantly better than expected if they attended an age-group school.” Unfortunately, these claims are based on erroneous assumptions and are, therefore, unfounded. I telephoned Vince Schraeder, ISTEP consultant in the Indiana Department of Education and asked him to respond to the claim reported in the article. Schraeder said, “ISTEP has not gathered that type of information. It would really be stretching to think that (grade-structuring improves achievement). It is Simply not a reasonable statement to make. In general, grade structuring has been found to have no effect on achievement” Further, the Zionsville elementary system, where two schools are grade-structured and die other is a traditional K-5 setup, was used in the article as “evidence” of grade structuring. Zionsville Supt Harold Sharp, however, does not attribute score differences between the schools at all to grade grouping. “I attribute the differences to soci-economic dis-

It’s simply your right to write

The Banner-Graphic welcomes your views on any public issue. Letters must bear the writer’s signature and printed or typed name, full address and telephone number. We routinely correct errors of fact, spelling and punctuation. All letters are subject to editing, but such will be held to a

of Review agreed this was a fair and equitable evaluation. In this third appeal, filed Sept. 27,1988, F.B. Distro is now asking the State Board of Tax Commissioners to lower the improvements of $965,100 to $491,150 an additional loss of revenue to the county of $473,960 assessed evaluation for the people of the county of over SBOO,OOO on real estate alone, not to mention Personal Property Assessment filed by Distro, which was extremely low for 1988. Then again, if F.B. Distro is not in full operation by March 1, 1989, it will not be responsible for full taxes payable in 1990 either. We, in the assessors’ offices, have worked very long and hard to try to get outstanding property on the books in order to lower the tax rate for all taxoayers. We feel it is only fair for all citizens to pay their fair share of their taxes, but not someone else’s. We are happy to have new industry in this community, but not at the expense of county residents who have seen their tax rates skyrockets because of tax abatements and the lowering of taxes such as this. We feel this explanation is due the citizens of Putnam County to let you know that we here in the courthouse have done our part to try to be fair and equitable to all the citizens of the county in regard to taxes. We apologize for deductions that are made, that are out of our control and pledge that we will. continue to try to be fair in all our dealings with the citizens of this county. Eleanor L. Delp, Nancy Mcßride, Myrtle Cockrell, Charlotte Gould, Marvin Steele, Juanita Anderson

if you didn’t return the card, your name has presumably been dropped from the list of eligible voters. So if you have not confirmed your voter registration in the last 24 months, either by returning a card or by voting, you’d better check now (before Friday, Oct. 7) to make sure that your name will be on the list for the presidential election in November. Edith Welliver Greencastle

City, Neb. 685410. It warns never to top a tree. This invites disease, produces weak branches and turns the beauty of the trees’ natural shape into the ugliness of blunt stumps. Greencastle HAD stately trees lining its streets. Take a look! We need them to absorb the pollution of our city. Mary Frances Strain 513 Anderson St., Greencastle Editor’s note: Mary Frances must have been psychic when she wrote this letter, which preceded the recent tree-trimming flap along the city’s power line right-of-way.

himself as an outstanding senator, so why not treat him with the respect he deserves? Hoosiers especially should be proud of him, instead of the ridicule he’s been receiving. lone K. Morphew Greencastle

ferences of the school areas ... It is hard to conceive that that (grade structuring) could affect the learning of the students at all.” It seems to me that too much of a discussion on elementary reorganization in Greencastle has been plagued by a lack of information, or in some cases, misinformation. Program reform in education should not be done with mirrors. It is up to all parties administrators, teachers, parents, board members and the media to see that information provided on the issue be timely, accurate and have a proper context. Another case in point is the proposed development of a “transition room” to help at-risk students bridge kindergarten and first grade. The opportunity to have a transition room was trumpeted as a major benefit to elementary restructuring and having all K and 1 students in one building. The preponderance of research on transition rooms, however, shows the practice to be academically ineffective and emotionally damaging for transition students. A 1987 position statement by the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Educations discusses transition rooms in the context of an “unacceptable trend.” The elementary reorganization matter is one that still has many parents concerned. I hope we can all commit ourselves to keeping an open discussion, and basing the discussion on appropriate information. Jeffrey McCall, member Greencastle School Board 312 Redbud Lane, Greencastle

minimum and the intent of a letter will not be altered. We do not publish poetry or personal expressions of thanks as letters t«* the editor. Letters containing personal attacks on individuals, libelous statements or profanity will not be considered for publication. Use of initials in lieu of the

writer’s full name will be permitted only in cases in which the Banner-Graphic determines there is an appropriate reason. Send your letters to: Letters to the Editor, The Banner-Graphie, P.O. Box 509, Greencastle, Indiana 46135. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper at 100 N. Jackson St., Greencastle.

Solid, error-free debate key to unmaking of Quayle issue

By WALTER R. MEARS AP Special Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) Now come the vice presidential nominees in a different kind of debate a confrontation in which Sen. Dan Quayle will be out to prove that he doesn’t deserve to be a campaign issue. George Bush’s Republican running mate and Sen. Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, the Democratic candidate for vice president, meet Wednesday night in Omaha in a 90-minute debate patterned on the match between the presidential nominees. Quayle’s competence has come under almost daily challenge from Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, and lately, from Bentsen. THE PATRICIAN Bentsen has shelved senatorial courtesy in favor of long-distance attacks on his cross-aisle colleague from Indiana. And Senate debate etiquette presumably will not apply next week, at least on Bentsen’s side of the stage. Quayle, a second-term Indiana senator and 1969 DePauw University graduate, could try to deflect debate attacks by using the elaborate courtesies of the Senate in handling his senior colleague. Debating Dukakis, Bush gave a hint at that strategy by saying that he, Quayle and Bentsen were the only three candidates in the race who are knowledgeable on defense issues. Campaign debaters customarily are out to raise their profiles, to promote themselves and their positions as issues to be considered by the voters. But Quayle could best serve his ticket by reversing that with a solid, error-free debate showing, nothing flashy or fancy, just a workmanlike performance to try to silence the critics and lower his profile as a Democratic target. VICE PRESIDENT Bush, testy when he was questioned about criticism of his chosen running mate in the presidential debate, said Quayle, who is 41, is an outstanding young man who has stood up to “outrageous, brutal ... very unfair pounding ...” since his nomination. “He’ll do very, very well” in the debate, Bush said. The Democrats think Quayle is a salable campaign issue for their side, and Dukakis takes a slap at him in almost every speech. “I doubt very much that Dan Quayle was the best qualified person for that job,” he said Sunday night. “And as a matter of fact, I think for most people, the notion of President Quayle is a very, very trou-

Bentsen background differs greatly from that of Quayle

By BLAINE VANDERSNICK Special to the Banner-Graphic Lloyd Bentsen flew B-24 bombers in World War 11, attaining the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak clusters. Following the war he has held such positions as judge, congressman from Texas’ 15th District, and since 1971 has served as a U.S. senator from the Lone Star State. The former insurance executive is chairman of Senate Finance Committee and is a high-ranking member of the Environment and Public Wokrs Committee and the Intelligence Committe. He also serves on the Congressional Joint Economic Committee and is chairman of the Dmeocrat Senatoriasl Campaign Committee. THE DEMOCRAT vicepresidential hopeful has a record of service in many ways as impressive as fellow Texan George Bush. But what does Bentsen bring to the campaign of Michael Dukakis? First and foremost, Bentsen is a creditable pitchman to coax the socalled Reagan Democrats “to come back home.” Bentsen has a solid record in supporting defense spending and many of Reagan’s foreignpolicy initiatives. One example is the senator’s support for Contra aid. BENTSEN DOES NOT endorse all of Reagan’s policies. He is on the record as opposing the deployment of U.S. Marines in Lebanon before the tragedy that left more than 200 Marines dead. Bentsen is pro-business and a millionaire in his own right. Dukakis staffers hope Bentsen will help the ticket carry electoral-rich Texas. Bush has a lot of strength in the South, and part of the reason

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bling notion.” Quayle, campaigning with Bush, returned the gibe. “After last night, for most people the notion of President Dukakis is a very, very troubling notion today,” he said. WITH DEMOCRATS questioning his competence, Quayle is in a position to succeed without really scoring in the vice presidential debate, if he can hold his own and undercut the opposition claim that he is in way over his head. Quayle can do that by showing the voters that he isn’t a dummy, that he can answer questions under the pressure of a nationallytelevised debate without misspeaking, that he is up to his assignment The best vice presidential candidates are those who serve as spokesmen and campaigners for their nominees but don’t make waves. The people running to be No. 2 tend to attract the most attention when they err, or when their records come under critical 1 scrutiny. BOTH HAVE BEEN happening in Quayle’s case, ever since the question of family influence in his Vietnam-era National Guard enlistment blew up into controversy just as he was nominated at the Republican National Convention. Four years ago, Rep. Geraldine Ferraro’s family income taxes and her husband’s business affairs became a focus of inquiry and thus a problem for the Democratic ticket on which she ran. In 1976, Sen. Bob Dole’s debate remark that World War I, World War 11, Korea and Vietnam were “all Democrat wars” created a troublesome issue for the Republican ticket. Once such questions become issues, they tend to snowball. For Quayle, the Guard uproar was followed by questions about his admittedly mediocre college record at DePauw, and his admission into night law school. ERRORS IN HIS campaign statements have since been added to the dossier, things like his ton-gue-twisted effort to say that a

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why Bentsen was chosen is to challenge that strength. Bentsen has been campaigning across the nation stressing several themes above the rest. First, that Dukakis is a competent, pragmatic executive. And secoid, that Dan Quayle may be an engaging young man, “but do you think he’s ready to become president?” THE UPROAR OVER Quayle has subsided, but every so often (too often for Bush staffers), Quayle will stumble over an issue or become confused or rattled. Bentsen has an opportunity in Wednesday night’s debate to portray himself as a mature, steady statesman in contrast with Quayle’s rah-rah, fiery but inconsistent style. Lloyd Bentsen brings a few negatives of his own to the campaign. The 67-year-old senator does not have the ability to fire up the troops. This is not to say that

October S, 1988 THE BANNERGRAPHIC

good defense beats a good offense or was it the other way around and his slip in saying that he didn’t live in this century. Bentsen and Dukakis took it from there. Bentsen has called the Republican record on energy “as empty as Dan Quayle’s resume.” Acknowledging that he and Bentsen differ on some issues, Dukakis said that is healthy. “WHAT WOULD have happened if Ronald Reagan had a vice president like Lloyd Bentsen; a vice president strong enough to think for himself and speak up for himself ...?” he asks his campaign crowds. “We haven’t had that kind of vice president for the past eight years, and I don’t know of anyone who thinks we’ll have him in the person of J. Danforth Quayle.” The name has become a laughter and applause line at Democratic rallies. Dukakis draws it out slowly, scornfully,and sometimes his supporters recite it with him. In their debate, Bush rebuked Dukakis for ridiculing the name and said the original J. Danforth was killed in World War 11. Full name or nickname, Quayle has become a target, and his problems are taking a Republican toll. Richard Wirthlin, who conducts public opinion polls for the White House and the Republican Party, says the Quayle nomination thus far has been more negative than positive for the ticket, with Bentsen viewed as the stronger nominee. ‘THE QUESTION is to what extent do people vote for the ticket because of the vice president,” Wirthlin said. “In the past, that has not been a big issue.” The Democrats are campaigning to make it one this time. Quayle’s best opportunity to block them comes Wednesday in Omaha. EDITOR’S NOTE -Walter R. Mears, executive editor of The Associated Press, has covered national politics since 1960.

ALL HAT, NO CATTLE.

Bentsen is boring, but his own nature is reflective and introspective. Several years ago Bentsen, the finance chairman, would charge lobbyists SIO,OOO to have breakfast with him. In the resulting flap, BePcsen quickly returned the money. That episode was brought up again when Bentsen was selected as Dukakis* running mate and not much was made of it (Heaven forbid if it were Quayle who was involved in something like that!). This situation is more indicative of the mentality of the powers that be inside the Beltway than of any particular man. BENTSEN BRINGS maturity and experience, a balancing of the ticket ideologically. If Bentsen is successful in bringing home the conservative Democrats, it could very well be the margin of victory or defeat for the Democrats.

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