The Independent-News, Volume 119, Number 49, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 21 April 1994 — Page 4

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y - THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - APRIL 14, 1994

I EDITORIALS |

THE OLD FASHIONED WAY A couple of stories of general interest that caught our eye a couple of weeks ago brought back some memories of doing things the old fashioned way ... in this case, concerning purchases made by people all the time. First of all was an announcement that General Mills is going to cut shelf prices on several of their top brand cereals. Instead of the use of coupons for these cereals, lower prices will be posted on the shelves, doing away with the costly, but very much used coupon system. Mentioned in this news release was Cheerios, Wheaties, Whole Grain Total, Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms and Trix. These popular cereals will show lower shelf prices and no coupons will be used to entice the public to purchase them. Coupons have become a major way of retailing these days. Despite heavy use, most people would just as leave do with lower prices everyday and forget the hassle of coupons. The other major cereal producer, Kelloggs, did not respond to this announce at the time. Between these two companies, they have about 62 percent of the cereal business. As any grocery shopper can tell you, cereal is a big, big business with more brands available than a person or family could reasonably try in a long period of time. Great advertising campaigns aim at cereal eaters of all ages. They come up with all kinds of names and gimmicks to get children involved. They also aim at the mature adults, both from a healthy standpoint as well as monetary with the coupon enticements. Coupons are an expensive item for these companies. General Mills estimated they will reduce its own spending on coupons by $175 million a year. The printing, processing and handling of these color coupons is very expensive. And it is a known fact that less than two percent of all coupons circulated are ever used. Cereal is such a big part of the food business, this is the place where they have chosen to start. Despite the fact that many customers will be unhappy, probably more so because of the “doubling” so many stores do, it is still a bold and positive step taken by General Mills that may again change a trend in marketing. It may be risky, but they feel worth the effort in the Ion.; run. The second article about spending concerned a restaurant in Boston, Mirabelle, who is doing away with tipping and including the expenses in the price of a flat fee. Over the years the practice of tipping has often gotten somewhat out of control. Tipping supposedly reflects satisfaction of good service with the reward for those doing the work. However, this has long since been just considered a standard practice, regardless of what kind of service or product one gets. It has carried over to other services as well, but still food service is the major factor in tipping. Tipping can cause problems as well. There is no doubt that many waitresses and waiters make very good money on tips. This is taken into consideration when the job is offered by an employer or accepted by the individual. The tip is considered a standard part of their pay, of course the amount remains to be seen as to what type of food or beverage service is involved with the various individuals. But behind the scenes there are many others who are as important to your receiving what you expect when you order other than the person who places it on your table. Tips can be shared depending on policy of the establishments involved, but there is always that cash on the line element that can and does create problems as well as good benefits for those involved. And don’t you kid yourself, a very large amount of tips go unreported for taxes. The practice entices people to cheat even if they do not admit to that word cheating. However, do most people get a certain percentage, often rather high, of their pay they don’t report or pay taxes on? You know the answer as well as anyone else. There is a small number of eateries in the country who discourage tipping in their restaurants. And tipping is not a practive in fast food establishments. Built in fees for services can and will work and will give the business more control of the revenue. With decent wages being paid to all employees, not just the behind the scenes people, tipping could be eliminated with an established price set so you know at once what you will be paying. It could be argued that this could affect service, but if it does to any extent, someone isn’t getting their money’s worth from an employee whether it be the customer or the employer. These two situations are rather refreshing to hear as maybe, just maybe, some part of business can revert back to the “old fashioned way” . . . that being paying for what you receive without gimmicks or other enticements. It would be appreciated by many. GUEST EDITORIAL CITIES AND TOWNS Government touches our lives in a variety of ways. Federal deficits and Statehouse political matches make headlines most of the year. Meanwhile, municipal government continues to carry out its duties year-round. The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns has joined Gov. Evan Bayh in declaring April 18-22 as Municipal Govern-

ment Week in the State of Indiana. The significance of this week is to illustrate to Hoosiers that Indiana municipal officials work quietly behind the scenes to ensure that our state’s 575 municipalities, home to more than 60 percent of Indiana citizens, run smoothly. Cities and towns are the engines of the Hoosier economy, generating support to business, industry and citizens daily. This week also aims to distinguish municipal government from county, state and federal government. Although mayors, councilmembers and clerk-treasurers are often-time the most accessible of elected officials, they may have little impact on federal policy or the speed limit on a nearby state road. Municipal officials, many of whom are part-time and receive little compensation, continue to accomplish more with less. Federal and state funding for municipalities continues to dwindle, while mandates from the state and federal branches of government continue to pile up. Recently compiled data also points to the fact that Indiana collects and spends less tax revenues, per capita, than other midwestern states. Despite that, municipalities continue to provide police and fire protection, street repairs, snow removal, trash pickup, parks programs, economic development promotion and other essential services. Arguably one of the larges misconceptions about local government is: municipal government continues to drive up the local property tax. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Although municipalities do raise more than half of their revenue from the property tax, cities and towns only account for a little more than 15 percent of the statewide property tax levy (according to 1991-92 data). Municipal government creativity is alive and thriving. Whether it’s public-private partnerships to build a community building or a public official’s personal pursuit of a grant, municipal employees are dedicated to bettering the communities in which they live. Municipal Government Week is designed to help illustrate these facts and many other critical issues your municipal officials deal with on a regular basis. Take time this week to learn more about the community in which you live. An educated and involved citizenry makes our state an even greater place to live. Michael J. Quinn Executive Director Indiana Association of Cities & Towns

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE “Meet The Candidate*” As I sat through the "Meet The Candidates" session last night, Monday, April 18th, it became obvious to me that regarding our children’s education there are some glaring differences which I feel need to be told to the public. Regarding the overcrowding of Walkerton Elementary School, and the lack of classrooms at North Liberty Elementary School, Mr. Schaeffer, Mr. Gensinger and Mr. Smith, maintain that there are no problems. As a subsitute teacher in both schools I saw first hand the hardships placed upon students and staff, as I was asked to vacate the classroom I was teaching in, to let the band members practice. I also saw teachers trying to educate students in areas that were designed as storage closets or warehouse rooms. I also saw students being asked to stand in line, to wait for their lunch tray, sit down, eat their lunch, place the tray and the trash in the propery receptacle, all in a matter of 15 minutes! All of this because there is not enough instructional areas, and because there are too many students in that building. To top this off Mr. Schaeffer states "We well could grow ..." in student population which would make an already overburdened school burst at the seams. Mr. Knowlton, Mrs. Davis and Mr. Miller all believe that this is a problem and should be dealt with now. Regarding technology, Mr. Schaeffer is backing the current Urey proposal which together in 1995 and 1996, slashes the technology budget from $600,000 to $200,000. Then he goes on to say, "We need to fully implement technology", and "We have a good start in technology and need to maintain it". To me these positions seem to contradict each other. We cannot do one without seriously damaging the other. Mrs. Davis, Mr. Miller and Mr. Knowlton, maintain that the technology budget should not be cut or that if there are other means of funding them should be found before these cuts

are done. Regarding the current John Glenn School Corporation middle school philosophy, a philosophy that in part maintains a hands on education of the sixth grade students in the fields of home economics and industrial technology, Mr. Schaeffer stated that "There are no studies done which prove this philosophy to have an advantage over any other." Why then are we as a school corporation trying to fully adopt this philosophy? Why did the task force in 1985-86 recommend this philosophy? Why did the recently assembled task force in February 1993 recommend this philosophy? Why does the most current JGSC position statement of 1987 agree with this philosophy? Mr. Gensinger stated that possibly in 5 or 6 years we could move the sixth grade in with the seventh and eighth grades. He’s forgetting that the current proposal he is backing, the Urey renovation, permanently separates the sixth grade from the seventh and eighth grades. Mr. Smith didn’t seem to know anything about this philosophy, and feels that we should stay as we are, sixth grades in the elementary schools, so we can proceed with the Urey renovation. Mr. Miller, Mrs. Davis and Mr. Knowlton maintain we cannot implement this philosophy with the sixth grade permanently in the elementary school, as the current Urey proposal states. We need to plan this middle school project around this philosophy now before it is too late. It seems to me that Mrs. Davis, Mr. Miller and Mr. Knowlton are keeping the education of our students as a higher priority than the other three candidates. For the sake of our children's education please vote for Mrs. Davis, Mr. Knowlton and Mr. Miller on May 3rd. Respectfully, Jeffrey L. Johnson Patron for a Quality Education “Central Registry” I am an adoptee who has been searching for my birth mother for several years. The search has been long and difficult resulting in

dead ends and disappointments all along the way. Indiana is a difficult state, at best to conduct such a search. Several of Indiana's adoption agencies are private, which has made my personal search all but impossible. Recently, however, I discovered that there is a Central Registry in the State of Indiana. It is relatively easy to access information from there. All one is required to do is fill out the simple form and send it along with a copy of one's driver’s license to: Indiana Adoption History Registry, State Registrar of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1964, Indianapolis, Indiana 462041964. No parental consent is required for adoptees 21 years of age (or older) and there is no cost for this service. I called to inquire as to how the Registry works and was informed that once my form is received, my file would be checked. If my birth mother sends her consent form also, we will be reunited and my search will be over. It is truly simple. I have always worried that if I found my birth mother, perhaps she would not want to be found, and I’m quite sure that birth mothers are also afraid of interfering in their children’s lives. This process eliminates those fears for both parties. I urge all adoptees and birth parents to send for information at the above address or to call the Registry at (317) 633-0280. I was told that 30 to 40 of these forms are received on a daily basis. It is apparent that these people want to be found. One of them may be looking for you, the reader. I may be looking for you, especially if you gave birth to a baby girl on February 25, 1965 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Melinda S. Spice 1003 S. Van Buren Auburn, IN 46706 (219) 925-6308 CONSUMER ALERT Attorney General Pamela Carter warns parents that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled several crayons imported from China. Recalled crayons contain lead and may be a poisoning hazard to young children who chew or eat them. Carter says, "Take these crayons away from your children immediately and throw them away or return them to the store for a refund." Lead has long been recognized as a hazardous substance, especially to young children and fetuses. Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and can impair mental functioning. It can retard mental and physical development and reduce attention span. The nation's top-selling crayon brands, Crayola and Rose Art, are safe. They have been tested for lead content and certified as nontoxic. The recalled crayons and their importers are: • Jumbo Crayons. Concord Enterprises, Los Angeles. • Safe 48 Non-Toxic I’m A Toys R Us Kid! Crayons. Toys R Us, Paramus, N.J. • 12 Crayons, Glory and 18 Crayons That Paint Conforms A STM D-4236. Glory Stationery Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Los Angeles. • 64 Crayons, School Quality No. 8064. A. J. Cohen Distributors, Hauppauge, N.Y. • 64 Crayons CR64-64 CT. Baum Imports, New York City. • 12 Super Jumbo Crayons. Dynamic Divisions of Agora International, St. Albans, N.Y. Almost every political speech has a happy ending — everyone is glad when it’s over. The oldest town of European orgin in the United States is St. Augustine, St. John’s County, Florida, founded in 1565 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles.