The Mail-Journal, Volume 17, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 November 1980 — Page 1

Phones: 658-4111 & 457-3666

VOLUME 17

NIPSCo strike nearing an end? —

Submit new and improved package to union negotiating committee

It would appear the Northern Indiana Public Service Company strike, now in its sixth month, is gradually nudging toward a settlement. On Monday the public service company submitted a revised and improved contract package to the bargaining committees of Locals 12775 and ,13796, United Steelworkers of America, according to Robert Zeldenrust. NIPSCo vice president, industrial relations. Spokesmen for the union indicated they needed time to study the new offer. Rumors that circulated Tuesday night are untrue. A negotiations meeting has been called for 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday). The new package contains significant improvements over

Public notice The report on the use of general revenue sharing funds for fiscal year 1981 has been submitted as required by the town of Milford. The report is available for public inspection week days at the town hal|.. To read meters ♦ meters in Milford will be read the week of November IT-21 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. If there is no one at the homes a tag will be left on the door knob and residents are asked to please read their meters and notify the town hall of the readings, either by calling or dropping the tag off at the town hail.

7 / Jmro 5 ’ ■ Ji* vEIt '* ~ r wnJ s life t -scWinnfmml *"* Si. IT* * * ’4 MILFORD’S NEW POSTMASTER — Charles Spillman, right, was sworn in as Milford’s new postmaster Friday, Nov. 7, by John E. Lawecki, management sectional center manager-postmaster. Spillman has been with the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years and held the position of supervisor for station operations in the Fort Wayne Post Office. He plans to move to Milford in the near future. (Photo by Terri Chilcote)

Legion, VFW observe Veterans' Day Tuesday

Members of the American Legion, Post 223, and the Lakeside Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1342, both Syracuse veterans’ organizations, joined together to hold special Veterans’ Day memorial services at the VFW Post on West Chicago Avenue at 11:11a.m. Tuesday. At the same hour similar memorial services were held throughout the nation in commemoration of the cessation of hostilities in France at the close of World War I. Officially the World War I peace treaty was signed on the 11th month, the 11th hour, and the 11th minute in 1918. The services held at the VFW post was brief but well attended by members of both veterans’ groups. Brief remarks were made by American Legion

The MailW«Fournal

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

the July 29th offer, particularly in the economic area. Some qf the major improvements in the most recent qontract are as follows, according to information received from company officials: Wages — After rqlling in the 98 cents per hour into the base rate, members of local 12775 have been offered 25 cents per hour the first year, 20 cents the second year, and 20 cents the third year, plus a continuation of COLA under the same formula used in the past. Clerical members were offered 20 cents per hour the first year, and 15 cents per hour in the second and third years, with COLA. Pensions — A fifth benefit class has been added to the four classes previously proposed.

Teachers reject fact-finder's terms

Impasse between teachers, school board continues

The impasse on terms of a new contract between representatives of the Lakeland School Board and the negotiating committee of the Lakeland Community Educators’. Association appears to continue this foeek, as the report from Robert J. Weiss, fact-finder in the negotiations, appeared today (Wednesday). On Monday night Mr. Weiss met jointly and later separately with the two groups at the school corporation’s administrative

chaplain Gus Liske, after which he gave the following veterans’ prayer. VETERANS’ DAY PRAYER Almighty God, Father of us all! We, Thy servants turn to Thee for continuance of Thy blessings upon us, Thou who hath spared us veterans from the grasp of our enemies, grant us the full understandings of Thy precious comfort. We thank Thee for the privileges of life and the blessings we enjoy through Thy graciousness in our country, the Jand in which we are given the freedom of speech, religion and the pursuit of happiness. Assist us to know Thee better and that Thou art the God of the universe and our ideal. In Thy mercy, may we the living find our peace. Grant us from above, this day, the

Furthermore, the “Grandfather Clause” which permits employees to retire under the new five class system or under pension formula one (1) of the old plan has been broadened to include anyone age 55 or older on the date of this agreement or who retires on disability within five years. Medical Insurance — The improved medical plan would retain the SSO deductible (maximum of three per family) for other expenses. Then it would voer 100% of the first SI,OOO of eligible expenses, 90% of the next SI,OOO, and 100% of all the remaining expenses up to a $250,000 maximum. Dental Plan — A new dental program would become effective January 1, 1982. There would be

offices to present his report. The school board representatives approved the report in its entirety; but the teachers’ representatives did not. Reasons Why Philip L. Metcalf, chairperson for the teachers’ negotiating team and a Milford Junior High School teacher, said this morning the fact-finder ’s report misquotes the salary offers and does not keep salaries up with those of neighboring Fairfield and North Wood schools. He also said the report does not address all the contract language, but only uses three items of contention between the two groups. Serving on the teachers’ negotiating committee with Mr. Metcalf are: Robert Rosinski of Wabash, UNISERVE director; Mary Pearl, Ann Watts, Allen Zerkel, Darrell Umbower, James Alford, David Matz, Lera Reinholt, and Caz Sczynal. Acting on the administration’s negotiating committee are Henry Smith, WHS principal; Robert Hamman, Syracuse Elementary School principal; and George Gilbert, the school corporation’s business manager. Another Side Contacted this morning on the terms of the proposed contract, Mr. Gilbert said it offers a 9.5% across the board salary increase, not including increment and fringe benefits. “In total dollars,” he said, “it amounts to $290,000, or 11.6% total new dollars.” Mr. Gilbert said statewide increases this year amount to 9.3% salary increases only, not

challenge of high endeavor, the beauty of an humble spirit, the strong courage and will, without exertion, to continue to glorify Thee; praise Thee and love Thee to the end of time. Amen. Three volleys were fired by the firing squad composed of Steve Butt, Dave Thompson, Maurice Snyder and Jon Bushong, with Harold Kline serving as firing squad sergeant. The color guard was composed of Don Arthur, Terry Moser, Dean Shirey and Jim Davis, with Bill Wiggs serving as color guard sergeant. The VFW color guard also took part in the ceremonies, consisting of Betty Croy, president of the VFW auxiliary, and Ruth Pounds, Mary Davis and Irma Wiggs. Lorree Mench played taps.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12,1980

no deductible and annual covered expenses would be limited to SSOO per family member. Sick Leave — First day sick leave coverage was reintroduced, but the employee will be required to submit a revised doctor’s certificate confirming illness or disability. In addition to these and other improvements, the new proposal contained modification of a number of costly and inefficient work rules. The proposed changes would increase productivity and result in substantial savings over the life of the contract. This proposal has been sent to all striking NIPSCo employees. Informational copies have been sent to all non-striking employees.

including fringes. The school board’s representatives accepted the oneyear salary schedule option as shown at the end of this article, but the teachers would accept neither. The original offer proposed before the fact-finder, Mr. Weiss, at a Thursday, Oct. 16, meeting, was 8%, while the teachers were asking nearly 18%. Pertinent Terms Os Report The pertinent terms of Mr. Weiss's report as presented on Monday night follows. 1. a. Salary Schedule A. Positions of the Parties The Corporation proposes a salary schedule with a base salary of $11,100.00, and a salary of $20,100.00, for a teacher at the top of the schedule who has a Master’s degree and 21 years of experience. This represents a range of salary increases over the existing salary schedule from 5.8% to 8.16%. The Association proposes a salary schedule with a base salary of $11,800.00, and a salary of $18,800.00, for a teacher with 15 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree. This represents a range of salary increases over the existing Bachelor degree schedule from 12.5% to 36.33%. The Association also proposes a Master’s degree salary schedule with a base salary of $12,626.00, and a salary of $21,594.00, for a teacher with 20 years of experience. This represents a range of salary increases over the existing Master’s degree schedule from 13.03% to 18.45%, plus an increment of $472.00. This proposed schedule would result in increases in teacher salary compensation from $1,664.00, including increment for a teacher with a Bachelor Degree, and one year of experience, to $3,717.00, including increment, for a teacher at the top of the schedule (20.8% including increment, from $17,877.00, to $21,594.00). B. Issue Analysis The Corporation’s proposal is unrealistic, given the ability of the Corporation to offer a competitive salary increase. The Association introduced data that showed many neighboring corporations that reached settlement with their teachers of approximately ten per cent. IEERB statistics reflect a state wide average teacher salary increase of approximately 9.3%, plus increment. The Association’s proposal is equally unrealistic. The cost of the Association’s proposal is $453,833.00. Such a cost would consume the entire increase in new revenues which is available to the Corporation. None of the new money would be left to cover increased costs of teacher fringes, compensation increases (Continued on page 2)

r wi NEW STREET. WATER SUPERINTENDENT — Ron Conley has recently been hired as Milford's new street and water superintendent. He replaces Terry Beatty who served in that position for two years. Conley also serves as a part-time deputy for the Milford Police Department in addition to his street and water responsibilities. (Photo by Terri Chilcote) ■" 11 """" Replacement on Milford Park Board By TERRI CHILCOTE It was a routine meeting for the Milford Town Board which met Monday evening, Nov. 10. The board voted to appoint Jodi Brown to replace Connie Smith on the Milford Park Board. Mrs. , Smith's term expires in January 1 and she requested not to be reappointed. “Connie Smith has done an excellent job. She’s done a lot of work.” praised Jean Treesh, Milford Town Board president Mrs. Brown will begin her appointment in January. Mrs. Treesh announced ChoreTime and Brock (CTB) has donated S4OO to the Milford Police Department. She also announced Brock has donated a 112-foot chain link fence to the town. Mrs. Treesh said the board is not sure what it will be used for, but “we will find a place for it. ” Marion C. Deeter brought a sample of discolored water to show the town board. He said he took the sample from his tap sometime last week. The board said the hydrants were flushed Wednesday night and could be the reason for the discolored water. The board instructed Ron Conley, the new street and water superintendent, to look into the matter. Doris Hartter of Warsaw, a former Milford resident, told the town board she is taking a course on community health nursing and is doing a class project on Milford. She had distributed questionnaires to Milford residents and will have a full report for the board at its December meeting. Transfer Os Funds The board passed an ordinance to transfer funds. The ordinance, 80-5, states, “Be it ordained that an emergency exists in certain funds in the town’s general fund and street fund and that certain funds have a surplus. The clerk-treasurer is directed by this ordinance to transfer these funds as follows: “General Fund - $143 from Stationery and Printing to Fuel Oil; $443.38 from Repair Parts to Social Security; and S2OO from Other Materials to Social Security. “Street Fund and Motor Vehicle and Highway Fund — $243.86 from Insurance to Other Materials; SIOO from Building, Fixtures and Equipment to Other Materials; S2OO from Tires and Tubes to Other Materials; and $3,000 from Part Time Employment to Repair of Equipment.” Mrs. Treesh informed the board that a woman from the state tax board examined the town’s books and said ClerkTreasurer Maria Lozano is doing an excellent job, especially for her first year as clerk-treasurer. November 20 has been slated for a tax hearing in Indianapolis with the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners. The state tax commissioners had slashed Milford’s 1981 general budget almost in half at a October 21 hearing in Warsaw. The town is seeking relief from (Continued on page 2)

APC denies final plat of Kuhn Lake development

By TERRI CHILCOTE The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission denied a final plat for a subdivision on Kuhn Lake after having approved the preliminary plat earlier in the meeting. The APC met Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 5, at the county courthouse. The property, owned by Mamita Corporation, is located on a 3.16 acre tract of land on the east side of Rattlesnake Drive, west of SR 13 on the east side of Kuhn Lake in Tippecanoe Township. Steve Snyder represented Mamita Corporation at the hearing. The preliminary plat had been approved over a year ago, but under the county zoning ordinance no more than a year may elapse between the time the preliminary plat is approved and the final plat is presented. Mamita Corporation, therefore, had to repetition the board for preliminary plat approval. The snag came when the petitioner sought final plat approval. Warsaw attorney R.

Precinct breakdown in Turkey Creek Township A total of 2,534 Turkey Creek Township residents cast their ballots during last Tuesday’s general election, in what proved to be a very large vote. Os this number, 985 cast straight Republic ballots and 263 cast straight Democratic ballots A number of factors led to the heavy vote, not the least of which was the nice weather. Moreover, there was a hotly contested presidential race and an equally contested U.S. senatorial race. Traditionally, the township voted straight Republican, with the nearest Democrat to approach a victory was incumbent Second District Congressman Floyd J. Fithian in his race with Lake County State Senator Ernest Niemeyer. 5 In the election for President of the United States, Ronald Reagan received 76.2% in precinct 1,69.3% in precinct 2,67.4% in precinct 3,66.7% in precinct 4.73.9% in precinct 5, and 70.2% in precinct 6. Compare this with Jimmy Carter’s 19.4% in precinct 1, 25.8% in precinct 2. 23.6% in precinct 3, 23.9% in precinct 4,20.5% in precinct 5, and 25.1% in precinct 6. John Anderson got a dismal 3.8% in precinct 1, 3.8% in precinct 2, 7.5% in precinct 3.7.7% in precinct 4, 3.9% in precinct 5, and 3.7% in precinct 6. . The per centage of vote for president seems significant, while the other races are evident from a pursual of the following breakdown in the six Turkey Creek Township precincts. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 Reagan and Bush (R) 377 239 180 190 357 431 Carter and Mondale (D) 96 89 63 68 99 154 Greavesand Varnum (A) 0 0 0 1 0 1 Clark and Koch (L) 2 4 4 4 8 Hall and Davis (C) 0 0 0 0 0 Deßerry and Zimmerman (S) 0 0 0 0 0 0 Anderson and Lucey (I) 19 13 20 22 19 23 Commoner and Harris (C) 1 0 0 0 0 2 US SENATOR Quayle (R) 377 225 181 188 371 . 415 Bavh(D) 116 119 85 97 111 191 GOVERNOR AND LT. GOV. Orr and Mutz (R) 383 229 183 203 353 417 Hillenbrand and Peterson (D) 108 114 82 75 12b 182 Artist and Gephart (A) 11 15 1 2 ATTORNEY GENERAL Pearson (R) 375 228 185 191 346 420 Webster (D) 97 101 78 81 116 172 SUPT. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Negley (R) 369 229 178 189 342 410 Loughlin (D) 86 95 73 _ . 73, 114 161 Patterson (A) 15 6 11 12 8 19 REPORTER, SUPREME COURT. COURT OF APPEALS Wertzler(R) 374 239 193 191 339 425 Senegal (D) 93 92 66 80 123 164 REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS Niemeyer (R) 276 158 129 134 . 256 337 Fithian (D) 217 184 137 148 226 269 STATE SENATOR (13th district) Augsburger (R) 381 241 193 212 365 436 Cogan (D) 104 93 66 67 111 159 STATE REPRESENTATIVE Mauzy(R) 334 213 167 183 327 403 Garrison (D) 128 111 90 87 134 186 JUDGE, CIRCUIT COURT Sand(R) " ( 416 259 210 228 401 481 JUDGE, COUNTY COURT Jarrette (R) 415 257 215 228 396 482 CLERK. CIRCUIT COURT Messmore(R)- 420 260 219 229 400 477 TREASURER Patterson (R) 418 256 215 227 394 475 CORONER Eastlund(R) 422 263 225 229 402 487 COUNTY SURVEYOR Brower (R) 408 258 219 222 402 480 COMMISSIONER, NORTH DIST. Dorsey (R) 419 260 220 225 402 479 COMMISSIONER, MIDDLE DIST. Gilliam (R) 411 252 216 222 400 473 r COUNTY COUNCILMAN t (3 to be elected) Anglin (R) 391 237 198 Sharp (R) 393 248 204 220 377 452 Dalton (R) 374 234 197 193 362 446 JUDICIAL OFFICES . SUPREME COURT Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Pivamik 177/96 115/49 105/56 115/61 177/84 151/95 COURT OF APPEALS Chipman 194/72 114/41 116/50 119/52 195/70 163/76 Mi l] er 193/76 120/34 113/50 125/47 195/64 161/75 Young 193/70 118/34 115/45 123/47 198/64 169/70 LAKELAND SCHOOL BOARD Payne (Dist. 1) 330 220 184 205 332 333 Little (Dist. 3) - 197 ' 138 122 118 198 193 Redslob (DiSt. 3) - 109 91 61 79 126 107

Steven Hearn, representing three adjacent property owners, objected to the plat. The remonstrators live in a subdivision which was also developed by Marnita Corporation. The remonstrators’ major objection was an alleged drainage problem. "The basic problem is water flow,” explained Hearn. The remori-. strators claim the existing drainage ditches are blocked. “All we’re saying is put some restrictions on the plat so we won’t have those drainage problems,” said Hearn. Snyder reminded the board that the property is under development and not completed. However, he maintained there was nothing blocking the ditches. Remonstrators also objected to a through road which is indicated on the plat. Hearn pointed out a cul-de-sac had been shown on the, original plat and it had been changed to a through road. He stated there is only a 50-foot right-of-way, whereas the law requires a 60-foot right-of-way for an arterial road.

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The APC detided to request a report from the county surveyor concerning the ditches and alleged drainage problem. The final plat was tabled until the APC’S December meeting. No Action Vote A petition, submitted by Wayne Bucher, to rezone 7.75 acres from an agricultural district to a residential district in Van Buren Township resulted in a no action vote. The property is located on the east side of CR 200E. 2,000 feet north of CR 950 N. Bucher's son, Don, told the board the property, located in the middle of prime farm land, is in a wooded area and it would not be practical to clear the land and use for farming. He felt establishing a small subdivision would be the best use for the property. Several board members felt rezoning the land would result in spot zoning and APC Director Dan Richards reminded the board to look at “long range planning. It’s not just how it is now.” (Continued on page 2)