The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 40, Milford, Kosciusko County, 20 October 1982 — Page 1

Years bumper crop big boost for Brock

By GARY LEWIS The nation’s bumper crop this season has meant good business for a local feed and storage system factory, in sharp contrast to the ailing economic conditions of most big businesses. For Milford’s Brock Manufacturing, the big season for farmers meant a big demand for grain bins which resulted in one of the busiest production schedules in the company’s 25-year history. A fourweek marathon, beginning right after Labor Day through October 9, saw Brock workers in the shop around the clock, seven days a week. The marathon meant that even the office workers pitched in to relieve one shift on a Sunday so the employees could get some much-needed time off. Sam Pfahler, market development manager for grain bins, said part of the reason for the rush this year was due to his company’s commitment to expanding their market. Usually limited to the

Farmers need more grain storage The state's 1982 corn production is expected to total 787.5 million bushels, the large, carryover stocks and depressed grain prices have Hoosier farmers looking for storage space this fall and for different ways to deal with the economic situation Purdue University agricultural engineering and economics specialists have been advising producers to expect storage and transportation problems and low grain prices at harvest time. This will remain a problem despite the fact that President Ronald Reagan signed an agreement to let the Soviet Union buy up to 23 million tons of grain this fiscal year. President Reagan announced his decision in a radio address Friday. The 23 million tons would be 15 million tons above the current maximum level the Soviets could import without additional U.S approval. Harvesting of com has slowed in spite of the good weather. But this year the choice to delay harvest and allow the moisture content of com to drop is saving farmer's drying costs and or moisture penalties.

In a telephone survey, local farmers are reporting an abundance "corn crop, yielding 25 per cent more corn per acre. However, this extra yield will have to compensate for low corn prices, otherwise farmers may lose money this year.

Because of the record crops and carryover stocks, storage space is also at a premium and transportation is a problem Agricultural agents in all Indiana counties have been provided with up-to-the-minute information on storage of grain in temporary or converted structures and with data on managing grain drying costs and performance. This information is available to grain producers from the county extension service. Storage' requirements and options for grain in government reserve programs are considerably different than those for short term storage Reserve corn can be held three years, a possible total of two more years for 1981 corn, or until the price rises to the release level. This com should be at or below 14 per cent moisture content, good quality, aerated and protected from insects, rodents, birds and weather Storage for short periods, one to three months, unbl the depressed harvest prices have improved or it can be fed to livestock can be handled differently. Com at moistures up to 18 to 20 per cent can be stored for several weeks if temperatures are below 50 degrees, with aerabon. Aeration may not be required if the moisture level is below 18 per cent and the temperature is below 50 degrees, when placed in storage. If piled, the com must be less than 10 feet deep or thick. In a telephone survey, local farmers are reporting an abundance corn crop, yielding 25 per cent more .com per acre. However, this extra yield will have to compensate for low com prices, otherwise fanners may lose money this year. Farmers have reported the corn is of good quality and the moisture levels are considerably lower, thus cutting the clocking prices at the mill. MUI prices as of Monday, Oct. 18, were: Maple Leaf, 21.90 per bushel; Farm Bureau Co-op (Continued on page 2)

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Phones: 658-4111 & 457 3666

VOLUME 19

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MONDAY FIELD FIRE — This is the time of year when fields and forests are tinder dry and fires are easily started. Syracuse firemen were called to the Mary Jane Deardorff country home on old State Road 8 (800 East) at 2:15 p.m. Monday, where a fire in a stubble corn field sent white smoke billowing into the sky, to be seen as far away as Syracuse. Firemen watched over the fire that a southerly wind kept fanning, that the flames didn't move into neighboring woods and buildings.

Syracuse board tables town hall issue; awards trash bid

By GARY LEWIS It was back-to-business for the Syracuse Town Board at last night's meeting after the board agreed to delay a decision on the proposed Syracuse Town Hall. The town trustees breezed through a number of items on the agenda, finishing the meeting promptly in two hours Wayne Schmidt, architect for the proposed town hall, presented final contract documents for board approval. After very little discussion on the material presented, the board voted to table the issue until Nov. 9. President Carl Myrick said he supported tabling the issue so the board could examine the documents Schmidt presented in more detaU, with the town hall as the only item on the agenda. If the board elects to accept the documents presented, it would be the final step before entertaining bids on the project. The Indianapolis-based architectural firm came up with a new estimate on the total project which is $5,339 cheaper than the figure used in the design development documents approved in August. Schmidt estimated the total cost of the

Inside. . . Floyd Fithian visits Warsaw ..Pages Private vs Public education, an editorial. ..Page4

“grain belt area” — Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and lowa — Brock has been making an effort to increase distribution to include the south and west. California, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas are considered the expanding areas. Brock executives won’t take full credit for the sudden marathon production lines, however. Another major factor for the increase need for grain bins was government incentive programs. Pfahler said these programs, designed to encourage the American farmer to store their grain, created an enticing alternative to simply selling the grain right out of the fields. The increased expense of purchasing bins, though, probably didn’t make the move pay for farmers right away. Harmon L. Towne, assistant general manager and director of engineering, explained the government programs for most farmers are much more of incentives than sub-

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

project at $636.141. The construction costs for the project is estimated at $551,000. The additional costs involve $39,672 for engineering and architectural fees and $30,000 for office furnishings. "We feel very good about the cost estimates. - ' said Schmidt. He said this is a good time to build because construction bids are the lowest they’ve been in the last five years After the meeting, Schmidt said he was not disappointed with the board’s decision to hold off on making a decision. “We’re encouraged by it,” said Schmidt. He added that he would be willing to go into as much detail as board members wanted on the exact specifications at the November meeting. In his presentation to the board. Schmidt presented several items he said would reduce cost. If the board elected to go with all nine items, board action could cut $135,928.68 off the cost of the project. Some of the items are drastic changes from the original design such as an elimination of one bay of the police department (an estimated $15,000 savings); elimination of the clerk-treasurer’s office drive-

up window and conopy ($15,000); and the elimination of the township accessor’s office (a projected $57,000 savings). Plans now call for the county to rent the office space for the accessor from the town. One of the items include interior furnishing, which Schmidt said would save $30,000 if delayed. Schmidt reminded board members that a decision on many of these items could be put off until the bids come in. Opponents to the proposed town hall were not in full force for the meeting. Ernie Rogers, Doug Schrock and Jerry Herbison were the only persons voicing disapproval over the plans. Rogers asked for an explanation on the cement floor at the construction site and Shrock asked the board if they have looked into a smaller building or renting a present building. Myrick said he did not know of any other plans other than the those already underway Other Business In other board action, a $38,340 bid by Stuckman Tri-Lakes Sanitation for the garbage and trash collection in town was accepted. Lakeland Sanitation. Inc., narrowely missed lowest bid honors with a bid $384 higher than the Stuckman bid. An attempt by Rev. David Hyndman, president of the Lakeland Daycare Center, to receive assistance in getting the center hooked onto the town’s water and sewer system. Town attorney Bob Reed said state law does not allow any relief for the costs of tapping to sewer and water lines. He said the board is bound to the requirements of the Public Service Commission in this matter. The board accepted a nonreverting fund for the park department. The fund would be (Continued on page 2)

sidies. “In the long run, it doesn’t cost the government anything. It keeps them (the farmers) going through bad times,” he said. With this incentive program and hopefully better prices, “the balance of the two will help (the fanner) to come out ahead,” said Towne. Towne said a shift in the marketplace has placed the emphasis at Brock on grain bins. Although things are back to normal now, the sudden burst may have given the company a banner year. “This could well be the largest year in the history of the company.” Talk of the U.S. lifting the grain embargo to Moscow has had little affect on the company. Pfahler said the short view means better sales for farmers, computing into less business for Brock. Pfahler is quick to point out; however, that his company’s long view is what ever is better for the farmer will be better for Brock.

WDNESDMI. OCTOBER 20,1M2

Hydrants to be flushed weekly Fire hydrants In the town of Milford wOl be I lashed one time each week, on Wednesday and Thursday, after 12 midnight, according to Street, Water and Sewer Superintendent Ron Conley. The hydrants will be flushed »til the rust problem in the town water lines are un-

Dr. Hull speaks to round table The speaker at the October 11 meeting of the Ladies of the Round Table was Dr. Howard Hull, principal of Wawasee High School. The meeting was held at the home of Maxine Graham, with 21 members and one guest, Barbara Naab, a former club member, present. Dr. Hull expressd his positive approach to discipline problems at the high school and the inschool suspension program. Plans were finalized for a silent auction, which will be held at the next meeting, November 8, at the home of Pearle Hazenfieki President Naomi McFarland presided over the short business meeting. After the meeting was adjourned the hostess and her committee, Iness Mock, Nancy Nelson and Kay Stiver, served donuts, cider and coffee. Tires slashed April May, 304 East Street, Milford, reported two tires slashed on her auto. According to Milford Marshal David Hobbs, Mrs. May arrived home around 4 am. Saturday, Oct. 16, parking the car on Smith Street. The tire slashing occurred sometime after 4 a.m. Damage was estimated at SIBO.

LCEA express concerns for future school board

The Lakeland Community Educators. Association is concerned about the upcoming school board elections and has designed a question answer session for school board candidates, teachers and concerned citizens on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Wawasee High School social studies area. The LCEA executive board issued a blank questionnaire to all certified teachers for expressing individual concerns. From these concerns, a final written questionnaire was established and sent to each of the four candidates opting for three school board vacancies in the November 2 elections. Available at the session will be candidates Marguerite B. Hoerr, District 3 (Van Buren and the

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MOONLIGHT MADNESS ON THURSDAY - Syracuse wfll take a step back in time Thursday when the Moonflght Madness sales get underway at • p.m. Activities planned include a four-hour sale at downtown stores and stores in the village; a costume competition among the merchants; and a decorated pumpkin contest. Members of the Syracuse Park Department will judge the two contests. In addition to the costumed merchants, the Syracuse Police Department wfll be dressed as western town marshals and wfll patrol streets. Local restaurants wfll offer special hours for shop- ' pers’ convenience and a free movie at Pickwick Theater will be shown at 7:15 p.m. The film wfll be “International Velvet." Shown in the photo are the three judges for the Moonlight Madness contests, Diana Walker, Kip Sriwimm and Alan Kitson, as they stir up their magic potion for the evening’s festivities. (Photo by Deb Fas) . aS

“We don’t see that as being a detrimental affect on the company ... eventually, we’ll have a surplus of bins locally,” said Towne. By expanding the market to other areas of the country, Towne said, “we can get into those areas just now getting into storage.” Most people in this area think about wheat, com and beans when they think about grain bins. But on the national scale, Towne said rice “will probably be one on the areas where we’ll see storage on the farm increase.” The major change in the technology of grain bins have been in sizes. The largest bin Brock Manufacturing turns out holds more than a train load — 355,868 bushels. Towne said Brock has been concentrating on the little things that sometimes goes unnoticed. Things like a “rust-proof polypropylene-coated” bin bolt. The bolt helps to protect the farmer’s investment, meaning better business for Brock.

east half of Jefferson Township); Dave L. Carey, District 1 (Tippecanoe Township); Henry L. Smith and Charles Koser, Jr., both of District 2 (Turkey Creek Township). Purpose Several purposes for the interview session have been outlined by the LCEA, they are: Tn identify major policy concerns of the LCEA and the school corporation to the future Lakeland Community School Board members; To establish a dialogue concerning future policy decisions and express the LCEA position on such policy; To provide certified teachers with position papers from each school board candidate. The LCEA per se will not en-

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dorse candidates, but they will provide information on each candidate to assist individual teachers and citizens in the decision making process. Format Each school board candidate will have the opportunity to prepare a statement on each of seven questions for the interview session which will begk th introduction of the candidates and the LCEA executive board. The questioning process will begin with three minute introductory statements by each candidate where they will have an opportunity to once again state their background and reasons for running for office. Candidates will be allowed to (Continued on page 2)