The Mail-Journal, Volume 7, Number 50, Milford, Kosciusko County, 13 January 1971 — Page 1

Newspaper S ection Indiana state library Indianapolis, Ind.*. 46204

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VOLUME 7

i ßjid’ Brembeck President—

MAD Council 'Zeroes’ In On Annexation

The Milford Area Development Council (MAD) in its regular meeting at the Milford fire station on Monday night, elected new officers for the coming year and “zeroed" in on the problem of annexation. Paul Kizer, reporting for the nominating committee, named the following list of Officers which ' were unanimously elected: President — Paul Brembeck Vice President John B Augsburger Secretary — Evelyn Orn Treasurer Willis Alt The nomination and election b followed a four-part change in the civic improvement group's original by-laws that separated the office of secretary-treasurer and defined their duties and responsibilities. Following a reading of the minutes by secretary Richard Fehnel. which were approved. he reported the group had a bank balance of SIU96 83. On Annexation Willis Alt worked with the group’s planning and annexation committee and reported on his findings of valuation of property in parcel I which the group is the Milford town board to annex The parcel is located - northwest of the town's present town limits It isboundered by a line running north of the west side of the elementary school, meeting a line running west of the Syracuse road. Alt reported that the tract has a valuation of $289,100 in real estate and improvements, which would net the down approximately $6,000 m taxes per .year, based on the $2 19 differential between the town and township tax levies He also said buildings and inventory in the tract would amount to $313,174 — making a, total increase in assessed valuation to the town-of Milford of $602,274 This valuation, again based on the $2.19 tax differential, would net the town approximately $13,189 80 per annum m additional revenue ’• Town board president Carl Duncan told the group water and < sewage lines would have to be

* I LW**>V~ z s*"><. w ■ g w i 7> i® v i ? ' n t _ ' r - j|® ~ *• ■« Ik ®r SMB|? . i ■ H i I » ! jfl — I ■ " Ai . --.ira o ■ i M iggs( * ■Hr fll fl JBI ■L mKLJ NEW MAD OFFICERS — New officers for the Milford Area Development Council (MAD), nominated and elected on Monday night, are. from left: John B, Augsburger. vice president: Evelyn (Mrs. Darrell) Orn. secretary; Paul Brembeck. president; and Willis AH. trenswer. They will be sworn in at the groups February meeting.

Tlir MailSeJournaJ

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE - WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

brought to the annexed area within a three-year period cording to Indiana law. He said this would undoubtedly mean a new overhead water tank to be located in that area He said the tank could be serviced from the town’s present two pumps which are in good working condition. He said the present standpipe was built in 1902 at a cost of $l,lOO. Duncan said the town now has a class 7 rating with the fire underwriters. and that annexation and the additional water supply would reduce the town’s rating to class he felt sure. Later John B. Augsburger said their IGA foodliner has a class 10 rating, the highest one can get, and that he, would welcome a class 6 rating. “If annexation could mean this to us. we’re all for it,” he commented. Paul Brembeck. manager of the Brock Manufacturing Co. plant located just north of the IGA store, said if such things as adequate water are offered, to industry. lie felt the program could be sold.. Hear Jim Baker James Baker of North Webster, director of the Area Planning Commission of Kosciusko County, was present at the meeting, and showed a town map, and offered a folio of findings concerning the town made up some years ago by Clyde Williams & Associates of South Bend. The findings showed Milford with a growth ,up to 1,730 residence by 1990. He said if annexation is being considered, certainly the town fathers should consider a larger, more adequate water supply Mr. Baker Said the town’s standpipe has an 83,000-gallon capacity. More adequate for the town at the present time would be a 127,000-gallon supply, and that annexation as proposed would require a water supply of at least 250.000 gallons. He said a program should be embarked upon that would eventually convert all of the town’s present (Continued On Page 4. Sec. 1

Four County Dumps To Remain Open; Landfills To Be Used After April 1

County commissioner Maurice Dorsey told this newspaper Tuesday morning the four county dumps would remain open until April 1. After that time landfills, which have been approved by the state board of health, will be used The reason for the delay in opening the landfills is the frozen condition of the ground in this county. 1 A state law required the closing of all open dunps as of January 1 and the establishment of the landfills. The freezing weather has prevented the digging of trenches at the landfill sights. The trash is to be buried daily. Four Open The four dumps which will remain open are the Likens dump, south of North Webster; the Hively dump, west of Warsaw ; the Heiman dump on county road 400 South of Warsaw; and the Scott dump north of Dewart Lake The Dierks dump near Sidney and the Seminary dump on the east side of Lake Wawasee have been permanently closed. Commissioner Dorsey emphasized the fact that persons caught, dumping on or near the closed dump sights will be prosecuted. Signs have been posted as to the closing of these dumps. Three Landfills The commissioners have tentative approval from the state board of health authorities on three sanitary landfill sights which are expected to be ready by April 1. These sights are the Stanley Scott farm north of Dewart Lake, the Myrtus Custer farm in Monroe township and the Tony Heiman farm on county road 400 South- Another sight near North Webster to be maintained by F. C. (Bus) Likens is also expected to be approved. Scott was present, at the commissioners meeting and

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1971

asked about amending his landfill contract to include a three-year option. Scott stated he was going to have to purchase expensive equipment and he wanted some assurance he would have a contract more than one year. The contract was advertised for one year and commissioners and acting county attorney Re? Reed said the original contract could notice amended. Chairrrfan Fred Gilliam, however, told Scott and the other landfill operators that if the landfills were maintained properly they would be given prime consideration during bidding next year. — 7 Milford>ark Board Seeking New Members Members: of the Milford park board are looking for two adults and two teenagers to help with the administrative duties and planning for the Lakeside park at Waubee-lake Anyone interested in serving is asked to attend a meeting tonight (Wednesday) at the town hall or to call board president Dean Troup. The board is also in need of someone to run the concession stand this coming summer. Interested persons should also attend the meeting tonight or call Mr Troup. Mrs. Paul Lantz Hostess To Unity Circle The Unity Circle of the Syracuse Saint Andrew’s United Methodist church met Thursday at 1 p m in the home of Mrs. Paul Lantz with Miss Ida Deardoff assisting. In the absence of both chairman and vice chairman the meeting was in the charge of the secretary, Mrs. Raymond Wilson who opened with prayer. For devotions >Mrs. Mary Benson read an article from Guidepost magazine about the flowering of a prickly cactus developing into a thing of beauty. Mrs. Nelson Miles, who had the program, was unable to attend so Mrs. Ernest Bushong presented the group the story of' her childhood on the island of Santo Domingo in the West Indies. There were 15 members and two guests, Mrs. Ray Jones, chairman of the Mary Circle and Mrs Vem Brinkman, chairman of the Trinity,Circle, present. • Refreshments were served The February meeting will be in the home of Mrs. Jay Peffley

Tfcird Annual Unity Services January 24

A committee of laymen and clergy met on Sunday afternoon at Saint Martin de Porres to finalize plans for the third annual unity service in the Syracuse community. Through their representatives, each of the cooperating churches had a part in designing the event. The committee came to decisions regarding the ordering of the

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PICKWICK AFTERMATH — This is the way the Pickwick Block in Syracuse looked after the disastrous New Year’s Day fire which gutted three business rooms in the block. Last week a large truck was moved up to the building and soiled merchandise from the W. R. Thomas store was removed and

'No Arson In Pickwick Fire’: Investigator Clark

A certain air of mystery appears to surround the New Year’s Day fire that burned out four of the seven rooms that made up the Pickwick Blqck in uptown ‘ Syracuse. | “ The “mystery” stems from the failure to make public the full report of Willard Clark, arson investigator of the office of the state fire marshal. Clark, a resident of Rochester, said Tuesday afternoon he had already telephoned his report in, but that he would submit it in written form today (Wednesday). ‘Not Arsen-.’Clark / , —■ ■ Officer Clark Said it was customary procedure for investigating officers of the state fire marshal’s office not to make their reports public. He said a public report would be “prejudicial.” adding that it might cloud any action ■ taken later by owners of the property or by insurance companies. Syracuse fire chief Tom Strickler concurred in the opinion of Clark. Chief Strickler said Clark began his investigation into the Cause of the fire at noon on New Year’s day and worked for approximately 68 hours sifting debris in an effort to establish the cause of the fire. Strickler said he worked about 50 hours and assistant fire chief Carl Myrick worked about 35 hours. The most that either Clark or Strickler would say this week is that there was no arson involved in the fire. They termed the fire "accidental.” The failure of either the investigating officer or the fire chief to reveal the full significance of their investigation has only led to speculation on the part of townspeople. Speculation usually runs well ahead of fact in instances such as this. The Goshen News delved into the mysteries surrounding the fire in a two-part story by Paul Hershberger calling the Clark report “secret.” Then on Tuesday night The News at--4acked the nature of the report in an editorial, stating, “The truth will come out. eventually. It always does. In the meantime.

service, the music to be used, publicity, and the fellowship hour that will follow the service. The service will be held this year at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24, at Saint Martin de Porres Roman church south of Syracuse on SR 13. _ 4 The community is invited to participate fully in this celebration of the imity we share in Christ Jesus

rumors will run rampant and innocent parties will be hurt.’’ Started In Basement Chief Strickler told The MailJournal the fire which caused a damage of well over $300,000 in buildings and contents and let stand in ruins one of the most popular blocks in the area, began in the basement, in the room under the Pickwick Inn. On New Year’s eve the Wawasee Area Jaycees held a party in their club rooms there. A petition divided the large basement room, formerly a bowling parlor, about two-thirds back, chief Strickler said. It was back of this petition that the fire began: “Inis we know for use,” he said. At the same time, he absolved a number of parties from any blame. He cited wiring and gas lines, and said they were all found to be in excellent condition Chief Strickler said he could not say enough for the 23-man volunteer fire department under his command for the hard work, risk to their own safety and long hours of work in the biting cold, early morning hours on Jan. 1 He also had praise for the men working with other neighboring departments who responded to their call for help. During the fire chief Strickler (Continued On Page 3, Sec. 1)

Active School Bus Bidding At Lakeland Board Meeting

School bus bidding at Tuesday’s Lakeland board meeting was active with five body bids, three chassis tads and two combination bids being opened by business manager Marion Lantz. Six representatives from Leonard Supply, Cutter Chevrolet, Inc.. W 4 W Truck Sales. Jack Chailie Company, Kerlin Motors and Imperial Equipment were present for the opening of bids. Alternates were asked for five speed transmissions, two speed axels and an exterior-interior public address system. Bids were opened as follows: Jack Chailie Company, Carpenter body - $4,916. 22 per unit with a SI,OOO trade in allowance offered for each bus purchased. The trade ins are to be in no less condition than when appraised on January 12. Imperial Equipment, Bluebird body — $4,210.50 for one unit; $8,421 for two units; $12,631.50 for three units; $16,842 for four units and $21,052.50 for five units. The %

taken to Chicago for resale. The doors and windows were boarded up to keep the public from the interior of the building. No plans have been announced for the rebuilding of the block by its owners. %

K I SUBMIT FINAL REPORT — Willard Clark of Rochester, arson investigator for the state fire marshal’s office, is shown here in the center with Syracuse fire chief Tom Strickler, left, 'and assistant fire chief Carl Myrick. as Clark prepares to submit his final report on the disastrous, fire. He termed the fire ’’accidental,” and reported Jbere was no arson involved. His full report was not made public. >

third alternate was bid at an additional $138.50 per unit. Kerlin Motors, Thomas body — $1,997.50 for one unit; $9,995 for two units; $14,992.50 for three units, $19,990 for four units; and $24,987.50 for five units. The alternate was bid at an additional SIOO per unit. Leonard Supply, Superior body — $5,161.63 for the first"unit; $10,323.26 for two; $14,959.89 for three; $19,946.52 for four and $24,933.15 for five. The additional for the alternate is listed at S6O each. Lee School Supply, Wayne body — $5,068 for the first unit; $10,136 fw two; $15,204 for three; $20,272 for four; $25,340 for five and s2ll each for the alternate. Cutter, Inc., Chevrolet chassis — $4,956 for one unit; no price given for two units; $14,550 for three; $19,200 for four and $23,875 for five with the alternates being $l9B for the first alternate listed and $220 for the second. Cutter also bid on an alternate bid with a 350 cubic inch engine instead of the 360 requested. These bids

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weres4,s9s, none, $13,473, $17,764, and $22,080 with the alternates being the same. The company listed freight charges to the • various body plants as being $65 to Superior, SB6 to Wayne, $lO3 to Carpenter, $133 to Thomas and sll7 to Bluebird. Trade ins allowances on the five buses listed were from $325 to S4OO. C. S. Myers, Ford chassis — $4,698 for one, $9,346 for two, $13,994 W three, $18,642 for four and $23,242 for five with the first alternate being $152 and the second being $164.40. No freight charges were listed. Trade in allowance ranged from SSOO to S7OO. W 4 W Truck, International \ chassis — $4,950 for one, $9,900 for two, $14,850 for three, $19,800 for four and $24,750 for five. The first option is standard wittrs24o for the second. An alternate bid for a 345 cubic inch engine listed prices at $4,500 for one unit, $9,000 for two units, $13,500 for three units, SIB,OOO for four units and (Continued On Page 3, Sec. 1)