The Independent-News, Volume 106, Number 46, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 23 April 1981 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - APRIL 23, 1981

I EDITORIALS

NEARING THE END? For several years now, since the laws were changed and the ambulance business was basically taken away from the funeral homes around the state due to restrictions and prohibitive costs, the Walkerton area, including Polk, Lincoln and Johnson Townships, has had their own service as has most rural townships or possibly a couple of townships together. This is through a lot of dedication by a fine group of people, who take their turns being on call and putting other things aside to serve in this capacity. Without their willingness, this would be a lot more expensive venture for the smaller populated areas. In many instances, this service is on a city or county basis where a lot more is involved and it is a full time job for those involved. With the WPLJ Ambulance Service, it has remained a very workable system without being put on the tax rolls and it has a lot of advantages for the people of the area. From the start, a family (or household) membership has been available each year for $25.00. This is nothing more than an insurance policy that takes care of any and all runs in a calendar year for any subscribing household. This has been a real money saver for many, especially those who possibly do not have insurance to cover such services or at least adequate insurance. And the price of $25.00 a year is much less than the average run, in fact well under half the cost of an average run, let alone multiple runs in a year’s time. The sad part of this situation is, it appears the WPLJ Ambulance Service is going to have to drop this system and go on the tax rolls. Despite the fact that the increase of taxes necessary to finance the ambulance service would not be catastrophic, it will eliminate the $25.00 annual membership fee and make all runs chargeable to the people involved. Add to this the fact that it will be a taxable charge, even though small, it just adds with everything else to effect our tax rates. The first year, a big push was made by the local townships and a large membership responded. Each year since it has gotten a little smaller and smaller, despite some real hard efforts to increase it to a self-sustaing level, it just isn’t. Presently this year there are less than 500 familes in the three townships and town of Walkerton that took advantage, and this is not enough money to support the program. It is up to the governing bodies of the ambulance service to make the final decision. The town of Walkerton has half the say with the three townships having the other half. It looks almost a sure bet, with finances the way they are, these governmental agencies will have to make this decision in the very near future as budgets for the coming years have to be compiled and finalized for advertisement in early August. It is not a decision they probably want to make, but one they will have to make one way or the other. And should they not put the ambulance service on the tax roles, a much greater supply of money will have to be found somewhere, so it appears that is the only positive answer. This will not be critical for everyone, in fact it will hardly effect many residents. However, those who will be hurt the most are the ones that will be forced to use the service, possibly more than once, who aren’t covered or completely covered by insurance. It was a great system, an inexpensive one, but it appears, one that is just going the way of many other things as the public has not responded as the years wear on. It appears to be just another service too many are taking for granted, but they may find out that just isn’t the case. TIME FOR A CHANGE This Sunday, April 26, at 2:00 a.m., is the annual time for most of the country to set their clocks ahead one hour, to observe Daylight Saving Time for six months. We say most of the country, everybody but most of Indiana is under this two-time period during the course of the year and in Indiana, with the exception of the extreme northwestern and southwestern counties, who are still on six months of daylight and six months of standard time. The real benefit for us is that our neighbors, to the west and south, LaPorte, Starke and all counties west of us, will again be on the same time as we are. We also will share the same time as Chicago for six months instead of being with New York. It is strictly a convenience factor. Those who have to work by the sunlight or on a different time zone, just get up earlier or adjust their schedules to fit. What the clock says has little effect on them. However, social, school, church, and other functions are a little more inconvenienced if they are on the time zone border lines. We just want to remind you if you are involved with the area that will be moving the clocks ahead one hour, do it Saturday night before retiring so you will be current when you arise on Sunday morning.

<<<7REMEMBER ''' 1971 The Arts and ( rafts Contest was held here in Walkerton on Sunday. April IM. at the Walkerton Elementary School. The PLJ Band Boosters are be

ginning their final campaign to acquire enough funds to purchase new uniforms for the John Glenn High Sch<M»| band. On Saturday. April 24. the band will be canvas sing the town to collect contribu tions for this purpose. I heir aim is to collect "One Mile Os Pennies" b\ asking the people to purchase

one or more cards of material for the uniforms at the cost of a penny an inch. I he John Glenn High School Diversified Cooperative Education program, which has 18 students going to school half a day and emphned the other half of the day in different area businesses in the school district, has set the annual banquet for the students and their employers for Thursday. April 29. at Heil's Restaurant. Walkerton. 1966 Remember the Style and Fabric Show Thursday evening. April 14. at 7:30 p.m. Over 66 persons will model clothes made b\ themselves, their mother or wives and grandmothers. Mrs. Don R Shupcrt, of North Liberty, arrived in Garmlisch. Germany. March 21. to attend the annual conference of the North Atlantic Girl Scouts at the Garmlisch Recreation Area. March 21-24. At the market three pounds of pork sausage could be purchased for SI.00; three pounds of ground beef for $1.00; six loaves of bread for SI.00; rump roast at 89 cents a pound; round steak at 77 cents a pound; chickens at 29 cents a pound; and a rolled pork roast for 69 cents a pound. 1961 Through the courtesy of the Farmers State Bank of Wyatt - Walkerton, the seniors of Walkerton High School went by Indiana Motor Bus to the Continental Uli nois Bank on Tuesday where they enjoyed a tour through this hugh institution. The group had lunch in the bank's cafeteria and then went to the Board of Trade where the largest cash and futures market of commodities are conducted. The last stop before returning to Walkerton was at the Museum of Science and Industry. Two teams from Walkerton participated in the W.1.8.C. Tourney at Fort Wayne. Dorothy Pruitt bowled 577 and Pearl Wooley bowled 504 for a 1081 in the doubles. Mae Bowers howled 497 an d Juanita Bouse 4 7 6 for 976 in the doubles. Mary Hartung rolled 606 in the singles and took over first place in that event. At the market fryers were selling for 35 cents a pound; smoked sausage at 53 cents a pound; bacon squares at 15 cents a pound; tuna fish at 19 cents a pound; bananas at 10 cents a pound; a tray of three tomatoes for 15 cents; ten pounds of potatoes for 59 cents; and a box of pizza mix for 49 cents. 1956 Should there ever be any kind of disaster or national emergency with which the Town of North Liberty is concerned, it has 2b qualified Civil Defense policemen awaiting the call to duty. Another meeting for the residents of North Liberty is formulated to organize a kindergarten class. At the market veal roasts were selling for three pounds for $1.00; spare ribs at 39 cents a pound; club steaks at 49 cents a pound; swiss steak at 49 cents a pound; three pounds of hot dogs for $1.00; veal chops at 39 cents a pound; three pound pork roast for $1.00; three pound can of Crisco for 79 cents; two heads of lettuce for 27 cents; and 10 pound of flour for 97 cents. 1951 Citizens of Walkerton, representing over one-half of the resident owners of taxable real estate in the corporation, have filed petitions with the Board of Trustees of the Town of Walkerton, asking that body to authorize the issuance of bonds on the town amounting to SI3.(XX) for the purpose of purchasing some needed fire equipment. The present truck has served the community since 1934. Residents of Walkerton joined in the nationwide celebration of General MacArthur's return to the United States on Tuesday evening, at about 10:30 o'clock. when he and his party landed at San Francisco, California. The fire alarm siren was sounded from the Town Hall lor one minute, church bells pealed

out the good news, the American 1 egion firing squad shot a 17-volley salute from the uptown bandstand, while the police car siren joined in the noise making. As evidence that troubles sometimes comes in bunches, consider the Albert Gongwer family, of the Barber community, southeast of Walkerton. While the family was eating dinner Saturday, a kerosene stove exploded and the house caught fire and burned to the ground. While most of the furniture was saved, practically all of the clothing was destroyed. Mrs. Gongwer is still on'crutches as she was in an accident on January 23 and Mr. Gongwer will return to work on Wednesday after a hospital seige with bronchial pneumonia. Mrs. Gongwer's sister. Miss Marlene Steele. North Liberty, was visiting at the time of the fire, rushed the three children out of doors while Mrs. Gongwer hobbled out of danger on her crutches. The house is owned by Charles Fouts, of Barber. The family is temporarily staying with her mother. Mrs. Edith Steele, in North Liberty. 1931 The tragic death of Knute Rockne. Notre Dame's beloved head football coach and director of athletics. has resulted in a flood of telegrams, letters and other messages urging that the memory of the great athletic leader be perpetuated in some sort of fitting memorial. As a result a national committee is being formed for the Rockne Memorial, nation-wide in scope, with its headquarters at Notre Dame. One of the loveliest affairs of the srping season in Walkerton was the one o'clock luncheon given Friday afternoon by the members of the Women's Community Club, in honor of the tenth anniversary of its organization. VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Many Thanks And Best Wishes About four and a half years ago my mother subscribed to your neat, well-edited newspaper, and it's the highlight of every Thursday. Having given up procrastination (and spinach) for Lent, it's time to express my appreciation; don’t we all love compliments? You people certainly deserve them and so does Michael Pearish, whose pictures are excellent, everytime. When Ma (Mrs. Mathilda Lange, of ’6 Apartments) first had the paper sent to me in care of Miller's Merry Manor, 1 protested: "Pete's sake. Ma. this isn't my town — those Walkerton people are all strangers — nor can I even get into one of the neat friendly businesses and eating places on and near Roosevelt Road.'' Long ago, my sister, Elsie Crambert. and I really prow led all around tow n, but that’s all over, forever. At age 72. the deterioration continues to slide downhill, glow ing articles about old people notwithstanding. A fact of life is as unshakable as Truth — or imminent death for all. Now I've learned how versatile the townspeople are with a variety of talents displayed in every age bracket. Those who come here are amazing — musicians, plain and gourmet cooks, quilt makers, all farm ^prowess evidently mastered in all phases of that field — the list is limitless, and appreciated; how many hours of entertainment and inspiration are lovingly given to us nursing home residents. The "Town Fathers" (and I’ll hastily add "Town Mothers", in case an E R A. advocate is lurking nearby) seem to strive hard to maintain decency and a minimum of crime and vandalism and arouse a strong empathy in these trying times. Aren’t people wonderful to care so much about Walkerton and its really swell people? I’m vicariously proud of this adoptive town of mine.

Many thanks and best wishes. Rosalie A. Hefner P.S. — Your school menus inspired this dumbell poem: Been reading the school menus for the week — An experience quite horrible! If just reading about it makes me feel seek — Then to eat the stuff must be deplorable! rh Weekly Senate Wrap-Up From Sen. V. R. Miller With only three session days left in the 1981 General Assemble, the Senate concluded action on House Bills and will spend the remainder of the time voting on compromise versions of bills that passed the two legislative houses in different forms. The last day of the session is expected to be either Friday, April 24. or Monday. April 27, al though this is not certain yet. One of the most important bills passed on Monday was H.B. 13’8. which would raise an estimated S6O million to repair state and local roads by raising the state tax on gasoline by about two cents a gallon. The gasoline tax was regarded as the lowest tax that could be levied without further deterior ating Indiana's roads. One aspect of H.B. 1378 that drew strong sup port was that it would give more money for city and county roads than under the existing formula This bill will now go to conference committee, and a final version of it will be voted on this week. Another bill that passed the Senate was H.B. 1360. which would reorganize the Public Service Commission. Among other things, the bill would create a separate office of the Utility Consumer Counselor, for the purpose of representing consumers who want to file complaints against utility companies The counselor would be appointed by the Governor, and would help protect Indiana citizens from unfair rate and practices by the various utilities in the state. The Senate passed a bill aimed at preventing alcohol and drug abuse in Indiana. This new program is an attempt to keep pace with the epidemic rise in drug abuse and al coholism in the state and nation. I he bill would give over $3 million to the addition services division of the department of mental health, the money being raised through a slight increase in the state tax on beer, liquor, and wine. The money will be spent on a variety of programs that would both help alcoholics and educate people, youth especially, on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. Other bills that passed the Senate this week either on third reading or through concurrence were: —a bill that would require law enforcement officials to notify the victim of a crime w hen the perpetrator is about to be released from prison on parole. —a bill that would provide for legal separation for up to one year and provide for child support and maintenance payments if necessary. —a bill that would allow longer and heavier trucks to travel on Indiana roads and which would increase truck fees and taxes by an estimated $lB million. The session is coming to a close; however, I always look forward to hearing from by constituents on matters of concern to them. I can be reached by writing the State House. Indianapolis. Ind. 46204. or by calling I -800-382-9467. Classifieds Sell Anything And Everything. The heads of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt carved in Mount Rushmore are proportionate to men 465 feet tall.