The Independent-News, Volume 112, Number 10, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 7 August 1986 — Page 4

- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - AUGUST 7, 1986

EDITORIALS

RUNNING A BIG BUSINESS The Town Board of Trustees of Walkerton passed the salary ordinance for the calendar year 1987. This annual pay ordinance usually goes by pretty unnoticed, but in recent years, the figures involved make one realize that running the Town of Walkerton is a big business and certainly the taxpayers and rate payers for services rendered deserve the Town to be run like a business. The 1987 pay ordinance discloses that Walkerton will have a payroll for 1987 of $461,709 (if no unmentioned overtime is added on). For this year the payroll is $428,218, thus an increase of $33,491 for next year. However, the increases in recent years have been faster and in seme cases very high, putting Walkerton’s town employees well up the ladder of pay scales for towns and small cities. Without increasing the pay of the clerk-treasurer in this new pay ordinance, this position in Walkerton will again pay $26,000.00. In 1985, from information available from the Association of Cities and Towns, we found that only three cities (not towns) paid more, one being Highland, Indiana, 1980 population 25,935, 1985 pay, $29,847; another being Munster, 1980 population 20,761, 1985 pay $30,000; and the other being Speedway, 1980 population 12,641, 1985 pay $29,200. All three of these cities have opted to stay on the present type of government as opposed to moving away from the smaller town style of government. The next closest to Walkerton’s pay schedule for clerk-treasurer, was Chesterton, 1980 population 8,531, pay $21,768; and Bremen, 1980 population 3,565, 1985 pay $20,731. These were the only two towns paying over $20,000 for the position. These facts are taken from a list of 46 towns and cities over 2,000 population (two, Osceola and Ossian, with 1980 populations of 1,987 and 1,945 respectively). We even found that in this list of towns and cities, in addition to the five mentioned, only Brownsburg, Chesterton, Clarksville, Lowell, Mooresville, Porter, Schererville, St. John and Zionsville paid more to their clerk-treasurers than our deputy clerk makes. For a Board who campaigned three years ago on the issue of excessive spending, this Board has more than kept in step. In fact, the present Board draws $3,200.00 a year with an increase of $400.00 next year for a salary of $3,600.00. Os this, $1,825.00 will come from the electric fund and $1,175.00 from the water fund for each of the five members. And there are no restrictions about attendance at the meetings, which seems to be lacking more and more as the term wears on. By departments, the General Fund will pay $192,908 in salaries in 1987, compared to $176,098 this year; the Motor Vehicle High Fund will pay $36,000, compared to $30,750 this year; Park and Recreation Fund, $7,200 as opposed to $11,780 this year; the Electric Fund $115,081, compared to $102,286; the Water Fund $75,520, compared to $72,159; and the Sewer Fund, $35,000, compared to $35,145. These facts and figures disclose a lot of spending and that the Walkerton Town employees are not being under paid, especially in comparison with other towns and cities. Add to this a lot of other spending that has only gone through the minutes as ‘‘claims approved for payment” and you have what we feel is a much too freely spending town board. Later this month, the two major parties will caucus to choose candidates for two town board positions. This will be the first time terms have been stagered, with two elected in the general election this fall and three next year, along with clerktreasurer and town judge. It is important that good, interested people are involved. The past two and a half years has seen about everything that could happen on a board happen, and then some. We do feel this Board has settled down since their initial year, but still question whether or not this board is running the town the best for the public. Remember, it is your town as much as theirs . . . only they are given the freedom to run the town as your representatives. Be sure they do represent you. WHEN...

1981 Not the least among the many attractions at the fifth annual Potato Creek Festival, Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15, in North Liberty, are the excellent dining opportunities. There will be the famous homemade ice cream by the United Methodist Church, which they are planning on making 225 gallons; fish fry; chicken barbecue; breakfast by the Legion and the delicious potato soup by the Eastern Star to name a few. In all there will be 90 booths in the 100 block of North Liberty with many unusual and interested items. Also lots of free entertainment.

1966 The North Liberty Merchants won the A-2 League tournament in Mishawaka, on Monday night, in a wild 8-7 contest. This advances the merchants into the District tourney starting on August 8. The much discussed Potato Creek site has been selected as one of five sites in Indiana to be made into a recreational area for this part of the state. The 3,840 acre plot of land was chosen after considerable study and evaluation and will be made into a state park in the future. Miss Ingrid Pommer, 17 year old senior in high school from Germany, arrived on Sunday at the

home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Chapman and daughters to spend a year as an exchange student under the ICYW exchange program. Ingrid lives in Bachnang, Germany. 1961 The Town Board held a special meeting on Thursday, July 20, in Walkerton, to receive the results of the water referendum and consider necessary action in connection with the waterworks. There were 674 voting cards mailed out and 434 were returend. One card not counted as it did not favor either Plan lor 11. There were 299 votes for Plan II and 204 votes for Plan I. The Board considered the voting and felt that it indicated a maximum vote of 34 percent of the water users against the propsed plan which has Public Service Commission approval and requires collection of the present rate with a $6.00 per quarter minimum for its construction. Friday night specials being offered in Walkerton, since the stores stay open until 8:30 now, include throw pillows at Skogmos for $2.98; three pounds of ground beef for SI.OO at Nick's; Jewelry cleaner, 10 cents at Lee’s; sundaes, shakes and sodas, fresh strawberry, 15 cents at the Dairy Bar; one silver dollar to each customer making a SIO.OO purchase at Dad & Lad’s. At the market chuck roast was selling for 39 cents a pound; pork steak at 39 cents a pound; three pounds of ground beef for $1.39; two pounds of hot dogs at 89 cents; sirloin steak at 79 cents a pound; club steak at 69 cents a pound; a pound of butter for 63 cents; a gallon of milk for 69 cents; 10 ounce box of strawberries for 19 cents; and 10 pounds of potatoes for 39 cents. 0-D Registration August 12 & 13 The Oregon-Davis Schools will be registering students on Tuesday, August 12 from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 13 from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Students in grade K-6 should be registered at the Elementary School and students in grades 7-12 should register at the Jr.-Sr. High School. Book rental charges for Kindergarten will be $16.00. Grades 1 through 6 will be $32.00 and grades 7 through 12 will be $36.00. Book rentail assistance forms will be available for those who may have needs in this area at registration. In compliance with state law, any student enrolled in school for the first time is to furnish the school with a written immunization history accompanied by a physician’s certificate or other documentation. No child by law is to be permitted to attend school for more than 30 days beyond the date of enrollment unless this information is on file with the school. If student accident insurance is desired, the cost of students in grades K-6 will be $5.50. The cost for students in grades 7-12 will be $10.75. Coverage for the entire year (24 hours per day for 365 days) may be obtained at a cost of $32.00 for students in grades K-12. The school cafeteria will serve lunches beginning August 21. Lunch tickets for the coming year will be 85 cents per day for students in grades 1-6 and 90 cents per day for students in grades 7-12. Extra milk will cost 25 cents each. Applications for the free and reduced lunch program will be available at registration. Orientation for teachers new to the Oregon-Davis Schools will be at 9:00 a.m. on Tue^Hay, August 19th at the High School. All teachers should report to the High School cafetorium on Wednesday, August 20th, at 8:00 a.m. Classes for all students will begin on Thursday, August 21st. Classes will be from 8:00 a.m. until 3:10 p.m.

Kindergarten classes will meet from 8:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. for the morning class and 12:15 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. for the afternoon class. A child must be five years of

SALARY ORDINANCE *1987-1 An ordinance to establish compensation for officers and employees of the Town of Walkerton, Indiana for services performed during calendar year, 1987. WHEREAS, is deemed proper to increase the pay scales for the employees and officers of the Civil Town of Walkerton, Indiana. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Walkerton, Indiana, that there is hereby established the compensation from the several funds to be paid Civil Town Officers and employees for services performed during the calendar year 1987. Section 1. Compensation Paid From The General Fund. Board of Trustees 5 600.00 3,000.00 Judge 1 4,000.00 4,000.00 Clerk Treasurer 1 1,000.00 1,000.00 Clerk Treasurer AMB 1 2,000.00 2,000.00 Bailiff 1 500.00 500.00 Town Marshal 1 23,000.00 23,000.00 Captain 1 21,000.00 21,000.00 Lieutenant 1 19,900.00 19,900.00 First Patrolman 3 18,500.00 55,500.00 Part-Time Patrolman 1 13,100.00 13,100.00 Overtime Police 1,000.00 1,000.00 Control Center Full-Time 4 (hr.) 1.85 Control Center Part-Time 2 (hr.) 1.75 Control Center Ambulance .... 5 (hr.) .40 4,000.00 Control Center Fire 5 (hr.) .51 4,560.00 Overtime Control Center 1,000.00 1,000.00 Town Attorney 1 3,000.00 3,000.00 Building Inspector 1 1,000.00 1,000.00 Firemen Allowance 6,500.00 6,500.00 Officers Allowance (Fire) 750.00 750.00 WEMSA Allowance 7,000.00 7,000.00 Clothing Allowance (WEMSA) 1,500.00 Clothing Allowance (Police) ... (ea.) 450.00 3,150.00 TOTAL GENERAL FUND 192,908.00 Section 2. Compensation Paid From The Motor Vehicle Fund. Clerk Treasurer 1 1,000.00 1,000.00 Employee 1 18,000.00 18,000.00 Apprentice 1 10,500.00 10,500.00 Crossing Guard 1 (hr.) 5.50 1,500.00 Control Center 5 (hr.) .55 5,000.00 TOTAL MOTOR VEHICLE HIGHWAY FUND 36,000.00 Section 3. Compensation Paid From The Park And Recreation Fund. Park Board 4 500.00 2,000.00 Superintendent 1 5,200.00 5,200.00 TOTAL PARK AND RECREATION FUND 7,200.00 Section 4. Compensation Paid From The Electric Operating Fund. Board of Trustees 5 1,825.00 9,125.00 President of Town Board 1 200.00 200.00 Clerk Treasurer 1 13,536.00 13,536.00 Deputy Clerk 1 10,170.00 10,170.00 Clerk Typist 1 (hr.) 4.50 5,850.00 Typist 1 (hr.) 3.00 1,100.00 Superintendent 1 16,452.00 16,452.00 Assistant Superintendent 1 15,708.00 15,708.00 Linemen 2 12,000.00 24,000.00 Apprentice Linemen 1 9,850.00 9,850.00 Control Center 5 (hr.) 1.00 9,090.00 TOTAL ELECLTRIC FUND 115,081.00 Section 5. Compensation Paid From The Water Operating Fund. Board of Trustees 5 1,175.00 5,875.00 Clerk Treasurer 1 7,464.00 7,464.00 Deputy Clerk 1 7,330.00 7,330.00 Clerk Typist 1 (hr.) 2.25 2,925.00 Typist 1 (hr.) 2.75 1,000.00 Superintendent 1 7,348.00 7,348.00 Assistant Superintendent 1 8,892.00 8,892.00 Water Plant Operator • 1 9,500.00 9,500.00 Assistant Water Plant Operator 1 8,700.00 8,700.00 Apprentice 1 7,850.00 7,850.00 Control Center 5 (hr.) .95 8,636.00 TOTAL WATER FUND 75,520.00 Section 6. Compensation Paid From Sewer Operating Fund. Clerk Treasurer 1 1,000.00 1,000.00 Deputy Clerk 1 1,000.00 1,000.00 Superintendent 1 2,000.00 2,000.00 Operator ♦ 1 19,500.00 19,500.00 Apprentice 1 6,500.00 6,500.00 Control Center 5 (hr.) .49 5,000.00 TOTAL SEWER FUND 35,000.00 • Certification Required Section 7. Authority. The establishment of compensation of Civil Town Officers and Employees by ordinance of the Town Board of Trustees is proveded for under IC-18-3-1-34. Section 8. Adoption: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its passage as provided by law for the calendar year 1987. Passed by the Board of Trustees this 28th day of July, 1986. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF WALKERTON, INDIANA

age on or before September I, 1986, to be eligible for Kindergarten and six years of age on or before September 1, 1986, to be eligible for first grade.