Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 101, Number 34, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 26 January 1978 — Page 4

Page 4

Nappanee Advance-News Thursday. January 29, I*7*

Editorial comment and opinion

Orr reports on state economic picture

Indiana s economic picture was brightened last year by the addition of at least 500 new or exDunded industires in the state, which are providing nearly 12,000 new jobs for Hoosiers, lieutenant Governor Robert D. Orr said recently. Crr Director of the Indiana Department of Commerce, said nearly one-half billion dollars in capital investment will be poured into the state s economy by start--up costs of these new and expanding industires. Those figures, compiled by the Industrial Development Division of the Indiana Department of Commerce, are probably low, since some expansion within the state is never reported, Orr said. For competitive reasons, some companies maintain silence about their growth. Other Department of Commerce divisions also have been encouraging business expansion and the creation of new jobs in Indiana, ■Or 4 old the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce. The International Trade Division s first foreign investment

Brademas recounts president's talk on energy

President Carter told members ot the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee of the House of Representatives last week that Ther'’ can be no permanent solution to our economic problems until we get an energy bill." Attending last weeks meeting was Third District Congressman John Brademas, House Majority Whip, who said that 'President Carter told us, This year we are concentrating on economic policy Igools. ' The President, said Brademas, ; "declared that we have met most ;bf our goals that we set forth early *Jast year. We said we would seek a -lb per cent increase in the Goss •National Product, and we did. We - J-educed inflation from 9 per cent to * ti little under 6 per cent. He said we I Would reduce unemployment from 16 per cent to 6Vj per cent, arid it Tcame down to 6.4 per cent. And Hast year there was an 11 Vi per rcent increase in business rpofitsV ; But according to Brademas, "President Carter warned, in his words We can’t sustain that trend ■beyond the second quarter without an energy bill’." the South Bend Democrat said that Carter told the Democratic leadership group that he will

!fm 4 i ■

■ Although there are selected categories ot state government programs which merit increased funding the fact that Indiana right now is in a financially healthy position shouldn't be a signal for massive increases in government spending. It is my belief that spending increases should.be held to essential items, while returning the lion's share of any excess revenue to the taxpayers There are several ways in which to achieve this. One is a permanent five per cent leduction in the state individual income tax. effective in 1979. This would return about S3O million to Ijjoosier taxpayers. I* I also have recommended a oneidme rebate of sls for every allowable individual exemption, based jjipon tax Returns filed this year, •this iSMyhe sKtiplest way in which to Igptum'ta* dollars' to individuals. A Itemily of four would receive a S6O *Febate. Overall, this'would return 'another $75 million to our citizens. Special tax relief is warranted

mission to Western Europe in October and November of 1977 encouraged foreign companies to locate facilities in Indiana, and the state is starting to experience positive effects from that effort, Orr said. "Over 400 companies or organizations were contacted, with the result that 15 companies have either visited or plan to visit Indiana by spring to look at plant sites," he said. "One German company in particular appears to be nearly ready to make an initial $1.5 million investment in the next few months.” More than 15,000 Hoosiers are already employed in at least 60 partially or fully foreign-owned companies in Indiana. The Department of Commerce is constantly seeking new ways to assist the private sector and local government in creating new worthwhile jobs for Hoosiers," Orr said. "It takes the private sector and local government working with state government to insure the continued economic growth of Indiana and continued jobs for Hoosiers."

propose a tax reduction and tax reforms together with what the President described as anew initiative with business to help persons hardest hit by unemployment." Brademas said that the President also expressed deep concern about inflation which, he said, insiduously robs the most defenseless. President Carter said that he had met with leaders of labor and business and urged them voluntarily to hold down wage and price increases. "I want this done voluntarily," said the President. "We don't want to go to wage and price controls." Brademas said that the President reviewed other issues on which he hoped Congress would act in this session and also touched on major foreign policy questions. The Steering and Policy Committee was also briefed by Presidential National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski Director of the Office of Management and Budget, James Mclntyre and Allen Campbell, Chairman, U. S. Civil Service Commission, who described the outlines of a major proposal to reshape the operation of the Federal Civil Service.

Capitol Commentary Governor Otis R. Bowen

for our elderly citizens, who often are hardest hit by inflation because most of them are living on fixed incomes. I have recommended tripling the old age exemption for the individual income tax to a level of $1,500. A sales tax credit on utilities also should be adopted. It would have the effect of providing a sales tax exemption on the first $250 of annual utility bills paid by each elderly taxpayer In addition, the circuit breaker” provision in the property tax relief program should be increased by increasing allowable income from $5,000 to $7,000 and by broadening the qualifiers for the property tax exemption. I also have urged increased property tax. exemptions for our World War I veterans. This package of proposals will enable state government to fund necessary programs, maintain a sufficient reserve of cash to protect us against any deterioration in the economy and keep faith with the taxpayers by returning excess revenues to them.

The Salt Shaker

1.1

By Al Shifflett

"Close Encounters is a movie grossing a barrel of money with sell-out crowds. Over 15 million people have reported seeing UFO s in various places throughout the world. My question is, why haven t these aliens contacted someone of reputable quality? If they want to know something why don't they go to the top? Why send a squadron of aliens to interrogate an illiterate hillbilly? The following is a typical close encounter with a tobacco spitting hillbilly: Alien: Beep, beep, beep. Hillbilly. What y all talkin' bout? Alien: Beep, beep, beep. Hillbilly: Y'all critters don t have no sense. Alien: Beep, beep, beep. Hillbilly: Y all come on down to the house for some grits. Alien: Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep! Hillbilly: Like grits do ya? Well, maw makes the best. Alien: Beep, beep, beep Hillbilly. How in tarnation do you spec! me to understand all that foreign jabber. I thot you critters were spose to be smart. Why you talk worse than a (beep) yankee. Alien: Beep, beep, beep beep, beep, beep beep. Hillbilly: Well for cryin out loud. That qot a (beep) rise out of you didn't it? Alien: Beep, beep, beep, beep. Hillbilly: Now we re talkin', what I need is one of those (beep) yankee translators: not one like got brother Carter in trouble. Alien. Beep beep Hillbilly: What s that you say? Why, you no good foreigner. My daddy said you can t trust foreigners, you re cussin me, ain't you? Alien: Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep l Hillbilly. Well I never. You re a sorry influence you are, I never heard such (beep) cussin in all my life. Now look-a-here. You done got me doing it. Alien: Beep Hillbilly: You keep talkin Jike that and the devil will get you. Yes sir, you're goin' straight to hell tire. Alien: Beep beep beep. Hillbilly: You re kidding? Alien: Beep. Hillbilly: Maw, quick bring my shotgun. I done met face to face with the devil. He claims he hos Uncle Bob, ol George and Sally too. And he's coming' for me! Maw: The devil. Land sakes, do you want the preacher? Hillbilly. NO maw. Just my shotgun. Whal'd I want- the preacher for. I'm gonna blow the (beep, beep) head off this foreign devil. BAM! Maw: Paw, did you shoot him? Hillbilly: Nope, he got away, but I shot myself in the foot Maw: Did you learn anything Paw? Hillbilly: (Beep) No. . do we human beans ever?

FOOTWEAR SAFETY Be safe underfoot. Slips and falls are the number one cause of accidents. Wear the proper footwear for the proper activity. Be sure footwear is comfortable - not too loose, not. too tight The safest footwear has low heels, a broad base and good traction.

NAPPANEE ADVANCE NEWS 158 W. Market St., Nappame, I N. 4*550 Pit. 773-31*7 A PARK NEWSPAPER Published Thursday—Entered at the Post Office at Nsppgnaa, Indiana, as Second Class Matter under the Act of March 3, 1879. Dale A. Tobias *4.50 per year-lntfiana General Manager *9.00 per year—Outside Indiana is | rirr Pictures for publication are welcome, but no picture will be returned by mall IN I Iv, L unless a self -addressed stamped envelope Is sent with it. No charye for publlshint pictures, news stories or ennouncomonts. ■ CTTCDC Letters to the Editor art always appreciated Letters must be ilgrnS LC I I ll\ J (handwritten) and dated. Leners may he mailed to: Advanca News, IS* West Market St., Nappanee, Indiana 4aSSO. WPA ni IKICC classified advertising deadlines are Friday at naan. 1/CAULIiNIu too Lites are due an Monday at five e'clack. Display advertising deadlines are Friday at neon.

"... (JA/PEtZSTAND MB'S CrOT /\ MBW LBGISUAT/VB PROGRAM MS! £>&££> OUT/*

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

rumors TO THE ADVANCE-NEWS: Asa witness to the whole hearing the City of Nappanee has just been through. 1 think the rumors in this small town should stop, as to a fist fight in the courtoom Monday morning. There is absolutely no truth to it, and people are just enlarging the whole deal. Let us all look back and throw our stones at ourselves first, before we start doing it to others. More than ever, I think and feel some people should get on their knees and pray, as these things would help so much more than gossip. A concerned citizen

Library closing TO THE ADVANCE-NEWS: The Nappanee Public Library serves the people of this community well and faithfully. On Monday, January 9, it closed at 4:00 p.m., in response to the severe weather advisory from the weather station, the police, radio and TV announcements. The very few patrons in the library at the time were informed of the emergency closing, and could have obtained materials from the library for use at home. It is grossly unfair to make a published criticism of the library on a single incident of non-service due to emergency conditions. The Nappanee Library serves over 8,000 patrons a year, and this patronage indicates to the Board of Trustees and the Library Staff that its services are valued and appreciated. We are snrrv if even one patron was inconvenienced by the early closing on January 9, but since the Library had been open all day until 4:00 p.m., and was open the following day, this closing does not indicate a lack of purpose or commitment to public service. The Library Board of Trustees and Staff

Damage done TO THE ADVANCE-NEWS: We once again have been a victim of trespassers in one of the great sports of horseback riding, hunting and snowmobiling. On January 21, we discovered destruction of personal property caused by trespassers or snowmobiles, done the night before. It was cold that morning, but it seemed like the little heat I had in me to keep me warm, exploded and caused me to get hot. Because I’m human, I was also angered. The many years and hours for what we had worked for was destroyed. I would like for these trespassers to come and replace the destroyed property. A snowmobile is an excellent getaway vehicle, because we cannot follow you with our truck or car wherever you can go, so what are we supposed to do to stop this transgression? Do we have to set traps, barbedwire fences, or should a person see how many he can pick off? Depending on the nature of some people, this could very well happen! Sincerely, A concerned resident working to make Nappanee and its surrounding area a safer and better place to live

&

by U.S. Senator Birch Bayh

It was the psychologist and philosopher William James in the 19th Century who said "nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging of an uncompleted task." One of the greatest uncompleted tasks before the American people today is to insure that the concept of one personone vote becomes a reality. The debate over the method by which we select the President and Vice President has extended throughout most of our nation's history. The Direct Election Amendment guarantees that the candidate who receives the most votes from the people will be the winner, and that each vote cast will be counted equally It has been stated that the Direct Election Amendment proposal would benefit large, populous states at the expense of smaller and medium sized states. In actuality, nothing could be further from the truth. A study by John F. Banzhaf 111 originally published in the Villanova Law Review in 1968, and subsequently updated, gives us an idea of just what the relative voting power of citizens of one state is compared to other states. The results are rather enlightening. The study indicated that Indiana, with its 13 electoral votes and more than 5.5 million residents ranks nearly 13 percent below the national average in voting power. That is, a Hoosier vote cast for President and Vice President has significantly less impact than a majority of votes cast nationwide. The inequity of the Electoral College takes on special meaning when the weight of a vote cast in Indiana is compared with one cast in our neighboring state of Illinois. The Banzhaf study measures this phenomenon mathematically, based on the number of electoral votes of a state and its population. The result is a measure of the "relative voting power," which is the ratio of the voting power of citizens of one state compared with the voters of the most deprived state electorally. Unfortunately, it tells a sorry tale. Let's compare a Hoosier voter

Know the Law

What kind of babysitter are you?

When you or* entrusted with the care of o parent’s most priceless possession, it it your obligation to be prepared to meet any emergency. Before your employer leave*: Ask approximate time your employer plans to return; Have a clear understanding about rule* for the child; Write down a**antial phone number*. After your employer leave*: Keep door* locked, do not open without positive identification; Keep children away from electrical outlet*, appliance*, thorp objects, etc.; Keep children in tight. Check periodically on sleeping children. In Cate Os Emergency: Call the police deportment If any \

BAYH - lines From Washington

living in Fountain County to one who resides only 15 miles away in Danville, Illinois. In spite of their proximity, the vote of the person in Danville counts approximately 50% more than the resident of Fountain County, simply because Illinois is a more populous state. In the case of a person who moves, for example, from Los Angeles to Fort Wayne, the vote that person cast for the President in Los Angeles before moving to Indiana had more than twice the impact than it would have had if cast in Fort Wayne. Again, this is due only to the population difference between the two states. This is the height of unfairness and, it seems to me, a disgrace in a country that prides itself on its democratic principles. It is clear that the public favors direct popular election of the President and Vice President by a wide margin. Two respected opinion survey organizations, the Gallup Poll and the Harris survey, report similar results from Independently conducted surveys last year. Gallup discovered that 84% of the people approved doing away with the electoral college and instituting direct popular election. It is of particular interest that every region of the country approved of direct election overwhelmingly. In fact, on a regional basis, those polled in the Midwest favored direct election by 87%. The Harris organization's results nationwide were remarkably similar to those reached by the Gallup poll three months earlier. They found that 74% of the people support direct election, and only 13% are opposed. Finally, a poll sponsored by the Salt Lake Tribune last November of voters in Utah, a state with considerably less voting power than our own state, showed that 88% of the people favor popular vote as opposed to only 10% favoring retention of the Electoral College. These poll results are highly significant. It seems to me that we all should take good notice of them. I know of no other major issue in the United States on which the American people are in such close agreement. The basic principles of democracy should be adhered tothat the vote of a person in Indians or Illinois, Utah or California, will always be counted fairly, and count exactly the same.

SOT. DON MILLIIt Crime Prevention A Public InformaHen Officer Nopponee Police Deportment

suspicious person trio* to gain entry or if any emergency arise* and you con not cope with It; For minor injuries, give simple first eld. For serious Injuria*, coll the doctor at once. Then coll the parents, ft In doubt coll the neighbor; If:yew smell smoke, think fire. Oet the children and yourself out of the house; Do not try to put out the fire. Coll the fire deportment hem the nearest phone. Your checklist: parents, nOfhe, dUkdl CKJorfii ana pnona wntrt parwiTt are, phone number for police. Ike, and ambulance 773*4111, doctor’s’ rial if a ata*AakA iS4kbslbkMSe*e namt ana pnont, ntignoor i iwiiiv and phono, relative name end pnont, omtr intwitfsimt"