The Independent-News, Volume 104, Number 35, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 1 February 1979 — Page 4

FEBRUARY 1, 1979 THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS

|*EDITORIAL!^

AN IMPORTANT DECISION \n import ant dec isum w ill bv considered luesdav night as the regular meeting of the Polk Lincoln-Johnson Schm'l Board convenes. I his decision, as advertised in both last week's and this week's editions of "The Independent News", concerns the establishing of a Cumulative Building Fund rate that will be in effect for five years, pavable in 1980 through 1984 for all personal proper!) taxpayers of the three townships. Polk. I imoln (including Walkerton) and Johnson. It is the board s plan at present to consider raising the C umulative Building Fund from $ .25 cents per $ 1 (X) assessed valuation, to $1 (X) per $1(X) assessed valuation. This is a fund that will be in effect for five years starting with 1979, pavable in 1980 and once it is set it will remain that was under the present laws concerning such a fund. One must look at this with mixed emotions. Certainly it is to every school system’s advantage to have a "surplus" fund for building, maintenance, remodeling, etc., in this line to be used when needed. In addition to building new with this type of monies, it is the main source of monies for maintenance, updating buildings to meet various codes, etc. This is presently one of three parts of your school tax charge, the general fund being the one that runs the schools from day to day and pays teachers’ salaries and all the expenses. Then there is a debt service fund, this one that pays off bond issues on buildings such as currently is paying for the original elementary school, the John Glenn High School and the new addition to the Walkerton Elementary School. This debt service has some time to run until the bonds are paid off and the schools arc paid for. However, being realistic and a taxpayer, one must also realize that somewhere, sometime some of the continual taxing is going to have to stop. The element that makes this situation so bad. especially at a time such as now . is that the Polk-Lincoln-Johnson School Corporation’s tax is one of the highest around and just how much more can or will the taxpayer stand for. Figures were just released on the final tax rates for Marshall County and. yes, Polk Township tops the list of the 10 townships with a $6,638 rate, some 50 cents higher than the second highest. West Township. Add to this that the rate in Walkerton and or Lincoln Township, is also among the highest in St. Joseph County. The big item on the tax rates, well over half, is for the schools. And vet. do we have better buildings? Do we have better teachers? Do we have a higher ranking student than that of all our neighbors? Truthfull) one must answer no. lax rates are dependent greatly on assessed valuation and the PLJ School district is not a rich district with no big taxpayers, such as utilities, industry, etc., to relieve the load on John Q. Public. Noone really objects to paying a fair tax. Almost everyone objects to paving for something they aren't getting or something they feel is out of line. Somewhere along the line the PLJ tax situation has grown much higher than most of our neighbors. Perhaps at one time or another the proper planning was not present in some decisions. Also, are the priorities of spending in their proper prospective? Is simply raising the taxes the answer to making things better? Again we must say no. The job of a school board in running a school corporation is a thankless one and yet it is one that controls almost as big a business as can be found in the district. The number of employees, the control over so much real estate and buildings, the dealing with strong organizations in contracts for the employees, etc., is not a job that most people look forward to. Especially when the board is handcuffed to many extents with laws and codes, personal rights and discriminations, etc. being a factor that has to be considered in almost every decision. It is not a high paying job at all and not one that is appreciated by most people. And yet it has to be done and someone has to make decisions that are popular with some and unpopular with others. It is a thankless and hard job. The meeting Tuesday night will have the plan presented which the board now plans on adopting. There will be opposition. It figures out to cost the taxpayer a goodly sum of money as this increase, if selected by the board and approved by the State Board of Tax C ommissioners, will cost the taxpaver ’5 additional cents per vear for five years. That is not a pleasant thing to look forward to when one remembers the taxes paid everv spring and fall. Usually these meetings come and go. Hearings on budgets, hearings on proposed spending of various types are usually attended by the board and that is about it People won't take the time to object formally. but will take the time to object after the changes have been made. Some feel that money was not spent wisely this past year on construction of tennis courts and improvements on the field event areas for track, but yet were any of these people present when the decisions were made? No' 1 his is a ticklish situation It is easy to understand why the school board would like to have more money to work with. It is easv to understand whv the taxpavers do not want an increase such as this in their taxes One problem is that the present five vear period with the 25 cents rate expires this vear If the board is to get more monev in this wav, it must be done now No one know s for sure w hat is right and w hat is w rong in this situation and clear cut answers have not. if they could be. been given as to whv the PIJ tax rates continue to be so much higher than most surrounding school s rates We hope that some common sense is displayed in this decision and that feelings do not get frayed from those of opposite opinions in this matter as there is no doubt that both sides have their legitimate reasons, the need for additional monev bv the sch«x>l corporation and the forcing of the taxpayer to dig deeper once again fZTREME MBEfTW; WHEN... (TAKEN FROM THE FILES OF THE INDEPENDENT NEWS) County tourney finals, exploded for Ihe John Glenn B-Tcam. making an unbelieveablc comeback Saturtheir first appearance in the Bi day night to erase an II point

deficit and score 14 big points in the final 2:02 to win a 40-37 thriller over Bremen. I he John Glenn Falcons basketball team announced late last week that five victories of the current 19’3 "4 season have been forfeited due to use of an ineligible plaver. At the market this week whole Irving chickens are at 39 cents a pound; pork steak at 8’ cents a pound, stuffed sausage at 9’ cents a pound, pork roast at 8’ cents a pound; cut up fryers at 45 cents a pound; smoked sausage at $1.39 a pound; ketchup at 39 cents for a 20 ounce bottle; oranges at three pounds for 69 cents; potatoes, 20 pounds for $2.99; crackers at 35 cents for a pound box and flour at 89 cents for a five pound bag. 1964 A two car crash on Indiana 23. four miles southwest of South Bend Tuesday afternoon, put two men in the hospital, one in critical condition. Louis C. Houser. 800 Virginia Street. Walkerton, is in Memorial Hospital in fair condition after suffering a fractured left hip and lacerations. The accident occured on a straight stretch of Indiana 23 with woods on both sides just west of the Haas block plant at approximately 4; 15 Tuesday . Houser was traveling back to Walkerton from South Bend while the other driver was bound for the city. K. C. Chapman, manager of the Walkerton Lumber and Coal Co., for almost 20 years, has retired from that position and it is now held by Verle Zimmerman, of Walkerton. The move was effective February 1. 1964. Markets have frying chickens at 19 cents a pound; slicing bologna at 3 pounds for $1.00; ground beef at three pounds for 99 cents; wieners at 39 cents a pound; pork loin at 43 cents a pound; chuck roast at 39 cents a pound; swiss steak at 69 cents a pound; beef stew meat at 59 cents a pound; half and half at 35 cents a pint; icc cream, gallon 79 cents; carrots, two bags for 19 cents; tomatoes at 19 cents and bananas at 10 cents a pound. The W'alkerton High School class of 1964 presents the second annual basketball homecoming on February 7. The game is between the Indians and Washington-Clay. 1959 The 1958 TB Christmas Seal Campaign is completed for Liberty Township with total contributions of $902.97 for the township recorded. Next Thursday evening. February 12, the Manchester College Symphonic Band, under the direction of Professor David McCormick. w ill present a concert of varied standard and popular literature. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the North Liberty High School auditorium The Edward Sousley Post 3b5. American Legion, has announced that it plans to sponsor a Junior American Legion Baseball team this coming summer. Any boy can try out for the team if his 18th birthday comes after September 1. 1959. 1954 North Liberty Shamrocks won the 29th annual County Basketball Journey as the seven teams put together good, exciting basketball in one of the finest tournies ever played, liberty dropped Lakeville in a 40 38 final after spilling Walk erton 53-4’ and upsetting Wash-ington-Clay 43-38 Ihe Orville Easterday Post. American Legion, has cancelled their contract with the Empire Producing Co., due to some unfavorable publicity which the com panv received at a near-by town. 1944 A marked decline in the flow of Indiana's streams was recorded for January by the U. S. Geoligical Survey, which is conducting a waters resources investigation in the state in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and the State Highway Commission. A veritable beehive of industry has been created by the Specialty

Company, operating at Machinery Hall, in North Liberty. Now occupying the entire second fl<x»r of this large building, the company employs 15 men and women and wants more. The company has sub contracts from the Mishawaka branch of the United State Rubber Company. and is making parts for airplames. More contracts could be secured if more operating room were available. U.S.O. will observe its Third Anniversary with a nation-wide Open House on Sunday , February 6. The USO C ouncil of Walkerton club cordially invites you to attend their Open House on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the club rooms. The Woman's Community Club at their meeting on Friday will have an Early American Exhibit and Hobby Show. The Woman s Community Cluo at their meeting on Friday will have an Early American Exhibit and Hobby Show. Our neighbors to the West. KOP, have been quite busy the past 12 months, having loaded well over 250 million pieces of ammunition. according to Col. Shubert, the big boss out there. The Colonel says thay they made enough ammunition this last year to load 6.500 bombers to capacity; to keep 500,000 various size cannons roaring hot shells for one minute of the war and enough grenades and mines to circle all world battle fronts. Just now they are loading 14 different items each month on an average. 1929 During February Leßoy & Tischer Heating. Plumbing. Lighting, of Walkerton, will be taking a house to house survey of those who desire to have protane gas for cooking purposes and household uses. A. L. Dupler, of Walkerton, and Earl Thompson, of South Bend, have purchased two lumber and coal yards at Milford. Indiana, which they will consolidate and operate as one under the firm name of Milford Lumber and Coal Co., Inc. Mr. Thompson will manage the business taking with him 11 years of experience which were spent as manager of the Walkerton Lumber Co. State Road No. 6 about which there has been so much speculation as to its exact route across Northern Indiana, will get increased pavement this coming summer and be completed by 1930. The Walkerton Bakery, which has been in the hands of a Receiver. the Indiana Trust Co., of South Bend, since January 9. this year, was sold at a Receivers sale on Saturday to P. L. Kline, who has been operating it since September 15. The bakery will have a new name. Kline Bakery. An exceptionally good serial, is now running in the paper every week. "The Treasure of the BucoIcon,” an exciting, highly romantic and thoroughly wholesome narrative of adventure, written by A. D. Howden Smith. Lyman 1. Hann, of North Liberty . has been appointed chairman of the state high school Latin contest for St. Joseph County. BOWLING NEWS Walkerton Kings & Queens C ut Ups |2 4 Hot Shots 11 5 Twinkle Toes 10 6 Lucky Strikes 9 7 Jokers 7 q Alley Cats 7 q Honey Ko’s 7 q Lucky Four | 15 High team series. Cut Ups 2024. Twinkle Toes 1958, Lucky Strikes 1929. High team game: Cut Ups 726. Honey Ko’s 721. Cut Ups 695. High individual series men: Dick Eby 603. Dick White 575. Martin Brecht 553. High individual game men; Dennis Johnson 235, Dick White 224, Dick Eby 215, 213, Martin Brecht

214. High individual series women: Ruby Stratton 510, Sally Wardlow 507. I ilah Morrison 481. High individual game women: Sails Wardlow |9O. 181, Ruby Stratton 186. I’l, Rita Eby 176, Rita Johnson 1 ’4. Suburban league M. J. Package Store 12 4 Modern Steel 1 reating 11 Nusbaum-Elkin 10 6 Ray's Supermarket 9 Falcon Inn 7 9 Johnson’s Insurance 7 9 Stump Jumpers 4 12 Precision Pallets 4 12 High team series scratch: Falcon Inn 2695. Ray 's Supermarket 2525. M. J. Package Store 2469. High team game scratch: Falcon Inn 925. 897, M. J. Package Store 893. High individual series handicap: Morris Searfoss 666, Fran Gindelberger 665, Elvin White 634. High individual game handicap: Morris Searfoss 258. Fran Gindelberger 252, Chuck Decker 244. Friday Morning Coffee League Dairy Queen 11 5 Collins Construction 11 5 Koontz Lake Hardware 10 6 Avon 8 8 Tomenko Service 5 11 Truckstops of America 3 13 High team series: Dairy Queen 1895. Collins Construction 1725. Koontz Lake Hardware 1671. High team game: Dairy Queen b 46. 625. 624. Collins Construction 620. Kixmtz Lake Hardware 574. High individual senes: Rita Johnson 549, Donna Wood 499, Mary Greene 493; honorable mention: Gale Mav field 417, Etta Millice 481. High individual game: Rita Johnson 197. 191. 161. Etta Millice 196. Donna Wood 192; honorable mention: Gale Mayfield 167. Wednesday Night Ladies Pizza Bowl Lancs 56 32 American Door 52'6 35'/i Savoie Construction 47*/j 40 ,z » TV Center 45 43 Beaver Realty 42 46 J & T Dry wall 41 43 Precision Pallet 38'/i 49'/j Kingsbury Locker 30'/j S7'/j High team series: Pizza Bowl Lanes 2279. TV Center 2059. Savoie Construction 2031. High team game: Pizza Bowl Lanes 804, TV Center 728. Savoie Construction 697. High individual series: Carleen Mann 562. Cheryl Erdelyi 503, Louise Whitmer 4’T High individual game: Carleen Mann 212, Betty Kunkle 204. Cheryl Erdelyi 188, Louise Whitmer 188. Monday Night ladies Mini Shop 57 2’ Beaver Realty 56' 1 27*/> Huhnke's Service 4142*/j Roy's Worm Farm 40’6 43'i Hidden Bu-Tee Salon 36 48 Hi-De-Ho 35 49 Dairy Queen 35 49 J A W. Oil 34’j 49' : High team series: Beaver Realty 2219. Hidden Bu-Tee Salon 2208. Dairv Queen 220’. High team game Dairy Queen 830, Huhnke's Service 777, Hidden Bu-Tee Salon ’76. Roy's Worm Farm ”6 High individual series Shirley Watson 531. Shirlene Peterson 515, Janice White 506. High individual game: Janice White 215, Donna Wood 193. Cindy Huhnke 190. The FBI has 169 million fingerprints on file-no two of which are exactly alike. | Compare! Dristan* Tablets relieve more colds miseries than Contac or Aspirin. ■ onu. •ini / SOW / / [ AtMt I "T / ^>""1 low [ / /