The Independent-News, Volume 116, Number 48, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 25 April 1991 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - APRIL 25, 1991

| editorials]

WHO ANSWERES THE CALL? Americans in the ’9os are again hearing the call to service. Volunteerism has not only become fashionable again, but at an increased tempo in many areas. People have begun to realize that governmen' programs and tax dollars can’t solve all the nation’s problems and this is also carrying over heavily on a state-wide basis as well. Concerned citizens can and are attempting to tackle many of these problems. Unfortunately there’s plenty to be done. In towns like Walkerton and North Liberty, all over the state and nation as well, who is asked and by many expected to answer the call? The small businessman and company. This is just human nature as too many people expect this to happen without giving thought to the hardships it may cause. But still, when all is said and done, this same small business or company does come through time and time again to help with many of the problems of today. Local businesses have a significant stake in their community, its govenrment and its citizens, so they get involved. They are more active in that realm than the average American. Over the years, service organizations have felt the crunch of the times. These groups who have also been pillars of the community are finding it harder and harder to get and hold membership of good working members. The nucleus of these organizations has changed as the years go by and it seems that many are struggling to continue the programs they have supported and organized over the years. The part of this story that is so sad is that not only is the public still in many ways looking to their community leaders to continue with volunteer programs and help, they are growing less and less dependent on their local businesses as the years go by. With shopping centers, catalog houses, the ease of travel, etc., more and more business is taken elsewhere for a variety of reasons, the lest of which is what they are getting in return from these people in ways of unmeasured service and products. The small local business is not having it easy, but still they are usually willing and feel an obligation to volunteer through one means or another when the need is there. And too often the public really expects it, not taking into consideration what they are or are not giving this same business in return. As many small communities business districts slowly erode away, just stop and think about the overall situation ... did they answer the call and volunteer more than they could afford because of the thoughts and expectations of the public? It is time everyone gets involved in volunteerism, it can make a big difference for all.

“Job Fair ’9l” It's that time of year again. The time when high school seniors start say “now what?’’ To try to answer that question, the Walkerton Industrial Fund is again sponsoring it’s annual John Glenn Job Fair, on Saturday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the High School. This is a free event for everyone to attend and we have sent letters to nine other high schools inviting their students to attend as well. Besides high school seniors, younger students can attend for information on careers, continuing their education and summer jobs. Adults looking for a new job opportunities are also welcome. A big thank you to area businesses who have again been very generous and providing hundreds of dollars of FREE Door Prues. Last year we had 47 winners and we may surpass that this year. But you cannot be a winner unless you attend! Look at our ad to see a sampling of the prizes that have poured in so far. The high school cafeteria will be full of area businesses waiting to meet you on May 4th. Ivy Tech and Ancilla College will also have information for you at the Job Fair. Walkerton Industrial Fund “Daa’t Sacrifice EdncatScs" At a time when everybody has to cut back let’s not sacrifice education. lam in favor of cutting administrative costs and overhead, as teachers aides, to secure and continue quality education by keeping the teachers in the classrooms. One way to trim the fat is to reduce administrative costs by reducing

the number of principals in the school district. One person should be capable of running the two elementary schools and possibly the junior high. With the following costs: NLE Principal $46,000; WES Principal $47,000; and UMS Principal $46,250, it is easy to see how we can reduce one administrator and keep teachers. Now, what is more important to the children? One administrator or two teachers? In the final end it is the students that pay the heavy price by overcrowded classrooms. Our concern should be with the students. One qualified and capable individual would and should be able to oversee two schools. Let's put our support behind education and keep our teachers. For kid’s sake. V. Larsen WALKERTON TOWN BOARD MINUTES The Walkerton Town Council met at 7:00 p.m. on April 15, 1991 with the following members present: Gene Reese, Cheryl Rizek, Walter Heil and Leonard Jaske. Attorney David Holmes and clerktreasurer Judy Hiler were also present. The minutes were approved as read. MONTHY REPORTS: The Electric, Water and Wastewater reports were accepted by the Council. Superintendent Back reported that he had been able to get only one quote for the repairs to the water holding tank. The quote was from Pressure Concrete Construction Co. for $18,780.00. Back said that Pressure Concrete has a postponement on a job and can start on our water tank this week. Dis-

cussion included the fact that this is an emergency type situation, and a review of the balances in the Water Funds. The March balance in Water Depreciation was $13,934.00 and the balance in Water Operating was $12,387. Attorney Holmes suggested that Back check with an engineering firm to see if this procedure is a good thing to do. Jaske made the motion to tentatively award the job to Pressure Concrete contingent on Back getting a guarantee from Pressuce Concrete for their work. Seconded by Heil. Carried. AMBULANCE: In regard to the award of the bid for a new ambulance, Attorney Holmes said that when we met a couple of weeks ago, there was a recommendation from the EMTs to accept McCoy Miller’s bid, as it was the lowest bid meeting the specifications. Holmes went on to say that of the two other lower bids, Marque did not include the radio or the pulse oximeter, and therefore did not meet the specifications. Dietz-McLain's bid was also lower than McCoy Miller, but it was not responsive to the specifications that were advertised. And while the supplier, in Taylor, Arkansas, didn’t take exception to our specs, they appeared to debate the specs and suggest that we do something else. It appeared that the DietzMcLain bid did not include the radio and pulse oximeter. In response to questions, Dietz did say that both items were included, although that sheet was missing from their bid. Another problem with their bid was that the factory and the service area are beyond the limits that were specified. Holmes called the factory and asked them to bring a unit up here for our inspection, and they indicated that they would call back and did not do so. Holmes recommended a tentative award to McCoy Miller conditioned on getting proper financing and on McCoy Miller holding the price they bid, until the financing can be obtained. Dave Raster, McCoy Miller, said that he can hold the bid price for 30 to 60 days. Reese made the motion to tentatively award the bid to McCoy Miller contingent upon obtaining the proper financing. Seconded by Jaske. Carried. Baxterr said that McCoy Miller’s bid included financing quotes from two outside companies, at five year terms. Baxter asked the Council if they wanted him to go back to those two companies and ask for longer terms. The Council was in agreement and Baxter is to contact the clerk if he can get longer terms. There was no citizen’s input. OLD BUSINESS: The sidewalk bids were reviewed by superintendent Back. Back said that he had added the number of feet from each application and they total 739 feet. By comparing the footage and the contractor’s bids, Back estimated the total cost for each bid. Wiegand Construction’s price would be $5,532.12, not including the fill sand that he might have to use. There is also an add on charge of $75.00 for sidewalk less than 50 foot in length. Pyramid Excavation A Construction’s price would be $7,390.00. Ron Wedel of Pyramid said that his quote included the cost of taking the old sidewalk to a landfill and paying to dump it, as he didn’t know that the Town could provide a place to dump it. Holmes said that neither bid is responsive to what were were asking for. He added that neither quote includes everything that is needed to do the job. The individual sidewalk applications have not been reviewed by the Council yet Holmes suggested that it might make it easier for the contractors if they knew where work is to be done. That was they will know whether or not they are going to run into any problems, and the bids won’t have to try and cover worst case scenerios. Jaske said that he would like a date of completion also. Back suggested that we give each of these contractors copies of the copies of the appli-

cations and let them rebid according to locations. Jaske made the motion to solicit new quotes from the two contractors that originally quoted. Quotes are to include the total cost of the project and an estimated time of completion. Seconded by Heil. Carried. At the last meeting superintendent Back was asked to check out the trash that has accumulated behind two homes in the 1200 block of Ohio Street. John Webster had said that he would put the trash and debris in piles if the Town would haul it away. Back’s recommendation is that we don’t get involved in cleaning private property. The clerk reported that she redeemed the $500,000.00 at Farmers State Bank, with interest earned in the amount of $2,547.95. A $600,000.00 30 day certificate of deposit was then purchased at Ist Source Bank at a 6.0% interest rate. Interest rates were solicited for a 90 day C.D., and those rates were: Ist Source Bank, 6.1%, and Farmers State Bank, 5.88%. It was decided to stay with a 30 day C.D. in the hope that interest rates will soon go up. NEW BUSINESS: Rizek said that she had gotten a call concerning a leak in the roof of the fire station. John McGovern has checked the roof and found that the leak is at the juncture of the old roof and the roof of the newer addition. Johnny’s Roofing had repaired the roof in 1988 when it had been wind damaged in a storm. Rizek suggested that we contact Johnny's Roofing to see if the leak is in the same way connected to the repairs done in 1988. It was decided that Back will inspect the roof and see if we can repair it ourselves. If not, we will solicit quotes for the repairs. The clerk reported that Indiana Waste has removed our recycling bin, as it was not being used enough. Indiana Waste said that they may try to have a couple of recycling promotions later this year. An insurance committee was formed to review our coverage with the carrier. Rizek and Heil volunteered to be on the committee, which also includes the clerk and Ed Walz. Holmes suggested that we find a citizen who is knowlegeable about insurance to sit in on the committee. In this way we would have several views of our coverage. Gene Reese, as a liason between the Redevelopment Commission and the Council, reported on a recent Redevelopment Commission meeting. The Commission interviewed two architectural firms for the Downtown Renovation Project. The bid from B. A. Martin Architects was $8,400.00 and the bid from Kizer Architects was $9,000.00. Reese said that the Commission recommends B. A. Martin Architects. The Martin quote is the lowest and Martin did the work on downtown Plymouth. Jaske made the motion to hire Martin, contingent on receiving funding for the project. Seconded by Reese. Carried. The Council considered an invitatin to be a part of the VFW’s Loyalty Day Parade on May 4, 1991, and decided against participating. Claims 350 through 453 for $786,695.01, Payroll Docket dated 4-3-91 for $17,934.25 and Payroll Docket dated 4-17-91 for $16,888.99 were accepted on a motion by Jaske. Seconded by Reese. Carried. Heil made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Reese. Carried. Free Gifts With Firefly Festival Season Tickets Firefly Festival and the St. Joseph County Parks are offering a special “Summer Sizzler Package’’ with the purchase of Festival season tickets during the month of May. Everyone who purchases an individual season ticket ($45) or family season ticket ($95) will re-

ceive a Summer Sizzler coupon for a free tote bag full of surprises. The tote bag will feature art work from the parks and Firefly and will contain a free parks T-shirt, swim pass, canoe pass and other gifts. 1991 Schedule Os Events Performances take place outdoors at St. Patrick’s County Park and begin at 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Rain sites/dates are as indicated. Bring a chair or blanket. June 15 — An Evening With Dave Brubeck. Fabulous Jazz with the legendary Quarter! Gate: sl2, advance, $lO. Jane 22 — The Parsons Dance Company. Theatrical, zany, breathtaking. Gate $lO, advance SB. J neo 29 — The Platters And The Drifters. Magical Memories and pre-Fourth Fireworks. Gate $lO, advance SB. July 3 — The Emerald Brass. A popular Program from a Prize-win-ning Ensemble. Gate $9, advance $7. July 6 — The National Shakespeare Company, “Much Ado About Nothing". Troubadours on the Hillside and Comedy on the State. Gate $9, advance $7. July 12 A 13 — Broadway Musical “Anything Goes”, South Bend Community School Crop. Cole Porter Classics in a Fun-FUied Comedy. Gate SB, advance $6. (Rain date, July 14.) July 20 — Jackie Torrence And Ella Jeuldna. Shivery Ghost Tales and Sing-Along Song Fests. Gate $9, advance $7. July 21 - Kidfeat ’9l. Child ren’s hillside activities at 4:00 p.m. Entertainment at 5:00 p.m. All tickets $3. July 17 — Mr. B; Sally Rogers A Howie Bursen. Electrifying Piano Blues and Boogie. Followed by Fabulous Folk Music. Gate $9, advance $7. August 3 — Mahlathinia And The Mahotella Queens. South African World Music. Just Makes You Want To Dance! Gate $9, advance $7. Season and Family Season tickets may be purchase through the Firefly Festival office and seven other box offices: Firefly Festival, 202 S. Michigan, Suite 845, South Bend, IN 46601,(219) 288-3472. South Bend, IN:, Century Center, 120 S. St. Joseph, (219) 2849111. Notre Dame, IN:, LaFortune Center, University of Notre Dame, (219) 239-8128. Mishawaka, IN:, Majerek’s Hallmark, University Park Mall, (219) 277-5096. Elkhart, IN:, Templin’s Music, (219)293-0343. LaPorte, IN:, Majerek’s Hallmark/Reader’s World, (219) 3265980. New Buffalo, MI:, Brennens’ Book Store, (616) 469-5730. Niles, MI:, Majerek’s Hall of Cards A Book, (616) 683-1689. The Summer Sizzler giveaway is a brand new concept designed to encourage friends and family to enjoy the recreational resources available at the county parks this summer — from great performances to swimming and canoeing. Summer Sizzler coupons may be redeemed at the White Barn at St. Patrick’s County Park Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and before each of the first two Firefly Festival performances. An Evening with Dave Brubeck (June 15, 8:00 p.m.) and The Parsons Dance Company (June 22, 8:00 p.m.). For further information, call Firefly at 288-3472. 55 Saves Lives

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