The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 52, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 January 1983 — Page 5

Augsburger talks about nee session

By GARY LEWIS The Indiana Legislature began a full week of activity this week and local representative John B. Augsburger hopes two of his bills will receive committee recommendation. Senator Augsburger said committee hearings were scheduled for this week and that could mean a flurry of activity as the legislature begins to start filing bills. Chairman of the natural resources committee, Augsburger sponsors two tails that could go a long way in determing future funding of the state’s Department of Natural Resources. One of those bills is of special interest locally since it involves an always controversial subject — control of wetlands. Senate Bill 47 is an attempt to raise funds so the state DNR can purchase up to $150,000 of wetlands. Augsburger said this measure, if passed, combined with the DNR’s request of $300,000 for wetland acquisition, would give the state a total of $450,000 for wetland purchases. “It’s a bill ! don’t think is going to run into a lot of opposition,’’ says Augsburger, who returned home last week in time for work at Indianapolis. The bill would require an annual $6 raccoon hunting license for resident hunters and a $37 fee for non-resident hunters: Several states already charge an extra fee to hunt raccoon, said Augsburger. “Os course, the lake people love it because it’s going to help preserve some of the wetlands.” But the biggest supporter for the' bill is the raccoon hunters’ lobby group. Augsburger said the hunters support the measure because “it will increase raccoon population by purchasing wetlands, retaining them, and keeping them in, their natural state. ““Raccoons were selected because the majority of the ‘coon hunters in Indiana hunt for commercial purposes. One pelt would bring in much more than "the $6 fee, he added. “The big issue up here is does the Department of Natural Resources have the right to come in and stop the development of wetlands,” Augsburger said. “A lot of people say if they want them, let them buy it,” and that’s exactly what this bill would do, he explained. Augsburger’s district has the most lakes in all of the state — 300 — so he has a per-

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sonal interest in its passage. With $450,000, the state “still is not going to be able to buy all of the wetlands,” but he hopes it will help some. The other bill sponsored by Augsburger, Senate Bill 48, is coined as “the most important bill coming out this year” for the DNR,hesaid. This bill would bring in more money for fish and wildlife interests in the state totally from outside sources. This measure would allow, for those sportsmen who want it, a lifetime huntingfishing license. A hunting or fishing license alone could be purchased for $l2O and a combination license would cost SIBO, Augsburger said. “It brings in a lot of money up front and then this money will be put into a trust fund, ’ ’ he explained. “The fish and wildlife will use just the interest off of this trust fund,” he said. Current projections say this added income would bring in two to three million dollars within the first two years.

Selective Service up to 9.2 registrants

Registration of 18-year-old men with Selective Service continues to increase. As of December 18, approximately 9.2 million men have registered for an overall compliance rate or 94 per cent. Since registration began in July of 1980, men bom in 1960 and later years have been required to register. Compliance by year of birth is: 1960, 96 per cent; 1961, 99 per cent; 1962, 95 per cent; and 1963,95 per cent. To date, men born in 1964 have an “on-time” registration rate of 85 per cent, a high rate when you consider that, historically, men tend to procrastinate in registering. For example: in 1973 and 1974, the last years when men were registering without a draft, “on-time” registrations ranged from 70 to 80 per cent; within a year, that rate climbed to 90 to 93 per cent. The same pattern seems to be holding in the present registration program. More men are registering as a result of recent initiatives. Selective Service has sent out over 600,000 letters to men who have not registered, the agency is now able to identify these men as a result of cross-referencing their computer files with those of

Tried in North Carolina and Kansas with much success, Augsburger likes it because it is purely voluntary. “It’s really a good deal, I think, for both the state and the people that want it,” he said. The $l2O fee figures out to be 20 years worth of the regular license fee. Augsburger said the lifetime license helps to beat inflation since the current $6 fee could be increased in the years to come. Augsburger will be serving on a new small business and agriculture committee for ‘B3. This committee will attempt to assist small business in the state and the ailing agriculture industry. Augsburger said 80 per cent of the jobs are in small business, said Augsburger. Augsburger said he wants to look into tourism seriously this session. “I want to really look into the tourism end of it,” said Augsburger. Tourist trade is a big plus for a state’s economy, he said, because of the extra revenue it produces. The big news out of In-

Social Security and state drivers’ license lists. Also, Selective Service is using transit cars on subways and buses, billboard, posters in high schools and recreation centers, and public service radio spots to get the message across to young men that they must register. Additionally, recently enacted legislations will require men to present proof of registration in order to receive Federal Student Aid and or to qualify for benefits under the 1983 Job Training

SAFE applications taken

Emergency SAFE applications for some assistance with heating and electric service for households in danger of having their services disconnected or disrupted started Monday, Jan. 10, from 8 a m. to 4 p.m., in the United Way Building (Day Care Center) 800 North Park Ave., Warsaw. Applications will be taken each Monday until termination of the program. Emergency SAFE will provide some assistance to an enrollee, but will not and cannot replace an

rifainapniis this week will be the unveiling of the governor’s budget package. Governor Orr is expected to announce a sl2 million package for high technology training in high schools and a sl2l million economic development plan for technology training in business and universities during his “State of the State” address. These measures would help Indiana in keeping up with the development of high technology and create jobs. A One of the key issues, among others, will be school funding. With the state’s increase in taxes, Augsburger sees this issue returning again and again. “When we do get back in the black, the first thing we’ll have to do is give (the schools) their money back to where they had it,” he said. Some school systems were forced to wait until their payment at the end of each month, causing many to borrow money in between, said Augsburger.

Partnership Act. Registration is a simple process. Within 30 days of his 18 birthday, a man must go to the Post Office and fill out a form which asks only for his name, address, telephone number, social security number and date of birth. Registration does not, in any way, prejudice a man’s right to claim exemption from military service should an emergency require Congress to order Selective Service to classify and draft people.

individual’s responsibility for paying energy bills. Emergency SAFE assistance in no way guarantees that an enrollee’s electric or heating services will not be disconnected or disrupted during the winter months. The Emergency SAFE credit will be applied through a voucher system established by the Indiana Department of Aging and Community Services. Emergency SAFE will provide assistance only to those persons who are eligible and enrolled in Project SAFE Program.

ka i n i 457-3666 Or M-J HUISe Call 658-4111, Ext.

Today’s question: What to you think of videogames? Results of last week’s question: Is Reaganomics working in Kosciusko County? Reagan is a good actor, but that’s it... should be some cutbacks... I think it will work eventually... Yes... N 0... Yes and n 0... Yes, but you can’t undo 40 years of overspending in two years ... No, what’s working?... He deserves a chance... Doesn’t seem like it... Yes, he shows signs of promise ... I wish he’d come up with something definite.

One-day seminar slated for South Bend

As the first step toward its goal of substantially increasing the number of females in elected office the Indiana Federation of Democratic Women, in cooperation with Indiana NOW will sponsor a one-day political skill building seminar in South Bend and 11 other Indiana cities during January and February. The South Bend seminar, on February 12, is expected to draw participants from a six-county area, the Third Congressional district. “The defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment and the unfair and discriminatory effect of the Reagan Administration’s social and economic policies have dramatized the need for increased numbers of women in public office,” said Linda Hatch, Democratic state central committee vice chairwoman and president of the Indiana Federation of Democratic Women. “The ‘Democratic Women in the Running’ seminars are phase one of the network the Federation is creating for Democratic women who want to be active in the political process here in Indiana,” she said. The purpose of the seminars is to identify and train women who want to run.for office, learn campaign organizing skills or become more active in the Democratic party. They are scheduled before the 1983 primary filing date to assist women who want to run for city offices, as well as those who are interested in county and state races in 1984 and beyond. In addition to South Bend, seminars will be held in Batesville, Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Lafayette, ° New Albany, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Bloomington, Columbus, Gary and Evansville. They are open to women and men who wish to run

as Democrats or work for Democratic candidates. Linda Hatch and State Project Coordinator Sue Errington met with area residents Wednesday, Dec. 29, to make plans for the South Bend seminar. The local steering committee is chaired by Shirley Gidley, Rosemary Coffman and Kathy Skiba. For further information write Democratic State Headquarters, 47 East Washington Street. Indianapolis, 1nd.,,46204 or contact Dan Bixel at Warsaw. Dewart Lake theft A trailer on Whistler Drive. Dewart Lake, was burglarized according to the owner, Johnny Mensinga. The owner told police two televisions and a TV stand, a microwave oven, two clock radios, a video recorder, a stereo and tape player, a cooler and S2O in change were taken. The value of the items was unavailable. Booked at county jail Police arrested four area men and booked them at the Kosciusko County Jail recently on various charges. Those booked were: David Douglas Poe, 29, Leesburg, booked on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Gary Lee Kiser, 20, r 2 Leesburg, booked on a charge of illegal consumption and was released on his own recognizance. Rigahrd Cripps, 39, r 5 Syracuse, was booked on conversion. Joe Lynn Klanknight, r 2 Leesburg, was booked on a charge of driving while intoxicated and was released on his own recognizance.

Wed., January 12,1983— THE MAIL-JOURNAL

The General Assembly began its 60 day session last week, and although little committee and floor action was taken, a number of important proposals in the areas of economic development, education and drunk driving were unveiled this week. In the area of economic development. Governor Robert Orr and Lieutenant Governor John Mutz recently unveiled a five part, $121.5 million program designed to retrain unemployed Hoosiers, promote and assist new and emerging businesses and technologies, rebuild the state’s decaying infrastructure, and create a new loan guarantee program utilizing monies on hand in the state’s Public Deposits Insurance Fund. Should the program be fully implemented, it has been estimated that about 800,000 new jobs could be created by the end of the decade. In a related series of proposals, the legislature will also be asked to approve legislation calling for a $lO million computer skills training program for our public school system. Other education proposals unveiled this week included a loan forgiveness program for math and science teachers, and expansion of current programs for gifted students and the state's Primetime program, which offers lower pupil teacher ratios and additional instruction in kindergarten through second grade. Also proposed was a new law that would toughen the state’s minimum attendance requirements to 180 school days a year. Although current state guidelines call for a minimum 175 days, the statewide average in recent years has ranged from 166 to 175. , Several bills have aireddy been filed that would stiffen penalties for persons convicted of drunk driving. Most of these bills call for license suspensions, fines, or time in jail for first time offenders. It is likely that which ever bill is finally agreed upon will contain provisions that would qualify Indiana for some SBOO,OOO in funds as part of a recently enacted federal program to curb

Open Door

Weekly Report From Senator John B. Augsburger

drunk driving. , In future weeks, I will report on the progress of these and other issues that are being debated upon in the Senate. As we have done in the past, the Senate is operating a toll free number for constituents to call, 1-800-382-9467. Letters can be sent to Augsburger at the Indiana Senate, State House, Indianapolis, Ind. 46204. Metal dealers may be forced to keep records Dealers in precious metals and gems may soon be required to register and keep records of procedures if House Bill 1109, sponsored by state representative Thames Mausy (RWarsaw), is passed. * “Dealers would have to apply for a certificate of registration from local police agencies and provide them with the name, address and thumb print of each employee,” Mauzy said. The bill also prohibits a dealer or his employees from knowingly receiving a precious item from any person less than 18 years old, or from any person known to have been convicted of theft or receipt of stolen property in the preceding five years. Dealers would keep a “permanent record” of each transaction including a “legible imprint of the right thumb of the person with whom the transaction is made.” according to Mauzy. The bill exempts certain types of transactions from the requirements, including those involving bullion bars of the type traded? by banks and commodity exchanges and scrap metal that contains traces of gold, silver or platinum recoverable as a byproduct. t House speaker, s J. Roberts 1 Dailey (R-Muncie), has referred / the bill to the Committee on Governmental Affairs for first reading.

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