The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 22, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 June 1982 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., June 16,1982

Editorials

Father's Day Next Sunday, June 20, is a special day for fathers all over the world, including those in the greater Lakeland area. It’s Father’s Day. A day when dad is honored. A day when he can do what he wants, be it fish, golf, relax in the back yard or any of the 100 or more things that a dad can think of to do but never has time to do! It is traditionally the day when old dad gets a day of thanks. Though an increaing number of wives work these days, and dad often isn’t the sole breadwinner, he still deserves his day — especially since with more wives working fathers are taking on more and more responsibility at home. American fathers are unique and they are worth having. Children who enjoy the blessing of loving, well-providing fathers, of character and standing, begin life with a major advantage. The 20th is the day to remember that. The wags would equate fathers who are good providers with the quip that money isn’t everything, but it keeps one in touch with his children! In remembering dad on the 20th, the giving, on this day, is in the other direction. Can be proud of community spirit The town of Syracuse can be proud of the community spirit manifested in its drive for $75,000 for a new Lakeland Daycare Center. Right now, with $5,000 to be raised before July 1 in order to receive $37,500 in matching funds from the Koscissko County United Way, it appears the complete amount will be raised. At least, the committee in charge of the fund drive appears confident at this point. There’s no question about the value of an active daycare center for a town this size, and there’s never been a question about the community’s response to such a need The drive for funds has done a lot to bring the community together — and for a very good cause. The bottom? The main economic barometer of the federal government has now showed an upturn — the first in a year Analysts are hopeful this means the recession is bottomingout. . In addition, treasury bill interest rates are at their lowest since 1981, although the difference in actual rates is not great. President Reagan told European leaders a few days ago. however, he expects US interest rates to decline considerably by the end of the year. The latest Commerce* Department’s measurement of leading economic indicators showed an upturn of 8 per cent, reversing a steady decline since last April. Murray Weidenbaum. chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, says the change is a ‘strong positive sign’’ recovery from the recession is at hand. He and other economists agree if interest rates drop appreciably, as the president anticipates, recovery will follow. Some economists, however, say the Commerce Department index is not conclusive, yet, though all admit a decline in > interest rates will hasten recovery. \ Whether or not Weidenbaum or the skeptics prove right on the timing of. recovery, the fact is that the economic index turned up in April, and this is good news. No sensible adult makes fun of young people; the chances are that thevhave more sense than their elders The easiest way to finish a hard job is to get to work. After a start is made, the finish is near at hand.

What others say -

Soviets ‘turned off\with atheism

By GREGORY SWIERCZ Tnbuae IJkhart Iturrau ELKHART — Russian newspaper articles smuggled out of the Soviet Union indicate that country’s refusal to accept religious activity and the effects of evangelist Billy Graham, according to Georg) Vins. execu live secretary of the Council ol Independent Baptist Churches in Russia Vins, a Baptist minister, spent eight years in a Soviet pnson for openly practicing religion A Jan 29 article m Trud. a morning newspaper meaning severely criticized Graham for bringing in his book. “Peace With God." to the Russians “This is very strange to me.'' said Vins through an interpreter “ in January they (the Soviet government) hadn't intended to invite him ’’ Graham received the “red carpet treatment" from the Soviets during a recent tour of that country, according to Vins He contends that the evangelist failed to get an accurate picture ol the religious persecution “(The Soviet Union) is playing a game with Billy Graham They're afraid of his religious activities, but they are also afraid that his religious acini lies will have an effect on the Soviet Union.'' said Vins Vins also has received *nt ten accounts of a search involv ing a Baptist s home. Vanous religious articles and books were confiscated in the search, one of them being Graham's book. “Peace With God.** During the rule of Stalin. Vins said, the rehgious persecution focused on arrests of the believers. “Now there are searches and confiscations of literature. In addition, the government takes a child away from parents who teach their children about Christ It is getting •wse,” said Vins. •There has been atheism (m Russia) for 64 years,- said Vins.

1 Ml DOCUMENTS SMUGGLED IN - Georgi Vins. a Baptist minister and Soviet dissident, reads newspaper articles and docsmenis smuggled Mt of Russia that teU of Soviet disgust in ev aagHist BiUy Graham aad his book “Peace With God.- Vins feels religious per secvtiM is getting worse, tor many Soviets continue to believe In practicing religion. sun nmo

“People are turned off with atheism. They are looking for something spiritual — and they are finding it in God." Vins and other Soviet diss dent religious leaders met with President Reagan May 11 to discuss the propaganda coming out of the Soviet Union in connection with Graham's visit The president told Vins and others be would request that US government officials and ambassadors raise the question of Soviet religious persecution tn any type of meetings with the

Soviets Vins termed this a type of “quiet diplomacy " Vins expects the religious situation to improve in the next five years “The Soviet government is losing prestige in the world because of its religious persecution of Christians." said Vins There about 1 million Baptists living in the Soviet I’mon Vins came to the Elkhart area in August 1971 after being exchanged with four other dissidents for two Soviet spies in April 1971

Representing all fathers and their children this Father's Day are Warren Bess and his son, Warren Bess, Jr., of Syracuse. Warren, Jr. will be two at the end of this month.

Court news

The following couples have Tiled for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jean Messmore: Shock-Crow Michael P Shock. 18. P.O. Box 181 North Webster and Sonya K. Crow, 18. P.O. Box 554 Syracuse Green-Ryman Dennis R Green, 21, 4304 Boston. Syracuse and Lynn R. Ryman, 18, 4304 Boston, pSyracuse

Unsung heroes —

I I DENNY NEWCOMER Being a fireman is a challenge

Denny Newcomer, lifelong resident of Milford, describes being a volunteer fireman as “kind of a challenge” to operate the trucks and equipment. He first joined the department three years ago because he basically wanted to help people in the community “I know all the people in the community.*’ says Newcomer adding, “You don’t want anything to happen to them." This week's unsung hero, who operates Denny's Philip 66 station in Milford, says of Milford's volunteer department. "We work well together, we don’t have too many problems." He adds. “Milford has real good equipment that is relatively new." The second class fireman received his training in Waterford Mills and Indianapolis at various firefighting schools According to Newcomer Milford’s all-volunteer force is not as strict as some found in larger cities as far as requiring firemen to have certain class ratings But the time a volunteer puts into his training can benefit the whole department. What does wife, Nancy, and children. Kimberly and Kyle, think of their dad’s volunteer work? • They worry about me when

Kuhn-Sponseller Gregory G. Kuhn. 21. r 1 Mentone and JoEllen Sponseller, 20. P.O. Box 36 Leesburg Heckaman-Heckaman Howard M. Heckaman, 54. r 1 box 36C Milford and Jennie L. Heckaman. 49. P.O. Box 554 Milford Beer-Driscoll David L. Beer. 32, r 1 box 92 Milford and Jo Ann Driscoll. 21. r 7 Apt. 4 Warsaw

I'm gone.” says Newcomer But adds. “They are understanding, though ” r rms week s unsung hero offers some advice to prospective firefighthers. “If anyone has any indication of wanting to help the communitv. then I'd recommend it It doesn't require that much time and it's a good service.” According to Newcomer it depends on an individual realizing that if their house was pn fire they'd want somebody to come out.

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (uses PvbltjMd by The MaikJotrnol ooory Wednesday and entered •» Second Clatt matter at *e «*»»• OHice at Syractnv MmmMSM Second ctou p«ta«e •• ,w t - Mam Sheet. Syracuse. IMom MH? and «t addilMMl entry oHko» Subscription MJ ft year tn KHOUtt County MS ootvde county POSTMASTERS Sood change M address t«v"» *• ™ Matt-Jovroal P O It! IM. Mdiord. Indiana MM2

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

Bt ‘ <W

WHEN RECENT Syracuse town board news reports were published mentioning a loose figure of some $650,000 for construction of a new town hall, the fur began to fly. An outspoken few think, simply, the town doesn't need anything that elaborate, and in effect, what's wrong with the town hall we now have at 500 South Huntington Street? An inspection of the present town hall by anyone who cares to make a cursory inspection of the old building will reveal that, indeed, there is plenty wrong with the old building. For one thing, the roof leaks at many places and the ceiling sags precariously in several of its rooms. But more, the building is old and outmoded, unsuited for,, a town haH of a proud lakes community such as Syracuse is. The town board meeting room, for measures 12 by 30 feet, and is very inadequate for board meetings where the public is invited in. . The old building was purchased for $87,500 from the Syracuse Rubber Company in 1977 when the rubber company moved to its fine new quarters in Wawasee Village. But it wasn't immediately paid for. until finally rubber company officials took the town of Syracuse to court to collect the purchase price of the building. And by that time, when settlement was made . in June of 1981. interest had run the purchase price up to $107,505.83. Several of the town's wits have called the purchase of the building “Tranter’s Folly.'' for James C. Tranter was president of the Syracuse Town Board when purchase of the building was approved. He strongly advocated its purchase, and pushed it through with board approval. The first big shocker came when the town received its first month's utility bill of something over $2,000. The first month's bill consumed the entire year's utility appropriation. It was then that heat in the large room in which the police cars are stored was shut down if not completely off. That brought the utility bill to the $1,200 range per month, still a staggering bill for what they get. In short, the old building is not heat-efficient, and is unsuited for a town hall. The utility bill could easily be one reason the rubber company moved. (Note: It was learned this week that the gas and electric bill for a Dec. 7-Jan. 7 period was $1,008.24; for the period Jan. 7-Feb 5. $1,091.34; for Feb.-Mar. 8. $1,154.46; and4or Mar. 8-April 6, $837.34.) And so the Syracuse Town Board has authorized the Indianapolis firm of Wayne Schmidt Architects to make a space needs study for a new. one-story facility that would be more than just a town hall: It could in fact serve as a trustee's office, a township assessor's office, the Chamber of Commerce could rent spa%e in the new building, and it could accommodate the county probationary officer who spends time every Wednesday afternoon in Syracuse. And with growth in the northeastern part of Kosciusko County, the time is rapidly coming when county officers could offer part time services in this community, and they, too. could make use of the building All that and possibly more. At the present time the offices of the clerktreasurer and police department are being moved to the building in Wawasee recently vacated by the Anchor Man. a clothing store owned by Dick and Barbara Myers. A new Syracuse town building is pretty much a certainty. Those objecting to the expenditure of 1650.0 M or any such figure for a new town hall should attend these ongoing meetings of the town board and make their feelings felt. That's what the town board is asking, and it could have a positive effect. Working toward the temporary re-location of their offices at the present time, other than the police, are Vella Brumbaugh, deputy clerktreasurer; Susie Runge, clerk; and Mary Lou Smith. WHEN RAY Gans, president of Commodore Corp., headquartered in Syracuse, had dinner at the White House with President Reagan recently he was wearing a rented tuxedo from The Star Store. — Syracuse-Wawasee Generic (Retail) Press. BIG JOHN Kroh, vp at Thornburg Drug, has his hand out again —for the 22nd time’ John and Tom Prickett are perpetual cochairmen of the committee to raise money for the town's Chamber-sponsored fireworks at Lakeside Park during the Fourth of July. And they've been doing a good job, too. Last week the duo sent out 150 letters, on which they normally get 85 responses. A total of $1,900 is needed for fireworks that will be shot off from 9:15 to 9:30 on Sunday, July 4th. John Whybrew will torch the fireworks again this year.

THE FEDERAL Reserve Bank of Chicago. 230 South LaSalle Street. Chicago, will accept written comments on an application to the Federal Reserve Board concerning the intent of an Elkhart holding company to purchase certain shares of Syracuse bank stock. The board will consider such written comments, including requests for a public meeting or formal hearing on the application, if they are received prior to July 16,1982. The Elkhart holding company is the First Indiana Bancorp, an Indiana Corporation, 301 South Main Street, Elkhart, essentially the full board of directors of the First National Bank of Elkhart. The applicant intends to purchase 10.13 per cent of the 21,333 outstanding voting shares of the State Bank of Syracuse. 13.88 per cent of the 16,113 outstanding voting shares of Syracuse Bancorp, Inc., and 76.04 per cent of the 28,229 outstanding voting shares of First Charter Financial Corporation. (Note: The above is delineated in a legal advertisement on page 20 of this issue of The MailJournal.) . . ' If the above request is approved by the Federal Reserve Board it will set the stage for the Elkhart investors to gain control of the State Bank of Syracuse once a proposed law before the Indiana General Assembly is approved, as it appears certain to be. Independent banks have successfully fought such a law allowing cross-county banking in the past, but is appears now. with surrounding states having such a law. they have been able to gain Indiana banking customers by the numbers. Small, independent Indiana banks have been unable to form the necessary affiliations to serve many of their major customers under present antiquated Indiana banking laws. In the event all of the above is approved, it appears almost certain that the State Bank of Syracuse will embark on an era of rapid growth that will extend its banking interests to other, larger communities. From a local point of view, however, present bank personnel, including officers and directors, will remain practically the same. DEPUTY SYRACUSE clerk-treasurer Vella Baumbaugh is going about her duties typing with the middle finger of her right hand. Reason: she fell off the bottom rung of a ladder at her Lake Wawasee home two weeks ago and broke her left wrist. The worst part: She is left handed, and is going about learning to write with her right hand. MORE ON runner Betty Hite: On Sunday she came in second in her age group in a 6.2 mile Masters' Run (for runners over 35) at Michigan City, and won a trip to a similar race to be held in Philadelphia in August. There were about 500 in the race. > She was bested by a 22-year-old Michigan runner on Sunday, who won a trip to a New York city marathon to be held in October. And, she was just notified that in May she set a record for her age group in the Kent River Bank run in Grand Rapids. The-Syracuse fifth grade teacher just continues to win races, and is being recognized nationally for her exceptional skill. JIM LEGRO. educational director at Oakwood Park (Lake Wawasee). and his handsome, family are leaving the community, taking up residency in Syracuse, New York, where Jim. an ordained minister, is assuming a pastorate. He had been assigned to the Leesburg United Methodist Church, and actually filled the pulpit for several weeks, the one held by Rev. Ross Ritchey for several years, but felt the move to Syracuse, New York, was in his best interest and that of his family. THE LATEST rage among a number of local ladies, some fairly thin and others not so thin, is the Cambridge Diet — “guaranteed to do the job.” Every year about this time, when people shed the cover-up garments, thinning down becomes the “in** thing, and this is no less evident here than elsewhere. One pretty lady, from all appearances one of the thin set, said she wanted to lose “about five pounds around the love handles." OUR ITEM in this column a week agp. to the effect that the Syracuse area needs a Welcome Wagon, brought forth comments from Ralph Thornburg and Gene and Marise Smith, both Village retailers. The area did have a Welcome Wagon some time ago, we were informed and both of the above firms participated in it, but it “sort of petered out,*’ in the words of Gene Smith. Our item echoed sentiments heard for some time around the community; all of which left us to conclude that the Welcome Wagon idea was a good one with considerable merit. We still feel so.