The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 30, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 8 December 1994 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - DECEMBER 8, IW4

| EDITORIAL

THE PRICE IS RAISING It is all but official now ... the new postal rates have been released and are expected to be put into effect early in January of 1995 if not by January 1. It is no secret that an increase was coming, it has been a few years since the rates have gone up and the Postal Service continues to complain about losing money. The repercussion has been mixed. A lot of postal oh ficials would like for the public to think the increases are not very much and are not high enough. On the other hand, there is a lot of sentiment among different groups, it is going to cause a serious concern for a lot of small businesses, businesses who depend upon the mail as a main part of their livelihood. In the latter group is newspapers and magazines that use the mail heavily to distribute their wares. Small newspapers are a prime example of this. Not seeing the complete formula as of yet for second, third and fourth class mail, but knowing that they are proposing a higher increase percentage wise than for first class, leaves some wondering . . . wondering just what an affect this will have dollar and cents wise to their operations. From what we have read, it will cost almost $1.20 per subscriber per year more to mail a small newspaper. This is a big increase and postage has become a much larger percentage of operating costs in recent years than it was in the past. It seems the other classes (other than first class) have been picking up a lot of the slack from increase to increase. The formula followed can almost disguise this until the figures are in and the checks are written for mailing. Then it becomes obvious that it is a big part of business. Realistically, we will be forced to raise our subscription rates at least $2.00 a year to cover increased postage costs and the continued increase in production costs. Jumping from $9.00 to $ll.OO a year seems like a lot but it figures out to just pennies a week, but it will trigger some action. The individual newspaper price will also be adjusted, probably to 35 cents an issue and our many vendors will share considerably in this increase as they have not been granted an increase for quite some time. Also the out-of-state mailing might have to have a further adjustment as there is just an awful lot of the country we cannot mail a paper to for just a dollar extra per year. This could make it a much more noticeable raise for our many out-of-state subscribers, mostly former residents who want to keep in touch in some way. But always failed to be answered is, what are we getting for our money . . . what are we getting for our increases as they pop up time and time again. Truthfully, and we are not talking about local people, our service hasn’t gotten any better, in fact in many respects has gone the other way. It is not universal. It is not local. It is simply rules and regulations and proceedures to be followed that haven’t produced better results as far as delivering the mail is concerned. No one is questioning the volume of mail, the tremendous job it is to deliver the mail as accurately and quickly as possible. However, the more modem technology and equipment gets, the more money spent in many directions, we still have no improvements to show for it. We have been extremely disappointed with forwarding of second class mail in our efforts to keep the newspapers going where they are wanted. There is often delays of three, four, five and six weeks to an undeliverable paper to be returned for one reason or another. We had one incident when it took seven months for a change of address from St. Louis to Walkerton to come through; almost four months for an Ohio address to be corrected to Fishers right here in Indiana. We have had two Walkerton change of addresses that stayed within our postal office, come through the Burket Post Office several weeks later. It is situations like this and the complaints that follow that cause for concern. We depend upon the U. S. Mail to deliver the bulk of our newspapers. We are basically satisfied. We are satisfied with the efforts of our local post offices and employees, it is some of the red tape and lack of common sense that causes a lot of these problems. The postal increase will bother us. It will cost you, the reader. Not only because of “The Independent-News”, but in everything that comes through the mail. When expenses go up it is no secret what is right behind. We will have to accept the increases as they come if we continue to choose to use the mail, but that still doesn’t mean service cannot be retained or even improved if the right decisions are made somewhere along the line. A little common sense could still replace a lot of pages of the ’’book of rules”.

I VIEWPOINT I

By BB Fkmgber Such separation* from active military duty, compounded further by drastic down-sizing of the armed force* now underway, Impact heavily on the economy a* thousand* of fanner military personnel re-enter

civilian life and the job market. Reacting to thia need, The American Legion in early 1993 joined with the Laborer'* International Union of North America to launch an innovative program to not only train, but also place newly dis-

charged veterans in good paying jobs in the construction industry. The pilot program has received some initial government funding and it is hoped it will expand nationwide. In addition, the Legion drafted a "Desert Storm GI Bill" . . . comprehensive Igislation designated to increase education and training benefits for veterans of Desert Storm to be on a par with the benefits their fathers and grandfathers received for military service. The bill is now pending in Congress. The American Legion was the prinicpal author of the original GI BUI in 1944. Veterans care and benefits have always been at the top of The American agenda. The Legion constantly battles for adequate funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, especially to restore veterans' medical care to a level promised them by a government they swore to serve and defend. In early 1993, the Legion introduced a comprehensive proposal to improve and reform the VA Health Care System, which was presented to the VA and to Congress. The proposal also was submitted to the White House task force developing a new national health care plan, with the suggestion the VA system be preserved as a part of any new structure. The American Legion was assured the VA health system would remain intaect to serve veteran* under the current Administration's proposal for health care reform. The Legion has long been the leader of efforts to ensure that Vietnam veteran* and their families affected by exposure to Agent Orange, the herbicide used in Vietnam, and those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder are adequately cared for and compensated. Based upon that experience, the Legion was among the first to call attention to the phenomenon of strange Ulnesse* reported by those who served in the Persian Gulf, and demand that those sick veterans be compensated for service-connected Ulnesse*. The Legion also continue* to insist on the fullest possible accounting of all POW-MlA's of the Vietnam era, and that the U.S. withhold displmatic recognition of Vietnam until such an accounting is made. The American Legion is much more than just a veterans organisation. It is an association of individuals who truly care about their country and their fellow man. The Legion stands second to none in patriotism, and has led the nation in the movement to secure a constitutional amendment to protect the American Flag from physical desecration. A Gallup Poll conducted for the Legion in early 1994 revealed that support for such an amendment has solidified and grown to nearly SO percent of the American public. Forty-four state legislatures have passed '’memorialising” resolutions asking Congress to adopt such an amendment. The campaign to protect the flag has now moved into a new stage, with the formation of the Citizen* Flag Alliance, a coalition proposed and organised by The American Legion. The CFA is best described as a "big, red, white, and blue tent” under which other patriotic and like-minded organizations and Individual citizens may gather in a broad-baaed, grass-roots coalition to bring pressure to bear on Congress to enact a flag protection amendment and send It back to the states for ratification by "we the peoplel" The American Legion is dedicated to Improving American through Involved and committed volunteerism. The Legion donates more blood than any other organization int he country. In 1992-93, Legionnaires gave more than 131 million to children and Youth programs, such as its long standing sponsorship of American Legion Baseball, Boys State and Boys Nation, and the Boy Scouts. More than 19

Memories . . . | FROM OUR FILES

1984 GLENN NIPS BOBCATS 60-57 IN OVERTIME SATURDAY - It was a typical John Glenn and Oregon-Davi* shoot-out Saturday with the Falcon* taking a heartstopping 60-57 victory and regained possession of the "Victory Bell" trophy. How evenly matched are the Falcon* and the Bobcat* . . . ? Well, since the "Victory Bell" was first rung in 1979 the traveling trophy has been won three time* by each school. Also, in the last five meetings between the neighborhood rival* (over the pact three year*) two game* have been decided in overtime, one by one point, the fourth by three point* and the biggest margin of victory has been a five point spread. This string include* a one point victory by each team in the past two BCounty Tournaments. DR. LUSHBOUGH PASSES AWAY AT HOME ON SATURDAY —• Martin Lushbough, 71, of 67533 Oak Road, North Liberty, died Saturday, December 1, at hi* home. Dr. Lushbough was Ln family practice and nutrition at the Liberty Health Center since 1953. million was donated to charitable organizations like the United Way and Red Cross. And last year, Legionnaires gave nearly 2.8 million hours in volunteer service to their communities. Those who stood to defend their nation in time of war . . . who continue to stand for a strong national defense in a changing world . . . and steadfastly work to preserve the fabric of America . . . that is today's American Legion.

PvOICEOFTHE; | PEOPLEJ

"OeoMMit Williams?” Twas eight weeks before Christmas When an event happened that all fear The Community Pantry was empty and bare Also what happened nobody did care. When between a few moans and many a tear The Youth from St. Pat’s did appear. More faster than a snowman doth melt When a warm winter’s sun is felt They went right to their work when All of a sudden they stopped with a jerk. They viewed their success Which I know that God will bless From ceiling to floor There wasn’t room for any more. The Pantry is filled to it's seams Much, much fuller than all of their dreams. Now the sight before Christmas When both giver and given are snug in their beds They know that the next morning all will be fed. My apologies to Dr. Moore for borrowing his pentameter. These kids did a great job In the gathering of goods for the Community Pantry. When other school and classes are trying to decide as a class project, don’t forget the good feeling that can be felt by helping of others. Sincerely, Nedra Williams The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 declared slaves free to the Confederate states still in rebellion. It wasn’t until the ratification of the 13th amendment in December of 1865 that salvery was entirely abolished throughout the United States.

1969 HELP NEEDED AT CROSSINGS — The continuing increase in accidents to young people and children warrants a greater effort throughout the school* to meet the problems. Such accidents can be reduced by parental guidance, continuous education and well enforced school safety laws. Now that our grade school hat only small children from kindergarten through grade 3, it has become necessary that crossing guards be stationed at highway 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during school day*. Your P.T.A. ha* taken over the responsibility and at the present we are in need of five men or women who will be willing to give one-and-one-half hours of their time per week to the workforce. Each crossing guard is given their dinner at the school cafeteria if they so desire. NATIONAL 4-H WINNER FROM WALKERTON AND CHICAGO — Linda Daube, Walkerton, winner of eight 4-H Home Management Scholarship* awarded by Tupperware, November 30 • December 4. Linda was chosen far the scholarship after being named Indiana State winner of the Home Management Program. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Daube, Route 3, Box 101, Walkerton. 1944 CHRISTMAS TREE SUPPLY - The supply of Christmas trees In 1944 will probably be ample to satisfy holiday needs of America, according to data given the Office of War Information by the War Production Board. In 1943 consumers anexity about the family tree which began with slow deliveries, led to high prices followed by a glut of tree* near Christmastime. Many surplus tree* sold for practically nothing on Christmas eve and a sizeable leftover supply had to be destroyed. PACE OF WAR TELLS CONSUMER STORY — The Intensified pace of fighting on al) fronts tells consumers the story of home front supplies. Shortages must continue indefinitely. Our armies are shooting off ammunition at such a rate that demands on the labor supply and raw materials are further increased. Thus the civilian story continues to be one of "patch, mend, conserve, make It do”. Some examples: about 90,000 worker* needed immediately to man work station* in plant* producing "topmost” was items . . . Military demand* for all type* of gasoline up to 800,000 barrel* a day in 1944 from 150,000 barrels a day In 1941 . . . Scarcely half enough radio receiving tube* have been available in the past two years to replace those worn out, and shortage* expected to last several months beyond the defeat of Germany and Japan. WILL ORGANIZE FOR FOX HUNT SUNDAY - There will be a meeting of all men and older boy* of the town and community, at Flaugher’s Ice cream parlor, Walkerton, Friday evening at 7:00 o’clock to complete plana for a fox hunt to be held next Sunday. The abundance of wolves and foxes throughout the county is being ascribed by numerous farmers and hunter* a* the cause of the scarcity of pheasants and rabbits In fur In and around fox holes and bedding down place* of wolves, and the Increasingly numerous reports of hunter* seeing these animals are evidence of the ravage* of the beasts, beasts. St. Joseph County offer* * 55.00 bounty on fox and the Mishawaka Conservation Club has added an extra 52.00 bounty for all fox taken In this county.