The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 10, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 March 1983 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., March 23,1983

4

Editorials

Christian Koher

The unexpected passing of Chris Koher in Tijuana, Mexico, late Saturday afternoon will leave a void on several fronts in the Lakeland community. For he was active in community affairs, church and school affairs, and took a stint as serving his home township as justice of the peace. He was affectionately referred to as “Chris by his many friends and not by his given name of Christian. For one, he led the church choir at the Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church for years and held this group together with his leadership and resonate voice. He served on the Wawasee High School building trades committee that saw young students build several homes in the area. And above all, his work with the Kiwanis clubs of the area was memorable. He was a charter member (in 1969) of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club which meets each Monday morning at North Webster, and served as its second president and regular song leader. He was highly instrumental in forming the Wawasee Kiwanis Club at Syracuse and the Milford Kiwanis Club and attended their weekly meetings regularly. Jerry Badskey of North Webster, who worked with Chris in Kiwanis work, called him “a truly great inspirational leader, who touched a lot of lives through his work in Kiwanis and in the school system.” Another close friend who had worked closely with Chris in Kiwanis work is Sherman Bryant of r 2 North Webster. Bryant is a former District Lt. Governor, Land-of-Lakes Division, Kiwanis International (1978 ’79), and worked with Chris Koher in forming the Wawasee, Milford and South Whitley Kiwanis clubs. Governor Bryant said, “Chris was a big help to me and I valued his advice and cooperation.” He called Chris “the perfect leader ... who knew everybody,” adding, “there are few people who have contributed as much to his home community as Chris did. He touched a lot of people.” Pat McCarty of Lake Wawasee, another fellow Kiwanian, called Chris Koher “a real back bone type of guy in the community.” It goes without saying that his family will miss Chris; and it should be no surprise to his wife Jean, son J.R. and daughter Nancy Jo to learn that his passing will be mourned throughout the Lakeland community. Good will Needed in our community today, as always, are individuals of good will. We read daily of strife, tensions, crime, etc. Yet among 226 million Americans, there are millions of incidents of good will and brotherhood (which go unpublicized). There are millions of Americans who exhibit good will and good citizenship daily. Americans today must maintain faith in the American dream. We have enough citizens of good will to make the American dream come true. The majority must exercise a calming, democratic influence on extremists, though this great force exerts its influence without headlines and sensations. Lower deficit? Higher stock prices and economic recovery may considerably reduce the huge projected federal budget deficit, according to the latest calculations. One stock market analyst says because 56 per cent of all stocks are owned by individuals, many of whom will take profits, that the market’s rise alone could reduce the deficit (via taxes paid on profits) as much as $lB billion. Big traders pay estimated taxes on big gains and this has already been felt at the Treasury. If unemployment totals continue downward and business profits improve — along with personal income — this would have a positive affect on the size of the budget deficit. The cumulative effect of profits made on stocks, more people employed and higher individual income will increase consumer buying, which in turn will produce greater profits, which in turn will mean more tax revenue for the Treasury.

What others say —

Touching too many

What a mindless way to make laws! When 10 per cent withholding on interest and dividends was put into last year’s tax bill, it was hustled through so fast there was no time for savers to learn what it meant. Now, after an astonishing lobbying campaign by the banks, a storm over withholding has got mixed up with an unrelated anti-recession bill. (That legislation isn’t the jobs bill it’s trumped up to be, but it shouldn’t have been taken hostage in this fight.) Interest withholding is getting a lot of attention now. Some of what we’re hearing, though, is just noise. Banks have gone after it so hard, with mailings to customers and talk of “looting” savings accounts, it’s a little hard to pick out the truth from the distortions. It comes down to this: The government, trying to collect what people legitimately owe in taxes, is reaching out too far. People with income from savings and dividends of course ought to pay the appropriate taxes, and in fact most of them do. To collect from the fraction who don’t, the 10 per cent withholding would affect everybody’s savings accounts. People who owe few taxes, or who are over 65, would have to file exemptions to escape from it. Even though 75 per cent of taxpayers eventually get refunds on their withholding, they’d have to wait for the fund to get back what was withheld from their savings. An individual saver who has, say, a passbook account and some certificates of deposit, would have separate withholding slips for each, along with withholding from wages, to list on the year’s tax return. If a person’s investments include some U.S. bonds and some stocks, the stack of withholding forms gets thicker. There ought to be a simpler way to do this, and there is. The Internal Revenue Service has discovered that when savings account interest is reported to both the IRS and the taxpayer, 97 per cent of taxpayers follow through and pay what they should. If this same reporting is used for all forms of interest and dividend income, and if the IRS applies its computers effectively, it can get tax compliance without withholding. But first, it appears, we’re going to see another episode of lawmaking-by-crisis, as the withholding question comes up against a deadline for unemployment benefits, which has nothing to do with it. Such away to reach decisions. — THE ELKHART TRUTH

Court news

SUPERIOR COURT The following claim has been filed in Kosciusko County Superior Court, Robert Burner, judge: Damages John S. and Janet Fisher and Meridan Insurance Company vs Robert E. Long, 424 S. Main St., Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks a judgment against defendant for the sum of $948.27 plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs for damages received as the result of defendant’s negligence in operating his auto resulting in an accident. MARRIAGE LICENSE The following couple has filed for a marriage license in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk JeanMessmore: Selvey-Smith William R. Sdvey, 51, P.O. Box 104 Syracuse, and Joyce M. Smith, 46,513 Front St., Syracuse Hare-Place Patrick Timothy Hare, 17, Syracuse, and Lisa Arm Place, 17, Milford. MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in both Kosciusko Circuit and Superior Courts: Blackwell — Connie L. Blackwell vs David S. Blackwell, r 1 box 62 North Webster. The couple married January 26, 1964 and separated February 24,1983. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the marriage, custody and support of the two minor children, an equitable division of property, attorney’s fees and costs Snyder — Robert E. Snyder vs Mary E. Snyder, r 3 box 282 Syracuse. The couple married July 4, 1980 and separated February 3, 1983. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the marriage, an equitable division of property and attorney’s fees Avery — Lorie A. Avery vs Terry W. Avery, r 2 Syracuse. The couple married June 14,1981 and separated July 5, 1982. Plaintiff seeks the dissolution of the marriage, her former name of Skaggs be restored and an equitable division of property Scott — Richard A. Scott vs Ann L. Scott, 14205 New Road, Mishawaka. The couple married May 8, 1971 and separated December 1,1982. Plaintiff seeks the dissolution of the marriage, respondent be awarded the

Unsung hero —

ihgt .SHT ■ I J1

Terry Thompson has served on four fire departments

For Milford fireman Terry Thompson, serving on an allvolunteer fire department is nothing new. Although he has served with the Milford department for only the past six years, he served with three other departments — Ludlow Falls, Ohio; New Windsor, Md.; and Shipshewana — before he and his wife Marty moved to Milford. While in Ohio, he served as first lieutenant, secretary-treasurer and president for the Miami County department. During his stint at Ohio, he was a qualified fire-fighting instructor. So he knows all about an allvolunteer fire department and the reasons for serving. It isn’t for the glory, he explained. It’s for something called service. “My dad always told me that if you are going to live in a community, you should help out where you can.’’ Like most Milford volunteers, Thompson does just about everything — driving, operating the hose, radio — and, he likes it that way. “I guess being of service to fellow man is the reason,’’ said Thompson, in trying to explain his reason for getting involved. Thompson serves as an assistant scoutmaster for the local Boy Scout troop and he lists redoing furniture, working with electricity and reading as his

custody of two minor children with support to be determined, and an equitable division of property COUNTY COURT The following people have had fines assessed and have paid those fines in Kosciusko County Court, Jim Jarrett, judge: Speeding — Pamela S. Riffe, 32, Leesburg, SSO; Stephen R. Russell, 26, Leesburg, S4O No operator’s license — Susan A. Forks, 28, Leesburg, SSO Fishing without license — Brace E. Bushong, 23, Syracuse, s6l Public intoxication — Brett Anthony Clow, Syracuse, $56 Expired driver’s license — Jesus Cantu, 34, North Webster, SSO SMALL CLAIMS The following petitions have been filed in Small Claims Court, a division of Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: James R. Howard, r 3 Syracuse, versus Tim George, r 4 Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks $394.50. Daniel and William Stuckman, doing business as Stuckman’s Tri-Lakes Sanitation, r 2 Syracuse, versus Phyllis Miller, doing business as Phyl’s Frosty Mug, North Webster. Plaintiff seeks $504.60. Ace Hardware versus Jerry Myers, 200 Mill St., Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks $290.21. Ace Hardware versus Joe Hughes, r 1 Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks $491.18. Augsburger Super Valu versus Janet L. French, r 2 Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks $452.28. Bales Butcher Shop, Syracuse, versus Sharon K. Tobias, 113 East Brooklyn St., Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks sl7l. Bales Butcher Shop, Syracuse, versus Joyce F. Lemaster, r 1 Milford. Plaintiff seeks $164.07. Peoples State Bank versus Jack A. Schopp, North Webster. Plaintiff seeks $681.48 for a promissory note. CITY COURT The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: False and fictitious registration — Paul E. Gardner, 19, Leesburg, $34 Expired plate — Timothy W. Steffen, 24, Syracuse, $34

TERRY THOMPSON

hobbies. “Equipment-wise, this is one of the best,” said Thompson, when asked to compare the departments. “Milford seems to be a lot younger department than the others that I served on,” he explained. Thompson said the youthful department is “good in some respects” because of the increased stamina younger volunteers bring to the department. The Thompsons have two children, Ricky, 14 and Bethann, 12, and Terry works for the Martin’s Feed Mill in New Paris as a track (hiver. THE MAIL-JOURNAL (US PS 325 840) Published by The Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 445*7. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Mam Street, Syracuse, Indiana 4*5*7 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: »14 per year in Kosciusko County, $14.50 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mail-Journal, P.O. Box IM, Milford, Indiana 4*542. 10l / \ o

"GRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

BUSINESS HOUSES and residents along the west side of nieghboring North Webster’s Main Street (SR 13) are up in arms about the condition of the alley running back of their properties. One resident, Charlie Stiffler, calls the condition of the alley “a disgrace,” and supplied the above photo taken by a neighbor, Francis (“Bus”) Likens, to prove his point. The alley was torn up several years ago when a sewer line was put down, “but it was never returned to its original condition,” says Stiffler. Appeals to the North Webster town board have failed to get the job done, neighbors echo. The alley runs behind the White Front Grocery, the town’s fire station and city hall and the Likens and Stiffler properties. Others residing along the alley include the Paul Royers and Ward Stalcups. ■V < REACHING 90 years of age and still maintain one’s own household is no small accomplishment. However, Merl Miller, a lifelong resident of the North Webster-Syracuse community, has done just this. Miller, who lives in a mobile home next to his daughter Debbie Fred and her family on r 1 North Webster in the Epworth Forest area, will observe his 90th birthday on Wednesday (today), March 23. The nonagenarian was born on that date in 1893 to Harley and Della (Streiby) Miller. He plans a quiet birthday observance. THE SUNDAY night snow, thought to be the worst of this otherwise mild winter, caught many off guard, but in many instances it was “business as usual,” even though many had to result to alternate methods of getting to work. Two such were Bob and Marge Troutman of Pickwick Insurance. They were seen coming to work — on time — arriving well bundled up on their 1970 Johnson snowmobile — which Bob had earlier put away for the season. The Troutmans reside in the Freeman Addition several miles south of Syracuse. WORD WAS spread late last week about townsman Gaylord Jones, who suffered a stroke at the home of an Indiana high school friend, Brick Kelly, at Citrus Park Village at Vero Beach, Florida. Gaylord and his wife Evelyn are winter residents of Naples, Florida, on the state’s west coast, and were spending a brief visit with the Kellys when Gaylord suffered the stroke at 2 a.m. Friday. Vero Beach is on the Florida east coast. He was reported to be improving Sunday night, but further word of his condition is not available. The three Jones daughters, Letitia and Cheryl of Syracuse and Cynthia of Detroit flew to Florida Friday to be with their parents. Gaylord remains a patient at the Indian River Memorial Hospital, 1000 36th Street, Vero Beach, Fla. 32960, (XU-226. CAROLYN (MRS. Doug) Anderson, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the Wawasee Boat Co., will be in Evanston, 111., April 10-29 attending Northwestern University’s J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of management’s executive development program. More on this in another, fuller article in this issue. Carolyn holds a bachelor’s degree In home economics education from Penn State University and a master’s degree in human development at Michigan State University. THE ARTICLE on page 1 of last week’s MailJournal, about Joe and Joan Gray being caught up in the unprecedented storm on the Fiji Islands, was worth reading, but as Al Jolson, the Jazz Singer, once said, “you ain’t heard nothin’ yet. ” Appropos the same story, comes this United Press International story, datelined Suva, Fiji: SUVA, Fiji (UPI) — Stephen Neumann, a yachtsman from California, was riding out a cyclone off Fiji when a huge wave carried his boat across coral reefs and up to the bar of a beachfront hotel. Shocked and disoriented by the battering, Neumann leaned over the side of his yacht and fired a distress flare — into the ceiling of the bar.

“There was furniture and debris flying around everywhere in the bar,” he said today. ‘‘l didn’t knaw where I was so I fired a red distress flare... it went straight into the ceiling.” Neumann, 33, of Ventura, Calif., had beea sailing the South Pacific for nearly three yean with his wife Christine when he was caught ta Cyclone Oscar, which caused SB9 million worth of damage on the Fiji Islands three weeks ago. The yachtsman said he was sheltering the Athena —a 38-foot ketch worth SBO,OOO —in Muskkat Cove on the island of MaloloLailai off the £ main island of Viti Levu’s west coast, hoping to ride out the cyclone. “Two of the three anchors broke and the other began to drag,” Neumann said. “1 was blown first to the south, then I almost got beached when the wind changed to the west. “When I was heading out to sea, I got really scared... there was so much water everywhere, I couldn’t see.” Neumann said he cowered below deck for three hours, sending distress signals on the radio as the ketch tossed about the bay. “The tide that carried me across the reefs was 7 feet high. “I waited until all the debris and furniture outside had stopped going by so quickly and stuck my arm out and fired off a flare. “It fell back into the water so 1 knew there had to be some sort of roof above. I peeped out and saw indeed I was under a roof.” Feeling “like an idiot,” Neumann climbed out of the boat and hid in a linen room. Neumann’s boat is still in the bar at Plantation Village Resort. “I think the manager would rather it was someplace else. The boat weighs 28,000 pounds — not an easy item to move,” Neumann said. Neumann, a wiry, fast-talking “jack of all trades,” said today that he lost his parents when he was 8 years old and since then had dreamed of sailing the South Pacific. - The yachtsman said the accident did not “put me off’ and as soon as the boat is back in the water he plans to sail north to Hawaii. ANNIE (MRS. Harold) Gallahan, r 4 Syracuse, is a person who “can’t stand not doing anything.” She and Gaily owned and operated the B A K Root Beer outlet in Wawasee Village for 27 years until they sold it this past summer to Jon and Marjorie Shopoff. Since then the normally busy couple, especially Annie, has caught up on all the things they planned for their retirement years. So ... Annie has decided to help the Shopoffs at B & K over the busy noon hours and fill in at the South Shore pro shop this summer. NANCY BLADE and Nancy Meier, both well known in the Syracuse community, are remodeling and redecorating the Donut Shop on 613 South Huntington Street, planning a re-opening sometime between April 1 and 5. It was opened and formerly operated by the Bill Hartmans. They plan to open at 5 a.m. and push a breakfast trade, and to be open all night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Name of > the new establishment: Nancy’s Kitchen. They will be getting their rolls, donuts and cakes from Shipshewana, and will be taking orders for special cakes. ANOTHER CHANGEOVER worth noting is the sale of the Red Door, located just across the road north from Wawasee Bowl. Nancy Meier and silent partner Maurie Yoder have sold the year-old business to Randy Cook of Columbia City. Randy’s dad. Jack Cook, is the owner of the bowling alley in Columbia City and a resident of Kanata Manayunk on the east side of Lake Wawasee. Randy is working with Nancy Meier to get acquainted with his new business establishment, which he plans to open about April 10. THE OFFICE of the Turkey Creek township assessor has a new, experienced face — that of Lucille Maves. Mrs. Maves is a resident of Oakwood Park, moving here some time ago from Indianapolis where she worked in a similar township assessor’s office for a period of time, and brings this experience to her new part-time job. Township assessor Charlene Knispel welcomes the additional help, inasmuch as March 1 to May 15 is a busy time during which all personal property assessment must be done. Also working in the assessor’s office are long time first deputy Miriam Ridings, and second , deputy Betty McCullough. THIS WRITER spent a long day recently milling through the huge crowd at EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) at Orlando, Florida, and commented, “Wouldn’t it be crazy to run into someone from home down here?” I • .. And no more than having said this, who should we run into than Dale and Lois Allen of North Shore Drive. Dale is a vice president at the Syracuse Rubber Co. JIM LONG, fairly new at his job as general manager of Liberty Homes, Inc., confirmed this week that his firm is planning some modifications of their buildings at the south edge of Syracuse, but that no major new products are on the drawing board. There was a report out that Liberty hoped to build an 80-foot unit, but Long states a mobile home of this length is illegal at the time, but that if a time should come when it was legal to manufacture a unit of this length, his company would get into that market. (Continued on page 5)