The Independent-News, Volume 111, Number 25, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 21 November 1985 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - NOVEMBER 21, 1985

EDITORIALS . —

WORDS OR FIGURES! Timing is everything and at the Walkerton Town Board meeting on Monday, November 11, timing was such one has to wonder whether to believe words or figures. Although not appearing in the minutes of the Board meeting, the report of the same meeting as reported in “The South Bend Tribune” leads one to wonder as to the answer concerning the electric utility situation that has been controversial for over a month now. The Board, through a letter from their CPA firm of H. J. Umbaugh & Associates, supposedly answered some questions as to the overcharges of 11.33% reported by the same firm at the October 14 meeting. The two-page letter used some terms and explanations to basically state that the Walkerton electric utility did not in fact overcharge their customers by this amount following a mandated study that had previously disclosed these figures. We would like to quote a few paragraphs as reported in “The Tribune” that were made at this meeting. “The study was conducted in 1983. By the time the rates went into effect in June 1984, they were out of date. “Revenues soared. The $94,149 deficit jumped to a surplus of $150,525 on May 31 of this year.” Somehow, that set of figures comes out to a little more than the $235,000 that was reported in the October 14 meeting according to our calculations! And we further quote, from the same report of the meeting: “The town did not overcharge its customers by $235,000, Julian said. Julian used the figure during his presentation to the board on Oct. 14, but said a misunderstanding has developed. The number, he said, is a theoretical figure. ‘lt is simply a (projection) of what would happen in the future if the rates are not adjusted,’ he said. ‘‘The $150,000 surplus is in the bank — along with all other town funds — and is drawing interest, said clerk-treasurer Kathryn T. Chraplilwy. “The town right now has $619,000 invested in a money market account, including the $150,000. ‘We are drawing interest each month at $2,500, but that changes every day,’ Chrapliwy said.” One other quote in the minutes should be clarified. In discussing the problem, it was stated, quote: “We did not overcharge anybody, we charged what the PSC said we should and could charge.” The Public Service Commission does not set the rates, they approve or reject rates submitted which in this case came from the same accounting firm, Umbaugh & Associates, based on figures given to the firm by the Walkerton electric utility. This is the source of the rate changes that were asked of the Public Service Commission, which they simply approved. End quotes. If these statements and figures are accurate, then we again question which to believe, the words or the figures. Any way you boil these figures down, it still shows a considerable overcharge to the customers as the figures quoted at the November 11 meeting show. Add to this, during this discussion, if one will read the board minutes (published elsewhere in this edition) very carefully, one finds some questions evaded without an answer being given. On page 336 of the board minutes, during this discussion, trustee Arthur Heemer ask: “You’re saying that the new rate structure will over the long haul give the citizens back that money by charging it in new future months and thus in escence they get their money back. I’m just concerned that the public record reflect what’s going to happen.” Attorney: “One other note, Argos had this same problem and they are now wheeling power which makes it even more complicated.” That not only evades the question with no answer, it causes even more concern for electric utility users. If things are going to get more complicated, where do we stand at that time. It doesn’t seem it could get much more confusing than it is now. We are not out to crucify any individual or group of people, but feel this matter is serious enough to have a satisfactory conclusion. With Walkerton’s electric rates being listed as the highest municipal electric rates in the state earlier this year, one has to be concerned. The extremely high rates are a very negative factor for the town and any solution that will help straighten out this matter is the object of our interest. As always, our columns are always available to the Town if they wish to bring facts and figures openly to the public, we are here to help, not to hinder. WHEN...

1975 There will be a preview of the 1975-76 John Glenn Falcons varsity and B-team basketball teams on Friday evening, at 7:00 p.m Coaches Mike Jones and Bob Young will introduce the Falcons and will also have the new rules

interpretation presented to those attending. In order to gain admission into this preview fans must bring a bar of soap or an old towel. The Farmers State Bank of Wyatt-Walkerton will be mailing out Christmas Club checks this week to 378 club members. A total

of $76,077.00 in checks will be issued. The grand opening of Malstaff s Creative Kitchens and Baths will be held this Saturday, at 607-09 Roosevelt Road. North Liberty Tri Kappa sorority will have its annual Christmas bazaar on November 21 and 22 and on November 28 and 29, at the Community State Bank. The United Telephone Company of Indiana announced today that updated telephone directories will be distributed soon. At the market center cut pork chops were selling for $1.49 a pound; rolled pork roast at $1.89 a pound; ground beef at 69 cents a pound; rib steak at $1.09 a pound; swiss steak at $1.19 a pound; franks at $1.19 a pound; slicing bologna at $1.19 a pound; roll sausage at $1.49 a pound; three heads of lettuce for $1.00; red grapes at three pounds for $1.00; cauliflower at 59 cents each; 20 pounds of white potatoes for $1.89; ten pound bag of flour for $1.56; a gallon of Vim milk for $1.19; a 14'/i ounce bag of chocolate chip cookies for 89 cents; a baked peach pie for $1.59; and Butterball turkeys at 89 cents a pound for a five to nine pounder. 1970 Next Monday evening, November 16, the North Liberty Lions Cub members will canvas the town of North Liberty in their big fund raising drive to sell light bulbs. Proceeds from the sale are to be used in various Lions projects in the community as well as state projects. The John Glenn Thespian Society will present “The Dairy Os Anne Frank”, on Friday and Saturday, in the high school auditorium beginning at 8:00 p.m. each evening. In the cast are Lynn Nukala, Ron Johnson, Steve Wiktorowski, Theresa DeSimone, Judy Huffman, Jeff Marquardt, Wayne Feece, Sue Morris, Rick Strang and Margaret Mechling. 1965 Preparation for the 1965 Christmas gift project for patients in Beatty Memorial Hospital, Westville, began today in Walkerton with headquarters for gifts to be at Dave & Ray’s Supermarket, Jacob Drugs and Skogmos. The Polk-Lincoln-Johnson Community Project will start its drive Saturday, November 13. Students from Tyner and Walkerton representing the various classes and organizations, will start a door to door campaign with you pledging to a certain monetary amount for the recreational facilities in Walkerton such as the Little League Park, tennis and basketball courts and improvements to the Youth Building. 1960 The crowning of the Sweetheart is always a highlight of the FFA Banquet held annually. The candidates for the Sweetheart are Sue Gark, Judy Ullery, Connie Wood, Pat McKesson and Twila Swanson. The Sweetheart for 1960 is Connie Wood. All people who have Walkerton telephone service and that the dials have not been installed on your telephones, please call telephone number 6 and report. Bill and Evelyn Finley, formerly of Walkerton, have purchased the Stan’s Case, in South Bend, and are now operating same. 1955 North Liberty's need for a zoning ordinance or some way of protecting residential sections against the encroachment of commercial enterprise, is seen in the Standard Oil Company’s move to construct a filling station in the heart of the residential section at the corner of Maine and Market Streets. Hoosier dairymen will hear "What Can Be Done” and "Where Do We Go From Here” when they attend the 66th annual meeting of the Indiana State Dairy Association at Purdue University, December 5. After February 1, all eggs offered for sale in Indiana, except

sold to customers on the farm, must be graded if a price is quoted in advertising. According to an announcement made by Harley G. Hook, director of the Department of Conservation, a lot of pheasant dinners are in prospect for Hoosier hunters. All told, 18,252 cock pheasant have been distributed over the state. 1950 Robert Urbin, age 17, well known Walkerton athlete, suffered the loss of his right leg just below the knee in an operation at the University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Monday morning, November 6. Citizens in Lincoln and Liberty Townships voted strongly for Republican candidates Tuesday to elect the entire ticket in both units. The race of Claude Houser for sheriff is still undecided as the election commissioners are squabbling over the count of the absentee ballots. At last count Mr. Houser was defeated by a narrow- margin. 1945 A movement to continue the Youth Center in Walkerton, as it has been carried on by the United Service Organization for the past three years, during the war, was set in motion Monday evening when a large committee of representative citizens of town and township met at the USO rooms. After some discussion it was voted that a program of youth recreation should be carried on in the community. The ways and means is unknown at this time. Unusual interested has been created in the sale of 100 building lots on the Frank Gark farm, adjacent to Walkerton. Tyner Road, which will be held on Saturday afternoon. These lots have been surveyed, staked off, many have water and sewer connections and some have hard surfaced streets. There will be some building restrictions on the lots. A limit will be placed on the cost of the house, in compliance with the County Planning Commission, which will prevent a "shanty town”. These restrictions will take the form of a rider to be attached to the deeds and recorded as part of the transaction. Mrs. Nelson Walz was elected president of the Walkerton Business and Professional Women’s Gub for the year 1946. 1935 The business houses on Avenue F that border the Nickle Plate Railroad may yet have an alley and rear entrance in their shops, without transgressing upon the property of the railroad. This became known this week when the Nickle Plate in-

CROSSWORD

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dustrial agent, in a letter written to B. 1. Holser, proposed that the town le&se a drive way from the railroad by the payment of a nominal annual fee. This was presented to the Town Board, all of whom thought favorable on the proposition and asked that the railroad forward such lease to them for official action. VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Outstanding Fall Concert To Mr. Perry, Mr. Fortlander. Mrs. Hostetler, Urey and North Liberty Band and Choir Students: Congratulations on an outstanding performance at your Fall Concert. Our communities are fortunate to have such talented directors teaching our students and giving them the opportunity to express themselves in music. Its no surprise that John Glenn has an award winning music department with the students receiving such good training at the middle school level. I was just one of the many proud parents who enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining evening. To all of you Applause, Applause! Ellen Mollenhauer ©Xi Holiday entertaining can be jollier than you may think You don’t have to worry about providing soft dnnks for youngsters and non-dnnk-ers, stronger stuff for others if you turn to tea Tea can be an excellent base for punch because it combines so well with fruit juices and ocher flavorings It can make for some fascinating combinations and is easy to prepare whatever the quantity you need That way you can sip away with family and fnends while you relax and enjoy the holiday spirit: tea Four states have active volcanoes: Washington, California, Alaska, and Hawaii. Our Happy Ads only $1.50!

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35 Farm tool 36 Mr lx? Moko 37. Cavern 3R Leave out 10 Jewel

27 Brightly colored bird 25 Hypodermic < apslllr 311 Birds homes 32 Senior