The Independent-News, Volume 118, Number 7, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 9 July 1992 — Page 4

4

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - JULY 9, 1992

| EDITORIALS!

.t^bits AND PIECES A few of our thoughts on current happenings. Everyone has their own opinion, and we are expressing a few of ours in capsule form. The situation with the traffic signals in Walkerton in the case of the Town wanting the State to take over maintenance and responsiblities due to obvious problems. However, as a part of the deal, the State wants the signal at the east intersection of U.S. 6 and 23 to be eliminated and the signal at the west intersection must be updated considerably. The part about eliminating the stop and go signal at the east intersection was debated by the Town Council with Walt Heil and Len Jaske opposing its removal, but the other three members voted to proceed with plans. Having worked at the west intersection since 1949, before the traffic signals were installed, and living on this corner as well for almost 28 years, it appears to yours truly this could cause some problems to eliminate the east stop and go light. If anything will encourage more speed through town, the loss of one of the two lights is that element. This will be especially true with the truck traffic as these drivers will quickly respond to only one signal and in many cases, speed will certainly increase especially after the business day ends. The pair of stoplights can be operated to work together to control speed but one alone will not. Only time will tell, but it seems this is a move that would lessen control of traffic in the downtown area. We also have some concern about plans to revamp the curb line on the east side of State Road 23 at Roosevelt Road (just outside our building). The curb and improvements that were put in last year were not the result of much planning or study. It certainly doesn’t take that proverbial rocket scientist to figure out the problems trucks have negotiating that corner as over the years trucks have gotten longer and longer. In fact an average sixth grader could observe this corner and sense that the trucks have trouble making this corner, especially coming from the east on U.S. 6 or the south on Indiana 23. However, those who were in charge, went right ahead and put in the higher curb, a tree with the necessary grates, etc., and a nice 4 inch pipe as a protector for this tree. Well the pipe lasted a couple of weeks. The tree did manage a little over three months and as anyone can see, the curb is being broken down from the pounding it takes by the heavy vehicles running over it. But as long as it is there, leave the curb. It does serserve one purpose, it acts as a deterent and warning to those trucks that are having trouble making this turn. In our selfish minds, we would rather have the trucks banging over this curb than banging through the corner of our building. We understand the Chamber of Commerce had a quickly called meeting a couple of weeks ago to address the subject of why businesses are leaving the downtown area and what can be done. The answer appears rather simple. If business is not good and self-supporting, it simply cannot survive. And this is brought about by business being taken out of town. Maybe the Chamber should look in a mirror and observe what can happen when business is taken out of town. They have been leading the way for sometime now. They certainly don’t lead by example. Enough of our views for now. We also have opinions of a couple of our regular readers in the “Voice” column this week. Our “Voice” column is always open to you, the public, if you just abide by our simple, but necessary rules. We must know who is responsible for the articles, names signed or delivered in person and away to contact the writer if delivered other than by hand. We will withhold names from publication upon request, but must know the origin of the article. Also, we always reserve the right to edit or refuse, if the contents are questionable in any way or the article may be libelous to a party. Names of third parties should be used with caution, this can be a real danger zone. But we do encourage you use of the “Voice” column. The U.S. newspaper with the highest circulation is the Wall Street Journal, which goes to 1.8 million people every day. BECKER BUILDER OF HECKAMANJIOMES DRIVE OUT AND SEE OUR MODEL 903 S. State St (St. Rd 23 South), North Liberty ^56-8796 369-9442 Monday Friday 900 600 - Saturday 900 300 — A Iso Drop Off For THE INDEPENDENT NEWS XAVER CLEANERS

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE “One Man’s Opinion” The brutal beating of Rodney King was shown over and over again. But the available complete film showed him resisting arrest. Eight policemen were on the scene. If his resisting arrest had been shown each time they showed the beating, would the riots have taken place? On Nightline, they gave the results of a poll saying the public approved the way the media treated Dan Quayle. Then, during the commercials at the end of the program, they said they had made a mistake — the public disapproved of the media! During the 1980 nominations, Ronald Reagan said he would cut taxes and the economy would grow its way out of the deficit. George Bush called it “voodoo” economics. In 1986, Congress cut corporation taxes form 46% to 34%. By making other changes, the cut was supposed to be revenue neutral. But now that the other changes are winding down, they can’t figure out why corporation taxes are less each year! George Bush keeps pushing for a cut in capital gains taxes. More “voodoo”! “Ask Marilyn” in Parade magazine is reputed to have the world’s highest I.Q. But Marilyn can’t figure pay raises, doesn’t have sense enough to open the door when she’s been told she’s picked the right one, and would rather do paper cut-outs when a simple proportion would do! “Average 1.Q.” “Some Personal Feelings” I was very disappointed with the poor turnout for the Church Service at the July 4th Celebration. A very nice service had been prepared for this special day. It was heart-warming to see the response for the program Sunday evening. There was much work and dedication by all who participated in the production. Congratulations to Sherry. I walked over to the park and found one of my pet peeves and that is “disposable diapers” left laying around. They have barrels placed around, surely you can walk a short distance and dispose of them properly. It was about 10:50 when we were on our way home that two cars failed to make proprer stops at Steinke's corner. So glad we had stopped. I am surprised there hasn’t been more injured at this comer. Why can’t people be more law abiding? Catherine Mullet GARTH BROOKS TO OPEN 1992 STATE FAIR CONCERT SERIES There’s no chance that the Fairgrounds Centennial Indiana State Fair would come and go without Garth Brooks. Country music’s absolutely biggest star guarantees August 13 a place in Indiana State Fair history. The guileless singer from Oklahoma, with special guest Martina Mcßride, is a guaranteed sell-out. A few months ago, the hottest star in American Music took a Grammy with his album “Ropin’ The Wind”. The album dominated Billboard 200 charts last vear. The man in the “garthantuan” BudTs Bargain Barn 617 Roosevelt Road Walkerton Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a m - 5:00 p m VARIETY OF ITEMS Something For Everyone PHONE 586-724-4 o' >B9 90

black cowboy hat who called himself “a chubby kid” also landed six Academy of Country Music awards. He’s been on a Bob Hope Special, Disney and “Empty Nest” and “Saturday Night”. Martina Mcßride, who sold Tshirts on Brooks last tour, opens Brooks’ show in the Fair’s threenight country concert series. Her debut single “The Time Has Come”, hit country music station music directors’ desks in early April; it’s the first close-captioned country video for the hearing impaired. Garth Brooks/Martina Mcßride tickets are $22.00; they go on sale at 10:00 a.m. July 18. Other State Fair concerts are: Reba McEntire/ Vince Gill, August 19, $19.50; Randy Travis/Brooks & Dunn, August 23, $19.50; and Up With People, August 18, $5.00. All phone orders should be called in to Ticketmaster. At-the-gate admission is $5.00; advance admission by August 11 is $3.00. Children 10 and under are free. Fairgrounds parking is free when available. Indiana State Fair dates are August 12-23, with 12 days of preFair activities. Advance $3.00 gate tickets are on sale statewide at all Hook Drug Stores, Krogers, Indiana Farm Bureau and county extension offices. For more information, call (317) 927-7500, or write to “Tickets”, Indiana State Fair, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205-2869. HESSTON STEAM AND POWER SHOW AMONG TOP 10 FESTIVALS Hesston Sream Museum’s Annual Steam and Power Show was recently named one of Indiana’s Top 10 Festivals in a special “Festival 500” issue of Travel Agent Magazine. The publication surveyed state tourism bureaus for their top events of special appeal to a nation-wide group of travelers, and from that list, compiled the Top 10 Festivals and Events in each state. The Hesston Steam Museum sits on 155 acres in northern LaPorte County, just minutes from Lake Michigan. The museum features one of the most varied collections of steam equipment in the country. Every weekend throughout the summer, visitors enjoy strolling among machines that once furnished the power for transportation and industry, and riding a scenic rail-

f^DR^LUOIIFRASH^^ a 413 Michigan Street Walkerton A a 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursdays a J Call 586-3722 For Appointment , 0?59? X HOME OF THE WEEK I 201 Illinois Street, Walkerton Ideal location, corner lot with many trees. Needs a few finishing touches. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath. Has new roof, some new windows, and the price is right! $32,500. /Bi ! MLS U CALL US TODAY! Success ‘Scatty 656-3002 139 North Main St. North Liberty, Ind.

road powered with vintage locomotives through acres of meadows and forests. For four days each year over Labor Day weekend, the LaPorte County Historical Steam Society holds its annual Steam & Power Show, which features demonstrations, train rides, food and family fun! Traction engines, a sawmill, grain plowing and threshing, the blacksmith shop, and more, all powered by steam, demonstrate a forgotten part of the history of industry in the Midwest. This year will be the 36th year for the show, which is scheduled for September 4-7. There is a nominal admission fee for the Steam & Power Show and a fee for train rides. FREE TREE-IDENTIFICATION GUIDE BOOK AVAILABLE FROM ARBOR DAY GROUP “What Tree Is That?”, a pocket guide for identifying trees, is available free-of-charge from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The 72-page guide will help you identify 135 different trees found in the eastern and central United States. Well-known trees are included: oaks, maples, spruces and pines. Also species such as horsechestunt and mockemut hickory, sassafras and shadbush, persimmon and pawpaw and pagodatree and pecan. Dozens of drawings illustrate the trees’ leaves or needles and their acorns, berries, seed pods, cones, etc. “What Tree Is That?” is organized to make it easy to identify trees in a simple step-by-step fashion. “Helping people enjoy and appreciate trees is central to the educational mission of the Arbor Day Foundation,” John Rosenow, the Foundation’s executive director, said. “Being able to identify trees is important to knowing how to care for them and how to plant the right tree in the right place.” To obtain your free tree ID guide, send your name and address to “What Tree Is That?", The National Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410. CARBONLESS FORMS To Fil! Your Business Needs Independent-News 601 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton