The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 3 March 1982 — Page 1

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VOLUME 19

Does Kosciusko County need a local option tax?

By TERRI CHILCOTE . When Indiana State Farm Bureau President Marion Stackhouse spoke recently about the economy at the annual Kosciusko County Farm Appreciation Night, he stated Kosciusko County may have to reconsider the local option tax to meet its bills A local option tax is a tax on people’s incomes. According to state law. part of the tax money received from the local option tax must be used to reduce property taxes while the remainder can be funneled into the county's general budget. Kosciusko County had a local option tax between 1973 and 1976

ISBHHHHIHBHI ’ ablai I ■■ ” - ... | ------MB ■ I ••: •« •/ $ | -iiw«s- ■ - | & • -- Lrirj HtOKn | I - r \\ x \ ” V. X XX’M K\l/ . I ' I :• K \l\ I \ Z / v x \l/ § 3| § ’ Mi • £ I AM Tlhlihaiz<i»lJMß | llß.alsß ■ B IB imLJ 535.M9 DAMAGE DONE - The borne of Mr. aad Mrt. Mark Grady. OR 8»E. r 2 Syraane. £ :$ received an estimated 535.000 damages when it was gutted in a fire Saturday night at 9:14 p.m. The :•:• X home is owned by Maurice Dorsey, r 1 North Webster. :g v Firemen from both North Webster and Syracuse worked into the night to extinguish the fire ?; $ which was apparently caused by the furnace in the home. ■;< X Mrs. Grady said only a few items were saved by the firefighters. None at the nearby outbuildings ;$ ❖ caught fire. •£ Mr. and Mrs. Grady are currently residing with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Grady, r 2 !< H Syracuse. (Photos by Sharon Stuckman and Ron Baumgartner) :£

Tough getting by on $125,000 a year —

State's No. 1 Democrat scores Sen. Lugar for speech-making perks

Indiana State Democratic Chairman Don Michael says he knows a lot of Hoosiers who wish they had Senator Dick Lugar s self-proclaimed financial "problems” trying to get along on $125,000 per year The "Washington Post" revealed Sunday. Feb. 28. that an unusually large number of paid Lugar speeches h. already raised the Senator's 1982 outside income by $16,300. In one 30 hour stint in Minneapolis. Minn., five speeches netted the ‘ Senator $8,500.

"This is a period in my life when the additional income is especially needed." Lugar said in defense of his money making speech schedule. Lugar's total

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

and the tax rate was .5 per cent. According to Kosciusko County Auditor Jean Northenor, the county’s finances are in "very good shape: this county is fiscally sound.*' One reason the local option tax was rescinded in this county, said Mrs Northenor. was because of the large amount of resort and summer property There are many summer residents who own summer and vacation homes and pay property taxes on them, but since they work in other counties, their incomes couldn’t be taxed through a local option tax These summer residents would, therefore, benefit from lower property taxes while they would

income exceeded $125,000 last year. Democratic Chairman Michael had a different response, however. "No wonder the Senator thinks Senior Citizens can afford to have him cut Social Security minimum benefits." Michaels said. "Dick Lugar lives in a world where he can make $2,000 for a half-hour speech. I would like to introduce the Senator to the real world. "The real world in Indiana is full of people standing in unemployment lines thanks to high deficits and high interest rates which the economic policies supported by Dick Lugar have brought about. The real world in Indiana is full of farmers and

be free from paying the countyincome tax. unlike year-round residents. At the time, some favored the local option tax because it reduced property taxes. Merl Wertenberger, trustee of Monroe Township who served on the county council during the time of local option tax. said he feels the tax balanced and evened out the tax burden. ‘*l think it’s the best thing we ever had.” he stated “Everybody helped a little. ” Wertenberger feels the county’s property owners carry most of the tax burden and cited retired people on fixed incomes who can't keep their homes, because

small businessmen who are hanging by a thread to avoid bankruptcy. “I don't know if Dick Lugar can or cannot afford to get by on $125,000 a year," Michael concluded. "But I do know that Indiana can't afford to have Dick Lugar in the Senate." Assessing underway Assessing began on Monday in the state of Indiana with persons residing in Van Buren Township urged to contact the township trustee and assessor. Walter Wuthrich, at his office at 306 East Catherine Street. Milford. Dog tags may also be purchased at the trustee’s office.

WEDNESDAY. MARCH 3.1982

they can’t afford to pay the property taxes. Mrs. Northenor said she does not believe Kosciusko County property owners are over taxed. “We have almost the lowest property tax rate in the state of Indiana," she pointed out. However, in voicing her personal opinion, she said, “My philosophy is that an income tax or sales tax is a much more fair tax than a property tax.” She said she believes the county could spread out the tax base a little more. County Council Chairman Ronald Sharp, who served on the council when the local option tax was in effect, has not been in favor of a local option tax. “I see no benefit in it for this county.”

Must have 8,000 population —

Hopes for Tippecanoe Township assessor shattered by HB 1329

The hopes of a full time assessor in Tippecanoe Township have been shattered by Governor Orr’s signing of House Bill 1329 on Thursday. Feb. 25. The bill, which raises the number needed in a township from 5,000 to 8.000 persons to qualify for a full-time assessor was authored by Richard Manges (R-Lakeville). Sue Mitchell, who works as clerk in the office of her husband. Trustee Richard Mitchell, says there is a need for a full-time assessor in Tippecanoe Township. Her husband is in full agreement. The office of the Tippecanoe Township Trustee is a busy place with much activity the entire year while most trustees are only busy at assessing time. Since the population of Tippecanoe Township is 5,200 the township trustee will still be responsible for the total assessing and recording of personal property and real estate transactions in the township. This creates a real problem for townships such as Tippecanoe due to the fact the population can Perry booked for burglary and theft Leonard Lee Perry, 28. 414 North Parker St., Warsaw, was transported back to Kosciusko County Tuesday. Feb. 23, from the Hancock County Jail for his part in numerous local burglaries and thefts, including the theft from Serenade Foods and Maple Leaf Farms, both of Milford. Perry was booked Tuesday after Warsaw City Police Detective Sgt. Jon Hershberger and Sgt. Jerry Laurien returned with him. He was booked on two counts each of burglary and theft. The burglaries and thefts in the county occurred during the past two years He told police he netted SBB2 cash from Serenade Foods and s $750 cash from Maple Leaf Farms. Perry was taken into custody by Greenfield police and jailed on an armed robbery charge there following a service station holdup The thefts in which Perry admitted to include: Center Quick Service Station. 801 East Center St, Gast Fuel and Service. Rabb Soft Water Service. Town and Country Sheet Metal. Farm Bureau Co-Op. Grace Manufacturing. Wahner Supply. Kinder Manufacturing, Terry's Automotive. Sparkies Auto Sales. Jomac Products, Gable Construction Office, Kustom Koaters, Pacer Oil Company. The Dalton Foundries and Big Boy Products all of Warsaw; and M K Metals, Atwood. He admitted breaking into Gast Fuel and Service. Farm Bureau Co-Op and Kinder Manufacturing businesses on two seperate occasions. Perry also admitted to an attempted robbery at the Center Quick Serice; two attempted burglaries at Comfortemp Inc., and a theft at the Speedy Laundromat, all of Warsaw.

he stated. “I’ve always been in favor of a sales tax if you’re going to tax. " Sharp pointed out the option tax was rescinded for many reasons and it was “a very complicated issue.” However, he also acknowledged that one reason the tax was abolished is because of the many summer and vacation homes in the county. He also said corporations and utilities would benefit from reduced property taxes while their incomes could not be taxed. “You would have one segment (wage earners) paying and four segments (property owners, corporations, utilities and summer residents) getting relief." he explained.

double and sometimes triple in the summer months because of lake and summer residents. The bill only takes into consideration the permanent population and not summer populations. This means the township has a year-round work load because summer residents have as much property and real estate to be assessed as do permanent ones. TO RECEIVE AWARD — Dr. Howard J. Hull. Jr., principal of Wawasee High School, will be presented the 1982 Indiana University of South Bend's distinguished education alumnus award at the fifth annual education brunch. Saturday. March 13. at Morris Park Country Chib. McKinley Ave.. South Bend. Dr. R. Bruce McQuigg. associate professor of education and director of the student leadership program at IU Bloomington, will be a guest speaker. His topic will be “1 Am Constantly Amazed." a “light" approach to some of the serious problems confronting Hoosiers and education. Dr. Hull received his bachelor's degree in 1974 and master's degree in 197 S from the USB division of education and his doctor of education in 1981 from IU Bloomington. He is active in numerous professional and civic groups. He and his wife. Lisa, have one daughter. Emily. The events will begin at 9:3d a.m. with a coffee hour and welcoming greetings. At Id: 3d a.m. brunch will be held with the program starting at 11:3d a.m. .All ahamni. faculty and area educators are invited to attend and reservations must be in by Tuesday, March 9. For questions or late reservations contact the USB Alumni Office, 237-4381. There is a cost for the brunch.

Blood pressure check Saturday A free blood pressure check will be held at the Chatter Box to the Milford Community Building on Main Street on Saturday. March 6. from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The blood pressure check is provided without charge to any area resident in need of such services and donations are accepted. Mrs. Steve (Marci) Haab, RN. will be administering the checks with the assistance of Milford EMS volunteers.

Sharp agreed the county’s property tax rate "is one of the lowest in the state.” County Councilman Eldred Metzger served on the council when the tax was rescinded and is against a local option tax in this county, because “it wasn’t a fair tax.” One reason he is against it is because there are a number of Kosciusko County residents who work outside the county in neighboring counties that have a local option tax. These people would then have their incomes taxed in Kosciusko County and also taxed in the counties they work in. This would result in double taxation. When asked if property owners

Mrs. Gary Eastlund of North Webster who was a candidate for Tippecanoe Township assessor before the legislation eliminated the possibility of the position, says. “I can appreciate the bill for holding down the budget but because many townships have a need based on valuation rather than population. 1 this creates a real problem” Mrs. Eastlund is hopeful that future legislation will be passed to fill the need of many such townships. Doesn't Apply To Turkey Creek Turkey Creek Township, which has had a full-time assessor since 1972, is not affected by the bill due to the fact it only goes into effect for future populations creating new township assessors. Assessor Charlene Knispel of Turkey Creek believes the bill is good for the economy but definitely creates a need for reexamination by legislatures. She thinks they may not have considered the importance of location when passing the bill. Mrs. Knispel strongly agrees that a township's assessed valuation should be the basis for an assessor posit kin rather than population. “The assessed township's valuation should be compared along with the total tax dollars taken in by the township and compared to population to justify the need for an assessor.” says Mrs. Knispel. She went on to say that possibly recommendations by the State Tax Board could be made before legislatures to re-evaluate the need. With the passing of House Bill 1329 legislatures passed a bill that was good for the budget and the economy but is creating a real problem for townships such as Tippecanoe

Jl A ■Si* BUB Bp. MENTONE CENTENNIAL — Syracuse's Margie Gans, joined members of the Mentone Chamber of Commerce and Max Flenar of Flenar’s Barber Shop, Mentone, as Mentone’s Centennial was officially declared open last Saturday morning. The group officially buried a “raxor and lipstick" next to the town’s "Egg." Pictured with Miss Gans and Flenar are Roger Moriarty, Ron Secrist, Orabdle Meredith, Frank . Hardesty and Jim Miller. (Photocourtesy The Akron-Mentone News)

are over taxed, he replied, “We’re all over taxed. ” County Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer, who also served on the council when the tax was in effect, was in favor of the local option tax at the time. He favored it “because I thought that it was not an additional tax: it was a replacement for the property tax.” He added, “It was beneficial to retired persons and those who didn’t have an income.” Councilman J. Norman DeGood also favored the local option tax when it was in effect. He said he favored it, because he believed an income tax is more fair. As an example, he also cited retired persons who are on fixed

t March a month of extremes, says Goshen College weather station March is a month of extremes in temperature according to the records at the Goshen College weather station. Weather observer Lores Steury reports that the normal average temperature for the month is 36.7 degrees The coldest March occurred in 1960 with an average of 25.5 degrees, while the warmest average temperature was in 1946 with 48.6 degrees. March 1 has an average temperature reading of 30.3 degrees while the last day of the month has an average of 42.2 degrees, an increase of 11.9 degrees. The warmest March day on record was in 1939 when the temperature hit a warm 82 degrees on the 24th. The largest March snowfall for one day occurred in 1977 with nine inches.

Legal notice creates new precincts, wards in county

Two legal notices, both changing, dividing and establishing certain election precinct boundaries within the county of Kosciusko, appear elsewhere in this issue. The first ordinance, 82-2, says the board of commissioners of Kosciusko County — Gerald Smalley, Maurice Dorsey and Frederick W. GiDiam — have determined that two election precincts Wayne three and Wayne eight, should be reduced in size and a new election precinct created. The new. precinct is being named Wayne 10. Wayne one has been reduced in size and combined with Wayne four. Descriptions of the changes are described in the legal notice. Purdue group coming March 23 Kip Schumn of the SyracuseWawasee Park Board reports the students from Purdue University who are making a study of the park near the Calvary United Methodist Church will be in Syracuse on March 23 to present their findings. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. in the Wawasee High School cafeteria annex

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incomes and have difficulty paying their property taxes. When asked if he still favors a local option tax, DeGood replied, “I would have to re-study the whole situation. The situation has changed so much that it would take a whole new study.” Speaking for the agricultural community, Kosciusko County Agricultural Agent Victor Virgil indicated he would be in favor of a local option tax. He said such a tax would bring a property tax relief to farmers. According >to Sharp and. Wertenberger, the local option tax is misunderstood and a great deal of confusion about the tax exists.

The second ordinance, 82-3, says the board of commissioners are changing existing election precinct boundaries within the city limits of the City of Warsaw and are declaring new boundaries. The legal wards in the several precincts established in ordinance 82-2. Choir to present 'Celebration and Jubilation' Steven Bailey, choir director at Wawasee High School, will lead the concert choir and the Wawasee Varsity Singers in their presentation of special music at the special Lenten services held at Saint Martin de Porres Church Sunday, March 14. Services will begin at 7 p.m. The choir’s program, with the theme of “Celebration and Jubilation," will include four selections by the concert choir and three by the Varsity Singers. The choir will include about 55 members, who are strictly volunteers The choir will present Heilig, translated as Holy, by Men(Continued on page 2)