The Mail-Journal, Volume 17, Number 50, Milford, Kosciusko County, 31 December 1980 — Page 2
THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 31,1980
2
Union says ‘no'.
NIPSCo's lush wagebenefits package told
All striking Northern Indiana Public Service Company employees were notified in a Monday, Dec. 29, newsletter what the new bargaining package offers. Following eight days of intensive bargaining in Washington on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the company offered the following new package which was turned down. The net effect of the company’s economic offer was that by June 1, 1981 the average per hour pay rate for a physical worker would total $11.82 per hour, or a 17.6 per cent increase from the $10.05 per hour base offered in the previous contract. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) would also be included. The average hourly rate for a physical union worker would be $14.72 hourly or a 46.5 per cent increase. The average hourly wage rate for a clerical union employee would be $9.32, or a 19.3 per cent increase from the present base rate of $7 81
County officials suggest road funding proposals to state panel
More than 400 county officials from around the state gathered in Indianapolis for the annual meeting of the Association of Indiana Counties and told a threemember panel of state legislators that revenue being generated by the state motor fuel tax isn’t sufficient to catch-up on necessary transportation improvements or to upgrade ■. dangerous highways arid bridges. County commissioners, auditors and other elected officials presented similar examples of the funding shortfall. Local road budgets for next year, they said, are being severely slashed. In terms of what today’s deflated dollars will actually buy, outlays for county road maintenance and improvement in 1981 will be less than half as much as it >yas a decade ago. Among the suggested changes presented to Senate President Pro Tern Robert Garton (RColumbbs), Assistant Senate Minority Floor Leader Louis Mahern (D-Indianapolis) and House Assistant Minority Caucus Chairman Dennis Heeke (D-Dubois) were: Adjust the motor fuel tax to a more realistic rate with a suggested increase of between two and four cents per gallon. Retain the present feedings of 14 cents per gallon in calendar year 1981 and 16 cents thereafter. Take the cumulative bridge fund out from under .the property tax freeze, providing a potential S3O million annually if all 92 counties adopted the maximum assessment. Make mandatory the minimum authorized county excise taxes on automobiles and the wheel taxes on heavy trucks and other large vehicles with local option to increase the levy to maximum rates. Remove the state police funding obligation from the Motor Vehicle Highway account. The MVH fund supplies 50 per cent of the state police budget. Dedicate all or a portion of sales tax receipts collected on gasoline and other highway-
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average, also with COLA. The company offer included the same COLA formula as in the expired May 31, 1980 contract plus a six per cent wage increase the first year of the effective contract, five and one half per cent the second year; and a 4 per cent COLA in the third year beginning June 1,1982. In addition, the company offered a 22 cent per hour COLA on January 1, 1981, for every employee covering September, October and November 1980 when no striking employees worked. New dental and vision care were also offered. With the November 10 package were improved pension and life insurance plans, broadened health care coverage and a new dental plan. The company offered improved dental program coverage. Another proposal was one additional paid holiday, Washington’s birthday. According to NIPSCo In-
related products to road and bridge accounts. These total more than S2OO million annually. Heeke admitted that “state legislators haven’t been living up to their obligation as elected officials for the last eight years with regard to highway funding.” The legislators emphasized, however, that local governments have the responsibility and the means to share the burden and help solve their own road and street problems. County officials also agreed
Power rate report , evokes local interest
With electrical power consumers being pinched by ever-rising costs, a report issued last month by the Indiana Public Service Commission on cost comparisons evoked considerable interest here. The report stated that Northern Indiana Public Service Company, which serves the greater lakeland area, is second highest of the 116 electric utilities in Indiana, with a cost of $67.18 for 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. The rating is based on residential electric bills/ excluding tax, per 1,000 kilowatt hours. Statewide, the range of prices to consumers using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month goes from $74.17 at Argos in Marshall County, to a low of $31.66 at Coatesville, in Hendricks County. Nearly 60 per cent of the state’s electric utilities are grouped in a middle range varying no more than $9.70 per thousand. Os the state’s electric cooperatives, Kosciusko County has the lowest rates in the northeastern Indiana area and LaGrange County the highest. The LaGrange cb-op’s ranking among Indiana electrics is 34th at $46.55 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours, United 39th at $45.53, Whitley 41st
dustrial Relations Vice President R. Zeldenrust, after the union negitators reviewed the new package they found it unacceptable. It included severe restrictions on the company’s ability to hire outside contracts, an unacceptable provision. The union also demanded amnesty for discharged employees caught vandalizing company property or committing other violent acts. The company offered to submit the discharge question for each of the 13 former employees involved to binding arbitration by an independent arbitrator. The company asked for meter reading and power plant relief and the union refused. The Union also demanded no year’s vacation allotment reduction, even though striking employees have not worked for seven months of the year. The company responded vacations would be based on( the portion of year worked. «
that a “wait-and-see” philosophy won’t help local road programs next year either. They noted that unless the indexed fuel tax is adjusted upward by the General Assembly it won’t be producing an appreciable amount of new money before 1982 at threadiest. “The people would behappy to pay the tax if it means good roads,” said one Dubois County official. “It’s better than shelling out for new tires, front end alignments and such. It’s either that or go back to gravel roads.”
at $45.27, Steuben 60th at $42.63, Wabash 79th at $39.98, Noble 85th at $39.39 and Kosciusko 93rd at $38.63. Etna Green, in Kosciusko County, has the highest rate among area municipal utilities. It ranks third-highest in the state on a $61.85 charge for 1,000 kilowatthours. Bluffton, in Wells County, has the cheapest electric rate in the municipal utility category and is just third from the bottom at the n4th spot. Its charge for 1,000 /kilowalt-hours is $32.65. The above report was of particular concern to those REMC electrical users in Wawasee Heights who were among those traded for NIPSCo users in the Dewart Lake area. The Wawasee Heights users suffered a rate increase from $38.63 to $67.18 per 1,000 kilowatt hours. At the same time, those who have been shifted to REMC users benefited in a rate reduction in the same proportion. Vehicle fires over week end Syracuse Fire Department responded to two vehicle fires over the week end. The first fire was reported on Friday, Dec. 26, at 3:11 p.m. at Jim Phendbe, 737 Medusa St., Syracuse. He had extinguished the fire around the rear axle by throwing snow on the fire. The fire department checked to make sure the fire was extinguished before returning to the station. At 5:34 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, Donna Peskey reported a van fire on Kern Road. The 1967 Dodge van was being worked on by the owner when the engine backfired and the engine compartment caught on fire. There was SSOO damage to the.van.
Unresolved — (Continued from page 1) business manager with a maximum of five association members as appointed by the group. By mutual consent the new proposal would also include sub-committees reporting back to the full committee. Teachers also asked that the committee meet at least once per month with the number of meetings increased or decreased according to consent and need between the two groups. They also request that the committee may increase or decrease subject, topics for dialogue and input. “Bad Negotiating” “Why did we stay that extra hour until 4:30 a.m. that morning? Then, both of our negotiating teams agreed to an 18-month contract with no openers. The language was agreed upon between the two sides and now you want to change the rules. In my opinion, this is bad negotiating,” stated Gilbert. “We have spent over seven months on this, over 80 hours in negotiating and 23 sessions from January to May.” Corson believed the new difficulties did not involve money, just wording. Gilbert believed the issue is corporation spending. The corporation believes the trouble includes money not just words. Board member Payne stated that the teaching contract agreed upon between the two negotiating teams be voted on excluding the proposed changes because they were not mentioned previously. The board unanimously approved the bargaining contract without the new proposals. One LCEA member quietly stated, they (the board) know it’s not ratified yet unless weapproye?” S Latest Offers “We would like the taxpayers to know that we agreed to the extra duty pay, but we didn’t like it. The taxpayers will pay for this,” said Payne. The corporation school board adopted an 18-month teachers contract providing an 11.7 per cent increase across the board in total salary monies. According to Gilbert, the 13.5 per cent across the board increase in total money includes increment and fringe benefits. • The new contract, if ratified, would start on January 1, 1981 terminating June 30, 1982. The teachers would then receive the requested school year contract, rather than the present calendar year pay scale. Included in the 1981 LCEA and Lakeland Community School Corporation agreement are: IncreasecL extra duty pay by 10 per cent for 1980-81 school year; teachers working at home athletic events earn $8.25 per event,' a procedure was established how extra duty assignments would be made; after notifying the business office prior to May 1, teachers could receive sumfner pay in one check; corporation pays increased monies for teachers workshop expenses, etc.; the corporation would pay S4O toward Long Term Disability policy costs for teachers with a 180-day waiting period; a SIO,OOO term life insurance policy would be added; the corporation would pay an increase of S3B toward family health insurance; a sick leave bank would be established allowing participating teachers to donate sick leave days to the bank, drawing days from the bank if an emergency exists extending time periods with approval from an administrator and teachers committee; family illness days increased from one to two; sick leave days accumulation from 110 days to 120 days; increase grievance procedure days to allow aggrieved more preparation time; teachers given one verbal and one written reprimand prior to suspension or dismissal recommendation; and an increased number of LCEA and corporation representatives allowed to attend final stages of the grievance formal hearings. (The teaching pay scale is listed in separate article). “A Bad Game” Board meeting guest Robert Bryer stated, “the teachers are playing a bad game. Realistically if the teachers don’t ratify can they handle it? Can the school board?” Superintendent of Schools Don Arnold doesn’t know what happened to the contract ratification. “From the conversation that went on at the board meeting, the contract as negotiated by the two sides was not presented, only the contract with proposed changes. Whether that’s true or not I don’t know. I have no comment about teachers striking, because I don’t know what they’re thinking,” said Arnold. Some guests and school board members stated that the LCEA lost control to an inner teachers group asking for more than the corporation could handle. LCEA spokesman Phil Metcalf stated, “It’s in the teachers’ hands now. The teachers ratified the contract with those amendments. The board approved the contract without the amendments. Our (the LCEA negotiating team) part is done. Now it’s up to the teachers. LCEA members will meet Sunday, Jan. 4, at 4 p.m., probably in Wawasee High
School. The teachers will decide then about the contract which expired today, Dec. 31. Prior to the Tuesday, Dec. 23, school board meeting both sides felt the contract would be ratified making the holiday season complete. Set salaries — (Continued from page 1) degree and $18,583 with a M.S. Twenty-two or more years B.S. degree instructors were offered $14,890 for 1980 and M.S. degree holders, $18,980. Non-certified Salaries Non-certified central office staff personnel salaries will increase 10 per cent beginning January 1, 1981. The attendance secretary will receive $6.09 hourly; bus mechanics, $7.60; school nurse, $7.19; food service manager $5.12; secretaries and a des $3.58 to $5.16 hourly wjth bookkeepers in each building earning 15 additional cents; food service employees, $3:58 to $4.57 and custodians $4.75 to $6.86 hourly with night custodians receiving 10 cents additional pay per hour. The corporation is also providing the following fringe benefits: $5,000 term life insurance except for $1 paid by new employees; all full-time 12 month employees will be granted eight days sick leave per year to a maximum accumulation of 80 days. All full time school year employees will receive eight sick leave days per year with 60 days maximum accumulation; all unused personal business days will -be added to sick leave accumulation. One day was added for all full-time employees receiving two days for family illness. The corporation will pay S3B additional toward the family health insurance program and all full-time food service employees will be provided with an additional $5 uniform allowance. In order to be a full-time employee, the person must be contracted for a 30 hours per week minimum. Bus Driver Salaries At the December 23 school board meeting, a small group of bus drivers gathered. It appeared they were ready to dispute contract terms if necessary. Bus drivers increased their daily base-rate from $16.27 to sl7. They will also receive a one cent mileage increase. Daily express bus runs is $8.50 hourly, $5.67 for late runs, $8.50 for second daily route and $4.25 for a.m. or p.m. second daily route only. Extra-curricular driving pay will be $3.50 hourly. Substitute drivers will earn $2.75 an hour with a $lO minimum earned for driving during the school day and a $5 minimum for driving outside school hours. Bus driver fringe benefits include a new public employees retirement fund. The corporation will pay sls on the physical required for a PPC license and three additional sick days were added with retirement severance pay $7 for each accumulated sick leave day after 10 service years which is a $2 increase. Unemployment insurance claims up Indiana’s unemployment insurance claims total rose 1,891 last' week to 111,648, according to the Employment Security Division. The comparable ye r ago amount was 94,940. Robert N. Skinner, director, said initial claims were up by 303 because of holiday and production adjustment layoffs. Continued claims also increased due to previous layoffs in construction and in automotive and related industries. • Skinner said there were 2,280 new claims for extended benefits. Some 21,487 persons are now receiving the additional payments.
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New school — (Continued from page 1) interest and past work experience. Board member Phil Payne commented, “I think .we should commit ourselves to taking the six acres available to us for additional land in the Milford project. If we’re not careful we - could easily become blocked in.” After a brief discussion on two other land purchasing alternatives, the board unanimously approved the six acre land purchase from Virgil Zimmerman at a $50,000 cost. The six acre lot is next to the elementary school site and is basically flat, not requiring high developmental costs. Fort Wayne financial group Sommers and Company supplied tentative holding company costs for the Milford project. If Sommers loans a $4,775,000 total on the Milford building, the 12-year loan annual repayment will be $735,000 at 11 per cent interest. If a 15-year Ipan is used, $664,000 would be paid annually at 11 per cent interest. For a 18-year loan the annual loan payment would be $11.5 per cent of $639,000. The board requested tljat payments begin after September 1982 when the Wawasee High School project loan payment will be complete. The figures Sommers provided above are b»sed on first loan payments for Septebmer 1982, making the total figures larger when payment begins after the WHS project is paid. A Sommers and Company representative will be available with additional information at the January meeting. The board approved $150,000 additional appropriation from the Cumulative Building Fund. This money includes payment for early costs on the Milford project land, remodeling and architectural fees. Other Board Movements The school board also received 1981 operating capital bids to borrow $1,150,000 to be paid from the Kosciusko County tax draw. Bids were accepted from: Sommers and Company, 9.5 per cent interest on $500,000; Warsaw Lake City Bank, 9.95 per cent interest on $300,000 with the remainder accepted from the First National Bank of Warsaw and the State Bank of Syracuse with 10 per cent interest charges a piece. A school insurance program was accepted by the board following 1 Gilbert’s recommendation. The school corporations present coverage is by Warsaw’s Hall & Marose Agency; although, the new accepted bid is from Randall Yeager and Associates, Warsaw. They bid $46,356 annual premium with SSOO deductable for the next three-year period. Yeager is through American States Carrier. Curriculum Coordinator John A. Naab provided a federal projects list for 1981 board approval. Federal funds totaled $146,080.20. running in its last federally funded year is part of the In-School Supervision Project that once provided $36,434 to Lakeland Community Schools. Naab also gave an informational bulletin on textbook adoption descriptions and procedures for the schools. The list included elementary through high school science and health texts/ “The textbook review committee is 40 per cent parents that review materials and make program decisions. The procedure is not changed, but the texts may be,” said Naab. The next public Lakeland Community School Board meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the administration building at 7p.m. Seek the Lord Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. I Chronicles 16:11
65 % Viet vets used educational benefits
The average age for Vietnam era veterans is now 33.6, a recently- published statistical profile of the nine million men and. women in service at that time reports. Veterans Administration readjustment programs and other benefits for this youngest group of veterans has amounted to more than ssl billion, with $35.2 billion going for educational benefits. Bill Brewster, director of the Veterans Administration regional office in ’ndianapolis. said that 65 per cent of Vietnam veterans used their educational benefits as compared with 50 per cent after World War II and 43.4
Abscam revisited —
98 arrested at Girl Scout camp in cockfight gambling ring
Indiana State Police and Elkhart County Officers arrested 98 persons in connection with a cockfight gambling operation at Middlebury’s Lakeland Girl Scout Council Camp Singing Hills on Saturday, Dec. 27. Nine persons were charged with professional gambling and 89 others cited for cruelty to animals according to reports. J. D. Tackett, 54824 CR 33, Middlebury, who is the Singing Hills campground caretaker, is the alleged cockfight organizer. He was arrested on a gambling charge. Those booked and processed at the scene for cruelty to animals were allowed to post SSO bonds each for Elkhart County residents and SSOO each from anyone outside the county. Many persons were from other states. Both Indiana and Michigan state police intelligence units learned of periodic cockfights at Singing Hills. The Saturday event was reported to be a Derby with a winning bets chance to collect $1,300. Undercover officers were at the Saturday night fights held in a pole-barn type building near the Tackett residence. These officials radioed information to a main headquarters set up by Elkhart County Sheriff Dick W. Bowman at Northridge High School. More than 60 officers participated including the Elkhart County and City K-9 patrols. The county sheriff’s department, expecting 150 to 200 persons at the event, utilized a helicopter to light the raid. A caravan of police vehicles moved from Northridge High School to US 20N on CR 35, west of CR 12 then north to the campgrounds where the one-way driveway was blocked. After several persons were taken into custody outside the barn, a plainclothes officer entered the building with a drawn gun telling patrons they were under arrest. 4 No one reportedly resisted police and were very cooperative
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per cent after the Korean Conflict. “Because Vietnam era veterans are the best educated group of veterans in the nation’s history, they have used the GI Bill for college more than the total of WWII and Korea combined.” Brewster said. Compensation and pension payments comprise the second largest VA expenditure to Vietnam era veterans. The report shows that 13.9 per cent of the VA hospital census is compriised of Vietnam era veterans. Brewster said there are 233 .XX) Vietnam era veterans in Indiana, 58,000 of whom served in Vietnam.
with the arresting officers. The Girl Scout Council officials had no knowledge qf the cockfighting events. The fighting chickens, bij-ed and raised specifically for fighting, were valued at SSO each. Sharp razor blades are attached to spurs on both legs with fowl matched by weight. The birds fight in boardsided pits with death resulting from either one or both fighters.
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BEAUTY — This photograph of a beautiful young lady is from a collection of unidentified photographs in the custody of the Genealogy Section. Kosciusko Historical Society at Warsaw. lit was taken by Houser (a Warsaw, photographer) and is marked 'O6. If you can identify this young woman and give an approximate date, please call Mrs. William L‘, (Doris) Camden, Warsaw;; Mrs. Fred (Marion) Anglin, Leesburg; Mrs. Gregory (Laurie) Smith, North Webster; Mrs.- Quentin (Catherine) Evans, Claypool; on write to the Genealogy Section, Kosciusko County Historical Society, P.O. Bo 1071, Warsaw, 46580. For identification purposes. please state the date of the issue of the paper in which you saw this as this will be a continuing feature. -