The Independent-News, Volume 107, Number 30, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 31 December 1981 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - DECEMBER 31, 1981

EDITORIALS

GOODBYE 1981 . . . . . . HELLO 1982! It is no secret that we are at the time when another year passes on behind us and a brand new one stands before us. The transition from 1981 to 1982 won’t have all the anticipation and excitement that was waiting for us one year ago after a sweeping change of politics had been made and we looked forward to seeing what the new administration was going to do about our problems. The first year has come and is now going and we can now look back and reflect upon just what did happen in 1981 and look ahead to the new year to see just what paths we will foillow in 1982. As 1980 died away, a couple of crucial things were in our hearts and minds, first of all, the some 50 American hostages were still being held in Iran, an event that started in November of 1979 and had carried on through the entire year of 1980 despite an aborted rescue attempt and continued efforts to get the hostages released. Also in our minds was a recession and economic bad times that was reflected very strongly in our area due to the high interest rates, sagging automotive industry fortunes as well as growth with definite affects on the retailers, building, industrial as well as the automotive industry. Those were some of the dark spots of 1980 that we were about to leave as we entered into 1891. There of course were some scattered bright spots as well as we continued to live our lives in this country that not many nations around the world can match, in freedom to move about as we please, go where we wanted to go, do what we wanted to do, live as we wanted to live, worship as we wanted to worship, etc. Very little has changed over the years to change this, despite the dark spots. In came 1981 and with it, in the first 21 days, the seating of new government officials at many levels and especially the inauguration of a new president who had campaigned and won on the promise of turning the economy around. Many waited with great anticipation to see the miracles work that had been promised. As we moved into the year, things continued to happen on both sides of the ledger, good and bad. The economic situation proved to be too much for a rapid turn-around, and we are still fighting the same battles in many respects. The auto industry has not prospered in 1981, in fact it has slumped even further. Interest rates, although not at the 20 and higher percent rate, are still high enough that spending has not been spurred on in the past year. Building, automotive and any spending that basically depends on financing continues to be down. Even the administration has admitted that all their hopes and plans were not possible as they had planned and it continues to look as if things are in many respects still going to get worse before they get better. A complete turn-around in one year, or even two or three years, just isn’t possible. Only time will tell if we are on the right track as most would have to rate the “Reaganomics” only moderately sucessful after this first year. And of course there was the attempted assassination and wounding of President Reagan, the assassination in Egypt of Sadat and further troubles in the mid-east and Africa. And of course the situation in Poland in the recent weeks gives 1981 some real dark spots to remember for a year that was anxiously awaited at this time last year. On the local level, one big issue that was certainly on the minds of all has come about and we would rate rather successfully. That being the merger of Liberty Township with the Polk-Lincoln-Johnson Schools. True, not everyone is happy about this move, but certainly all level-headed and thinking people must be pleased with the smoothness of the merger to date and 1982 promises to be a big year as many physical improvements will come about this year to further aid in offering quality education with a lot of diversification in the future. It is not cheap, but considering the value of the product, our youth of today, things seem to be moving along fairly smoothly and the success of the schools in the fall of this year has been a giant step in solidifying the school picture at present and in the future. It is still not necessarily the best that could be had, but under the circumstances, has to be considered very successful. It is always easy to look back at the dark side of things and also remember some of the bright ones as well, but certainly it is more important to look to the bright side of the future. We who have chosen this area for our homes for one reason or another, must have some pride in this area. We are mainly here because we want to be here and to help make this area prosper. Our “hometowns’’ and schools will only continue to be as good as we make them and they will reflect the pride and effort we put into them. The year 1982 will continue to present challenges, some bad times and some good, but it is still impossible to see the bright side of the future if we are looking over our shoulders at the dimness of the past. We want to take this opportunity to extend to each and all of you, the hopes of a bright and prosperous new year that is filled with both happiness and progress. You are an important part of making this come to pass. It takes all of us to make these things happen and the fact that we live in a nation where we still have a say in our future, puts one big plus on our side that much of the world cannot enjoy. Despite the darker times of the past, we still have that bright side of the future ahead if we want to seek it out and help it come to pass.

Weekly Update From Congressman JOHN HILER The House of Representatives voted recently to waive certain laws to help ensure construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the lower 48 states. The waiver package, requested by President Reagan in October, was approved by the Senate in November. It has received considerable attention in the media as of late. During the winter of 1967-68, the largest single finding of oil and natural gas on the North American continent was discovered at Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope. Proven natural gas reserves there are estimated at 26 trillion cubic feet, about 13 percent of all our total proven gas reserves. An estimated 100 to 200 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas is believed to exist. To help cut through regulatory red tape and provide away to transport Alaskan gas. Congress in 1976 approved the Alaskan Natural Gas Transportation Act. Specifically. the Act provides for the waiver of certain federal laws if necessary to help ensure the success of the pipeline project, called the Alaskan Natural Gas Transportation System (ANGTS). The ANGTS will be a 4,800 mile pipeline, transporting natural gas through Alaska and Canada to nearly every state in the nation, including northern Indiana. It will have an initial capacity of 2 billion cubic feet of gas per day. At that rate, the pipeline system would account for more than 4 percent of our Nation's daily natural gas needs. The pipeline eventually will be able to transport 3.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day. It will cost an estimated 143 billion, the most expensive private construction project every conceived. The project is being financed by the private sector. No federal loans, loan guarantees or outright government financing is being provided. The project’s sponsors and potential lenders asked the President and Congress to waive certain laws, however, to eliminate legal and financial roadblocks that threaten the pipeline's completion. For example, major energy-pro-ducing companies by law have not been allowed to invest in the pipeline. The waiver package would allow these producers to own up to 30 percent of the project. The most controversial waiver, however. would permit billing of U. S. gas consumers for the construction costs before the pipeline is fully operational. Under the waiver package, here is how “pre billing" would work: The pipeline is being constructed in three segments. It is anticipated that the project would be completed in 1987, a date that will be established by law. If any one or tw o of the segments are completed by that date, but before the entire project is finished. U. S. consumers could be pre-billed for only those segments already completed. Any pre-billing will require the approval of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. If the entire project is completed on time, pre-billing will not be necessary, likewise, if none of the segments are completed on time, pre-biling will not be permitted. Financial institutions have stressed that the waiver package is absolutely critical if private sector financing is to be obtained, l ack of private financing support probably would lead to the project’s abandonment or force outright government financing, which I strongly oppose. Even in the worst case, the average gas consumer would pay only

when... (Taken From The Files Qf The Independent-News)

1971 Christmas greetings were sent from The Independent-News by the following merchants: Mini Shop. Stunt/ Pines, Farmers State Bank of Wyatt, Mahoney-Mann ChvvOlds, Guy Rizek Plumbing i Heating, Dr. and Mrs. Hershberger, Town of Walkerton. Reed's Electric. Hazel's Beauty Shop. DeWayne Pavcy Insurance, Lonzo Oil Co.. Charlie Steinkes, Doan's Gift Shop. Wells Aluminum. Walkerton Body Shop. Karn TV & Appliance. Hocker Transfer. Kabelin Hardware, Dill’s Fuel Oil. Jim Martin's Sunoco. Dr. Burton L. Furst. Merrick's Liberty Pharmacy. Town of North Liberty. Walkerton Skelgas Service. North Liberty Elevator. Jim Mercer & Sons. Big C Lumber. Al-N-Dor Restaurant, George & Flossie's Service Station, R W. Johnson Insurance, A. M. Manuel Funeral Home. Dad & Lad's. Dr. Elliott Frash, Doll’s Texaco Service. Nusbaum-Elkin Funeral He me. Community State Bank. Bill's Auto Hospital, Louderback Tax Service, Walkerton Medical Clinic. Jacob Drugs. Uptown Laundromat. Heil’s Restaurant. Speed Queen Fabric Care Center, Liberty Bell. Gardner Farm Equipment, The Clappers at Burger Dairy, American Legion Post 189, Felkc Florist, Bill Baker's Standard Service. Lorraine s Fabric & Family Clothing. Bolzc Marathon Service. Trobaugh Auto Parts, Clyde s Steering Service. Janet’s Beauty Salon. Ludwig Plumbing & Heating and Walkerton Oil Company and Walkerton Ford Sales. 1961 Specials for the holiday: buy at 10-14 pound ham at S 9 cents a $1.75 a month under the pre-billing waiver provision if pipeline completion is delayed. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will continue to be responsible to find that all rates and charges for delivering natural gas to markets in the lower 48 states are fair and reasonable. A federal inspector also has been assigned full-time to the project to protect the consumers' interest. The inspector must approve all spending and building decisions, and will be vigilant against cost overruns. The pipeline in my view clearly is in the national interest. Our rich reserves of Alaskan natural gas offer a reliable supply of domestic energy. If the pipeline is not constructed, consumers likely will pay more for energy needs, using imported oil as opposed to Alaskan gas. The pipeline is another way of reducing our dangerous reliance on unreliable Middle East sources of energy. 6 Separate l ieu* y ear's CDays round the 'I Port’d Six New Year s days tn a year? Certainly — it depends on where you are at the time Here they are: 1. January 1. 2 In that part of the Occident wherein the Greek Orthodox faith prevails Jan 1 falls upon our Jan 13. 3 A traditional Chinese New Year’s celebration starts Feb 8 and lasts to Feb 13

pound; fully cooked boneless ham at 89 cents a pound; half ham at 89 cents a pound; tom turkeys at 29 cents a pound; broiler turkeys at 59 cents a pound; Hills Bros, coffee at SI. 15 for a two pound can and four dozen tangerines for SI .00. Playing at the Rialto this week is Walt Disney's “Nikki" and coming next week is “The Last Time I Saw Archie". The annual New Year's Eve Teen Party will be held at the Walkerton Youth Building on Sunday night. December 31. from 9:00 to 12:30 a.m. Refreshments and favors will be provided. Dancing will be to recorded music and the party is sponsored by the Youth Building C ommittee and will be chaperoned 1951 Many communities in the central states arc collecting food, clothing and bedding for native Koreans who are the unfortunate victims of a World War which has devastated the country and its people. Mans of these supplies find their way to the Brethren Service Center, in Nappanee. 1931 Some 60 to 75 exhibits of corn, raised on the farms of Lincoln Township and nearby farms will be on exhibit at the Walkerton Corn Show in the Archie Williams store building from Thursday through Saturday. The newly organized chapter of the American Legion in Walkerton has adopted the name “Orville Easterday Chapter" in honor of the local boy who was the first from this community to pay the supreme sacrifice for his country in the World War. He was killed in action in France. 4 If you visit the country of Thailand, April 1, you d find a great ceremonial festivity underway — nothing less, in fact, than New Year’s 5. In Arab nations, the Mohammedan New Year’s is celebrated Sept 4. 6 Sept. 10 is New Year s in the ancient country of Ethiopia. New Year’s day has been observed for over 500 years Nearly everywhere and at all periods it has been a day of rejoicing. NEW YEAR’S DAY HERE & THERE Among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on March 25. After the adoption of the Gregorian calendar the day was observed on the first of January. The Jewish New Year is the first day of Tishri, which falls sometime in September or In early October. The Chinese New Year .(between Jan. 10 and Feb. 19 of the Gregorian calendar),RL the most important of their festivals. The Moslem New Year falls on the first day of Muharram. SUPERSTITIONS In some parts of the gobe, people believe that a U salt shaker foretells a good year. India serves only new foods at this date, as they think the cooking of new rice assures prosperity. Rice cakes are used as New Years offerings in Ceylon. At some places, there are certain taboos on certain edibles on this date. For example the Chinese refrain from rice, and Germans from dumplings.