The Independent-News, Volume 110, Number 20, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 18 October 1984 — Page 4

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_ the INDEPENDENT-NEWS - OCTOBER 18, 1&B4

EDITORIALS

NOT MUCH TIME LEFT Despite the tact that it seems like it has been going on forever, there isn’t much time left before the 1984 general election at which time we will elect office holders from President of the United States right on do\*n through state and county offices. With an incumbent running for the president's position, the political campaigns actually have been underway for a matter of years instead of months, in recent elections, however, the presidential race has become one of almost from one election to another. The party in power, if an incumbent can be the choice, designs the campaigns around this individual for a long, long time. And the challenging party, also starts early as the various candidates throw their hats into the ring a couple of years in advance for several reasons, the greatest is probably to raise the millions and millions of dollars it takes to run a presidential campaign. All of this can and often does make the campaigns too long and drawn out and more emphasis is often put on the future campaigns than is devoted to the job of the candidates at hand, doing their job in their present positions, usually in high-ranking offices. The 1984 race is not going any differntly. For several years now the November 6 election date this year has been the center point of the candidates. The present administration has been continually aiming this way even though often not openly stated, but it only takes a little reading between the lines to see the real picture. Meanwhile, remember the expanded list of candidates the Democrats had the last couple of years and then gradually one by one they dropped out of contention as either the money could not be raised or interest in the individual was shot down as the campaign continued. As in most big campaigns, there is an important issue or two that seems to come to the front. This year’s presidential election has a couple of these. President Reagan has proven to be a popular president with many due mainly to his background as an actor and his ability to face the public with a good image. His strongest points has been this ability to meet the public, follow his pre-planned instructions, use his speeches and news conferences to the best of his staff’s ability and in general to promote an image the public likes. His attention to some of the issues at hand have sometimes been weak, the biggest being the promised balanced budget by this year . . . which only misses by a record S2OO billion dollars. And yet, through his carefully planned statements and comments, we are still being told the master plan is working. Quite to the contrary, the simple fact that his challenger, Walter Mondale, has come out and said there must be tax increases to balance the budget, or at least curb the flow of red ink, and this has been a strong campaign point of Reagan’s. The accepted challenge by Mondale to have President Reagan disclose how he plans to curb the deficit flow, has almost been shrugged off, but once again that elusive ability to dodge the issues while wooing the public has often come across. Regardless of who says what or how, this is one issue that must be met with some quick and positive action, the country simply cannot continue to pile up such deficits as this and expect to avoid a serious crisis later. Another issue has been the President’s age. This is one that only time can tell the resulte of and this an issue that cannot be assessed by anyone at this time. It is strange that this should be as much an issue as budget balancing, foreign policy and other key issues, but it is and is one of the weaknesses of Mr. Reagan. On the state level, Indiana has been dominated by the Republican Party for a good many years. And it doesn’t appear at this time to be ready to change. There possibly has been some slight gains made by better organization and efforts by the Democrats, but it appears that here also, only one key issue could have the power to change the trend of recent years. That of course is the much publicized license branch system and the problems of recent years. This almost parallels the deficit problem on the national level. Governor Robert Orr has upheld the system, dodged the issue as much as possible, possibly supressing some information, but he has tried valiantly and possibly successfully to keep this issue on the back burner as much as possible. Also overlooked is the fact that in his term, record tax increases have been passed on to Hoosiers after a very critical financial crunch was disclosed all at once a couple of years ago and immediate measures had to be taken, possibly taking some of the sting out of the record tax increases in sales tax and state withholding taxes. And the future of some of the “temporary” tax increases still remains a deep dark secret. Even on a county level, and especially in the outlying areas, there is a key issue this election . . . that being the attempts of the South Bend-Mishawaka Area Chamber of Commerce and the administrations of the two cities to institute a county-wide communications system, a system that would be nothing but very detrimental to most outlying areas. This alone is enough to make one want to participate in this year’s election ... if any of the candidates involved will take a stand on this issue. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for one in an area such as ours, to find out how the county commissioners and county councilmen feel about this subject and see if some support can be given to the people they supposedly represent. It could be a matter of life and death. With the issues really drawing the fire, we hope the public can see through the smoke and give the 1984 general election the attention and respect it needs.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Want An Explanation Dear Mr. Ward, cc: E. Bracicn, M. Gaddis, A. Hecmcr, G. Williams. Re: Your letter of 10-10-84 received today, why do you continue to repeat the erroneous date in your official minutes, which was published in the 9-20-84 IndependentNews? Didn't you and Council Board members read the “Corrections'' 1 had published in the In-dependent-News “Voice Os The People” in both the 9-27-84 and 10-4-84 issues? Why didn’t the Town Board of Walkerton let me know they were going to discuss “my problem" — again — correction — "The Exorbitant Water Useage Charge Problem" on October 9th, so that I could be present to know how this was again discussed? Despite the fact that I didn’t enjoy the previous meeting with the inuendos that I was seeking “compensation" — when my only purpose and principle was to bring to the Town Board's attention, the impossible use and charge of 22,700 gallons of water for June — our first month in Walkerton, when we were consistently busy unpacking boxes, ate out, don't have a swimming pool, and my husband and I — the only two people residing at this residence used very little water in June — only our baths. I would appreciate ANSWERS to my questions — not just the repititous “you have to pay for 20,200 gallons" — and you still have the figures wrong, Mr. Ward, as our June bill is for 22,700 gallons — or have you reduced it 2,500 gallons? As I had published in the 10-4-84 Independent-News, and to this date, there still have been no plumbing changes in our residence, and our daily water useage habits remain closely the same, day to day. month to month. I am hereby requesting an understandable explanation in writing (or to be published in The Inde-pendent-News so that others can try to figure it out too) — on HOW? Water meters can fluctuate UP and DOWN? i.e. — (All these water meter readings were obtained by me from the Town of Walkerton Office): 6-16-84, 1,145,100; 7-16, 1,167,800 going up 7-17, 1,1168,400 going up; 8-1,1,173,500 going up; Going down, 8-3, 1,167,800 same as 7-16; 8-3, 1,174,700 same day — new meter — supposedly set for consistent reading with former meter; Going down, 8-6, 1,160,200; Going down, 8-16, 1,153,300. The explanation of the fluctuations of these meter readings should be published for public information, as every mechanical, knowledgeable person I've talked to, can't understand how a meter can go forward and backward. Anyone who drives a car knows the odometer continually INCREASES as number of miles are driven, and it is illegal to set back an odometer — so please explain in detail how water meters can go forward and backward. Also, 1 still haven’t received any explanation or answer regarding WHY the previous readings on our bills are not consistent, i.e.: June (previous) 1,145,100 (present) 1,167,800; July (previous) 1.153.300 (present) 1,161,600. To be consistent, the June present reading of 1,167,800 should have been the July previous reading. How? did reading jump down from 1,167,800 to 1,153,300? I’m aware June present 1,167,800 could not be deducted from 1,161,600 — as then that would mean YOU OWE US 6,200 gallons of water — credit. Walkerton is in the United States of America, isn’t it? I can’t believe that I can’t get any answers or explanations from the Walkerton

zXr.emember 'W yMC •-VHEN—

1974 The Walkerton Jaycees will sponsor the third annual Junior Miss Pageant on November 21 and 23 at the John Glenn High School. The four schools to participate are Oregon-Davis, LaVille, North Liberty and John Glenn. David Drews is chairman of this project this year. The United Methodist Women of Walkerton will have an old-fashion-ed Country Store on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 17, 18 and 19 to be set up in the former Knights of Columbus building, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A bake sale, rummage sale and antiques will be featured. The third precinct of Liberty Township will have a new voting place for the upcoming fall election. The new site will be the VFW Post at the corner of Tamarack and Quinn Road. Playing at the Rialto Theatre this weekend is Huckleberry Finn and on Sunday and Monday will be Clint Eastwood in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. At the market rib half or whole pork loin was selling for 89 cents a pound; round center cut chops at $1.09 a pound; rolled pork loin roast, at $1.49 a pound; spare ribs at 89 cents a pound; smoked sausage at $1.09 a pound; hard salami at $1.99 a pound; a gallon of one percent milk at 99 cents; two eight ounce containers of buttermilk biscuits for 25 cents; two pound box of Velveeta cheese for $1.49; three pound can of Crisco shortening for $1.99; 49 ounce box of Miracle White detergent for 99 cents; two bars of Caress body bar soap for 49 cents; a half gallon of ice cream for 69 cents; 200 count Kleenex for 39 cents; five cans of Nine Lives cat food for $1.00; 25 pound bag of Golden Miracle dog food for $3.89; bananas at 11 cents a pound; lettuce, three pounds of onions, spinach, cole slaw or cabbage at 39 cents; and 10 pounds of Idaho potatoes for 99 cents. 1969 Town Council Board — instead, I receive only your letter with the same repititous “You have to pay for the 20,200 gallons of water or a penalty will be assessed for each month this bill remains unpaid". Our billing statistics to date are as follows: 6-16 to 7-16, 22,799 gallons, $49.97 (all items except sewer and water paid); 7-16 to 8-16, 8,300 gallons, $21.40 (entire bill paid in full); 8-16 to 9-16, 4,300 gallons, $12.29 (entire bill paid in full). All of the meter reading figures — fluctuating up and down — and the inconsistent previous and present billing — were received by us direct from the Town of Walkerton office. Anyone would assume you know how you arrived at these various figures — so why??? can’t I get any explanation or answers to: 1. Why these eight meter readings fluctuated up and down? 2. Why the previous and present billings are not consistent? Acknowledgement of, and understandable answers of these two questions is all I’m requesting — is this too much to ask? Please don't repeat again "all water meters test 100% (of the 20 changed in one month) — or “You have to pay for the 20,200 gallons” as I have these answers memorized — but 1 still have not received explanations or answers regarding the fluctuating meter readings, or the inconsistent previous-present billings. When you give me the answers to these two questions —then I would like to reach a fair and amicable conclusion to this matter. Sincerely, Shirley Magner

The PU Athletic Boosters will host a coffee hour Saturday morning at Heil's dining room from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. A film of the North Liberty versus John Glenn football game will be shown, either B-team or varsity. Also someone will be on hand to tell about the action in the game. Trick or Treat for UNICEF in Walkerton will soon begin with the youth of the community knocking at your door for funds to help children in over 100 countries of the world. The North Liberty PI A Carnival will be held on Saturday, October 25. This annual event will be held at the elementary school gym. Beef sale at the market featuring center cut round steak at 89 cents a pound; sirloin steak at 89 cents a pound; club steak at 89 cents a pound; T-bone steak at 99 cents a pound; chuck roast at 59 cents a pound; ground beef at three pounds for $1.69; boneless beef roast at 59 cents a pound; beef liver at 49 cents a pound. Also on sale was a pound carton of cottage cheese for 29 cents; 10 ounce jar of Chase & Sanborn coffee for $1:19; five 14 ounce bottles of Del Monte catsup for $1.00; four pounds of oleo for $1:00; carrots were three one pound bags for 25 cents; yellow onions, three pound bag for 29 cents; three pounds of sweet potatoes for 29 cents; and 10 pounds of white potatoes for 39 cents. 1959 Floyd Burkett, district manager for United Telephone Company of Indiana, said that North Liberty will be the first exchange in his company’s Plymouth district to enjoy the speed and ease of direct distance dialing. The North Liberty exchange will be converted to automatic dial service at 2:01 a m. on Sunday, October 18. Congressman John Brademas, who has been making a ‘' Report To The People: tour;; through the Third District, will be in North Liberty and Walkerton on Friday, October 16, to discuss with local citizens the work of the first session in Congress, as well as to take up with them any problems with the federal government in which he can be helpful. A hearing will be held at the Elkhart Circuit Court, in Goshen, on Friday afternoon, on the action pertaining to preliminary motions in a case filed by the Town of Walkertona and the Town of North Liberty against the Kankakee, Pine and Potato Creek Drainage Association. These two towns have filed suit against the association to have the assessments of the towns declared invalid. At the market pork steak was selling for 39 cents a pound; ground beef at 89 cents a pound; smoked hams at 49 cents a pound; four grapefruit for 29 cents; pump kins at 4 cents a pound; two pound bag of popcorn for 31 cents; TV dinners by Swanson at 55 cents each; and a pound box of soda crackers for 19 cents. 1944 The United States Government approved Monday through the Federal Works Agency, a grant of $11,200 to be used in Walkerton for the construction of a new building to be used as a nursery school. The building will be of frame construction, T-shaped and be located in West York just west of the housing office, on Ohio Street. The school will be completely equipped according to FWA standards, for a nursery school, including all furniture, a central heating system and adequate rooms for the conduct of the school. The LaFeber & Son Grocery and Market will observe its 31st birthday anniversary by holding a special sale starting Friday, October 20 and continuing through Saturday, October 28.