The Independent-News, Volume 119, Number 52, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 12 May 1994 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - MAY 12, IW4

| EDITORIALS |

PRIORITIES Priorities ... a word Webster has several definitions for which include: quality of being prior; superior in rank, position or privilege; order of preference based on urgency, importance or privilege, etc. Priorities are something that also will change from person to person, from group to group, country to country, and so on, depending on the issue at hand. Several timely items have been in the news lately that often makes one wonder about priorities. It must be explained however, that many priorities are based on decisions made and established previously, not necessarily the priorities one would prefer in a particular situation. Our local area is one example. The past few years there have been happenings that may question ones priorities in regards to a couple of situations. And yet, these priorities are dictated by other elements not always in our control. The recent School Board election is one. It is no secret that one consensus of opinion established a priority to build a new middle school to alleviate the overcrowding situation that presented itself in recent years due to decisions made in the past. The other side of the coin was those whose priority was to use existing facilities, save a lot of taxpayer dollars and employ a renovation and addition program to ease the crunch. In both cases, prior decisions forced the different avenues of thinking. How one’s priorities entered in caused for the differences of opinion that led to another rather heated battle for positions on the John Glenn School Board. To us, the number one priority is still the overall education of the student. It is still more important what is in the classroom rather than what the classroom looks like. We hope the newly elected board members and the current incumbents will work together and finally complete the final pieces of this puzzle. That is the number one priority. Also, we have often questioned the priority of recent actions that put new sidewalks in the business district of Walkerton. We are not saying this wasn’t a very good improvement to the business area, but it rather makes one wonder if the putting of “colored” cement at quite an additional price, the inlays of bricks, which added much to the costs, and other possibly questionable planning was all that necessary when the Town of Walkerton has been trying, and is still trying, to put sewers to residents of the town. A lot of area of Walkerton is not included in the utility programs. Some of jhese improvements are necessary for growth and expansion of commercial, industrial and residental progress. It is true, the money received on the grant was intended only for the downtown improvement program. But here again, one has to question why our tax dollars, whether they go to the local governmental units, the state or the federal government, must have so many rules and regulations attached to it, not even to mention the extreme high cost of administration whenever you get to such a level. It would be nice to collect a certain amount of tax dollars locally, and be able to use that tax money as we locally see fit. We will never witness that day. This is also true somewhat with some of our neighbors. For example, there is no doubt the recent stories about the new Football Hall of Fame, the expansion of Notre Dame’s football stadium, and such improvements such as this are good for the community and also with outreaching advantages to the surrounding area. And yet the sad story of the South Bend Community Schools having to cut back both in staff and in programs and hearing the situation they and other school corporations are in, makes one wonder a little just where are priorities are. The same amount of money spent on some of these interests would go a long way to ease the situation that apparently exists in the schools and in other areas, such as crime, drug and protection programs. As long as we have a free land, we will have varying priorities, some which we may agree with and some we may not in our minds think is justified. It all depends on what your priorities are. One man’s priorities might be another man’s nightmare, but that’s the way it is and that’s the way it will remain. We just hope our leaders priorities are in the proper prospective for the betterment of all. GUEST EDITORIAL SOBERATION The Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving and the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana are introducing a new word into teen lingo this spring: Soberation. It sounds and means the same as celebration, but leaves the alcohol and other drugs out of prom and graduation. “The three leading causes of death and injury among teenagers: motor-vehicle crashes, homicide and suicide are all associated with alcohol and other drug abuse. Soberations is Indiana’s response to growing national evidence that protecting the future of our communities begins with protecting our youth, ’ said Governor Bavh in introducing the word in late March. The Soberation campaign enlists educators, local drug-free coordinating councils, business, youth and service organizations in proving that prom and graduation celebrations without alcohol and other drugs are just as fun as traditional celebrations involving alcohol and other drugs, but that partici-

pants in Soberations will live to remember their good times. Soberation materials are designed to supplement existing community efforts and raise overall statewide awareness during what has traditionally been a high-risk season for Indiana youth. Os Indiana high schools seniors, 85 percent have used alcohol and 35 percent have used marijuana, according to a 1993 survey by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center. Over a third of Hoosier high school seniors reported consuming five or more drinks in a row on a single occasion (binge drinking). Among teenagers who binge drink nationwide, 58 percent do so when they are upset and 37 percent do so to feel high. Prom and graduation are highly emotional and exciting times in a young adult’s life when the risk of experimentation with alcohol and other drugs grows. Studies reveal that alcohol and other drugs can trigger rowdy, aggressive, or even violent behavior, impairing judgement and perception of risks associated with reckless actions. “The whole community is affected when a promising Hoosier youth celebrates prom or graduation by dying in a senseless motor vehicle crash. As individuals and communities, we need to make sure we’re not teaching our teens that celebration means getting drunk and throwing away all respect for human life and laws designed to protect it,” said Jeff Modisett, Marion County Prosecurot and Chairman of both the Commission and the Council. Modisett cited the recent change to Indiana’s anti-consump-tion laws which calls for automatic suspension of the driver’s license of a minor found to be consuming, possessing or transporting alcohol while operating a motor vehicle as a step in increasing perceptions of risk associated with illegal consumptions. Awareness of this law is a centerpiece of state public information efforts surrounding Soberations. Entire communities may perpetuate the myth that “a few drinks on a special occasion won’t hurt”, with some parents actually supplying alcohol to their teens. Tales of local traditions surrounding prom and graduation sometimes include alcohol and other drug consumption, as well. Educators assigned the task of increasing drug awareness among students are hard-pressed to counter strong messages from the home, popular media and communities in general. Soberations solicits the aid of the school alcohol and other drug coordinators to encourare community-wide support. Businesses play a critical role in preventing underage consumption. Although training programs for servers statewide teach screening skills, a recent sting operation of the Deleware County Teenage Alcohol Prevention (T.A.P.) program showed that minors were able to purchase alcohol at 21 out of 57 retail outlets. Two-thirds of teens nationwide report that they can buy their own alcoholic beverages. Advertising is yet another arena where busipes.s^ are ahle to influence teens by defining celebrations. Nationally, 56 per cent of students in grade 5 to 12 say that alcohol advertising encourages them to drink. Indiana’s Soberation campaign counters these messages with point-of-purchase and media messages sponsored by local businesses. Youth perceptions of risks and consequences of alcohol and other drug use show that less than a quarter of Indiana high school seniors strongly disapprove of people under the age of 2I taking one or two drinks occasionally, despite its illegality. Less than half stongly disapprove the binge drinking every weekend, an attitude that is certain to soften even farther during prom and graduation season. The Deleware County T.A.P. survey showed that older peers do little to counter these attitudes. With the advent of their 21 st birthday, many “buddies” become alcohol and other drug suppliers for their younger friends. The Soberation campaign hopes to create a peer-directed prom or graduation message with a statewide bumper sticker contest open to all high school students, using a SI,OOO U.S. Savings Bond donated by the Hoosier Alliance Against Drugs as grand prize incentive. lor information on Soberations, please contact the Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana at 317/232-4219 or the Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving at 317/232-1295.

Ivy Tech Graduates 317 Ivy Tech State College awarded diplomas to 317 Associate of Science Degree, Associate Degree and Technical Certificate graduates uring the college’s commencement exercises May 6 at O’Laughlin Auditorium, Saint Mary's College. Philip Newbold, president, president of Memorial Hospital, South Bend, delivered the commencement address, “21st Century Jobs: Managing Change and Lifelong Learning.’’ He focused on the rapid transformation of the work place and the need to hone knowledge and skills that keep pace with this transformation. Graduates receiving Associate in Applied Science degrees include: Judith A. Cole, Accounting Technology with highest honors; Lance C. Dunn, Business Management with honors; and Judith A. Mercer, Medical Laboratory Technology with honors, all of Walkerton. Graduates receiving Associate of

Science Degrees in Nursing include: Tamera Jean Andrews and Cynthia Lou Holtz, both of North Liberty. Graduates receiving Technical Certificates include: Bridget Ann Barden, Practical Nursing and Melissa G. Barden. Practical Nursing. both of North Liberty; Tamara Kay Cauffman, Medical Assistant with honors, and Mary Van Blaricom, Practical Nursing, both of Walkerton. OREGON-DAVIS KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. for the Oregon-Davis Kindergarten orientation. The child may attend with the parent. A child must be 5 years old by June 1, 1994 to attend in the Fall. There will be a tour of the building and classroom. Screening appointments will be made at this time for May 19. Please bring a legal birth certificate and immunization record when you bring your child for screening on May 19.

More Walkerton History From The Historical Society Being located eventually, at the intersection of three major railroad systems, Walkerton had the oppor tunity of considerable business enterprise. The first railroad to be con structed was the Cincinnati, Peru and Chicago in 1856, followed by in 1873 with the Baltimore and Ohio and lastly, the Indiana, Illinois and lowa in 1894. As many as 12 regu lar trains passed through Walker ton daily on one of the railroads with eight to 12 more on the other road. This was in 1886. As early as 1886-87, a considerable business was brought to the community. The H. J. Heinz Company constructed a pickle salt ing factory building covering a quarter of an acre. The building had a capacity of 48,000 bushels of locally grown pickles using 48 1,000 bushel tanks. Local farmers were contracted to raise the product. It was a common sight during harvest to see dozens of teams of horses pulling the loaded wagons, waiting their turn to unload. Later, in 1900, the Atwood Brothers Pickle factory was doing business in the east end of town. This one closed at the opening of World War I. Before the Kankakee River was dredged and drained, a huge market was needed for the marsh or slough.hay. This hay was baled and shipped for the purpose of packing material and for the manufacture of binder twine. Over 100 tons of hay was a common harvest amount for one local farmer. From the latter 1800 s to the early 1900 s, the area huckleberry marshes provided income for many peo pie. Thousands of acres were harvested with some of the product being shipped over the railroads. The marshes burned iik Mw IwOs, never to yield the vast amounts of berries. In the early 1900 s, mint and onions became major crops for the area farmes. The newly-arrived Belgian families introduced the mint plants with hundreds of acres being planted. Another great farm product was the introduction of onions. Many area farmers farmed their land and also rented fields for the raising of onions and mint. A cut glass factory began constructing a considerable size building in 1910. This business was located on a spur of one of the three railroads where they intersect. The Central Cut Glass Company employed 100 skilled workers who took the imported blank glass pieces and with their skill and imagination, cut the design on the items. Fire consumed the building in 1919. Other glass factories in Walkerton were the Hoosier Cut Glass, 1921-1926 and the Anderson Cut Glass in the early 1900 s. The Folsom Iron Works and the Walkerton Ladder Factory also, were early industries of the town. The Hardenbrook Brothers Bottling Works will be recognized with various pictures and bottles. Do you remember the "Doll Maker”? As a hobby, Maurice Fitzgerald expertly made dolls, one of which will be displayed. Attention All G.E.D. Class Students Attention: All adults who have attended G.E.D. classes this school year (1993-94). All books and materials must be returned on or before Wednesday, May 18 to Mr. Kickbush at John Glenn High School. Payment will be required for books not returned. Classes for this school year will end on Wednesday, May 25 and will begin again on the first Monday after Labor Day, September 12. Concerns may be directed to Mr. Kickbush at John Glenn High School. 586-3195.