The Independent-News, Volume 105, Number 3, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 28 June 1979 — Page 4

JUNE 28, 1979 - THE INDEPENDENT NEWS

EDITORIALS

INDEPENDENCE DAY 1979 Independence Day. 19 7 9. This holiday is more commonly known as simply “The Fourth Os July" but the real meaning of the holiday has a tendency to get “lost" when identified as the Fourth of July. Independence Day is the birthday of our country. In a modern, fast-paced way of life where recreation has become the big thing, the celebrating of our country’s birthday gets rather left out. However, in many areas, this is celebrated by festivities and in the past 17 years the ringing of bells all across the nation has been a reminder of what Independence Day is all about. We hope evervone enjoys their holiday and has a good time, but also we hope that evervone can remember that this 203rd birthday of the Declaration of Independence, signifies the soundness of a government set up by the people and for the people. Even though it is one of the youngest in world history, the democratic government system we enjoy has lasted far longer than many old. old forms of government by giving the people of the United States a continued sound government. This is really worth celebrating. MERCHANTS’ APPRECIATION DAYS JUNE 28-29-30 Twenty-nine area merchants are participating this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in “The Independent-News’’ third annual “Merchants’ Appreciation Days". This promotion, a very simple one. has been well received in the first two years and we are looking forward to another successful one this week end. Each of the participating merchants will be giving away a gift or gifts to some lucky people w-ho simply cut out the merchants' coupons in this issue of the paper and take it to the respective stores and deposit it free of charge. This is one way the merchants say “thank you" for your continued business the year round and also is away of reaching out to you in an effort to have you consider them anytime they can be of service to you. This is always kind of a “fun" week end. a lot of traffic, a lot of people in an out and of course, there is always a lot of happy winners. All we ask is that you also take a few minutes and look around the various stores, the merchants of our local area are trying hard to please you and do appreciate your business and consideration. R^remember? RW WHEN... JS<J(TAKEN FROM THE FILES OF THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS)

1974 On Monday evening the judges for the Tri Kappa 4th of July Queen Contest met at the home of Linda Knepp. Crowning of the North Liberty Queen and her court will be on Thursday. June 27, during the band concert to be held at the North Liberty park. Free Red Cross swimming lessons sponsored by the Koontz Lake Lions Club will be give July 1 through July 12 with a second session July 15 through July 26. At the market chuck roast was selling for 69 cents a pound; ground beef at 79 cents a pound; family steak at $1.49 a pound; short ribs of beef at 69 cents a pound; Farmland canned ham. 5 pounds for $5.49; smoked sausage at 89 cents a pound; honey loaf at $1.69 a pound; three cans of frozen lemonade at 89 cents; Banquet fried chicken at two pounds for $1.89; Joy liquid at 74 cents for 32 ounces; 1 % milk at $1.09 a gallon; Velveeta cheese is two pounds for $1.49; Parkay soft margarine at 59 cents a pound; eight packages of Jello for $1.00; five pounds of Pillsbury flour at 79 cents; and Hill Bros, instant coffee $1.39 for alO ounce jar. 1969 While a woman may not yet have soared into space, one of the fair sex is making an impression on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the play may be cleared for more women engineers and pilots to enter the space field. Because of her technical knowhow. Dorothy Katherine Walsh Korbuly, formerly of Route 2, Walkerton, daughter of Mrs. Thomas Walsh, has been named as one of America's Outstanding Young Women. Claude E. Houser has been reappointed to the Walkerton Library Board by Circuit Judge Joseph W. Nyikes. Mr. Houser's reappointment will become effective as of July 31 and will end on July 31,

1973. The Whispering Pines Public Golf Course will open officially this Saturday. June 28. at their location on State Road 4. 1964 Walkerton again has planned a big day on the Fourth of July as activities start at noon and continue until late Saturday night. A midway will set up on June 28th and highlights on the Fourth include the balloon ascension and parachute drop; kiddies games all day at Place Park; American Legion Basebail game at 2:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m. the Red Sox softball game; band concert at 8:30 p.m.; flag retreat at dusk followed by the giant fireworks display. The plans are complete and the day of the 4th of July is only one week away. North Liberty's program will start at 1:00 p.m. Sunday. June 28 at North Liberty High School with a waterbail tournament between the various volunteer firemen of the various county departments; on the 4th, parade at 2:00 p.m. followed by games at the park for the children and at 7:00 p.m. an Indiana show followed at dark by the fireworks display. The public hearing held Monday night in connection with the request to rescind the present Ore-gon-Davis Metropolitan School District did little to settle the issue. 1959 The first of three Cub Scout Leadership Training sessions was held Friday. June 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Methodist Church. One of the highlights of Little League's season is the annual Father and Son game which will be played Saturday afternoon at 1:30 this year. The fathers of all the players are invited to come and enjoy a few hours of companionship with their sons. One nine inning game will be played this year. 1954 Carl Dill, Clark Addition, has

been added to the Walkerton Police force, replacing Orio Bussie, who resigned. Mr. Dill will have the first shift. 12:00 midnight to 8:00 a.m. Dick Hershberger, Walkerton freshman at DePauw University. Greencastle, has been awarded a major letter in track for 1954 according to R. R. Neal. DcPauw’s director of athletics. 1944 The taxing units of Walkerton received additional checks this week amounting to $2,611.45 in lieu of taxes from the Federal Housing Authority. This covers assessments on the value of the trailers. The advent of the strawberry season has meant nothing but hard work for the operators of the North Liberty Locker Plant. A fairly good crop has resulted in thousands of quarts of berries brought to the plant for processing and storage. The capacity of the quick-freezing unit has been so taxed that Mr. Jones will start work on building another larger unit next Monday morning. This unit will be ready for freezing cherries, raspberries and other fruits. The fishing season will open on game fish Friday, and fishermen will be able to take bass, bluegills and crappies for the first time sfhee the season closed in April. After much delay and dickering, an A-l priority for necessary materials for the construction of cold storage plant in Walkerton has been obtained. The necessary priority was obtained through the efforts of H. C. Chaney, president of the Chamber of Commerce. Construction work was started this week and over 300 lockers will be available. 1929 The first July 4th victim in this community is Albert Borton, of North Liberty. A two-inch firecracker exploded prematurely in his left hand injuring his thumb so severly that the first joint had to be amputated. Careful with the fireworks kiddies and grown-ups too. The Young Musicians Club made up of Mrs. Rhea Wright’s violin pupils and Mrs. O. R. Barney’s younger piano pupils held their recital today, June 27. At the Walkerton Cash Market and Grocery picnic hams were selling at 21 cents a pound; bacon at 18 cents a square pound; frankfurters at 21 cents a pound; creamerybutter at 45 cents a pound; Cock of the Walk flour, 24'/j pounds for 84 cents; bananas at three pounds for 23 cents and one pound of mixed cookies for 29 cents. VOICE OF THE PEOPLE I have some questions for “Just Another Taxpayer". I may also have some answers for those who are confused over the Re-Assess-ment Notices, recently mailed. All reassessment files are in your Township Assessor’s office, open to the public. You could have easily talked there, and perhaps understood and maybe solved your problem. There is always the possibility of errors. These can be corrected in a matter of minutes. Nine townships in St. Joseph County hired the General Appraisal Co. to do their reassessments, Lincoln Township included. Had this been done by your Assessor, the cost for renting office space, office machines and equipment plus wages for several extra people would have been much more. Mr. Stephenson felt he could save the taxpayers some money, as well as having a non-political assessment done. Since you felt Mr. Stephenson did the reassessment, why didn’t you contact him? As for the increase, all land and property values have gone up. The State Legislature passed guidelines to be used by all Assessors and Appraisal Companies.

Governor Bowen signs these into law. not Lloyd Stephenson. In figuring actual dollars and cents, don't forget to subtract any mortgage exemptions you may have, as well as the 20% tax credit given you, and your 10% Homestead Act. There is also the hope that the tax rate will be lower. Perhaps then, there won’t be such a panic and misunderstanding over this reassessment. If. however, you are not satisfied. after talking to your assessor or his deputy, by all means file for an appeal. I. too pay taxes, and I don't feel I've been ripped off. I would also like to apologize to one of the taxpayers for trying to explain her reassessment to her after she expressed concern about it. She called it Harrassment, actually it's my job to try and help anyone understand as much about their reassessment as I possibly can. Donna Shirk Deputy Township Assessor WILDLIFE TODAY By Jim New Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife Coyotes were considered rare or uncommon in Indiana until the early 1970'5. Looking at the reports of Indiana fur buyers we can see a substantial population increase. During the 1972-73 trapping season 60 coyote pelts were purchased, and the number of pelts has increased to over 1,600 for the 1977-78 trapping season. The fur buyer reports also show that coyotes arc present throughout the state. Physically, a coyote resembles a German shepard in size and conformation. The upper body is a mixture of gray or buff with a reddish brown or gray muzzle. The lower body is white, cream colored or reddish-yellow. Coyotes have bushy tails, long slender muzzles, pointed ears and comparatively long legs. Coyotes are large members of the dog family, measuring 40 to 50 inches from nose to , tail tip, and weighing 20 to 50 pounds. Relatively little is known about the coyote in the midwestern states. Because of this, the coyote has a strange mystique and its exploits are often exaggerated. However, it is known that coyotes possess a high intelligence and a remarkable ability to adapt to various conditions. In Indiana coyotes tend to frequent areas close to water, such as brushy areas, woodlots and fencerows. Areas used to dump dead livestock and busy highways having a high number of roadkills provide food for coyotes, and will attract them to that area. The idle lands surrounding airports may attract coyotes because of the rabbit, mouse and ground squirrel populations that abound there. One reason coyotes have continued to persist into modern times is because they can accept a varied diet. The coyote is a predatorscavenger with vegetable matter composing a small percentage of their diet. The main food consists of rabbits, mice, ground squirrels and carrion. Carrion is an important component of the winter diet, composing about 34% of the total food intake. Coyotes are opportunists. If livestock provides easy prey or a ready meal, they will be taken. Research suggests that coyote density around farm areas may be relative to the amount of carrion dumped in the fields or back-forty. For high coyote density area, dead livestock should be burned or buried. Good husbandry practices can help to reduce losses to coyotes. Keep livestock close to your home or barn. Lighting of barnlots has helped occasionally. Good farm dogs that stay close to your livestock at night should also help. Coyotes have been trapped, shot, poisoned, gassed and burned,

but they still perserve. They are really interesting animals, and more time should go into understanding them rather than persecuting them. Lions Elect New International President Lloyd Morgan, of Market Grove. Lower Hutt. New Zealand was elected President of The International Association of Lions Clubs at the organization's 62nd Annual Convention held June 20-23. 1979 in Montreal. Quebec, Canada. As President of the worlds largest service club organization. Morgan will travel around the world representing the Association, observing local service activities sponsored bv many of the more than 33.000 Lions Clubs in 151 countries and geographicareas. and meeting with heads of state and communities to promote Lionism and the theme of his own Presidential program: A WORLD TOGETHER A Lion for more than 18 years. Morgan is the proprietor and manager of a motor inn He has been a member of the Committee of Management of the New Zealand Hotel Association for several years and has represented it on special national committees for travel and tourism MSDC APPROVES BUDGET, ELECTS OFFICERS The Board of Directors of the MSDC on June 18 approved an operating budget for the agenev for FY'BO of $694,000. This represents an approximate twenty percent (20%) increase over the current year. Most of this increase reflects inflationary impact on supplies. occupancy expenses and an average seven percent (7%) increase in salaries. The balance of the total increase is due to anticipated new staff to expand services to more people during the coming year. The Center plans to add physical therapy services, recreation services and more comprehensive diagnostic/evaluation and case management services during FY'BO. in addition to providing existing programs and services to fifteen (15) to twenty (20) percent more individuals. The agency is currently serving 110-120 different people each month. Consistent with the corporate long range plan approved by the Board of Directors in April. 1979, the MSDC will stress improved accountability to clients, families, members, directors, the community and funding sources. One means of accomplishing this will be the untilization of data processing services for adult client productiv ity and payroll and analysis of industrial sub-contract and manufacturing operations. Following the adjournment of the regular meeting of the current Board of Directors by President James R. Pharis, the newly elected Directors for FY’BO convened for an organizational meeting to elect of ficers. The results of this election were: Velma Butler, President; Hobart Martin, Ist Vice President; Evelyn St. Lawrence, 2nd Vice President; Linda Bloom, Secretary; and William Forbes. Treasurer.