The Mail-Journal, Volume 18, Number 5, Milford, Kosciusko County, 18 February 1981 — Page 1

i-*/ 25 c

VOLUME 18

Syracuse board faced with more lift station problems at Oakwood

DEB FOX They thought the lift station in Oakwood Park was foolproof when it was put in but last night i Tuesday» the Syracuse Town Board felt the town had been shafted on the whole deal • Howard Kyle, superintendent of the street and water systems, informed the board both motors at the new lift station were out and Donald <Pee Wee’ Niles commented he was told Richard Haskins, contractor on the project, had wiped his hands of it and the company which manufactured the motors. Standard Power Company, stated they are still under warranty and they should be sent in with the town paying the transportation costs William Hess, liaison officer to the department, commented the town has been "shafted pretty rough." and continued saying nothing could be gotten out of the contractors The contractors left no operating manuals to the two pumps

Tax rates given

Tax levies for 198! have been given final approval by the state board of tax commissioners with rates in the greater Lakeland area being as follows •, Jefferson Township, west iWanee School Corporation). $4 67900; Jefferson Township, east. (Lakeland School Corporation . $4.01. Plain Township. $3 356*70 Leesburg. $4 18650: Tippecanoe Township. $4 03050. North Webster. $6 42880. Turkey Creek Township. $4.13030; Syracuse. $6 35630 Van’Buren Township. $4 08500. and Milford. $5 43150 The per cent of state property tax replacement credit ranged from 0 202080 in Jefferson Township, west, to 0 203253 in Tippecanoe Tow nship Other taxing units in the county will have the following rates Clav Township. $3 47500. Claypool. $5 29300. Etna Township. $4 83000 Etna Green. $6 13750. Franklin Township. $4 48160., Jackson Township. $4 40500; Sidney. $5 64500. Lake Township. $3 28400. Silver Lake. $5 17900. Monroe Township. $4 35700. ' Warsaw Plain Township), $6 55550. Prairie Township. $3 53350. Scott ♦ Township. $4 65750. Seward Township. $4 92570. Washington Township. $4 53300. Pierceton.

HE HE

WAITING TO BEGIN — Although the weather was sunny and warm for winter, most people at the North Webster Winter Carnival dressed appropria teh in snow mobile suits and ski jackets. Pictured above are people prepared for an afternoon of snow games. waiting for the action to begin. (Photo by Kim Hieber)

Webster Winter Carnival winners given

The North Webster Winter Carnival, sponsored by the Lakeland Snowmobile Club, was held on Saturday. People gathered in Indiana's snowmobile capital for numerous activities in the snow The carnival drag races offered is first place trophies, 15 second and 15 third place ribbons.

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

Niles stated people in a new home in the area turned on their water and flushed a stool in the home and water came back into the house, an inflow of surface water Niles also stated he can't keep up with the inflow and “my truck is going to wear out in another month or so. I'm sen ous " Robert Reed, town attorney, offered to contact Don Scearce. engineer of the project He remarked Scearce got the pumps and they were supposed to be superior, if one pump goes out the other was to be a back up However Kyle stated he learned that one pump doesn't work without the other and spare parts could not be easily obtained as the contractors had said He also said no electrician will touch the pumps to see what is wrong because of the warranty. * Further" anger rose when the board was informed by Niles surface water is getting into the lines Prior to the acceptance of the lift station, the town had test after test made to make sure

$6 24500. Wayne Township. $3 86200. Warsaw (Wayne Township). $6 73100; Winona Lake. $5.65900: Burket. 4 92570 County Rate The tax .ate for Kosciusko County has been reduced from the advertised 796 to 714 with the general fund to receive 434 cents the welfare fund to receive 105. the health fund to receive 028. the cumulative bridge fund to receive 036. the comp mental health fund to receive 038 and the bond fund to receive 073 Break-Down A break-down of area taxing unit rates show the following with all units being charged 01 in state tax and 7140 m county taxes per SIOO valuation: Jefferson East — Township 1270. EMS 0130. school general 1 9410. transportation 2400. debt 6650 and cumulative building 3000 for the $4 01 total JefLrson West — Township 127, EMS 013, school general 2 213. transportation 264. debt 999 and cumulative building 339 for the $4 679 total Plain — Township 0285, poor 0066. fire 0422. recreation 0057. EMS 0457. school general 1 532. transportation 184 and cumulative 788 (or the $3 3567 total (Continued on page 2)

Juniors competed in the 250. 340 and 440 races, with A to J stocks and an open class open to all During the morning and afternoon games were also offered. Junior obstacle course winners were: Morning. David Riggs. Anderson and afternoon, Steve Rozou. North Webster. Adults obstacle course winners were:

there was no inflow of surface water Reed commented he would be “happy to make a couple of phone calls. I'm sick and tired of this. We've been stung and it's costing the town money” The town spent $3,860.29 on the lift station for Oakwood Park Dave MCGrew commented, as a taxpayer ..1 thought this one was foolproof, I don't know what we can do but make sure it is air tight. I thought it was iron clad the way it was worked " Niles stated he found a man hole, six feet north of the big hole, with'three valves and the middle valve was open. He suggested the town spend SSOO for a decent heavy duty sump pump which may take care of some of the problem Harley Conrad, consultant and Niles will get together and see what can be done Another problem which faced the town board last evening was storm sewer drains Robert Jones. 719 S Front St . stated the water in front of his house is six irfches deep and coming up against the house He has been siphoning it out into the lake, but wasn’t sure he was doing the right thing when he observed oil film in the water He added every year someone is contracted to clean his carpet because of the mess There are two storm sewers near the home Jones also commented he has called the street department on this and has been told that a man from Fort Wayne was coming to take care of it He has received the same answer for three years Kyle remarked the town needed to get someone to reline the storm sewers, some of the lines are running uphill and others are broken, or the street department can pump out the water There is the same situation on Boston Street A women, who lives at the corner of Third and Boston Streets, stated there is a 25-inch fall, but the water still backs up. She commented Monday the street department pumped the water out of the street and into her side yard, right into her basement. She also commented the same thing occurs when mud is cleared away. Hess commented this goes back several years and the town needs an engineer to come in and make a survey and to have a new storm sewer system. He suggested the town could even go into a lift station with the storm sewers like the sanitary sewer system He added the street

Morning, Steve Rozou, Sr.. North Webster and afternoon, Steve Riggs, Anderson. The blindfolded obstacle course winners were: Steve and Margie Rozou. North Webster. In this race the driver is blindfolded with the rider directing him around the course. Lamans winners included:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18. 1981

department is having problems getting the lines to drain, even when they run the rodder through the line and know it’s clean, the drains still overflow, and suggested the system be revamped Kyle remarked an auger cannot be run through the storm system at Third and Boston Streets because it feels like the line is broken. Niles commented he lived there when the curbing was put in and saw the workers drop a lot of concrete down the drain and really thinks that is the problem Carl Myrick. board president, stated it will be looked into by the street department. Salaries Disputed Clifford Boyer, liaison officer to the police department recommended an eight per cent pay increase to five officers on the department. However, both Myrick and Hess contested the eight per cent pay increase because of the salary ordinance which established a merit system for raises The final vote was Boyer, Joe Morganthaler and Steven Butt voting yes and Myrick and Hess voting no. Hess remarked the ordinance was set up so employees could be payed for what they did and be awarded for their work, then all at (Mice change and they get as big a raise as they can get. “I reviewed my men according to the ordinance,'’ Hess said. He also commented the board thought it was a wonderful deal. “I’m against it, you can't tell me five men on the department or crew are the same when there's one with five years experience, one who's not finished probationary period and the others with two years " Myrick supported Hess and stated he doesn't think everybody in a department should have equal pay when there are people < Continued on page 2)

Milford water meters to be read Feb. 23-27 Water meters in the Town of Milford will be read during the week of February 23-27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are not home, a tag will be left on your door. Please read the meter and return to the Milford Town Hall before March 3 or call in the meter reading to the Town Hall

Steve Rozou, Sr., North Webster, first; Mike Davis. Cromwell, second: and Dean Bovi, Anderson, third. In the merry-go-round rope pull game winners were: Ripp Shipley. Crowmell, first; Jim Fidler. North Webster, second; and Kent Sawyer, Syracuse, third

MAIL-JOIRNAL INCREASE EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 4 The subscription price of The Mail-Journal will increase to sl2 per year for incounty subscribers and to sl4 for out-of-county subscribers, effective March 4. These price increases are caused by a continuing rise in the cost of newsprint and other general production costs, according to .Arch Baumgartner, president and publisher of The Papers Incorporated. Subscribers will have until March 4 to renew their subscriptions at the current rate. Persons over the age of 65 will continue to receive their 10 per cent discount on subscriptions.

Mermaid Festival te begin earlier The Mermaid Festival at North Webster will begin one week prior to the usual date The festival is scheduled to start June 13th and end the 20th this year to accommodate the moving carnival. Lions entertain ladies Monday Members of the Milford Lions Club entertained their ladies on Monday in a Goshen restaurant. The program for the evening was presented by humorist Mary Jane Zellers of Rochester Mrs. Zellers' topic was "Don't Forget to Wash the Soap. ” She related events from her life as a farmer s wife and mother of three, giving several illustrations of humor.

Merchants judge Syracuse Winter Carnival a success

By TERRI CHILCOTE The general consensus among Syracuse retailers Friday morning. Feb. 13. was the Syracuse Winter Carnival was a success. The merchants met Friday for their monthly meeting at Ivy Hut Restuarant Vice President Jack Matney praised everyone for doing their part. “I’d like to thank everyone of you. I’d like to see this (the carnival) go two days next year.” he said. The Syracuse Winter Carnival was held February 7. President Joyce Smith said she would also like to see the carnival held for two days, pointing out the boost it would give local businesses. Linda Crow reported the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority did not do as well as expected in its concession sale. Mrs. Crow attributed the poor food sale to the fact people had time to eat before they attended the carnival However, the merchantsponsored chili dinner netted the retailers $493 for their coffer. Mrs. Crow praised the Syracuse Park Board for their part in coordinating the carnival. "I just want to say you guys (the park board) did a fantastic job,” she remarked. The merchants applauded Diane Walker of the park board for the board's efforts Matney, who is also chairman of the hind raising committee, presented fund raising ideas for the upcoming summer He suggested the merchants hold sidewalk days in August in conjunction with the Syracuse Lions Club’s National Chili CookOff. The National Chili Cook-Off is sponsored by the International Association of Lions Clubs and the National Kidney Foundation. To participate in the Chili CookOff, a person may challenge another person to see which one makes the best chili. Bowls of the chili are then sold. Matney suggested two Fort Wayne WOWO radio announcers be contacted and ask then to challenge two South Bend radio announcers to a cook-off.

IH 1 r ' It A 191 1 f ELECTION OF OFFICERS — Pictured above are the newly elected Syracuse-Wawasee Development Company officers. From left to right are Treasurer Jim Caskey, Vice President. Phil Beer. President Col. Joe Gray and Secretary Barbara Mort. (Photo by Kim Hieber).

Col. Joseph Gray elected development company head

The Syracuse-Wawasee Area Devleopment Company met Monday and the following officers were unanimously elected: President — Joseph Gray Vice President — Phil Beer Secretary — Barbara Mort Treasurer — Jim Caskey Phil Beer made a motion to

Matney will discuss fund raising activities further during the merchant s March meeting. During July 4. Mrs. Walker announced the park board will again try to offer hot air balloon rides Strong winds prevented balloon rides during the Syracuse Winter Carnival Richard Wysong. vocational teacher at Wawasee High School, asked if merchants would allow students in the sales and merchandising class and DECA Club to design and dress their store windows. “The students need to do more than just that window outside the DECA room,” he explained Several merchants expressed their willingness to help. Wysong also passed out brochures on adult education classes this spring at Wawasee High School Mrs. Smith announced Joe Gray, executive secretary for the

* ■ ■ A i i/ ■ Aft - — —WIMR .'a.'.-■, >■ gs HHi-t- BBmM ItflE < h* * k tss w DAMAGES — Damages were listed at $25,066 to the Calvin Stoner residence. South Shore Drive. Lake Wawasee. following a fire on Valentine's Day. The blaze began from a possible lamp cord electrical short in the living room. The fire went undetected for several hours because no one was home at the time. A neighbor discovered the blaze and called the Syracuse Fire Department. "There was a lot of heat and fire damage. Not too much was salvageable from the intense heat on the masonry constructed house. ’’ said Syracuse Fire Chief Kenny Johnson. (Photo by Deb Fox)

elect Barbara Mort as temporary chairman prior to the election Many objectives and goals for the development company were discussed. It was decided the final objective and goals would not be determined until each director has time to study community profile results being

Syracuse-W’awasee Chamber of Commerce, will soon contact businesses about a proposed brochure to promote the area. "The brochure s aim is for people to read something in it to make them want to come to Syracuse.’’ explained Mrs. Smith. The brochures will be placed in rest areas and information centers throughout a five state area. Gray will also conduct a survey to find out what area people expect from the SyracuseWawasee Area Development Company. Mrs. Smith urged merchants to express their thoughts to Gray. "We’ve lost a full year in getting this program going,’shesaid. For the morning’s program. Mrs Crow and Bonnie Workman gave the group a “stress test.” The women obtained the test at the Indiana Wearing Apparel Convention in Indianapolis. The test is designed to help a person

NUMBER 5

prepared by Purdue University. Plans are continuing for the community brochures. The present committee is composed of Joseph Gray. Phil Hoy and Larry Cook. Additional individuals will be added by the committee.

measure how much stress he or she is under. The next meeting of the Syracuse Retail Merchants will be Friday, March 13. at 7:45 a.m. at the Ivy Hut Restaurant. Mrs. Smith urged each member to bnng another merchant with him or her. "There’s so few of us to be making major decisions for such a large number of people.” she stated. License branch to be open extra hours The Syracuse License Branch will be open extra hours next week to handle the purchase of license plates and other requirements due prior to the end of the month of February. The branch will be open from 8.30 am. until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and from 8:30 a m. until 4 p in. on Saturday.