The Independent-News, Volume 118, Number 8, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 16 July 1992 — Page 1

The Independent-News

VOLUME 118; NUMBER 8

WALKERTON TOWN BOARD NEWS The Walkerton Town Council met at 7:00 p.m. on July 6, 1992 with the following members present: Gene Reese, Gordon Hartsell, Cheryl Rizek, Walter Heil and Leonard Jaske. Attorney David Holmes and clerk-treasurer Judy Hiler were also present. The minutes were approved as read. The public hearing to adopt a billing rate schedule for the Fire Department was held. Resolution No. 1992-E, A Resolution Authorizing the Assessment of User Fees for Fire Calls was accepted on a motion by Len Jaske who also stipulated that the Fire Department is to do the billing and collect the money. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. The Fire Protection Agreement, with Lincoln Township, will be discussed at a later date. Monthly Reports: The monthly Police and Work Order reports were accepted by the Council. Police chief Gassensmith asked the Council to approve the hiring of a new standby dispatch operator, Tonya Marie Annis. Annis was given a very good reference by the principal at John Glenn High School. Gene Reese made the motion to approve the hire of Annis. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. Gassensmith reported that the Police Department has been keeping a daily gas log and has found that the gas prices at Welco are always the lowest. Gene Reese made the motion to allow dispatch to call for gas prices just once a week, on Mondays. Seconded by Len Jaske. Carried. Gassensmith told the Council that our radio tower was severely damaged by the storm, and he had gotten an estimate of $5,580.00 for replacing the tower. Gassensmith went on to say that if a gust could take down one of the wires we would be without radio communication. After checking with the clerk, it was decided to go ahead and schedule the replacement of the tower. Gene Reese asked if we are sure that the people who are going to do the work are going to do the best quality job for the price. Gassensmith answered that the company doing the repair work was recommended by Motorola. The clerk has contacted our insurance company, but was unable to find out what the coverage is on the tower. Attorney Holmes said the radio towers are usually separately scheduled, and it will probably show what it had originally cost and not a replacement value. Reese asked Gassensmith to call someone else to get an estimate, to see if the quote we have is reasonable. Holmes advised that in an emergency situation, such as this, you can stipulate that the job has to be done right away when you solicit quotes, and make that a part of the specifications. Gassensmith is purchasing six new portable radios for the Police Department, with the monies coming out of several ddifferent funds. Gene Reese made the motion to accept Resolution No. 1992-F which allows Gassensmith to spend (continued on Page 9)

MIDDLE SCHOOL ISSUE It is very seldom we revert to a front page editorial, but the recent John Glenn School Board-reorganization and first meeting, carried news that has been on the minds of many for quite some time. The biggest news to come from the July 7th meeting was the news of the approval of a resolution to revoke the lease for a new middle school. The five to two vote to approve this resolution came as no surprise as incumbents Nilas Miller and Gene Knowlton continued their support of the new middle school project while Dan Patrick and the four newly installed members adopted the resolution to cancel the lease dated March 3. Just what does this mean to the John Glenn School Corporation? First of all, it means that the overwhelming support of these four campaigns has been answered as they openly campaigned against the new middle school project as it was proceeding. Next it means we are almost back to square one. The action doesn’t mean nothing is going to happen, and if the current school board acts as anticipated, they will put more long hours of study and work towards solving any serious problems the corporation may have. It is also our belief that this action will show the people of the John Glenn School Corporation, they now have leadership in the superintendent’s office that will act very professionally, taking everything into stride and striving to work out any problems that exist. After the election stories were flying around that the latest of our long list of superintendents in a short time, David McKee, would also be moving on. This was just that, a rumor without fact. True, Mr. McKee knew very well where the Board stood on such matters when he took the job and probably anticipated the work ahead in following their plans. But as the change came about, he didn’t take his ball and go home just because those that choose him for this position were defeated in their efforts to continue along the previous plans. He is carrying on in a good positive manner and did not get caught in the revolving door that had been present in the superintendent’s office the past few years. In fact, at the same meeting when it came time for the superintendent’s report, Mr. McKee recommended a plan to form a community task force for the improvement of educational opportunities for students in the John Glenn School Corporation. This proposed task force would address such matters as the educational program and grade orgainization for middle school students, utilization of all schools to determine current and future facility needs, technological needs of the school corporation and implementation of technology into the curriculum and assess the financial cost facilities and the corporation’s financial ability to pay for any needed improvements. He suggested this task force be composed of approximately 50 community members covering a wide spectrum with some appointed by board members, some by teachers and volunteers, John Glenn School Board members and some administrators. This action must be accepted by the Board, but certainly their interests in the overall picture could not argue with what Mr. McKee has recommended as the superintendent. Community interest in the schools is probably at an all time high. That was obvious at the recent election. This made the second election of board members in a row that controversy had a big part in and the fact that the public is very interested is a healthy situation. The John Glenn School Corporation is not alone in this area. It is of great interest all over the area as the public is becoming more aware and more vocal about their schools and the tax dollars it takes to run them. What lies down the road is anyone’s guess. It is a fact that some changes will have to be made sometime as the changing times and conditions that affect the educational process will continue to dictate change. Involving more people and keeping the matter more open to the public have to be positive steps for the school corporation and public as well. As always, our columns are at their disposal to help in any way we can. We hope progress continues, but continues at a pace that everyone can and will live with. We have a very good small school corporation. We don’t want to erode this opportunity that is given the youth of our area. Timing can be so important in any issue and the timing of the middle school project certainly was bad when the program unfolded. Time can be an ally or it can be an enemy. Let’s hope that whatever time it takes to continue along the way is time well spent, despite what may appear to be hardships and setbacks, time can heal a lot of wounds. The decision has been made, the time is now to continue for the betterment of all, students, teachers, taxpayers and the general public. The best use of what we have can result in the best plans along future lines. A big job always faces such a group, now is the time for it to continue for the best results for all.

WALKERTON, INDIANA 46574

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992

RECYCLING DAYS JULY 16 & 17 IN NORTH LIBERTY The North Liberty Recycling Committee is happy to announce that we will now be able to accept several new items at our monthly recycling dates. The next recycling dates are Thursday, July 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, July 17 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the North Liberty Community Building. Items can only be accepted at these times, do not try to bring them earlier or on different dates. We have been having this happen too often and the items can only be put into the trash. If there are no volunteers at the site, we are not open. Items we are collecting are: STYROFOAM: We will be able to accept styrofoam food containers, egg cartons, cups, plates and foam packing peanuts and shells. These items must be well cleaned and flattened or stacked. We ask tht you please bag all styrofoam items together. MIXED PAPER: This area includes junk mail (but no window envelopes) and chipboard — cereal boxes and other food boxes. We ask that you please separate from the other paper and remove any liners. These items may be put into brown paper bags. OFFICE PAPER. We will now accept copy paper, notebook paper, computer paper, and stationery. These items must be clean, dry, and bagged or boxed separately. ALUMINUM: Cans should be rinsed clean and smashed. Scrap aluminum such as foil and pie pans should be rinsed clean and folded up. Other scrap aluminum such as lawn chair and screen door frames should be broken down and have all screws and screens removed. The cans must be kept separate from all the scrap. NEWSPAPER: These must be clean and dry and put into brown paper bags or cardboard boxes. No magazines, glossy ads, or phone books can be taken. CORRUGATED CARDBOARD: These must be clean, dry and unwaxed. Please remove all staples and tape and fold them flat. GLASS: We can accept only unbroken glass jars — no window glass, light bulbs or dishware. Please rinse clean with warm soapy water and remove all caps and rings. We accept clear, brown and green glass. Please separate these by colors. PLASTICS: We can only accept milk jugs, soda bottles, laundry detergent and fabric softner bottles. Please remove the lids, wash with warm water and crush flat. We can only accept the item listed above — we can no longer accept other plastic items even though the code numbers are similar on the bottom. We ask that you please comply with these rules that have been requested of the committee. FOOD CANS: This category includes tin and steel cans. Please wash clean, partically cut out the top and bottom, fold lids into can and smash flat. Please leave lids partially attached to the can. We cannot accept scrap metal. Antarctica had a tropical climate during prehistoric times, warm enough to support abundant vegetation

25 c PER COPY

JOHN GLENN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES OATH OF OFFICE — NEW BOARD MEMBERS School Board member Nilas Miller administered the Oath of Office to new School Board members Shirley Anderson, Thomas R. Bradford, Rob Keck and John A. McGee. The new School Board members signed the Oath of Office which is on file with the Board minutes. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Board of School Trustees of the John Glenn School Corporation met in regular session on July 7, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. in the John Glenn High School. All members were present. The School Board, superintendent and 23 observers began the meeting with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES A motion was made by John McGee, seconded by Tom Bradford, to appoint Dan Patrick as School Board president. The motion passed by a five to two vote with Gene Knowlton and Nilas Miller voting no. A motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by John McGee, to appoint Rob Keck as vice president. The motion passed by a five to two vote with Gene Knowlton and Nilas Miller voting no. A motion was made by John McGee, seconded by Tom Bradford. to appoint Gene Knowlton as secretary. The motion passed by a seven to zero vote. A motion was made by Gene Knowlton, seconded by John McGee, to appoint Darlene Flora as treasurer. The motion passed seven to zero. A motion was made by Nilas Miller, seconded by John McGee, to appoint Nancy Chapman as deputy treasurer. The motion passed by a seven to zero vote. A motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Rob Keck, to appoint Tom Bradford as Legislative Liaison. The motion passed by a seven to zero vote. A motion was made by John McGee, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to establish the regular meeting dates as the first and third Tuesdays of each month with a starting time of 7:30 p.m. The motion passed by a seven to zero vote. Nilas Miller made a motion, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to maintain School Board salary at the present rate of $2,000 per year. The motion passed by a seven to zero vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Gene Knowlton, seconded by Nilas Miller, to approve the School Board minutes for the regular session of June 16, 1992 and for executive sessions on June 2, June 15 and June 27, 1992. The motion passed by a seven to zero vote. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS 1,101 - 1,116,1,117-1,166 A motion was made by Rob Keck, seconded by Dan Patrick, to approve claims numbered 1,101 through 1,1106 and 1,117 through 1,166. The motion passed by a (continued on Page 12)