The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 11, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 8 August 1991 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - AUGUST 8. IWI

| EDITORIALS |

NEW SUPERINTENDENT The John Glenn School Corporation Board of Trustees on Tuesday night named Richard Reese as their new superintendent. Reese, a local boy, replaces Barbara Murray, who resigned to accept a position in Florida. She had served just one year as superintendent here. In fact, the naming of Reese, gives the John Glenn School Corporation their fourth superintendent in four years. Preceding Reese and Murray were preceded by James Harvey and Rodger Smith. The changing of superintendents every year, while not presenting any major problems, certainly is not what a school corporation needs. The appointment of Reese should eliminate any problems this may have caused. Reese is a local boy, graduating from John Glenn High School in 1973, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University in 1977, a Master of Science degree from Indiana University in 1980 with a major in school administration; and an Educational Specialist from Indiana University majoring in school administration in 1982. He served as a teacher coach at Liberty Middle School in Chesterton, from 1977-1984; was an assistant principal at Knox Middle School in 1984-1985; and was principal of the Urey Middle School in Walkerton from 1985 until present. In 1990 he was named interim superintendent of the John Glenn School Corporation following the resignation of James Harvey. He withdrew his name at that time from the search for a superintendent. Mr. Reese is married and he and his wife Cathy have three children, Adam. Diane and Eric. The position of superintendent of schools of John Glenn School Corporation at this time is a job that has many challenges facing it. Os immediate concern is the building program of a new middle school for the corporation, a matter that has caused quite a bit of concern of many taxpaers, not necessarily from the educational standpoint, but strictly financial as many feel taxes should not be increased at this time. Along with the normal duties of a superintendent, the school corporation is also somewhat in a money crunch, due to the reduced state aid that has forced changes in many systems due to the economic situation of the state and nation. The job will not be easy, but Mr. Reese is achieving a goal he has set earlier in his life and we are sure will give his best to this position. We feel the Board of Trustees has made a very satisfactory choice at this time and one that should end the problems of change that have been present in each of the last few years.

“Attention John Gkon Taxpayers” On August the 22nd this school board that we have will consider to place the largest tax burden on its taxpayers that has ever been in this communities history. And it will affect us for the next 20 years to come. We all agree that we want good quality education for our children but at the same time we have to live within our means. The school board has the impression that there is no end to their money supply and they are forgetting that this is an agriculture community and not a country full of oil wells. We have a school board from various walks of life but they all have one thing in common and that is if we build a new school building it won’t be costing them a lot of money. Someone else will be stuck with the bulk of the bill. So folks what we really need is for you to mark the 22nd of August on your calendar and plan to attend this meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Urey Middle School to show them that the majority of us taxpayers are not in favor of their dreams. Concerned Taxpayer. Ben N. Smith “Important Meeting” To the editor, taxpayers and citizens of the John Glenn Schoo] Corporation At a recent school board meeting a lady who had four (4) children, said she * anted a new school. But she was only paying 53’4.00 taxes. The cost of educating a child for a year is 52.200 - $2,800. The school board, with the

$6,700.00 that they pay, is only paying 40% of a custodian's salary of $16,500.00. I call them the “40% gang". Folks, if you ever attended an important meeting, please do so on August 22, at Urey School, 7:00 p.m. Ed Dolph Polk Twp. Taxpayer “Flag Code” In response to the letter writer pertaining to inquiries of Flag Etiquette and available material relating to the same: The American Legion Auxiliary has for many years kept a supply of “Flag Codes.” How to display a flag, how to respect the flag are just a few of the points covered. The codes are given free to anyone interested. Within the past two months, the supply of Flag Codes were given to the office of the Chamber of Commerce, here in Walkerton, to be available to anyone free. Just stop in the Chamber of Commerce office on Roosevelt Rd. and ask for a free copy of the “Flag Code”, only while supplies last. Orville Easterday Unit 189 American Legion Auxiliary “Cart Before The Bene” So, the School Board and the superintendent have done it again. But not without your help. They hired an architectural firm for a non-refundable $600,000 to draw up plans for a new middle school. Now they want your input or your approval’’ to build the new middle school. Is that putting the “cart before the horse?" Should not one ask for input first, get your approval and then hire an architect'' Maybe they know enough to know that you will say, “Oh. wha’ the heck, we already dished out $600,000, we might as well build the new middle school" Or mavbe you’ll say, “What can we do?”

Well, now you are going to be held accountable to the Tax Accessor for the BIGGEST TAX INCREASE we have yet to see. But they are not all to blame. You share the responsibility as well. Have you once called a school board member? Questioned the superintendent? Attended a school board meeting? Join the superintendent along with her “puppeteers". Don’t think for yourself, just be a “yes" person or the “silent majority" and pay the tax increase. It seems to me the $600,000 would have been better spent for textbooks, teaching materials and teachers for better education. It seems to me that we have the most inept, inadequate, irresponsible school board around. Yes, they do fit the description will, “The John Glenn School Board Puppeteers!" But who voted them in? A Concerned Taxpayer for Better Education “Looking For Veterans” Fifty years ago we were helping to make news for the newspapers. Now, we need your help to locate and tell long lost veterans of the 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels" Division and all attached units of our reunion on October 23 - 27. in Louisville. Kentucky, at the Gait House. For more information they maywrite Reunion Chairman Loren 0. Guge, 8053 Highpoint Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613. Thank you. Gabe Struggles Waldron, AR 72958 “Is A Naw Middle School Really Nooded?” The John Glenn School Corporation has plans to build a new middle school. The citizens of our corporation should be concerned with two basic questions with regard to these plans: is this building really needed, and can we afford it? The corporation’s school board has sponsored numerous public meetings to inform us on these questions. The findings of an independent consultant regarding this is available from the corporation office. The need for a new middle school facility is dear after reviewing the facts. Our current middle school is overcrowded. Classes must be held in the gymnasium for lack of available space. The science rooms are woefully inadequate. The current lack of facilities prevent the type of hands-on experiments needed to get children interested in this vital subject. This is especially serious when you consider that our nation, once the technological leader of the world, is falling behind other nations in the technical education of our youth. There are no outdoor facilities for physical education or extracurricular activities. The library is too small, the office areas are crowded and congested due to lack of space. The nurses station lacks sink and toilet facilities, serves as a storage room, and houses the office copier. There are no facilities for special education needs for handicapped children. These are just a few of the many problems with the current middle school facility. The need for a new facility has been proven. Can we as taxpayers afford it? Perhaps the real question should be, can we afford not to act now? Each year we delay this project will result in a projected increase of a half million dollars due to inflation alone! This is based on a 5% inflation rate of the hard costs, i.e.. building construction and materials. This does not indude increases in the soft costs, such as architectural and engineering fees. The interest rates on borrowed funds are favorable now. The municipal bond rates are at a ten year low of 7%. The real cost increase to the average taxpayer is not double or triple the current rate as is often rumored. The actual proposed increase over current rates is minimal. For example, a homeowner

with a SIO,OOO net assessed tax valuation currently pays slßl for debt service liability. The maximum rate would occur in 1994, when his tax liability would be $243, an inertease of $62 over the current rate for one year. The tax rate would then steadily decrease. By the year 2000, this homeowner’s tax for debt service would be $163, which is $lB less per year than the current rate. The vast improvement in educational facilities will yield increased opportunities for our children that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. I encourge patrons of this corporation to take an active role in this decision. Attend the 1028 hearing on August 22. Let your board members know that the interests of our children must come first when making their decision. Concerned Parent and Taxpayer Dirk Pletcher “Urgent Meeting On August 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Urey School gymnasium, one of the most important meetings you'll ever attend is being held. This will be your opportunity to speak out in opposition to the current middle school proposal. Please don't miss your chance to let your voice be heard. If approved this proposal will cost us 22 million over the next 20 years. Remember, this 22 million does not include teacher salaries, building maintenance on our current buildings, new buses and transportation or supplies. Can you afford this proposal? Taxpayers For Education “The Bort Investment” Raising taxes! Whenever this is mentioned, no matter how justifiable the cause, you will have outspoken opposition. The John Glenn School Board has committed to a new middle school that is needed to maintain and also enhance the quality of education for our children. In 1992, the John Glenn School Corp, will retire $710,000 of outstanding debt. The Board has purposely waited until this time to minimize the tax increase that would be required to fund the new middle school. At this time the Board will also be able to take advantage of the lower interest rates in the bond market, which have not been lower in 10 years. If the project is delayed it is with almost 100% probability property owners will see higher tax rates due to inflation and higher interest rates. The major concern of every property owner is how much will my taxes increase? There have been many rumors that taxes will double and even triple! This is not true! Below is a chart that projects the debt service tax for the next nine years. Included in the rates is the bond issue for the new middle school at a cost of $11.5 million at 8% interest for 20 years. The first year that the taxes will be assessed for the new school is 1994. There also needs to be some clarification on what is assessed tax valuation. Market value or appraised value has nothing to do with tax valuation. Every property owner should check their tax statement to see exactly what their assessed tax valuation is. Then calculate what your taxes will increase and decide if our children’s and the communities' future are worth the additional taxes. In 1994 the tax rate would increase 60 cents per SIOO assessed valuation. This would be the highest the rate would increase over the 1991 rate due to the new middle school. For example, if a property owner has property with an assessed valuation of SIO,OOO, they are currently paying SIBI.OO in 1991 for the debt service fund. In 1994, their tax would increase to $243.00. an increase of only $62.00. Governor Bayh recently stated. “Many of our other social problems have the core to their solutions in our classrooms and quaility education. And in the long run, there's nothing that’s more import-

ant to the welfare of our state.” Please come to the 1028 hearing on August 22 at Urey and voice your opinion on the project. Let the school board know there are people in the community who are willing to invest in our children’s future! Parents For Progressing Education Annual Taxes Per Anaesaed Valuation (due to space limitations, the chart has been reduced to just 3 valuations) (fan thousands] Year Tax Rate $lO S2O $25 1991 sl.Bl slßl $362 $453 1992 1.83 183 366 458 1993 1.51 151 302 378 1994 2.43 243 486 608 1995 2.39 239 478 598 1986 2.11 211 422 528 1987 2.08 208 416 520 1998 1.91 191 382 478 1999 1.73 173 346 433 2000 1.63 163 326 408 (1994 is the first year debt assessed for new middle school.) “Is Lucifer There?” Friday night at 11:15, the telephone rang. Is Lucifer (not his real name) there? No, I replied rather nastily, after being awakened from a nap, and I wish that you young people would get the right number before calling. This was not the first time that we have been awakened or called by someone inquiring about Lucifer. The girl caller was rather rude and then hung up. The next day there were two more calls on my telephone asking for Lucifer. By now 1 felt that I was being punished for the rude answer the night before. I then started calling the rest of the Williams in the phone book. The first ones that I talked to had also received calls for Lucifer (he sure must be a handsome devil, since most of the calls were from girls). Finally I reached a person who knew Lucifer's telephone number (unlisted) and I was able to talk to Lucifer in person. Later that afternoon another call, from a female, came for Lucifer. I asked who was calling and was told that it didn’t matter who she was and that she wanted to talk to Lucifer. Being nosey, I asked if he had given her his number and she told me no, that she had only met him the night before. Quick workers. We talked for a little while and I explained that we didn't have a son at home anymore. She hung up and immediately the phone rang again. I picked it up and she hung up. 1 then spoke to the boy's father. We had a nice conversation. Hopefully the problem will be corrected. Did you get to the air show at the Stuntz & Hochstetler farm over the weekend. We finally made it Sunday morning. Roy had bought a new toy for me, a food press. He wouldn’t let me play with it. He preceded to make 14 quarts of tomato juice with it. I got to do the processing the next day. Ah the good old days of summer! Hopefully the town will look better soon. I only hope that the people from out of the area understand and will keep shopping those businesses. Summertime is a good selling season for these stores because of the people vacationing in the area. I had better dose. Sincerely, Nedra Williams MORE COFFEE STUDIES More coffee studies. So what else is new? At Stanford University in California, Dr. Robert Superko found that healthy men who drank 3 to 6 cups of coffee a day, then kicked the habit, has significant drops in blood pressure. In England, Dr. Malcolm Bruce of the Institute of Psychiatry , found that about 25% of patients with anxiety disorders improved greatly after cutting out caffeine. One woman, who suffered 2 or 3 panic attacks weekly for 10 years, was free of them within eight months after cutting out coffee and tea.