The Mail-Journal, Volume 10, Number 24, Milford, Kosciusko County, 11 July 1973 — Page 1

• comp / u dfv M dk Sts £ -sJF "< ~ H Tiie HaiJji;./ourr»;<r JR Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE - WAWASEE JOURNAL (Ett. 1907)

VOLUME 10

Syracuse kiddie parade to step off at 6 p.m.

Kiddie days of the 14th annual Syracuse Police and Firemen’s benefit association fair will be kicked off tonight, July 11, with a kiddie parade, stepping off promptly at 6 p.m. The parade is sponsored by Syracuse VFW Post

fs 5-man Town Board a jinx?

If the Syracuse town board had taken the advice of the late town attorney, C. Leon Connolly, it might not be in the difficulties it is in today. Connolly, a well known local attorney, warned against the adoption of a five-man town board, a fact that came to light this week. Townsman J. Barton Cox, who served as a member of the Syracuse town board and as clerk-treasurer over a period of 10 years during the late 1950’s and early 1960’5, said the advice of attorney Connolly appears almost prophetic at this time of crisis for the present Syracuse town board. Cox said when he was a member of the board with Harry Coy and Harry Nicolai in the 1950’5, they sought to widen the board by dividing the town into five wards instead of three. Cox said Connolly advised against the move, stating it would only make the board more inoperable. At the present time the Syracuse town board is seeking two replacements, and some think they will have a difficult time filling the two vacancies. Lou Kuilema, who served as board 1 president, recently resigned in ward 3, and last week Noble C. Blocker, veteran GOP politician, resigned in ward 2. Grace Betes was almost a certain replacement for the Kuilema seat until the sudden and unexpected death of her late husband more than a week ago, but she has since removed her name as a possible replacement. Pressures resulting from I. difficulties concerning the town building commissioner has been given as causes for the two resignations.

zwiSUiß ■Bf ■ BB ■ ■ i| .¥ \ J - Vul n \X ’sL f •' ***** I* 11 ’ INSTALL OFFICERS — New officers for the Ancil Geiger American Legion Post 226, Milford, were installed at a business meeting of post members Monday night, with Jack Stump becoming Hie new commander. Installation was by Jack Bullers, a member of Warsaw post 49. _■ From left are Richard Felkner, Sgt-at-arms; Robert Bvooks, service officer; Ralph Berkeypile, finance officer; Bruce McCltitic, outgoing commander and first vice commander; commander Stump installing officer Bullers; Howard Haab, adjutant; and Eugene W. Felkner, chaplain. Missing is Dale Stump, historian.

1342 for children 12 and under. All participants should assemble at the railroad. The week of events, including an ice cream social tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. on the fairgrounds, sponsored by the Syracuse

County taxing units receive $ 4,480,051

County taxing units should receive $4,480,051.48 in checks from Lawrence Butts, Kosciusko county auditor, in the near future. The checks represent, the monies raised thus far in 1973 from property, bank and excise taxes. « The amounts appearing in this column may not be true amounts of checks received by the several units as many have made advanced draws which will be deducted before the checks are mailed. Five of the six school corporations in the county have made advanced draws as follows: Lakeland — $594,000, Tippecanoe Valley -*- $200,000, Wa-Nee — $61,100, Warsaw — $930,000 and Whitko — $140,000. Others receiving advanced draws were the city of Warsaw — $121,200, Winona Lake — SIO,OOO, Milford — $5,000, the library at Mentone — S6OO, Wayne township — $12,500 and Tippecanoe township — $4,000. A breakdown of taxing units ami the total amount each receives, including the advance draw, follows: Taxing Unit Amt. County General $578,091.31 County Welfare 123,611.20 County Health 32,529.28 Cum. Bridge 46,470.46 Cum. Courthouse 139,411.04 Cum. Reassessment 27,882.18 Schools Lakeland 997,339.97 Tippecanoe Valley 173,662.34 Triton 104,562.26 Wa-Nee 85,143.21 Warsaw 1,178,502.60 Whitko 190,897.43 Libraries Bell (Mentone) 290.91

Business and Professional Women; a garden tractor pull Thursday, July 12, at 6:30 p.m. with prizes totalling SBS; and a chicken fry Friday, July 13, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the tent sponsored by the Syracuse

Milford 7,801.80 Pierceton 4,524.32 Syracuse 13,700.18 Warsaw 75,418.10 Towns Burket 2,190.06 Claypool 6,809.76 Etna Green 7,992.30 Leesburg 6,044.50 Mentone 17,762.99 Milfofd 18,911.29 North Webster 4 13,146.46 Pierceton 19,649.39 Sidney 1,722.97 Silver Lake 13,000.70 Syracuse 63,256.63 Warsaw 337,669.75 Winona Lake - 34,456.74 Townships Clay 8,765.07 Etna 2,383.33 Franklin 6,581.21 Harrison 11,278.99 Jackson 2,731.55 Jefferson 4,222.77 Lake 3,242.13 Monroe 2,734.80 Plain 5,320.77 Scott 2,689.27 Prairie 3,464.30 Seward 11,761.97 Tippecanoe 7,241.72 Turkey Creek 29,843.42 Van Buren 5,766.73 Wayne 41,470.58 Washington 8,090.74 Total Distribution $4,480,051.48

CLELAND GUNDEN FIRST IN 1973 Cleland Gunden was the first area farmer to deliver wheat to the Farm Bureau Coop in Milford this year. He harvested his wheat and delivered it on July 6. Mill officials said this year’s crop is running “pretty dry — from 14 to 13 per cent.’’

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1973

American Legion. The highlight of the week's events, July 9-14, will be the big parade, to be held Saturday, July 14, with units stepping off at 4 p.m. Paraders will assemble at the Scout Cabin at 3 p.m., and proceed south on Huntington street to the fairgrounds in Wawasee Village. Prizes and trophies will be given. Consider use of revenuesharing funds Turkey Creek township trustee Joe Shewmon is considering how best to use the federal revenuesharing funds he now has in a time certificate at the local bank. A public meeting was held at the fire station several weeks ago when trustee Shewmon thought he might receive suggestions as to how the monies could be put to the best use. “Only a handful of citizens showed up” he said, leaving him and his advisory board pretty much at sea as to any specific public reaction on the subject. Public Rest Rooms Shewmon said the best proposition he has heard of yet was the purchase of two tracts of land from the Jerry Hoopingarner estate on West Main street. He said the estate is now in probate, but that these two parcels could be used for additional uptown parking area and public rest rooms. He said he has a resolution passed by the Syracuse town board that the town would accept responsiblility for the maintenance of public rest rooms if they were built by the township. Trustee Shewmon said he has “nearly $55,000” federal revenuesharing funds on time certificate, and another $13,000 due any time. He said his office would continue to welcome suggestions as how best these monies could be used." FAMILY GATHERING AT WADE MISHLER HOME The James Whitehead family gathered on the Fourth of July at the Wade E. Mishler home in Milford. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bucher and Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Mishler, all of Milford; Mr. and Mrs. Everett Whitehead, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Whitehead, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Whitehead, all of New Paris; Rev. and Mrs. Carl Stump of Nappanee; Mr. and Mrs. Hallet Whitehead of Bremen; and Mrs. Violet Culp of Goshen.

Bloodmobile to be in Milford July 31

Mrs. Herbert Baumgartner of Milford, Van Buren township’s blood recruiting chairman, is handling the details for the July 31 visit of the Red Cross Bloodmobile unit to Milford. The unit will be at the fellowship hall of the Apostolic Christian church from 12 noon until 64>.m. on the 31st. With a quota of 120 pints, Mrs. Baumgartner says 150 donors will need to be scheduled far the visit. This will be the first of the bloodmobile in the fiscal year and a large turn-out is hoped for. Meeting Tuesday Mrs. Baumgartner served as hostess for an area meeting held

aW F 'Ur I . I/ J r ' I K7 fl 1 R I W .-gIF SH |r - 4 K ■ H" 4 N if FUN AT THE FAIR — These two Syracuse youngsters were having fun at the Syracuse Police & Firemen’s Benefit association fair Tuesday night on the Merry-Go-Round. They are Scottie Yates, 5, left, and his brother, Rusty Yates, 8, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Yates of Syracuse.

Contractors demand holds up construction

Members of the Milford town board are currently investigating die hold up in construction of force mains for the town’s sewage project. At a meeting held July 5 between contractors and engineers representatives of Knapp and Yates of Rochester, who have been awarded the $44,000 contract for force mains, insisted the town pay bills upon demand and not wait for the grant money from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the federal government. Knapp and Yates have already signed the contract to do the work but are insisting upon a letter from the board promising payment before they begin construction. Board members do not understand why Knapp and Yates signed the contract in the first place if they had reservations. Board president Dr. T. A. Miller was unhappy to learn of the meeting on July 5 was held without a Milford board member being present. A notice of the meeting had arrived at the town hall the first of July, however, none of the board members saw the letter. Clerk-treasurer Harry Shultz was in attendance at the meeting. He was instructed Monday to make sure at least one board member knew about coming meetings when no'ices arrived at the town hall. L. E. Woodman of Baxter and Woodman, the town’s sanitary engineers, said he thought there would be no problem with Knapp and Yates since the town could use cumulative funds and then

Monday in her home. Mrs. Inez Devenney of the Red Cross office gave instructions to the various chairmen and plans were made for the bloodmobile visit. In attendance were Tom List of North Webster, Miss Irene Abts of Syracuse, Charles Taylor and son Paul of Syracuse, and Mrs. Royce Biller of Jefferson Township. Also serving as chairmen but not present at the meeting are Mrs. Joy Rumfelt of Jefferson Township, Mrs. Eleanor Enyeart and Mrs. Margaret Techmeyer of North Webster, Mrs. Paul Schermerhorn of Leesburg, Mrs. Buell Hoffer of Scott township and Sam Eby.

put the funds back with EPA money received. Board member Norman Lovell said he felt the town needed to talk to the contractor and to find out why the EPA has not paid them — this is the reason the firm wants money from the town upon demand. President Miller was of the feeling the board should go with the second low bidder to get the project underway. Miller said he had been informed by Baxter and Woodman that they had asked Knapp and Yates why they signed the contract and they did not receive an answer. Baxter and Woodman are trying to find out from the EPA why the firm has not received funds for past work. Board members agreed something had to be done about the problem and president Miller is presently contacting persons involved to see about setting up a meeting to find answers to the problems that have arisen. Construction on the sewage treatment facility is scheduled to start in the near future. The general contractor of the project is the W. G. Brudney Construction Company of Fort Wayne. The amount bid for the construction of the facility was $199,567. It will take one year to complete the plant after construction is started. Other Business In other business before the board Lovell said he had received a call from John Alexander who stated everything was in progress for the insurance for the town employees and should be completed shortly. James Brooks, who has been commissioned by the governor to serve as Van Buren township’s justice of the peace, was present at the meeting to ask about law books belonging to the town and for permission to use the town hall when he holds court. Dean Troup was present as a representative of the park board. He said he had had a copper hot water line run to the heater since the plastic line needed repair quite often. In answer to the question as to who was running the stand he replied Mary Haines of near Milford. Mrs. Bessie Sunthimer, the third board member, asked about the old raft which was at the park. She said it was damaged and youngsters were seen (Continued On Page 2)

Noble Blocker resigns from Syracuse board

Noble Blocker, Syracuse town board member, submitted his resignation from the town board July 3, the day after the board dismissed Harry VanHemert as building commissioner. Blocker’s resignation follows: “Gentlemen: “After being elected as- a member of the Syracuse town board, years ago, I tried very hard to perform the duties, to my best ability, and to think always for the best for the town. I have nothing but the best wishes toward each oK you board members “I am sorry several groups and organizations have tried hard over a period of sometimes three or four meetings, to go over their problems, in our meetings, over and over, and some bring it up nearly every meeting, in the last year or more. This conflicts 4vith our regular town problems, of which we have had plenty. Thus, we have been bothered in trying to make town decisions. “I believe we all feel sorry, that we have been bothered from functioning properly, for we have plenty of problems coming up at each meeting, and plenty in between. “Please be advised, that I hereby submit my resignation, from the board, effective immediately, and also from the plan commission, and from being a coordinator on the Scout Cabin board. “I wish the remaining members, and those chosen after this date, the best wishes, and hope to the new board, after this date the best wishes, and good luck in getting your work and decisions made.” Sincerely yours, Noble C. Blocker Blocker later commented there

BUILDING PERMIT Applications for Syracuse building permits may be picked up at the clerktreasurer’s office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Plan commission members Wilbur Smith, William Beemer and Col. Joseph Gray will be in charge of processing applications. Applications will take a few days for personal evaluation by these temporary building commissioners.

Milford police report given for June 1973 Milford town marshal Don Drake’has issued the following report for the month of June: Miscellaneous calls answered — 93 Accidents investigated — 2 Assisted other units — 3 Arrests — 17 Vandalisms — 2 Thefts — 2 Messages delivered — 8 The police car was driven 1,105 miles during the month. CELEBRATES HIS SIXTH BIRTHDAY Mrs. Jane Scheuer, 613 E. Chicago street, Syracuse, entertained iiL honor of her son’ Bret’s sixth birthday anniversary July 4. Guests were Mr. anti Mrs. Thomas Gilbert and family, James Gilbert, Kenneth Felts, Mrs. Georgia Buster and Bret’s sisters, Bianca and Belinda, all of Syracuse. „ Ice cream and cake were served following the opening of gifts.

NUMBER 24

'X ' ! NOBLE C. BLOCKER were many things that didn’t get done he hoped to see happen while he was on the board. Among these were the three proposed annexations, two of which are still being held up in courts, and the third wilb not generate any tax monies until March of 1974. Another of the things he wished he could have seen done is an overhauling of the sewer and water systems. Blocker also mentioned several lots in town with overgrown weeds and grass which the board has been unsuccessful at getting cleaned up. Referring to his past year and a half on the board, Blocker expressed sorrow over some of the problems which have arisen. “None of us knew these problems would come up, and would interfere with some of the more important problems,” Blocker! said. “I am very sorry that things have happened as they did.” Blocker’s resignation leaves only three men on the town board. President Lou Kuilema resigned from the board May 30, the day after VanHemert was reinstated as building commissioner, and has not yet been replaced. There are only two town board members, Thomas Prickett and Darrell Grisamer, who were originally elected by the town. The third member, Marion L. (Doc) Miller was appointed to fill a vacancy created when Forrest (Bud) Smith moved from the fifth ward. t / SYRACUSE MAN PROMOTED — Northern Indiana Public Service company has announced the promotion of Joseph C. Anderson, 619 S. Front street, Syracuse, to associate engineer in their Goshen district. Born in Fort Wayne, Anderson graduated from North Side high school and attended Purdue university’s Fort Wayne campus. Anderson, a member of the . Syracuse Volunteer Fire department; Indiana Volunteer Fireman’s Association, Inc.; and Syracuse Police and Firemen’s Benefit Association, Inc., is married and has two children. He has been with NIPSCo since 1972 as a junior district engineer.