The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 51, Milford, Kosciusko County, 5 January 1983 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., January 5,1983

4

Editorials

Something new This week we are starting something new on the op-ed page. It is called M-J pulse and is being created to give people a chance to express their opinion to happenings in this community, across the USA and the world. Our answers this week to a question on New Year’s Eve show the people of this community to be like those in other areas — seeking fun and entertainment for the holiday, either by staying home or going to the houses of friends and relatives for the evening. The question we re asking this week is more thought provoking “Is Reaganomics working in Kosciusko County?’’ It’s your chance to speak out. All you have to do is pick up the telephone between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. between now and next Monday, Jan. 10, and tell us your answer. As you see from our sample this week, no names are used and no photos are being taken. Just pick up the telephone and call 658-4111, extension 17 or 4573666 and sound off br this question. Last bow of the 97th The lame duck session? of the 97th Congress ended with the two House floor leaders singing a Christmas tune on the telephone (for television) to President Reagan. It was that kind of session. The public is entitled to more from its elected leaders than endless stalemates, failure to meet controversial issues and dilatory floor behavior. Yet that’s been the pattern in Congress in recent years. For decades Congress spent too much and wrecked the economy and the dollar. Now, it stalls on facing the social security crisis (but the House raised members’ pay), can’t join in bi-partisan jobs bill efforts, can>reduce foreign aid, can’t do much for farmers or the automobile and other heavy industries, can’t pass immigration reform and can’t even act on urgently needed bankruptcy reform. It’s a poor record and if the 98th Congress, beginning this month, doesn’t show improvement, many members will have earned the right to retirement in next year’s congressional elections. The times simply demand a more responsible, productive national legislature. The danger of television . ■ ‘ J Millions of Americans have unintentionally turned Over to television the mental and moral indoctrination of their children. The change took place almost unrealized because of the marvel and novelty of a new technology — with all its entertainment potential. Television has a wonderful educational potential, and in face, some see benefits of the electronic wonder as just beginning. Nevertheless, in recent years and today, millions use family-room TV to entertain children. What children watch, many hours per day, is certain to mold their character and shape their personalities and lives. Unfortunately, what they see most on U.S. commercial television is sterile, vulgar and immoral. One needn’t be a prude to object to the loud-mouth and common behavior of the typical program, the constant selling of alcohol as a cure for practically everything, the distortion of history, even recent history, the play on crime and sex, even perverted sex. The truth parents must face is that the commercial networks are primarily concerned with attracting audiences — just like the carnival barker of a generation ago. Thus whatever will attract the viewer will be exploited. Parents must also face the fact that they need to spend some time every day deciding what is proper for their children to see and what is not. Too many tots and youngsters today have sets in their own rooms, some with cable channels carrying the most advanced adult programs. Others sit all afternoon and half the night before the tube. In many homes, the TV set stays on all day. (The networks now claim the average household set is on six hours a day.) What has happened, in effect, is that millions of American parents have turned over to television producers and three networks, headquartered in New York City, the implanting of moral and philosophical values in their children. Schools, churches, parents still play a role, but a lessened role. And results in crime, school achievement in manners and behavior have been largely negative. Little help is likely from Congress. The networks are toay so powerful they make and break politicians. Few on the two appropriate committees of Congress in recent years have had the audacity to seek to require better results. The networks plead freedom of speech and all the rights of the free press. (They are, however, not in the same boat: they are federally licensed, to use a public airwave, and enjoy a monopoly on a certain wave-length as a result.) The answer lies with the several groups working hard today to improve television fare, in the growing diversity of channels available, but, most of all, with those responsible for rearing children. In the old days, few parents would have turned their children over to a carnival troupe passing through town for hours of unsupervised activity. That’s, in effect, what parents do today when they allow their children to watch TV indiscriminately. Real success in life is not measured by how many individuals you excel, but by how many people you befriend. What others say —. Add contentment The holiday season is almost over, bringing the close of another year; along with a few moments of serious thought about the past twelve months. Like many, you may not have done too well with that mighty list of resolutions you made this time last year. However, you must have finished at least one project, or given up a bad habit, or possibly acquired a good one. No one can deny that this past year —1982 — has been one of confusion and frustration. Although most of us would say “we just want to be happy,” we would be hard-pressed to define happiness. Perhaps a more relevant word would be “contentment.” The pathway to contentment is plainly marked, but so difficult to follow. It’s always easier to point the way than to endure the hardships of the trail. Yet, it is the strength of character that developes from oncoming difficulties that comes from enduring hardships which is the basis for contentment for all people in all walks of life. Many individuals everywhere would throw away their tranquilizers and sleeping pills, pour their “bracers” down the drain, and even relax without a cigarette, if they would try to be a little more content. There are three times zones on the pathway to contentment — Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. We must file our Yesterdays, but not forget them. We must keep Today in order and not let the past becloud it, nor thee future color it. We must keep a vision of Tomorrow, always subject to revision. Put contentment on your New Year’s Resolution list, and then work for it Nothing worthwhile comes easy. — DANVILLE GAZETTE

PEACE in 'B3 J j| ; viF # jL. ... CSCW INC This week's M-J pulse question is on the new year — 1983. See page 5 for new question and give us a call telling your opinion. It's your chance to sound off!

Court news

MARRIAGE LICENSES The following couples have filed for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jean Messmore: Hers berg er-Beall Loren Keith Hersberger, 24, r 5 box 423 Syracuse and Marlene Faye Beall, 24, r 5 box 423 Syracuse Bryant-Opperud Richard N. Bryant, 23, r 1 box 373A North Webstar and Christine Joann Opperud, 21, r 1 box 373A North Webster Bockman-Gast John William Bockman, 29, P.O. Box 297 North Webster and Lilliana Gast, 23, P.O. Box 297 North Webster Arnold-Walker Don Arnold, 58, P.O. Box 275 Milford and Nancy Walker, 40, r 3 box 570 Syracuse \ Aiger-Wixson Randell Raymond Aiger, 27, P.O. Bex 523 Syracuse and Paula Lee Wixson, 25, P.O. Box 523 Syracuse

Unsung heroes —

X. * / ■ / \/ X W ’’*- . ■ ■ * "' w if j fiw I ; jh

Jeff Burns is youngest North Webster fireman

Jeff Bums, North Webster, isthe youngest fireman and emergency medical technician on the North Webster Fire and EMS departments. He started as an auxiliary fireman when he was. 16 and at the age of 18 was voted in as a fireman. He recently became an EMT and was a driver and first responder for two years. He finished his EMT classes in June. Burns became a fireman because of the challenge of saving people’s lives and private property. “I hate to see anybody lose things. It’s something I wanted to do and I enjoy it.” When he first joined the EMS service Bums had no intention of becoming an EMT, just a driver. “I’ve seen things and how important an EMT is and saving people’s lives. I really like it.” But there are some things he doesn’t like. “1 hate it when someone dies. I feel if 1 had a little more advance training I might have been able to save the person and I hate to see little kids hurt. If I’m able to save one out of 100 lives, it’s worth it to me.” In 1981 Burns was a driver training officer in which he would screen all new ckivers. These drivers would be assigned to the

Hunter-Ladd Larry E. Hunter, 45, P.O. Box 514 Syracuse and Jean Ahn Ladd, 39. r 4 box 39 Syracuse Beck-Dills Robert J Beck, Jr., 19. 411 S. Columbia St., Warsaw and Terri Lee Dills. 21. P.O. Box 455 Milford Clemons-Clemons Carl D. Clemons, 44, 706’’ ■> S. Huntington St., Syracuse and Barbara Ellen Clemons. 41,512 S. Harris St., Syracuse Manthey-Watkins Wayne A. Manthey. 47, r 1 Leesburg and Gretchen L. Watkins, 50, r rLeesburg Myers-Wicker Garry Wayne Myers. 27. r 1 box 157 P Milford and Denise Lynn Wicker. 24, r 1 box 157 P Milford Booher-Slone Lester W. Booher, 18, P.O. Box 15 Leesburg and Kathy Lynn Slone, 17, r 2 Claypool

JEFF BURNS

same squad he was on for a set period of time and from there they would be rotated from squad to squad, getting acquanted with everyone. His hobbies include hunting rabbit and deer and building models. Burns is a 1980 graduate of Wawasee High School and has spent 21 years in the North Webster area. He is the fiance of Darlene Shepherd, i

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U S P S 325-840) Published by The Mail-Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 44547. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street Syracuse, Indiana 44547 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: 813 per year in KosciuSko County; SIS outside county. POSTMASTERS Send change of address forms to The Mail-Journal, P.O. Box IM, Milford, Indiana 44542

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

“WHAT THIS town needs is a hefty dose of good, old fashioned small town boosterism.” Those aren’t oar words, bat were words heard in a heated conversation relative to the merits or lack thereof of erecting a new Syracuse Town Hall. And while tempers flared, the issue, like many more such local issues, proved divisive, pulling the town’s energies apart. “Why, then,’’ it seems fitting to ask, “can’t thdttown take a leaf from the book of other towns and cities who have pulled together, often under a banner or slogan, to unit their town behind promotional causes. We have plenty such instances to guide us. The December 4th issue of the new nationallycirculated newspaper. USA TODAY, did a cover story on just this thing, titling it, “Older cities fight shirs with slogans.” The Rich Little joke that to rename Afghanistan Cleveland would make Russia give it back forthwith, or the remark by San Francisco columnist Herb Caen that the reason for Oakland was that “The Bay Bridge has to end somewhere.’’ Buffalo, N.Y., has taken it on the chin for their bad weather with this: “How many seasons are there in Buffalo? Two — winter and the Fourth of July.” Now these cities are fighting back. In Cleveland, receptionists tell people “We’re Talking Proud,” and in Buffalo they say, “You can sample a different Buffalo restaurant every night of the week for five years without ever visiting the same restaurant twice. ’ ’ It’s no secret, howwhat the right slogan and image can do. No iooner had New York city emerged from its bruising fiscal crisis than the state in 1976 launched its highly successful “I Love New York” campaign. The result: Tourism soared from $5 billion in 1976 to $11.5 billion in 1981 — greatly attributable to the campaign, maintain state officials. “Virginia is for Lovers” got Virginia just what it wanted, a boost in younger tourists. In 1969, when the slogan was released, only 28 per cent of the state’s tourists fell into the 21-35 age group. Three years later that figure jumped to 38 per cent, says Marshall Murdaugh, commissioner of the Virginia State Travel Service. Cincinnati called itself the “Queen City of the West” when “Porkopolis,” for its slaughterhousebound streets full of pigs became unfashionable. This story of cities making the most of what assets they have, real and imagined, could go on and on. Even right here, in neighboring North Webster, Alice Rinker and her late husband Thurman, had large circular signs in their store window that “Life Is Better in North Webster.” Finally, their Mermaid Festival committee grabbed ahold of the slogan last year and had outsized lapel buttons made up with the slogan, and even put up a short-lived banner across SR 13 south of town proclaiming the good life of that summer-oriented town. And so, why could not the same thing be done right here in Syracuse? one would ask. Instead of divisiveness, would not a slogan, although paperthin and without costly substance, tend to bring the community together? We think so. And we would challenge air. organization, perhaps the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce to consider the idea. A contest might bring up the jewel to do the job for the Syracuse community. Think about it. A LIGONIER industrialist who has had more than a fair share of success, was about to give $50,000 to Purdue University recently when several town fathers, including 31-year-oM Mayor Steven C. Hagen, pursuaded him to give $50,000 to the city. Mayor Steve, who also had a law office in Syracuse with his dad, said the restoration of the city’s antique clock is one possible use for the money; another being the 1985 city sesquicentennial. It was also learned that that city’s sister city of Ligonier, Pa., recently had a budget deficit of $7,800, and when it was made known, several townspeople dug down into their collective pocket to make up the funds to wipe out the deficit. LOOK FOR a Warsaw billiard parlor to install a number of video games, and here’s the catch: they will only accept nickles. not quarters. “I’m going to end up with all the business,” the billiard parlor owner JEFF AND Cindy Wells haven’t completely made up their minds whether to rebuild their Syra-Web Road home that was recently burned. They are talking to insurance people and assessing their options. Meanwhile, they are making their home in a Harbourside Condominium rented from a Fort Wayne owner. O' ■ A LOT of friends of Bob and Diana Marion are hoping they won’t leave the community. The two have operated the Ben Franklin store in the Village for the past nine years, the only manager.

Federal exdse fox raised

The federal excise tax on telephone service increased three per cent from one per cent on January 1, according to T. R. Rafferty, public relations director for United Telephone Company of Indiana. Rafferty said that most telephone services, including both local and longdistance calls, are subject to the tax. “The

in fact, the store has had sinceit opened here. - They have been offered a larger management opportunity with Ben Franklin, but it would necessitate their moving to the Indianapolis area, which they don’t care to do. The Marions have been “good managers,” in the words of many who know them, with Bob taking an important part in community affairs through his connection with the Wawasee Kiwanis Club. His “baby” has been the club’s annual drive to help needy families at Christmastime. Bob is being replaced by Donald W. Melton of Ludington, Mich. WAYNE AND Pat VanCuren, ownersoperators of The Frog Tavern, have been having fun and doing some serious business with a breathalizer they recently installed at their place of business. They especially had a lot of fun Friday night (New Year’s Eve), and saw their customers home safely. * DON ARNOLD, superintendent of the Lakeland Community School Corporation, and Nancy Walker, an employee in the administrative offices of the school corporation, were united in marriage on New Year’s Day, just past midnight. The ceremony took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Stucky with friends and members of the immediate families in attendance. An open house was held on Sunday afternoon, January 2, for friends and relatives of the couple. r _ JT ■• ■ 1 \ MRS. DOUG Pilcher of Pilcher Shoe Store gave us this gentle reminder of an age that comes to us all, called “A Little Mixed Up”: ' t. ’ ' Just a line to let you know I’m living That I’m not among the dead. Though I’m getting more forgetful And more mixed np in my head. FoY sometimes I can’t remember When I stand before the stairs, If I mlSt go up for something Or if I’ve just come down from there. And before the “fridge” so often My poor mind is filled with doubt. Have I just put the food away Or come to take some out. At times when it is dark out And my nite cap is on my head, I don’t know if I’m retiring Or just getting out of bed. , So if it’s my turn to write you , There’s no need in getting sore. I may have thought 1 had written And 1 don’t want to be a bore. So remember that I miss you And I wish that you were here. And now it’s nearly mail time And I must sign off my dear. P.S. There I stood before the mail man “WITH MY FACE SO VERY BRED.” Instead of mailing you my letter I opened it instead. Forgive me for forgetting my name!! “THINK SNOW!” So says Jeannie Gardiner of the Winter Carnival Committee. And she’s absolutely right, what with the weatherman predicting week end temperatures-in the 50s. The Winter Festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 5 and 6, and all plans are “Go! ”, weather permitting. “At the rate we’re going (she means the weather), we’ll probably have snow on the Fourth of July,” Jeannie laments. Reason enough to i “think snow” for a good carnival. DONNA JOHNSON - Syracuse’s answer to Jane Fonda — wants the 25 members of her exercise class to know their Tuesday classes are moving up a day, to Monday, same hour. The Wednesday session will remain the same. Donna I has been holding exercise classes at the Lakeland Youth Center for seven years. j' IT’S NOT very often that an entire community gets invited to a wedding, but that’s the case come Sunday. J John and Sue Liberti are getting married — actually re-married - at the Syracuse American Legion hall at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 9, with a reception following until 5 p.m “I’m so happy about this I want the whole town to come out and help us celebrate.” says the ecstatic bridegroom. John and Sue were married, then divorced about six months ago. John confesses, “We found we couldn’t live without one another.” Rev. Tony Hardcastle of Warsaw, who performed the first wedding, will be on hand to do the honors at this (Mie. John is owner of U.S. Auto, a used car sales and service in Wawasee Village. ■* ’X ‘

actual tax you pay depends on the amount of your monthly telephone bill.” Rafferty added. The increase results from the comprehensive tax package passed by Congress last August. The law states this tax will be collected for three years: 1963, 1984 and 1985. It is then scheduled to be eliminated unless Congress again votes to modify or continue

Today’s excise tax is a modification of the World War II “Emergency tax Measure.” The government requires telephone companies to act as collectors of this excise tax. The increased tax will result in nearly $1 billion paid to the federal government by telephone users across the nation