The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 10 November 1982 — Page 1

Phones: 658-4111 & 457-3666

VOLUME 19

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New Syracuse Town Hall: No decision

By GARY LEWIS % Despite being the only item on the agenda, the Syracuse Town Board eouM not reach a decision on the controversial new Syracuse Town Hall during a special meeting Tuesday night. Board members Carl My nek. Steve Butt and Bill Hess delayed a decision on the issue and gave no indication that a decision wiU be reached in the near future Wayne Schmidt, architect for the estimated $636,141 project and engineers Mel Wessler, Don Corey and Bob Boulware, presented an overview of the contract documents introduced to the board at the October 19 meeting Schmidt. Corey, Boulware and board members were interrupted repeatedly during the two-hour meeting by Ernie Rogers. Jerry Herbison, Jack Reece. Bill Beemer and John Call. The

In line of duty — Tom Kitch loses finger in altercation

Kosciusko County Det Sgt Tom Kitch. a Syracuse resident, who had the top portion of the small finger on the right hand bitten off. underwent surgery on Monday in the Lutheran Hospital at Fort Wayne Kitch. who has been in the

Dr. A. Hunter Coipitts — Honored by DePauw University

By GAIL WIDMOYER After 44 years as a minister. Dr. A. Hunter Coipitts resides at Oakwood Park in Syracuse with his wife Neoma Dr. Coipitts was honored on October 20 by DePauw University with an honorary degree of doctor of 'human letters. Dr. Coipitts has had ties with the Syracuse area since be was in high school and first took an option on the last three available lots at Oakwood, before any of the land was developed, for SSO down and ssoper year' An honorary degree is “recognition for some human involvement. In my case, involvement in the church and more specifically, in the pastorate,*' defined Dr. Coipitts. Such honors are most gratifying when they come as a surprise,” Said Dr. Coipitts. “When this letter came, my first question was why?’"

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of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE - WAWASEE JOURNAL (E,t. 1907)

remonstrators asked Schmidt questions about the design, funding for the project and the cost per square foot. Board members scheduled the controversial topic as the lone item on the agenda in order to examine the contract documents in detail. After repeated remarks about the design, the estimated costs, and the board's decision to give Schmidt a $650,000 budget figure, Myrick stopped the discussion and gave a brief history about the project. He explained the first action on the proposed town hall came in April when the board voted to hire Schmidt Associates Architects. Inc,, Indianapolis, to do a spaceneed study The board accepted the study (hiring a special meeting June 1 He told the group that the decision to design the project so the front of the Lshaped building faced the north west was made at a June 15 meeting.

hospital since Wednesday evening. Nov 3, is expected to return home sometime this week The danger of infection has passed and he will not lose his right hand The officer lost his finger when Scott Sebo, 22. 117 North Miami

‘‘Although the most visible results of yoUr work were the rebuilding of the Muncie (High Street) United Methodist Church . Dr. Coipitts spent the last nine years of his pastorate at the Muncie High Street United Methodist Church, “a landmark in Muncie. " During these nine years. Dr. and Mrs. Coipitts would visit their cottage at Oakwood periodically. On Wednesday, January 25. 1978, Dr. Coipitts heard over the news a blizzard was beading for the area so he and his wife left for Muncie earlier than planned. They arrived in Muncie at 4 p m. and the blizzard struck at 8 p m. that evening. On Thursday, January 26. what then was thought as a tragedy, struck almost as suddenly as the blizzard.

"You are trying to tell this board to build a town hall for so much a square foot ... I don’t think you can build a town hall for 90 to 40 dollars a square foot." said Myrick. who serves as board president. “I think the figures are a little high. I really believe this town hall can be built for $485,000 with the total project at $585,000 Schmidt’s estimate on the construction cost is $548,944 The actual cost for the project will not be known until bids are entertained for the project After the meeting. Myrick said those opposing the project who were at the meeting discussed issues decided months before. "They rehashed all of the old things. You can’t accomplish anything when you have to constantly defend yourself.” he said. “I think we’re headed in the right direction. I think we re doing everything right so far . "

St.. Warsaw, a former star of the Warsaw Community High School golf team, was struggling with County Patrolman Richard Monk and Jailer Darrell Creech, at the county jail, as the officers were trying to place him in a cell Kitch went to assist and ap-

Two college boys stayed at the High Street Church for security purposes and noticed a gas smell in the elaborate structure. The boys called Dr Coipitts and the gas company, then voluntarily evacuated the structure. Explosion Natural gas built up in the 85 rooms and five levels of the big stone church and literally blew off the roof of the landmark. A second explosion started a fire which eventually caused approximately $4 million in damage. The clocks stopped at 5:11, and Dr. Coipitts and congregational members feared the worse. Dr. Coipitts remembers standing at the fire for two and one-half hours thinking, “Good comes out of everything, but what good is in this?” Dr. Coipitts knew there was good in the explosion, but for the moment, he was unable to see it. During the whole process of

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER I*. 1982

Local architect John Call said he has heard rumors about the project which estimated the cost per square foot in the SBO per square foot range. He said a tow, hall could be built well under S4O a square foot. “I personally think we are 70 per cent out of whack in solving this problem,” he said. Schmidt then reminded Call of the state requirement from Governor Orr’s office, known as the Davis-Bacon Act. The act requires all contractors to pay their employees on a certain pay scale "We could probably save 10 per cent’ ’ in construction costs, said Schmidt, if the contractor did not have this requirement Myrick refused to give a date for another meeting on the topic. He said the board may decide on when to take up the issue again at its next regular meeting scheduled for next Tuesday. Nov. 16.

pa rent ly grabbed Sebo from behind and put him in a headlock Sebo bit off the first joint of Kitch s little finger. Kitch underwent surgery on Thursday to drain some of the fluid from the injured finger and (Continued on page 2)

trying to organize the church’s future, there were times when Dr. Coipitts “had to get away.” At these times, the cottage at Oakwood was a comfort. “We would come to the cottage so 1 could get involved in any type of manual labor. One day I was in the yard digging in the flowers and I thought and thought and thought. Suddenly I realized the whole situation could be a challenge instead of an obstacle. “As soon as I said this could be a challenge, I was relieved and a burden rolled off my shoulders ' When the Coipitts returned to Muncie. Dr. Coipitts called Dr. Tom Sargent, a very precise person who was in charge of financing the reconstruction of the destroyed church, and told him the money would come from somewhere. Fundraising ■ As Dr. Coipitts talked to one of his parishoners on the phone, she mentioned her daughter in

Good news I — Area banks release $828,000 to Christmas club holders

By G AIL WIDMOYER Although it may be difficult to imagine Christmas before Thanksgiving, the first snow has already come and gone, and area banks are in the process of releasing approximately $828,127.53 to 2,514 citizens enrolled in a Christmas Club program. With the increased occurrence of bank mergers and the diversification of main branches into

Building ordinance passed —

New Street, Water, Sewer Commissioner at Milford

By DEB FOX Bill Knowles was hired as the new street, water and sewer commissioner, by the Milford Town Board, and an ordinance was passed for the inspection, repair, or removal of unsafe* buildings within the town of Milford. Knowles, currently of Topeka, will begin his duties on Monday, Nov. 15. Knowles and his family will be moving into Milford as soon as possible. •** Ducussing the ordinance with board members. Bob Kirsch, town attorney, stated he met with Dr. T. A. Miller, Norman Lovell and Della Baumgartner Friday afternoon to look at buildings in question. These buildings included the Ron Davidhizer property at Fourth and Shaffer Streets, the Quonset hut on the Syracuse-Milford Road, Richard Widup’s barn on Catherine Street and the house adjacent to Widup’s residence on James street. A new ordinance needed to be written due to a state statue, known as Title 18, which was reratified as Title 36 this past year. Kirsch re-drafted the town's ordinance with minor changes. (Note: See full text of Ordinance No. 82.4 on page 14 of this

Inside... Masons sue lake Wawasee residents Page 2 School board commends contributors Page 5

California heard of a church in Washington that was able to raise $1 million in one day. The conversation ended there and it wasn’t until one-half hour later that Dr. Coipitts called the parishoner for more information. She in turn called her daughter who was unable to give the exact name or location of the church. So Dr. Coipitts called his district superintendent for any large church in Washington He called one of the churches only to find it wasn’t the one that was able to raise the large sum of money. However, the church secretary was able to give him the name of the town where the church was located. He in turn called information and requested the phone number for the largest church in that town. He called the church, asked the secretary if they bad raised $1 million in one day and thankfiilly (Continued on page 2)

local, smaller banks, a majority of the banks surveyed are reporting total club accounts and not just those representing the local area. In one specific instance, the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Wabash's Syracuse Branch was unable to attain the requested information because of a “new type of data system that doesn't easily breakdown,” said bank officials. Paul Reith of the Milford

issue.) The primary change is the average processing expense which would be incurred by the property owner if the town had to step in and rectify the problem. The average processing expense would be $750. Kirsch explained if the property owner obeyed the decision of the building commissioner and inspector the expense would not be charged. Lovell, as building commissioner. will be responsible for inspecting the buildings on a regular basis and will have the

Santa's coming — Christmas time activities topic for retail committee

By GARY LEWIS Christmastime activities were the topic at Monday morning’s Syracuse Retail Merchants meeting. Preparations for decorative lighting and a visit by Santa Claus were among the items discussed by the group. Santa’s visit to Syracuse merchants has been scheduled for November 28, beginning at 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Santa will then be at the Scout Cabin from 4-6 that evening. President Jeannie Gardiner said she will meet with Syracuse Wawasee Chamber of Commerce president Henry Smith concerning budgeting for Christmas lights in the town. Mrs. Gardiner said the merchants informed her that they “don’t like having the responsibility.**

■■■A • —MU ' I wbr 1 HONORED CITIZEN — A. Hunter Coipitts. retired United Methodist minister and Oakwood Part resident, was recently awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters by DePauw University tor Ms work ta rebuilding the Muncie High Street United Methodist Church and for his interaction - f 1 :' ''<> wim pcwpi** The High Street Church in Muncie suffered a huge fire loss during the blizzard of 1978 and through combined efforts of Dr. Coipitts, very active and concerned parishioners, and equally concerned dUzens of Muncie, enough money was raised to cover costs of rebuilding and restoring the historical landmark to its original quality. (Photo by Gall Widmoyer)

branch of the First National Bank of Warsaw reported total Christmas Clubs throughout the system were 1,250, amounting to $383,329.33 distributed. The number of clubs have increased over the same period last year, however, exact figures were not available. Reith also reported good payment policies by customers. The only data available for the Lake City Bank was, club members amounted to 664 for

authority to order removal of buildings he deems unsafe according to state standards. Miller, as hearing officer, will hear challenges to the building commissioner's removal orders. All hearings concerning unsafe buildings would be heard in Milford. TV Cable Out A motion by Darrell Orn, seconded by Jean Treesh, not to extend and to cancel the current contract with TV Cable, allows (Continued on page 1)

She said the merchants are willing to provide the labor for the lights but do not want to pay for the entire bill themselves. She said the lights will be turned on in time for Santa’s visit to Syracuse. The merchants discussed Goshen’s Christmas lights and asked president Gardiner to talk to the president of the Goshen merchants. Mrs. Gardiner said the local merchants were impressed, with the cooperation from the community Goshen apparently receives in putting up Christmas lights. In her discussion with her Goshen counterpart, she hopes to learn how the Elkhart County merchants group enlist community support. Gardiner asked the group to start thinking about listing special prices for the Winter

NUMBER 43

$252,882.33 total for all branches, according to Pam Unruh of the Syracuse office. The State Bank of Syracuse also reported branch totals. According to Freda Rinker, there were 296 club members amounting to $86,074.48 issued and a high percentage of returns was also reported with 90 per cent of the members completing their programs. J. W. Heierman from the Peoples State Bank in Leesburg reported a total of 169 club members which illustrated little change over the number of last year’s participants. At the time of reporting, no checks had been issued, but Heierman estimated $64,000 would be distributed to this year’s club members. Christmas club savings increased over last year by approximately SI,OOO at the Counting House Bank in North Webster which reported 135 club members would be paid $41,841.39. Even though total funds paid increased, only 68 members completed ’ their programs. Since the savings plan was instituted by area banks more than 30 years ago, the Christmas club checks may be distributed early in the season, but they have been appreciated by area residents who look to the clubs for Christmas funds in an ever increasing tight economy.

Carnival badges. The badges, purchased by visitors to the Winter Carnival, scheduled for February 5 and 6, will entitle those- who wear them discounts on specially-listed merchandise. A list of those merchants participating in the badge program will be circulated, detailing what merchandise badge-wearers can purchase for a discount. Gardiner asked the merchants to consider flowers next year for a beautification program in the downtown Syracuse area. These flowers will replace the trees usually planted in the uptown pots. She also said the village merchantswill be encouraged to do the same

The next meeting of the merchants group is scheduled for 8 am., December 13, at the Syracuse State Bank.