The Independent-News, Volume 116, Number 23, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 1 November 1990 — Page 4

- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - NOVEMBER 1. IWO

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| EDITORIALS

YOUR VOTE DOES COUNT! Tuesday is an election day. The 1990 general election, although not a presidential election, will have a lot of important races contested at all levels this year. In our area we will be choosing everything from a United States Senator for the next six years right on down through two members of our Town Council, a Trustee and Township Advisory Board members. This is an important election. On a nationwide basis, however, if things go according to recent trends, only about 38^e of registered voters will exercise their privilege to vote Tuesday. In non-presidential election years, this is the average lately of those that “bother” to vote. This is an inportant factor for several reasons. Usually the lighter the turnout, the higher the chance for incumbents to win. In fact, there isn’t a much safer position in the world to be in at election time than an incumbent in the House of Representatives who is running for re-election. An amazing 98*70 of them are re-elected in non-presidential election years. That is a figure that is somewhat staggering. Look at it this way. What if only 38 percent of the Allied troops would have showed up for duty during World War 11. Where would we be now? Imagine being wheeled into an emergency room at a hospital in need of care only to find out that just 38 percent of the staff bothered to come in to work. What kind 0? an educahon would be offered if only 38 percent of the teachers and administrators came to school each day? What would the story be on your job if approximately one out of three showed up for work? If two thirds of any group shirks their duty it has to be considered a very bad situation. And yet that is what we, as Americans, do on election days such as next Tuesday. A Gallup poll conducted last winter showed that many, inJ eluding many small businesses, favor restricting terms of our • lawmakers. This has been mentioned many times, but never seriously approached by those same lawmakers. Frequent reasons include: lawmakers are too easily influenced by special interest groups and incumbency offers unfair advantages over challengers in elections. After all, the two bodies of Congress were given different lenght terms in order to offer change, be more up to date in the House where just two year terms are given while the more stable Senators are seated for six years at a time. It is more than just a privilege to all Americans to vote in our elections. It is a freedom that too many take for granted, g It takes more than 38*?e joldbcVoters to acurately express the feelings of a country. Don’t forget that in this election in both Walkerton and North Liberty, and in the two townships, Lincoln and Johnson, two Town Council seats are up for election since the law was changed some time back to stagger the terms of the Council members to guarantee that not all seats will be changing at one time. Also, the Township Trustees and Township Advisory Boards are on Tuesday’s ballot. These factors alone should be enough to make registered voters want to vote. It is more than a privilege ... it is your duty to vote on Tuesday, i November 6, 1990. . <4 a——■ ■■■■ Hl I—l 11l 11.11 ■ !■—■>■■■■■ I . 1..W

V&sSSSSm “Four Years Os Progress” Walkerton — A touch of the Past — In touch with the Future: How very descriptive of our town! With an enviable historic past, the Town of Walkerton, unlike many small Indiana towns, is looking toward and planning for the future. Through the efforts of many, our town is boldly pressing forward to its attainable goals, with Leadership and Direction supplied by a broad segment of our public minded citizenry! In this time of non-existent leadership at State and National level and ineffectual fragmented efforts of those elected to govern, (Re.: The budget problem and international conflicts), Walkerton is most fortunate, and might even be termed unique in having leadership that does have coordinated plans, with budgeting expertise to accomplish major advances on a pay as you go basis . in and for our community! Through co-operative efforts of * our Town Board, School Board, Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Fund and many other contributing organizations, remarkable progress has been realized in the past four years And, with the creation of the Superboard, a means of setung common agreed upon goals and

priorities now exists to encourage communication between all groups. This allows significant and wide range planning to be done and the co-ordinated execution of such plans. It is worth while to review the progress and accomplishments that have taken place in our community in the past four years. These accomplishments did not just happen! They are the product of efforts of many dedicated public spirited individuals, contributing their expertise, time, labor and wisdom These salutary advances and changes are but a few that come quickly to mind: Just four years ago, the last parcel of land in the Southwest Industrial Park was sold. The next year the Town annexed the new Northeast Industrial Park, which today, has two new industries in operation, with paved streets to them and with full electric service. You electric bill payers will remember that four years ago you voted in a referendum to become your own rate setters. To date, that decision has led to two (2) rate reductions, amounting to approximately $500,000 (a half million dollars) per year that stays in your collective pockets. By prudent investing of the necessary reserve funds, the interest income realized will off set the contracted NIPSCO rate increase of next year, thus making it possible to go another year

without a rate increase for electric service. In addition, the electrical department, by careful budgeting, has rebuilt a major portion of the distribution system, converting from 4KV to 12.5KV service, thus providing a more stable power source. The Department also has increased its efficiency by acquiring new modem trucks and equipment. Increased safety for the workmen has been greatly improved and this equipment should serve the Town well beyond the year 2000. You can readily recall just over two years ago, the Town’s ambulance service was almost discontinued due to “burnout” and lack of planning and direction. Today we have a functioning corp of trained or “in training” personel, with upgraded equipment. Quarters for the ambulances and associated equipment has been upgraded and the entire operation has acquired leadership from dedicated interested citizens. This was brought about though the efforts of our Town Board members, who responded to the need and provided the support and guidance required to retain this vital service to the community. In the interest of the safety of the general public, many new traffic stop signs have been installed at designated hazardous intersections. New street identification signs have been installed throughout the Town, making your Town a safer place for you to move about and through. New badly needed sidewalks have been installed in the Elementary School area, providing much safer conditions for the small children as they go to and from school. A subsidy plan is available to all Town residential property owners, designed to encourage the installation of new or replacement of deteriorated sidewalks. Many new sidewalks have already been installed under this plan which is to be continued for next year. An addition to our elementary school was completed just over a year ago, providing better facilities for the education of our children. Further additions to our school facilities are under study, with questions of need and financing being prudently considered by the School Board. The final decisions will be influenced by their awareness of the forward planning of others, such as the Park Board, and the financial impact they will have on the entire community. Engineering studies are complete and in hand for the upgrading of the Town's water supply and distribution system. This complex problem, that of providing adequate and proper flow during a fire in any section of the Town, has, as yet, some unanswered questions. A major pan of the problem is financing, but it is being studied and planning is underway, that will provide a dependable, safe, and adequate supply of water for decades to come. Another advance, quietly accomplished, is the modification of wastewater treatment plant. This plant, badly underdesigned as originally installed, through the efforts and direction of the town Board and the plant operator, has been modified and brought to acceptable operating levels, eliminating the foul oders endurered a couple of summers ago. It should be noted that the modification resulted in not only better sewerage treatment, but also in reduction of electric power usage, so that the modification costs will be amortized in five years or less Knowledgeable effon, sound planning, and positive direction is paying off! The largest improvement, at least the most visible, is the Downtown Rehabilitation Flan initiated by the Redevelopment Commission in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce. The plan of partial funding of

rehabilitation work was instituted in a effort to encourage improvement of the entire downtown area. Many businesses have already taken advantage of this plan. With the acquisition of funds in the amount of $160,000 from the Community Focus Fund award, a whole new “Streetscape” plan, complete with sidewalks, curbs, gutters, planters, and new lighting will become possible. Again, prudent planning and the efforts of many from the general public, as well as leadership from the Town Board has made this long dreamed of improvement a reality! I would like to point out again, Walkerton is Unique! Our Town has leadership, astute planning, co-operation and support of many in all these forward reaching areas. Major accomplishments have been achieved in the past four years, as the Town has pulled itself up by its own “bootstraps”! Unlike State and Federal officials, our Town Board has supplied leadership, guidance, and fiscal responsibility. Many arguments are made to throw all incumbent office holders out. In consideration of this considerable list of accomplishments, it would seem that those types of arguments would not apply. Reasoned, unbiased, thoughtful, unemotional evaluation of the progress that our Town has made, should offset any perceived slight or personal grudge that may exist! Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. Sound judgement should prevail Let us retain those officials that have proven that Prudent Planning Produces Progress! Roman Brehm Tax & Ratepayer VOTE Next Tuesday is election day! We are among the very few nations that have free elections (although the amount spent by the candidates probably would balance the budget) to elect our members of Congress, etc. Other countries are ready to kill for this right, but half of our people do not even bother to go to the polls. They say that it doesn't make any difference. They then grumble about the government. The best way to voice your opinion is to vote! Have you tried the breakfast at Leas? They have some pretty mean cooks. I conned my husband into taking me out to breakfast last Sundav morning. As usual, I ate too much at their buffet. The waitresses smile and seem to enjoy people. Try it, you probably will like it. A smile makes a big difference in a lot of things. Our town is fast becoming a resort area, with all the refurbishing of the buildings and the blowing sand. Next we will have benches and trees. Will there be a training session on teaching clerks the art of friendliness and enthusiasm? Walkerton is a good community, and with the rising gas prices, we will have to work together to make it a great community in which both to shop and live. This weekend the place to be is the Christmas Shop. I hear that Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be present. Refreshments will be served. I understand that lemon bars are to be made and served along with coffee and punch. Maybe I’ll go out and tell Santa what I want for Christmas. Roy is healing well and getting rambuncteous. He still doesn’t fold socks or wash dishes. Keith Dipert is still receiving donations from you, the generous people of the area. Keith is back in Chicago for his final treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. Time to dose and get busy. Sincerely, Nedra Williams There are about 400 different kinds of ants in the United States alone.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN MEET The United Methodist Women held their meeting October 18th in the church at 7:00 p.m. The president, Linda Craft, opened the meeting reading from Romans 8:31 to 39. Prayer requests were for Ethel Bierly, Rev. and Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Coles, Keith Dipert, Mrs. Kenneth Graves, Ann Clark, Ruth Ullery’s sister and Jim Verkier. Miss Craft then gave prayer. Mrs. Fred Bullinger asked all to take a book home and read for points. She has a nice selection. Saturday, November 3 we are invited to the Zion M.E. Church for lunch and a program. Please plan to go. We need a couple of car loads to go. Tbe new slate of officer for 1991 will be: president, Mrs. Jim Seiderr, vice-president, Mrs. Fred Bullinger; secretary, Mrs. Leigh Hahn; treasurer, Mrs. Robert Flaugher; Christian Personhood, Mrs. Walter Smith; Christian Social Involvement, Mrs. Richard Kickbush; Christian Global Concerns, Mrs. Tim Egger; Supportive Community, Miss Linda Klinedinst; Sec. Program Resources, Mrs. Warner Clark; Chairperson, Membership, Mrs. Robert Keck; Chairperson, Nominations, Mrs. Quinn Hochstetler; and Cards, Mrs. Velma Stahly. We thank the Ina Walz family for the nice memorial fund donation. It will be put into our new kitchen fund. Our mission pledge will be paid in full for this year by November 1. Mrs. Glen Jacob gave a very interesting talk on AIDS and the H.I.V. infection using posters and her wealth of knowledge about this subject. She is the H.I.V. infection and AIDS Coordinator for the St. Joseph County Chapter of the Red Cross and chairman of the AIDS task force of St. Joseph County. She also serves on the AIDS Advisory Committee of our John Glenn School Corp, and the AIDS Committee of the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. We have several cases of AIDS in St. Joseph County. “One day, not far off’, she said, “we will all be touched by this dreaded disease by losing a friend or a loved one that has it.” The Hope Circle served refreshments. REAL SERVICES NEWS NORTH LIBERTY Our weather has been beautiful, and we have a lot of beautiful people at our site. Come and join us and meet them and visit awhile. Caroline Shupert presented a program last week with slides of the Oliver House in South Bend. It is a beautiful place to see. Also thanks to Caroline and Glen Shupert for supplying us with honey for our tables. We all love it. Thanks to all who have brought in flowers for the tables. They are almost over with the frosts we have had. We are glad Madeline Bonham and Alta Newcomer are feeling better following surgery. Also Kenny Wagner is doing great. Everyone was sorry to hear Elta Steele fell and broke her ankle and wish her a speedy recovery. In a few weeks we will be having a “white elephant and goodie auction,” so keep this in mind. We have a lot of fun and fellowship at our site and would like to have you join us. Just call the day before by 1:00 and order your meal at 656-3123. BUS TRIP A Chicago Outlet bus trip is planned for Sat., November 24, at SIB.OO per person. There are still seats available. Call Deb Carson at 656-3455, North Liberty, after 6:00 p.m. or in the day time from 9 am to 5 p.m. (219) 237-0450.