The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 37, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 September 1982 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., September 29,1962

4

Editorials

The Chicago fire On October 8, 1871, in Chicago — near or in Mrs. O’Leary’s stable — straw was accidentally set fire by a hot pipe, a dropped lantern or by the cow Mrs. O’Leary was milking (kicking over her lantern). Mrs. O’Leary always denied the famous cow story. Whatever the cause, conditions were right for a fire. It was October, dry, and a brisk wind was blowing. The fire that began near Mrs. O’Leary’s stable burned down 20,000 houses and buildings, and left 100,000 people homeless. Though the city was rebuilt, more beautiful than before, the great fire prompted the nation’s insurance companies to ask the president to designate the first week in October as Fire Prevention Week, which he did. Early October has been the date of fire prevention publicity ever since. Take time to thank your local volunteer firemen during the coming week! Gun time This is the time of year fathers and sons are getting guns cleaned and oiled for hunting, preparing for the seasons of deer, pheasant, quail, etc. Thus it’s good to recall, at the beginning of the season, that sportsmen are killed every year unnecessarily through carelessness with firearms. Accidents will occur this year. Hunters will trip and shoot the hunter ahead; some will shoot themselves while crossing fences. Others will be shot by “unloaded” weapons in cars. Some will be shot by trigger-happy hunters mistaking them for wild game. ■ Safety with firearms can’t be stressed too much; as the expanded population and more leisure time and money send more and more hunters into the fields, the danger of accidents increases.. TV credits Have you, dear reader, ever wondered why you sit through a long list of credits after each television program? One is, of course, interested in the list of characters and performers in the beginning — and the name of the producer and director. But who is interested in the assistant lighting technician and a few dozen other chaps, like makeup people, etc. — whose names are screened at the end of even the most trivial, trite and worthless program? If newspapers were to follow that procedure, the reader would be burdened with a list of everyone at the plant who produced the story and then put it into print, including the type-setter, pressman, etc., etc. And while on the subject, must we have all these giddy TV programs about producing films, this or that film, this or that (overpaid) actor or director — as if the film industry were something other than what it really is? — the hottest money-making racket in me country which unfortunately produces little of quality or what could be classified as art. If you don’t register, you can’t vote: If you don’t vote, you have no voice. Register to vote at the courthouse. You can have a say in what goes on around you if you will take but a few minutes of your time. Register to vote at the courthouse. The ballot is the most precious right and responsibility bestowed upon a person. But before you can use it, you must register to vote. Register to vote at the courthouse. The 1982 election is extremely important to both the state and the nation. Every newly-registered voter adds to the voice of the community. Voter registration ends October 4. Register to vote at the courthouse.

What others say — Where do you think you're going? The weekend deaths (early this summer) of five Plymouth, Ind., firemen en route to a house fire is a tragedy of major proportions. It is the kind of tragedy that we and others have dreaded. There is an inherent danger in firefighting units speeding to a fire scene —a real reason for equipment to be reasonably modern and in good condition. Os course maximum care and alertness is necessary by the drivers of fasttraveling fire units and the blue-domed vehicles of volunteer firefighters headed to fire scenes. Others on the road should take the reminder to be more alert for fire trucks and firemen’s vehicles — pulling over and opening a path for them as they hasten to fire scenes. Those who are going to fires for the pure entertainment of watching a blaze could be reminded that any haste by them in hustling to the scene or causing congestion could be a mighty disservice and a contributing factor to an injury or even a death. ' There seems no need for fire spectators to drive up close and park close to fire sites. Speeding after firefighters to fires should bring some arrests. Occasionally we have received letters or phone calls from citizens who do not see the necessity for the haste of some firefighter in getting to a scene, especially after reading or otherwise learning that the fire was relatively minor. We can only react that if their property was on fire, they might feel differently, and at times seconds and definitely minutes can count in action against a fire. It could be a life or death situation — and the firemen usually will not know in advance. Fires sometimes expected to be the least serious have turned out to be deadly. Nevertheless, firemen themselves must weigh the hazard to themselves and others of an accident at high speed on the streets and roads as compared to the potential of a fire injury or death that is preventable. Good judgment calls for enough moderation in speed and driving tactics to avert the most extreme risks. Those operating ambulances as well as police vehicles often have clear information while en route to the scene that their mission may be a life-or-death one in which time is a vital factor. Public realization of this fact is most essential because people must understand the vital nature of the haste on the roads. Drivers of any emergency vehicle have to consider that for one reason or another — be it carelessness, age, illness, impairment, imcompetence or whatever — the prospect exists that some motorist or motorists will not clear an opening. It is not a question of sound judgment to minimize the most extreme risk situations — the kind that stand a good chance of preventing any arrival at the emergency scene. Those in emergency vehicles not specifically aware of a human situation at stake at the emergency scene have even more reason for tapering obvous risktaking that could end in a tragedy en route. It is hard to draw up rules for good sense. Any general motorist found deliberately thwarting an emergency unit’s course or evidencing a reluctant or uncooperative attitude on clearing a path should be prosecuted. Such driver attitudes are deadly and belong off the road. — Jim Barbieri — THE BLUFF TON NEWS-BANNER

■ Is

The Milford, North Webster and Syracuse Fire Departments are to be commended for the excellent service they provide to the three communities through their volunteer efforts.

Court news

MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko County Circuit and Superior Courts: Greenfield — Dorothy D. Greenfield vs William V. Greenfield of Syracuse. The couple married October 13, 1972 and separated June 4, 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the marriage, custody and support of the minor child, an equitable division of property, attorney’s fees and costs

Unsung heroes —

IB 111 * VU Z W ■ \ L Hb * *rß < \ If /JI ' "jgujU -JT U TERRY LIKENS Terry Likens became a fireman 8 years ago

Terry Likens. 28. North Webster, started his duty as a fireman eight years ago after he became interested in the fire department. Likens attended a meeting of the department and became a volunteer fireman, and later, when the emergency medical service was started, was one of the volunteers to become an emergency medical technician. He has been an EMT for six years. He is second assistant fire chief and captain of the EMS. In 1976 Likens served as secretarytreasurer of the fire department. As second assistant fire chief he is responsible for the truck layout at a fire scene as well as backing up the fire chief and first assistant fire chief. As EMS captain he is the organizer of the Sd* V 1C €. “I like the involvement of being there when someone needs help,*’ commented Likens about being a firemen and added that the same applies to being an EMT. He further stated, “helping the mjired and sick and knowing people rely on you to help them when they are in need and can call,” are additional reasons he became an EMT. The only bad aspects of being an EMT and fireman are the calls during the late evening and early morning hours. Being a North Webster Fireman involves attending three meetings a month, one training and two meetings, as well as helptag out with the Mermaid Festival each year. As an EMT

Rensberger — Patricia A. Rensberger vs David W. Rensberger of Cromwell. The couple married March 31, 1977 and separated August 31, 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the marriage, an equitable division of property, attorney’s fees and costs Ritter — Cheryl Lynn Ritter vs Glen L. Ritter of Cromwell. The couple married March 22, 1974 and separated April 15, 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the marriage and an equitable division of property

there are also several meetings each month plus inservice training to keep up on the EMT requirements. Likens stated that a basic EMT class will be sponsored by North Webster EMTs again this year, starting tomorrow (Thursday). This class is open to anyone in the county who wishes to become an EMT He was bom in North Webster, graduated from Wawasee High School, and is working for Likens Construction in North Webster. His wife, Marti, is also an EiMT. He has a son. Jeremy, nine years old. His hobbies include all kinds of sports especially archery, water skiing, softball and golf.

THt MAU-JOURNAI (uses ns**) PvMHM by The Mml-Jcviml rranr HMMibiy «nt»r«4 m SkmW Clmi iwltar at *• east OMaca at Syracma. teWaaaaMM?. SacaaC claw paataga paU at tn C. Maia Sfraat Syracata, ladiaaa aaSaf aSOWaaal aatry affieaa. SabtcrMNaa: SU aar yaar ia KaadaakaCavafy; SlSaataMacavnty. POSTMASTERS: SaaC cbaa«e at amratt larata la Tha Mail JaeraaL R O. Baa IM. «MHwU. lateaa MM2.

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE''

(EDITOR'S NOTE — Mike Richol is vice president and national sales managor for the Commodore Corp., headquartered at 400 West Brooklyn Stroot. Syracuse, and resides on r 3 Syracuse with his wife Carole. His company has 14 mobilo homo plants In tho Unltod States and four in Canada, and one each recreational vehicle plant in Ponnsylvania and Canada. The Syracuse headquarters of the plant of tho Commodoro Corp, hove turned out to be one of tho aroa's ehlof omployon.) “GOOD MORNING, Commodore Corporation, Yes, we’re located in Syracuse, Ind. You didn’t know there was a Syracuse other than the one in New York? Oh, yes Sir! Syracuse, Ind., is a lovely little town. Recruiting? One moment, please. I’ll connect you.” “RECRUITS: MAY I help you? Yes, people often are surprised to learn there is a Syracuse in Indiana. But, we who live here, think it’s a great community! We have the largest natural lake in the state — great sailing, fishing — caught a 22-pound bass last week. We have snowmobiling and crosscountry skiing at its best. As a matter of fact, Syracuse has an annual Winter Carnival which attracts people from miles away. Population? Oh, about 2,500 year-round residents, but it swells to about 30,000 people during the summer months. No, no. I’m not pulling your leg. It’s a great town to live in. Syracuse is the county’s second largest city and we feel the reason for this is everything it has to offer. In addition to the recreational activities, there’s a summer stock theater called the Enchanted Hills Playhouse and, most important, quality educational facilities for our youth. Is there golfing? At its best, you can be sure. Say, who’s recruiting who on this phone call? YOU’RE CALLING about the employment ad in the Wall Street Journal requesting engineers to apply? Well, let me tell you that Commodore has recruited people from all over the nation before we achieved a full complement of corporate staff. Let’s get down to business. I’ve told you about our community. Now, let me tell you briefly the Commodore story. You probably didn’t know that the Commodore plant, here in Syracuse, is only one of 22 manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada. There are two plants each in Florida, Texas, California and Oregon which are as big and, in some cases, bigger than the one here. There are also plants in Alabama, Kansas, Minnesota. Pennsylvania ... shall Igo on? Okay. We have plants in Utah. New Mexico, Virginia and oh. lest I forget, plants all over Canada. Yes, we are in the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle business, and we employ nearly 3,000 people. The Commodore Home For All Seasons, featured in Better Homes and Garden Magazine? Yes, that was built in our Syracuse plant. I would agree that 19 million people read that article and it is now being built all over the nation in our other plants.

The Mail-Journal Employee Louise Golden Louise Golden is an employee of the mailing ’ l *, room at The Papers Incoporated plant in JSWiillll Milford She was bom in Bremen, hometown of ‘ ~Aformer Governor Otis R Bowen, and now resides in Syracuse with her husband Douglas. She has been employed here for rune years. off and on. between living here and living in Florida. VOPC- ’ She and her husband have four children and ( JhmPw** she keeps busy reading and driving the boat for I IkJM her children while they ski. IBJgm ■ v I t I y wr 11-I 1 -- -1 i ; ; - i L I • £{u. M I gmr- W 1I CHARRED RUINS — Charred masses sf barat wood to aU that’* left of the Terry Popeafoose resideace, located one mile west of SR 11 at Cr llttN, after fire destroyed most of the attached garage, upstairs and attic Sunday evening. Syracuse and North Webster firemen fought the Naxe which was well under way by the time the firefighters arrived on the scene. An electrical short in the wiring system of the house was reported as the cause for the blaze. Fire officials reported 530.W0 damage. (Photo by Gary Lewis)

You thought the plant, here in Syracuse, was the only one? Well, why would we have our corporate headquarters, on Brooklyn Street, with over IM people for one plant? Did you know that Commodore Corporation is one of the world’s largest producers of manufactured housing? YOU DIDN’T? Since you’ve asked, Commodore is on the American Stock Exchange and listed in Fortune’s second 5M listing. Commodore was also recently feted by the Governor as one of 1962s 100 fastest-growing small public companies, and the only one from the state of Indiana. You’re probably wondering how all this could have happened in just five years — from a regional company consisting of three plants, to one of the nation’s largest companies. People made it happen! That’s right, people! Here, at our corporate headquarters, and our local manufacturing plant, there are over 2M people from Syracuse and the Syracuse area who make up much of the strength of our growth. You see, this is also the home of our Research and Development Division, which provides products for all US markets. J' YES, THAT’S right. Right here in Syracuse, Ind., we design homes for California and Texas, Florida and the East coast. I can tell by your voice that you’re curious as to how we came to this quaint, delightful town of Syracuse, and why we’re not in the big city. Well, our headquarters, at one time, was in California, Georgia and Virginia. But now the headquarters is under one roof, right here in Syracuse, Ind., on Brooklyn Street — across from the junior high and elementary playing field. Love to see those youth League games being played as I come out of my office, heading home, at day’s end. Sure beats downtown Atlanta or bucking the traffic in Los Angeles. You’re still curious, aren’t you? You want to know what the real attraction was for locating the corporate headquarters at Syracuse, Ind.? Well, you’re pressing me, but I will tell you that he was living on Lake Wawasee before Commodore became a giant. Wa-wa-see. Want me to spell it for you? Say, are we on a wats line? Okay, that’s W-A-W-A-S-E-E. Yes, he is our president and chief executive officer. But, the nucleus is people . . . energetic, enthusiastic people! The real story is this. These people believe in him and he believes in Commodore! His name? Gans, Ray Gans. Our enthusiasm is contagious, isn’t it? Yes, I can tell you’re excited about the things I’ve told you. Believe me, there’s only one Syracuse, Ind., that hosts one Commodore Corporation, and one Commodore Corporation that hosts very special, highly capable people! You can see all this for yourself when you come in for that interview next Thursday morning. There’s no need for a hard-sell job. Syracuse and Commodore sell themselves — and it’s easy — because we believe in each other! See you Thursday.