The Mail-Journal, Volume 7, Number 9, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 April 1970 — Page 8
THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed„ April I, 1970
8
| THE EDITOR
A Thought On Annexation
Annexation? There is only one advantage for the people of the town of Syracuse and for the people of the area to be annexed and that is to make it possible for ALL to take part in and be responsible for those things that make a community grow. A town government provides the means by which things can be accomplished in an orderly manner, with everyone paying their fair share. If there had been no town of Syracuse (civil government) which provided a water company, and until only a relatively few years ago, provided 80 per cent of the money for a fire department, this community would have practically no industry The Weatherhead Company would not be here; the Rubber Company could not have expanded as it has, and perhaps others that use large amounts of water All the factories here enjoy low insurance rates . because of the w’ater supply and of a fire department I beleieve The Weatherhead Company is the largest taxpayer in the township. Is that of any value** One company is now moving out of the village because of the failure of the town to provide them with water and sewage One-hundred and fifty people will lose jobs. There are those who have wanted, and still want. Syracuse to be a “quiet little town.” These good people are financially independent and made their “fortunes” in other cities They do not want any more jobs here nor any more people Like all our forefathers, they came here to get away from the city and people and they want it to stay that way. However,, time does not stand still People have moved here and many. many. many, more are going to come. At the meeting at the scout cabin and in a “Letter to the Editor.” several people have tried to build up an image of the town as something terrible. Just sitting there waiting to grab up all that big tax money! From a strictly financial viewpoint, none of the proposed residential areas can pay their own way Business, industry and the people of the present town will help pay for the services they get The question is: Do the people of these outlying areas want to accept the responsibility of a full fledged member of the community** The people over at New Paris (not incorporated) are trying desperately to influence industry to move there A few people have always started a “fight" when they get around to talking about incorporation. Others have'actually started a legal corporation with considerable private money to try to do something - getting industry, etc. They still lack water, sewage, street lights paid for by all. etc and still lack industry and jobs. * The Chamber of Commerce is trying to aid the town of
Beyond The Call Duty
Dear Editor: Recently two successful fund raising projects for North Webster junior high athletic department were put on by the faculty. First a candy sales and then a Dads vs Ladds basketball game and an exciting seventh and eighth grade girls basketball game. Sixth and seventh graders defeated their dads by a point and the eighth grade lost to their dads by a pant Then the undefeated Church of God team lost to the 1967 North Webster county
Jaycees Support Restricted Parking
Dear Editor: Following is a copy of the letter sent to the Indiana state highway commission on March 25. “In the last few months the Wawasee Area Jaycees have worked to restrict parking off the east side of Huntington street in Syracuse, Indiana. It is the opinion of our board of directors and membership that the street is too narrow to allow parking on both sides to facilitate the semitrailer and mobile home traffic which it must bear. “We have asked for the approval of this project by the Syracuse town board but they
Syracuse. Members of the . committee do not deserve the s supercilious attitude as that shown in the meeting last Wednesday night and in a “Letter to the Editor” In the matter of sewage, even an ‘-‘amateur ecologist” can figure out that when you pump human waste into the ground 50feet or 500-feet from the lake, the sand and gravel beds eventually will carry it downhill into the lake. The closer it is. the quicker - and the more families doing this, the surer Then on the other end or middle of the lots, they drive a well and pump out drinking water! Are all of these wells pure? How long will they remain that way? Have any of them been tested by the state of Indiana? The water in the mains of the town is tested for purity each and every’ week at Indianapolis. A family can easily spend SSOO to SI,OOO to drive a deep well. It may cost a like amount to build your septic tank. Does it cost * nothing to keep them in operation ** These costs aid in preventing many working people from building a home here Some of these leaders against annexation poke ridicule at the town, as if there was a Berlin Wall between the two They use the streets, the parking lots, street lights, the police at times, public parks - but apparently do not want to pay any small part. Driving a deep well would pay the increase in Jaxes for a 30-year period, in most cases The greatest value of annexation could come with “new blood” available for town officials. We do not need a "Mayor,” we need a town board (a three-man and the five-man board is a failure) that will study and work on town problems. We need a town clerk available in Syracuse every day. We need a ye vitalization of the uptown (business area — public toilets, more parking area, cooperation with business modernization, etc. The young people in adjacent areas COULD provide such leadership YOU may want a "quiet little town” and you may be right. But there is another side to the story and there are people who honestly think it is right to plan and prepare for and welcome more families here and more industry. They are going to come anyway! A town government just provides the means for doing it in an orderly manner How well it is done - well, that is the problem for the citizen The cost? Yes. it does cost a little but it is a very minor point. Many people spend more on cigarettes, or on cokes, or whiskey, or on some civic club project each year, then the increase in taxes Town government is as old as the democratic process! It is as good as you make it! You get back about 98 cents on the tax dollar! You can control what you spend, by use of the ballot box! There are TWO sides to the annexation problem. Barton Cox
champs The whole point being that it took extra effort on behalf of the 'acuity to put on a project such as this. I'm sure that this is not covered in any contract. I wonder too if the striking teachers north of us would have put out this extra effort. So I on behalf of happy students, aching tired dads, excited mothers and a healthier athletic fund thank the North Webster faculty. CP
have failed to put it to a vote each time. We feel it only necessary to inform the state highway commission that the opinion of the town board is not the opinion of the populas of Syracuse. “We would appreciate it if you would take this letter as our approval of this project. Abo, to offer the state any support we can give in this matter should any question arise upon your part.*' Respectfully yours. WAWASEE AREA JAYCEES Charles Koser President
Letters To The Editor Addressed To Local Issues
What's Wrong With Being Content?
Dear Editor: After attending the first annexation meeting, I came to the conclusion that there is a mere handful of property owners that needs the town for it’s sewer and water facilities; the rest of the great majority are satisfied, even happy with what they have. Maybe in this age there is something wrong with being contented, not dormant or dead, just contented. We have very good road upkeep, including early snow removal by the county. When “they” fight for early annexation to get in more gas, cigarette and alcoholic beverage tax money returned from the state, they might realize $6,000 more each year. How far would that go toward the hiring of three more men and several pieces of
On Way Toward Progress
Dear Sir: I note in the Wednesday, March 18, issue of The Mail-Journal that the Syracuse town board and the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce are well on their way toward progress, also that a committee has been organized in Milford to make the city of Milford progressive and thinking of the future Milford, Indiana. We all know that cities are what men make them and this quotation brings back to my memory a poem under the same title. Cities are what men make them. Whatever those cities may be; Slothful, sloven, sleepy; Progressive, beautiful, free. If the hearts of the builders are noble. At one with the day and the deed. They'll grow into greatness and grandeur; For thus it was ever decreed. That cities are what men make them. Wherever those cities may be;
Comments On Area I Meeting
Syracuse, Ind. March 30, 1970 Editor The Mail-Journal: Dear Editor: I would like to make some comments concerning last week's meeting for the annexation of Area 1. We were told we did not understand many things concerning tax assessment and we were ignorant of the workings of the town government. Well, I quite agree with that, if we knew too much, we wouldn’t put up with many things that go on. Now, for my observations at the above mentioned meeting. We were told Kosciusko county is a "potential hot bed” of growth and does not have a major city; we should prepare now for all the people to come into this area. Questions: Do we really want to be the major city? Do we want all the problems that are sure to come with being a large city? Where are you going to put all these people and industries even after annexation? Mr. Todd stated at another meeting, people are moving their children out of the cities. Seems to me. this is what we should work for, a haven for these people, away from the big cities. Mr. VanHemert gave us some figures on the tax rate and he figured some would realize a small saving. He deducted the payment for garbage pickup and the reduct ton of the- fire insurance rate. Questions: Why wasn’t the monthly cost of sewer and water added to the figures? Why wasn’t the cost of installing these lines from the street to our home added? And the reduction of the fire insurance may or may not come about. And if it is reduced, you will receive the lower rate—if you are within 1.000 feet of a fire hydrant—this was so stated by a member of the Cos C. Syracuse is now rated class 6 on fire insurance. The low. er rate being 1 up to the higher rate of a class 10. Goshen is also class 6, Warsaw is 7. Looks to me as though we're just as good as the bigger cities now and with their greater area and population. why aren’t they lower? On the present sewer treatment plant, it has a capacity of 300.000 gallons a day—began in 1963 for a period of 10-20 years without the need of expansion, now pumping almost 250.000 gallons a day. With annexation it will be pumping 260,000 gallons a day. according to the figures given. Or did you mean an additional 260.000. Mr. Lessig? Either way. the figures do not compute, especially since we’ve been told everything is adequate to add double the number of people now using these facilities without additions being made. We were told the people north and south of the town moved into those areas because nothing was
equipment needed for taking care of the present “town” plus all the added area? Look at South Bend — they have the population to get many tax dollars returned from the state, and who in this area has worse Streets than South Bend? I feel that Gestapo methods are being used — the majority of us don’t need the “town” — the “town” needs us and they should be wooing us with what they are prepared to give us now — not using us to get rid of the town board. (This is openly admitted by the “committee” working on this bit of hankie pankie.) If they want a better town board and feel that they have the men for the job, let them bring these men forth and give the people of the town a chance to vote their opinions. Mrs. Dee Stiver
Set out on the desolate desert . Or down by the surging sea. Though they cleave breasts of mountains Or nestle by rivers broad, Cities are what men make them On land that is given of God. The authorship of this poem is unknown to me. and I first read this poem in The American City Magazine. September, 1950. If one would only read and re-read this poem over and over, how true it is. To build a city such as this poem brings out, it takes men of great will, courage and free of greed, self greediness. I think there are still men of this qualification who will do the job right if given the chance and the support of the general public is extended with sincerity. They think and build for tomorrow, and leave behind the slothful, sloven, sleepy town. Sincerely yours, Lionel L. Harmison Maj. Ret. USA
available in town. Quite a few of us have been here 20 to 30 years and still others were in town and moved out here. I’m quite sure there was land and housing available in these cases. Oh, yes, we must not forget the comment that we to the north and south use the town streets and should have to help pay for them. The town gets its money from the state, mainly. That's where a good portion of our paycheck goes. Besides if you feel you don't want us to use your streets we can shop elsewhere. It's no problem to get around the town to other towns. I, for one, cannot afford to do all my Shopping in Syracuse, anyway. For years the town has catered to the summer trade and now they want us to cater to them (the town). A good example of how the town has provided for its own is the installation of a fire hydrant at the junior high and elementary school. About time isn't it? Howmany years has the school been there? How many additions have been made in the past few years? It costs money, Mr. Sharp stated. It sure does! In comparison, what price do you put on those buildings and contents, which at one time, included us and now include our children? If we stand by and let them bulldoze us into the city, then we are ignorant and stupid as they said. Sincerely. | . Mrs. Kenneth Knisley CHURCH OF GOD FELLOWSHIP MEETS The Rev. and Mrs. Victor Yeager were hosts for the March 24 meeting of the Fellowship cla« of the Syracuse Church of God. In the absence of the president, vice president Rev. Yeager presided. Devotions on the sth chapter of Thes. were by Mrs. Yeager. Prayer was offered by Melvin Niles, and seven members responded to roll call. Members agreed to give $25 to the Easter offering. Meeting was dismissed with prayer. Mrs Phyllis Troup will be hostess for the next meeting. Mrs. Dale Mock entertained on Easter Sunday in honor of her husband’s birthday. Those present besides the honored guests were their daughters and families, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Montieth and children of Fort Wayne and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Holloway and children of Mentone; Mrs. Mock’s sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Eearl Stookey of South Bend, and her mother. Mrs. Anna Bishop of Leesburg
Annexation - (Continued From Page 1) ficiently benefit those being annexed to warrant the added cost in taxes. He asked town engineer Don Lessig, who was present, if he could provide plans for proposed improvements to the three areas for an independent study to see if in fact it would cost the $250,000 suggested by the town engineer. Mr. Lessig said all such plans were already available at town hall and that they were public records. If annexation becomes a reality, improvements in the three areas would begin June 1, 1970, according to the town board. Jack Francis, a resident of North Huntington street, Syracuse, said he questioned the capacity of the town’s sewage disposal system, stating he thought it would have to be enlarged to take care of the added customers Engineer Lessig said this is not true, that the capacity of the facility is 250,000 gallons per day and that it can easily be increased to 275.000 gallons per day. He said there has been a constant check of flow for the past year, repeating that the facility is adequate and would need no additions. The plant is seven years old. Harold Kline and Dee Stiver, both residents of area 1, asked why no preliminary’ meetings had been held prior to the passing of the annexation ordinances Steve Hearn said the chamber meetings with the town board had been sufficiently advertised in the news media, and that no objections were heard until the ordinances werefinally passed. Have Made Survey Perhaps the most relevent information on public sentiment in area 1 came from Don McFarland who lives in the Stookey addition. He said a group had made an effort to contact each of the 58 residents living in area 1 to get their reaction to annexation. He said only 53 were contacted since five were on vacation or
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otherwise unavailable. Os these 53, he said five (or 9.4 per cent) were for annexation; 43 (or 81.1 percent) were opposed; and five were undecided. It was stated that annexation would increase the population of the town of Syracuse from ap- ' proximately 2.000 to approximately 3,000 and that it would increase its taxable valuation from approximately $3 million to approximately s4‘ 2 million. The meeting for area 2 will be held tonight at the scout cabin. ADMIT BREAK-INS AT KOM-PAK, IND.. NORTH OF GOSHEN Two Syracuse men and a Wolcottville juvenile have admitted break-ins at Kom-Pak Industries, Inc., north of Goshen. Frederick K. Pearson. 28. and John Walter Cora. 24. both of r 3 Syracuse, and George Porter. Jr., 17, were taken into custody by Elkhart county officers. The break-ins occurred in December and February with merchandise worth over $1,500 being taken. Charges are pending against the two men and Porter is on parole from the Indiana Boys School. CELEBRATE E.ASTER AND MARCH BIRTHDAYS SUNDAY Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wiles and family of Syracuse entertained Sunday for the family at an Easter dinner and March birthdays. Birthdays celebrated were Mrs. Robert Wiles, Merl Laughlin, Sr.. Mr. W’iles and son Robbie and Cindy Keck. Others attending were Mr. Wiles. Mrs. George Keck and two children and Mrs. Laughlin. BOOKED AT COUNTY JAIL Lewis Charles Taft, 23, Syracuse was booked at the county jail over the week end for driving while under the influence of intoxicants. He was released on bond.
New Salem By MRS. HERB MOREHOUSE SUNDAY SERVICES Pastor Ostrander’s sermon topic was “Why Not Stay For Supper” as he used Luke 24:13-32 as scripture reading. The young people were in charge of the evening service and showed a film “Journey to the Sky” by Ken Anderson. —NS—SUNRISE SERVICE - The young people were in charge of the Sunrise service with Gary Hurd narrator. Group singing was led by Jay Plank. Jack Teeple gave the devotions. Wesley Kilmer read a poem. A personal testimony was given by a Grace college student, who just returned from Florida with the College Crusade. Easter breakfast followed and was enjoyed by a large number. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Baker and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson were in charge of Thursday night’s communion and Easter breakfast. —NS—COMMUNTTY NEWS Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Mullinix. Marianne and Marcia were Mrs. Edna Tom and Doris. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Cripe, parents of Mrs. Edna Tom, returned to their home in North Manchester on Monday after spending several months with Mrs. Tom. Mrs. Charles Ryman spent several days last week with Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mathews. Sunday dinner guests of the Mathews were Mr. and Mrs. Vere Wildman, Ron, Randy and Robie; Ed Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Mathews. Cary and Brent; and Mrs. Ryman. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Tyler, Aldron and Todd were week end guests of Mr. and Mrs. * Dale Morehouse, Loetta and David and attended services Sunday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Everett Morehouse of South Bend and Mr.
and Mrs. Glen Morehouse called on Mr. and Mrs. Guy Morehouse Sunday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Ostrander of Rudyard. Mich., days last week with their son pastor and Mrs. Michael Ostrander, Shawn and Greg. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Baker and family and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Weybright were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. BUI Weybright to help Mr. Weybright celebrate his birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Max Shively drove their son Douglas back to Ferris State college at Big Rapids, Mich.. Sunday afternoon. Doug Shively, Gary Hurd, Jay Plank. Dennis Shively, Pam Teeple, Diana Morehouse, Sandra Crowl and Nancy Johnson spent their Easter vacations with their parents. Miss Carolyn Johnson of South Bend spent the week end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson. Nancy and Arnold. Mr. and Mrs. John Plank visited John’s father Oscar Plank at the Fountain View nursing home at Elkhart Sunday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bronman. Candace. Chris and Shawn visited Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Morehouse Sunday afternoon and attended Sunday evening services at New Salem. Mrs. Inez Shively, Mrs. Ruth DeFries and Mrs. Vida Losey enjoyed Easter dinner together. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Morehouse. Mr. and Mrs. Blake Baumgartner and Jonathon of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Anna Pinkerton were Saturday evening supper guests of Mr. and Mrs. Max Brower of Syracuse. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ferverda entertained at Easter dinner for Mr. and Mrs. Rex Wildman and family and Miss Clara Driver of Warsaw and Mr. and Mrs. Blake Baumgartner and Jonathon of Fort Wayne. LAKELAND LOCAL Mrs. Esther Charlton of r 2 Milford had as her Sunday evening guests, Mr, and Mrs. Tom Pinkerman of Goshen.