The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 44, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 26 March 1992 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - MARCH 26, 1992

EDITORIALS J

COUNTY INCOME TAXES There are few topics that cause more furor among the public than new taxes. This is the case everywhre, not just in our local communities, but in the county, state and nation. It is a subject that usually one has little control over, but the more local the tax issues become, the more local people can express their views and take their stand either for or against. Currently, the residents of the southwestern corner of St. Joseph County, are faced with two such issues. One, of course, is the school building issue that has been and continues to be a main interest to patrons of Liberty and Lincoln Townships in St. Joseph County, and the other is the hotly discussed and debated County Option Income Tax and Economic Development Income Tax that is being pushed by the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka. Many people feel a similarity about both issues, that being the plans proceed despite the overwhelming response from the public in opposition to these issues that will reach into the pockets of most people. The differences in the two are several. We won’t go into a comparison due to different situations. However, the fact that public input seems to just roll off the backs of those pushing for a particular matter, leaves one feel they are not being properly represented by their elected officials. In both cases, the loudest voices will always be heard from those in opposition, not those who favor or remain silent letting the officials do as they please. The county situation is one that we have absolutely no control over. Law states that two of the three largest governmental bodies in the county can instigate such taxes regardless of the feelings of the others. Os course with both South Bend and Mishawaka in our county, they easily can control such a situation. These are the two pushing hard for this in an attempt to get more revenue for their two cities for whatever uses they desire. The County Council, even though not formally voting against these taxes, did resolve they were opposed to the new taxes. If one reads or watches the news at all, they are aware that both South Bend and Mishawaka are pushing hard for these two new taxes and that the South Bend Council has already voted in favor by a 6-3 vote, this despite a lot of opposition shown by the public. Mishawaka, although not formally voting on this matter, did table it a few weeks ago when it appeared they didn’t have enough votes to pass it. This has now come forth again and in a special meeting next Monday night, will be put to a vote by that council. Their nine members were apparently split tour for and five against when the matter was tabled. However, very strong efforts have been made to swing one or more of the nays to a positive vote. This action must be completed before the end of the month to take effect this year. That is the reason for the hurry-up meetings this past Monday for a hearing and the coming meeting next Monday for a vote. For our corner of the county, the Walkerton Town Council went on record as opposing the new taxes. North Liberty’s Council will discuss the same tonight (Wednesday). But even if both units do reject the plan, it means nothing if it passes next Monday night in Mishawaka. It has been noted that both South Bend and Mishawaka have already planned how to spend a lot of this money. The unknown factors for us remain, what will our share in this area be? Os course the county will receive some monies and each taxing unit in the county should share somewhat, but the mechanics of these new taxes, the distribution, etc., have never been clearly defined. However, one should not be surprised if this is enacted and put into motion next week and also should not be surprised at the results further on down the road. It is inevitably going to happen, just when seems to be the question. F^^emembeH^M when...

1987 Two John Glenn photography students were chosen national finalists in the 1986 Reflections Project. In recogniation of the achievement Readers Digest, a national sponsor, is donating a special book, "National Wonders of the World” to the John Glenn library. These nationalists were Angie Shetland and Lori Frame. Lady falcons receiving awards at the John Glenn winter sports banquet held at school recently are Ingrid Boise, Traci Elkin, Susan McCaffery, Tammy Osborn, Tracy Ross, Tammy Rupel, Tish O'Blenis and Kristi Solmos. Boys winners at the winter sports awards in basketball and wrestling from John Glenn are Gary Butler,

Brett Schultz. Chris Scott, Dave Searfoss, Sam Borton, Rob Nickles, Willie Hostrawser, Wes Pavey, Brian Groves, Roger Spier and Chris Savoie. 1982 Rodger Smith, principal of John Glenn High School, has named Roy Kaser valedictorian and Cathy Lynn Schmeltz and Julie Gine cosalutatorians of the 1982 graduating class. The honored students were named on the basis of seven semester’s work. Rodger Smith, principal at John Glenn High School, has announced that Jim Waller has tendered his resignation as head basketball coach, effective immediately. The North Liberty Community Building Association, Inc. Board of

Directors, wish to announce the sale of the Community Building to Bill and Connie Cowan. The North Liberty Community State Bank is holding the money until it is decided what the Board of Directors and community are going to do about another community building. Orville Easterday Unit 189 Walkerton, and Edward Sousley Unit 365, North Liberty, recently selected the delegates and alternates to the American Legion Auxiliary Hoosier Girls' State for their 41st session to be held at Indiana State University, Terre Haute, June 20 • 27. Chosen as delegates from the Walkerton Unit are Kristine Kopanski and Brendda Brecht. Edward Sousley Unit 365 has chosen Katie Vander Hagen. The pairings for the 1982 Plymout Sectional were made in Indianapolis this past Sunday and the John Glenn Falcons will face arch rival La Ville in a first round game. The first game on Wednesday will pit the defending champions of the past four years, the Argos Dragons, against Culver Military Academy. Then on Friday night, in the six team tourney, the Bremen Lions, a team that has improved vastly as the season wore on and claimed a Bi-County Tourney crown as well as a winning record after a deplorable start, will meet the host Plymouth Pilgrims. 1972 The "Michiana Jazz Assemblage” is a group of adult musicians in the St. Joseph County area who are dedicated to the endorsement of "big band” music in the area. This extremely professional variety has performed extensively throughout the area and features a truly remarkable variety of styles from Dixieland to "rock”. They will be performing at North Liberty High School on March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the gym. Freshman orientation for those who will be entering John Glenn High School in the fall will be held on March 23 at 7:30 p.m. All parents and students are urged to attend this program. 1952 Pairings for the 1952 State Tourney were released today in the South Bend Sectional Walkerton’s Indians will play South Bend Central. The North Liberty Shamrocks will play Riley. Work started this week on the new Nusbaum Funeral Home which will be located on the lot just north of the present Nusbaum home and adjoining it. Officers and directors of the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce are as follows: Lester Bierly, president; Glenn Trost, vice-president; Arthur DeMyer, secretary-treasur-er; and directors are Amos Hunt. Gilbert Hartung. Wayne Cover, Nelson Walz, A. F. Williams and Karl Schmuldt. 1942 Three hundred and fifty war industry workers and their families were entertained at the official USO "Welcome to Walkerton" party on Saturday night. Damage, estimated at around $700.00, resulted from a fire in the home of Rev. Clarence Jackson, on Michigan Street, Saturday morning. An oil water heater in the kitchen had flooded causing an explosion. The United Telephone Company has completed the job of replacing the cable in the south and southwest part of Walkerton. Dr. E. R. Maierhofer, of New York City, who has been on the medical staff at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant since October, has opened an office for the practice of medicine in Walkerton during the hours he is not on duty at the plant. At present his hours at the plant are from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. The Doctor and his wife and son have moved into the Mrs. Norman Bailey home at 317 Roosevelt. Postmaster A. L. Rogers announced this morning that he has been assured that an addition will be made to the postoffice in Walk-

erton in the near future. "Dear Mr. or Ma’am" 1 am not mad that you hit and killed my dog Minnie on Friday, but I am mad that you didn’t stop or call and say that you were sorry. We live on Walkerton Trail and some people think it is a raceway. Please don’t kill a biker or walker. My family and I are sad that you couldn’t say you were sorry for an accident. Sincerely, Jacob Medich and Family Age 10 "To The Remien" Do you remember the ghost stories that you heard as a child? Stories that came around the campfire, or at the Halloween party? Perhaps you have heard of local Ghost stories and Haunted spots for years, or perhaps you might even have had an experience yourself. The Hoosier Folklore project is collecting Ghost stories, new and old, for an upcoming book called "Hoosier Haunts”. If you know of a ghost story from our state, or if you have just had an experience that you cannot explain, we would be delighted to hear from you. If you wish, your name and identity will be protected. Please write us with your name, address and a brief description of your story. Our address is: Hoosier Folklore Project P.O. Box 683 Hebron, Indiana 46341 We look forward to hearing from you! Hoosier Folklore Project "Emergencies" I am writing this letter in response to your article written on March 19, 1992 “For Emergencies Call 586-3511". First, I would like to remind Mickey Wolfenbarger that the 586 prefix covers a lot of people who live in Marshall County/Polk Township who are serviced by the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Department and that Marshall County will have 911 service on line in approximately 30 to 60 days. I urge everyone who lives in Polk Township to teach and to use 911. This is a proven system that works throughout the United States andd it will work here. I understand that there is a problem with the way 911 is set up in the Walkerton area but after speaking with Gay Township Dispatch, I feel that some of these problems could be easily resolved as they have been for other townships such as Liberty, Madison and Center. Lisa, at Gay Township dispatch, assured be that something could be done for example the use of FAX machines and remote printers along with many other options. It isn’t my place to say that these things will work for the Town of Walkerton, but I think that it is definately worth looking into. What it all comes down to is getting emergency personnel to your aide in the quickest and safest manner possible. So once again I urge you to teach and use 911. It is a proven system that works. Thank you. Jim Hillman Second Gass Firefighter Polk Twp. Vol. Fire Dept. "Respect" John Glenn School teachers and parents: take more time to teach the young people respect, respect to other people’s property and less time on a new school. You need to go back to the old one-room schools where they taught reading, writing and arithmetic and a ball bat was to play ball with not to crush mail boxes and a paddle on the teacher’s desk to use when needed, also one at home on a shelf they used when students arrived home from school and no law to tell them they could not use the punishment on child-

ren. Friday morning you parents should have taken a drive out in the country, stopped and took a good look at the mail boxes damaged. Os course you would say my kids wouldn’t do that but we do know who did it because they go back to John Glenn School and brag about the fun they had doing it. Please try to teach them ball bats are to play ball with, not to crush mail boxes. Thank you. Concerned Citizen "A Lovely Spring Day" I can always tell when spring has arrived — the birds are singing, the grass an trees are greening, and the cans, bottles and throw-a-way carry-out boxes and cups appear in the ditches! The aluminum cans seem to disappear over a day’s time. While you scavengers are collecting cans, why not clean the rest of the garbage as well? As I travel further down the road, I see chairs, sacks of trash, stoves, old rugs, and even a refrigerator. I guess that this is a form of recycling. You dump it my way and then I can move it somewhere else. Are you registered to vote yet? You have the opportunity to make a change or to agree with the present office holders, only if you are registered to vote. You can still register at your county voting offices in your courthouses. Bernie Westhues, I won’t take the blame for your letter or the credit either. It does make me feel good that someone does read my letters. Everyone has a different perspective on the buildding of a new school or not to build a new school. The most important thing about this disagreement is that we don’t want to break apart our school system or our school neighborhood. We don’t need to make enemies of our friends and neighbors. Both sides need to keep open minds and cool heads! Have you been to the Blue Lagoon? This tropical fish shop is still growing. Fred and Mary Newland have more and different fishes coming all the time. HyDra Fab at Koontz Lake is off and running. Ted Bierly can make almost any piece of equipment needed. I saw some tables that he made at the Koontz Lake Laundry and they really do the job for which they were created. The Friends of the Fourth is selling candy to raise money for the activities on the Fourth of July. Morris Searfoss and I will soon be out taking ads for the placemat, so business people beware. I understand that bingo is being played at St. Pat's on Wednesday night. Maybe I should go. I’m always good for making the pot richer. School Board members I have a question. Have you asked your voters if they want or feel the need to build a new school? Maybe a question could be placed in the paper asking this question. Well, erough muckraking for now. Sincerely, Nedra Williams NOTICE Jim’s Barber Shop, Koontz Lake, will be closed Saturday, April 4th and will reopen April 14. Thank y° u - 2tm26p Wild flowers have been known to bloom in the Arctic—even at the edge of glaciers. 55 SAVES LIVES