Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 127, Number 18, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 29 April 2004 — Page 2

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• Advance News • Thursday. April 29, 2004

Landlords

Continued From Front FEES AND TIMEUNE During the discussion, some landlords voiced concern that inspection tees would climb following ordinance approval. The mayor assured everyone that the city can't make a profit on its inspection fees, but does have the right to recoup expenses incurred during inspections. For this reason inspection fees will not get out of control. He added, "that for the S4O that if costs every two years, you're going to make that back multiple times in continued property values over time." “If this could be a referendum on the election coming up and people understood that this was a minimum housing ordinance to protect and preserve our neighborhoods, I think 80% Of the people would vote for it." he added. The mayor concluded the discussion by stating that the ordinance could actually become a landlord's best friend. The inspection certificate would confirm the condition of the property prior to a fire or destruction by a renter. Plus, the ordinance limits the amount of non-relative people living in,one unit: The suggested timeline for Minimum Housing Requirements Ordinance 1362 is a follows: •Review - April 21 •First Reading - May 3 •Second Reading - May 17 •Public Hearing - May 17 •Final Reading - June 7 •Registration of all rental properties - June through December •Inspections' begin - January 2005 The mayor added that informational meetings outlining inspection expectations would be conducted with landlords in September and October. At that time, inspection worksheets will be distributed and one visit per landlord will be sched-

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uled to walk through the inspection process. EDIT FUNDS During the meeting, the mayor also reviewed a random sampling of suggestions currently included in the Edit Funds Plan for 2005-2007. Some of the suggestions listed below' could be covered by the city budget or other funds. • Extend historic lighting beyond downtown BID district - $50,000 •Special sweeper for downtown business area - $20,000 •Amoco lot restoration - $20,000 s ‘Development funds for new South Park - $25,000 •Protective security fence around water plant - $30,000 •Street Department building improvements - $50,000 •Airport improvements $15,000-20,000 per year •Additional tornado siren for southeastern Nappanee - $20,000 •Miscellaneous park improvements/infrastructure - SIO,OOO or up •Video security system for city, depot and police parking areas - $40,000 •Future industrial development matching funds (TIFF) - SIOO,OOO •Software for clerk's office to handle EMS billing - $40,000 •Future pedestrian walkways - $50,000 Council member Thomas Lehman requested that the restoration of four blocks of brick pavement on Madison Street north of U.S. 6 to be added to the EDIT Plan. OTHER ITEMS • The council approved Ordinance 1363 on its first reading, annexing property owned by the First Church of God at County Roads 7 & 54. The church will assume full responsibility for paying the cost for city sewer and water connections. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, May 4 6:3opm-8:00pm Bremen Village Apartments 337 Woodies Lane Bremen Thursday, May 6 10:30am-12noon 6:3opm-8:00pm The Starke County Library 152 W. Culver Road Knox

Community

Therapy

Continued From Front Loren is a native of nearby Howe, located in LaGrange County. Union Center Therapy features a broad range of opportunities for persons who need assistance in nurturing the state of their physical well-being. The 20.000 square foot building is situated on eight acres, and boasts rooms for family gathering, sensory integration, physical and occupational therapy, and adult treatment. Also located on the premises are a large motor skill gym, a 37’ by 20’ aquatic therapy pool area, and fitting rooms for orthotics. which are leg and arm braces. The facility loans out wheelchairs and other related mobility units, so there is storage space given to that purpose. There is also a workshop for the repair of braces and similar forms of equipment. The lower level of the building has been renovated to serve as living quarters for management, which is a tremendous asset in that the business is staffed around the clock. In terms of staffing, there is one physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a part-time assistant in each field. Several times a month, an orthotist from Midwest Oithotics comes to the facility for workshops. Union Center Therapy is presently open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the Hartmans are by no means at the end of their wish list for Union Center Therapy. "We hope to develop a fully accessible park equipped with playground, fishing pond, picnic area, accessible gardens, and wheelchair paths," Loren says. There is also a desire to have the facility come under the ownership of a non-profit organization, called "Through Our Eyes." "Their mission is to ensure that therapies are available to all children in Elkhart and surrounding counties, regardless of the family's ability to pay. Historically, families have had difficulty in this community finding pediatric services, and most definitely, aquatic therapy." Loren explains. In order to achieve this mission. "Through Our Eyes" is still seeking assistance by way of grants and donations. "We hope this can become the community's project and place for these children to get help with the difficulties they face." He further acknowledges that they have been grateful to the number of area businesses who have offered discounted products and services. For more information regarding Union Center Therapy, or to inquire about ways to assist with the project, the telephone number is (877) 7837733.

SA Special Thank You , The Zent family would like to say a heartfelt j w JfrA~ “Thank You" to all during the death of our L y} son, “Sharky” Denny Zent, for all the (/ sympathy & donations. Especially a Vr. 1 y special thank you to Bob and Marsha \Jr / Thomas at The Corner Case for the many \ /neals served to us during this difficult Sincerely, rJfZi Dennis & Ruth (Thornburg) Zent

Located 3 blocks west of 6 & 19 intersection " " Uptown Nappanee Please join us for / SIGNING EVENT EXCLUSIVE A and meet %' *"* Tom Fenton Vice President of The Fenton Art Glass Company FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2004 I 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. * 574-773-5832 / Uk www.lizsfurniture.com i 306 W. Market St. • Nappanee. IN Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. M-F >. Sat. 9:00 am-5 n m 7 ” Raspberry Opalescent Tulip Vase - $49.50 RESERVE ONE TODAY!

Union Center School has illustrious history

Education has ALWAYS BEEN THEME OF THE PLACE By Amy Wenger Advance News Correspondent Across an amazing span of three centuries, the Union Center School has had a remarkable evolution and an illustrious history. But one constant has seemingly endured. The site has served as a means of education in some form or another of countless generations of young people. With the introduction of Union Center's newest incarnation, known as Union Center Therapy, the former school has maintained its impressive tradition, and presented a new perspective on instilling knowledge. The maiden version of the Union Center School, District #5, was first built in the fall of 1838 at the northwest comer of County Roads 11 and 48. The tiny log cabin was christened Union Center School, as it was centrally situated within the township. By 1860, a new wood frame structure was erected, which featured two slanted roof rooms added on for storage of wood and children's cloaks. Because of the unique configuration of the building design, it was sometimes referred to as the "sheep pen." The schoolhouse also served as a community center, and it hosted many social events from across Union Township and beyond. By 1887, the population of the region had swelled to the extent that a more suitable, roomier facility was desperately needed. The old frame schoolhouse was subsequently sold to Peter Bucher, who relocated it a half mile to the south and fashioned it into a bam. Meanwhile, construction had begun on a new brick building, and by 1888. it had reached completion. The schoolhouse boasted a movable interior wall, in an effort to divide the space into two classrooms. The wall was not utilized for long, and for a time, there was simply one large room. A partition was reintroduced in 1898, which allowed for students in the upper classes to be taught on one side, while younger pupils conducted their lessons on the other. The dividing wall was finally removed permanently in 1902, when Union Center School began to function as strictly a grade school. In 1929, a lofty goal was cast to create a sprawling campus which

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would house all 12 grade levels, this supposition coming about due to recent consolidation of the country schools. An expanse of land, totaling seven and one-quarter acres was procured from Mervin Anglemeyer, and a new six-inch well was drilled. But that was as far as the events progressed, and the land remained barren for nearly 25 years. The plans for a new school had been met with vigorous opposition from area residents, and the mission was further hampered by the advent of the Depression. Finally, in May of 1952, it was announced that a one-story building, with a total of six classrooms, a principal's office, a "first-aid” room and an "all-purpose" room was in the immediate offing. The total student capacity called for 240 children to receive their education there. Construction commenced with astonishing speed and by February 1953. the new Union Township School was ready for occupancy. The premiere of this school marked the official end to the one-room era of the former Union Center School, along with the Culp, Stiycker, Good, Stump, and Swoveland schools. The first day of classes opened for session on Aug. 28, 1953. Originally a school for children of all grade levels, Union Township School eventually was relegated to an elementary school by the late 19605. With the arrival of Woodview Elementary School in August of 1992, the students from Union Township and the Nappanee based Central Elementary were reassigned to the new complex. Union Township School was not entirely forgotten, as the structure harbored a privately run Christian-I&sed learning facility and also a church. Upon the cessation of that school system, it was acquired by Loren and Rachel Hartman, who have transformed the building into its present state, to accommodate Union Center Therapy. Editor's Note: 1 gratefully acknowledge ■ the staff of the Nappanee Public Library, with a special thanks to Linda Yoder and Peg Dudzinski, for their valued assistance in gathering historic information for this article. Details were obtained from the Nappanee Advance News, "Union Center School Memories," J>y Dorothy Slabaugh ' Stuckman, and "Elkhart County One Room Schools," by Dean Garber.

ASYOURCOUNTYCOUNCILMAN • ECONOMIC GROWTH • COOPERATIVE GOVERNMENT • ZONING ENFORCEMENT Paid by the Letherman Committee Mary F. Thomas. Treasurer j

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Knox Capre Capre is Student of the Week NAPPANEE J&N Stone Student of the Week Knox Capre is the J&N Stone Student of the Week. Knox is a junior at North Wood. He is the son of Esler and Kathy Capre. Knox Capre enjoys the life of a typical high school student. His personality and relaxed style makes him an easy fit for almost any group. But Knox is not your typical high school student. Knox and his family came to the United States after suffering serious persecution for their Christian beliefs in Haiti. Knox hopes to become a doctor. He would like to return to Haiti in the future and use his talents to minister to the people. Knox participates in football and track at North Wood. He is active in the F.C.A. J&N Stone is pleased to recognize Knox Capre as the J&N Stone Student of the Week. Wakarusa library News MEMBERSHIP DRIVE The Friends of the Library have begun their annual membership drive. Patrons and Businesses in the Town of Wakarusa, Harrison Township and Olive Township will receive a letter and membership form. Please read the letter and see what wonderful things this organization does for the library. For more information or to volunteer time to the Friends of the Library telephone 862-2465. IN MEMORY 'The Cat Who Talked Turkey" by Lilian Jackson Braun has been placed in the library in memory of Zuleka Anderson by Joy Anderson, her daughter. DIAL-A-STORY Dial A Story for this week is ‘The Piglet Brother.” This is the story of an untidy little boy that becomes neat and clean. Telephone 862-4441 to hear this tale. NEW CDS New CDs at the library include: “In the Zone" by Brittany Spears, "SoulO" by Nick Lachey, “In This Skin” by Jessica* Simpson, "Courage" by Mandy Moore and “Soulful” by Ruben Studdard.

AS YOUR COUNTY COUNCILMAN" COUNTY COiSr-AT-LARGE Paid by the Letherman Committee • Mary F. Thomas, Treasurer 1 NAPPANEE APTS. SPACIOUS 2 BR. APTS Stove, Refrigerator, Dishwasher C/A W&D or W&D HU STONEWALL COURT $395-$4lO Month 1-800-328-7368 (574) 534-7368 Property Management Services