The Independent-News, Volume 104, Number 36, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 15 February 1979 — Page 4

FEBRUARY 15, 1979 - THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS

EDITORIALS

IT STILL MEANS THE SAME! Recenth, after a delay in the stated meeting time due to weather, and also coming at a time when area residents of Walkerton were concerned with the I’Ll School Board's attempt to increase the cumulative building fund, action was taken by the Area Plan Commission and sent to the St. Joseph County Council (on Tuesday. Januarv 2") approving the new zoning ordinance in St. Joseph C ounty Regardless of how this package is wrapped and delivered, it was best summed up by "South Bend Tribune" staff writer James Wensits. and we quote: "intended to keep city folks in the cities and farmers down on the farm", end quote. The zoning bill which must still be passed bv the County Council (sometime in March), will restrict any residential building on less than 20 acres in the designated area of the county, some 63.000 acres. And a look at this acreage clearly displays that the entire southwest portion of the county will be zoned agricultural and not agricultural and residential. What it basically does is simply stop any building in the entire southwestern part of the county unless someone can afford at least 20 acres at today's inflationary prices of land, usually in the $1,500 to $2,000 per acre neighborhood. In wrapping this package the way they wanted it presented, it still sounded like there is much room for any out-of-the-city residential area left . . . true there is, but it also must be stated that these areas are confined to the vicinity of the cities. In stating that this will preserve prime farm land instead of seeing it sold for residential uses, they are stretching a point a bit as the prime farm land isn't being sold for these purposes, it is the less desired land and the frontage on the highways and improved roads that are being turned into residential properties. There is no doubt the powers that be in South Bend are concerned about the flow of people to the suburbs and to the outlying areas. These facts should be more than evident in recently released figures that show that St. Joseph County is the only county in the north-central part of the state that is losing population. And such an ordinance as this will continue this trend. Be realistic, would one side or the other of an imaginary line mean that much to you if you were planning to build in the rural area if land could be purchase for a few thousand dollars opposed to say $40,000? In today 's world the few miles difference or other advantages and disadvantages mean very little. In fact counties other than St. Joseph have things to offer such as lower taxes, different building codes, various restrictions, etc. The trend will continue for counties such as Marshall, Starke, Kosciusko and other outlying counties to increase in population and their economies will continue to climb with more and more tax base and value as new home construction will continue in those areas while the "restricted" area as planned by the zoning proposal will set dormant. Maybe the cities should take a closer look at themselves. It is only obvious that deteriation of the inner cities is and has been going on due to the people's desire to leave for more reasons than thev would like to admit. Downtown South Bend has gone steadily downward and business after business has pulled out of the downtown area for the suburbs and shopping centers. This also is true of individuals. Such a plan as this, disguised as a preservation for farm land, isn't going to cure their troubles . . . only add to the troubles of the small tow n areas in the restricted parts of the county. Watch the trend, it will be obvious as the years go by with such as our own area in St. Joseph County the real loser. SOUNDS LIKE A POLITICIAN One of Governor Otis R. Bowen’s strong credentials over his years in politics is that he didn't sound like a politician. He always had the "home town" or "homey" type appearance and was very definate and precise in his comments. His background of both the small Indiana communities and also as a family doctor have been responsible for much of this appearance. Lately the popular governor's name has been thrown around in some prettv big circles . . . one being his possible candidacy for the United State Senate seat now held by Senator Birch Bayh, which will be open for re-election in 1980. Also some talk has been circulated about his becoming a presidential candidate as well. Most of this talk comes from other sources as the Governor hasn't made any declarations of his own. However, this past week end, the Governor started to sound more like a politician than he has in his years of service in the legislature and as governor when he made a statement on the possibility of raising of the speed limit in Indiana on interstates and limited access highways. The Governor stated that he wasn’t in favor of raising the 55 m.p.h. limit, but that he would not veto it if it were to pass the Indiana Legislature. This was not only disappointing to hear, but also surprising as a couple of factors arise that certainly one would question. First of all, there are some 16 states with such ideas . . . almost all of them except Indiana west of the Mississippi w here the population is less and the endless miles of highways have a trend for higher speeds. However, it has been stated in Washington. D.C., that any state that rejects the national speed limit of 55 m.p.h., would lose their federal highway dollars for road repair. Anyone who travels even the slightest in Indiana knows that this state is well behind most in upkeep and even in construction of good highways and our highway system cannot afford to lose any money regardless of where it comes from. In fact, better use of highway dollars in repair and maintenance would be a welcome sight in Indiana. Second, being a medical doctor, the Governor’s statement was quite surprising It is a proven fact that the highway death toll dropped considerably with the reduction of speed and that as the speeds start to climb little by little again, the highway death toll likewise starts to climb again Io have a doctor not support this safety factor is to say the least surprising Now a third thing has arisen that also will be the center of attention real soon if not by the time of this publication That being the oil crisis with the situation in Iran adding to what already has been a growing problem This also is a proven fact regardless of what anyone, even the trucking industry said, that as speeds go down, so does gas consumption

. . . and with the talk of SI.OO a gallon gas and possible restrictions or rationing in the future, gas conservation should be and is important. The rather two-sided talk by the Governor, saying he isn’t in favor of raising the limit, but also that he would not veto it, is disappointing. It would be our hope that once again our Governor would talk more like the doctor from Bremen rather than the politician from Indianapolis and show a change of attitude in this speed limit situation. had. WHEN... (TAKEN FROM THE FILES OF THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS)

1974 I he 1974 Sectional Tourney pairings were made in Indianapolis on Wednesday, February 20. and released with the following results for the local sectional at LaVillc High School. Glenn drew the bye in the seven team field and will not enter action until Friday night. North Liberty will play South Bend Jackson in the second Tuesday night game. In the first game on Tuesday it will be Plymouth and Argos. Wednesday night La Ville will play Bremen. The Ply mouth Open House of the United Telephone Compaq of Indiana. Inc., will be held on Friday, February 22, from 2:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the new building located at 213 W. LaPorte Street. Craig Houser, Karlene Graves and Matthew Kickbush earned first place ratings in the State Vocal Contest at Butler University on Saturday. Laura Carter accompanied the soloists. 1969 Eight girls will be competing for the John Glenn High School basketball Homecoming Queen crown on Saturday night when the Falcons will host Knox. Candidates are Elaine Fitzgerald, Debbie Moore. Vicki Klinedinst, Jennifer Jacob. Jean Hildebrand. Diane Strang. Kathy Pugsley and Carol Bacewic. At the market this week chuck roast was selling for 49 cents a pound; boiling beef at 49 cents a pound; chuck steak at 59 cents a pound; bacon at three pounds for $1.00; Hills Bros, coffee at $1.29 for a two pound can; Awake orange juice 29 cents for a 9 ounce can; Italian bread at 39 cents a loaf; celery at 29 cents a stalk and Dean’s dips for chips at 29 cents a carton. The Grand Opening of Kingsbury Locker Plant, Kingsbury , Indiana, was held February 13-15. Owners are Stanley Orcutt and Wayne Dipert. Some items featured in their advertisement included pork roast at 29 cents a pound; canned hams at $2.39 for a three pounder; ice cream at 89 cents a gallon; beef liver at 45 cents a pound and slab bacon at 53 cents a pound. "June Fantasy" is the theme for the Walkerton Summer Festival. The grand parade will be on June 7 at 1:00 p.m. and chairman of the affair is Jake Powell. Assisting Mr. Powell are Robert Stockwell, Cliff Ward, Ralph Smith. James Verkier, Glen Jacob, Edward Klopfenstein, Richard Moreau and Mrs. Jake Powell. Mrs. Bryce Rohrer is chairman of the different evening entertainment to be presented. 1974 The Walkerton Town Board and the Walkerton Police Department have announced that the state curfew law of Indiana will be put into strong effect and enforced in Walkerton at once. This law forbids children under 18 years of age to be on the streets between the hours of 1 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sunday, February 23, is Heart Sunday and the Rainbow Girls and DeMolay boys will be going house to house in Walkerton for donations to the Heart Fund. The North Liberty PT A honored Miss Thelma Hay at their meeting on luesday evening, February 18, for her many years of teaching. The program was based on "This Is Your Life " Miss Hay started her career of teaching in the fall of 1919, immediately after graduation

from North Liberty High School the preceding spring. She taught that year in a one-room school in Polk Tow nship and after one year there she went to Warren Township for several years. She returned to her home town and taught several years in the elementary grades of the North Liberty School. She left North Liberty to teach for seven years at Lakeville and then returned to North Liberty where she had taught the past 28 years. 1959 This week the Boy Scouts of America will be celebrating their 49th anniversary. The citizens of North Liberty and Walkerton are proud of the accomplishments of the local Scouts groups as well as the Girls’ groups which are doing an equally fine job with their work. In spite of the hiedous weather the town has been experiencing for the past two months, there has been a sign of spring in the air, Rev. Mills noticed the other day that the narcissus sprouts have pierced the frozen ground on the southeast side of the North Liberty Methodist Church and are about two inches tall already. The cow market still very active with a top of $20.30 for a 1290 lb. Hol., $20.10 for a 12^0 lb Hol., and $19.90 for a 1400 pound Hol. 1954 A water works improvements project has been undertaken in the last year by the Town Board of North Liberty to modernize and strengthen the water system of the town. Several new speed and curve signs have been placed in the 40 mile per hour speed zone, south of North Liberty on 23, including the intersection of Quinn and State Road 23. The 40 mile zone has been extended two tenths of a mile and is well posted with signs and warning curve signs. This extension was made and is effective as of February 9, and does include the well known "Death Curve", known as Quigley's corner. 1949 The Fulton County Coonhunters Association at a called meeting on January 19, at the city hall in Rochester, voted to release 40 raccoons. Long 'bout February every year I get allfired restless and wanta go fishin', and 1 wait and watch a lot of little signs that's got a whale of a lot of meaning fer feller that looks and watches (taken from Main Street Gossip column). 1944 Record Egg Crop-Three out of every four eggs produced in 1944 have been allocated to civilians, the War Food Administration announced. Autos, tires, bicycles, gasoline — February quota of new passenger automobiles is 10,000 two thirds of January quota, the office of Price Administration has announced. There have been over 100 paid for their lockers in the proposed cold storage locker plant for Walkerton. More and more are coming in daily and the amount we need is 300 to sign up. 1929 An electric room cooler, the Latest development of refrigeration engineers, displayed by Frigidaire Corporation at its recent convention in Chicago, is a significant indication of progress this industry has made according to F. L. Tischer, of Leßoy & Tischer, local dealer, who has returned from the meeting.

The season for the lawful taking of fur-bearing animals, namely raccoon, skunk, opossum, fox, mink, and muskrat ended February 10 and remains closed until November 10. The Lincoln Township Farm Bureau was recognized at a specially called meeting of farmers in Walkerton last week when Herman W. Bellinger was named president of the Bureau. George Blaine and Mars. Kline, vice presidents, and Fred Kassabaum. secretary-treas-urer. With this orgainzation completed the Lincoln Township Farm Bureau met with representatives from three adjoining townships located in three adjoining counties, to form the Walkerton Shipper Association. Four townships involved in the Association are Lincoln, in St. Joseph County; Johnson, in LaPorte County; Polk, in Marshall County; and Oregon, in Starke County. George Blaine is president and Tom L. Thompson, shipping manager. COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 9:30 a.m. — Women Together to meet. 7:30 p.m. — North Liberty Lodge EA Degree. 7:30 p.m. — Walkerton Lodge Fellow craft degree. 8 00 p.m. — Knights of Columbus to meet. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 1:00 p.m. — Walkerton Woman’s Community Club to meet. 6:30 p.m. — John Glenn Falcons to travel to Argos for a couple of basketball games. 6:30 p.m. — The North Liberty Shamrocks baseball teams will travel to Northern State Conference foe La Ville. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 6:00 a.m. • 3:00 p.m. — Pancake Day at the North Liberty Masonic Lodge. 1:00 p.m. — Cub Scout organizational meeting at the Walkerton Youth Building 6:30 p.m. — John Glenn basketball homecoming game with South Bend St. Joseph. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 7:30 p.m. — North Liberty Rainbow initiation. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 7:00 p.m. — Walkerton Fireman’s Auxiliary to meet at the fire station. 7:00 p.m. — P-L-J School Board to meet in the administration building. Walkerton OES to meet. Walkerton Javcees to meet. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 George Washington's birthday. 6:30 p.m. — John Glenn gymnastics team to travel to South Bend Adams. 7:00 p.m. — Walkerton Masonic Lodge Cherry Pie Supper at the temple. MAIL SERVICE TO IRAN IS SUSPENDED Suspension of civilian mail service to Iran has been extended to cover surface mail, the U. S. Postal Service announced on February 6. The effect is to eliminate all civilian mail service between Iran and the United States. Airmail service to Iran was suspended January 9, 1979. Postal officials said the latest action was taken because of the lack of reliable air and surface transportation either in or out of that country. The suspension means no U. S. post office will accept civil mail bound for Iran until further notice. Mail currently in the postal system destined for Iran w ill be returned to sender. Postage will be refunded for mail returned because of the suspension of service. Have you heard about the fellow who lay down on the railroad tracks to commit suicide? Very sad case — he died of old age waiting for the train.