Banner Graphic, Volume 20, Number 76, Greencastle, Putnam County, 2 December 1989 — Page 3
Judge backs pay raise for probation officers
A Morgan County judge had the right to increase the salaries of his probation officers, a special judge ruled this week. Washington Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Bennett said Morgan Circuit Judge James E. Harris has the right pay of his probation officers more, even though the Morgan County Council objected. AFTER THE RULING was made, Morgan County Council Vice President Robert S. Gregory said the special judge’s ruling “just erodes the power of county councils a little more.” -Judge Harris submitted pay raises for his probation officers based upon a salary scale approved by the Indiana Judicial Conference. That pay scale was sent to judges statewide, including Putnam County judges, in advance of county council 1990 budget reviews conducted in September. JUDGE HARRIS’ DISPUTE with the Morgan County Council began last September, when he submitted salary proposals for the approximately 10 employees in his office, including probation officers and other court workers. Judge Harris ordered the Morgan County Council pay a top salary of approximately $28,000 to one of his probation employees. However, the council there only approved a top
Agent Orange used in Korea, too
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A Fort Wayne resident who served in Korea is hoping that soldiers who may have been exposed to Agent Orange in Korea in the late 1960 s can receive the same attention as soldiers who served in Vietnam. David Locke said he repeatedly attempted to get testing at a Veterans Administration hospital, but was told for several years he could not becaqse he wasn’t stationed in Vietnam and couldn’t have come in contact with the defoliant. THERE WERE 6,267 acres in
Republicans reveal legislative package about environment
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Republicans’ package of environmental proposals for the 1990 Legislature will include a measure to<limit the flow of out-of-state traSh into Indiana by raising fees charged for depositing the garbage in Hoosier landfills. The Republicans, unveiling their package F \day, also said they favor legislation to improve the Department of Environmental Management’s ability to attract and retain specialists, to promote recycling and to provide more technical environmental assistance for businesses. GOP LAWMAKERS said they would individually introduce other environmental proposals but the ones in their package address emergency issues that the party believes require immediate attention. Several of the measures are similar to proposals already endorsed by Democratic Gov. Evan Bayh. The Republicans said they’re happy to support Bayh on some environmental issues, but disagree at times on the specifics and scope of his-proposals. “WE AS REPUBLICANS in the Legislature intend to join in with Gov. Bayh in those areas where he shares the concern that we have,” said Rep. Jeffrey K. Espich, R-Uniondale. “We intend to cooperate as Gov. Bayh does lead and present solutions to these problems. But where he fails to provide leader-
HOLIDAY HAPPENING AT THE U.K ATTENTION : GREENCASTLE RESIDENTS YOU A YOUR FAMILY ARE ATTEND A FUN-FILLED EVENING ■ FEATURING: CHRISTMAS MOVIE I CHILDRENS GAMES HOLIDAY CRAFTS w SutllO llUll'* Refreshments will else be s»M. DECEMBER 5 6:30-8.30 p.m. IN THE UNION BUILDING ON THE DEPAUW CAMPUS
state
salary of $23,000. When the council refused his request, Judge Harris took the issue to court. Judge Bennett was appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court to serve as special judge. “I THINK WE struck a blow for probation officers, maybe across the state,” Judge Harris said about the ruling. The Morgan Circuit Court judge said he pursued the matter because judges have had “the authority to mandate (court) salaries since the beginning of time. “It’s a necessary part of being a separate branch of government,” he added. EVEN THOUGH JUDGE Harris received a favorable ruling concerning his probation officers’ salaries, the same cannot be said for his court reporter. Judge Harris also made a request
Korea sprayed with Agent Orange by the South Koreans during the Vietnam war era, according to Lt. Col. Dick Bridges, U.S. Army spokesman. The herbicide was provided by the United States, he said. That information has been public for nearly 10 years. Pentagon records showing the herbicide was sprayed between October 1967 and July 1969 were presented in April 1980 to the Veterans Administration’s Advisory Committee on Health-Related Effects of Her-
REP. JEFFREY ESPICH Touts GOP’s position
ship, as frankly has been his tradition during the past 12 months, then we intend to take the type of legislative action necessary to help preserve the quality of the environment in Indiana,” said Espich. The bill to curb import of out-of-state trash would create a “tipping fee” that would be assessed on trash coming into the state, said Rep. Brian C. Bosma, R-In-dianapolis. UNDER THE Republican plan, that fee would be the same as the fee charged at the out-of-state landfill nearest the point of origin of the trash shipment, he said. Currently, trash haulers have an economic incentive to bring out-of-state garbage into Indiana because landfill fees are lower here.
that his court reporter’s salary be increased from what the Morgan County Council approved. However, he failed to get support from special Judge Bennett. “He (Judge Bennett) felt there should be additional evidence to justify it,” Judge Harris explained. THE MORGAN COUNTY Council is expected to appeal the decision of the special judge. Meanwhile, it should be noted state statute does dictate that county councils have the power to set county employees’ salaries. However, many Indiana judges contend their court employees are not actually “county” employees, but are “court” employees. Therefore, judges should be in charge of all aspects of their employment, including deciding what their salaries should be.
bicides by Ronald DeYoung, chairman of the National Veterans Task Force on Agent Orange. Despite the fact that the information was released nearly a decade ago, Department of Veterans Affairs policy for exposure to the defoliant remains restricted to veterans who served in Vietnam, officials say. THIS JUNE HE contacted Rep. Jill Long, D-Ind. Locke said that with her help he has since gone through the testing that the VA provides for Vietnam soldiers.
Ryan White helps to observe AIDS Day
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - ndiana observed World AIDS Day featuring a public service announcement made by 17-year-old Ryan White, who is a victim of the fatal disease. The television announcement released for airing Friday said, “Hello, I’m Ryan White. You know as much as we’ve talked to you about AIDS, a lot of you still aren’t listening. Today is World AIDS Day, so please listen. I didn’t have a choice when I got AIDS. You do. If someone’s feeding you a line, trying to get you to have sex or do drugs before you do something stupid, pick up the phone and call the Indiana AIDS hotline. Let’s work together to beat AIDS.” THE INDIANA hotline number, which went into effect in May 1988, is 1-800-848-AIDS, said David McCarty, director of external affairs for
Recycling pays off ATLANTA (AP) Americans recycled some 25.5 million tons of paper last year, an increase over the the 23.5 million tons recycled in 1987. Georgia-Pacific Corp., a paper maker, says it recycled 800,000 tons of waste paper during the year. The amount of recycled paper is expected to increase each year as more U.S. pulp and paper mills use scrap paper to decrease operating costs and reduce waste.
Greencastle Elks Club December Calendar Mondays-Draft Beer 30<? Dec. 2-Hoop Shoot South Putnam 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Dec. 4-Bean Dinner cancelled. Dec. 6-Cancer Bingo, 6:30. Dec. 9-Children’s Christmas Party, Southern Breeze Band. Dec. 31-New Year’s Eve Party. Side Street Band. For more information on events please contact the dub. 653-4310
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Bainbridge Elementary School students kick up their heels as they celebrate “Western Day.” Students and staff donned western wear, were treated to a special lunch and even took turns square dancing. Members of the Friendly Squares square dancing group such as (beginning center, then clockwise) Bill LeMay, Art Cooper, Don Smith and Joan Gray led their
Firm to investigate Indiana Gas
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - ndiana Gas Co. has hired a consulting firm to investigate rumors of improprieties in the utility’s con-tract-awarding practices, officials say. The rumors began several years ago and have intensified recently despite company attempts to strengthen internal control over bidding, said Lawrence A. Ferger, Indiana Gas’ president and chief executive officer. IN A MEMO TO the utility’s 1,250 employees Thursday, Ferger wrote that the continuing allegations “are not healthy and certainly break down the spirit of teamwork which most of us are working hard to realize.” He urged employees to cooperate with a special investigation by Arthur Andersen & Co. of the utility’s relationship with its outside con-
the State Board of Health. Two more announcements also taped Nov. 22 with Ryan will air later, probably in the late winter or spring, McCarty said. Those announcements will be available for national use. “Ryan is also going to be featured in a poster,” McCarty said. RYAN, OF CICERO, is a hemophiliac who contracted AIDS in a blood clotting treatment He drew national attention with his successful battle to attend school. Diagnosed with AIDS in December 1984, he was barred in July 1985 from attending Western Middle School near Kokomo because of fear he could spread AIDS to other students. A judge ruled the following spring Ryan should be allowed to attend school, because AIDS cannot be spread through casual contact.
1 49 f /VOMAI SINGLE ELECTRIC CANDLE with clear bulb 10c of each purchase will be donated to the Greencastle Civic League’s Lights of Love. 4 pack clear bulbs... 78c ace Hardware 117 W. Franklin, Greencastle 653-9746 Mon.-FH. 8-7, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 12-5
young partners through a real old-fashioned hoedown. Students taking part included Brandi Clodfelter, Andy Rodgers, Amanda Fish, Jessica Ritter, Gene Howard, Tiffany Hollingsworth, Alex Neuman, Jessica Wilson, Kevin Gilley and Uriah Kortz. (Banner-Graphic photo by Gary Goodman).
tractors. He also notified the company’s contractors and suppliers of the action. Two years ago Indiana Gas, who serves 350,000 customers in 47 Indiana counties, performed a similar internal audit at the request of senior management because of rumors regarding the utility’s relationship with Roberts Pipeline Co. of Sulphur Springs. ROBERT PIPELINE is hired by Indiana Gas and other utilities to do heavy pipeline work, including main extensions and laying gas pipelines into new subdivisions. Officials said that audit revealed no improprieties. In his memo, Ferger referred to an anonymous letter forwarded to him by The Indianapolis Star. THE UNSIGNED letter once again alleged improprieties bet-
Goldsmith critical of justice system and even his own office
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The entire criminal justice system failed to protect a young man allegedly molested by his caretaker for 11 years, Prosecutor Stephen Goldsmith says. He blames even his own office. IN A COURT document asking for the maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment for Edward L. Bramblett, Goldsmith said Thursday, “The current case presents a clear example of longterm related improper behavior to which the system welfare, police, prosecutor and courts did not respond properly.” Goldsmith also blamed officials of Indianapolis Public Schools for not acting to protect the youth or to
xjgg (jreencastle Slight School Christmas (Dinner Concert ) nT 2 Performances A) Monday, December 18,1989 T uesday, December 19,1989 js I? serving time 6 p.m. v , Reservations must be received > y by Monday, December 11,1989 v-/ « Please fill out form below and mail to: Green- vjUL castle High School, 910 E. Washington St., Greencastle, IN 46135 Make checks payable to Greencastle Music Boosters. Concert only tickets may be purchased at ths door. " v " ( I Please reserve: I X LX Adults (*6 ea.) Students (*4 ea.) MJ V* Concert only (*2 ea.) Monday, December 18th A Tuesday, December 19th —— Enclosed is my check for • & O . O . Phone No. K
o*c«mb*f 2,1989 THE BANNERGRAPHIC
ween Indiana Gas and Roberts Pipeline: “With very little investigation you will find several smaller contractors, within the past two years, have been pushed out of areas and that work is now being done by Roberts Pipeline Company. These smaller contractors performed the very same work at lower prices.” The four-page letter detailed practices that the writer said have resulted in increased operating costs for Indiana Gas and higher bills for all ratepayers. SHORTLY AFTER receiving the letter from The Star, Indiana Gas conducted another internal investigation. The utility then responded to The Star in a thrccpage letter that pointed out numerous factual errors in the correspondence.
dismiss Bramblett, a retired schoolteacher, for “possible sexual involvement with young boys” as early as 1959. Bramblett, 60, was charged with child molesting this year after a 19-year-old man told police he had been molested by the schoolteacher since he was placed in the defendant’s care at the age of 8. BRAMBLETT PLEADED guilty to one count of child molesting. Richard Kammen, Bramblett’s attorney, said during the hearing that Goldsmith’s report contained “a great deal of material we believe ... we can refute.” Kammen plans to call the victim to testify at the sentencing hearing.
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