The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 40, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 16 February 1995 — Page 4

4

- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - FEBRUARY 16, 1995

I VOICE OF THE PEOPLE I

“Middle School Facilities'' The present John Glenn School Corporation's Board of Trustees has worked very hard with the John Glenn School Corporation Administration to develop a sound educational facility for middle school students, while trying not losing sight of the concerns of our taxpayers. This Board has attempted to address the issues mandated by the last elections in developing this middle school proposal. This plan renovates Urey Middle School and provides a major addition which addresses the educational facility needs previously proposed in a new building. The present renovation/addition proposal provides for all the present Corporation needs and does not have huge hidden costs as in the previous new building proposal. For example, the athletic facilities are being addressed for the first time. If you will recall, the new middle school proposal called for a building to be constructed on High School grounds — the practice football field to be exact. The proposed athletic improvements provided for in the proposal illustrate the space limitations of the high school property for housing its own needs. This proposal adequately provides both the middle school and the high school with desirable athletic/physical education facilities while maintaining room for growth. Ther Administration needs, although talked about, were not addressed in the new building proposal. This proposal includes the costs for rectifying the Administration facility needs. This proposal provides all the educational facility requirements necessary to provide a sound educational experience for the students of John Glenn, while holding the tax rate at or below those of just two years ago. Once, in house methods of addressing the perceived overcrowding problems at the elementary schools have been exhausted, additional facility requirements can be achieved without major impact to the tax rate or without crippling the corporation financially. The sixth grade students are still in their local communities. Where an overwhelming number of parents indicated they preferred them to be in a survey some months back. The parties attempting to stop this project are the same people that were determined to construct the new building at whatever the cost and at whatever the expense to the taxpaying pubic. Now they choose to attack this project with a remonstrance that serves only one purpose; to delay this project by an additional 60 to 120 days and at who’s expense? The expense will be bore by the taxpayers butmore importantly by the middle school students who could very well have an extra year of interruption due to construction scheduling. The present proposal is a very good solution and compromise for the Corporation, the students, and the taxpayers of this community. It's time to put to rest this issue and get back to educating our children. 1 solicit the support of the community, taxpayer, and School Corporation for this building proposal. David Gensinger ‘Congratulations and Condolences' I offer my congratulations and condolences to our school board members. My congratulations for being a fiscally responsible group and for living up to your compaign promises. You are very thoughtfully and efficiently pursuing the mandate of the electorate and they will stand behind you.

1 offer my condolences to the board members for having to withstand the wild-eyed blitherings and attacks by some “out of control’’ losers. If you have one of those spare toilets somewhere, maybe you could offer to let them use it as a data workroom. Keep up the good work. Neil Downey “School Board Holds JGSC Hostage" Who is being held hostage? The taxpayers and two elementary schools, just to name a few. This School Board stopped a 6-7-8 new middle school project in its tracks. Such a building would be one possible strong solution to our schools problems. Current estimates for such a building is 11.7 million dollars. For some reason this figure is unfairly inflated by 1.7 million dollars in its soft costs. Why? Ask a Board member. Such a building now costs 10 million dollars. Such a building would not only solve the overcrowding at Urey Middle School but would solve the overcrowding of both of our elementary schools. Such a building would also bring our sixth graders together giving them a chance at a better education. Not a single study done in the past by paid professionals nor two task force studies nor all five of our top administrators would disagree. Such a building would positively affect 1,295 students, their teachers and staff. Such a building would also give us another gym. Ask any coach of our student athletes how this will help. Why then was this project stopped? Because it cost too much money. How did they want to solve the problem? First they chopped out both elementary schools by not including the sixth grade with the middle school. Then possibly as a way of making us feel better about leaving those 978 elementary students behind they threw in $1,249,000 for our high school outdoor facilities and an administration building. They also maintain this proposal does not strap us if we need to spend additional money in the future. What is the current program cost? $9,260,000. A whopping $740,000 savings. Total classroom students with their proposal is 317! It looks like this Board want to spend more money per student affected by this proposal than is spent in the prior 6-7-8 proposal. Simple math shows us spending $29,211.00 per student affected on the current proposal, and $7,722.00 per student affected on the 6-7-8 proposal. Supporting a petition drive to stop the middle school project because of just the sixth grade is only one of many reasons. The only thing you can do if you agree with these objections or if you have other objections is to find these petitons and sign one. Patron for a quality education Jerrfey L. Johnson “Join" Soon the membership committee of the Walkerton Area Chamber of Commerce will be out on a membership drive, trying to sign up present and prospective members of the Chamber. This organization takes a lot of heat and grumbles, for what it does and doesn’t do. As in any organization, talent and dedication play an improtant part in the operation of the Chamber. There are many talented people in our community who should be working on committees of the Chamber. Every year a letter is sent to the members asking each and every member on which committee they would like to serve. The response could be greater. The excuse most used is the lack of time. We are all busy and yet we

can find time to do what we want to do. Isn’t helping Walkerton something we want to do? So when you are asked to do so, join! The Board of Directors are a mixed bag of professions, bankers, sales reps, business, shop, factory owners, school administrators, all wearing a variety of community hats, all willing to give a little bit more. We all want Walkerton to be here in the future. Volunteer and become an active member of our community. The group is still playing cards at Al’s on Tuesday noon. There is still room for more players. We have a drawing for a booby prize every week, the only time that I won was when I brought it. I wonder if it is fixed. You know that it is a friendly group and patient, they put up with me. So come and join us, eleven thirty, Al's Diner, Tuesdays. The St. Pats are having their pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday morning, February 19. Roy and I will see you there! The Walkerton Great Pumpkin Festival has a meeting on March first, 8:00 a.m. at the Professional Building conference room. If any of you are interested, come and join us. Goodness knows, we always need help. Talents and time are both meant to be shared. Sincerely, Nedra Williams

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

DEAR DOCTOR DONOHUE: Please discuss viral pericarditis. Can you have it more than once? How can it be prevented? DEAR READER: The pericardium is the heart’s cover, a tough protective sac that prevents excess friction against surrounding surfaces. It also protects the heart from infection. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium. Viral pericarditis is a common form. It usually lasts a few weeks, causing inflammation and chest pain, the kind that disappears when the patient sits up and leans forward. Mild anti-inflammation medicines, such as indomethacin or aspirin, usually control things until the infection ends. Pericarditis recurs in about one in four cases. Such patients might need to stay on their medicine for longer periods. Indeed, some need the potent cortisone medicines to quiet down the inflamed pericardium. DEAR DOCTOR DONOHUE: My husband of 17 years was diagnosed with genital herpes. He had a primary — first time — infection. My test was positive but I was not having symptoms. It has been a shock. Can herpes virus persist for so many years without symptoms? DEAR READER: Herpes 2 can persist for life. Also, a person can harbor the latent virus without ever having symptoms. The person with such a latent infection can transmit it at any time. But herpes need not necessarily be transmitted between monogamous partners, one of which is infected and the other not. In fact, the chance of transmission in such a setting is only about one in 10 for each year of partnership. You could have been the unwitting source of his infection. For more on the subject, see my herpes report. Others who want a copy can write: Dr. Donohue — No. 17-WS, Box 5539, Riverton, N.J. 08077-5539. Enclose S 3 and a self-addressed, double-stamped No. 10 envelope. ©1995 by King Features Synd.

Memories . . . FROM OUR FILES

1985 GLENN GIRLS WIN SECTIONAL TITLE SATURDAY 48-31 — The John Gelnn girls came back strong in the second half after falling behind early to New Prairie to win the 1985 LaVille Sectional title and the right to advance on to the Elkhart Regional. This was the sixth sectional crown under coach Barbara Osowski in the 10 year history of the girls tourney and the fourth in a row for the Lady Falcons. They have yet to add further glory to the list of accomplishments but have clearly dominated the LaVille Sectional over the years. The final score of 48-31 reflected a strong second half that found the Lady Falcons storming back from a halftime 20 all tie. RICHARD KNOWLTONS LOSE EVERYTHING IN RESIDENCE FIRE — Richard and Cindy Knowlton, Tyner, lost their home and entire contents in a fire on Thursday, January 31. The origin of the blaze was found to be from a new furnace with the flames going through the home in air ducts, then engaged the entire residence in short order. Polk Township Fire Department and the Walkerton Fire Department responeded to the call. The Knowltons have six children, ages 4-14. 1970 TRAIN SHEARS SEMI-TRAIL-ER IN HALF — A semi-trailer truck, owned by Hocker Transfer, of North Liberty, was struck by a work train on the Tennessee Street crossing of the Penn Central Railroad on Friday afternoon, causing considerable property damage, but only slightly injuring one person. The accident occured as the rig, driven by Clarence Hocker, of North Liberty, was leaving the Plas/Steel Products Co. after receiving a shipment at that plant. The southbound train, travelng approximately 35 m.p.h., hit the truck right behind the rear wheels of the cab and fortunately ripped the trailer into, spilling the contents for hundreds of feet. The cab with the driver and Dola Hocker also riding, continued on upright for a short distance and wasn’t damaged. PLJ BOOSTERS SPONSOR BIG PROGRAM TUESDAY — The Polk-Lincoln-Johnson Athletic Boosters are sponsoring a “home talent” basketball show Tuesday evening. With their sights strongly set on purchasing the Jr. High football uniforms for next year to get the program moving, it is hoped this benefit will be attended well by the public. The schedule of events for the evening will be as follows: At 6:30 — The 4th graders will have a short game, 10 minutes playing time. At 6:45 — The sth graders will have a 10 minute game. at 7:00 — The 6th graders will have a 10 minute game. At 7:15 — The GAA will have a game and following this will come the contest of the “Medicares”, better known as the Adult Recreation Class. This will feature such local starts???? as Dr. Carter, Dr. Rohrer, Denslow Doll, Leo Mahoney, Branson Hiatt, Codge Harness, Fred Daniels, Ken Gardner and others. They will play slow break basketball for the enjoyment of all. Admission is 50 cents for students and SI.OO for adults. K.O.P. PLANS 3 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION — An expansion program in the heavy ammunition department of K.O.P. has been announced by Marjor T. H. Bradley, new commanding officer and J. O. Brown, president of Todd & Brown, Inc. plant operator. New construction to cost in excess of $3 million will be under way

soon. It will consist of modernizing and supplementing the present loading lines and warehouses to provide facilities for producing the many new types of ammunition now needed by the Armed Forces. It is estimated that 1,200 laborers, mechanics and office workers will be needed on the construction work. Applications for employees will be accepted immediately by . the construction company in their temporary personnel building adjacent to the Todd & Brown, Inc. personnel office. PLAN INTERESTING PROGRAM FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — Plans for the February meeting of the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce have been completed, according to Clyde Chapman, chairman of the event. Floyd Barkley, of the Public Rerlations Division of the Indiana Department of Conservation, has been secured as the speaker of the evening. Mr. Barkley has been speaking for the Department of Conservation for several years over ail of Indiana and is a delightful after-dinner speaker. He has enough of sparkling humor in his talks to keep his audiences interrested throughout. Since he is connected with the Department of Conservation, which has done so much for the hunters and fishermen in Indiana, he may be pardoned for telling a fish story or two. Another interesting feature of the program will be some late motion pictures with sound on sport subjects which will interest all men. FEDERAL HOMES OUT OF COOKING GAS — The residents of West York Walkerton FHA addition, had to eat cold breakfasts this morning or go scampering to the * uptown restaurants, due to a short- 1 age of cooking gas supplied by the ’ Government. The supply ran out ; last night. A few families had $ electric hot plates which they c brought into use. & The cause of the disrupted • service was the freight embargo I throughout the East. The gas is shipped by rail from West Virginia, 4 and a new supple was expected by • noon today.

Books by Ralph Hollenbeck

THE OXFORD ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ARMY, edited by David Chandler and lan Beckett (Oxford Univ. Press: $39.95). “For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an ‘Chuck 'im out, the brute!’/But it’s ‘Savior of ’is country’ when the guns begin to shoot.” Rudyard Kipling’s incisive indictment of Britons’ ambivalence toward their military evidences itself throughout this absorbing, informative, and colorful study of the men who took the royal shilling. Yet these same “brutes” in three centuries secured an empire on which allegedly the sun never set. The editors, formerly with the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, date the rise of the British army from 1707. Cornwallis (credited unjustly with the defeat in the only war the British lost, the American Revolution), Wellington, and Montgomery naturally star — but it is the Tommies who shine ... Aptly, critic/author John Russell's tribute to the center of the British empire and his personal world, LONDON (Abrams: $45.00), also covers some three centuries, from the rebuilding after the searing fire that destroyed great sections of the city in 1666. The author’s illustrated reminiscence of the familiar and lesser known landmarks of what one medieval observer called “the flower of Cities” glows with the warmth of a lover’s commentary on his mistress. ©1995 by King Features Synd