The Independent-News, Volume 119, Number 45, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 24 March 1994 — Page 4

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THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - MARCH 24, IW4

EDITORIALS

BITS AND PIECES Today there is such a variety of happenings and events heading the news, one can get into a discussion about almost any topic they want and be talking of current events. From the national scene in Washington, to world affairs, to local matters to sporting events, it is all there . . . and most of it is to sas the least, interesting. Discussing these matters, we like everyone else, hase opinions and questions that aren’t always answered about mans of these esents. Some issues have a tendency to upset us a little bit, others make one wonder what kind of a world we live in, while still others might bring satisfaction as things unfold in a manner we appreciate. Jumping around the news, we will mention a few facts that in one way or another, leave a bad taste in the mouth. Probably the one item that bothered as much as any lately, was the teachers strike in South Bend. What bothers most is, not the money. It was the other aspects. People took sides in this issue depending on their own personal thoughts, but in doing so, often failing to even consider the other side. The comment made that “respect” was the issue is pure bunk. Money was the issue any way you look at it. If respect was such an issue, why was this not stated in the settlement? And one might ask, where was the respect to go against the law, whether one feels it is right or wrong? Where was the respect in disregarding a court order? Where was the respect for the others in name calling, carrying the actions beyond the workplace of the schools by picketing private homes, etc. This affects family as well as the individuals targeted. Where was the respect for the parents of the students who had to make other plans during the strike? And most important, where was the respect for the students, the ones who suffered the most? It all got settled as we knew it would eventually. The settlement was claimed as a victory for the teachers by their union and participants. However, never has it been said following such an action, “We got what we want and deserve, now we will be better teachers”. It just doesn’t happen that way as increased pay doesn’t guarantee a thing as far as better quality of teachers or even of better effort by those involved. Concerning the Football Hall of Fame, it seems to many that the best “end run” of the entire project was performed by Mayor Kernan as he dodged here and there from the original plans to give a solution to the funding problem quite different than had long been promised. It is a big project, and one that represents quite a gamble for the city of South Bend. No one wants failure, but this project’s true success will not be measured until years down the road. If this project doesn’t involve additional tax dollars in time, there will be many surprised. The long-going Tonya Harding - Nancy Kerrigan issue might never die. If any one news item became more and more of a topic for discussion, and one that got to be more resented, we don’t know what it was. And who are we, the public, making the hero? Neither of the two has come out “sparkling” in the minds of the people, but both are going to come out of it smelling like roses financially. And one of the sad parts is we may never know if Tonya Harding was really guilty. With her plea of guilty to a lesser charge has freed her from further judicial action in this case. Whatever is said by those involved, there will still always be that shawdow of a doubt. We have created monsters with professional athletes and people in the public eye. Somewhere, sometime, there is going to be a big fall for a lot of these over paid, pampered people. Many of them are very nice, and are taking advantage of the situation when it is here, but if we look back, where have our priorities gone in this crazy world we live in today. As we continually put so much emphasis on winning, these situations will continue to be present and expand until they eventually eliminate themselves. It just can’t continue as it is today! Some positive news is that it really looks and feels good to see traffic uptown in Walkerton again! The opening of Dollar General on Monday has created interest and traffic. We hope this venture is very successful as this is basically an “anchor” store for the downtown area. Traffic will breed business for the other stores and we hope all goes well for the new venture as well as the still present businesses in our downtown area.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE “Dear Patrons Os The John Glenn School Corporation” As the March 15th school board meeting Mr. McKee presented to the School Board and to the community, a plan for renovating Urey Middle School, an addition to Urey Middle School, a new administration office, and major improvements to our athletic facilities at the high school. The total cost of this project is projected to be about 7.8 million dollars. A new administration building is long overdue. We have been working out of a building that is too small and totally inadequate for far

too long. We have been putting this project off until we could make a decision on Urey Middle School. The improvements on the athletic facilities at the high school also are long overdue. We have been putting this off until we could make a decision on the middle school. This now brings us to the decision of whether to continue to use Urey as a school. Urey Middle School was built in the early 1940'5. It is a very sturdy building. Many people have said if a tornado were to hit Walkerton, Urey would be the safest place to be. This may be true, but it is not a reason to keep a building. Is Urey suitable for housing and educating the students of our community? Are we as a School

Board, and a community, willing to spend 5.5 million dollars on a building that is almost 50 years old? This is a question 1 have been struggling with for quite sometime. I know that a new facility located close to the high school is the best solution. However, it is also the most costly. Should we spend 5.5 million at Urey or should we again look at the high school site. These are very difficult questions. These are decisions we have to make. We are seeking public input on the middle school project. We will be meeting in a working session March 29th to discuss Mr. McKee’s proposal and hear public input. We will also meet on April Sth in regular session and again will hear public input. Please believe that we do listen to your input. It is very important in helping us reach a decision. I hope that if you have an opinion you will come to one of these meetings or contact me or someone else on the School Board. Your opinion does matter. Thank you. Gene Knowlton School Board Member Lincoln Township “Help” We need help in finding a boyfriend for Martha and Goblette. We don’t care what color he is, but he must be a willing and responsible parent. We went to the Walkerton Sale Barn last night to find a mate for our turkeys, but the choices were limited. So if any of you have a reasonably priced Tom Turkey, give us a call. Quackers has taken very quickly to his new ladies. He also has driven off the other drake, so if anyone needs a male duck, we have one for sale. Many of you have met my sister Pat. Now you know why 1 am the way that I am. She doesn't understand that I expect her to remember everyone's name. Today we visit the new Dollar General. It looks great from the outside, and I am rather curious about the inside. Don't forget the card game at Al's on Tuesday. Phil needs more opponents. I almost beat him and then I go and flub up and lose again. We attended the last of the year Pancake and Sausage breakfast last Sunday at St. Pat’s. I think maybe it is a good thing that it is the last for the season. Jeff was throwing the pancakes around. 1 certainly hope that they were in the same mood when all of you came to eat. All of you drivers remember that the schools are out for spring break. There are kids all around. Sincerely, Nedra Williams STEAM ENGINE TRAIN EXCURSIONS AVAILABLE With a round trip on April 9 from Huntsville, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee, Norfolk Southern will launch its 28th year of steam train excursions. Until mid-November Norfolk Southern plans to operate 45 trips in parts of 14 states, according to Carl S. Jensen, manager of steam operations. In 1993, more than 45,000 persons rode on 40 trips, he noted. The NS steam excursions will run in parts of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee. Virginia and West Virginia. Excursions will be sponsored by local chapters of the National Railway Historical Society and by railroad clubs and museums. Most will be powered by the NW streamlined steam locomotive 611. The 1994 schedule is available at no charge from: Carl S. Jensen, Manager, Steam Operations, Norfolk Southern, 110 Franklin Rd. SE, Roanoke, VA 24042-0002. After the Revolutionary War, Florida was the only part of the Southeastern North America that did not belong to the United States.

More Hoosiers Buckling Up Safety belt usage is on the rise in Indiana, according to the Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving. Governor Bayh and Jeff Modisett, Marion County Prosecutor and Chairman of the Council, announced the release of data showing that 56 percent of Hoosiers “buckled up" in late 1993. Governor Bayh said "We’ve all heard the tragic, heart-wrenching stories, and most Hoosiers know someone whose life would be vastly different had then been buckled up at the one crucial moment. Though the new data is encouraging, Indiana travelers should still take those stories to heart and refuse to put their lives and the lives of their children at the mercy of the weather, road conditions and other drivers," said Governor Bayh. State Perspectives Released in January by researchers at Indiana University/Purdue University, the study revealed the highest useage rate on record, but Bayh noted that it still falls short of the 1993 national average of 66 percent and leaves much room for improvement. Nationally, the Secretary of Transportation has targeted 75 percent usage by the year 1997. The Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving sees this as a challenging but reasonable goal within Indiana as well. "One hundred percent safety belt usage is not an unreasonable goal here in Indiana,” said Jeff Modisett, chairman of the Council. "Every single time a person climbs into a motor vehicle, statistics prove that they should not feel secure until they have buckled up." Modisett added that much of the pain, suffering, loss of productivity, civil costs and property damage associated with traffic crashes could actually be prevented. The Roadside Observation Survey of Safety Belt Use in Indiana monitors safety belt usage in the front seat of passenger cars according to gender, age, geographical location and other factors. In addition to the statewide average, six other data elements tracked in the survey showed highest use rates ever, while nine data elements showed the second-highest use rates on record. Awareness bane Although this is the third consecutive survey wave in which a previous statewide average use rate has improved, detailed survey data reveals entrenched misperceptions which persistently undermine occupant protection efforts. “Many Hoosiers still believe that it isn't necessary to buckle up unless they are taking a long trip. Other find that it is just too difficult and feel the risk of injury to themselves or their kids is not worth the inconvenience," said Council Executive Director Jim Patton. This kind of thinking is typical of the misperceptions about where and when violent death, maiming or ejection related to traffic crashes occurs. In reality, three out of four crashes happen within 25 miles of home and at speeds of 45 miles per hour or less. Two out of five actual deaths in car crashes occur at speeds less than 45 miles per hour and have been known to occur at speeds as low as 12 miles per hour, according to national statistics. There is also growning awareness that the issue of inconvenience is immaterial when compared to the consequences of non-use: property damage, loss of productivity, death, dismemberment, pain and suffering. Many of the current efforts state and nationwide are now pointed toward the parttime user who claims that it is unnecessary or inconvenient to use a safety belt. Indiana va. the Nation Other states have successfully overcome misperceptions by rais-

ing public awareness, toughening legislation, and cracking down on violators. For example, Hawaii leads the nation with safety belt usage rates over 80 percent. In that state, the safety belt law is a primary law covering every vehicle registered in the state. Agressive enforcement and marketing efforts support the legislation, leading directly to greater awareness and usage. The Indiana safety belt law applies only to the front seats of passenger cars and is a secondary law. The Child Passenger Restraint Law, which this year celebrated its tenth lifesaving year, is a primary law which requires that children from birth to 3 years of age ride in federally-approved, properly used child safety seats and that children 3 to 5 years old use either a safety seat or safety belt. Overall, the statewide use average has improved considerably from the April 1987 baseline figure of 21.9 percent. This data does not yet include interstate highway usage rates, which are historically high. Indiana University/Purdue University researchers are now revamping survey methodology in order to provide more uniform grounds for comparison to other states in the nation. Age as a Key Factor Results show that the older the person, the greater the likelihood of safety belt usage. Senior adults aged 55 and older were most likely to wear safety belts - 60.1 percent of those surveyed. This is a continuation of the striking reversal encountered in the June 1987 survey. Before that, seniors were consistently the lowest belt usage age group. Age also plays a factor with protection rates among children who must rely on those with whom they travel to protect their lives by enforcing saffety belt usage. Infant occupant protection device usage is the highest in any category at 100 percent, but this commitment to children’s wellbeing apparently deminishes as children grow. The small child age group (1-5 years) showed 74.1 percent usage, down 3.8 percent from September, 1992. Children 6-15 were restrained only 57.4 percent of the time, showing the largest decrease. Actual usage in these categories is probably lower, and national studies show that 70 percent of automobile crash deaths and 67 percent of injuries to children could be prevented if they were properly secured. Young adults 16 • 34 years old showed only 48.6 percent usage. Although this was the third consecutive increase, this rate continues to be significantly lower than the use rates of those age 35 and older. Geographic area plays a role in survey results, with less populated counties showing smaller consecutive increases in seatbelt usage, as well as a lower overall usage rate than medium counties. The same is true of medium counties when compared to large counties. UsUsage across the state was virtually homogenous north to south and east to west. Patton believes that the survey results show sustained commitment to occupant protection on the part of the state government, law enforcement, communities and individuals. A portion of the grant money awarded annually by the Council goes to occupant protection programs such as the Automotive Safety for Children Program at Riley Hospital, which recently won a Community Appreciation for Service in Public Enlightenment and Relations (CASPER) award. Patton also praised the impact of "Operation Buckle Down," a cooperative effort spearheaded in Indiana by the State Police and the Council. The study and other information on occupant protection is available from the Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving by contacting Gina Voorhies at (317) 232-1308.