The Mail-Journal, Volume 17, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 November 1980 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., November 12,1980

4

Editorials Mind the folks back home If there is a lesson to be learned by studying the returns of last Tuesday’s election it must be that those politicians who “mind the folks back home’’ seem to do best at the polls. . . One of the criticisms of incumbent Indiana Senator Birch Bayh is that he “forgot the folks back home in Indiana.” This was also said about Third District Congressman John Brademas of South Bend. Both men, incumbents with high positions in the halls of Congress, lost by a resounding vote on November 4. Amid the Republican landslide one Democrat was returned to office in what must have been a major ticket-splitting election. This man, Floyd J. Fithian of Lafayette, was returned to a fourth term in Congress, to represent Indiana’s Second Congressional District. Fithian won handsomely over State Senator Ernest Niemeyer, a good man whose big failure was name recognition. Floyd Fithian, on the other hand, made himself a household word primarily through his mobile office and periodic visits to the 100-odd communities in his district. He never failed to overlook the smallest of them either. In short, he kept in mind the folks back home. , Let’s look at some of the figures. Floyd Fithian lost Turkey Township, garnering 1,181 (47%) votes out of 2,471 cast, while his opponent received 1,290 (52 2%) votes. Fithian won in precincts two, three and four, but it wasn’t enough to put him across in the township’s total vote. (See complete vote totals of Turkey Creek, Tippecanoe, Van Buren and Jefferson Townships on pages 1,2 and 5). It’s a moral victory for Fithian to come so close in a solidly Republican township, especially when Ronald Reagan received 75.7 per cent of the votes in the township to 24.2 for President Carter. In the same election Robert Orr received 71.9 per cent of the vote to 28.8 for John Hillenbrand. A step further, incumbent Senator Birch Bayh received only 34.4 per cent of the vote in Turkey Creek Township to 70.9 per cent for Dan Quayle. They said Birch Bayh lost contact with the folks back home and the vote would indicate this was true. It must be mentioned that there were many other factors in the election than this simplistic fact, however. In Van Buren Township (Milford) Floyd Fithian received a whopping 52.3 per cent of the vote to 47.6 for his opponent, and in Tippecanoe Township (North Webster) the same percentage of victory for Fithian holds true — 52.4 for Fithian to 47.6 for Niemeyer. In Jefferson Township Fithian’s victory was less resounding — 50.3 per cent for Fithian and 49.6 per cent for Senator Niemeyer. It is somewhat ironic that we want to see our representatives in Congress make a name for themselves and climb the committee ladder to prestige and power. But when they do, and all this serves to prevail upon their time, then we accuse them of “forgetting the folks back home.” We would note, that Floyd Fithian’s success in succeeding elections has a direct relationship with his close contact with his constituents. If he could hurdle the enormous Republican sweep this time around, it’s likely he’ll be in Congress for a long time — that is, if he continues to keep close touch with the folks back home. You are invited Patrons of the Lakeland schools are invited to visit their schools next week — November 17-21, National Education Week — and to eat lunch in the cafeteria of their choice. There will be no SWAP Day this year. Patrons are invited to call the school and tell officials which class they would like to visit and when, this is due to space limitations in the classrooms. Schools are in session from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. It’s a good way to see what is being taught and how it is being taught. If you haven’t been inside the schools for a number of years, it’s a good way to see what improvements have been made in the schools. It’s also a good time to see what’s being served for lunch. Why not give it a try, call one of the schools today — MiLford Elementary School, Milford Junior High School, North Webster Elementary School, North Webster Junior High School, Syracuse Elementary School, Syracuse Junior High School or Wawasee High School — it’s a good way to observe American Education Week. Taste and TV Americans are often unaware that among educated and cultured families of the Old World, new American ways, unreserved behavior, haste, informality, cpmmonality, etc., often come as a shock. Jo many Americans, the Old World upper classes, still clinging to individuality, reserve, dignity, restraint, etc., seem out of date. If we look closely at ourselves, and the commercialism and mass production which activates our behavior, we can understand some of the reactions. Inexpensive, mass-produced junk can bring an end to quality-oriented goods and services. Constant brain-washing by television can affect the life style of millions. The loud and common behavior seen in practically all commercial television programming has an enormous effect. Americans need make no apology for the American way of life. Taken all in all, it’s best for the most. But we need not sacrifice all quality, individuality, discriminating taste, good manners and dignity along the way. Yet U.S. TV pushes hard in that direction. A broadminded man is a citizen who takes your side. The absolute truth is rare in conversations. Today’s films require very little talent or script. What others say — No news is bad news Killing the was a popular pastime of olden monarchs who found their daily news distasteful. For the ill-fated messenger, freedom of information had become a death sentence. We have come a long way from those days. In a few hours, we can have a newspaper on the street. Broadcasts can flood the land in seconds. Our news comes to us more quickly and in greater quantity. The news itself, however, has changed very little. Each day, we report at least as much bad news as good. Certainly, in the old days, reporters would have met a very untimely end. • . Indeed, in these days of oil cartels, dollars worth cents and belligerent ThirdWorld militancy, the desire to “kill the messenger” still exists in the hearts of readers, viewers and listeners. For them, the press is a bearer of only bad news, responsible for all that is rotten in their lives and their world. It is an understandable, if unthinking, reaction. .. The media have suffered the slings and arrows of legislators and judges who also seek to kill the messenger by limiting their ability to gather, produce and distribute any news at all. This perceived intrusion on the sensibilities of Americans is not an intrusion at all, but an obligation of oUr press to maintain the free flow of information, good and bad. An audience will learn, as the olden monarchs did, that killing our messengers will not stem the flow of bad news; to sever our freedoms of speech and information is to drain a country’s lifeblood. No news is bad news, but the freedom of the press to relate even the bad news safeguards every freedom Americans enjoy. x - Written by Milton B. Chilcott, publisher of the SHERIDAN (Wyo.) PRESS, for “National Newspaper Week”.

Ih < ■ B • iF A This week our question is directed at President-elect Ronald Reagan. If he will but listen to Americans, he will be minding the folks back home.

Voice of the people A column on the opinions of the people of the Lakeland area . . .

QUESTION: “Now that Ronald Reagan has been elected President what advice do you have for him?”

I'fiQ

DAVID HANSON Milford (Fairmont Homes worker)

“Fight inflation:”

SETH McFARREN Milford (retired)

“Just keep the promises that he made.”

Court news

M ARRI AGE DISSOLUTION The following couple has filed for dissolution of their marriage in Kosciusko. County Circuit and Superior Courts: Sorenson — Donna L. Sorenson vs Garry Sorenson, box 91 Milford. The couple was married January 11, 1978 and was separated October 2, 1980. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution and an equitable division of the property. MARRIAGE LICENSES The following couples have filed for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk, N. JeanMessmore: Hasse-Boocher William Hasse, 38, r 1 box 7A Syracuse and Rebecca S. Boocher, 29, r 1 box 35 Syracuse Cretcher-Hamman Benjamin R. Cretcher, 23, 409 Serving our country DANA KNISLEY Navy Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class Dana J. Knisley, son of Kenneth R. and Kathryn L. Knisley, r 2 box 20 Syracuse, has been designated a Collateral Duty Inspector. He is a member of Patrol Squadron 22 based at Barbers Point, Hawaii. A1974 graduate of Wawasee High School, he joined the Navy in September 1974. ROCKY LOZANO Navy Radioman Seaman Rocky L. Lozano, son of Alejandro L. and Maria S. Lozano, r 1 box 133 Milford, has completed recruit training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, 111. A 1979 graduate of Wawasee High School, he joined the Navy in July 1980. His wife, Debra, is the daughter of Linda L. Taylor, r 1 Leesburg.

DARRELL GRISAMER Syracuse (NIPSCo worker) “Clean up the existing mess."

JACK STOELTING Syracuse (student)

“I certainly hope he cuts taxes, cuts unemployment and helps the economy.” CARROLL PARMERLEE r 3 Syracuse “Don’t forsake the conservative people who put you in office.”

W. Center Street, Warsaw and Robin M. Hamman, 20, box 74 North Webster COUNTYCOURT The following residents of Kosicusko County have had fines assessed and have paid those fine in Kosciusko County Court, James Jarrette, judge: Speeding — Donal J. Rumfelt, 29, Milford. $45; John Bell, 17, Leesburg, S4O Operating a vehicle while intoxicated — Michael Smith, 28, Syracuse, $248 plus driver’s license restricted for one year; Terry Dowell, 29, North Webster, $2481 plus driver’s license restricted for one year Public intoxication — Michael Smith, 28, Syracuse, S4O CIRCUIT COURT The following claims have been filed in Kosciusko County Circuit Court, Richard Sand, judge: Note State Bank of Syracuse vs Alvin E. Amos, box 4541 Smoke Tree, Palm Springs, Calif. Plaintiff seeks a judgment of $4,924.34, plus interest and attorney’s fees of $1,200 owed on an installment contract.

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U S P S 325 840) Published by The Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 46567. Second class postage paid at 103 E Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: 511 per year in Kosciusko County; sl3 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of add ress forms to The Mail-Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford. Indiana 46542. /of

'CRJZIN AROUND custf

NO ONE realizes more than we do how easy it is to overlook a story right here in our backyard. The November-December 1980 issue of Bass Master Magazine scooped us on a local story concerning the Sea Nymph Boat Company, located on East Chicago Avenue. It appears on page 24 of the magazine. Under the heading The Hull Story, the article states Sea Nymph vice president of marketing. Rich Pawlicki, has done nothing but maintain a steady growth over the past seven years. The rest of the article follows: “There has been nothing super spectacular about the way we have grown.” admits the aluminum boat executive, “but we’re now the largest manufacturer of outboard boats in the world. No one can come close to us, fiberglass or otherwise. “We have the meat and potatoes boat market sewed up. the lion's share of the market in aluminum," he stated. Pawlicki explains why his company has prospered, saying, “A lot of bass fishermen throughout the country have nothing-but admiration for the interior features and rough water handling characteristics of semiV fiberglass bass boats. But not all those bass fishermen have SIO,OOO to spend on a big fiberglass bass boat. "And in spite of the abundant fine features of some fiberglass bass boats, their heavy weight make them difficult to trailer with a down-sized car. The smaller cars just aren't made to trailer heavy 17-foot fiberglass bass boats. Also, the big fiberglass bass boats demand lots of horsepower and those kinds of outboards suck up more gasoline.” Pawlicki further states that while popular aluminum flat bottom johnboats have advantages such as light weight, calm water stability, ease on trailering and quick planning with minimum power, there are definite problems with johnboats. "A primary problem is that johnboats are just not appropriate for reservoirs that hold big bass,” he says. “They don't respond well in rough water, and they have a definite tendency to slide when going into a high speed turn." Many fishermen, says Pawlicki, want a bass boat that incorporates the rough water stability and convenience features of the deluxe fiberglass semi-V with the light weight and fuel economy of the aluminum johnboat. “Enter Sea Nymph.” says Pawlicki. "We recognized that the attitudes of many bass fishermen were changing, that they wanted a boat that wasn’t being built at the time. They were rejecting the deluxe fiberglass boats because of cost, low fuel economy, weight and high horsepower requirements. "On the other hand, they were also rejecting the johnboat because of its lack of style, material fatigue in high stress areas, and its rough ride.” And so the article, a real boost for Sea Nymph and our area, goes on and on. We would invite our readers to get a copy of the magazine and see what’s being manufactured right here in our Lakeland area. SEEN: Anew bumper sticker — DON’T BLAME ME. I VOTED FOR ANDERSON. MOSE TROVER, r 1 Syracuse, is eligible to win a free trip to Scotland and SI,OOO as a result of scoring a hole-in-one at Wawasee Golf Club. His ace qualified him for the 20th annual Rusty Nail Hole-in-One Sweepstakes, a national competition sponsored by the Drambuie Liqueur Company of Edinburg. Scotland. WAXING NOSTALGIC and apropos to the election, "Hub” Anglemeyer wonders: "If Ronald Reagan could just resurrect Harry Truman to conduct his foreign affairs.** SYRACUSE LOST one of its most indomitable personalities last week with the passing of Blanche Thornburg. Anyone who has ever had contact with Blanche knew there was a right and wrong about everything, every issue. She was one to whom you were wary about giving your own opinion until you knew where she stood.

- •" M Sea Nymph's Bass N John boats blend the best" features of bass boats and johnboats into a rig to fit fishermen's needs for the 198 O’s. BASSMASTER MAGAZINE

She was above all forthright, but to those who knew her well and to those who "stood their ground” she was a kind and helpful person. As they say today, “she could be a real pussy cat." ■r She would disdain the comparison, but Blanche showed Trumanesque qualities long before the Missouri Democrat burst upon the national scene. In every sense of the word she was her own person —a very rare commodity today. She loved to play bridge and entered many bridge-a-ramas in the area with her constant partner Bob Jones. Bob says, wistfully, "Blanche taught me the game.” Mrs. Thornburg worked alongside her late husband, Ralph E. Thornburg. Sr., in a small uptown drug store in Syracuse in what was a forerunner of today’s six-store drug chain. She was the kind of person you wish would stay around a lot longer. They don't make ’em like Blanche any more. WHEN SYRACUSE dispatcher Deborah Dull returned home after voting last Tuesday her daughter Amy asked her who she voted for. Amy said, “I voted for pumpkin pie.” As it turned out. for Amy and her fellow Syracuse Elementary School students, it was favorite foods day at school. SOUTH SHORE GREEN, a 54lot development, received its final plat approval from the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission last Wednesday. According to developer Harlan Steffen, roads are already being cut through the tract and within two weeks they will be graveled. A number of the choice lots front on South Shore Golf course, says Steffen. ANOTHER ELECTION Whizbang. heard at a local coffee shop: If I’m not a member of the Moral Majority, I must be a member of the Immoral Minority. JERRY GRADY, well known area beef cattle raiser and member of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, told the Commission at *its last Wednesday meeting, during a response to Jim Peters of the U.S.Geological Survey office on water study information in Kosciusko County: “We only have two water, problems in our area (the northern part of Kosciusko County). We either have water where we don’t want it or we don’t have water where we want it.”, Grady referred to the high water level of the lakes which makes drainage of certain farm lands difficult if not impossible due to the lack of proper fall. Certain low sandy lands suffer a water dearth when water becomes precious, he noted. JOAN (MRS. Jack) Stoelting, 312 South Lake Street, was rummaging through “some old things” recently and came across a coaster and napkin from the Spink-Arms Hotel when it was in its heydey. We figured Joan would be a little young to be a patron of the then-famous Spinks. THE QUESTION continually being asked, “Is our beautiful Indian Summer over?” We don’t know, of course, but must agree that the week end (past week, in fact) has been unusually beautiful. Our wish: that it continue for a while longer. A RELATIVELY few people know that Dana Corp, is spending some $20,000 to prevent the reoccurrance of an oil spill such as happened last week. According to

plant manager Dick Rice, about 30 gallons of oil inadvertently got into Skinner Ditch and created a situation that alarmed some but is unlikely to happen again. Rice said his people are cognizant of the problem, and “are taking every precaution that this doesn’t happen jr the future.” He said two straw dams were immediately put into place, one at the plant and another about five miles downstream to capture as much of the spilled oil as they could. He called the spill “very minimal." Rice said his company is working with the Syracuse Town Board to handle a situation like the one that occurred last week through the city’s disposal system, RICK WELBORN. WHS wrestling coach, is sporting a Hemingway-like beard these days. His reason: "I'm just trying to keep warm.” ALSO AT WHS. the worldfamous Globetrotters basketball team. featuring Rex (“Showboat”) Jones and Goose, Jr., are scheduled to meet the school faculty in a fun-packed match at the school gym on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. The match is being sponsored by the Boosters’ Club. OLIVE BUSHONG, a resident of 14 North Shore Drive, was on hand late Tuesday morniftg at the local VFW post when the VFW and American Legion observed Veterans’ Day. The interest is that she has never missed a local. observance of this type. “When the armistice was signed I was in (Syracuse) high school,” Mrs. Bushong commented, noting that students marched downtown to observe the occasion formally. She said she graduated from high school in 1920 in the old high school that was located in uptown Syracuse, now demolished. She’s a true Syracuse native. Mrs. Bushong said, "1 still call it Armistice Day, although they’ve changed it to Veterans’ Day.” J_ She and her late husband Joe are the parents of three sons, all veterans. Avon, former Syracuse postmaster, and George, an uptown barber in the footsteps of his dad. are veterans of World War 11, and Jon, a NIPSCo employee, is a Korean veteran. Mrs. Bushong said her husband was too young for World War I and too old for World War 11, but he took a great interest in such veteran affairs as November 11 Veterans’ Day. Quayle names Mark Miles assistant Senator-elect Dan Quayle recently announced Mark Miles will be his administrative assistant when the 97th Congress convenes on January 5,1981. Miles, 27, was Quayle’s campaign manager. He is a native of Indianapolis and a Wabash College graduate. He previously managed Mayor William Hudnut’s successful Indianapolis mayoral campaign. Quayle said that Miles is “well known throughout Indiana, and will be able to ensure that the needs and desires of Hoosiers will remain at the forefront of everything we do in the office.” Other senior staff positions will be announced at a later date. Quayle stated, “We are moving quickly to make sure we get the best people to serve the State of Indiana.” Everyone would like to have a government that can operate without taxes and yet give the people the benefits of modem times.