Banner Graphic, Volume 20, Number 176, Greencastle, Putnam County, 31 March 1990 — Page 8

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THE BANNERGRAPHIC March 31,1990

County Council

ing, it was noted a person making an annual salary of $20,000 would pay approximately SSO per year, if CEDIT was imposed at .25 percent Evans said most families “blow” that much money having dinner in Indianapolis. “Most people work 40 hours a week for a total of about 2,000 hours per year,” the man in the audience countered. “That means they would have to be making $lO per hour to come up with $20,000 per year. How many people do you know in Putnam County who are making $lO per hour?” the man asked. “I HAVE TO WORK in Marion County just to get an above minimum-level wage,” he continued. And most Putnam County residents aren’t spending SSO for meals out on the town in Indianapolis, he added. They are spending that money for their children’s lunches and the necessities of life. “Yes, but if you’re making SIO,OOO per year, that means you’d only be paying $25 a year,” Clodfelter responded. “But SIO,OOO is minimum poverty level,” the man responded, “and those people making less are going to need their money more. Personally, I’m tired of politicians sticking their hands in my pockets.” Bob Albright, Greencastle, said the County Council imposed CAGIT years ago not only to ease property taxes, but to help replace federal revenue sharing dollars the government used to provide to local units of government. Albright said the county would have “ample” money today if that money had been used correctly. BUT CLODFELTER ASSERTED that the County Council has been conservative in the way it has spent taxpayers’ dollars. Rather, he noted the school systems have demanded more of residents’ tax dollars than what the county actually has. “I don’t know,” Albright responded, “maybe you’re trying to gain more funds for the special interest groups. I just know my house, which was built in 1974, is going up 41 percent in assessed valuation. My taxes will have to go up a lot to make me only pay 5 percent more on taxes.” ‘That’s the attempt of reassessment,” Clodfelter told Albright, “to equalize things and if the assessed valuation goes up, the tax rate will come down.” Meanwhile, one member of the audience suggested the Council delay imposing CEDIT until a capital projects plan is prepared. “We need to know what you’re going to do (with the CEDIT funds),” she said. “We’re going to use it for economic development,” Clodfelter answered. ‘THAT’S AN AWFULLY broad subject,” the woman told Clodfelter. “You (the Council) need to get more specific.” Not having a particular plan in place also disturbed Ival Lane, rural Bainbridge. “Really, what we’re talking about is having a discretionary fund here,” he said of CEDIT revenue. “I’ve dealt with people long enough to know when money comes in, without nothing earmarked for it to be used for a particular purpose, it’s all too easy to spend it for other things. Then, you got to come back and ask for more. “I don’t like these kinds of things,” Lane told the Council. “You may put on a quarter of a percent now and then down the road still not get a jail. I don’t like open-ended discretionary funds.” ALSO SPEAKING FROM the audience was William Wright, who formerly worked in Putnam County government. Wright said Putnam County (officials) never talk about spending less, but always spending more. “We have all these computers in the courthouse,” he noted. “Does anyone ever talk about laying anyone off? We have more employees now than we ever had before.” Wright also said his taxes keep going up, but he has not seen a “dimes worth” more in services. Again, Clodfelter said most of the tax increases in the county have been due to projects undertaken by the school systems and not county government. But audience member Schneider pointed out no matter what the source of any tax increase is, it is time to consider the citizens’ welfare. “YOU HAVE A LOT OF hard-working people in Putnam County and you need to give them a break,” Schneider told the Council. “It’s evident you haven’t done your homework. You can’t say you’re going to earmark this money for a jail yet. You can’t say you’re going to earmark it for economic development. You don’t even have a plan, Give the people of this county a break for just one year,” Schneider suggested. James Poor, rural Greencastle, agreed with Schneider. “I don’t come to many meetings like this because I like to stay out of controversy. But I agree with (Schneider) and I’m against a tax, period, and I don’t care if it is only a quarter of one percent. That’s SSO more than what we’re paying, on top of what we’re already paying now, which I think is too much.” Burl Dudley, Marion Township, said he is paying more in taxes now than what he paid in rent during

Library-

The workshops will not stress a single type of writing. Writers will be encouraged to use forms comfortable to them. They may choose to write poems, short stories, letters, journals, or just personal statements. O’NEILL HAS conducted creative writing workshops in schools, public libraries, universities and hospitals. He conducted a “Let’s

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earlier years. “I can’t see how you can continually drain the public.” Dudley also noted he’d like to see some “benefits” from taxes he’s already paid to the county. ANOTHER SPEAKER from the audience, a new resident of Putnam County, said he moved to Greencastle from Michigan. “Frankly, I’m appalled at the services I don’t have here that I had in Michigan,” he told the council. “I have to pay for my trash pick-up that was paid for where I was in Michigan,” he continued. “I have to pay for school book rental that was paid for in Michigan, and the exorbitant excise tax on the vehicles is ridiculous. And water rates (in the city of Greencastle) are going up 9 percent. “Right now,” he added, “local and state taxes are taking 13 percent of what I’m making in wages. I’ve had enough of taxes. I’d like to say to the Council I think fiscal responsibility needs to be stressed. I don’t know the size of your (the county’s) coffers, but do you know where the money is going? “We all have to live within our budgets,” he added, “and I think the Council should live within (its) budget, too ” COUNCILMEN WERE then asked to individually address the CEDIT issue. Richard Asbell spoke first, saying he is not in favor of CEDIT because, for one thing, reassessment will be difficult on residents. He also pointed out state law mandates counties to do more, but yet no additional money is provided. That throws the burden on counties to come up with money to do what the state and federal governments demand. “What’s killing the counties,” Asbell said, “are the jails, welfare and criminals. That’s the reason I’m not running again (for County Council),” he added, ascertaining the Council’s power to handle fiscal matters is being superseded by slate and federal mandates. He also agreed with audience members, indicating the county should have a plan in hand before imposing a tax on residents. Councilman Kenny Ames said he is in favor of CEDIT, saying some of the money does need to be put back for a new jail. “I think it’s a good tax and a fair tax,” he added. “It’s easy to sit out there and criticize, but we’re only trying to do the right thing.” RESPONDING TO earlier comments made that if any councilman voted for the tax they would be ousted in the next election, Ames said, “I won’t probably be running again because I don’t need this crap. But I’m not backing off and I’m going to vote for this tax.” Councilman Max Nichols said he would not vote to enact CEDIT. “We just can’t keep taxing people and taxing people. Maybe a year or two down the road, I probably would (vote for CEDIT). But a lot of people have told me ‘no’ and that’s the way I’m going to vote.” Council President Clodfelter again said he is in favor of CEDIT, saying it will help economic development efforts countywide and bring in more revenue to the incorporated towns. “Fiscally, I think it’s the best thing we can do for the county,” he determined. Meanwhile, Dorothy Edwards said she had “feelings both ways” about the tax. Edwards also noted the County Council considered CEDIT a year ago and she was the one who made the motion to delay it a year, which the council did. “IT’S BEEN A YEAR now,” Edwards said, “but we are bringing it up with no plan (in mind). Maybe we should put it off another year. I think we should know what we’re voting for when we vote for it.” Councilman Frances Harris Evans kept her vote status secret until it was actually recorded. “I agree with what’s been said,” she did say. “I have been approached by a lot of people and will vote accordingly.” Also in the audience were Putnam County Commissioners Gene Beck and Don Walton, along with Mayor Mike Harmless. Each one was asked if citizens had contacted them either way about CEDIT. Beck said no one called him to say they were in favor of the tax, but three people did phone to say they were against it. Mayor Harmless commented no one contacted him at all. But, he said, that was possibly due to people in the city thinking it is really a county matter instead of a city matter. “And that’s the way it should be,” the mayor added. MEANWHILE, WALTON said approximately 12 people called him; half were for and half were against the tax. The biggest comment, Walton did say, was that residents wanted the opportunity to meet with the Council at night, when more could show up to express their opinion about CEDIT. Prior to the conclusion of the 90-minute meeting at the courthouse, Nichols made a motion to “delay CEDIT for another year.” His motion was seconded by Asbell. Voting to delay the tax for one year were Nichols, Asbell, Edwards and Mrs. Evans. Voting against the motion to delay were Councilmen Clodfelter and Ames. Councilman Bob Evans was absent

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Write About It” program at the Putnam County Public Library during the winter of 1989. “Let’s Write About It: Volume Two” is co-sponsored by the Putnam County Public Library and the Stone Hills Library Network, with the support of the Indiana Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Greencastle schools

GREENCASTLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS April 2-6 Monday, April 2 Ridpath School —PTO candy sales permission slips to go home. PBA meeting for committee members, 3 p.m. Middle School Girls’ track practice begins. High School — Scheduling for 1990-91 begins. Tuesday, April 3 Ridpath Mrs. Barnes’ annual case reviews. High School Cheerleader tryouts after school. Physiology field trip. Wednesday, April 4 Elementary Enrichment Computer Time at Middle School, 3:10-4:10 p.m. Jones School Nature speaker, 8:30-9:30 a.m. for grades 3-5; 1011 a.m. for grades K-2. Thursday, April 5 Ridpath School — Putnam County Spelling Bee in multi-puipose room, 7 p.m. Spectators welcome. Miss McCammon’s annual case reviews. Northeast School Mrs. Wilson’s first grade to visit the DePauw greenhouse. Friday, April 6 Ridpath School Candy bats to be sold. Will be distributed to students who have returned their permission slips —Miss McCammon’s annual case reviews (A.M.).

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York Pontiac-Olds-GMC, Greencastle, recently received the “Customer Satisfaction Excellence Award” at a regional GMC truck meeting at the Sheraton East Hotel, Indianapolis. The award is earned through consistent achievement of higher than average customer satisfaction ratings in both sales and service for 1989. Posing with the trophy is the entire service staff,

Obituaries Raymond Chester ‘Chet’ Crawley

Raymond Chester (“Chet”) Crawley, 81, Route 4, Greencastle, passed away Thursday evening at his residence.

David Lee Grimes

David Lee Grimes, 56, Cincinnati, died Friday morning at Jewish Hospital of Cincinnati. Bom April 20, 1933 in Terre Haute, he was the son of David Lloyd and Leilia (Shickell) Grimes. Mr. Grimes was a 1951 graduate of Fillmore High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in 1955 from Purdue University. On Sept. 14, 1954, he married Nancy Louise Robbins of Russellville, and she survives. Mr. Grimes lived and began raising a family on a farm in Putnam County until 1966. He then began a lifelong career in the pork industry. He worked at Hygrade in Indianapolis and eventually was employed with Crown Packing Co. Most recently, he worked at the John Morrell Co. Mr. Grimes’ work took him and his family to several towns

Ronald E. Thomas

Ronald E Thomas, 47, formerly of Greencastle, passed away early Saturday at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis.

State Farm

jobs, Hanlon knows what the down side is. “It’s not easy, it’s thankless, and they don’t get enough recognition,” he said. Some of the guards spend their careers working in large dormitories of up to 50 offenders with only one other guard with them, and just two others nearby. BUT THERE IS some recognition in the works. Hanlon said the ISF has set May 4 as Correction Officer Recognition Day. The State Farm will be opened to the public for tours after a keynote address

consisting of (from left) service manager Dick York, service writer Jon Clark, parts manager Joe Lesko, Gary Hobson, Don Patterson, Ben Kersey, Curt Scheuermann, Mark Thomas, Dave Kilgore, Cliff Smiley, Mark Lee, Pat Foxx and Arnold Smith. (Banner-Graphic photo by Gary Goodman).

Services are pending at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle.

in lowa, Detroit and Chicago. He was a member of the Madeira Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Leilia Grimes; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Kenneth Grimes, Flint, Mich., Michael and Jane Lindsay Grimes, Ypsilanti, Mich., and Kevin and Cari Grimes, Fishers, Ind.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Deanna and Stephen Wenzel, Flint, Mich., and Lea, Ypsilanti, Mich., and a grandson, David Tyler Grimes. The deceased was preceded in death by his father. Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

kins-Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle. A complete obituary will be published later.

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and demonstrations of some of the ISF’s special units, Hanlon said. There will be more details on the day in a future article. But on a daily basis, Hanlon is trying to open up the administration to include his employees. He listens to their ideas and encourages those who have good thoughts to put them into action. “Right now we’re getting the 1991-93 budget ready,” Hanlon explained, “And I’ve asked all of my department heads to check with their people to see what we need to include in that budget.” It is just one way Hanlon is seeking employees’ input. IN THE FUTURE, HE said, department heads will be required to keep lists of employee ideas that can be included in the budget or brought to fruition.

iTI iTI $1 NOW 1$ 1 EARN HIGH YIELDS $ $ on $ $ TAX DEFERRED ANNUITIES $ sand a IRA ACCOUNTS J S ,* $ 9% IkT •rate subject to change c Greenmark Insurance * N* 1 N. Locust St., Greencastle $(317) 653-4141 1 -800-321 -3436 UsrJ Subsidiary of First United Savings Bank sssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Putnam scanner

City Police The theft of a videocassette recorder from a northwest side residence was reported Friday afternoon to Greencastle City Police. According to Det. Charles “Sonny” Wood’s report, the back door of the residence of Leo Lee Reed, 315 Johnson St., was apparently left unlocked, and an intruder entered and made off with a Sanyo VCR. The incident occurred sometime after 5:30 p.m. Thursday and was reported to City Police at 2 p.m.Friday. Value of the stolen VCR was undetermined. Real Estate Transfers Jerry L. Burroughs and wife to William R. Myers, warranty deed, lot in Vanßibber Lake Inc. Sub. Denise L. Bullerdick to Jerry Lane Lents and wife, quit claim deed, part of Monroe Township. Donald A. Resener and wife to Randall A. Simmons, warranty deed, lot in Victory Hills, Heritage Lake.

MERCHANTS GRAIN Closing Bids March 30,1990 Greencastle 317 522-1540 Chip Com *2.54 Beans. *5.70 Pel. Roachdole

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