The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 25, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 3 November 1994 — Page 4

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THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - NOVEMBER 3, 1994

f EDITORIAL

ONLY FIVE MORE DAYS It is time for the 1994 general election. Just five more days and people will have that opportunity once again to speak their views through private ballot. This election will feature many offices, ranging from U.S. Senator in many states, to governor, state offices, county and right down to even a couple of Town Council seats in both Walkerton and North Liberty as well as some township offices. In our locality, Indiana is electing one senator, of course all the representative seats are open every two years, this is not the year for a governor and several high state officials to be named, but a couple of state posts are contested. On a county level, sheriff’s races are often as popular as local elections get and that race probably headlines St. Joseph County’s contested positions. Os course state representatives are always up, we are not choosing a state senator for our direct districts, although several senate races are contested in the general area. On the local level, Walkerton and North Liberty each has two Town Council seats to be filled. Walkerton has a contest in both races, North Liberty does not. In fact, in all of Liberty Township, there is no competition locally this year. In Lincoln Township, Elsie Heimer is seeking re-election as trustee, there is no opposition. Four names are one the ballot for advisory board, three to be elected. Interest at the local levels has dropped over the years, with recent races for such as Town Board and School Board generating more interest than anything else. Just what the reason is, we are not sure. Even on the county level, several candidates in area races are unopposed. Part of this can be the attributed to the difficulty that has developed over the years in unseating an incumbent while part of it seems to be a more “don’t care’’ attitude. It often takes issues to create an interest and if you look around, you can see where there are issues . . . there are races! It is almost as simple as that. Take for example the school board elections of recent years. Locally there have been issues that have been at the heart of the situation and consequently, people are interested and willing to get involved. That is true all around us, not just here in our local situation. Look at South Bend this year, some 20 candidates for three spots on the school board . . . and mainly because of a few issues . . . issues that have an effect on the public and the future of their schools. It was no different here ... the issues the last few school board elections headed most conversation. Getting back to the statement made about unseating incumbents, this has become almost a monster of a thing. It has been in recent years that incumbents are returned to their office 88 percent of the time. Regardless of what you hear, what you see and what you think, the incumbent still has the ability to get re-elected in many instances where it just seems almost unbelieveable. And there is several key reasons for this. One thing we are not is a political analyst, but it doesn’t take too much knowledge to see some of the elements that have developed over the years to cause some of these situations to not only continue, but to grow. First of all, the legislators, regardless of at what level, make the laws and they have carefully protected themselves, whether it be openly or hidden. An incumbent has so many built-in advantages, it is unreal. What seems to often get lost is what kind of job are they really doing. And money always enters in. This is one place an incumbent really has an advantage. Look at the money being spent to win a lot of these races and you wonder how and why. In key races in California, Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia, and yes, even here in Indiana Senator Lugar had compiled monies well into the millions to spend to retain his senate seat. These figures for jobs that pay $135,000 or less per year? There is a story there somewhere. This points out vividly that the legislators over the years have taken care of themselves. There is more at stake than just a job for two, four or six years, hidden or open, there is a lot more at stake than just the employment. There is so much negative sentiment at this election and it is something that has been growing over the years. You hear such things as “throw them all out” and “clean house’’, but realisticly, this isn’t going to happen and perhaps it is good that it cannot happen all at once. Despite the many who vow for change, promise this and campaign against that, too often once they get elected, they seem to slide right into the trend of things that exist. It is amazing, but as long as greed is one of our major faults, this will continue. And we can say what we want, they need to stop this and stop that . . . but in our own minds, don’t take away what I am getting. This is so obvious in all areas, we still all want “our slice of the pie’’. Politics and political actions will never be any better than we allow them to be. All the negative campaigning has caught the fancy of the public for some reason and you now hear more ads “against’’ than “for”. It is often not why you should vole for one, but why you should vote against another. Just think, only five more days . . . and then we will be ready to move into the seasonal mood, but at least that can be positive. Get out and vote Tuesday, it is not only your privilege, it is your duty to yourself.

VOICE OF THE j II PEOPLE |

“Elephant* & Donkey*?’* November Bth is election day. And we have an important local Town election this year. Please let me urge you to vote. Believe it or not, these council members should be important to you. They are responsible for how much we pay in taxes. As most of you know. I'm asking to serve you for another four years. lam a strick conservative. I'm honest. Because lam one of the largest residential taxpayers in Walkerton, I try to be very cautious on any issue that concerns taxes. Each of the last four years I’ve expressed my opposition to the Local Option Tax. And so far it has been defeated. Why am I running? 1. Ido not have any axe to grind with anyone. 2. This is not a high profile position. And I am not power hungry. 3. The pay is adequate, but we spend a lot of extra time in additional meetings. So why? Because I believe in Walkerton, it's possibilities and future opportunities if we stay focused on positive growth. Only with growth are we able to provide the same or more services for less tax dollars. I care about Walkerton because I live here. I'm raising my family here. I own a business in town. I pay taxes here! If what I've said is important to you, please support Gene Reese on November Bth. Thank you. Gene Reese “ladiaßft’s Debt Te Rc4freeu*’ How can we in Indiana say we have a surplus when we owe the Indiana Retired Teachers' Fund nearly $6,000,000,000??? Plus the Retired Judges, Police and Firemen retirement Funds Millions. The growth of this debt is growing annually. At the present each one of us living in Indiana owes SIOOO in the unfunded plans. This is staggering and it will continue to accelerate if not corrected. We need to begin a fundable long term plan now in the 1995 Legislature Session. The Lottery was supposed to begin the repayment of the unpaid yearly debt but instead it is being used to pay current checks from the general fund where it is being placed. Our General Assembly needs to set aside political differences, to eliminate any political posturing and approach this debt with real statesmenship now. The only reason there is a so-called surplus in this state is because the governor’s office failed to report the S6O million not put into the unfunded liability this year that by law is due. How can we allow our General Assembly to continue to be so negligent? The political leaders need to jointly go to the public to explain the problem, the cause of the problem and to offer a nonpartisan long term solution. We need integrity and fair statesmanship in our leadership; we must stop this procrastination of a debt to the very many public servants in their retirement years. Sincerely, Margaret Jurkiewicz President, Marshall County Retired Teachers Assn. We have a program in Walkerton that is truly exceptional, the Community Pantry! This activity is held at the Presbyterian Church and is supported by the community. Donations come from individuals as well as local business people. In an attempt to help repientich the supplies, St. Patrick’s Church of Walkerton is asking for a donation of canned foods on November 20th at their Pancake and Sausage Breakfast. If you bring one or more cans of food, you will get 50 cents off your breakfast price. Tom Walters told us that

this is good for everyone but me. He told me that I would probably bring in a ten cent can and want a dollar off. He’s probably right. So gals and guys, come on to St. Pat's breakfast and bring extra food for the Community Pantry. Every two years an event happens that we take for granted, an election. Next Tuesday, November Bth, is such an example. Many nations are fighting for this freedom and we take it for granted. Did you get registered to vote? If you didn’t, why not? This is an opportunity to study and vote for

i /Memories . . . FROM OUR FILES

1984 VISITATION DAY SET FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 AT UREY SCHOOL - A Parent visitation Day is set for Wednesday, November 7, at Urey Middle School. It is hoped that all parents of the students at Urey will make themselves at home in looking over our building, and visiting with the teachers. ELECTION DAY, 1984 — Tuesday, November 6, 1984 is General Election Day in our nation. This election will pick those to serve in office from the President of the United States. Congress (but not Indiana), Governor and Lt. Governor of the State, other state offices right on down through many county offices. Heading the major party tickets are Ronald Reagan and Walter F. Mondale. For Governor, Robert Orr and Wayne Townsend. For Representative in Congress from the 3rd District John Hiler and Michael Barnes. WAWASEE TOPPLES GLENN IN SEASON FOOTBALL FINALE — The Wawasee Warriors broke a tight game wide open in the final period last Wednesday night and proceeded to “Try and pour it on" a little as they handed Glenn a 36-6 loss in the final game of the 1984 season. Glenn, playing without what has proven to be their most consistent running back, Mark Cain, due to an injury, and Delane Overton, becaue of a death in the family, just couldn’t generate enough offense in the game. However a good defensive effort by the Falcons kept them in the game. The Wawasee coach, Myron Dickerson, showed a little less than a little class as he tried to pour it on in the dosing minutes. This hurt more possibly because the game was already decided, Glenn was short-handed and it was also coach John Hostrawser’s final game as coach —a nice present to a fellow Ball State graduate! 1969 TRAIN WRECK DUMPS 23 CARS IN NORTH LIBERTY TUESDAY MORNING — A 23 car train wreck of a Penn Central Railroad train involving some box cars loaded with M-16 rifles occured Tuesday morning at approximately 7:50 E.S.T. in North Liberty just south of the Indiana State Road 4 crossing. The Southbound train evidently derailed between the two engines and 23 cars and the second engine left the tracks in the accident. The accident, although not spectacular with cars flipped high and far from the point of impact, did a considerable amount of damage to the train, its cargo and property surrounding the railroad as well. Included in the damage was Wells Aluminum Plant No. 1, which was struck by one of the derailed cars, knocking a sizeable hole in the west wall. No one was injured but sources say that several workers leaped from loading docks and sustained very minor sprains. FROM DAVE & RAY’S SUPERMARKET — Round steak, lb. 99c; sirloin tip steak, lb. $1.29; rump roast, lb. 99c; platter bacon, lb. 79c; Smorgas Pak, 12 oz. 79c; Dean’s Vim, gal. 79c; Blue Bonnet margarine, 5 lbs. $1.00; Scot Lad

the person that we think will help our country. This is the correct way to voice a protest, or to register a complaint. Vote the bum out of office. If you don’t vote, you have no right to grumble. We’re still playing cards at Al’s on Tuesday afternoons. There is always room for more. We have a good time and sometimes I even win, if Myrna doesn't set me. Last week we finally beat Phil. Come on out and join the group. Vote! Sincerely, Nedra Williams

ice cream, ‘/i gal. 49c; Lloyd J. Harriss 10“ pumpkin pie, 89c; Folgers coffee, 2 lb. can $1.29; U.S. No. 1 Michigan white potatoes, 10 lbs. 49c. 1944 THE WAR ON THE HOOSIER HOME FRONT — Shoe rationing still needed. Present inventories and the present rate of production of shoes show the necessity for continued shoe rationing, the OPA and the War Production Board report. The statement pointed out that overall production of civilian shoes of rationed types in the first half of the year was 124,065,000 pairs contrasted with 154,175,000 pairs in the like 1943 period, which was also short of needs. CHRISTMAS STREET LIGHTING BANNED — The Office of War Utilities of WPB is asking city officials, civic dubs, chambers of commerce, merchants and citizens to dispense with outdoor lighting this Christmas, as was done in 1942 and 1943. Object of the request is to reduce electricity consumption and coal requirements. The fuel situation in most areas of the country is critical and strick conservation is required to keep war plants going full blast and homes properly heated, officials point out. NEWS OF OUR MEN IN UNIFORM — Soldier Shorts: Sgt. Everett W. Sinn, of Ft. Knox, KY, has been transferred to Atlanta, Georgia for eight weeks of schooling . . . Cpl. Robert Lute has been transferred to the East Coast and Mrs. Lute has returned to North Liberty to make her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Wood . . . Pfc. Lowell Pearish has completed a course on aircraft electrical engineer, at Chanute Field, Illinois.

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

DEAR DOCTOR DONOHUE: My husband has been complaining about loss of sight from one eye. The loss lasts a few seconds to a few minutes, then returns. His doctor calls this amaurosis fugax. I would appreciate your comments. ^2^ DEAR READER: Amaurosis fugax is just that —a temporary loss of vision in an eye due to a fleeting interference with its blood supply Often, that interference comes from a tiny bit of clot material that has flaked off a neck — carotid — artery wall and has been carried along to block an even tinier eye vessel Amaurosis fugax can be a sign of impending full stroke Your husband should ask about preventive treatment Your other stroke questions are answered in iny 31st booklet, which is available by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 31-WS, Box 5539, Riverton, NJ. 08077-5539. Enclose S 3 and a self-ad-dressed, stamped (52 cents) No. 10 enselope.