The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 24, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 27 October 1994 — Page 4

4

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - OCTOBER 27, 1994

| EDITORIAL

THAT TIME.QNCE AGAIN The last Sunday in October marks the time for clocks to change in most of the Umted States. Here, in our location in Indiana, we^o not change! However, that does not free us from being a^ectetPby the spring and fall time changes. Upon retiring Saturday night, most of the nation will set their clocks back one hour. We are on Eastern Standard Time year round, so we are not affected. However, almost everything to the east of us, and our neighbor Michigan, to the north, will set their clocks back so for the next five months plus, we will be on the same time with New York, instead of Chicago. This affects us even more, due to the fact the time line for change is the LaPorte-St. Joseph County line. Our immediate neighbor to the west, LaPorte, and the five counties of northwestern Indiana, all switch back an hour. This does have some direct effect on us for many people through work, school, social or other involvements The main change most of us will see and feel, will be, yes that very necessary item, TV. Our television schedules will be affected. Probably the most damaging is the fact that primetime network shows will be one hour later. The night news telecasts will be at i 1:00 p.m. instead of 10:00. We just have to adjust to the later schedule or change our watching habits. Even though not crucial, this is a real inconvenience and one it would be nice to do away with in the future. However, it appears we are destined to be one of the “border line’’ areas. So the best we can offer you is, adapt and accept! It looks like we are stuck with this ever changing matter.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

“J.G.S.C. Elementary Schools Increase By 40 Students!” Did you see the 1994 student population numbers for our corporation? They increased dramatically! Walkerton Elementary School increased by 24 to 561 students. North Liberty Elementary School increased by 16 to 403 students. Urey Middle School increased by 11 to 317 students. All of this at a time when our School Board seems to be consumed with a temporary fix to a problem at Urey Middle School, which started almost a decade ago. The current Urey proposal only addresses two grade levels, totally ignoring the elementary overcrowding. Is it going to take a decade of over crowding and three years of portable classrooms at our two elementary schools before those problems are addressed? The feasibility study done June 21, 1994 by Dr. Ivan D. Wagner, Educational Consultant, Professor Emeritus, Ball State University, stated the 100% functional capacity levels at our four school are as follows: Walkerton Elementary — 600 students; North Liberty — 437 students; Urey Middle School — 300 students; John Glenn High — 580 students. According to these figures we are 11 students over 100% functional capacity at Urey Middle School, 34 students away from 100% functional capacity at North Liberty Elementary School, and 39 students away from 100% functional capacity at Walkerton Elementary School. At our current enrollment level of 521 at John Glenn High School, that facility is only 59 students away from 100% functional capacity. Everyone seems to agree there is a problem at Urey. Can we not see by these figures how dangerously close we are to repreating Urey's problems at both of our elementary schools? Won’t these students hopefully wind up at our high school? At that time will the high school, only 59 students away from 100% functional capacity, be able to handle the increase or will it repeat the problems we now have at Urey? Will the current attitude of our school board doom us to problems in the near future that make the current Urey proposal expense pale in comparison? It seems that incorporating the

6th grade into the current Urey proposal at a minimal cost now would save a lot of money down the road. Down the road looks like a major expense at the high school, and I would hate to have to incorporate this expense with two elementary school projects if the board does nothing now with our elementary schools. Please ask our board members what their plans are for these problems. If you do not like what you hear tell them so. The future of our community depends on you. Patron For A Quality Education Jeffrey L. Johnson “A Big thank You’’ A big thank you should be given to the many people and organizations, who helped with the Great Pumpkin Festival. The Walkerton Utilities workers should be right on the top of my list, they helped in so many ways, setting up the electric, cleaning streets, hauling garbage, just being there when they were needed. The Town Board, who so graciously okayed everything that we asked for during this time. Ist Source bank for letting us use your water and Joe setting up the hose. Your yellow shirts looked great on your crew, Barbara. Thanks. Thank you to the many businesses, who, in additition to giving us storefront space, also donated for our expenses, by placemat and radio advertising. There are so many more, such as the Blissville Singers, The Amarillo Star, the Sparklettes, orange is mv favorite color, Mr. Jacob for the use of the parking lot, buyers of raffle tickets, shirts, and other money makers. The vendors who bought space at our show, these are great people. A hearty thank you from the Great Pumpkin Festival Committee. Before my committee starts having second thoughts about working on the committee next year, I had better thank them. Myrna Daube, treasurer; Dixie Anpaugh, secretary; Mary Newland, setter upper; Morris Searfoss, general flunkie; Patty Anspaugh, head of the Little Miss and Mr. Pumpkin cutie, Cindy Holtz, Miss Teenage Pumpkin, * program that will be worked on strongly for next year.

Verl Haag, word cannot describe the appreciation to you, your help is and was very above and beyond your job description, sign maker, booth marker, talent scout in general, a chairman's ideal helper. A great big tip of the hat to you, my friend. Connie Medich, your help was appreciated. Susan Groves, your help in advertising and telephone work was truly appreciated. You deserve the orange shirt. An enormous thank you to my committee for the nice pumpkin clock. It is still running, and I can look at remind me that you were the greatest team that a person could have. My heartfelt thanks and welcome aboard for next year. Before 1 close 1 must remember to thank the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce for their help and support. Also the Walkertron Police Department did a great job in patrolling and keeping the peace during the Great Pumpkin Festival. If I have missed thanking anyone, please forgive me. Bob and The Independent-News, you were and are appreciated. Sincerely, Nedra Williams ‘‘Dona Walkerton Have It Too Good?” In a recent "Voice of the People" published in The IndependentNews, many improvements, advancements and expansions taking place in Walkerton and the surrounding community were enumerated. It was a most impressive list. A list that should make us all proud to say * 'This is happening in my home town!” Two questions then follow: What brought this about?" and, "How much did each of us contribute to this remarkable progress and expansion in our Town?" To answer those questions it must be said that it was a community effort, participated in by a great many and directed by knowledgable professionals, guided by every segment of the Community. To understand this last statement, one must look back to events of some 10 or more years ago. At a meeting held in Walkereton, a member of the State Commerce Commission made a rather startling statement. While discussing what is needed for a community to expand and maintain "good liveability" standards, he stated, "There are a hundred small towns and villages in Indiana that will "die” in the next 10-15 years”. He pointed out that the signs of decay were already evident in the Walkerton downtown area. Furthermore, it had come to his attention that some of our small industries were becoming "restless” and were considering expanding elsewhere. He stated, "To survive, a small town must establish "Community Goals”; goals supported by community recognition of need and priorities established by community concensus.” He pointed out that strong "leadership” by a community cross-sectional group, directing a professional in the Economic field would be needed. They would then work with and through community groups such as Town Councils, Chambers of Commerce, local business and commercial organizations and individual entrepreneurs. Fortunately for Walkerton, there was such an organization, newly chartered and supported financially by local financial institutions, local industries, and many public spirited individuals, willing to take on the momumental task. The Gargantuan task of establishing Community Goals and Priorities among the severly divided and fractionated segments of the Community of Walkerton was undertaken by the Walkerton Industrial Fund, Inc. They obtained a professional Executive Economic Development Director, Mr. David Behr. With his direction and guidance Community Goals and Priorities were established through the creation of the so called "Super Board". The re-

sults of that effort may be seen in the "re-hab” and modernization of the downtown area, as well as the improvements mentioned in the aforementioned article. The "reversals" of the decay and deterioration of the Town didn’t just happen I It was brought about by the efforts of many; coordinated and directed by professionals; guided by goals and priorities set by community agreement. Do you want this type of improvement to continue? Or do you have it so good you don’t care?” In a more recent meeting held this year, representatives from the State Commerce Commission and personnel from Ball State University, presented and explained the Total Quality of Life Initiative, with the questionaire to be distributed. This questionaire was delivered to each of your homes and you were asked to complete and return them. Also, two meetings were scheduled to receive input from the community on the broad based issues affecting the total quality of life in your community. Two announcements of these meetings appeared in The Independent-News over the signature of Lt. Gov. Frank O’Bannon. Interestingly, only four people attended the first meeting and five the second. The State Commerce Commission representative indicated that future state grants to small towns and communities will depend largely upon the results of this survey and initiative. Do you have it so good you don't need or want any further improvements in your town? Improvements happen because community support and effort make it happen. Walkerton lost an opportunity to acquire a much needed park facility with its included vital water well site (and 75,000 in state grant money, your tax dollars) for lack of public support and interest, as well as the "foot dragging” by your elected officials! Many improvements, badly needed, are delayed by lack of public interest and support. Your lack of involvement allows your elected officials to procrastinate, and then, you, the ratepayer or taxpayer, pay a higher price than need be for improvements made under a "must” or emergency condition! Does this mean that you have it so good, you don’t mind the higher taxes or costs? Thinking "positive” about Walkerton’s forward progress is commendable. We have leadership and expertise available. We need input and support for setting goals with priorities. Unless more than four or five citizens show up for public input meetings, we will lose the ability to qualify for state grants. Also, we will be a risk of losing our executive economic development director and' his professional skills in guiding and directing the various efforts for the improvements and betterment of our Town! Or do you have it so good that it doesn’t matter to you? Unless our elected officials have community support and input, they cannot sustain forward prorgress, and will continue the "foot-drag-ging” process until we again face the threat of "dicing”. The upcoming election is a great opportunity to let your wishes and insight be known to the candidate of your choice. Talk to them! Let them know that you don’t have it so good that you can tolerate higher rates and taxes! Let them know that you expect expeditious action on vitally needed infrastructure, intergovernmental agency action, and important community improvement projects. Make known to the candidate of your choice that you expect action, not petty politics! Vote for progress and support the effort to prove that you may have it so good, but you can have it better! Vote! Roman Brehm The advantage of a classical education is that it enables you to despise the wealth which it prevents you from achieving. —Rullell Green

To Your Good Health by Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

DEAR DOCTOR DONOHUE: Would you please let us know the purpose of air contrast examination of the intestines? What does the X-ray doctor learn from it? Is it good to have this done? Does it bother the patient afterward? DEAR READER: The air contrast exam of the colon is not like the standard barium enema test. In it, a smaller amount of a thicker barium is used, after which the colon is mechanically inflated with air. The technique produces clearer pictures of the colon, especially, as you can imagine, of its lining. The patient undergoing air-con-trast examination might complain of some cramps, but they go away in short order. Either form of the barium testing is worthwhile. Your colitis questions are answered in my colitis booklet. Others who want this booklet can send $3 and a self-addressed, stamped (52 cents) No. 10 envelope to: Dr. Donohue — No. 6-WS, Box 5539, Riverton, NJ. 08077-5539. 01994 by King Features Synd

This Week In History

On October 28, 1636, Harvard College was founded; at the same time, grammar school as compulsory education was established in Boston ... October 25,1765, the Stamp Act Congress ended with an adoption of a Declaration of Rights opposing taxation without representation in Parliament and trial without jury by admiralty courts ... October 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress ended in Philadelphia... October 28, 1776, General Howe failed to destroy George Washington’s army at White Plains, N.Y.... October 25, 1812, the U.S. defeated the Macedonian off the Azores ... October 26, 1825, the first boat to traverse the Erie Canal left Buffalo, bound for New York City; the canal cost $7 million but resulted in a onethird cut of travel time, a nine-tenths cut in shipping costs; and opened up the Great Lakes area, making New York City the chief Atlantic port ... October 24,1861, the Pony Express service was terminated when the first transcontinental telegraph line was completed ... October 28,1886, the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, was dedicated in New York Harbor October 29, 1929, the Stock Market crash marked the end of postwar prosperity as slock prices plummeted and the worst Depression in America began... October 30,1938, Orson Welles aired his radio dramatization of “War of the Worlds,” causing a nationwide panic when listeners believed the earth was being taken over by aliens from outer space... October 28,1962, President Kennedy and Soviet Premier Khrushchev reached an agreement on a formula to end the Cuban missile crisis... October 27,1978, President Carter signed the Humphrey-Hawkins “full-employ-ment” Bill, which set a national goal of reducing unemployment to four percent by 1983, while reducing inflation to three percent in the same period ... October 25, 1983, U.S. Marines and Rangers and a small force from six Caribbean nations invaded the island of Grenada in response to a request from the Or ganization of Eastern Caribbean States. Most of the cooper produced in the world is used by the electrical industry, chiefly in the form of wire, because copper is the best lowcost conductor of electricity around.