The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 16, Milford, Kosciusko County, 4 May 1983 — Page 1

Ihdiant State library ll|o North Senate Ave. Indianapolis, IN ljfe2ofc

‘v I 457-3666 M fl| 25 c

VOLUME 20

■flflMflfli jflßk /<X AL iTflk L i L w ife Sk wk * *JI BR'** ** ' ■ A S~Jr fl '' > < COMMUNITY AWARDS — Area merchants who have helped better the Syracuse-Wawasee community were honored by the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon on Sunday. Award recipients pictured above from the left are: Jeannie Gardiner, State Bank of Syracuse, president’s award for service; Jim Evans, Augsburger’s Super-V’alu; Ed Gottlieb, president of Shamrock Turtle Bay Development Corporation; Penny and Larry Heckaman, The Laundry Basket: and Lu Yoder, The Shrimp Boat. (Photo by Gail Widmoyer)

Chamber of Commerce extends — Honors for community service

i Jeannie Gardiner was the recipient of the first President’s Award for being a “very strong supporter” of the SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce, commented Henry Smith, chamber president, at the honors luncheon held Sunday afternoon. New board of director members were elected and community improvement awards were also presented during the luncheon. The President’s Award was initiated by Smith to honor an organization or person from the community for doing an outstanding job for the chamber. Jeannie Gardiner is president of the retail merchants division and was recognized for devoting time and efforts to the merchant organization. Recipients for the community improvement awards include: Penny and Larry Heckaman for building and operating The. Laundry Basket which was “professionally constructed and operated,” commented Smith. Smith further called the Syracuse facility an outstanding laundry service area which offers more of a quiet atmosphere and has a very pleasing appearance. Augsburger's Super-Valu was also recognized for their addition to the community, “It’s nice to award honors to an existing business that has expanded to offer better service,” commented Smith. As well as expanding, Augsburger’s has renovated more than once and rearranged the store interior offering convenient shopping to customers. Jim Evans accepted the Augsburger recognition. Lu Yoder received the award presented to The Shrimp Boat for her addition to the SyracuseWawasee area. The Shrimp Boat is a new restaurant which offers a pleasing atmosphere and unique menu selections, commented Smith. The fourth community award was presented to Ed Gottlieb, president of Shamrock Turtle Bay Development Corporation,

Deterioration in public education has ended: Principal Howard Hull

By GARY LEWIS Wawasee High School principal Howard J. Hull says the “deterioration has ended” in the public school system nationwide and the educational system is on the road to recovery. In an interview this week, the second-year principal commented on a recent government-appointed panel’s report on the American educational system. The report —a result of 18 months of hearings, study and debate — gave a grim assessment of the educational system. Paying particular attention to high school level learning, the blue ribbon panel said the nation’s educational system has slipped into mediocrity at a time when even stronger school and colleges are needed to keep pace with the increasing competition abroad. Hull says he was not surprised with many of the conclusions reached by the panel, known as the “Bell Commission” because the members were appointed by Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell, but he was surprised with the alarming tone it was written in. “The report has a lot of good things to say, but it was struc-

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

for his work in the Turtle Bay addition. Gottlieb accepted the award by saying Syracuse is the first community to recognize his efforts even though similar projects have been constructed elsewhere in the nation.

Crackdown bn drunk drivers ~ 'Most difficult decision': Jarrette

Saying it “was the most difficult decision I ever had to make as judge,” Kosciusko County Court Judge James C. Jarrette sentenced 15 persons charged with driving while intoxicated to a week end in jail Friday afternoon. The sentencing was part of the court’s crackdown on drunk driving, a crackdown, the judge said, which is a result of recent statistics showing Kosciusko County with an unusually high amount of drunk drivers. Jarrette said the mass sentencing was done “in an effort to get a message through to you and the community.” Several of those charged were first-time offenders, but Jarrette elected to treat all the same in making the similar sentencing. “I hope when you go to jail today, that you will talk among yourselves about this. That’s about all you’ll be able to do,” he said. Jarrette contacted area newspapers about the sentencing, asking for coverage of the unusual event. With photos of the county ’s five alcohol related deaths, Jarrette’s emotional statement ended after he said “I hope I never see you again — in court or in one of these photos.” Twelve of the 15 were sentenced to six days in jail, which will be reduced to three (expiring Sunday) with good behavior. Two were booked for 10 day jail sentences, with one year of probation, and one repeated offender

Board of Directors Three of the 12 positions on the chamber’s board of directors were up for election this year. Scott Blaize of The Burger Dairy Store: Bob Troutman of Pickwick Insurance Agency; and Kip

was sentenced to one year at the Indiana State Farm. Most in the group was fined $252 and had their licenses suspended for 60 days. One man had his license suspended for six months, and another for two years. Additional fines for the repeated offenders amounted to a total of $352 for one. and $316 for two others. Sentenced were Gerald E. Hensley, Norman L. Shaw, Scott R. Sprague. Juan Roa, Todd L. Moerchen. George F. Kissane, Robert H. Brenneke, Jeffrey L. Bradford, Thomas L. Summy, Steven J. Howenstine, Jeff John Miller, Sherry L. Naples, Carl W. Steen, Gary W. Stutzman, Michael A. Shirey. PIA to hear Dean Kagarise Parents In Action will hold a meeting May 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria annex at Wawasee High School. The speaker will be Dean Kagarise of Bourbon, Ind. The topic is how television affects and influences the kids of today; what can we do about the affects. This meeting is open to all parents interested in better communication between parents and school or parents and teens. A small group discussion for adults will follow a question and comment session. This special interest group has the support of the school. The meetings are informal.

tured to shock people,” he said. “If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might weU have viewed it as an act of war,” says the report, in its alarming appeal for nationwide concern. Hull believes this sensationalism was added so the report would draw increased public attention. Emphasis Correct “I think the emphasis on the secondary education level, or high school level, is an important one because that’s where the last action can be taken,” he said. “We bear the brunt of the lower systems,” he added. High school is the last stopping place in education for most members of society and is the highest level achieved by most citizens. The Bell Commission recommended additions to the current curriculum offered by most high schools and tougher academic standards by colleges. The higher standard for college admittance means more students will work harder in high school, the report concluded. Hull believes a major shift in the

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4,1983

Schumm of The Papers Incorporated. were elected to fill the positions. Schumm was re-elected to his position while Ric Schaekel and Jack Matney did not opt for reelection to the board.

All pleaded guilty earlier to the charge. As each sentence was read, Jarrette allowed each to explain the circumstances regarding the arrest. One man blamed the death of his wife, saying his mind was not in its proper state. Another, said he was not a drinking man but friends organized a party in celebration of his new job. "This is not one of my most pleasant days as county court judge,” Jarrette said while addressing the group after sentencing. “This is harder on me than it is on you.”

3rd annual Chili Cook-Off May 28

Plans are underway for the third annual Great American Chili Cook-Off slated for Saturday, May 28, and sponsored by the Syracuse Lions Club. Cooking in a big tent on the grounds of the Syracuse Rubber Products in Wawasee Village, local chili chefs will compete in spoon-to-mouth combat. An independent panel of judges will conduct taste tests and determine the top three winners, after which samples of the chili will be made available to the public. Details on the contest and entry forms may be obtained by writing chili chairman Merl Smith, P.O. Box 367, Syracuse,

Let bid for new bridge at Syracuse A new bridge on SR 13 over Turkey Creek in Syracuse will be constructed by Small, Inc., North Liberty, at the cost of $205,279.91. The construction bids were opened at the Indiana Department of Highways monthly letting on April 26. The bridge is slated to be closed on September 7 and reopened to traffic no later than December 1. The final completion date has been set for May 19,1984. Detour signs will be posted. Firemen answer call at Syracuse The Syracuse firemen were called to the B & K Drive Inn Saturday, April 30, at 9:50 a.m. to put out a fire in a truck owned by Randy Niles. Cause of the fire was due to the backfire of the carborator. Estimated damage was S9OO to the vehicle. Jeannie Somers, Pier 062, Ogden Island, called the fire department at 11:27 p.m., April 30, and said a tree limb was laying on power lines and burning. Firemen Stood by until NIPSCo killed the power. The fire department was called Monday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. to the Charles Vanderveer home. Maple Grove Drive. His chimney was on fire. Estimated damage was SI,OOO. Firemen checked chimney for damage and advised not to use again until repaired. 'Unemployment claimshit year's low Indiana’s unemployment insurance claims totaled for the week ending April 16 was 143,279, the lowest weekly amount so far this year, the Employment Security Division reported today. Harry T. McFarland, director, said the total was 15,715 below the previous week’s figure and 671 below the comparable year-ago total. McFarland, said there were 3,186 initial claims for extended benefits and 986 new claims for federal supplemental compensation.

Ind., 46567. Flea Market New to the cook-off this year will be the large Flea Market. With spaces for 32 vendors available, all types of merchandise from garage sale and second-hand goodies to handcrafts are available. Venors interested in renting booth space may contact Bob Ruth at 457-3736. The Syracuse Lions will operate chili and beverage concessions. The cook-off is sponsored by the Syracuse Lions in cooperation with the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana. No admission is charged.

19605, which he is a product of, caused many of the problems faced by the educational system. During that period, in response to the strict and conservative methods employed in the 1950’5, self-motivation and student rights became the major issue. This shift resulted in less emphasis on discipline. “And where there is no discipline, there can be no learning,” Hull explained. The report says that American students spend much less time in school than other students in the world. “In many schools, the time spent learning how to cook and drive counts as much toward a high school diploma as the time spent studying mathematics, english, chemistry, US history or biology,” according to the report. , ~ Hull believes the public school system should eliminate some of these non essential courses. In Indiana, a program sponsord by the governor’s office, entitled “Time on Task,” has been given much circulation recently. It is designed to increase concentration on the essentials. “I’m in 100 per cent agreement with that,” Hull said.

mok Vr / II . , I TO MOVE COUNTY LINE DITCH — If just the right amount of agreement can be reached between the Kosciusko and Elkhart County boards of commissioners, major improvements will be made this summer on the east end of County Line Road. Hal Doriot, Elkhart County commissioner from the Second District, is shown above viewing an old bridge the two counties hope to replace. The bridge is old and badly in need of widening and repair, and is located at CR 75®N. From that point east there's a ditch running along the County Line Road for approximately one mile. Doriot said plans are to move the ditch to the south in order to widen the road, and finally, to blacktop the much-used road. Doriot said he saw little reason why the project could not proceed this summer, inasmuch as they have the full agreement and cooperation of farmers along the road. He said there was no estimate on the cost of the project as yet, but noted cost would be shared by both counties. The commissioners of both counties are scheduled to hold a joint meeting tomorrow (Thursday) to iron out details of the joint venture.

Surprise! Surprise! —

It's Plank at Warsaw!

In what most local experts described as a “major surprise,’* Jeffrey W. Plank won all but one precinct in capturing the Republican ticket for mayor of Warsaw in the primary elections last night. Plank, who switched from a Democrat to run on the Republican ticket just a few weeks before the primary, captured 57.2 per cent of the vote, gaining a total of 1,667. He won 11 of the 12 Warsaw precincts in winning the nomination. The major front-runner throughout the heated campaign, lifetime Republican Terry Klondaris, won one precinct, the precinct he represents on Warsaw’s Common Council, with 1,157 total votes. He gained 39.7 per cent of the electorate. This was the first election in over 20 years that the present, Warsaw Mayor, Mike Hodges, was not on the ballot. Plank, a city councilman, was expected to run a close race with Klondaris in an election called “too close to call.” The wide margin of victory was a major surprise not only to city political leaders but to the eventual winner. “We were optimistic, but we had every reason to believe that it was to be close,” said Plank. “What we felt was the major difference was the enthusiasm of the people working for us. Basically, I thought it was an election without a burning issue,” Plank said. Turnout for the election was good, with 51.8 per cent of the registered voters voting, but fell short of the projected 60 per cent. Call Wins The race for Waraw City ClerkTreasurer, between incumbent

JEFF PLANK ... Tuesday’s Victor Pamela Ann Ward and newcomer Madeline Elaine Call, was everything it was touted to be, with both running very close in many precincts. The challenger won the nomination, capturing 52.7 per cent, with 1,508 votes. Mrs. Ward garnered 47.3 per cent, 1,354 votes, in her unsuccessful re-election bid. Plank said during the campaign that he thought it would be difficult for Warsaw government to operate with both a new mayor and a new clerk-treasurer. Although he plans to work closely with Elaine Call, he believes “she has a very difficult job to learn." Elaine Call’s election will not, he said, change any of his plans on running the mayor’s office. Plank cautioned any premature plans for taking over the office by

“I think we can do that without increasing school hours,” he said, “by decreasing some of the other things we do.” Hull says today’s principals are asked to do much more than teach the basics. The benefits of good nutrition, knowledge about sex, job placement, drug and alcohol abuse instruction, and so forth, take precious time away from the teacher. “While I’m doing this, I’m not teaching fractions,” Hull said. For high schools, the Bell Commission recommended strengthening graduation requirements by adding additional core courses to the curriculum, including computer science. These increased requirements “I think, for the most part, needs to be done,” said Hull. “The state legislature has already taken steps to do that by increasing the credits needed to graduate from 32 to 38,” Hull said. The new Indiana law also requires specific courses in science and math. It goes into effect in 1983. The report also recommends increasing the length of .the school day and year. Hull believes a better step < (Continued on page 2)

NUMBER 16

saying “it would be foolish tobelieve that anything has been decided about who will be mayor in Warsaw.” Plank will face Democratic candidate Ronald Dirck, who ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket, and independent candidate Robert P. Murphy in November’s general election. District Races In the at-large councilmen race, John P. Burns and Phillip J. Roy defeated Estel Collins and Lowell L. Reed for the two seats. Burns received 1,351 votes, and Roy 1,312. Collins gained 1,179 votes and Reed 1.084. In the third district race, Ernest B. Wiggins defeated Joseph M. Conlon 384 to 223. Wiggins captured the highest percentage of the vote of any of the candidates in the Republican primary, with 63.3 per cent. In the fourth district, it was Robert M. Nichols winning over Richard D. Keeven, 328 to 242. Kenneth D. Perry won the first district race with 351 votes as compared to Keith A. Horn’s 308. The second district race featured H. Rex Wildman defeating Eugene E. Brumfield. Wildman gained the second highest percentage of any candidate, winning 61.2 per cent. In the fifth district, Earl Records defeated Juergen L. Voss 273 to 205, capturing 51.1 per cent of the voters. Records will square off with Democratic candidate Virgina Summe in November and the fourth district Republican winner will face Democratic candidate J.M. Robinson in the general election. Both Democratic candidates ran unopposed.