The Independent-News, Volume 106, Number 48, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 7 May 1981 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - MAY 7, IMI

| EDITORIALS

IT’S OVER . . . FOR A WHILE It happened last week the way it usually does only this time the job hasn’t been completed. The Indiana General Assembly adjourned last Thursday, the last day allowable by law for a regular session and the job isn’t done. First and foremost among the uncompleted tasks is a new formula for funding for schools. Over the recent years, with frozen tax rates, the school financial problems have been getting worse by leaps and bounds as the inflation certainly has increased much faster than the frozen tax rates would allow money to come in under the present formula. There are a lot of school districts that are in serious trouble and had it not been for the fact the merger is taking place locally this would be another one. Governor Orr will have to call a special session to help relieve this situation as the lawmakers will have to give this important matter due consideration and come up with some suitable plan. Other than that, many bills were lost in the shuffle, and a lot more were acted upon in this session. The last minute flurry of activity did pull most loose ends together, maybe not as satisfactorily as if the usual trading and eleventh hour rush was necessary. One point that may be challenged is the redistricting in Indiana as mandated by the constitution following the U. S. Census every 10 years. Os course the party in power will look out for themselves and this is what the matter in question is now. The Democrats have stated that the maps weren’t released until the last day and no opportunity was given for action following the release of the plans. There is some talk of going to court on this matter, which only time will tell. Included also in this was the Congressional redistricting, a job that was made much more difficult this year due to the fact the 1980 census figures forces Indiana to be cut from 11 districts to 10. There were some real gains and losses, depending on how you look at it here. Freshman Congressman John Hiler, of the Third District, was put in a very favorable district and should be protected by this move very well. Meanwhile, Floyd Fithian, the second district representative, a target of the Republicans, really was tossed around as his district was simply torn apart and instead of extending north to the state line and basically in a district from Lafayette northward including most of the northwest part of the state, he is in a district now that goes as far south as Bloomington. He felt he was really shortchanged. But that’s politics. Several definate points did come out of the legislature that haven’t all been digested as of yet, but certainly a reform in the lobbying resulted from the lawmakers own shortcomings and recent indictments along these lines. This was the first updating of lobbying restrictions in some 65 years. Also more power was given by the state to local governments, more except the right to tax. However, a two-year plan to put more responsibility back in local governments instead of Indianapolis, did culminate with this session and will change the future, more for the cities, but still making it possible for decisions to be made in many areas at home rather than running to the legislature for the answers. Just how the overall 1981 session will stack up has not been fully assessed. As is usually the case, a lot was done . . . but a lot remained undone that will present challenges for the future. A better evaluation can be made once the school situation receives some kind of attention. WHEN... (Taken From The Files Os The Independent-News)

1971 At the age of eighteen Eilen Lehman began her teaching career in an eight grade rural school in central Michigan. Her salary was SIOO per month which was for teaching and janitorial duties. Mrs Lehman retired from elementary teaching after sixteen years in Michigan and twenty-six years in Walkerton and Tyner schools. The graduates of Tecgarden and Tyner High Schools Alumni will be held on May 29 with a pot luck dinner at 6:30 p.m. Once again the public is invited and urged to attend the opening of the festivities of the John Glenn After Prom Partv to start at midnight on Friday. May 7. at the high school to see the prom goers interviewed 1966 Having just experienced another tornado warning here in North Liberty . the North I iberty Fire Department put out a tornado warning signal to be used in case of a tornado |f you hear the signal everyone should take immediate shelter.

1961 Walkerton High School has announced the selection of Warren Wood as valedictorian and Michael Heimer as saiutatorian of the 1961 graduating class. Adolf Graf, chief of the Walkerton Police Department since September 7, 1953. turned in his resignation to the Walkerton Town Board on Tuesday evening at their regular board meeting. Graf, who is 65, has decided to retire after being in police work for the past 38 years. Charles Cripe. Jr., better known as ( huck. has again been named by the Walkerton Town Board as the coordinator of the park for this summer schedule. 1946 The Northern Indiana Public Service Company has announced it will file with the Public Service ( ommission of Indiana a new electric rate schedule which the Public Service ( ommission estimates will save customers in North Liberty and other Northern Indiana towns more than $528,000 annually. The

new schedule of rates will become effective Mav 1. 1941 Ihe Walkerton Post Office will be advanced in rating from a third class office to a second class office in the very near future. The United Stated Defense Savings Bonds and Postal Savings Stamp will be placed on sale in the local offices at the opening of business on May I. The Town of Walkerton, in cooperation with the electric dealers here, has eliminated the usual "installation charges" on all electrical stoves and heaters, current or which comes through the Walkerton distribution plant. The Liberty-Lincoln Consolidated Band placed third in Class E Bands at the district contest held in Hebron last Saturdav. 1931 The Senior ( lass will present its class play, a three act comedy. "The Ghost Walks", on Monday and Tuesday . May 12 and 13. in the Walkerton school gymnasium. The North Liberty High School will graduate 19 seniors at the annual Commencement Exercises in the school auditorium on Friday . May 8. Contract for the construction of the proposed new municipal band stand for Walkerton, will likely be let at the regular meeting of the town council on Friday evening. See what 19 cents can buy from Kiser & Gopperts. Walkerton, three pounds of navy beans; three pounds of fancy rice; three pounds of prunes; two pounds of bulk soap chips; five pounds water softener; large box of Oxydol; a pound of coffee or a half pound of green tea. Also a peck of potatoes was selling for 29 cents and 24 pounds of Warsaw flour for only 49 cents. "Strong beliefs win strong men, and then make them stronger." Waiter Bagehot "The most fluent talkers or most plausible reasoners are not always the justest thinkers." William Hazlitt Rest Easy \ v With Sleep-Eze. J > The gentle ingredient in J Sleep Eze helps you get \ f/ a good night's sleep and 1 V wake up refreshed Use J only as directed «J Cm PREVENT BLINDNESS

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Weekly Update From Congressman JOHN HILER

For the second time since he was sworn into office. President Reagan has addressed a joint session of Congress on the subject of his program for economic recovery. He addressed the Congress again this week in hopes of ecnouraging faster consideration and approval of his program. Since he unveiled the economic package on February 18th. the House of Representatives has made only one vote pertaining to his program, a vote to forego a scheduled April Ist increase in dairy price supports. As I have reported in previous Weekly Reports, the President's program has five major parts: Reductions in levels of federal spending; an across-the-board cut in income tax rates; a committment to a more stable monetary policy, including lower interest rates; relief from excessive federal regulation and an effort to reduce waste, fraud and abuse. Since the President unveiled his comprehensive program almost 10 weeks ago, public support has been strong for this new approach at solving our nation's economic problems. But despite pleas for quick passage of the President’s program. the House of Representatives has been moving at a snail’s pace with the economic package. The majority leadership has instead spent more time proposing so-called alternatives and issuing questionable economic assumptions that serve only to undermine the President's efforts to get our economy moving again. But despite attempts to shift the public's mood away from support for the President, the public and especially Third District citizens continue to express strong support

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for his approach for solving our nation’s economic problems, hi fact, of more than 5.000 Issues Surveys just returned to my office nearly 85 percent favor the Presi dent's economic recovery' policies 1 addressed my collegues on the House floor earlier this week and made a point of letting them know that Third District support for the President's program for economic recovery remains strong. The Congress is returning to the Capitol this week after a two week district work period, which allowed congressmen and senators to return home and discover the level of support for the President 's program. If my colleagues learned what 1 did — that support con tinucs to be overwhelming — then hopefully the Congress will move quickly to approve the entire pack age. I invite your views. Write Con gressman John Hiler, House of Representatives. Washington. D C. 20515. Drive defensively always! "He who has health has hope- and he who has hope has everything." Proverb Red Cross: Ready for a no* century. Roa IYOI - Cl In