The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 1, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 January 1983 — Page 1

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VOLUME 20

II L-rJ i" ~ II II e it i I Jyi I LXU f 11— F" 771 Ir *-| w ’ * IE II ,g j d t iri ./ml L m jBHHEh jWt -19 W T3'" |p b vj sts; 1a x ‘ _ > & > gfcy,u s ••^.^ ,^> - <-y?- 's§»£ «r RECOVERED ITEMS — Milford Marshal David Hobbs and Indiana State Police Trooper Tom Perzanowski are shown with $5,006 worth of stolen property recovered Monday. The items represent 76 per cent of all property stolen and officers expect another 10 per cent to be recovered following additional questioning of the suspects. Officers arrested Victor Howey, 21, Fort Wayne, Monday and charged him with the theft An accomplice, Rick G. Hall, 19, Milford, will be arrested and charged with theft in the near future. With further investigation and questioning of the suspects police officials expect to clear 15-20 burglaries in the Elkhart and Kosciusko County area. Stolen items were found in both counties as well as in Fort Wayne. (Photo by Deb Fox)

Combined police effort —

Arrest of two clears up burglaries in two-county area

By DEB FOX A combined effort of the Milford Police Department, Indiana State Police and observant neighbors attributed to the arrest of a rural Milford man and a Fort Wayne resident as well as the solving of possibly 1520 burglaries in Kosciusko and Elkhart Counties. Victor L. Howey, 21, 3212 Harvester St, Fort Wayne, was charged Tuesday morning, Jan. 18, with theft and Ricky Glen Hall, 19, r I box 66 Milford, will also be charged. The burglaries took place within the last six to eight months with police recovering 75-80 per cent of the stolen items. Police officials recovered $5,000 worth of the approximately SB,OOO to SIO,OOO merchandise reported stolen. Events winch lead to Howey’s arrest began early Monday morning when Indiana State Police Trooper Tom Perzanowski talked to Milford Marshal David Hobbs about a green Nova that the trooper had stopped a week earlier. After the officers’ conversation, Trooper Perzanowski spotted the vehicle one hour latenorthbound on SR 15 between Leesburg and Milford. The vehicle was stopped because of a traffic violation and through a check of vehicle registration, the driver was. found to be a suspect. Marshal Hobbs was notified and arrived at the scene to question Howey. Permission was given to search the vehicle. Howey opened the trunk and Marshal Hobbs recognized several of the items that matched the descriptions of stolen items. Howey was taken to the county jail far a breathalyzer test and was cited for false and ficticious registration and held on a preliminary charge of possessing stolen items. The car was impounded aid an inventory taken. During this time the victims were notified aid were present fa identify the items stolen from their farms or farm equipment.

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE - WAWASEE JOURNAL <£W. 190?)

After Howey was placed under arrest and charged with theft, he agreed to help solve additional burglaries in the two counties. Through questioning Howey gave officers Hall’s name. He was picked up later Monday evening for questioning. Following Hall’s questioning more of the stolen items were recovered. As of Tuesday morning Hall had not been arrested and charges were pending. Troop®- Perzanowski stated Hall is aware that theft charges will be filed. The items taken included a majority of mechanical tools, carpentry and air tools, torches, air compressors, air tanks, power tools, motor oil, and approximately 1,000 gallons of gasoline Officers believe with further investigation and questioning an additional 10 per cent of the stolen items will be recovered. The recovered items were found in Elkhart and Kosciusko Counties as well as in Fort Wayne. “For many of these farmers it is not the first time they’ve been hit They’ve had tools stolen out of machinery boxes time after time and have failed to report it,” remarked Trooper Perzanowski. The officers also stated that numerous gas thefts have occurred, but not reported and it’s an ongoing problem with farmers year around. Both officers suggested that farmers and others have all machinery and tools marked in some manner fa aid in identification. Assisting in the arrest and recovering of stolen items were Indiana State Trooper Rex Orcutt; County Police Officers Sam Whitacre, Gerry Moser and Tom Brindle. TheVfctims The victims in these robberies included * Don Wolferman, Milford, who on September T, 1982, reparted $2,000 in tools and gasoline stolen from his farm

Ernest Hollar, Milford, who reported December 29, a wood tool box, 15-inch crescent wrench, metric three-eighths drive with 10 sockets, a 10-inch Craftsman’s wrench, and an eight-ton hay jack plus numerous tools were stolen. Tusing Brothers Lumber Company, Leesburg, reported September 27, the theft of a battery charger, tool box with tools, and an impact wrench; along with an attempted breaking and entering earlier. Virgil Zimmerman, Milford, reported the theft of two air impact guns, a drill, drive sockets, torch gauges and hoses

Parker resigns Webster duties

North Webster Town Marshal Charles E. Parker has submitted his letter of resignation to the Town Board of North Webster, a full time director of the International Palace of Sports in North Webster. Marshal Parker’s letter follows: “After much consideration, please accept my resignation as Town Marshal of North Webster, effective February 4. “I must admit it has beat very trying but also rewarding “I feel I have done a fair job for the Town of North Webster. One thing I can say is I (fid my best, I always tried to give U 0 per cent. “I would like to thank the town board and most of all, the residents of North Webstar for giving me a chance to serve this fine community. I would especially like to thank Howard Bemish, Greg Smith, Lucy Fribley, and Eva Payne, and the two newest board members Larry Kime and Robert Breyer “To the residents of North

WWNESDAX, JANUARY 19, 1983

on January 1A John Powell, Milford, reported that same day the theft of 12 quarts of oil. Richard Harman, Leesburg, had a battery charger, drive socket with rachets and sockets stolen. Dean Cousins, Milford, reported 50 gallons of gasoline was taken from his farm Jim Howard, Syracuse, reported a one-half gallon container of gas, drill and an undetermined amount of gas from a tractor were taken from his farm on Defrees Road. Howey is being held on $5,000 bond.

(Kt Bl CHARLES PARKER Webster, I would like to say, the dedicated people and have ewahadveey hard and lung toon far this, remmnnity I am also sure they will continue to do their (Continued on page 2)

SyvwcvM to to opened By GARY LEWIS Town attorney Bob Reed announced that bids will be opened for the controversial Syracuse Town Hall project Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. during the regular monthly meeting of the town trustees. Reed said he has contacted Wayne Schmidt of Schmidt Associates Architects, Inc., about the board’s decision to solicit bids. Schmidt said he would begin advertising immediately. Schmidt’s latest estimate on the construction cost of the project is $542,500, with the entire project totaling $626,305. After the bids are opened next month, the architects will review the bids. The board can then either accept the lowest bid or reject all bids and solicit new ones. Fire chief Joe Anderson requested, and received, approval to hire a private inspection firm to check out the department’s equipment. This private screening assures, Anderson explained, a favorable rating from the state rating bureau. The inspection will cost about S3OO to $350, Anderson said. Anderson also’‘requested $55 to purchase* bandages for the EMS \ unit. \ Joe Dock, street, water and wastewater superintendent, permission to attend an z American Wastewater Association state convention next month. Town trustee Bill Hess said he would accompany Dock to the convention, scheduled for mid-February. A request from the United Telephone Company to bury underground cables inside the town limits was granted, pending changes in the contract. United Telephone originally agreed to maintain the areas dug up for a period of six months. Town board president Carl Myrick said, after consulting with Dock, that the telephone company should guarantee upkeep for 12 months. The board members unanimously approved a motion to accept the United Telephone request after the change in the contract was made. Myrick explained that a job training program for Kosciusko County is in the works, and urged board members to approve a statement of support for the program. The job training program would involve four other counties — Noble, Marshall, T .aGrange and Elkhart Initiated by the Elkhart County Commissioners, the five-county area is needed because of funding regulations The regulations require a population of 200,000, and the five-county effort would increase chances of success. The next step fear the planned project is a Letter of support from the town of Syracuse and a representative to attend the next meeting. The letter, Myrick said, needs to be delivered before January 25. The board also: • Pledged $232 to the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns for legal fees in the group’s attempt to fight a proposed NIPSCo rate increase. Clerk-treasurer Cynthia Fry said the legal battle would cost the association ywn mo • Announced that the next meeting for the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 2D, at 7:30 p.m. at the town hall. • Approved an ordinance requested by Reed to transfer $23,949.83 in the town government’s records to another account This action was approved by a representative of the Ihdiana State Board of Accounts and is a result of an earlier judgement by the Elkhart Circuit Court against the town. The court rase against the town was filed by the Syracuse Rubber Compray in a case involving the former town hall. • Okayed a request by Gerald “Jake” Bitner to block off a section of streets between Lake stmt Front for a public auction scneuiiiea r<BT r eoniary m. • Gave the police department permis&on to block off a portion < W.E Long Drive near the Snaewse I akaiiß* Park Saturday, Feb. 5, and Sunday, Feb. 6, for the annual SyracuseWawasee Winter Carnival.

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MAD OFFlCEßS—Shownabeve xre the 1983 officers for the llfilfoni Area Development Council, Inc. These officers took office on January 1 and presided over the first meeting for the organization on January IS.

Seated are Missy Sorensen, secret,ary: and Jean Treesh, president. Standing are Dnug Brawn, second vice president; and Don Arnold, treasurer. Not present at the meeting was Mareie Haab, vice president. < Photo by Deb Fox)

Old school site (fisposd topic at MAD meeting

ByDEBFOX The disposal of the old Milford Junior High School ate was a topic of discussion at the Milford Area Development Council, Inc., meeting, Saturday morning. Jean Treesh, newly elected president, presided. Mrs. Treesh stated MAD should be concerned about what is going fa happen to the old school grounds and ideas should come from MAD. She further commented she would like fa see that area made into the Milford Alumni Park. After a discussion session a committee of Max Evans, Lani Baker, Becky Doll, Ken Greenwood and Darrell Orn was named to look into the possibility of the land being purchased for commercial and park purposes. This committee will prepare a questionnaire of pros and cons. Greenwood and Orn will be cochairmen. Land Discussion Dot Arnold, Lakeland Schools superintendent and new MAD treasurer, pointed out the land will be put up for sale and will go to the highest bidder. He stated the land has been appraised at $47,000. Arnold said he has seen parks already, with all good intentions, become hangouts. If this is a possibility Arnold suggested MAD consider supervision, littering and whose going to pay for it Mrs. Baker commented that site is prime commercial property because of its location and that parks are set back from the main traffic flow. As a downtown merchant she added she hopes that no business would he taken away from the downtown area if the site is made commercial. Darrell Orn stated he believed the property should remain community property. He noted the town gave 12 acres of park away and said, “We should do whatever it takes to get it back. ” Arnold reminded those present that a $4 million school had been built in town and the school board needs to recoup some of the

exptmse if possible. A compromise was suggested by Becky Doll that the land be divided for commercial use and a paric. It was also mentioned that if tiie land was put up for bids investors would bid more than the appraised value, putting it out of reach fora community project Arnold was asked to quote the legal obligations of the school boa rd. He said he is not sure of all the legalities but knows if the

Winter Carnival February 5-6

The sudden change in the weather has brought on new enthusiasm for the 1983 SyracuseWawasee Winter Carnival scheduled for February 5 and6at Syracuse Lakeside Park. The winter carnival committee met in special session Monday night and decided to go ahead with most of the activities slated f ir the annual event. With Lake Wawasee adding about one-inch of ice a day, it l ooks as if the major event of the carnival, the snowmobile races, will go on as scheduled. If the weather holds, the snowmobile drag races will begin Sunday, Feb. 6, at 12:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Lakeside park. Snowmobiling is not the only activity planned for this year’s carnival. A softball tourney, snow sculpturing contest, concessions, arts and crafts, skiing rfamonstrations. fireworks and a dance will return this year. t ' The winter carnival “wonder run” has been scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m. A complete list of the carnival’s activities foUows. Saturday, Feb. 5 7-M am — Breakfast at the American Legion Hall, SR 13. Ba.m. —Softbdl tourney, Vega Fteß m am. — Snowtilla parade;

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land is put up for sale, the school board will be obligated by law to accept the highest bid. If it is not sold, the corporation would retain ownership and could lease it with a lot of regulations. “We could not give it to anyone,” remarked Arnold. Citizen Os The Year Dinner The date of April 16 has been set for the Milford “Citizen Os (Continued on page 2)

snow sculpturing contest at the park; skating events at the park; rides on horsedrawn sleigh and snowmobile; arts and crafts; concession stands open. 12 p.m. — Open skating at thepark; sledding contest for children and adults; Mt. Wawasee ski demonstrations. 12:30 p.m. — Mustache and beard judging contest. 1 p.m. — Poker run, snowmobile games. 5 p.m. — Bon fire at the park. 6p.m. — Torch parade. 7p.m. — Fireworks display. 9 p.m — Winter Carnival dance at the American Legion Hall featuring live entertainment. Sunday, Feb. 6 10 am. — Registration for snowmobile drag races. 12 p.m. — Snow-in worship; cross-country ski rental at Maxwelton Golf Course; Kitty Catraces. 12:30 p.m — Snowmobile drag races, a full 750-foot race. 1 p.m. — Winter carnival wonder run. 2.2 and 6 mile courses. 2 p.m. — Winter cross-country ski “citizens race” at Maxwelton * Golf Course. For more information concerning these events, contact the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce at 457-5637.