The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 50, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 27 April 1995 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - APRIL 27, 1995

|| EDITORIAL j

WE DON’T NEED THEM The actions last Wednesday in Oklahoma City that has been the number one news story of this and quite some time, is an act we will never understand. Since the tragic bombing of a federal building with hundreds of people inside, including very young children in a day care center, much has been done, said and certainly is/was the topic of most Americans. We looked to Webster to define a few terms to try and give some sort of explanation if such is possible. Terror is defined as “a person or thing that causes great fear”. Terrorist is “a person who favors or practices terrorism”. Terrorism: “The policy of using acts inspiring terror as a method of ruling or ot conducting political opposition”. Militia is defined as “A reserve body of citizens enrolled for military duties, called upon only in an emergency”. What happened last week is not justified in any way, shape or form in our country or anywhere in civilization. The first thought of course, was foreign terrorist, something not uncommon in other parts of the world. But when it was quickly traced to our own people in our own country supposedly living by our own laws, it was a hard matter to digest. There is one thing for certain, such cowardly, dastardly, and completely unacceptable action is not needed here ... or any place else! In most minds, punishment cannot come fast enough or be equal to the crime committed. No where does one get the right to unemotionally take lives of literally hundreds of people through such a ruthless act. There can be nothing going on to cause such retaliation. And the fact that so many infants and very young children were involved, causes for more and stronger feelings against those who are guilty of this crime. It is sad enough when adults or anyone is the victim of some malcontent, let alone an infant who has an entire life ahead of them. Who knows, maybe one of those killed in such a brutal way would have been a famed scientist, an instructor of people, a man of the clergy, an astronaut exploring space, a professional athlete, anyone in future years whose input might make a difference in history. Or what if they just would have grown up to be a peace-loving family person who went about their own way in peace and harmony. The unknown factor of these children’s lives in addition to the unbearable grief and sorrow of the families, just adds dimension to the crime. We could go on for a long time on this situation, but it has been said and will be continued to be discussed, but no real answer can be made on this incident or any that may follow. As is always the case in such a tragic situation, precautions will try to be taken to prevent more of these occurances, but that will do little for those whose losses will be suffered for a long time. Perhaps our way of life and government in this country is too good for our own good. Not everywhere could such actions even be considered. However, in offering freedom of many natures, we have allowed such things to grow and fester in minds of some who just aren’t rational in their thinking. It would be great if these people who are unhappy with our way of life and government, would just leave and try and find what they want someplace else. They might just be forced to accept some authority . . . authority that by no means is as restrictive and cruel as they are trying to believe. We are not preaching vengence to an extreme degree, but truthfully we do not feel any punishment can truly offset the action of last week and the sooner it is over, the better for all decent and peaceloving people. If you don’t like our way of lite, get out. We don’t need you or want you! WELCOME LITTLE JOE’S Walkerton has another new restaurant. Little Joe’s Pizzeria. located on U.S. 6 at the east edge of town (where the drive-in was located for some 40 years), opened their door for business last week. We would like to welcome them to the community and the business community as well. The establishing of a new business is always a welcome addition to an area, especially the small towns. Little Joe’s features pizzas, sandwiches and salads, along with beverages for your pleasure and convenience. They have both the facilities to eat in, or you can carry-out. We welcome them to Walkerton and hope the public will stop out and give them a look. Glad to have you on board!

I VOICE OF THE PEOPLE I

“Tribute To Atm Volunteer*” The dictionary describes volunteer as meaning “to offer or give of ones free will.” We have so many people doing that right here in our community. People helping people, pride in themselves, pride in their community, and a genuine concern for others. The fire department that has

been serving us for 115 years has 29 members plus the ladies auxiliary; the 35 member crew of the Walkerton Polk Lincoln Ambulance service that gets us to the hospital of our choice in emergencies; the people of our local churches working on the community pantry and helping serve the needs of the people; the Friends of the Fourth who make it possible for everyone to enjoy the 4th of July celebration

right here in Walkerton; the people i at Real Services Nutrition site who help to make the program a huge success; and the caring people who volunteer at the schools to help with reading, field trips, sports and much more; and those special people who read a story or just stop by to rock a small child at Our Little Angels Day Care. There are many more who volunteer on committees, the Electric Advisory Board, the Historical Society, the Plan Commission, the Redevelopment Commission, the BZA, the Industrial Boards, the Ambulance Board, the volunteers at Miller's Merry Manor and neighbors helping neighbors, just to name a few. So many people in our small community are working together to make Walkerton a great place to live! Thanks to all of you. Cheryl Rizek President Walkerton Tow n Council Dear God! Is the Olkahoma tragedy a tragic wake up call? To show your people everywhere That we're not loved by all. We have good and evil everywhere And things will be all right, If we will put our trust in thee We will see the light. Remember the little children who gave to thee their all As they play and dance in heaven where teddies line the hall. Esther Jackson “Urey Costs Approaching 11 Million!’’ What a wake up call. Eleven million dollars? That is correct. As of the April 18th School Board meeting the projected cost to the taxpayer for the Urey Middle School project is from $10,787 million to $10,958 million. Quite a difference from the pre-board election screams of "Save Urey and save 4to 5 million dollars. Vote for I” On the 18th Mr. Kari Vilamaa, our schools architect, said that the news was not good concerning the recent opening of the project’s bids. The high schools bids came in from $298,000 to $127,000 over projected budgets. This was not even considering any of the nine alternate bids which were submitted, which add additional money to the base bids from which I obtained the figures above. Mr. Vilamaa went on to say that the Urey bids were even worse news than the high schools news. When looking at the approximate 34 bids concerning the Urey project alone, it becomes pretty confusing. Based upon those bids, it looks like we are “$1.4 million dollars” over budget. When given the current projected cost at $9.26 million, we can obtain the now quoted costs of from $10,787 million to $10,958 million for this project. ($9.26 million plus either $127 thousand or $298 thousand plus $1.4 million.) Mr. Vilamaa also said the numbers were over budget so much that he would not recommend a re-bid process. That to bring this project in at budget levels we would have to “cut approximately 9,000 square feet from the building”. He also said when trying to decipher the numbers that when using SBO.OO per square foot for the new construction part of Urey, that brings the renovation cost for the building at $87.00 per square foot. He want on to say that these figures were so high because, when compared with a project he helped in just last year, which was an all brand new building built in the middle of a com field, the $87.00 exceeded that projects $76.00 per square foot cost by $ll.OO per square foot. My thoughts are could it be that we can build new for less money than renovate the old? When 1 brought up these numbers at the April 20th School Property Tax Control Board, held in Indianapolis, it was asked of the projects financial manager, Mr. Roger L. Umbaugh, just how much

money needed to be cut from these costs to bring it in at budget levels. He said that because of falling bond rates and a lot of things I did not understand, only “$90,000” needed to be cut. I could not understandd that we need only cut that little money from a project that was over $1.5 million over budget. That next day, Friday the 21st, I went to Mr. McKee’s office to come to an understanding about this question. After his explanation, 1 understood that it is not a matter of the projects total cost, that it was a matter of how much money the taxpayers pay to the lease company per year at a maximum of twenty years. Yes, the Board can continue with this project at $10,787 million as long as they shave $90,000 from its cost. Let us remember this project does nothing for either of the elementary schools, which as late as the April 4th 1995 School Board meeting. Mr. McKee made it know that two rooms need to be added to North Liberty Elementary School, and that something needed to be done soon at Walkerton Elementary School, which has more immediate problems than North Liberty Elementary School. A projected cost for a new 6-7-8 Middle School on 24 acres next to the high school, which solves both elementary schools space problems, including the same budget for the high school athletic fields ($999,000), with all things being compared equal with the current proposal (soft cost and new construction cost etc.), come to $11.4 million. The difference between the two projects is now only $523,000 ($11.4 million 6-7-8 — low bid $10,787 current project — Mr. Umbaugh’s $90,000) I seriously doubt we can add onto both elementary schools for this little amount of money, which is at Walkerton Elementary School alone projected at $750,000! As it now seems the Board can spend this kind of money, as the above numbers render unwisely, the only thing we can do, baring a court battle, is to let them know your feelings by going to the emergency scheduled public work session this Wednesday night, 7:30 p.m. at the high school library, or by talking to

I me MORIS . . . . y II FROM OUR FILES |

1985 Ist SOURCE BANK HOSTS REDEVELOPMENT LUNCHEON — Four area experts in downtown redevelopment were the featured speakers at a business luncheon hosted by the Ist Source Bank Walkerton office on Tuesday, April 16 at the American Legion Post 189, for many of the business leaders of the town. Prior to the luncheon three speakers were heard from the community who presented issues and opportunities which they saw as major concerns on the horizon for Walkerton. Speaking were Roy Wilcox, Wilcox Supermarkets; Ray Chapman, Ray s Super Valu; and Ruth Knowlton, Chamber of Commerce representative. Taking part in the redevelopment luncheon were Jon Hunt, executive director of the Department of Economic Development, South Bend; Chris Davey, chairman of the Downtown Technical Advisory Committee and vice-president of Cressy & Everett, Inc.; Pat MaMahon, director of Project Future; Len Gherardi, Mishawaka Community Development director; and Judy Farver, branch manager of Ist Source Bank, Walkerton, and moderator for the luncheon. Centering from the four area experts in redevelopment was organization, goals, attracting new business, committment of local government, promotional activities, cleanup, and the selling of your community to others. Set short term

them personally! Please do it no’ as our time to make sense abo^ this project is running out. Respectfull4/i Jeffrey L. John so Patron for a quality educating “Friendliness’’ Lately, everyone has been con meriting about the friendliness j the new mega-stores. This i great, but Walkerton has alway been a friendly place to shof We’ve always had a friendly gro< ery store. Ray and Kenny’s. Ker ny always yells across the store t say hello, and Carl always wishe that he had left before I enterec The clerks and carry out gentlemeS, are generally understanding an^ helpful. I always thought that the® were nice to me because of threat® and bribery, but other people hav® also bragged about their nice treaW" ment here. Both Carl and Kemi, < are active in community affairs, al । are many of their employees. U the last few weeks, Kenny has bec : 3 very helpful to the Walkerton Are M Chamber of Commerce in manirt ways. We are mighty lucky tSa have people, and I know that therve are many in the area, like KenrJrn Chapman. Thanks Kenny. isp I don’t know what happened Ea all of the details, but lately a loc;. K school was in need of pizzas, an Mil they went out of the town tJtc purchase them. It seems a litilhis odd to not buy locally, when th’ item is available here in the arc - 1 " After all, when money is needei-0 the local merchants are hit harcP* It is really and should be a two wa street. We will be invaded again in Jul by the Walkerton, Ontario Legion^ aires. They will be arriving oi^ July 2nd and will be with us untiy^ July sth. lam looking forward t ne greeting these brave and oner ( j n , souls from our Sister city i veJ Canada. ivc Here at the fowl farm of thy ov Williams, both Goblette and Gio: gette are setting on many egg*Babette hasn't yet decided wh;. she is going to do. Quacker's mat is nesting on about fifteen egg^ I will keep you updated on Ro\ pests, I mean pets. _ Sincerel} Nedra William —

goals so you may see the resu® and work towards future goals. ■ PLACE AT NOTRE DAME S( ■ ENCE FAIR — Five Walkervß School students placed at the Not ■ Dame Science Fair held recentl ■ They are Keely Jackson, firl place; Tia Jacobson, third plat ■ Megan Williamson, third placß Trisha Bottorff, third place; arH Christian Crane, third place. ■ DR. HANNI RESIGNES TO A(l CEPT A NEW POSITION - At t’;B regular meeting Tuesday the Pof — Lincoln-Johnson Board of Educjß tion accepted the resignation of Di Robert Hanni, school superinten I ent, effective June 30, 1970. I Dr. Hanni has served as supe t intendent of schools in PLJ sint July of 1968 and has resigned t assume the superintendency of th Twin Lake School Corporation < Monticello, Indiana, on July 1 1970. He came to PL) in 1968 fro Ball State University where I served as a research assistant wh completing the doctors degree. JOHN GLENN ANNOUNCI SENIOR HONORS WINNERS Sue Zartman and John Mitcht have been announced today as tl valedictorian and salutatorian f the 1970 graduating class of Joi Glenn High School. FROM DAVE & RAY’S — Ct ter cut pork chops, lb. 89c; Ist < pork chops, lb. 69c; loin end p< roast, lb. 79c; spare ribs, lb. b 9 whole hams, lb. 59c; shank portio lb. 49c; butt portion, lb. 69c: cent (continued on Page 9) H