The Independent-News, Volume 112, Number 6, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 10 July 1986 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - JULY 10, 1986

EDITORIALS

ANOTHER JOB WELL DONE Once again the local organizers of the 4th of July celebrations in our local towns have done another fine job of planning and carrying out their plans for another successful and happy Fourth of July. It isn’t just a case of everything taking care of itself, it still takes a lot of time and effort by those responsible to get the job done. It is true that from year to year things may get easier for the committees planning these events, but this year the Walkerton situation was one of extreme difficulty due to a change in the organization of the 4th of July Committee very late in the year. The group that finally pulled the program together, known as ‘‘Friends of the Fourth”, had very little time to reassemble the plans following a complete change of leadership in recent months. The job they did was very commendable. Too often we just take this for granted, but once again, both Walkerton and North Liberty enjoyed big crowds for the respective programs and all seemed to go smoothly. Os course it helps when the weather cooperates and Friday was a beautiful summer day, one when everyone could really join in the enjoyment of this happy holiday. We salute those who made it all possible for all of us to enjoy. EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER The news has been shocking recently concerning the deaths of two outstanding athletes due to overdoses of drugs. Even though not locally, the fact that nationally known figures are in the headlines in such cases, it exposes the matter more openly to all. The sad part of these stories, other than the loss of two outstanding athletes, is the fact that so many say ‘‘if just one young person can learn from this . . . It is a shame this type of thing has to happen to be a teacher in a case like this. There is no doubt that education about the danger of drugs has to be the answer. Whether it be common sense through learning or fear in a case that has shocked the country, one way or another this fact must be delivered successfully to the young people of today. No one knows all the answers as how to stop such problems, but educating the people has to be a high priority. It is next to impossible to stop the trafficing of drugs. The same was true during prohibition, it was impossible to stop the illegal alcohol from flowing and eventually defeat was admitted by repealing prohibition. This cannot be the case here. We dare not give in to the dangerous drugs. The information on drugs is obvious. The problem is to get the message across, to stop that ‘‘trial” use and to penalize heavily those who are responsible for drug traffic. It would be very nice if we never had to hear of another drug related death on the news, but this won’t happen. The sad part is for every case we hear of, there are hundreds and thousands of cases we do not. As one high school principal in the Los Angeles area stated, ‘‘we hear about these two young men dying but we have one every week in our neighborhoods”. It is sad, but it is true. We must win this war against drugs.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

“Rezoning In North Liberty” The following is a copy of a petition submitted to the North Liberty Town Board at their July 2, 1986 meeting. The petition concerns the rezoning of portions of North Main Street from residential use to commercial use. As of July 2, 1986 the petition bore the signatures of 123 North Liberty residents. (copy of petition) Petion Against Commercial Rezoning Os Residential Portions Os North Main Street, North Liberty. To: The North Liberty Town Board and Area Plan Commission. From: Concerned North Liberty Residents, Voters and Taxpayers. This Petition is in response to the Town Board’s discussion and action taken at the June 4,1986 meeting regarding the commercial use of 300 North Main Street, North Liberty. The undersigned, as concerned North Liberty residents, voters and taxpayers, ask that the town board members carefully read and consider the following letter which expresses our concerns for the future of our town. We ask that as you read this Petition you believe we also want what is best for our community. It is our sincere hope that as board members you will listen and be responsive to the wishes of the majority of North

Liberty residents and that your actions will reflect these wishes as you consider whether or not to rezone portions of the 200 and 300 blocks of North Main Street. We all agree that businesses are important to our community and that steps should be taken by the community to encourage economic growth in our town. However, it is imperative that commercial uses and their location be controlled and regulated so that they are beneficial to the community as a whole. Such regulation is found in our zoning ordinance which was adopted by the town board in 1975. The ordinance provides for a separation of industrial, commercial and residential uses. The primary intent behind such separation is to protect the residential property and quality of life for the citizens of North Liberty since commercial and residential uses are generally incompatible. In addition to the protection and separation of residential uses our ordinance also provides for certain areas which are designated for commercial uses. We feel our community should encourage businesses to locate in such existing areas. Our downtown, which is currently zoned commercial, already has vacant store fronts. Opening another commercial strip only

invites businesses away from our downtown. Do we want more empty stores? Vacant buildings in a business area relay a message to prospective businesses that J^own is in economic trouble. It is the understanding of the undersigned that you are currently considering the rezoning of six residential parcels of real estate to commercial zoning along the east side of North Main Street in order that the current illegal commercial use at 300 North Main Street may continue. This, of course, would result in a mixing or commingling of uses and would in effect result in ‘‘spot zoning”. A mixing of residential and commercial uses inevitably results in friction between neighbors, asthetic decline, a decrease in property values for both the commercial and residential uses and a loss of “quality” of life, particularly for the residential users. The rezoning of portions of 200 and 300 block of North Main Street would open the door for any commercial use to move into anyone or all of the six parcels. As homeowners yourselves, would you want your residential neighborhood rezoned and your property devalued? Would you want the threat of an adult bookstore or some other objectionable commercial use in your neighborhood? As board members, do you want to allow such devaluation of property and threats to homeowners in our town? Also, if you rezone this residential neighborhood and establish a precedent, what would stop the next town board from rezoning your neighborhoods? Consideration must be given to the residential real estate owners who will be effected by such a rezoning. The neighborhoods effected (primarily along North Main, North Lafayette and Jefferson and Market Streets) are currently older stable residential neighborhoods. For our town to grow, it is necessary that we not only have new businesses and continue to support existing ones but that we also have stable and attractive residential neighborhoods in which to house patrons for our businesses. Such residents/patrons are necessary to support economic development in our community. The effected neighborhoods and the community as a whole have the right to rely upon the zoning ordinance of our community as adopted by this board. As you are aware, the current use is illegal under our town ordinance as determined by a Superior Court order. Three hundred North Main Street was never zoned for any commercial use. The prior Standard Oil Station was merely permitted to remain in business because it was already located at 300 North Main before the adoption of our zoning ordinance. The ordinance, however, further provides that once the existing use ceased, a new use could not be legally started. The proprietor was aware of the residential zoning of the 300 North Main parcel prior to his opening of his repair business and the real estate owners were aware of its zoning prior to purchasing the parcel. The proprietor and owners have now asked you to amend the ordinance and change the zoning of not only their parcel of real estate but also of four other parcels of real estate. Such a request is improper and clearly does not reflect concern for the health, welfare and benefit of the neighborhood or community as a whole. Seventy-five percent of the real estate owners within 300 feet of the 300 North Main parcel signed a petition against the opening of the repair shop last year. These people did not want a commercial use within their residential neighborhood, now this board is considering not only rezoning 300 North Main but also four additional parcels for commercial uses. The neighbors, by an overwhelming majority, have expressed their de-

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS Publication Number 261460 ROBERT E. URBIN, EDITOR SUSAN R. URBIN, ASSISTANT EDITOR INDEPENDENT-NEWS CO., INC., PUBLISHER 601-03 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, Indiana 46574-1294 Telephone (219) 586-3139 601-03 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, Indiana 46574-1294 Telephone (219) 586-3139 PUBLICATIONS TIME: Thursday of Each Week Second Class Postage Paid At Walkerton, Indiana 46574 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 20 c Per Copy; $6.00 Per Year (SI.OO Extra If Mailed Out Os State)

sire for their neighborhood to remain residential in character and not commercialized. The amendment of an ordinance and the changing of zoning districts is a serious matter and has far reaching and often unforseen effects. Such action should not be taken based upon personal relationships or for the benefit of a single business, individual or family. It must be carefully considered and only done for the benefit of the community. The undersigned strongly believe that the current proposed rezoning of the portions of the 200 and 300 blocks of North Main would clearly be to the detriment of the community as a whole and therefore request that the board, after careful consideration, refuse the request to rezone the portions of the 200 and 300 blocks of North Main. (end of petition) Concerned Northside Citizens Os North Liberty List Winners In North Liberty 4th Os July Parade The North Liberty 4th of July Parade was held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, with the following winners listed. First place band was from John Glenn High School; Orak Temple Brass Band, second. Twirlers, first place, Royal Majesties Sr. Group; and second to the Royal Majesties Juniors. First place in the marching units was the Vietnam veterans; and second went to the V.F.W. Post 1954. Clowns, Beannie the Clown, first; Pete the Plumber, second. Commercial floats, first place, Wells Aluminum; second, Community State Bank. Fraternal floats, first, American

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Legion Post 365; and second, North Liberty Lions. Novelty, first place, North Liberty Fire Dept.; and second, Greene Twp. Lions. Fire Departments, first, Warren Township; and second, North Liberty. Horse and Pony, first place, St. Joseph Co. 4-H Horse and Pony Club. Gassic cars, first place, John Camblin with a 1964 Corvette Roadster; and second place to Milton Gundlack, with a 1931 Model A Ford. Sports cars, first, Harold Paul, with a 1955 Sunbeam Supreme convertible; and second place to Brad Solmos, with a 1967 Pontiac LeMans. Modified cars, first place to Dennis Bryant with a 1973 Camaro; and second place to Wally Roush, with a 1964 modified Volkswagen sedan. Antique cars, first place to Rollie Sheneman, with a 1925 Model T; and second place to Ron Berton, with a 1956 Buick Special. Miscellaneous division, first place, Sandy Kurzhal; second. Treasure Chest. The Grand Prize went to Wells Aluminum. The North Liberty Volunteer Firemen are sponsors of the parade and would like to thank all who participated this year. Anyone who had won a trophy and have not yet picked it up may do so at Gene's Sunoco, during regular business hours. The official name of the Statue of Liberty is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”

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