The Independent-News, Volume 108, Number 5, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 8 July 1982 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS — JULY 8, 1982

[EDITORIALS

A DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITY The first of July brought about the change in the school board of the John Glenn School Corporation. At the recent primary election, four vacancies for the board were filled by election in a very contested race. One seat in each of Polk and Lincoln Township was contested with four and three candidates respectively, while both seats in Liberty Township were up for public choice due to the fact the Liberty Township representatives had been appointed less than a year ago after the merger of that township with the then PLJ School Corporation. This forced a lot of action to happen in a limited amount of time as plans had to be made to pull the school corporation together on a permanent basis. This has been done and as all corporation residents know, the renovation and addition programs at John Glenn High School and at the North Liberty Elementary/Middle School are well underway trying to get satisfactory facilities ready for the start of the 1982-83 school year. This was accomplished by a board that now has a new look. Two new members were elected, one formerly elected member re-elected for a third term and one of the appointed members elected for a full term. With three members still having two years on their elected terms, this gives the board a new dimension and as far as we personally are concerned, the board now has also a new responsibility. The immediate past board faced some big problems. They did attack them and the solution is now in the bricks and mortar stage. And when we say board, we mean collectively, not as individuals, as not all board members supported the work and projects individually as they are being done, but the actions were that of the board as a whole. The result will be another boost in taxes as somewhere along the line all these improvements must be paid for. This probably should come as no surprise, but less than two years ago the word was out, figures were presented to show that the merger could happen without an increase in taxes. Over the long haul this may be the answer, but no way can a $4 or $5 million program take place in a school corporation this size without additional outlay of tax dollars. The timing was bad. It is no secret that the economy in this area is not the best, that unemployment hits a little harder in our area now than on most occasions, and also we notice more and more of businesses closing their doors under the current financial squeeze. None of these situations make tax increases pleasant for business and individuals alike. Add to this a very slow building era of new homes, etc., to further hamper the increase in dollar evaluation. This is now in progress and the increase in taxes will show up again next year on our county tax bills. Last year the Walkerton residents showed the largest increase in taxes of any taxing unit in St. Joseph County, due to two main things, the school debt service going up for the Urey Middle School renovation, and the placing of the ambulance service on the tax rolls. Next year it will be another bite. This points out the fact that, although we all know the primary purpose of a school board and a school corporation is to offer to the youth the best possible chance for an education. However, this is not done with bricks and mortar alone and the expensive renovations and additions now underway, spared no expense. It is also felt that perhaps it was somewhat overdone in the fact that a building that was dedicated less than 14 years ago as a new high school with all the necessary facilities, and one that was constructed so that additions could be made in the future if needed, has not just had additions, but has had much of the present building torn up, torn out, removed, etc., rather than the building just added onto to make gain the necessary space for the additional students. It is not at all like the additions to the Walkerton Elementary School a few years back when very limited renovation was done and additional rooms added to fill the need. The program this year is spending an awful lot of money that perhaps could have been adequately handled with much less expense. That puts on the new board a little different responsibility. We strongly feel that their main priority now is to continue to offer the best education possible, but they also have a large responsibility to the taxpayers of the corporation to work hard on the economics and watch the spending. We feel that any type of an expense other than normal operations definitely should not be considered in the near future until the debt service at the present time is greatly reduced. It is no secret that enrollments are not gaining in the entire area, only on a very few and scattered instances is enrollment going up. The services and operations of the school system must also reflect this fact and a concentrated effort should be made by the new board in the future to do everything within their power to give this type of break to their taxpayers. We feel that the board is made up of pretty dedicated people, it certainly isn’t a lucrative job or one that a person who isn’t interested in takes. We do hope that the current conditions are in the minds of this board and that they concentrate their effort of running an efficient, business-like operation with top priorities going to the operation of the school system on a business-like fashion. After all, it is the largest business in our area and certainly the most expensive to the public. We hope it is treated as such.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Thank You, Walkerton Our 1982 Walkerton Fourth of July Festival is now history to be remembered. The success of the Festival can only be measured by those who attended and took part in it. The children's activities were well attended as were the evening programs throughout the week. The most gratifying aspect of our celebration was the cooperation which we received in making the program successful. Virtually, every organization and association gave us a helping hand. Both school systems, the churches, the town board and park board, the fire, street and electrical departments, the ambulance association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the various fraternal and women's associations all did their part in giving us the needed support. The police department put their reduced staff on 12 hour shifts for five straight days to give us the necessary security. The local business community helped us in so many ways to make the parade and other events a reality. Men opened their businesses on Sunday to provide for last minute equipment. Individuals donated their time in providing the necessary technical assistance. The IndependentNews donated several hundred dollars worth of space in advertising our program. The performers and other program participants either donated their services or charged us only for their costs. To all of you, we say a very sincere thank you. Your Fourth Os July Committee JOHN GLENN SCHOOL BOARD REORGANIZES The John Glenn School Corporation board met in regular session on Tuesday, July 6, with the organization of the board the first item of business. Jack Ryan was elected president for the 1982-83 school year with Dean Anderson, vice-president; John Peddycord, secretary; and Joan Schmeltz, assistant secretary. Mavis Shank was appointed corporation treasurer; and Kenneth Luckenbill, Jr., of the law firm of Stevens, Wampler. Travis and Fortin, as corporation legal counsel. Regular meetings will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month starting at 7:30 p.m. John Peddycord was chosen as the legislative liasion representative and the annual salary for the board members remained at SBOO.OO. The Board opened and awarded bids to Pence/Dickens/Heeter Company for the purchase of electric typewriters for the high school at $414.00 per typewriter; Meadow Gold received the milk at .125 for '/: pints of 2% milk and .134 for '/: pints of 2% chocolate milk; and desk-chair combinations to BecklyCardy Kiger Company for $48.87 per unit. Paula Patterson was hired to reletter the new' corporation name on the school buses for $61.00 per bus. The Fanners State Bank of Wyatt’s loan of $13,500.00 at 9.2% was accepted to purchase a handicap student van. Resignations were accepted from Anda Foxwell, elementary teacher; Tom Hall, physical education teacher at (Jrey Middle School, and Judy Mercer, as a bus driver. The Vocational Joint Operational Agreement for the 1982-83 school year was approved by the board. A commendation was extended to the high school band for their first place rating at the Fourth of July Festival in Bremen. The Board will meet in executive session July 13, at 7:30 p.m., for the purpose of interviewing prospective employees. The next regu-

K^emembeX^ WHEN—IZg _ (Taken From The Files Os The Independent-News)

1972 Bill Flaugher. Curt Pletcher and Mike Norris, former John Glenn and Walkerton High School athletes, have accepted athletic grant-in-aids to attend Ancilla College next fall. On Sunday. July 2. the members of the First united Presbyterian Church of Walkerton, heard and accepted a candidate for their pulpit vacancy. He is Robert C. Bowman, of Council Bluffs, lowa. He and his wife Helen, will be arriving around the first of September to assume pastoral duties here. An open house is planned by Roy and Ruth DeSimone for Sunday, July 9, of the new Walkerton Nursing Home, Walkerton Trail at Highway 23, Walkerton, from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. At the market blade cut chuck roasts were selling for 59 cents a pound; chuck steak at 69 cents a pound; bacon at 79 cents a pound; swiss steak at 99 cents a pound; slicing bologna at 99 cents a pound; smoked sausage at 89 cents a pound; 10 c, s of Taster’s Choice cos. ' i $1.49; two 32 ounce size cotties of Del Monte catsup for 89 cents; three tins of tuna for $1.00; quart of sherbet at 49 cents; a quart of Miracle Whip for 55 cents; three 2‘/j size cans of Van Camps pork and beans for 89 cents; three jumbo rolls of Kleenex towels for 89 cents; three dozen medium eggs for 99 cents; a gallon of 1 percent milk for 69 cents; four pounds of tomatoes for $1.00; and three green peppers for 39 cents or two cucumbers for 39 cents. 1952 As is the custom in this part of lar meeting will be July 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the music room of the Walkerton Elementary School. FARMERS ASK CONGRESS TO ACT ON INCOME Indiana farmers are urging their Congressmen to take quick action on the farm income situation. In a letter mailed July 1 to 92 county Farm Bureau presidents, Indiana Farm Bureau president Marion Stackhouse emphasized the need for farm families to contact their Senators and Representatives while they are home for the July 4 recess, which ends July 12. The contacts are to let the members of Congress know that Indiana farmers want them to move now to control runaway entitlement program spending which takes almost 50 percent of the total U. S. budget. Until this is done, "Farm Bureau will no longer support reductions in federal expenditures for agriculture." the state's largest farm group says. Farm Bureau maintains that Congress must bear central blame for high interest rates. The farmers say this is caused by confusion that Congress has created in financial markets by failing to cut spending and produce a balanced fiscal year 'B3 budget. Farmers strongly oppose any increase in taxes to balance the bud- • get. In order to reduce government costs for deficiency payments and grain storage and increase jobs in transportation and other facets of export trade, they urge that at least $1 billion for the Commodity Credit Corporation export revolving fund be approved as away to expand farm exports immediately. They also ask that the Administration move swiftly with trade initiatives, making it clear to the Japanese and the European Economic Community that U. S. farmers are serious in their opposition to unfair trade practices currently being practiced by these countries. Watch out when it’s dark out!

the country, the first wheat to be harvested locally came from the George Anderson farm on Road 23 south of North Liberty. Herb and Paul Anderson, who operate the farm, brought their first grain to North Liberty on Wednesday, July 2 and Paul Williams was a close second. Yield is especially good this year running from 25 to 35 bushels per acre. The grand opening of Mrs. Bennett's Dining Room. Road 30 cast of Grovertown. will be having their grand opening on Sunday. July 13. If you like good food, this is the place to go. Chicken dinners are a specialty. 1942 The new trailer camp and dormitories. located just outside the corporate limits of Walkerton, to the south and east of town, which are scheduled to be completed and ready for occupancy July 23, by Kingsbury Ordnance Plant workers and their families, will very likely be delayed in opening, due to lack of vital materials needed in supplying electric lights and water. All furniture and fixtures for the new units are here, ready for installation. The shortage of copper wire needed to connect the new trailers and dormitories to the Walkerton electric system has made it impossible to supply lighting facilities. Lightning struck a garage and tool shed at the Fred Bellinger farm north of Walkerton last Friday morning at 9:30 during a bad electrical storm. The fire departments from both Walkerton and North Liberty responded to the call for help and did valliant work in preventing the spread of the flames. THE 1 MICROWAVE h_COOK Microwaving Vegetables Microwaving brings out the best in vegetables, because they retain their brilliant color and crisp texture and benefit from quick cooking in little or no water. Microwave-cooked vegetables take on added importance in the meal when dressed in a savory sauce. That’s why many microwave cooks use Campbell's condensed soup to cook vegetables, because the soup adds extra flavor and the additional liquid encourages even heat distribution. Oriental Vegetables is one side dish to try soon. ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 1 c. thinly sliced carrots 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut in strips 1 c. quartered fresh mushrooms (about 1/4 pound) 1/2 c. sliced water chestnuts 2 medium cloves garlic, minced 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Broth 2 tbs. dry sherry 1 tbs. soy sauce 3 tbs. cornstarch 1 package (6 ounces) frozen pea pods, thawed and drained In 2-quart microwavesafe casserole, combine carrots, cucumber, mushrooms, water chestnuts and garlic. Cover. Microwave on HIGH 5 to 7 minutes or until just tender, stirring once. Combine broth, sherry, soy and cornstarch ;stir until smooth. Add with pea pods to vegetable mixture. Re-cover. Microwave on HIGH 6 to 8 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Let stand, covered, 2 minutes. Makes about 3 1/2 cups, 4 to 6 servings.