The Independent-News, Volume 119, Number 44, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 17 March 1994 — Page 4

4

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - MARCH 17. 1994

| EDITORIALS

BACK TO WORK! After quite a few weeks of absence, once again I am going back to work and giving you a sampling of my thoughts. The lack of editorials in the past few months has mainly been due to lack of space. A paper like ours is restricted in several ways. We must ad pages in multiples of fours, and basically, if advertising doesn’t dictate (that still pays the bills), we on more than one occasion have had to cut back the number of pages we would like to run to make it both easier to do and financially smart. We have always preferred to run the news of you the people, whether it be in the form of your direct opinions through the “Voice of the People" columns, through the schools, churches, organizations, etc. We gladly leave our own material out in such a case. Now that much of the activities have slackened off, we will find it possible to again continue the editorials, the only column that always reflects our feelings unless otherwise stated. For all practical purposes, it’s back to work again! One of my favorite pastimes, and a time I really look forward to each day, is reading the newspaper. Basically, in our situation, “The South Bend Tribune". I like to go home after work, set down with a big iced tea (until my doctor said that was a no-no), and open the daily paper. I have a definite way 1 read it, searching out the various sections to read in order. However, I do try to look pretty thoroughly through the entire paper, deciding whether or not to read the various articles. There really is not much more entertaining than real life and the stories that accompany it. Recently many interesting articles have been followed . . . the teachers strike in South Bend, the Football Hall Os Fame, the way too many violent stories of murder and attacks and the dealings that follow. Then throw in the human interest stories, and if one can’t spend at least an hour or two, it must have been a pretty slow news day. I, like most people, form my own opinions of these various matters. Perhaps the opinions are slanted due to the reporting of such, perhaps they are not fully understood due to lack of telling the story correctly. If one stops to think, the impact of the news, whether in the newspapers from “The Independent’’ on up, to the television news, the media does play an important part in how we feel and what opinions are formed. That is one of the reasons we report the Town and School Board minutes instead of our impression of the news. Telling the public what is officially recorded, is the best way we know of relating an accurate accounting of the proceedings. We will comment from time to time on many of these local or almost local events. Even though many of them take place in or closer to the cities, they still have an affect on us in many instances. But remember, if you read it here, it is our view. If you read it in a “Voice of the People’’ or other submitted type story, it does not necessarily reflect our views. In spite of this, we still must have the right to accept, reject, edit or whatever, anything submitted to us. And we do exercise this option, from “Voice" articles . . . even in happy ads, etc. Before signing off this week, I feel remiss in mentioning this matter, as it came and passed without much fanfare, but is extremely important to our area. There is a school board election this year and three of the four townships have a seat to be filled. Two candidates have filed for each of the three positions. We normally try to inform the public well in advance, as well as throughout the registration period. But this year, it completely slipped by us, something we apologize for. In case you don’t know, incumbents Nilas Miller and Gene Knowlton have filed for Polk and Lincoln Townships respectively. They will receive a challenge from Ben Smith in Polk Township and Robert Schaeffer in Lincoln Township. In Liberty Township, incumbent Dan Patrick did not enter the race. Two have filed, Diana Davis and Dave Gensinger. This is a very important and often thankless job, but it is good to see people interested enough to want to serve in this capacity. The election will be on Tuesday, May 3, with the elected trustees taking office the first of July for four year terms. Plan now to vote in this imporant election, running a school system is very big business and one of utmost importance.

Voice Os The People “Th® ‘New Car’ Syndrome And The School Board Election” Do you remember that time not long ago, when you so badly needed a more dependable car? Remember how enticing that “new car" smell was as you inspected that sleek new model on the dealer's showroom floor? What a temptation to say then and there, “I’ll take this one, right now!” And then you looked at the “sticker price"! Do you recall how quickly you found yourself out at the dealer’s “used car” lot? You looked at those 2 or 3 year old low mileage models and found that car you’re driving now; that car whose

monthly payments you can meet and still have food on the table; that car that safely, economically, and comfortably gets you to all the places you have to go? “What does that have to do with electing new School Board members,” you ask? As you evaluate the worthiness of the various candidates, and as you contact them (as it is hoped you will) to question them on and about your concerns, it would be well to use the same thought processes that you went through when purchasing that car! Prudence on the part of the Board when providing the needs for the education of our children is a must. Adequate funding without overburdening the Corporation patrons and taxpayers should be a part of a new members thinking. Since the

ultimate goal is education, it should be a part of their philosophy to provide the three basic needs required for education, which are: 1. An adequately equipped, safe, properly sized, centrally located, “environmentally friendly” facility. 2. An adequately compensated, competent, motivated teaching corp and intelligent leadership from the staff administrators. 3. A well disciplined student body, parentially aided, supported, and motivated, present each day of the school year. The facilities must be properly sized, adequately equipped, safe, comfortable, and meet State mandated standards. They do not have to be new! They should be afordable, They don’t have to be luxurious! Equipment up-dating to meet curriculum requirements is necessary! “State of the art”, No! It will be obsolete in a short time as “technology” continues to advance. Money spent to obtain and retain competent, motivated teachers is better used, than spent on bricks and mortar! Adequately equipped classrooms, supplied with motivated teachers, populated with students, well disciplined and parentialy aided and supported, Educate. Reviewing the events of the recent past that have involved the past and present School Boards and the Community, it revelas much good work has been done; mistakes made and rectified; plans made and un-made; hours of “pro bono” community input expended; sincere disagreement presented; divisive votes taken; multiple engineering studies made and presented; cost estimates generated; public hearings held; Board member resignation and court appointed replacement made; all of which has been costly both in dollars and in frustration of many! No rehabilitation has occurred, no ground has been broken, no equipment purchased! And your tax dollars have been spent, those dollars that annually comprize 43 to 53% of your real estate tax bill I With all of the foregoing in mind, it is clear that the John Glenn School Corporation needs prudent, provident and decision making members on the School Board. As you talk to the candidates, bring these requirements to their attention. Let them know that the “new car” (building) isn’t all that necessary. Make known to them that funds spent to compensate teachers can put a “good driver” (teacher) in each classroom. And, oh yes, you have amost important additional duty to perform after you’ve made your candidate contacts and decisions. Get out and vote for the candidate of your choice! Roman Brehm “Great Party” Last Saturday we went to the St. Patrick’s Corn Beef and Cabbage party. Good food. Great band. Thanks Tom for getting my favorite drink. St. Pat’s will be having Pancakes and Sausage Sunday morning. On Saturday the Grovertown Conservation Club is having fish. This is some of the best fish around. I even eat it and I don't like fish. They start serving at 4:00 p.m. My sister is in town from Kingston, Washington and I’m sure many of you will meet her. She's the skinny one of the family and I’m trying to fatten her up. Our new puppy is not getting along with the cats. We still haven't given him a name so all of you beware. Dollar General is soon to open and looking good. I’m sure happy that Main Street is filling up again. I’m still playing cards on Tuesday noon, even after last week. I’m still trying to beat Phil, but he and his partner luck out at the last minute to win. We can still use

more players, come on out and have a fun time. Have a nice St. Patrick’s Day. Sincerely, Nedra Williams WALKERTON ELEMENTARY TO JUMP ROPE FOR HEART The week of March 28 students in grades one, two and three at Walkerton Elementary School will be participating in the American Heart Association’s ’Jump Rope For Heart’ program. Students will raise funds by asking for donations to help the heart association’s fight against heart diseases and stroke, which kills more people annually than all other causes of death combined. Students will be put into jump rope teams where each team member jumps rope for two minutes (or until tiring) then passes the rope to the next teammate. Students will have the opportunity to earn great prizes for the money they raised but more importantly help reduce heart disease and stroke. Thank you for your concern, support and enthusiasm! More Walkerton History From The Historical Society The following paper was prepared by the late Mamie Beaty Hahn, remembering her early years. The paper was a gift to the Walkerton Historical Society.) Some of the things dad did in the winter and fall was digging pits to store apples, potatoes and other vegetables in, also making apple butter, butchering several hogs, cutting wood for fuel and in the cold winter days he made baskets of all kinds. They were used for pickling pickles, carrying corn to the horse and pigs, gathering eggs and smaller ones for various uses. I still have a clothes basket and a small one for eggs. He put aside logs of ash, I think, and it would lay in the sun and rain until the layers of bark separated, then he would tap them with a sledge and roll them up till winter. It was a messy job as the rolls had to lay in water so they could be worked with. Mother sewed carpet rags, made quilts and comforters for beds. Sometimes neighbors had quilting bees and enjoyed a day together. Sunday was a day of rest and Sunday School and church for us children. Dad and Mother did not go to church but expected us childand we were ready even if it meant walking a mile there. One treat for our family was when my father sang to us. Sometimes we had to coax but after he started we heard many songs. He learned by hearing them sung somewhere and had no music but had a good memory. There were marshes along the Kankakee River where tall grass grew used for pasture or cut and cured for hay. Father and the boys made stacks of hay for feed in the winter for the cows and horses. They found many rattlesnakes in the hay fields and brought the rattles home to show us. Leslie carried several for luck. Now those marshes are some of the best corn land and one seldom sees a snake in them. Mother and dad took a train trip to see Edd and Sylvia after Edward Jr. was bom and I am so glad they got to go although mother was sick a lot. (She used to have terrible headaches that lasted for two or three days.) When they reached there the boys met them. They had just arrived from the harvest fields and Orren left his whiskers on. He came up to mother and of course she did not know him and resented his familiarity until it finely came to her that it was her son, and had a good laugh. Leslie was at home with Leonard and us three girls, all of us in school. After mother died we three girls

finished high school and Leonard went to Purdue, Fannie married first, then Viola was not so well and Orren invited her to come to New Mexico. She was there less than a year. And though in school one term she came home and kept house for father until he passed away at the age of 91. She left the farm and lived in Walkerton several years. (Added note: The Beaty family lived on the Plymouth-LaPorte Trail, northwest of Walkerton at the present site of the Jasper Elkin residence. Mary Jane Gould Beaty and Wm. Henry Beaty were the parents of a large family: Mina Beaty Mull, Edward, Charles, Wm. H., Orren, Jesse, Leslie, Viola Beaty, Fannie Beaty Reeder, Elnora Beaty, Mamie Beaty Hahn and L. Leonard. The trip mentioned above was to the son Edward who lived in a western state.) M.R.T.C. Airfield To Be Called Bendix Field The St. Joseph County Airport Authority passed a resolution at their February 24 board meeting to name the airfield portion of the Michiana Regional Transportation Center after South Bend aviation pioneer Vincent Bendix. The airfield will carry the name “Bendix Held”, which was the original name of South Bend’s airiport. While the airfield will be designated Bendix Field, the name of the airport complex will remain Michiana Regional Transportation Center. In addition to air service, the Michiana transportation facility provides inter-city bus and rail passenger service. Authority president Lloyd Taylor said the airfield name was chosen to reflect the history of the airport. In 1929, Vincent Bendix purchased 410 acres on the city’s Northwest side in order to build a testing facility for the aviation-related products manufactured by the Bendix Aviation Corporation. In the elaborate ceremony attended by nearly 20,000 people, on September 6, 1933, Bendix christened the facility Bendix Municipal Airport. A few years later, in 1936, St. Joseph County acquired the airfield from the Bendix Aviation Corporation. Shortly thereafter, the newly established County Aviation Commission re-named the airfield Bendix Field, St. Joseph County. According to the airport board last Thursday, the accomplishments of Vincent Bendix and the Bendix Aviation Corporation had a tremendous impact not only on the Michiana region, but in the development of the aviation industry in the United States as well. By renaming the airfield Bendix Field, the airport board hopes to honor one of South Bend’s most prominent citizens. The Airport Authority noted in their resolution that signage bearing the Bendix Held name will be constructed and displayed at a designated area of the airfield. RARE HAMBUGERS ARE DANGEROUS (HNN) — People who eat rare hamburgers are putting themselves in jeopardy, reports Health News network Association of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons. They can be poisonous! You may remember what happened last winter in Washington state; about 450 persons became ill from eating hamburgers contaminated with E. coil b acet eri a. Three children died. The tainted Washington burgers were cooked at only 140 degrees. The federal government and many states now require 155 degrees. Ground meats, such as hamburger or sausage, are the most dangerous because grinding equipment may be contaminated. Cooked ground meat should be gray or brown in the center.