The Independent-News, Volume 116, Number 37, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 7 February 1991 — Page 4

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - FEBRUARY 7. 1991

4

EDITORIALS ' !

DO AS 1 SAY . . . DON’T DO AS I DO! From time to time we have to reflect on matters that we are not happy or proud to discuss, but still they must be mentioned for one reason or another. This editorial reflects upon one such matter which is another black eye to our community. It concerns the latest action of the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce. The Walkerton Chamber of Commerce has made the decision to hase the Walkerton Shopper work done out of town. The same group that supposedly encourages people to shop locally, and was actually made a weekly publication to keep outside advertising from coming into town, has taken their work out of town to be done. This is behind the excuse they can get it done for less money outside of Walkerton. Are they trying to tell the public that they should also buy and do business whenever possible outside of town if it costs less.’ Certainly if one looks around, there isn’t a merchant in Walkerton whose price or prices on an item or many items cannot be beaten in a neighboring community. Are they trying to tell the public not to buy first, but to check around in other areas and see if you can beat the price? With shopping in small towns (including Walkerton) getting harder and harder as time goes buy due to lack of variety of businesses, the snowball effect may just continue if such encouragement is given. There is much merchandise that is no longer available in many small towns. Appliances, lumber, soon to be furniture, shoes, fresh seafoods, etc., the list goes on an on, is no longer available locally. The struggle to keep what we presently hase is one that is fought basically by the merchants alone, little is done to aid in this cause. This latest move may also be instrumental in the future of the businesses overlooked by the local Chamber. With a decline in businesses over the years, an automatic attrition is passed on to such businesses as this. The market simply is smaller. Perhaps encouragement and any assist that could be given should be considered more than the negative aspect of taking what is available away. The real discouraging part of this entire matter is, that after some action was taken two years ago in March to have the Shopper work done at another place after 13'4 years with us, the attitude ot those in charge at that time has carried over to the present people in charge. Two direct attempts to discuss this matter by The Independent-News have fallen on deaf ears. On August 8, 1990, a letter was sent to several members of the Chamber and Retail Merchants Committee by us that was completely disregarded. We stated we would be happy to meet with and discuss the situation at that time. No acknowlegement of this letter was ever made. On January 25 of this year another letter was written to the chairman of the Retail Merchants Committee asking some questions concerning this latest decision. Again, absolutely no reply or recognition of this letter. In the meantime, four members of the Board of Directors have been questioned, and basically a subtle run-a-round was given. Only one did freely talk of the situation. Previously we were turned down from using the Shopper for inserts including a supermarket that would not go along with the Shopper once they took it from our company originally. This and other decisions a couple of years ago were made by one or two individuals, creating almost dictatorial powers for these individuals. Happily we can say these two are no longer insolved, but apparently some of this and the negative feelings toward our company continue to exist. We went through this before, when the Shopper was taken from us originally. We were told by those in charge the work was going to be done for a considerable amount (the figure of 5275.00 per week was given) less than we had bid. This didn’t last long as that firm is now bidding higher than our bid. To add to the hard feelings, after they did solicit bids, several from out ot town firms, they went back to the present supplier two times to try and get lower bids. No one came and talked to us! But of course, that is how some play the game. We stated in our letter of January 25, mistakes have been made before and have been corrected. Evidently, this takes a person or persons large enough to admit thev made a mistake. We were told the current Chamber Board was responsible foi this decision. Also, involved were the Retail Merchants Committee of last year, chaired by Jay Potts, and possibly the Retail Merchants of this year, chaired by Joe Hunting. I ast year s committee was behind this move from the start. Several have asked us about this decision. We cannot give you any answers as we cannot get any ourselves. Our letters go unanswered. Our questions are simply answered to some extent by saying less money. The figures we asked for have not been given us, but we understand the approach to others is have it printed out of town or raise the rates. Maybe a closer look inside would find other reasons for financial problems. Until a closer look is taken and some common sense is used, ne ( hamber evidently wants to issue you the message . . . Do as I say . . . don’t do as I do!

On average. Salt Lake City, Utah gets 17 inches more snow a year than Fairbanks. Alaska

Always keep cultured buttermilk chilled H it becomes warm, it may separate H it does—stir it

“Walkerton” Walkerton is a nice place to shop, to buy, and to live. I have been promoting Walkerton for thir-ty-some years. 1 feel that the business people in Walkerton should look at services and goods in Walkerton first. 1 feel that the organizations set up to help promote businesses in Walkerton, the Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Merchants should also shop in Walkerton. I also believe that businesses in the area should join the Chamber of Commerce and make their wishes known. Everybody says that the Chamber is not helping them personally. Maybe we are not helping the Chamber personally. The best way to make your needs known is to join an organizaation and take it over. There is still power in well placed numbers. I’m sure that the Chamber would be very happy to have many working members in their group. On my wonderings, I run into many nice and interesting people. Last week I stopped at the Bel-Air Motel just east of Walkerton. There 1 met Donna Tarp Hagen, who along with her husband, Ron, manage and own the motel. We had a nice chat. If you have time, drop out and welcome them to the area. Most fine restaurants have bouncers to handle their problem customers. Not Lea’s, they use tape to shut up their customers. Maybe this writer deserved the silencing, but please next time use a surgical tape, it doesn't hurt as much coming off, as does masking tape. When I get a coupon for money off, I always look for the requirements. Does it tell me that I must spend so much to receive the discount, is there an expiration date, etc.? Merchants should honor their coupons for the amount that is given, if there are no printed requirements. Wonders never cease! Roy has finally found where the canned fruits and vegetables are kept. (He always used the excuse that he didn’t know whre they were when 1 told him to get them himself.) We attended a birthday party the other evening. Quinn Hochstetler turned 30 years old. The bad thing about our kids turning older is that we turn a year older too. Many happy more years, Quinn! My friend, Ed Kuklinski, told me that my letters are getting too long and windy, so on that note 1 will stop with a postscript that this was in part, a very painful letter to write. Sincerely, Nedra Williams “A Bad Part-Time Job” I am a Senior at John Glenn High School and 1 have lived in this area my whole life. My sophomore year at Glenn. 1 decided to find a good part-time job so I could have some money of my own. 1 went to a family owned supermarket in Walkerton. I worked at this store for two years and had a great time. 1 didn’t realize work could be so much fun!! 1 met many new and wonderful customers here. My fellow employees were phenomenal to work with and we had the greatest boss. In November our boss sold the store to live in away everyone dreams to live: carefree and relaxed. Now there was another family owned store that moved into the area. Six fellow employees stayed to work for this company and within a year, only three remained. In one years time, we saw the store slowly go down the hill and we were introduced to TWELVE different managers. Each time 1 walked into the store to go to work it got harder and harder to keep that bright smile on my face. It was such a depressing

ART STUDENTS GO ORIENTAL

The Chinese New Year occurs from January 21 to February 15. North Liberty art students in grades first, fourth, and fifth have been exploring the various oriental artistic techniques during this time of the year. In this photograph a first grader has employed the Chinese love of simplistic lines and

and mixed-up store. The so-called "manager of the store” also became more and more difficult to work for. Finally, on February 2, I was asked to sign a paper saying my cash register drawer was an incredible amount short. Never in my three years working at this location was 1 accused for something this low. It was at this time that I decided that my reduced four hours a week and everything else I had to put up with was not worth my time. So as of Saturday, February 9, 1991 1 will be quitting my bad part-time job, leaving only one of my fellow employees to work for this company, and to her and her soon-to-be family. 1 wish them all the luck in the world. I would like to thank all the customers of this store for helping me enjoy my job as much as possible the past three years. You’ve been great to work with. Sincerely, LaDora Kronk PLYMOUTH EMDS GIRLS’ SEASON IN SECTIONAL The Plymouth Pilgrimettes defeated the John Glenn Lady Falcons in the sectional tourney at LaVille last Thursday to end the season for Glenn and put Plymouth in the final game of the tourney. The loss was Glenn's 16th in 18 games this year. The Falcons, a young team that has struggled all year with shooting along with other phases of the game, shot only 26 percent in this game and missed all eight of their free throw attempts. This typlifies the season for Glenn. The Lady Falcons led 10-7 after one quarter, but managed to score only four in the second quarter and six more in the third to find Plymouth pulling away. It was 18-14 at halftime and 32-20 after three. Fansler led all scorers in this game with 14, including two threepointers. Plymouth, on the other hand, had no player in double figures but did manage to spread their points around with eight of the nine players scoring. BOX SCORE Plymouth fg ft ft* p tp Hamann 33719 Singrev 2 3 10 17 Holm ’ 112 13 Feece 3 0 117 Wilson 4 0 13 8 Krick 112 13 Knepper 10 0 12 Carlberg 0 0 0 0 0 Penrod 30036 TOTALS 18 8 23 17 43 Glenn Fansler 6 0 1 2 14 Knepp 2 0 0 4 4 HUI 10 13 2 Oke 1 0 6 4 2 Schmidt 0 0 0 0 0 Colin 3 0 0 2 6 Lidgard 0 0 0 0 0 Rausch 1 0 0 2 2 TOTALS 14 0 8 17 30

shapes. Ihe students learned the many ways the artist can use a brush to create long, short, thick, and thin lines. The watercolor medium also allowed the students to add or delete water thereby creating numerous shades of gray. The young artists greatly enjoyed this spontaneous Chinese style of watercolor painting.

' 3-point goals: Plymouth 1. Feece; Glenn 1. Fansler 2 * Score By Quarter* Plymouth 7 18 32 45 i Glenn 10 14 20 30 SCOUT SUNDAY The North Liberty Scout Pack and Troop 241 will be honored by their sponsoring organization, the North Liberty United Methodist Church on February 10. A special Sunday service is planned with scout participation. The Boy Scout troop will preform a flag ceremony followed by recognition of both scout programs. Special music includes patriotic songs with the church choir performing "Battle Hymn of the Republic” and "Let There Be Peace On Earth." This promises to be an inspiring service especially now with our troops serving in the Gulf. The public is welcome to attend the 9:30 a m. service. SCOUT NEWS The vision of one man and his wife has become reality for millions. On February 22, all the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the world celebrate the birthday of their founders. Lord and Lady BadenPowell. The "father” of scouting, Robert Baden-Powell created a movement for boys: organized activities to foster character development, citizenship training, mental and physical fitness. From its beginnings in England in 1908, scouting has spread to 117 countries. With over 4 million members in the United States, the Boy Scouts offer programs for boys between 8 and 20 years of age. Some packs have activities for even younger "scouts-in-training" called Tiger Cubs. Inspired by her husband’s work with boys, Olave Baden-Powell envisioned a international sisterhood with similar organized activities for girls. Today the Worldwide Association of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides includes 7.5 million members in 104 countries. The Girl Scouts of America has 3 million members and is the largest voluntary girls' organization in the world. On February 22 of each year, Girl Scouts everywhere honor the Baden-Powells with "Thinking Day," when they think about each other in the spirit of friendship. The accomplishments of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell are a fine example of a noble idea wellconceived and well-executed. Not even its far-seeing founders, however. could probably imagine the influence the scouting movement would carry as far as the last years of the century. Support the March of Dimes