The Mail-Journal, Volume 18, Number 12, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 April 1981 — Page 5

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f J. P. Doodles' joins staff

J P Doodles joins The MailJournal as a new staff member this week Doodles, a fictional justice of the peace (hence the title “J. P.”). who could be living in any small town, is the creation of Barry McWilliams of Alder. Montana

I CAN YOU AFFORD I I ‘32,000,000.00 I I Addition To Your Present Taxes? I I On March 9,1981 Superintendent I I Dr. Crabb, and Dr. Day from Indiana I I University Recommended An’8,000,000.00 I Program To The School Board of Trustees I This Plan Will, They Stated, Take Care of I Our School Needs For Years To Come! I A 40,690 Square Foot Addition I To Our Present High School Costing I ’2,726,230.00 I I A. This Addition Includes: I Additional Space For Administration Guidance t dinic - 3 New Art RoomsNew Music Room • New 6,000 Sq. Ft. Library--2 New Rooms For Language Arts - New Social Studies Space • 3 New Science LaboratoriesAdditional Home Economics and Industrial Arts Space • New Business Room - Additional Space For Special Education, Lockers, Cafeteria and a I Big New Hallway To Eliminate Traffic Problems I B. A New Freshman High School 65,000 Sq. Ft. I I ’4,408,600.00 I C. A New Claypool Elementary School At ’1,240,000.00 Total 8,374,830.00 ts Financed By A Holding Company Add 35% To Building Cott...NOT Including Intorest Pressure Groups Are Asking For Buildings That Hava Been Estimated To Cost 32,000,000.00 Do IVe Nood To Spend 9 32 Million When Dr. Crabb and ■ Dr. Day Stated The Original Plan 1$ Academically Sound? I MAKE YOUR WISHES KNOWN NOW I I Attend A Township Meeting 7:30 p.m. At I Atwood AprO I Meetings To Bo Hold b Each School Building Contact Your School Superintendent And Your School Board Members. H Dr. Crabb 247-3231 or 209-2514 Max Anglin, Pres-267-7301, Wayne Bouse 362-2292 Bill Chapel 2674217 or 267-5921 , JonyDootor4s34lls Rick Snodgrass 2674542 or 267-3271, larry Bair 267-2649 Tom Lemon 267-361 S or 267-5111 This Advertisement Paid For By: Otixom For Sendble and Quality Education AtACost Wo Con Afford. Joo Paxton, Sec. ; ' . ' ■ ' r. .' - ’

McWilliams. 39. started drawing “J. P DOODLES" in October 1978. The humorous feature offers plenty of editorial comment on everyday issues affecting the rural counties of America Recent topics have included weather problems,

environmental issues, the energy crisis, sewers, school boards, and the post office. McWilliams said he selected Doodles as his main character because "I wanted someone who could be involved in a lot of different situations — someone who

could reflect local thinking.” Other recurring characters include a bureaucrat, farmer, rancher, school teacher, gas jockey, and editor. McWilliams derives his topics from news items, editorials and letters to the editor appearing in the newspapers that subscribe to the "J. P. DOODLES” service. “I read the papers every week to see what’s going on and then I draw accordingly," he said. McWilliams, who considers himself an outdoorsman, works out of his tog cabin studio in rural Alder, located in southwest Montana. For the past 20 years he has lived in small towns, training horses, cooking, and driving trucks. "When I draw a character, chances are I’ve had some of his experiences.” McWilliams said. Then he added, “I think we re a generation of late bloomers, and I’ve finally found what I’m supposed to do. " "J P DOODLES" originated at The Madisonian newspaper in Virginia City, Mont., where McWilliams worked for a year as advertising manager. He also worked at the Eagle (Colo.) Enterprise as an artist. McWilliams has had no formal art education, but instead earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a teaching credential at San Francisco State University. He was bom and raised in Southern California, but McWilliams was drawn to the Montana area because that’s where his family originated. In fact, McWilliams' late great uncle, who lived in Eureka. 'Mont., had a long, white beard, which was the inspiration for the white beard worn by J P. Doodles himself. f Lou Grant' to encourage letters "Lou Grant,” actor Ed Asner. will encourage letters to the editors during National LetterWriting Week. April 26 through May 2. Asner will be pictured on National Let ter-Writing Week posters that will be displayed in post offices, schools and libraries all over the United States. He will be shown in familiar Lou Grant clothing saying. "A letter to the editor is democracy’ in action. Get in the act and write.” Asner will serve as cochairman of the week with Postmaster General William F • Bolger The Postal Service doesn t want letter writing to die. believing letters are the lasting way to reach others rather than the telephone Syracuse boy booked Al2-year-old Syracuse boy was booked Friday, April 3 at the Kosciusko County jail, after being charged with theft He is being held without bond. We Corry A Compter* Lioo 0f... I wr I LAWN& GARDEN SUPPLIES • Fertilizers I • Seed • Gorden Tools I .. .Etc. NABDWAKf DECORATING I Pickwick — Syrocusw — 457 3692

Letters to the editor —

'Join us today!'

Dear Editor: Our President lies wounded, felled by a bullet fired from a "Saturday Night Special. ’ This favorite weapon of the assassin , was easily obtained at a Dallas pawnshop. In all but one of the 11 assassinations and attempted assassinations of Presidents or Presidential candidates, the assassin used a handgun. Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley were slain. Candidate Robert Kennedy was killed. Governor George Wallace is crippled. In September 1975

Are you sure?

Dear Editor: You say it is about time we had gun control. Are you sure gun control is desirable at this time? If we no longer had the freedom to have guns so that we could shoot anyone we desired wouldn’t other "freedoms" be taken away also? Is shooting someone really all that bad? Who says it is so wrong? You say the law of the land says it is wrong’’ Doesn't this higher “Law” even say that there will be great punishment for those who use their freedom to shoot others' 1 But what about the many other “freedoms" we have which the higher "Law” says are wrong too’ (Note that the penalty for many other "freedoms” we have is the same as that for killing): True, the law of the land does not even call most of our “freedoms" crimes but where will the final judgment be? Wliy overlook them? Should “freedoms” (crimes, sins) such as adultery just be ignored? Such “freedoms” should always be ours? If you checked the records for shootings which hurt others in The Mail-Journal area for the past 20 years would it be as great as the hurts caused by adultery in the same time? Where is your

[Open Door ? Weekly Report From 7 Senator John B Augsburger

Action an the state budget and committee work dominated the 13th week of the legislative session as both houses head toward the final few weeks of the session. Senate committee hearings continue to be held on a wide variety of House passed measures, and the state’s biennium budget was presented to both the Senate Republican caucus and the Senate Finance Committee. Regarding the state budget, which covers state spending for the two year period beginning July 1, 1981. Senate Republicans have modified the House passed version in several areas, including restoration about six million dollars cut by the House. Under the Senate proposal, the state would have a larger state surplus than the House version As has been mentioned before, the State has not fully recovered from the effects of the national recession, and consequently, the budget contains feu spending initiatives or major increases. In fact, the majority of state agencies were requested earlier to make a ten per cent reduction m their budgets Some highlights of the proposed Senate Budget include: — state employees would receive 4 per. cent pay increases in each of the next two years; — monies for distressed schools, adult, and special education programs, cut by the House, would be restored; — the state's higher education budget contains an increase of 10.43 per cent for the two year period. 534.5 million in FY 81-82 and $24.1 million in FY 82-83. — the corrections budget contemplates an increase of 439 new jobs to handle the increased prisoner population The bills containing the state’s budget were voted out of finance on Thursday, April 2, and. are expected to be considered by the full Senate during the week of April 6. Once the Senate adopts the budget, a House-Senate

tj HAIK DESIGN ... Means CONFIDfNCH \ *X—W—w to TS» *T T — **** *** ***' OJ AO FwAX Your Harr And You Ye Tried The Utt W StonCare Needt l»‘» Now Try The lett — MMOM W X TOTAL I V REDKEN >< Ono Stock Sou* O» light I STUPIOJU

alone. President Ford’s life was threatened twice by assassins wielding handguns. Now President Reagan has been shot. Must we bury another President before the Congress acts to pass an effective national handgun control law? Together we can make the Congress act now to control handguns. Join with us today. Sincerely, N. T. “Pete” Shields Chairman Handgun Control, Inc. 81018th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006

public outcry to take away the freedom to hurt, others by such means? The hurt caused by shooting can’t come close to the hurt caused by the “freedom” of adultery. You could say that a shooting can result in a death which makes that "freedom” (crime, sin) so great? Death is so final. But what about the "freedom" (sin. crime) of adultery which can result in a person being taken away which can be just as hurting and final as death byshooting'’ How could it be worse to have one’s mate taken away by a shooting, which wouldn’t be intentional on the part of the one taken away, than to have a mate leave intentionally because of adultery? How can one be a crime which should be eliminated and the other be the “great American sport”? This is not “one man's personal opinion” as you say. It is the opinion of the greatest Law giver. Judge, and “Penalizer' in the universe. He says the penalty for “freedoms" of such crimes (sins) as killing and adultery are the same. Shouldn’t all our "freedoms” to become a part of such crimes and sins be taken away from us instead of just one? Sincerely, Robert Stichter

conference committee will be appointed to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the budget In other action. H.B. 1312. passed the Senate and will soon go to the Governor for signature. The bill would stiffen the penalty for having a check dishonored or for improperly stopping payment on a check; the intent is to discourage people from writing bad checks, thus protecting both consumers from higher prices and businesses from loss of revenue. , H.J.R. 1 will be heard in committee this Tuesday. The resolution would allow businesses to appear in small claims courts without retaining an attorney. Currently, corporations must be represented by a lawyer when they go to a small claims court and the procedure is often more expensive than the claim in question. If H.J.R. 1 becomes law. it would be cheaper to go to court and settle claims. Since the constitution must be amended for this to become law, this committee hearing is a first step to benefiting small businesses throughout Indiana. A bill that will affect a number of cities and towns in Indiana passed the Senate Elementary and Secondary Education Committee this week. H.B. 1457 will require communities to hold public elections for school board members and will provide that school board members serve specific districts in which they reside and for whom only persons in their districts may vote. Currently, many school boards in Indiana are appointed, which has led to board and comminity problems The next few weeks will be very busy ones, as final legislative action will be taken on several key important areas. I invite your comments and thoughts; you can reach me by writing the Senate, State House, Indinapaolis. Ind. 46204 or by callii« 1-800-382-9467.

Wed., April 8,1981 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

Dear Editor. Your positive stand “for some sort of gun control in our country” is to be commended. The whole editorial is worth reading again and again. You wrote straight and to the point in a reasonable way that challenges others simply to think. I want to stand with you in the confidence that someday, hopefully soon, we will have

Punishment, not control

Dear Editor: This is in response to your editorial concerning “one man’s opinion” that this country needs gun control. If legislation would work to reduce the criminal element that stalks our communities, the 85 per cent American population that is presently against gun control, including the 2,000,000 National Rifle Association members, would be the first to support it. Unfortunately, legislation as prescribed won’t work. It is naive to think that legislation would in any way reduce the number of guns available to this criminal dement. History has proven that laws involving prohibition in any form simply don’t work. It didn't work with alcoholic beverages and it doesn’t work with drugs Pass a law as you suggest and the black market would flourish The underworld would have something else to traffic illegally at high prices adding to their already huge profits. What you suggest plays right in their hands ‘ ,

Laws too lenient on criminals

Dear Editor: After my husband reads the Mail-Journal (April 1). this issue may be the last. He and many others, happen to like guns — antiques, sports or otherwise. He is a law-abiding citizen and it takes “nuts” to spoil the sport of guns. Yes, we need strict gun laws for the unbalanced and deranged person trying to purchase guns The past few years our country, its laws, have been too lenient on criminals. It’s time for criminals to apprehend being a good American or be punished for their behavior Their is much falsity on radio and television. Many times, I do believe, they represent the criminals and not the law abiding citizen when a tragedy happens We need more and not less education on guns Guns are like automobiles, water and electricity. You respect them. People are not educated on i what National Rifle Association i stands for. Remember its the NRA and others alike, that | supports wildlife, etc. Let’s don’t undervalue these organizations Gim-Control says “Saturday Night Special" Now They will not stop until all guns are confiscated. The BATF has confiscated guns from dealers — law abiding citizens. Dealers have been mauled and mistreated by our government. A dealer is paralyzed from the waist down because of the BATF Their guns are taken plus a high fine even guns that are unworkable and partly disassembled. Is this right? This is some peoples hobby and business. Do we let the “nuts” overrule our country’ The black market would

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Commends editorial

learned. Certainly we need to get beyond unreasonable and emotional arguments of lobbyists like the National Rifle. Association. In the spotlight of your editorial nonsense arguments are seen for what they really are. Thank you for giving encouragement to take further steps in the right direction. Sincerely, Roger Eberly

What you suggest only takes the gun out of the hands of the law-abiding citizen and places it in the hands of those that would use them against the helpless that you would take the gun away from. What we do need is more harsh and severe punishment for these offenders that would abuse our privilege in the country to own guns. Gun control won’t stop the John Hinckley’s of this world. We live in a free and open society in the United States. God help us if this ever changes. With or without legislation as you suggest, presidents and other high officials will always be vulnerable. It is good that we have a president who is willing to risk his life to perserve this. Even after an attempt on his life. President Reagan knows and realizes the futility of gun control legislation. Until we can come up with something better, stiffer and more drastic penalties is the only answer. Sincerely, David N. Smith

flourish, millions of dollars, if gun control is passed. The criminals will get guns regardless The library is a good source of information on how to make a bomb — it can kill many people at once. A man, witlfcany knowledge, can assemble a gun (pipe) in less than an hour if tools and equipment are handy, it will injure or kill. There are people in America that would love to see gun control Could there be a reason — one world government or Communism take over. The Communists are at our backdoor, so to speak. The Communists are trying to dominate country after country, eating like cancer. And you think American is the only violent country — nonsense! It’s not the country — it’s the officials that construct the laws. Speak up Americans for our rights to bear arms. Someday we may need our guns for our freedom. If there are no guns — no freedom. Marci Moch of Syracuse PS. If the second amendment is eliminated, the first amendment will be next. Only in America! Dear Editor: I am truly enlightened to learn that it is worth $260,000 for being punched in the head and face a few times. After a couple of good bpatings. I’ll have a SIO,OOO ' wardrobe also. Only in America. Gary Meier Syracuse

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