The Mail-Journal, Volume 18, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 25 February 1981 — Page 4

I THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., Feb. 25,1981

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Editorials

A time to tighten belts “This is not going to be a pleasant year for any of us, but we simply have to face up to it (a tightening of the belt) This statement was made by Lakeland school superintendent Don Arnold at the special school board hearing last night (Tuesday). Os course, he was referring to the short supply of funds to operate the corporation’s schools. This may be coming as a shock to many in the school corporation who want expanding programs and salaries, but it’s a fact of life. This appears to be the superintendent’s theme. He was more specifically addressing himself to the need to take a new look at the summer recreational program. He praised North Webster, at the same time, for running a program that is practically self-supporting, drawing very little support from school funding. Some of the summer programs have so few participants that they may have to be cut out altogether, superintendent, Arnold pointed out. He mentioned the summer swim program, which has attracted some 1,100 participants. Cost: sll per person, and yet a charge of only $4 is made, the remainder is school-supported. He mentioned the Goshen schpol swim program which costs sls and is passed on to the participant in its entirety. Superintendent Arnold said certainly a hard look will have to be given this program and more of the cost will have to be passed along to the participants. At the same time he praised the swim program as being one of the best summer programs in the corporation’s entire agenda of summer programs. A tightening of the belt seems to be the order of the day, and it would appear the public schools will be one of those groups to feel the pinch. President Reagan is calling for fiscal austerity on a national front; the governors are calling for a belt-tightening; and so are city administrations. This has been evident in private industry for some time; in fact, the rate of industrial and business bankruptcies throughout the nation, particularly in the auto-oriented states of Michigan and Indiana, has been freightening. So schools are not alone in facing this austerity. We feel the summer programs, while all of them can be considered in a praiseworthy light, should come in for close scrutiny. It looks like the school administration has little choice but to tighten up this area of spending along with others Good luck Warriors Basketball fans in all 92 counties of Indiana will be cheering for their favorite team this week as sectional tournaments got underway on Monday and continue through Saturday night. We’re backing the Warriors from Wawasee to be the sectional tournament winners at Triton. Action there gets underway tonight (Wednesday) as host Triton meets Tippecanoe Valley. Warsaw will play Rochester on Friday night and the Warriors will play the winner of the Triton-Tippecanoe Valley game on Friday night. Wawasee last won the sectional tournament in 1977. As odd as it may seem, the Wawasee girls also won the sectional tournament in 1977 and won this year’s sectional tournament. The boys can do equally well as we know the talent is there, it only needs to be put to good use in next Friday and Saturday’s games. We encourage all Lakeland residents to support the Warriors this week as . they seek the sectional championship. The winter Proof that forecasters still can’t accurately predict the weather at any appreciable distance in the future is this winter. Forecasters last fall were, generally speaking, not expecting the record cold most of the eastern part of the U.S. would experience. In fact, many respected forecasts, some carried as monthly features in magazines, estimated that December would be warmer than usual. Yet beginning a week before the new year, record temperatures have plagued the east and in mid-January low readings which were the coldest since the turn of the century struck much of the east and south. One shouldn’t blame forecasters of their methods. They do the best they can. But it’s folly to depend on long-distance weather forecasting, and to plan business activities on the basis of it. The forecasting business isn’t perfected to a high degree of accuracy yet. One should look upon forecasts, still, as educated guesses What others say — Speaking for business Lobby reform is a major issue in the current Indiana General Assembly and rightfully it should be. But, because of the publicity surrounding the debate, some legislators define lobby control as a “sexy" issue. Such issues can generate bad legislation because they appeal to political ambitions Office holders note that the news media give such issues a lot of attention. After a while, everyone wants in on the act and all of a sudden the whole matter is completely out of hand. Senate Bill 12 was materially altered in response to suggestions from many before reaching the floor of the upper chamber. Sen. Marlin K. McDaniel (RRichmond) welcomed offering of additional amendments. He has accumulated an extraordinarily large array of co-authors. Rep. John J. Thomas (R-Brazil) asked the authors of the four major lobbying bills in his Ethics Committee to see if they could consolidate them into one acceptable version, acceptable version. So — what do the lobbyists think about it all. The Indiana State Chamber of Commerce says: We can accept any reasonable legislation as long as it does not inhibit our ability to communicate back and forth with our membership. We’re registered and at the State House every day, speaking up for business fc and industry. That’s part of our job. We can and will report, as we do now, what we spend at that task, not only during the session but all year long, if required. We think it is a responsible role, additionally, to lend our help to the process of fashioning a lobbying bill that is fair, equitable and workable for all lobbyists — some of whom are our adversaries. In other words, we’re not going to stand still and be accused of disinterest on a subject that is very much at the heart of American democracy. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is important. Citizens should have the right to petition their government. Lobbying is organized petitioning. Fortunately, experienced legislators know two things that a lot of other people find it difficult to understand. ONE — Changing the laws in the name of reform will not guarantee purity. Laws can define crime, forbid crime and fix penalties for crime, but they cannot prevent crime. TWO— Overhill of the definition of lobbying, and too-rigid requirements on reporting, could restrict the flow of needed information to the legislators themselves. Lawmakers represent the people who live in a given area. They have a responsibility to listen to them, to seek opinions and learn how new laws might affect them if enacted. Business men and women are people, too. New laws, or drastic changes in existing ones, can have devastating effects of their business. So they must be kept informed on such proposals, and they must be guaranteed the right of comment - either directly, or in the person of those who speak for them. Let us not permit the zeal for reform to diminish that right. — CARKIMjL. COUNTY COMET

Ir . I MR”Hoosier Hysteria is in full’swing. Above, John Locke, 1 1, was caught in the camera's eye as he goes high in the air under the basket. Wawasee will not see sectional action until Friday night. Voice of the people A column on the opinions of the people of the Lakeland area.. “Who is going to win the Triton Sectional? Why?"

HA 'e

LINDA WERKER r 3 Syracuse (broker assistant)

“I'd like to think Wawasee I think they have what it takes to win, they’ve proven that the last few games.”

JEANICE LITTLEFIELD r 3 Syracuse (secretary) ,

“I’d like to think Wawasee. they are getting better each week. They played a fantastic game last week against Northfield."

JANE SCHULTZ Milford (retired)

“I don’t know who will win it. I’ll stick up for Warsaw.”

Fiber optics program for Lakeland Kiwanis Club

Terry Enright of North Webster. sales engineer for International Telephone and Telegraph Cannon Electric, presented a program on the development of fiber optics for Kiwanis Chib of Lakeland on Monday. Feb. 16. Fiber optics major purpose at present is to transfer information from one system to another. To do this efficiently different types of fiber optic connectors are being developed and produced To carry on its research and production International Telephone and Telegraph Cannon Electric has plants that are located in California, Arizona. Canada. Australia, Great Britain and France. The corporation is emphasizing the production of the fiber optic connectors because of the value of their use in many of our products The connectors vary in design so that they will be appropriate for use in the products for which they are intended. The fiber optic connectors are used in autos, trucks, electric lighting, boats, snowmobiles, telephone cables, well drilling equipment, aircraft and many other products. The sales engineer pointed out that the fiber optic connectors help to reduce power loss that occurs in other types of electric connections. Tests with fiber optic cable have shown that in

JOYCE AVALOS Milford (homemaker) "To tell you the truth. I don't even know who’s playing.”

Fl

DON HICKS Milford (unemployed)

“I think Wawasee. I’ve heard a lot about them.” SANDY WAPPES Syracuse (hairstylist) "Wawasee. Because we have confidence in them, they can do it.” Coats stolen John A. Liberti, r 4 Syracuse, reported the theft of two coats, a rabbit fur jacket and a maroon leather jacket, from the Warsaw Holiday Inn coat rack on February 15. Warsaw police, investigating the theft, valued the coats at $lB5 each. IN JURES FINGERS IN SYRACUSE CAFE Donna Tingley, a cook at the Syracuse Case, got several fingers of her right hand caught in an electric mixer at the case at about 7am Tuesday. Paul Rush 'and Tony Clouse, customers at the case at the time, rushed to the kitchen to unplug the electrical cord and free Miss Tingley. She called her injury "only slight.”

certain types of usage, 224 feet of fiber optic cable will replace 1,890 feet of regular electric cable. Research has shown that fiber optic materials help to eliminate interference in communication systems and also reduce weight of products in which they are used Lakeland Kiwanis PresidentElect Larry Stackhouse assisted with arrangements for this program on fiber optics. Ralph Bogue, guest of Robert Ritchie > and visiting Kiwanian Theo Thomas attended the Kiwanis meeting. THE MAIL JOURNAL (U S P S 32SMH Published by The Mail-Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana UM? Second class postage paid at 183 E. Mam Street. Syracuse. Indiana UM7 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: Ml per year in Kosciusko County. SI) outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of add ress forms to The Mail-Journal. P.O. 80. IM. Milford Indiana US« lOi v j J

taziN AROUND

(EDITORS NOTE Bill Beemer and his wife Barbara reside at r I Syracuse (Lake Wawasee). and Bill is a representative lor Wood-Mode Furniture Manufacturers. producers of fine kitchen cabinetry He has on avid interest in local affairs, especially the civil government of Syracuse and the Lakeland school system and has never suffered from silence in his opinions in these and other matters .) I WAS appalled by the recent activity at our Lakeland School System regarding wages paid our instructors. It’s not so much by the fact that they should receive more pay for quality work done, but it is the manner in which they choose to get this additional money. There was a time when this profession was held in very high esteem. But this was shattered by demonstrations and badge wearing that had no place in the educational system. I would like to quote from a newsletter from the Indiana Right To Work Association some paragraphs that have me quite concerned about where the entire educational system is headed. “In their teens, students are at a volatile age. They are growing towards maturity, yet vulnerable, suggestible, and particularly impressionable. Thus, it has always been the primary task of education to offer objective instruction and insure that students are taught to make their own decisions — based on a logical and thorough review of the facts. “Many of us in the span of our lifetime, have seen in Nazi Germany the tragic results of an education system taken over by ideological zealots bent on propagating their own myopic beliefs. In America, the freedom of diversity woven into the fabric of our education system has been a primary factor in sparing us similar totalitarian excesses. “But today, beginning as subtly as it did in Germany, a new movement is afoot to bend and mold the future of American educations. The evidence is too overwhelming to be ignored; the consequences too costly. A plan instituted by the hierarchy of the giant National Education Association-union (NEA). the largest ?dvocate of compulsory unionism in education, contains the elements of educational change that could turn our schools, from independent learning institutions into virtual subsidiaries of the NEA. "This course was charted by NEA’s George- Fischer in 1970 when he proclaimed the union would control ‘who enters, who stays, and . who leaves the profession. Once this is done,’ he added, ‘we can also control the teacher training institutions.’ "Two years later Fischer’s successor, Catherine Barrett, further threatened that NEA ‘must seek professional standards and practices legislation in every state’ so that the union will not only control who enters the profession, but decide how teachers are trained, as well. “.Already, in 15 states NEA union officials have pushed state legislatures into adopting ‘agency shop’ laws that force teachers to pay forced union dues or be fired. "Getting rid of teachers who don’t support the union and replacing them with militants who dance to the union’s call for compulsory unionism has been the groundwork which NEA and AFT officials have been laying in our schools. "In Jackson County, Michigan, the NEA officials succeeded in placing a Ud on student teachers. The kicker: student teachers could only come from Olivet College, which had decided to allow NEA-union officials to call the shots on the placement of student teachers. Ken Darling of the Michigan NEA. This is a perfect example of why we want a licensure bill.* And these bills are being introduced in state legislatures throughout the country. In Michigan. H.B. 4242, had it not been defeated after a two-year battle, would have turned over.the certification of teachers from a state board to the NEA. Under this piece of legislation, a new commission

would have been created with a majority of the board nominated by NEA officials. No observer could deny that the effect of H.B. 4242 would have been to limit teachers in that state to those who toe the union line.” If the unions get control of our educational system. 1 think we are all aware of the consequences. All we have to do is look at the automotive industry and the condition they put the midwest into. (EDITOR S NOTE Everett E Miner, a former Syracuse resident who now spends his summers in Mentone and his winters in Sebring Flo responded to our request for further information on the proposed interurban line through the Syracuse area The issue of the proposed line was first brought to our attention by townsman Bill Xanders We are grateful for Mr Miner's article, and hasten to publish it herewith Any further information on the subject will be appreciated ) Dear Editor: I would like to add some information in regard to that proposed Goshen to Huntington interurban line, on which all construction started and ended in the vicinity of Syracuse. I researched the project back in the forties for a Railroad Historical Society. I did not keep a copy of the article, nor do I remember any dates now; however if someone would contact Morris Lung R.FD. Syracuse and get the date of his • Dad's birth (Merrit Lung) and add perhaps ten years, you would have about the exact date of the construction and demise of the project. Possibly in the earh’ 1900’s. A right-of-way was graded; ties and tracks laid from just east of the present B&O station, out along old road 13 out a little way beyond the South Shore of Lake Wawasee. Another right of way was graded up along the old mill race past the present pumping station on West Main Street and on north of Syracuse thru the cemetery across the county line thru the old Coy farm and a little way past the present U.S. 6 highway, but no ties or rails were ever laid on this section. It is believed the promoter

Our policies ... on letters . . . on corrections We welcome readers' letters. Our requirements: Letters must be written to the editor, not the public; they must be signed with a full name in ink, they must include an address which will be used for verification, but will not be published; Letters longer than 400 words will not be printed or will be edited for brevity. Writers will be limited to one published letter per month. Readers with long comments should contact editors about possible guest columns. Send letters to: The Mail-Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Ind. 46542. The Mail-Journal will correct errors in fact in its news stories. To request corrections please call the editor or the publisher at 658-4111. —Letter to the editor— Mother gives praise

Dear Editor: I feel a need to write a letter of appreciation for what I believe is the best thing that ever happened to Syracuse The importance of day care centers is increasing with the rise of prices and the rise in need of two incomes per family. Syracuse has been blessed with the Lakeland Day Care Center. My son has been attending the “Day Care Center” for over three years and I am thrilled with the concern and helpfulness of the staff. My son, Frank, has enjoyed field trips to a maple syrup camp, zoo, telephone office, bakery, farms and numerous other places , I couldn’t have taken him because of my job. The winter program has readiness time for pre-schoolers which proved

Court news

MARRIAGE LICENSES The following couples have filed for marriage licenses at the office of Kosciusko County Clerk, Jean Messmore: Warren-Cropp Ricky V. Warren, 22, r 1 box 525 North Webster and Lori A. Croop, 20, r 1 box 525 North Webster The following claims have been filed in Kosciusko County Court, James Jarrette, judge: SMALLCLAIMS Complaint Greg Smith has field claims against the following: James Hammager, doing business as Land of Lakes Sporting Goods,

1 wanted to get the interurban line in operation first, by providing service from the B. & O. station out to the South Shore of Wawasee and maybe build a resort hotel there. Such a line did exist at Angola, Ind., from the railroad station out to a resort location on Lake James at the time, and stayed in business until World War One started, when their business was declining. Then the company decided to quit business and took up their ties and rails. With the price of steel and everything advancing they were able to sell everything including cars and power house at a slight profit to pay off the stockholders in full. Merrit Lung told me he was about ten years old, and late in the spring, he and his dad and some other local men were given a ride on the work train out to almost the end of the line where the track-laying crew was working. The train consisted of a small steam engine and some flat cars with ties on one and some rails on the other. They sat on the car with the ties going out. Some of the ties and a few rails were unloaded before the train returned them to Syracuse. I learned from the late Roscoe Howard that later on in the spring, possibly in June, the promoter brought several coaches of prospective investors from Chicago down to Syracuse on the B. & O. and the coaches and diner were transferred on to interurban line and hauled to the South Shore of Lake Wawasee by the little steam construction engine, where they saw the project and were given sales information by the promoter before returning to Syracuse station and Chicago via the B. & O. Railroad. Also, Roscoe thought the sale of stock was not very good because in the matter of a week or so the promoter skipped the country with the cash, and put the company into bankruptcy. The construction crew took up the rails, ties, etc., and left with all their equipment before the summer was over, which ended all operations on the Goshen-Huntington interurban line. Sincerely, Everett E. Miner 1450 Shamrock Dr. Sebring, Fla. 33870

invaluable to me in preparing Frank for kindergarten. Frank has a physical problem which is a handicap for him in many sports activities. The encouragement and enthusiasm of the staff has helped him to perform to the best of his ability and kept his self-esteem high. I cannot say enough good things about the Day Care Center. The need for Day Care Centers is big. Syracuse is lucky enough to have a fantastic center. Not only would I encourage working mothers to enroll their children at “Lakeland Day Care Center”, I would also like to encourage the community to support and to the growth of the best thing that ever happened to Syracuse. Most Sincerely, Sherry Hoover

P.O. Box 47 North Webster, $197.59; Randy Cumberland, doing business as Cumberland Hardware, P.O. Box 765 Warsaw, $145.72; and Genevieve Miller, 605 Opal St., Huntington, $58.88. COUNTY COURT Violations , The following fines have been assessed and paid in Kosciusko County Court, James Jarrette, judge: Speeding — David T. Fry, 16, Syracuse, S4O; Carol E. Knispel, 43, Leesburg, S4O; Ronald J. Sindelar, 25, North Webster, $45; Craig S. Coffin, 19, North Webster, S4O