The Independent-News, Volume 104, Number 52, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 7 June 1979 — Page 1

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS

VOLUME 104; NUMBER 52

WALKERTON TOWN BOARD NEWS The Walkerton Town Board met in regular session on Monday, June 4. with all members, Elkin, Prentis, Rizek and White, in attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved and claims 320-351 were also approved by the board. The monthly report of the Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department was given bv chief Gene Brems. In May the department had one barn fire, six grass fires, two assists to other departments, one training meeting, 97’/j man hours and a total of SISK was spent. Brems also reported the grass truck is now being repaired and should be completed by late this month. He also stated state requirements on certification of firemen is getting much tougher. At present. KO per cent of the firemen arc certified and the department is going to send a man for schooling on .lune 9th and 10th for training so he will be eligible to instruct other fire men. Ihe cost ot this schooling is $50.00 and the town agreed to pick up this expense. Also, at 3:18 a.m. on Saturday. June 2. the vacant Tinkey residence on Tyler and Indiana Streets was burned with a suspect of arson. An investigator is coming to go over the property in this respect. Police chief John Marek presented his monthly report. It included the tagging of lb cars about town for improper licensing and four of these were towed away. Marek was questioned by the board president concerning complaints from several merchants on a project the Police reserves were involved in, that being sponsoring Trans World Artists, a Country and Western Show, to raise funds for police equiupment. It was stated they had signed a contract with Trans World Artists, calling for a 50-50 split of profits of their project. The board informed the chief that this should go through proper channels and had not, but later approved the project and gave permission for the Police reserves to continue with this project. Two matters came before the board concerning problems within the town limits on buildings. A group of neighbors were present and expressed concern over the two abandonded houses in the MX) block of Jackson Street It was noted that several months ago the owner was sent a letter requesting that the homes were either to be repaired or they would be torn down. He was given 90 days to comply with this order and has not responded so the town will now enter in condemnation proceedings. Also, construction of the property of Lynn Brownlee. 800 block of Harrison St., was discussed. It was stated Mr Brownlee did not have a building permit and it is believed his construction does not meet proper building codes. Ihe town attorney stated Mr. Brownlee will be issued a red tag to cease building under these conditions. Utilities superintendent. Marvin Williams, reported that the town is now in the process of installing a 1200 volt line tor the American Roller Company in the Industiral Park. He also stated that water mains would be flushed on 1 uesdav and on Wednesday night the town would be fogged for mosquitos.

HEAD START GRADUATES S ft bi/

Friday. June 1, was an exciting day for the North Liberty and Walkerton Head Start children and their families. The graduation of the four-year-olds was held at North Liberty Park where the students were donned in their caps and capes which were made bv their parents. The class received certificates and awards for their efforts. Many of the children will be entering Kindergarten with a "Head Start Experience" behind them in the fall.

Williams also objected to the recent board decision for the town to install the man holes in the Glenn-I addition. He stated it was his opinion that this was a misuse of taxpavers money and that the developer, Williams Supply Co., had, at the time of purchase, been compensated by the seller to put these man holes in. Other discussion on this matter followed, with objections being offered by other citizens in additions to a further statement by Marvin Williams that the addition had been given free water, free electric, free streets and he felt they should not give away taxpayers money in this case. The board then was asked bv the president to reconsider their decision after Williams statements, and after some discussion. Jack Rizek stated he would like to see the real facts on this matter and until then thought the board should not make a decision to go ahead with the proposition offered by Williams Supply Co. on the construction of the man holes. This was agreed by the board. Continued discussion was held on the water problem last spring in the Glenn-L addition and the surrounding area. It was stated by the town attorney that according to Mr. Seiders of Clyde E. Williams Associates. State Highway 23 was built across a natural water flow and the state should share the responsibility. Also, a cluvert under the highway would help solve the problem. President Elkin was to contact Mr. Edging, head construction engineer for the State Highway Department, and set up a meeting on this matter The Clerk-Treasurer reported to the board that $3,807.93 had been appropriated to the Motor Vehicle Highway Funds on special distribution. The town attorney suggested this be used on part of the Glenn-L project. This will have to be further advertised prior to use in that area Iwo other projects that need consideration were discussed, one being a new root on the municipal building and second, the purchase ot a different police car to replace the older one which is in bad condition. These project will come out ot the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund. NOTICE A church sponsored rummage and bake sale will be held on State Road 23. Koontz Lake, in front of Nelson’s Real Estate office Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9.

WALKERTON, INDIANA THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 1979

Recital Set For Friday Evening In North Liberty Wendy Weber, of North Liberty, will present her voice and piano students in recital on Friday evening. June 8. in the sanctuary of the North liberty United Methodist Church. Ihe recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. Those students who will be performing piano solos will be: Jaime and Jim McCool, Tina Peddycord. Julie Warner, George and Edwart Karst, Carmen Manuel. Julie Camblin, Cindy and Mike Beghtel, Tracey Burch. Beth Wolfe. Connie, Elizabeth and Mark Menges, Tracey Rininger, Elizabeth Fenstermacher, Katie and Laurie Hershberger, Angie Sherland, Elisa and Jennifer Norris. Students performing both vocal and piano solos arc: Christine King. Carla Manuel. Sally Seiner, and Kim and Allison Dunnuck. Special awards will be given to the students who have shown the most improvement. Refreshments will be served following the recital. I he public is invited. WALKERTON LITTLE LEAGUE STANDINGS Major League Yankees 1 0 0 Athletics 1 0 0 Royals 0 0 1 White Sox 0 0 0 ligers 000 Twins 0 ’ 1 Angels 0 1 0 Last Week Scores Yankees 19, Twins 6 Athletics 11, Angels 7 Royals 10, Twins 10 Minor League Giants 2 0 0 Cubs 1 0 0 Dodgers 0 1 0 Reds 0 1 0 Pirates 0 1 0 Last Week Scores Giants 6. Dodgers 5 Cubs 5. Pirates 3 Giants 13. Reds 9 ARTICLES NEEDED At Miller s Merry Manor. Walkerton, make someone happy by donating to the Activity Department for bingo. Needed are jewelry, hankies, perfume, small bottles ot lotion, hairnets and men’s articles. "Do you have papers for your dog.” "Yes, all over the house.

— photo by Michael Pearish

Rev. Gearheart Assigned To Local Church (ay) A I The Rev. Robert Gearheart has been appointed Pastor of the Walkerton United Methodist Church. Rev. Gearheart had served the Wheatland Avenue United Methodist Church of Logansport for the past seven years. While there he served as president of the Cass County Ministerial Association, president of the Department of Pastoral Care at Memorial Hospital, pastoral counselor for the Pastoral Counseling Center and as a member of the board of directors of the Cass County Churches United. He has been active in organizations serving the mentally retarded

MEMORIAL SHRUB PLANTED mlWaw I " Ay ft- ‘li, — photo by Michael Pearish A flowering shrub was recently planted at the Walkerton Elementarv School in memory of Raymond Wolff, which was contributed by his former riders. Mr. Wolff served as a bus driver for the Polk-Lincoln Johnson School Corporation, driving in the Polk Township area beginning January, 1959, until his death in June, 1978.

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Flag Day Program June 14 At 12:00 Noon A Flag Day program is planned for Walkerton and surrounding area under the auspices of Orville Easterday Unit 189, American Legion Auxiliary. Members of several organizations and churches of the area are participating in the program to honor the birthday of the United States flag. Any club with an American Flag that wishes to have their flag dedicated is most welcome to attend. The public is encouraged to attend this patriotic program. FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC JUNE 14 A free blood pressure check will be held on Thursday. June 14 at the Starke County Senior Services Center. Koontz Lake Conservation C lub House, from 12 30 to 1:30 p.m. and developmental^ disabled including acting as president ot tht Woodlawn (enter board of direc tors, and as president of the (ass County Association of Retarded Citizens. He has also served as chairman of the Protective Services Committee for Cass County, an organization whose purpose is to assure that mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons have their righis protected. He was appointed a member of the Northern Indiana Zonal advisary board which is designed to assure services and access to services for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. He was born in Cass County and lived south of Walton on a farm during his early childhood. Rev. Gearheart received his master’s degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 1969 and is currently working on his doctorate at Drew Universitv, Madison, N.J. He and his wife, Darlene, who is a nurse, have two children. Weslev R. and Dustin B. The Pastor-Parish Committee will hold a reception for Rev. Gearheart and his familv in the Fellowship Hall of the church on Saturday evening. June 9th from ” 30 p.m. to9:(X) p.m.