The Mail-Journal, Volume 10, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 13 June 1973 — Page 1

comp I U X dk ii4“' W- *otß® H ffie Mail ;§Jjoiirnajl «7- 3 646 » / Jy| Contolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE - WAWASEE JOURNAL (Eit. 1907)

VOLUME 10

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PROGRESS REPORT — A progress report on the Pickwick Block in uptown Syracuse would indicate the rebuilding of the burned-out block is progressing nicely, with work on the basement and first floor rooms showing visible progress. According to Robert L. Jones, president of the Syracuse Community Development Corporation, which is the communityspirited action group responsible for the redevelopment of the block, the block will be completed in late summer or early fall. The building will have six retail units on the main floor, five on the second floor and one below the grass mall. In the above photo

Milford town board approves insurance

Members of the Milford town board accepted an insurance package for street and water commissioner John Martin and town marshal Don Drake. The package had been discussed at the May meeting of the board with an insurance company representative, John Alexander of Warsaw. Mr. Alexander was present at Monday’s meeting also. The insurance plan includes $5,000 life insurance, SSO per week income insurance for 26 weeks while off for illness in addition to health and medical coverage with a total cost for both men per month being $96.78. The town’s share of this amount will be approximately S4O. Forms were filled out during the meeting and signed for applications for certification of John Martin to operate the town’s water department. One form is to operate the water treatment plant and the other is for the water distribution plant. The applications must be filed by July 1. Fire chief Harold Kaiser was present and reminded board members that the town’s fire truck is 12 years old. He said that at the end of 20 years the truck must be replaced and suggested board members include an appropriation each year for the next eight years to allow funds to build so they won’t have to borrow the money when the time comes for the purchase. Kaiser said if $3,000 were raised each year for the eight year period the money raised plus the interest earned and the trade-in on the old truck

Councilmen tell "other side' of local option tax

Four members of the Kosciusko county council who voted for the half cent local option tax for county taxpayers are interested in getting more exposure for the affirmative point of view of the new tax. “There has been ample voice against the local option tax,” states Merlin Wertenberger of r 3 Warsaw, president of the county council, and a strong advocate of the new tax. “The general public doesn’t know enough about this tax,” he said, “except what they’ve read in the Warsaw paper, and that

should just about pay for the new truck. If no funds are available it would be necessary to borrow funds and pay interest on same. Harold Manor was present and asked the town if it were possible for him to run water to his property in the east of town. Since the water lines are only three or four feet from the property Manor was told this was possible and told he would have to pay the cost for the lines on his property plus the hook-up charge. He was told to contact street and water superintendent Martin and to work with him on the hook-up. Board president Dr. T. A. Miller said he had been approached by persons on northeast Smith street who wanted to hook-on to the town’s water also. A study of maps of the area showed no water lines near Smith street. The matter was tabled for further study. Park Suit Asked where the suit on the Lakeside park, filed by the Estep family on March 25, 1970, stood town attorney William I. Garrard said it was “just hanging.” — Garrard said he had tried to set the case up for a motion to dismiss but the judge wouldn’t do this. He continued by saying the town had two choices. It would let the case “dangle” or it could push for trail. The latter would, of course, take money. The matter was again tabled with a meeting to be held at Dr. Miller’s house in July to discuss the case. Questions were asked on the stand at the park with no one (Continued on page 10)

has been all negative.” Besides Wertenberger, councilmen who have voted for the half cent income tax were Ruth McCleary, 221 South Maple street, Warsaw; Tim Rovenstine, Atwood; and Wayne Tombaugh, Mentone, the board’s new member. Voting against the tax were Charles Menzie of r 1 Pierceton, and Norman J. DeGood, 347 North Buffalo street, Warsaw. Ralph Oyler of Syracuse abstained from voting. A Replacement Tax In citing his reasons for

workmen for the Rainbow Construction Co. of Geneva, general contractors, are installing concrete beams on the site. Approximately 180,000 was raised by public subscription for the project, which will cost nearly 1250,000 to complete. It is hoped the block’s rebuilding will spearhead other redevelopment in the uptown Syracuse area. Serving on the Syracuse Community Development Corp, besides Mr. Jones are Mrs. William Pinney, George Bushong, Tom Tuttle, Ralph Thornburg, William Cable. Edwin McCarty, Harry Alfrey and Gaylord Jones.

Fuel pinch felt by school board

The fuel shortage was felt last night when Lakeland school’s business manager Marion Lantz opened bids for gasoline and fuel oil for the school’s use next year. There were no bids on fuel oil, and only one for gasoline, that being from the Gulf Oil Co. for gasoline at Wawasee high school, that being for 12.16 per gallon {Jus the 8-cent state tax, and that contract can be changed with a 30-day written notice. There was no gasoline bid for Milford or North Webster. The school board will have to rebid for gasoline and fuel oil in August. Summary of Bids A lengthy bid list was submitted in six categories as follows: Cat. 1, AV Equip. — St. John’s Business Machines $4,623.67; Burk’s Audio Visual $5,005.89; and Executive Office Machines $1,414.25. Cat. 2, Ind. Ed. Equip. — Auer’s Auto Supply $3,887.38; Goshen Auto Electric $11,017.61; Tire Equipment Warehouse $6,963.16; Paxton-Patterson $12,093.40; Webster Parts $13,302.11; Allan Industrial Suppliers $9,264.30; Sun Electric $4,056.50; Mineweld Co. $319.40,

favoring the tax, Wertenberger, now in his third term, states, “if the county failed to adopt a local option tax, there would be insufficient funds available to run the county, since all tax rates have been frozen in the new tax package.” He cited the 1972 budget which had $5,500 for voter registration and $44,645 to hold the county elections He said this amount of $50,145 was not in the 1973 budget. And, without the new local option tax, there would be no funds with which to hold an election in 1974. Mrs. McCleary cited in-

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1973

and Art Iron $1,306.70. Cat. 3, Music Equip. — Welty Music Co. $3,901.60; Tom Berry Music $2,864.77; Bandy Music Store $1,873.24; O’Reilley Music $2,916.85. Cat. 4, Classroom Equip. — A.lk Dick Products $358.40; Imperial Equipment Co. $8,755.80; Allan Business Machines $1,798.90; Vecta Educational Co. $2,527.90; Carlisle Lee Co. $8,036.20; King School Equipment $8,301.00; and Art Iron $2,579.56; Executive Office Machines $892.60. Cat. 5, Business Machines — NCR $25,553.47; Burroughs Corp. $16,696.77; Litton Automated Business Systems $20,664.00. Cat. 6, Industrial Supplies — Per unit bids from Don Kiefer Sanitary Prod. Heat Power Equipment Co., G. & R. Sales, Elkhart Supply Corp. Goshen Electric, Melkers Distributors, Simon Bros., Warsaw Chemical Co. and Huntington Laboratories. Bid recommendations will be ready June 26, Mr. Lantz indicated. Receive $4,950 Departmental reports were rendered by superintendent Don H. Arnold, one being worthy of (Continued on page 10)

creasing costs like gas for the police cars, telephones, lights, postage, insurance, landfill, and now the expenses of the new area plan which the commissioners adopted last year, just to mention a few expenses to up the county budget. All councilmen except Mr. Tombaugh attended a meeting to have the new tax explained at Kendallville, and some attended a South Bend meeting to become further informed. Mr. Wertenberger said the four-year tax will address itself to a large number of workers who

Teenage girl hospitalized Debra Ann McCreary, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney McCreary of Milford was taken to the Goshen hospital Monday night after the bicycle on which she was riding was hit by a truck. Debra suffered a skull fracture at the base of her skull, bruises over her body and a severe laceration which required from 20 to 30 stitches to close. The accident happened at about 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of East street and Beer road. The teenager apparently failed to stop for the stop sign on East street and rode her bicycle into the path of the oncoming truck. The truck, traveling east on Beer road, was driven by Carlton R. Beer, 48, r 1 Milford. Beer saw the girl pull out, applied his brakes, but failed to stop in time to avoid the collision. Milford town marshal Don Drake is continuing the investigation. Syracuse BPW Installation * An installation of officers for the Business and Professional Women of the Syracuse and Lake Wawasee area was held at the organization’s regular meeting Tuesday, June 12, at the South Shore golf club. Mrs. Earl Money presented a long-stemmed carnation to the new officers. Installed were the following: President — Mrs. Robert Swager Vice president — Mrs. Chester Elder Secretary — Mrs. Robert Houser Treasurer — Mrs. John Beghtel Mrs. Money and Mrs. John Craw were honored for five years of perfect attendance with Mrs. Elder and Mrs. Georgia Buster being honored for three years; Mrs. Bill Cobum and Mrs. Houser for two years; Mrs. Theo Thomas and Mrs. Arthur Morris for one year. Each received a gift. Doris Barnhart was welcomed back into the club. Discussion was held on an ice cream social at the fair on July 11. Homemade cakes and pies will be furnished by the club members. The door prize was won by Mrs. Eugene Henning. Hostesses for the evening were Mrs. Craw, Mrs. Elder, Mrs. Houser and Mrs. Swager. Report prowler at Lake street home A report of a prowler in the James Tranter home, 219 S. Lake street, Syracuse, was investigated by Syracuse police late Saturday night, June 9. The Tranters were entertaining guests. When Mrs. Tranter went to another part of the house she nearly bumped into an unidentified person who fled from the house.

have good jobs but do not own property and thus escape the property tax. Many live in mobile homes where taxes are light and depreciation is fast, and others don’t pay a fair share of local taxes because of low assessments or because they live in poor properties. Mrs. McCleary cited the low assessment as a solid reason to favor the local option tax. Mr. Wertenberger: “If in four years the taxpayers don’t like this tax we can wipe it off the books and revert to their present form of raising money —by

Uerrtiaid^ csittW .. z I & SRI 11 ■iw' 4rm|| If ■ aß a. sIIBIMEU t 7iSF x 51- K . •*! 7 ■ \ -v-. < .x.’ .• i t\-. ■ ■ ■BMHHHHHHMHHHRBHHHHHHIMWNHHHMHHMRMHwnHHi COME TO THE FESTIVAL — These four pretty lasses are pointing to the Mermaid Festival banner that hangs over the main street in North Webster to invite passers through to return for the Mermaid Festival which will be held June 22-30. From left the bevy of beauties is composed of Vicki Wilson. Debbie Loetz, Bev Berghorn and Cindy Rich.

28th annual Mermaid Festival activities set to begin June 22

The 28th annual Mermaid Festival activities are set to begin on Friday night, June 22, with the annual Mermaid Ball scheduled for the Lions’ building located on the festival grounds. The horseshoe pitch contest will be held on the festival grounds on Saturday with the annual chicken barbeque and the opening of the basketball tournament to be held later in the day. ’Hie basketball tourney will continue on Sunday with a firemen’s waterball contest also set for Sunday afternoon. Monday, June 25, is family night with the Key City shows opening cm the midway at 4 p.m. The youth league eliminations

Milford Christian church Bible school program set

Youngsters wha are attending Bible school at the Milford Christian church are to take a sack lunch to school on Thursday for the annual picnic. Treats and drinks will be furnished. Following the picnic,practice for the program will be held. On Friday a second practice will be held with the program being presented Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church. Parents, grandparents and all interested persons are invited to attend.

taxing property.” & He calls the new tax “not a new tax, but a tax replacement.” He also says the August 1972 budget runs for 18 months, until January 1, 1974, adding, “how can we predict our expenses that far ahead?” Fulton and Whitley counties are the only two adjoining counties voting against local option tax, while Marshall, Wabash and Elkhart have voted for it, each opting for a full cent tax, while Kosciusko county is the only one to go for a half cent tax. (Continued on page 10)

will begin, the basketball tourney will continue, the talent contest will get underway and a giant treasure hunt from the sky will open. A greased pole contest will open Tuesday’s festivities with the youth league, basketball, talent contest and horseshoe contests continuing. Wednesday is kiddies day. The cutie parade will being at 7 p.m. with the famous cutie king and queen contest being held at 8 p.m. in the school gym. Eliminations of the various events will continue. A pony pull is scheduled for county residents beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The youth league, horseshoe and talent

$205 damages in accident in Syracuse June 9 A Syracuse woman, Mrs. Paul A. Rush, box 566, was involved in an accident Saturday, June 9, at 3:40 p.m. in the 100 block of E. Main street, Syracuse. She was driving a 1972 Chevrolet east on Main street when Carl W. Broeking, 84, 4340 Sharon Lane, Indianapolis, attempted to back his 1971 Chevrolet from an angle parking place, and hit her car with his rear bumper. Damages to the bumper of the Broeking auto were $lO, while damages to the right front and rear door, trim and rear panel of the Rush car were estimated at $195. Syracuse police officer Dale Sparklin investigated. Bible school program set for Sunday The Syracuse Chruch of the Brethren Bible school is underway this week with classes being held from 7 to 9 p.m. The school’s closing program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

NUMBER 20

contests will conclude andTthe basketball tourney will continue. A coin hunt in the sand will be held on the festival grounds. The basketball finals will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and the swim suit competition of the Queen of Lakes beauty contest will beheld in the school gym at 8 p.m. On Saturday the tournament of knights contest will begin at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m. the Webster Lake ski club will present a show on the lake. Parade time is 4 p.m. with Secretary of State Larry E. Conrad being grand marshal. Prizes totaling $3,750 will be awarded to parade entries. A second ski show will be held at 7 on the lake with the announcement of the parade winners being made at 7:30 Saturday night. The finals of the queen contest will begin at 8 p.m. ASSISTANT TO MANAGER — John W. Clay, an employee of the First National Bank of Warsaw since July 1, 1972, has been assigned to the bank’s Milford Branch as assistant to the manager, William E. Hadley First National president announced today. Clay graduated from Claypool high school in 1955 and has worked in the financial field since 1958. For several years prior to joining First National he served as manager of a local finance company in Warsaw. He resides with his wife and three children at r 7 Warsaw.