The Independent-News, Volume 106, Number 24, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 20 November 1980 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - NOVEMBER 20, 1080

EDITORIALS

THE VOICE IS HEARD Over the past feu weeks a lot of publicity has been given to the possible merger of the Liberty Township school area and the Polk-Lincoln-Johnson School Corporation. This rather came to a head in the PLJ district last week with a second meeting, this one centering around financial figures gathered by the board and included uere some options should the merger be accepted that were strictly for comparison of figures only. There was a lot of emotion and discussion at the Thursday night meeting, often to the point of adding confusion rather than eliminating it. The board, through their president, Bill Ochs, the architect representative, the financial representative, attorney for the corporation, and superintendent of schools, Harold R. Muncie, gave a very thorough and good presentation on the various phases of the merger possibility. The facts were basically positive all the way with it being explained that the first year or two there would be some problems arise that would work themselves out in the future. But down the road, it was a very positive report. There has been some strong opposition to the merger and most of the questions thrown at the panel Thursday night, were from people opposing the merger with whatever personal questions or reasons they had. On the most part, these were answered very well by the panel although some questions were so far out of text, they couldn’t be answered directly. The main concern seemed to stem around additional busing, classroom size and inconvenience of both student and parent participation. It was pointed out rather well that in the lower levels, basically K through 8, little or no change would be made and that the combined area would be staffed sufficiently to not affect classroom size at all. There can always be an isolated case or problem, but overall it would not change at all. On the educational level, superintendent Muncie presented a very positive approach of a more varied and selective schedule that would be offered to high school students. He also emphasized that through declining enrollment, which has been the trend, some extra curricular activities such as band, chorus, and others, might not be able to be continued on a full scale should the merger not take place. The voting then took place on Friday and Saturday. It must be remembered, this was not a mandate vote, but a vote of expression of feeling the board sought to help them in their decision. The turnout was better than expected, 823 voting overall in a vote that had both not been the best publicized and convenient for many in the three townships. However, the turnout did show concern and it came out a combined vote total of 56.3% voted in favor of the merger. On a broken down basis, only Polk Township voted negatively, with both Lincoln and Johnson Townships voting heavily in favor of the merger. Also a vote was taken by the board of the PLJ faculty and the John Glenn High School students. A whopping 96% of the faculty voted yes to the merger, apparently realizing the need for this move in the future. Also, the student vote was a very high 74% in favor, thus showing the kids themselves are strongly in favor of this move. It is now up to the five man board. They always have and still have the decision in their power. They asked for a vote for a guideline and the people have spoken and strongly favor this move. We hope the board found out what they wanted to know as they have asked for public opinion and the voice has been heard.

f^rememberj^i WHEN... (Taken From The Files Os The Independent-News)

1975 The Walkerton Area Junior Miss for 1975-76. Brenda Mickow. was crowned on Saturday evening. November IS. Other award winners were Janis McGee. Elizabeth Krick. Ima Newland and Rhonda Creighton I he annual basketball salutes for both the John Glenn Falcons and the North Liberty Shanin* ks appeared in the November 20th issue of I he Independent News Ihe Walkerton Woman's ( om munitv ( lub donated a state flag to John Glenn High School recently Also flags were presented to Walk erton Elementary School. St Pat rick's School and Urey Middle S< hoof At the market grade A golden glow turkeys were selling for 59 cents a pound for the 16 24 |>ound ers, a 10 16 (round Buttcrbah tur

key was selling for 7 9 cents a pound; smoked hams at $1.59 a pound; ducks at 99 cents a pound; geese at $1 39 a pound; pork steak at $1.09 a pound; bacon at $1 49 a pound; braunschweiger at 79 cents a pound; mince or pumpkin pies at 69 cents each; two pound can of Folger's coffee for $2.49; a half pint of whipping cream for 39 cents; eight ounce package of cream cheese for 39 cents; a gallon of vanilla ice cream for $1 19; fresh cranberries at 29 cents a pound package; three [rounds of sweet potatoes for 49 cents and three heads of lettuce for $1 (XI 1970 Once again the beautiful ( host mas Seals have been sent to area residents to use and help in rehev mg respirators problems. Your donations will be most welcome A basketball open house will he

held on Thursday. November 19 at 6 30 p m in the North Liberty High School gym. sponsored by the let termen's Club CROP is the communits Hunger Appeal of C hurch World Service Hunger and is one of the majority problems our world faces. CROP ships millions of pounds of food, seed and agricultural supplies evers sear to hungry people in more than 30 countries. You can begin to help stop hunger through CROP. Please held CROP to help stop hunger! 1965 The annual Fall Sports Banquet for the North Liberty senior and junior high was held Tuesday. November 9 and the affair was well attended by North Liberty residents. Honored at this time were the undefeated football team and the cross country squad. The Walkerton Chamber of Commerce has announced their plans for the 1965 home Christmas decorating contest which is hoped to promote the Christmas spirit and beautify the town more during the holiday season with the gay decorations. Miss Carol Martin has been selected as the Tyner School nominee for the DAR Citizenship Award. This makes her eligible for the county award which will be determined later in the month. The Lown of North Liberty was the winner of the first round in their battle to undertake a project of a new sew age disposal plant and new sewers. In court, a decision was handed down in which the town won seven of the eight points disputed by the people who signed a petition against the project, losing only in the matter of opening bids in the proper manner. 1960 The hearing held in Indianapolis before the Indiana Public Service Commission, was recessed until Monday. The recess was ordered as neither side could appear until this date because of previous commitments. The entire problem centers around the proposed location of the Walkerton project, but it remains to be the one that the engineers found the most logical for the water improvement project. Tempers flared and some property damage in the form of broken w indows occured Tuesday morning at the Charles O. Hiler & Son Foundry, as picket line action got briefly out of hand following tense feelings due to the 14-wcek old strike at the Foundry. With the aid of pickets from out-of-town, rocks were thrown through windows at the building and later a series of fights occured outside the plant, broken up almost immediately by the Walkerton Police. A large group of friends gathered at the Art Schmeltz farm Saturday and picked and stored 70 acres of corn for Art who suffered a severe head injury just a week be fore from a freak accident on his farm. 1955 The St. Joseph County Health Department advises parents of school age children to consult their family physicians regarding booster shots of Poliomyelitis vaccine. The vaccine is 70 percent effective in preventing paralytic polio. Trustee incumbent, second ward. Ray Whitmer, has conceded the trusteeship to Dr W. R. Fetzer, this breaking the tic vote which resulted in last Tuesday's election Howard Bussic. Walkerton, has been declared eligible to win a trip completely around the world as a retail sales ambassador of gixx! w ill H<»osicr farmers are advised bv Purdue University agronomists to check on soil fertility levels and determine fertilizer needs for next year's crop as soon as possible 1950 I he interior and furnishings of a house on the north side of Koontz lake was completely destroyed bv fire of undetermined origin Mon dav evening about 9 (X) p m Ihe house was occupied by George

Curtis, who moved here just a month ago from New Carlisle. The five Curtis children, ages one. five, six, ten and twelve, were just ready for bed and were taken to neighbors homes for the night. Roger Kronk. leading trumpet player in the Walkerton School Band, extended his honors Friday evening when he copped first place in the annual Band Parents Amateur contest. The Knox Publishing Company, which will publish future issues of the Starke County Republican and the Starke County Democrat, has been formed. At the market coffee was selling for 85 cents a pound; Miracle Whip at 33 cents a pint; two eight ounce packagu-s of cream cheese for 33 cents; two large cans of pumpkin for 35 cents; celery at 25 cents a stalk; three pounds of sweet potatoes for 25 cents; a pound of walnuts for 39 cents and hams at 55 cents a pound. A BIG THANK YOU! We would like to thank everyone that helped make the benefit for the Larry Anderson family a huge success. Thanks to al! the ticket salespersons and ticket purchasers of the drawing and to everyone that participated in the feather partv a special thanks We also would like to thank those who donated to the benefit. First prize of a whole hot or a $125 meat gift certificate donated bv the Johnson Twp. Sportsman's Club went to the Howard McMinn family, of LaPorte. Second prize of a sixchanncl portable scanner donated bv Judv and Leonard Sporner of J n L Electric, located % mile west of CR 800E on CR I (XX) S. in LaPorte County, went to Marion Anderson. Route 3. Walkerton Third prize of an AM FM digital clock radio donated bv the P-L J Band Boosters went to Jonathon Davis, of South Bend. Fourth prize of a homemade afghan donated bv Pearl and Chuck Wooley. Walkerton, went to Norma Wilson, of Route 3. Walkerton Fifth prize of a $ 15.00 meat certificate donated bv the Johnson Twp Farm Bureau went to Marilyn Keller, of Plymouth We would also like to thank Matt Jaworski, of the Indiana State Police, for drawing the winning names. Johnson Township Sportsman's Club School Hearing Well Attended Last Thursday Last Thursday evening a near capacity crowd at the John Glenn High Schixil auditorium gathered to hear the report of the PLJ School Board at the second public meeting concerning the possible merger with Liberty Township. The main matter of attention was a financial comparison and option sheet that was gathered by the board from their financial advisor and other information they felt pertinent at this time. Board president, William Ochs, welcomed the g«x»d crowd and chaired the meeting. He first explained the various options the board had planned to use as a comparative measure. He also briefly explained the other various items of importance such as buses, enrollment projections, staff requirements, building plans, etc., for all the options. A brief legal explamation of just what might take place and the proper procedure was given by school attorney. Kenneth Luken bill lerrs Short, of P:ACF. Inc., the archetict firm that has worked the past couple of years with the board explained the possible con struction and renovation plans, and Herschel Limbaugh, of the H J

Limbaugh A Associate's, explained in some detail, the financial report he had prepared for the board. Superintendent Harold R. Mun cic then commented on the educa tional advantages of the proposed merger with this also being strong lv affected bv the declining enroll merit trend in this area, both th< present PLJ School Corporation and the possible merged corpora tion. The presentation by the board was very complete. At this time, a question and com merit session was opened to the public and for the next hour plus, questions were fired at the various speakers with answers being given as accurately as possible. The main concern seemed to center around possible busing, classroom size, and a variety of lesser questions that bordered more on the individual level. These were answered very positively and ac curately. but many of the answers were simply not accepted by those asking the questions. After a lengthy period of ques tions and comments. Ochs explain cd the ballot the Board had pre pared for the Saturday opinion vote to be taken and it was also an nounced that voting could be done at the administration building on Fridas until 4:00 p.m. Those vot mg were to vote “Yes’’ or “No" on the merger and if a yes vote was cast, then the four options were listed A. B. C and D. for a pref erencc of the various plans pro possed. Glenn Teams Are Featured Today; N.L. Next Week This week we arc featuring the John Glenn High School basketball teams in the annual kick-off The Falcons opened their season last Saturday night, but both the hoys and girls head into full time action this week Next week we hope to have all the North Liberty teams photos and will feature them as they start their season at that time. Four and seven were considered magic numbers in ancient Egypt. t - - 3 f, Nr —_. _ . There’s no place like home for the holidays. I hat s because ( hristm.is is something special in \metic.i \nd America is something special, too So whv not give those you lovc a small piece ol home this ( Kristinas’ (hvc them I s Sav mgs Bonds \nd help keep ( hr Ist mas lulu re .is good and sale .is ( hristm.is past