The Independent-News, Volume 112, Number 9, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 31 July 1986 — Page 4

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THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - JULY 31, 19M

EDITORIALS

A VICTIM OF THE TIMES We see where the annual “Spud Run’’ and Fun Run that have been such a big part of the annual Potato Creek Festival, have been dropped this year, the victim of ever increasing insurance costs. The very rapidly increasing liability insurance has hit almost everyone one way or another, and these two events are just more of the victims of the rising premiums. The insurance situation has touched us everywhere. It has become extremely difficult for schools, municipalities, governmental agencies of various nature, along with a whole lot of businesses to get liability coverage. And without this coverage, one cannot take the chances involved with a law suit over one thing or another. This first became apparent in the medical field, where malpractice suits began popping up with many suing for ridiculous amounts, often on rather ridiculous claims. However, when the legal system, and especially the juries started to favor more and more the individual against doctors, hospitals, and then any larger agencies such as schools, towns and cities, businesses, etc., the insurance premiums started to skyrocket. We cannot fault the insurance companies who have to cover their insured in many cases of extreme nature, and we are not suggesting complete government control. However, somewhere, sometime, something has to give. There are different ways of offsetting some of this, and for those involved with the Potato Creek Festival, it was trying to find a corporate sponsor who would be willing to share in the rapidly rising cost of the insurance premium. This is not a permanent solution, it is a temporary one that still finds someone, regardless who, having to put up the increased premiums. In the case of schools and other governmental agencies, efforts are being made to join together in and basically self-insure to offset the rising costs of premiums. We don’t claim to know the answer, but we are aware of the consequences, something that will have to change if we are to continue along our more favored way of life. Too many things are being affected by the rising liability insurance premiums and it doesn’t appear to be getting any better.

St. Patrick’s Free And Reduced Lunch Policy St. Patrick School, Walkerton, announced its policy for free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility: Income Eligibility Guidelines (Effective from July 1. 1986 to June 30, 1987) FREE MEALS Household Size Yearly Monthly Weekly 1 $ 6,968 ’ $ 581 $134 2 9,412 785 181 3 11,856 988 228 4 14,300 1,192 275 5 16,744 1,396 322 6 19,188 1,599 369 7 21,632 1.803 416 8 24.076 2.007 463 For each additional member add $2,444, 204 and 47. REDUCED PRICE MEALS 1 $ 9,916 $ 827 sl9l 2 13,394 1,117 258 3 16,872 1.406 325 4 20.350 1,696 392 5 23,828 1,986 459 6 27,306 2,276 526 7 30,784 2,566 592 8 34,262 2,856 659 For each additonal member add $3,478, 290 and 67. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eigible for free or reduced price meals. Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians to apply for free or reduced price meals, households should fill out the form and return it to the school. Additional copies of the application form are available at the principal's office in each school. Households should answer all questions on the form. An application which does not contain all of the following information cannot be processed by the school:

(1) The total household income and the amount and source of income received by each household member (such as wages, child support, etc.), or the household’s food stamp case number if the household is on food stamps; (2) Names of all household members; (3) Social security numbers of all -household members 21 years of age or older, or the word “none” for any adult household member who does not have a social security number; and (4) The signature of an adult household member. The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility and verifying data. Applications may be verified by the school or other officials at any time during the school year. If children are approved for free or reduced price meal benefits, the household must report to the school increase in household income over SSO per month (S6OO per year) and decreases in household size. Households may apply for benefits at any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible but has a decrease in household income, an increase in household size or if a household member becomes unemployed, the household should fill out an application at that time. In certain cases foster children are eligible for these benefits regardless of the household’s income. If a household has foster children living with them and they wish to apply for free or reduced price meals for them, the household should contact the school for more informaiton. Under the provisions of the policy Fr. Anthony Letko, Supt., will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determing official on an informal basis. The household also has the right to a fair hearing. This can be done by calling or writing the following official: Sr. Mary Clementine, Principal, School Office. Each school

and central office have a copy of the complete policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. In the operation of the Child Feeding Programs, no child will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. If any member of a household believes they have been discriminated against, they should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. IN LOVING MEMORY In memory of James Carey, who passed away 15 years ago on August 1. Each time we look at your picture, You seem to smile and say, “Don't grieve, I’m only sleeping, We’ll meet again someday.” When days are dark and lonely, And everything goes wrong, We seem to hear you whispering, "Cheer up and carry on.” God watched you as you suffered, He knew you had your share. He gently closed your weary eyes, And took you in His care. God, please take this message, To our loved above. Tell him how much we miss him, And give him all our love. Sadly missed by His Family

| LEGAL NOTION

ORDINANCE NO. 86-003 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING MOTOR VEHICLE NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS, ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO. WHEREAS excessive noise from motor vehicles has been found and determined to be a serious hazard to the public health, welfare and safety, having both physiological and psychological effects on human beings; and WHEREAS the Town of Walkerton, Indiana, desires to establish a policy and regulation whereby loud, unnecessary and excessive noise from motor vehicles is prohibited in the Town of Walkerton, Indiana; and WHEREAS it is deemed to be in the best interest of the Town and the health, welfare and safety of its citizens that such regulations be established. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Board of the Town of Walkerton, Indiana as follows: Section 1 — Scope This Ordinance shall apply to the control of all noise caused by light and medium sized motor vehicles and originating within the limits of the Town of Walkerton, Indiana. Section 2 — Definitions 2.1 A Weighted Sound Level: The sound pressure level is decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A weighting network. The level so read is designated db (A) or dbA. 2.2 Declble (db): The unit of sound pressure measurement as defined by the American National Standards Institute Bulletin. 2.3 db (A): A weighted scale for measuring decibels as defined in the American National Standards Institute Bulletin. 2.4 Noise Level: This shall refer to the A weighted sound level produced by a motor vehicle. 2.5 Light Motor Vehicles: Any automobile, van, motorcycle, motor driven cycle, motor scooter, dune buggy, snowmobile, all terraine vehicles, go carts, mini bikes, trail bikes, and trucks with gross vehicular weight of less than 8,000 pounds. 2.6 Person: Any individual, association, partnership or corporation which includes any officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality. 2.7 Sound Level Meter: An instrument which includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS detector, integrator or time averager, output meter, and weighting networks used to measure sound pressure levels. Such instrument shall be

used for measurement of the intensity of sound and calibrated in decibels as standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Readings shall be made on a db (A) scale. 2.8 Traffic Noise: Sound made by a motor vehicle operated either on the public right-of-way or private property. 2.9 Modified or Defective Exhaust Systems: An exhaust system in which the original noise abatement devices have been physically altered causing them to be less effective in reducing noise or the original noise abatement devices have either been removed or replaced by noise abatement devices which are not as effective in reducing noise as their original devices or devices have been added to the original noise abatement devices such that noise levels are increased. 2.10 All definitions and terminology used in this Ordinance not defined above shall be in conformances with the applicable publications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor body. Section 3 — Noise Limit It shall be unlawful for any person to cause noise levels from the operation of motor vehicles in excess of 83 dB (A) in any area within the corporate limits of the Town of Walkerton, Indiana at any time of the day and regardless of the specified speed limit. Such noise level limit shall be measured on a distance of not less than fifteen feet (15’) from the noise source. Section 4 — Excessive Noise It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, cause to operate or use a motor vehicle such as to cause excessive noise levels as a result of a defective or modified exhaust system, as a result of unnecessary rapid acceleration, deceleration, revving or tire squeal, or as the result of the operation of audio devices, such as but not limited to, radios, phonographs and tape players on or from such vehicle. Section 5 — Exemptions From Ordinance 5.1 The following are exempted from the provisions of this Ordinance: A. Sound emitted from sirens of authorized emergency vehicles; B. Lawn mowers, garden tractors and similar home power tools when properly muffled; C. Burglar alarms on light motor vehicles of the electronics signaling type which transmit an audible signal to a receiver which can be carried by the owner or operator of the vehicle; and D. Celebrations on Halloween and legal holidays and celebrations in connection with duly authorized parades. Section 6 — Prosecution 6.1 In any criminal prosecution for a violation of this Ordinance the Court may admit evidence of a noise level as tested by a sound level meter which meets or exceeds the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for Type II equipment. A person shall be found guilty of violation of this Ordinance for the emission of the excessive noise from or on any motor vehicle source in excess of the limitations established herein. 6.2 It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the provisions of this Ordinance. Whenever any police officer makes an arrest for violation of this Ordinance, he shall take down the name, address, operator’s license number and registration number of the vehicle, if readily available, and shall issue to the alleged violator in writing on the form provided by the Town Court, a citation for a violation of this Ordinance. 6.3 Upon conviction of a violation of this Ordinance, the violator shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $300.00. Section 7— Severability 7.1 If any provision of this

Ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalidated by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this Ordinance shall not be invalidated thereby. Section 8 — Effective Date This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as provided by law. PASSED this 28th day of July, 1986. Gregory A. Williams E. Clifford Ward Margaret A. Gaddis Arthur Heemer Ed Bracich ATTEST: Kathryn Tiede Chrapliwy, Clerk Treasurer 2ta7 YOU AND YOUR PET DEAR DR. WISE: Our family is driving out East in August for a vacation on Cape Cod and a few days visiting friends and sightseeing in New England. We’d like to take our dog and cat but don’t know if it’s a good idea. ANSWER: Most of us do get a little homesick for our pets and worry about them when we go away and they stay behind. The choice of “taking” or “leaving” depends on the animals, where you're going and whether you can make worry-free arrangements if they stay at home. The question is: which route will cause the least stress to your pets. Some dogs and cats — particularly if they are elderly or young — will go to pieces if they are away from their family. Some need the security of familiar surroundings and will he happiest at home. A kennel is the third choice — but only if you are very sure that it provides good care. There arc good kennels, but occasionally we have one without proper supervision. So be discriminating about where you go. The second question to answer is: what will you do with the pets while you're visiting Aunt Liz, sunning on the beach and touring the sites in Boston? Will your pets get along with your relative’s pets, can they stay in the hotel with you, are there good kennels nearby where they can stay? Remember that it can be fatal to leave a pet untended in a closed, hot car. If you leave the dog and cat at home, can you find a competent “sitter” to stay with them or regularly check in on them? There are some guidelines to follow if you elect to take your pets with you. The main point is to maintain, as much as possible, the routine you follow at home. You can fill up on fast food and lobster, but resist the temptation to share your treats with the animals. Semi-moist dog food and cat food work well for trips. Their low bulk and low residue help minimize bowel activity. For an emergency you can pack a bottle of kaopectate for diarrhea. The dose is one tablespoon, three times a day for a 20-pound animal. Your cat will travel best in a cat carrier. For some reason, carriers act as tranquillizers. And most cats hate cars. If you don’t have a carrier, use a box with holes or a pillowcase. If the dog or cat become seriously ill or injured while you’re on the road, stop at a service station and check the phone book for a nearby pet hospital or ask the attendant for a recommendation. You should remember that the animals will need to be up-to-date on innoculations and have a health certificate from the veterinarian if you take them on public transportation, go out of the country or put them in a kennel. The Gaines Dog Center publishes two helpful directories for families traveling with pets. (Provided as a public service by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.)