The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 51, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 4 May 1995 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - MAY 4, 1995

| EDITORIAL |

TOWN ELECTIONS 1995 The municipal elections for towns and cities are held this year. As you probably know, South Bend, Mishawaka, Plymouth and the larger cities had their primary election Tuesday. However, smaller towns like Walkerton and North Liberty, operate under a different set of rules. We will have a town election on November 7 providing all requirements are met. There must be declared candidates to hold an election, if not, no election is necessary. In Indiana, towns with a population under 3,500 do not hold primaries such as those just past in our neighboring cities. In towns under 3,500 the parties hold conventions (for so many years called party caucuses) to select their candidates for the November ballot. There are several elements of this type of election that has been changed in recent years and locally, the naming of the two candidates for the Town Council who were in last year’s staggered election, came and went without much publicity or fanfare until the actual election time. In fact it was down right hushed up. The two major parties, Republican and Democrat, have until September 13 to conduct their town conventions. However, candidates desiring to run, must file a declaration of candidacy with the Clerk of the Circuit Court by September 1. Candidates wishing to run at large, must have their petitions in by July 17, while a write-in candidate must file a letter of intent by August 25 to appear on the ballot. It might seem early to start thinking about a November 7 election, but with three council seats and clerk-treasurer open in both walkerton and North Liberty as well as a town court judge in Walkerton, there is expected to be some competition for most positions. Other changes have been made as well concerning wards and at-large positions which we will get into at another time. Serving on a Town Council is not just a matter of fact. It is a job that requires one to give some time and effort to do the job properly. Running a town our size is a multi-million dollar operation and adequate leadership is necessary. We sincerely hope this year that the party leaders of the local political parties, openly express their intentions and announce their plans as they develop. There are more people interested in their town than some might think, and it should be a duty of those responsible to offer the public a chance to be informed and take part. Our columns are always open for announcements, etc., leading up the the election. We hope there is enough interest in both towns to fill al! the positions on the ballot this year. Now is the time to start thinking about this fall’s election. Be informed and involved.

I VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

“Appreciation Os Contribution” Byway of introduction, I am Professor Willis Tacker, Executive Director of the Biomedical Engineering Center at Purdue University. I am writing this letter to express my appreciation for the contribution which you have made to Purdue in making Mr. Hanson’s defibrillator available to us. 1 received the unit in the mail today from Pamela Elkin of the Nus-baum-Elkin Funeral Home. The defibrillator will be a valuable addition to teaching and research at Purdue. 1, and three of my colleagues, Drs. Geddes, Bourland and Babbs, have been doing research on implantable defibrillators for almost 20 years. However, due to the high cost of implantable defibrillators, we have not been able to purchase one for use in teaching our biomedical engineering students. Your gift has enabled us to have a difibrillator for our graduate students to learn “hands-on” about implantable defibrillation. In fact, the lecture on implantable defibrillators is scheduled to be given on April 20, 1995, so the unit will be used virtually as soon as was received by us. We are very proud of the fact that Purdue University has been one of the leading Universities in the world in defibrillator research, and you will be pleased to know that there will be students given instruction using Mr. Hanson’s defibrillator who will very likely go on to work for implantable defibrillator companies. There are six companies in the United States which manufacture implantable defibrillators, and all of them have

Purdue engineers as employees. All of the companies interact with the University in either sponsoring research projects on implantable defibrillators, and/or attending our International Defibrillation Conference which is held every two years in West Lafayette. I know that the personal sorrow which comes with death of a family member is a very difficult thing to deal with, and a time of great distress. 1 want to commend you for your thoughtfulness and contribution to science. I am sorry that Mr. Hanson's life was prolonged for only a few months, rather than many years by the implantable defibrillator. Sincerely, W. A. Taker, Jr., MD, PhD Professor Executive Director, Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center Patience is the art of hoping. —Vauvenargues Y frails Ey Jo K p | j ■WK ' J “Out little Jennifer finally left home today. But the bad news is she forgot to take her husband."

DEAR READER Kneecaps have a Teflon-like cartilage (chondro) protection. Chondromalacia is a crumbling (malacia) of that shield material. Pronounce it KON dro-muh-LAY-see-yuh. Knee pain is a cardinal sign of this occurrence. While you have to investigate other causes than physical stress on the joint, knee overuse usually plays the chief role in chondromalacia. You see this in young athletes Anti-inflammatories, like aspirin or aspirin-like substitutes, usually will relieve the pain sufficiently to permit healing Meanwhile, the patient has to remove as much stress as possible from the deteriorating joint. Weight loss is one of the more logical steps. Even modest weight loss may bring improvement in short order. Avoiding stressful activity, like stair-climbing, also helps An orthopedic doctor can make an evaluation of the degree of cartilage loss that has already occurred, and prescribe treatment, including possible surgical answers Let me repeat: There are more causes of chronic knee pain than chondromalacia Certain disease processes come to mind. The orthopedic doctor is expert in ruling out such causes. DEAR DOCTOR DONOHUE: I have just said hello to menopause. I am now considering hormones to prevent bone weakening. How long do you have to take them? Is it worth the money? DEAR READER The present thinking is that to prevent osteoporosis, the bone problem so much a part of post-menopause, the woman should stay on the hormones for at least seven years. Some argue for lifelong use If this sounds like waffling, so be it. We just are not absolutely sure of the answer And don’t forget calcium supplementation as well Is prevention worth it? The experts think so. So do lots of women patients. See the enclosed menopause booklet for answers to your other questions Others can order by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 21-WS, Box 5539, Riverton, NJ. 08077-5539, enclosing a long, double-stamped, self-addressed envelope and $3. ©1995 by King Features Synd

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

UN-SAFETY SEATS? With summer approaching, more families will be taking to the road This means, more children will be at risk for injuries that can result from even the most minor traffic accidents. But you don’t have to wait for the big trip to follow an important rule of safety: Any lime your child accompanies you in your automobile, she or he should be put into a safety seat, regardless of how far you plan to travel. Remember, most accidents occur within blocks of one’s home. But putting a child into a safety seat may not be enough to reduce the risk of injury. According to Dr. Lisa Gobold, a pediatrician at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, “Parents take for granted that they know how to buckle uptheirchildren when, in fact, up to two-thirds of safety seats are used incorrectly.” Dr. Gobold offers these suggestions to ensure a safety seat is all that it should be: Use a safety seat compatible with your car’s safety belts. Be sure to secure the safety seat with the car’s safety belt Position the lap portion of the safety seat harness as low as possible across your child's hips

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1985 CHANGES WE WILL ALL FEEL — The recently completed Indiana Legislature has enacted several bills that everyone will feel. The recently completed long session had some high points .. . and some low points. It was very successful according to many, and moderately so in the minds of many others. The seat belt law passed to go into effect in 1987, was a major piece of legislation that caused a lot of feeling both ways. Many feel this was a concession to the auto industry in a continued effort to land the new General Motors plant that will be built in the near future to handle GM’s newest car line. Indiana is one state that has worked hard to get this plant and in passing seat belt legislation, they have joined a growing number of states with similar legislation that would, if accepted by states with three-fourths of the population, relieve the car manufacturers. The auto manufaetgurers are not in favor of for different reasons. Further efforts along the driving and drinking situation were included with the barring of “happy hours” with promotions for alcoholic beverages during certain times. Even though not a real force in stopping promotions by those business, it will stop the two-for-one or double drink incentives during specified times many feel have added to the drinking and driving problem. Additional legislative action protects the bartenders in refusing to serve those they feel have had enough. Nothing was done to offset the emergency tax increases of 1982, when record increases in state withholding tax and the sales tax were implemented due to the dire need of the state at that time. As is often the case, once the taxes are added on, they are much harder to get reduced. Combined with these two taxes and the coming increase in gasoline and diesel fuel taxes, Gov. Orr remains number one in tax increases during his term of office. Place the straps of the safety seat over your child’s shoulders and not under the arms where ribs and internal organs could be damaged in a crash Always place an infant seat in the back seat so that it faces the rear of the vehicle. Replace any safety seat that has been involved in a crash. Even if you can't see any damage, hidden problems could cause it to fail in another crash. STAY CALM For Your Heart's Sake: An article in Vision, a publication of the Texas Heart Institute, cites a recent study showing that moderate to extreme outbursts of anger can heighten the risk of a heart attack. The danger of an attack can persist for hours, even if the anger lasts for just a few minutes. The reason, according to researchers, is that anger apparently contributes to the constriction of blood vessels that supply the heart, which would induce the onset of the attack. So, for your heart’s sake, learn to stay calm It’s a lesson that will be with you for life. ©1995 by King Feature! Synd. L— - M n : I l Fi & “Eat it! Pretend it’e dirt."

1970 METHODISTS TO OCCUF NEW CHURCH THIS SUNDAY ( Special services and an open hour are scheduled Sunday, May 10, n members of the Walkerton Unit! Methodist Church move into th« f new building. Regular worsH services will be held at 8:30 al’ 11:00 a.m. The cornerstone will J laid immediately following the r o’clock session. h Open house will be held fr<« 3:30 until 6:00 p.m. Church yoi/ will conduct guided tours for gue< through the new building. R freshments will be served. i i 808 GOWIN RESIGNS X NORTH LIBERTY BASKETBA) MENTOR — Bob Gowin, ht P basketball coach at North Libei High School has resigned as h< basketball coach, after his tear posted winning seasons in thout of seven seasons as head co; Bob said, “The pressures head coaching, especially aftt couple of rather poor seasons ha become just too much.” Bob a remain at North Liberty H School as head baseball coac! position he assumed this spring VALEDICTORIAN AND SA 1. TATORIAN AT NORTH LIBEFI HIGH SCHOOL — Miss Jane A Whitmer, daughter of Mr. a | Mrs. Charles Whitmer, has bq named the valedictorian of the 1 9 graduating class of North Libti High School. i The salutatorian of the clas< Miss Judy Crystal! Lamb" daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mau Lambert. 1945 GREAT PLANS ARE MAA FOR LADIES’ NIGHT —1 greatest evening of entertainm ever presented in Walkerton is * promise of Dr. V. B. Wolfe, ch - man of the Ladies Night progrf for the Chamber of Comm e g which will be presented at the 4 school gymnasium on Tues I evening, May 8 at seven o'ch 1 Plans for the big event have beet the making for several months < to the fact that it was necessar. j book the engagements earb order to have them at this time. NURSERY SCHOOL HOLE OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY - Mr Ruth Charles, director of the loc nursery school, announced the fc lowing program for open house f next Sunday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.r Introductory remarks, Jami Campbell, superintendent. Dedication, Harry J. Schneide Federal Housing manager. Address, “Why Have Nurs< Schools, Miss Bernice Orcha Executive Secretary of the In^ State Committee on Cart of C ren in War Times. Film, Care of Children of V\ ing Mothers. Innspection of Building Equipment. Demonstration of play eq I ment. " Refreshments. J BAND DIRECTOR TENDI* RESIGNATION — Band dire Fred Waters, who has been tea ing instrumental music in Walkerton schools for the past years, tendered his resignatior the Board of Education at its mi | ing Tuesday evening. Mr. Wa enjoyed a very successful caret Walkerton as band instructor evidenced by the musicians he 1 developed. His bands have i 4 rated high, having won first p in the "C” division last year, second place this year. Mr. Waters has signed a coni -< to give full time to the N Liberty School next year, place at Walkerton has not I W filled yet, as Supt. Campbell ed. The Walketon school hop I be able to hire a full time n I instructor who will teach both \ ] and instrumental music the round, including the summer. J