The Independent-News, Volume 110, Number 17, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 27 September 1984 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - SEPTEMBER 27, 1984

[editorials!

UNFINISHED BUSINESS . . . AN UNWANTED BUSINESS! A box has been published approximately every other Sunday in THE SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE on the editorial page under a bold reverse heading of “Unfinished Business’’. This pertains to the proposed county-wide communications system. The system, as roughly proposed and not completely figured out, may be great for the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka and very possibly some surrounding areas or townships, but it certainly is not a feasible operation for the outlying townships and areas of St. Joseph County which those behind the system are trying to bring into the program by making it a countywide project. We will add at this point, such a system, if really planned and could be adequately instituted, could be of advantage to people. However, the case in St. Joseph County is somewhat unique and certainly no adequate planning or study has been made before trying to move ahead with this program. Those in favor, namely the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, asked Indiana Bell to plan such a system. This is the first and probably most serious mistake made. Not once did those behind the plan contact the Emergency Medical Service, a state agency, or the Indiana Fire Marshal’s Office, who have professional people employed at taxpayers expenses to work on such plans as this if asked. They would do a complete study and planning of the proposed system from all angles and would work with ALL the communities involved to see if the plan could be workable. The communications experts would not be tied in to one company, such as the Indiana Bell Telephone Company and would do more than just try to implement a plan to help only a portion of the involved area. There has been a lot of protesting and hard feelings concerning this planned system. The initial fact is that it simply IS NOT PRACTICAL FOR THE OUTLYING AREAS. This is due to many factors. Take for instance, our own case in Walkerton. The dispatching center of Walkerton now handles police, ambulance, fire and about any emergency situation that could arise. Also in this jurisdiction, through the current set-ups, this system involves the Town of Walkerton, Lincoln Township, Polk Township and Johnson Township. Add to this, we are talking St. Joseph County, Marshall County and LaPorte County and even a working relationship with Starke County. Even more complicated for this matter is the system being planned is by and through Bell Telephone, Walkerton and the surrounding area, including North Liberty and a good portion of the outlying districts of St. Joseph County, is on United Telephone and part of St. Joseph County, in Union Township, even has General Telephone Company service. Under the control of Walkerton comes not only the Walkerton telephone exchange, but Plymouth, LaPaz-Lakeville and Hamlet telephone exchanges. Consequently these would not be local calls if a 911 system was inagurated. In addition to the seriousness of trying to dispatch from some 20 miles away, often in different counties, etc., the Town of Walkerton and surrounding area would be unable to meet any emergency satisfactorily without their own system as it is now planned. And yet, what is really wanted is for this to be put on a county-wide taxpaying basis ... a taxing expense that many areas would receive almost completely no benefit from. Protests have been filed with the County Commissioners by the Saint Joseph County Fire Fighters Association. Other protests by emergency groups have been lodged, but it certainly could not hurt to have a citizen and taxpayer protest added to this list as individuals. Richard Jasinski is the county commissioner for this district, but all three commissioners should be aware and alerted to the dissatisfaction of the people of this area on this matter. They have offices in the County-City Building and such protests should be lodged with them. As it now stands, a county-wide communications system without a definite plan, would be a disaster for Walkerton, North Liberty, most of the outlying areas of St. Joseph County as well as those who are served in other counties through combined efforts such as the WPLJ Ambulance Service, the Union-North Ambulance Service, etc. Can a thoughtless and selfish group of people really put the value of a life, the protection of property, etc., on an unworkable program just to satisfy themselves and save some of their tax dollars? We feel not and hope that all people of this area will respond to the problem that would be caused if this planned communications system would become a reality . . . and respond now! FZ^remember^S WHEN... jMp

1974 Many of the merchants of Walkerton are this week offering Friday night specials, which appear in this issue of the paper. Those participating include Dad A Lad’s, Jacob Drugs, Harvey s, Her Place, Speed Queen Fabric Care Center, Brass ' ’ ' ! ! I • Mi

Lion, Mini Shop, Dairy Queen, Al-N-Dor, Dave & Ray’s, Mar honey-Mann Chevy-Olds and Kabi elin Hardware. The Walkerton Jaycees traveled । to Plymouth on September 21 to I attend the Region II fall social, i During the business meeting Walkn : H.'

erton was awarded the softball trophy and golf trophy for the Region and a national director award of honor. Whole frying chickens were selling for 38 cents a pound at the market; baby beef liver at 79 cents a pound; sirloin steak at $1.59 a pound; T-Bone steak at $1.69 a pound; porterhouse steak at $1.79 a pound; macaroni and cheese loaf, pickle and pimento loaf or olive loaf at $1.19 a pound; bacon at 99 cents a pound package; franks at 79 cents a pound package; eight bottles of Coca-Cola for 89 cents; a gallon of ice cream for $1.29; a sausage pizza for $1.89; a 22 ounce box of fudge brownie mix for 69 cents; two 15 ounce cans of Rival dog food for 49 cents; a nine and a half ounce box of triscuit crackers for 59 cents; a 46 ounce can of Hawaiian punch for 49 cents; six butter danish squares for 89 cents; a gallon of Vim for $1.09; and a 12 ounce package of American cheese singles for 79 cents. 1969 The Walkerton merchants will be closed Thursday, September 25, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. for the funeral of Dr. Walter M. Denaut. Dr. Denaut had practiced dentistry in Walkerton since July of 1926. At the market round steak was selling for $1.09 a pound; rolled rump roast at $1.09 a pound; bacon at 79 cents a pound; hot dogs at 79 cents a pound; old fashioned loaf at 99 cents a pound; smoked sausage at 79 cents a pound; Campbell’s tomato soup at 10 cents a can; a gallon of Vim for 79 cents; three nine ounce cans of Awake for $1.00; three packages of two each nine inch pie shells for $1.00; a dozen fresh baked cookies for 39 cents; a quart of Miracle Whip for 49 cents; lettuce at 19 cents a head and cukes or bell peppers, three for 29 cents. 1959 The North Liberty Lions served over 500 hungry people at their chicken barbecue held at Liberty Park on Saturday evening. There has been a lot of talk about a Rescue School being started in North Liberty. The time is here to start one. The school will be held on Thursday nights. You must be 18 years old or older to get in. Anyone desiring to take the schooling should report to the police station for more information about same. All CD police and firemen are especially asked to attend this school. The North Liberty Woman’s Club held their first fall meeting on Friday at a tea for members and guests. The theme was Dutch Cupboard which was adopted from the Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival where they bring in their products, hand woven rugs and fabrics, pewter, candle making, etc. The program was devoted to exhibits of local works of art. 1944 Plans for continued production at the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant Seven after the fall of Germany were revealed today, September 28, 1944, by Major F. H. Phillips, Commanding Officer at the plant. In a communication from Col. T. C. Gerber, Ordnance Department field director of ammunition plants, it was stated that “present plans contemplate continued production at this facility during the period between the fall of Germany and the fall of Japan. The extent of readjustment in production schedules during that period cannot be determined at this time; however, the dosing of the facility is not contemplated. A new shoe stamp is coming. A new shoe stamp to become good November 1 was announced by the Office of Price Administration. Gasoline A-12 coupons, good through September 21. Meats, fats — red stamps A8 through Z 8 and A5 through G 5 good indefinitely 1934 I A new business house will com- > mence operations in Wakerton Saturday when the Acme Bakery, owned by Clyde Moorman, of

I North Liberty, will hold a grand opening. Mr. Moorman has engaged a large orchestra to play throughout the afternoon and evening when people of the town and community are cordially invited to i come to the bakery, inspect the new oven and room and to see the quality of goods that will be manui factored there. The C. E. Bowser canning factory is running daily now with a force varying from 10 to 20 people, 1 canning fruits and vegetables from the federal relief gardens near South Bend. One-thousand cans a day are being put out, which is considered good for “a starter”. 1 The Old Barber Church, which I is located about three and one-half miles southeast of Walkerton, was sold to Roy Sheneman at private sale Saturday at a price of $210.00. The Barber Church, which belonged to the United Brethren denomination, was abandoned about 15 years ago, its membership transferring to the U. B. Church of Teegarden and Walkerton. VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (Editor’s Note: The minutes in question were taken direct from the Town Board Minutes of the September 10 meeting, a direct quote of the minutes listed on page 233.) Correction*: Regarding Walkerton Town Board Minute* Published In 9-20-84 Independent-New* The Magners have been charged for 22,700 gallons of water on their first month June bill — not 20,200 gallons — an additional difference of 2,500 gallons more than stated in this article. During the month of June, Mrs. Magner explained they were consistently busy unpacking boxes — they didn’t water the lawn, don’t have a swimming pool, so busy they ate out, and used water only to take baths, wash hands and make coffee. In July, when they have company on three different weekends, they were charged for 8,300 gallons of water — 14,400 gallons less. Upon hearing of our $49.97 water bill, company asked how much it would cost for them to have a glass of water in Walkerton. The water softener was connected for nine days, at which time Magners learned that Walkerton water has its own softener system. If there were lime in this pipes residence, as mentioned during Counciol meeting, it would indicate that every residence who use Walkerton city water would also have lime in their pipes, though as stated by Mrs. Magner, they aren’t aware of any lime in their pipes. Magners have used water softeners previously at low water useage. Correction re: the “some adjustments” made by Water Dept. Mr. Williams of the Water Dept, only bent the stem leading to a bulb “a tiny bit” — in one toilet stool. There have been no plumbing changes since the former resident left residence on June 12. Mrs. Magner asked Council Board if new meter was set to correspond a consecutive reading to the former meter — and was told it was. Mrs. Magner then questioned the fluctuations of the readings (giving each Council member a copy) as follows: June 16, 1,145,100; July 16,1,167,800; July 17,1,168,400; August 1, 1,173,500; then readings started going DOWN August 3, 1,167,800 same day — new meter — new reading 1,174,700; August 6,1,160,200; August 16,1,153,300. Mrs. Magner also questioned why the previous readings on bills were not consistent: June: previous, 1,145,100; present, 1,167,800; July: previous, 1,153,300; present, 1,161,600 (less than June). If previous readings correspond, the

i July bill should have been 1,167,800 — with present reading higher — now lower than previous reading. 1 A Council member asked: No. 1, • If Mrs. Magner felt they were being ‘ripped off? or No. 2, Whether there was a plumbing problem?” Mrs. Magner replied, “Affirmative to No. 1.” i The only understandable information Mrs. Magner received from Council Board was — “You have to pay for the 22,700 gallons of water on your June bill, though we will give you another month, without penalty, to see how August water useage compares to July water ' useage, though that won’t make any difference, as you still have to pay for the 22,700 gallons of water charged for June (a $49.97 water bill and $7.72 sewer charge —a cheery reception to Walkerton). The Magners had the plumbing in their residence checked by three different people and none have found any leaks, lime, or plumbing problems. It’s interesting — that the Water Dept, changed out 20 meters in one month — and ALL were 100% accurate. They’re doing better than the Cubs! The Magners are not being dissenters against the establishment — or seeking “compensation” — as they have always paid their bills — Magners are only trying to find the reason for these exorbitant water charges. Some people would probably just pay the bill and grudgingly try to forget it — but it’s a matter of principle — when you feel you’re right, stick to it! Mrs. Magner BREAKFAST MEETING SET FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 The Women’s Community Club will be having a breakfast meeting at the Presbyterian Church, Walkerton, on Friday, October 5, at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast is $3.75 and it will be sausage and egg souffle, orange juice, rolls, coffee, tea or milk. The deadline for reservations is Monday, October 1. For reservations call Carma Larson at 5862356. OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW SITE OF CLASSROOM An Open House is set for Thursday, September 27, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. by Project Head Start at it’s new classroom site. Meadows Apartment Complex Community Building, 635 Meadow Drive, North Liberty. The public is invited to welcome this new addition to the Head Start family. Representatives of Head Start’s education, nutrition, health, handicap, social services, parent involvement, career development and volunteer components will be present to answer questions and to distribute information. Refreshments will be served. FALL FESTIVAL PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 19 £ 20 The Walkerton Chamber of Commerce is planning a Fall Festival for Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20. This will be the first fall festival and it is hoped to make this an annual affair. Anyone interested in joining in the festivities is welcome. An entry blank is elsewhere in this issue for your convenience. There will be booth space available for antiques, arts, crafts, flea market, vegetables and other foods. Local residents, organizations and businesses are encouraged to participate. It is hard to believe that this country was founded to avoid taxation.