The Independent-News, Volume 103, Number 38, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 23 February 1978 — Page 4

FEBRUARY 23, 1978 - THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS

EDITORIALS t ’ ■ • ■

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED The ups and downs of the coal strike, the ensuing energy pinch, and vou. are all related. Despite the fact that we. as individuals, can do nothing about the coal strike, and it appears that the United Mine Workers are really forcing a hard issue, we enter in by the conservation of electric power which is basically supplied by coal in our area. The Indiana output of electricity on a normal basis is 95 per cent by coal fired generators. It is not news to anyone what the voluntary action procedure is asking us to do. The mandatory action, which may not be very far off for parts of Northern Indiana, is much stricter. The only way serious consequences can be avoided, is by a tremendous effort by all and the hopes that one way or another the coal mines will be reopened in the very near future. As far as personal sacrifice, many individuals have the feeling this doesn't concern them as they are only one individual. It is still evident that more outdoor lighting is being used than necessary although for the most part, most of this has been curtailed. It is also evident that other measures of conservation are being followed by most individuals as they are doing their part to help conserve. The fact is that we in Northen Indiana, and particularly customers of Northern Indiana Public Service Company, still have that safety of mind that mandatory action is still some ways away. However, with Indiana & Michigan's situation being that mandatory cutbacks may occur as early as this week end or early next week, this will seriously effect the entire area. The serious part of any shortage and cutbacks such as this is the laying off of help, the curtailment of pay checks for people due to the situations they have no control over. No one wants to have their pay cut or stopped, even for a short time. And despite the financial stability of the families involved, any pay cut or stoppage has a defmate effect on the economy. If money isn't coming in. much more conservativeness of spending is going to be the result. It is not ours or anyone elses place to say what business or industry should be first to sacrifice. A job in one type of a business means as much to that employee as a job in another. Certianly the lifesustaing facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, etc., have to be continued at a near full capacity. Other businesses, although not in this category, pay wages, which buys food and other necessities of life for the employees and their families. Any cutback of employment has to hurt someone and that is truly why it is so important that everone do w hat they can to help in this situation. There are many things that all of us could do without, work is not one of them. However, to typecast anything saying that this business or that business is less essential than others, is not fair to the people involved. Restrictions will have to come and we will have to take it whether or not we like it. The decisions that will be made are not hasty judgements, they are decisions that will have been given serious thought by the parties involved and we will have to live w ith them. It can only be hoped that the end of this situation is near and people can return to a more normal way of life. There is one lesson learned by this situation though, that we, as residents of this prosperous land, take too much for granted. We are still all volunerable to the right situations and everything that we take for granted, can be taken away from us whether we like it or not. if this leads in some way to a more understanding and conservative type of lift in the future, minor setbacks might be major gains in the long run.

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Gem 6. Biblical tower 11. Beetle 12. Bird's winy (tool.) 13. Part of field, work 14. Skins 15. Grain to be ground 16. Sign as correct 17. East by south (abbr.) 18. King of Baahan 19 Serf 21. Yes (Sp ) 22. City (N. J.) 25. Consumed 26. Heats, as 29 Place 31. Largest state 34. Jewish month 35. Warbled 37. Overhead train 38 Masurium (abbr.) 39 Sloth 40 Subaided 43. Articlea 45. TV’a Paladin 46 Stairway post 47. More infrequent 48. Girl's name

49. Sandarac trees DOWN 1. Cant 2. Come into view 3. A valley I- (N. Afr.) 4. Epochs 5. Portable light 6. A peer 7. Similar 8. Kind of roll 9 Oldest 10. TV dog 20. Scotch dirk 23. Route

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24 Inde. finite article 25. Donkey 27. Branch of mathematics 28. Music note 29. Thin

36 Passage, way 41. W>ld pig 42. Adriatic wind 44. Female sheep

plate 30. Subsided 32. Sharper 33. Birchlike trees 35 Os a brick not fully burnt

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■ What is an old refrain to Hoosiers is being played with increasing frequency in the capitals of other states The lyrics involve property tax relief Indiana rosidents got it in 1973 — five years ago Some other states are just now getting around to it Almost half the 50 states enacted some type of property tax relief legislation during 1977. according to a recent bulletin of the Federation of Tax Administrators. Washington. D C Interestingly, the most popular type o f property tax relief last year was circuit-breaker legislation, permitting aged or disabled persons to claim a credit or refund on their income tax returns for property taxes paid Three states enacted such legislation for senior citizens and one broadened existing legislation during 1977 so it went to all taxpayers. A circuit breaker provision was included in the original Indiana property tax relief legislation in 1973 I asked the 1978 General Assembly to increase the qualifiers for the circuit-breaker so reassessment will not reduce the number of persons on fixed incomes receiving it. Equally as popular in state legislatures are property tax controls, also put into place in Indiana in 1973 as part of the property tax relief program. Generally, states are using three types of property tax controls One is on property tax rates, which is the type of control existing

/<REMEMBER^V WHEN...

1973 Donald Ludwig has been named chairman of the 6th annual Walkerton Summer Festival for 1973. Sponsored by the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce, the dates of June 7, 8 and 9 have been decided on. The Better Homes Extension Cub is chartering a bus to Chicago to see the annual Flower and Garden Show on Wednesday, March 28. Dave & Ray's Koontz Lake Store has been sold to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Guard and son, Dennis. The 84th Convention of the St. Joseph County IFC will be held at the United Methodist Church. Walkerton, on March 5. 1963 The North Liberty Development Association wishes to announce that they are once again participating in an additional building program for the Wells Aluminum Corp. This participation is in the form of a loan which provides a deposit amounting to 10 per cent of the building cost. Jack Watkins and Larry Hiler will serve as pages in the State Senate on Monday and on Tuesday in the House of Representatives. Jack is being sponsored by Joint State Senator Marshall Kizer, of Plymouth, and Larry is being sponsored by Otto J. Pozgay, Representative. The first elementary Science Fair of its kind was held on Friday, February 15. in the North Liberty Elementary School gym. There was a total of 98 projects entered b\ boys and girls in grades four thru seven.

Capitol Commentary Governor Otis R Bowen

1958 The house and shed located at 905 Virginia Street, Walkerton, and owned by the Walkerton-Lincoln Township School Corp., has been sold for removal to Archie Laßere. His was the lowest bid at $125 and he has 90 days for removal. Harry and Denslow Doll treated the Walkerton basketball team, coaches and school principal and school superintendent, to a wonderful chicken dinner on Tuesday evening. The dinner is an annual affair given to the team for beating their old rival. North Liberty, in both of the regularly scheduled games each year. Market prices this week show ground beef at 44 cents a pound, fish fillets at 29 cents a pound, pork loin 55 cents a pound, center cut pork chops at 63 cents a pound, carrots 10 cents a package, celery 19 cents a stalk; cream cheese 8 oz. for 29 cents and 10 Nestles milk chocolate or crunch candy bars for 39 cents. 1948 And again comes the Walkerton Postmaster, one Arthur Shirley, with a request for a bit of “free” publicity for his department. It seems that there's a "Spanish Swindle" operating through the mails whereby certain picked "easy marks" receive letters wherein the writer represents himself to be in prison in Mexico City sentenced for bankruptcy. He requests the addressee to help him save the sum of $375,000 which is in bank bills hidden in a secret compartment of a trunk which is in a Customs House tn the United States. A reply to

in Indiana from 1973 through last year for local civil taxing units in counties which did not adopt the local option income tax This type control limits growth in property tax revenues to the natural growth of assessed values A second variety of control is on property tax levies, which limits the revenues which can be collected from property taxes but does not restrict income from other sources, such as federal revenue-sharing, fees, user charges and the like In adopting counties, this type control has been in place for civil units as soon as they adopted the local option tax Indiana schools have been under such controls since 1973 As a result of 1977 legislation, all of Indiana s local civil units of government are under levy controls which permit non-inflationary increases for taxes paid this year and next The third, most restrictive type of control is a lid on total expenditures. whatever the source of revenue Such controls are not in use in Indiana but have been considered m other states Tne trend definitely is toward tighter control of local government expenditures Indiana did this job early. Despite the howls of those who want to spend, the program has worked for the benefit of the property taxpayer. So. don t be deluded when someone blames the controls for inability to fund local governmental programs The controls do not keep any taxing unit from doing anything However, they do protect the most important pocketbook of all — yours.

the letter is supposed to bring undeniable evidence of the imprisonment and the existance of the sum of money involved. When that evidence has been furnished, the addressee is required to go to Mexico City and pay the expense incurred in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings and the lifting of the embargo on a suitcase which contains a baggage check for the trunk containing the money. The addressee of the letter is then to received one-third of the $375,000 for his trouble. Ordinarily, reply to this letter will bring a 3-page letter, together with fake newspaper clippings and legal papers, intending to substantiate the story and arrange for release of the victim in Mexico. So. sucker, if you want to make an "easy" 125,000 help this poor guy out of jail and recover the trunk full of money! 1943 The registration of all families in the U. S. for War Ration Book No. 2 will take place next week, starting Monday, February 22. A daylight robbery at the Hershberger 5c to SI.OO store in Walkerton on Friday afternoon at five o’clock cost the store $241.34 in checks and silver, according to George Hershberger, owner and manager. Rensberger’s Market, which has been owned and operated by the partnership of Harold and Herbert Rensberger, changed ownership this week when Herbert sold his interest to his brother, Harold. swm * The Roman numerals at the base of the pyramid on the back of a dollar bill signify 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed.