Banner Graphic, Volume 20, Number 306, Greencastle, Putnam County, 1 September 1990 — Page 1

Greencastle. Putnam-County. Saturday. September 1 1990. Vol. 20 No 306 35 Cents

County Council to hold annual budget powwow

By ANGIE HOWLAND Banner-Graphic Staff Writer Beginning Tuesday, a two-day pow wow of the Putnam County Council will take place to discuss, approve and cut the county’s 1991 budget “About 80,000-SIOO,OOO will need to be cut out from the General Fund,” County Auditor Myrtle Cockrell told the council Tuesday night. COCKRELL SAID that amount needs to be slashed because much has changed since the total county reassessment figures were released in August. In early August the county assessment was figured at $177 million. This figure was up SSB million from ath 1978 valuation. Since that release however, many county residents have found errors in their tax statements, they have realized they can collect homestead credits and a variety of other problems. COCKRELL SAID when employees from Appraisal Research conducted much of the on-site property assessment inspections, errors were made. In addition, when some of the data entry people, employed by Appraisal Research, keyed in the information

Library reviews budget despite weather

By LISA MEYER Banner-Graphic Staff Writer In the wake of Wednesday’s early morning rain and windstorm, the Putnam County Library Board was prepared Thursday evening to meet on the front steps of the library building if necessary for a hearing on its 1991 budget But with power restored to the facility, one downed tree limb cleared away and only six broken storm windows, the board was able to meet inside as planned for the hearing and its regular monthly meeting. AT THE PUBLIC hearing, only one patron asked questions of the budget Library Executive Director Ellen Sedlack said the patron asked for clarifications on the salary of the janitor, and the increase in books, newspapers, magazines and audio visual. The budget was advertised with a tax rate of 6.89 cents per SIOO of assessed valuation to raise and es-

‘No surprises’ budget set for S. Putnam

By ANGIE HOWLAND Banner-Graphic Staff Writer The South Putnam Community School Corporation board of school trustees wasted little time Thursday night in approving the 1991 budget proposal. In just 15 minutes, school board members unanimously approved three resolutions for budgeted appropriations, tax levies and plans for the Capital Projects Fund. THE PROPOSED budget will now be reviewed by field examiners from the State Board of Tax Commissioners during a hearing in mid-October. Supt. James Hammond said there are “no surprises” in this year’s

Good enough for a picnic

Tonight partly cloudy and warm. Low in the middle 60s. West wind 5 mph. Sunday partly sunny and warm. High 85 to 90. Labor Day outlook: Mostly sunny and warm. High in the lower to middle 80s. Low in the lower to middle 60s. Indiana Extended Forecast Dry and warm Monday through Wednesday. Lows each day in the 60s; highs from the

it was incorrect In some instances, errors have been found on resident’s property tax bills where thousands of dollars have been added because of a data entry operator adding a zero. “There have been many cuts since, and that reassessment values have come in,” she said. Therefore, not as much money will be available for next year’s budget as was first expected. TUESDAY AND Wednesday, county department heads will individually ask for a certain budget. They will have 15 minutes to explain what they are asking for. Budget Schedule Sept 4 8:30 a.m.-Circuit Court, Probation User’s fee, Additional Appropriation Guardian Ad Litem 8:45 a.m.-County Court-User’s Fee 9:00 a.m.-Alcohol and Drug SATP 9:15 a.m.-Microfilm 9:30 a.m.-Treasurer 9:45 a.m.-Recorder 10:00 a.m.-Sheriff-Jail 10:15 a.m.-Surveyor-Surveyor Stone Search 10:30 a.m.-Extension Office Col, 5, Back Page, this section

timated $120,971. The entire budget estimate was advertised as $210,775. Property tax replacement credit was listed at $5,971. Final adoption of the budget is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept 6 at the library. Once adopted by the board, the budget will go to the county tax adjustment board on Sept. 10. MRS. SEDLACK SAID that if the county cuts the budget, the library board plans to file an appeal with the state. That appeal would then be considered by the state Board of Tax Commissioners in October. In its regular meeting, the board learned that the library is receiving tax checks from the county auditor’s office. Mrs. Sedlack said a large tax check is expected in September. She said the board does not anticipate making additional draws on its $60,000 line of credit loan with

budget The proposed 1991 tax rates have been set at $5.60 per SIOO of assessed value. That means a landowner in the SPCSC district with an assessed valuation of SIO,OOO will pay a $560 school tax next year, under the proposed budget. The tax commissioners’ field examiners will either approve the rate or diminish iL Last year, once the delayed reassessment was completed, South Putnam taxpayers paid a rate of $4.57 per SIOO of assessed value. That means our taxpayer with the SIO,OOO assessment paid $457 in school tax this year. WITH THE TOTAL tax rate, the corporation hopes to raise

80s in the north to the middle 90s in the south. Index Abby A 3 Classified A6,A7 Comics A 3 Crossword A 7 Horoscope A 7 Obituaries A 8 People A 3 Sports A 4, AS Theatres A 8

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The North Putnam Cougars hold high the coveted County Bucket after defeating the South Putnam Eagles 19-0. The victory not only signals a shift in football power in the county, but

First Citizens Bank. THE BOARD HAS already drawn $40,000 on the loan while waiting for its tax distribution, which was delayed by the county reassessment. The board has until Dec. 31 to repay the $40,000. Meanwhile, the board learned that Dan Doan has been named to fill the library board seat vacated by Harriett Dobson. Doan, president of First Citizens Bank, was named to the board by the Greencastle Community School Board. He was unable to attend Thursday’s special meeting, Mrs. Sedlack said, but should be at the regular board meeting in September. IN ANNOUNCEMENTS, Mrs. Sedlack told the board that DePauw University will host the Indiana Library Association District V meeting, “Making the Most of Our Human Resources,” on Thursday, Sept. 27.

$2,071388. The majority of money will go toward the Debt Service and General Funds. Fourty-eight percent of the General Fund’s $4,095,984 budget goes toward salaries. A proposed tax rate of $2.24 will help pay the largest school fund. This is the fund from which most of the school’s bills are paid. The other 50 percent of the General Fund goes toward regular programs for students. The proposed Debt Service fund of $1,002,300, which will require a tax rate of $2.29 will go toward paying off school bus loans, the high school and Central Elementary building’s common school fund

Putnam Patter Baying of hounds is music to fox hunter’s ear

By DAVID BARR Banner-Graphic Civic Editor Folks raised in the woods learned early that you have to get up early in the morning if you expect to be smarter than a fox, and then be prepared to be taken for suckers. We had plenty of proof of this situation since our place at the far end of the dead end road was in the deep woods where these wily beasts could come at us in all directions.

In the monthly report, Mrs. Sedlack noted that the library’s July circulation of 6,342 was good, especially since it was county 4-H fair time. The library’s number of registered borrowers is also quickly approaching the 10,000 mark. As of July, PCPL had a total of 9,992 resident and non-resident borrowers. In other business, Mrs. Sedlack said: The Friends of the Library book sale is set for Friday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 15. Story hours for children will resume at the library on Tuesday, Sept. 18 and Wednesday, Sept. 19. The bookmobile will resume its routes Monday, Sept. 10. The board will meet again Sept. 6 for final adoption of its 1991 budget The next regular meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26.

debt and computers. The transportation fund, used to pay for vehicle services and maintenance, two new buses, and personnel, totals $582,813. If approved, a tax rate of $.51 per SIOO of assessed valuation will be implemented to raise $190,315. -- - FINALLY, THE corporation hopes to raise $200,818 for the Capital Projects Fund with a proposed tax rate of $.54. Supt Hammond figured the tax rates on $36,983,169 of assessed corporation valuation. The school board also approved a temporary teaching contract for Joanne Collins. She will take the place of Debra Colwell, who is on parental leave.

SINCE THE FOX was a master of the darkness, most of what we knew about the tricks of the fox came from those who were called “fox hunters,” and this needs some explanation. These gentlemen were made up mostly of fanners in the areas. The fox was given a chance. In fact any of the brotherhood of hunters who caught a fox, and relieved him of his hide, was considered an outcast of the woods. They got their enjoyment by lis-

gives the Cougars a 2-0 record for the first time in a decade. Details are in Sports, page A-4. (Banner-Graphic photo by Gary Goodman)

7)

GINA COMBS

Who’s news

Cloverdale Lodge No. 132 F.& A.M. announces that GINA COMBS has received a SI,OOO scholarship from the Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Indiana. She also received a SSOO scholarship from the Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute. Gina will attend Butler University this fall. While at Plainfield High School, she was a member of the girls’ ensemble, concert choir, SADD, National Honor Society, Hoosier Spellbowl, Academic Superbowl and assistant editor for the high school newspaper. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mr. Russell E. Combs, Plainfield, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Truman L. Mann and Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Combs. Dr. FRED HAGGERTY of Greencastle attended the Annual Scientific Assembly of the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians in French Lick. More than 200 family physicians from around the state attended the continuing medical education meeting. Some of the topics discussed during the conference included hormone therapy, diabetes, depression, pediatric op-

tening to the baying of the hounds hot on the trail. I had to look it up so you will know: Baying is barking in a low tone. Something like singing bass in the choir, for example. ACCORDING TO THESE hunters, each dog had its particular bark. With this identification, the sharp ear could tell whose dog was leading the pack and whose was settling for last place. Since these hunters worked hard for their daily bread, one wonders

MARTIN HANKS

thamology, GI diagnosis and therapy and others. Airman MARTIN E. HANKS, son of Carol L. Boggess, Route 1, Greencastle, has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Tex. During his six-week training, Airman Hanks studied USAF mission, organization and customs, receiving special instruction in human relations. He is a 1989 Greencastle High School graduate. ROB MANN of Cloverdale was recently appointed a sales representative by Pioneer HiBred International Inc. He attended a week-long orientation program to learn the company’s business operation, focusing on computer usage, product information and accounting practices. Dr. JOHN R. SCAMAHORN of Greencastle represented Indiana veterinarians at the July 21-25 meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association in San Antonio, Tex. He is an alternate delegate for the association.

how they could drag in about daylight and head back to the fields. Part of each hunter’s endurance might have come because for the most part they gathered around a fire to keep warm if the night was chilly. Then I guess there must have been something about listening to dogs that made them forget their troubles. THE SHARP EARS OF these gentlemen of the night woods could Col., 1, Back Page, this section

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ROB MANN