The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 21, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 June 1983 — Page 5

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

Sixty years ago today I gave my heart away Proudly we were wed not a tear was shed. On that special day things were bright an gay we struggle a long from day to day. Oh gee, sixty year’s today since we did say I do This just involves Just me and you. As we tread path of duty the loads far from light, we ponder over the past an wonder how sixty years have last. Taken a chance with our romance it’s a gamble an a clue to two little words I do.

Syracuse town board begins review of budget figures

Syracuse police and street departments were under review at last night’s (Tuesday) Syracuse Town Board budget meeting A tentative budget of $240,215 for the street department and $166,728 was set for the police department. These figures do not include approval of over SIOO,OOO for the police and over $60,000 for the street department for salaries. The board voted to consider all salaries for town employees together in a separate meeting. Joe Dock, street, water and wastewater superintendent, said he attempted to cut his budget as much as possible while providing for more funds in street repairs. Dock noted a SSOO increase in the street repair fund from this year’s budget amount and planned a $50,000 amount in bituminous material —a SIO,OOO increase Must have cats, dogs licensed Milford Marshal David Hobbs reminds all Milford Residents that all dogs and eats must be licensed. Appointments may be made by contacting the Milford Police Department at 658-4941 and advising the dispatcher what time would be suitable for an appointment Appointments may be made between 11 a m. and 3 p.m. and after 5:30 p.m. during the week. Registration fees will be $2.50 for each neutered dog and cat and/or $5 for each nonneutered dog or cat The owner will be fined $lO if a dog or cat is found without a tag.

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(Continued from page 4)

How the years have changed we have plenty of wrinkles through the years as we gate into the mirrors. I can’t help thinkin from time to time time has changed we two since we said I do. Marriage is a mystery marriage is the key to a lot of head-aches an a family tree. Sixty years ago today since I changed my name This may sound stupid I blame it on little ole cupid Time is changing tis true but we still have moon and stars an a sky of blue and there is still me and you.

from last year. Dock requested cuts in equipment repair categories, dropping $2,000 from one equipment category and slashing another $2,200 from funds allocated for materials. He said repairs made this year to equipment enabled the cutback in repair funds. Also, Dock explained his plans to pursue a vehicle replacement program. The program would replace aging trucks used by the department at staggered annual intervals. Although the plan is not yet specific, he has sketched the program up to 2040. “1 would like to be able to run one truck for 12 years. If we have a replacement program, we won’t be relying on an old truck for primary use,” he said. His proposed budget was $4,055 less than the 1983 figures.

Letter to the editor

Thanks for taking stand

Dear Edjtor: 1 have wanted to drop you a line to personally convey to you my appreciation on the stand you have taken regarding the refusing of advertising of the drive-in theater in North Webster. Your policy of not receiving their ads ~certainly refortify’s my feeling that there is still great men and women in America with the moral fiber and fortitude to stand up for what they believe. Thank you so much for your position. What little you have lost in their ads I believe the Lord has made up for many times over. Righteousness is what has made America great, “it exalts the na-

Former town marshal William Selvey, now serving as sergeant for his replacement, and newly appointed marshal Warren Swartz, presented a budget projected to be $42,977 more than the 1983 budget. Several overruns in budget categories forced the figures to be increased. An original request of $7,176 for insurance was cut $2,000 and plafred in a motor equipment category. The switch was made because the insurance budgeted for was more than needed and because both men mentioned the possibility of purchasing a new squad car for the department. The fire, EMS and general budgets will be considered at the next Syracuse budget meeting, scheduled for June 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall.

tion,” but more importantly you are helping our community as well. God bless you in your policy. 1 appreciate your kindness and friendship as well. With kind Christian regards. Rev. David M. Hudson Pastor Milford teens escape injury Terry E. Bailey, 17, Milford, and Eric Grisso, 16, Milford, escaped serious injury in a car/train accident Saturday evening, June 4, at 7:11 p.m. in Milford. Both teens refused any hospital treatment but were treated by Milford Emergency Medical Service at the scene. According to Milford Marshal David Hobbs, Bailey was adjusting the radio in the auto and did not see the flashers of the northbound Conrail train. The train’s engineer told police the whistle was being used. Damage to the 1971 Ford driven by Bailey was estimated up to SI,OOO and up to $1,200 to the train. Charges are pending in the mishap. Republicans announce'B4 convention Gordon K. Durnil, Republican state chairman, has announced Monday and Tuesday, June 18 and 19, are the dates of the 1984 Indiana Republican State Convention which will be held in the Indiana Convention Center and the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Indianapolis. The “official call” to the convention will go out later this year, but Durnil released the information early in response to questions from the media and because the Republican and Democrat State Conventions will not be held back-to-back nor in the same facilities next year.

A History Os Syracuse 1826-1870 An Early History Os Syracuse, Ind. Including Indian Period Name Rural Route Or Street Town Or City State Zip Enclosed $7.00 (includes sales tax and handling) (check or money order please) Ma* to: Sharp's News Service 313 North Indiana Avenue Syracuse, Indiana 46667

NIPSCo responds to charges

Hearings on Northern Indiana Public Service Company’s request for an electric rate increase resumed Monday when the utility sponsored the pre-filed testimony of five rebuttal witnesses to answer charges made last month during the presentation of the intervenors’ case before the Public Service Commission of Indiana. Jay H. Price, a partner with Arthur Andersen & Co., documented NIPSCo’s need for the total amount of working capital asked for in the original petition. Two intervenor witnesses had argued that a working capital allowance was unnecessary to the financial viability of the company. Price emphasized that the difference resulted from the failure of the intervenor witnesses to consider that all accounts receivable must be financed until collected. By ignoring a portion of accounts receivable, a lower and wholy inadequate working capital figure results John W. Dunn, NIPSCo vice president of electric production, defended the company’s coal inventory policies. He said, “One cannot focus on a particular point in time when analyzing coal inventories without understanding Court news SUPERIOR COURT The following claims have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Robert Burner, judge: Support Cathy E. Loss, Syracuse vs Mark Robert Loss, 1426 Cone St., Elkhart. The plantiff is asking for a judgment against the defendent for the fair and reasonable support of the couple’s minor child, attorney’s fees and all proper relief Snyder announces parade winners Maury Snyder, American Legion Post 223 commander, was “very pleased” with the turn out at the annual Syracuse Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies. Parade winners announced at the Legion after the memorial services are: Float winners — Syracuse Eagles Lodge 3760, first; Roger Brown family, second; Color guard and firing squad — American Legion Post 223, first; VFW Post 1342, second; Eagles Lodge 3760 Ladies Auxiliary, third; Old autos — Paul Hollar, Syracuse; Bands — Syracuse Junior High School Drum corps — Wawasee Drum and Bugle Corp

Study shows NIPSCo customers can not afford rate increase

Between 30 per cent to 40 per cent of Northern Indiana Public Service Company’s residential electric customers anticipate drastic lifestyle changes if NIPSCo receives the full 30 per cent rate increase it is currently requesting, according to a study conducted by Dr. Brian Vargus on behalf of the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana. Vargus said, “For many the possibility of being forced to sell their major and sometimes only asset, their home and/or seeking public assistance is all too real.” Dr. Vargus, Professor of Sociology, IUPUI, and president of Opinion Research and Evaluation, Inc., testified at a Public Service Commission hearing on NIPSCo’s 30 per cent rate increase request in Indianapolis. He said that the results of the study, obtained from interviews with 387 randomly selected NIPSCo customers, show that between 22 per cent and 32 per cent anticipate being unable to pay for the increase. Between 25 per cent and 35 per cent expect to require public assistance to pay for the increase, and 12 per cent to 20 per cent anticipate giving up essentials or having to draw on savings. Vargus testified that, “. . . in my professional career I have never had so many cases in which interviewees shared feelings of anger and sadness and interviewers were shaken by some of

the events leading up to that point.” In 1972, it was NIPSCo’s policy to maintain coal inventories of 90 days maximum burn. If this level had not been maintained during the critical 1973-74 time frame, serious difficulties would have been experienced in meeting customer demand. And again in the 1977-78 period, when the utility industry was faced with a record 111-day coal strike, a lesser inventory of coal would have seriously jeopardized service capability. Further, when looking at coal inventories, Dunn continued, it is necessary to understand that “coal supplies are not like a water supply that can be turned on and off or adjusted by turning a valve. Coal contracts for generating facilities require large investments by coal companies and consequently such contracts require minimum coal deliveries over long periods of time.” While changing environmental requirements and prolonged economic downturn have resulted in larger inventories than originally planned, the Com pany has taken decisive steps to reduce inventories, Dunn said. In responding to suggestions that NIPSCo should retire Units 2 and 3 at the Michigan City station, Dunn pointed out that these units provide start-up steam for Unit 12, one of the company’s largest, most efficient generating units. If Units 2 and 3 were totally retired, it would be necessary to construct new boilers for the single purpose of providing startup steam for Unit 12, he argued. As for suggestions that by 1986, NIPSCo will have too much reserve capacity, Dunn pointed to the uniqueness of the utility’s service area, with its heavy industrial concentration creating a load factor of 71 per cent, third highest in the country. This means that demand for electricity remains relatively constant throughout the year. Therefore, there is no off-peak season when planned outages can be routinely scheduled. With this unusually high load factor, a larger reserve margin is essential if reliable service is to be rendered. In responding to a recommen dation that 50 per cent of the costs which are common to Units 17 and 18 be assigned to Unit 18 and excluded from this pending rate case, Dunn said that “proposal fails to recognize the time when these common facilities actually became used and useful; does not consider that such facilities would be necessary for the operation of Unit 17 alone; and finally, such a proposal would undercut the objective of cost savings to the ratepayer derived from construction of duplicative units.” William R. Loew, vice president and general counsel of Hill International, said that sound management and cost control

the things they were told ” An example sited by Vargus was a retired woman from Munster who indicated she would, . . try to take less medicine” to pay for her NIPSCo electric bill. A 70-year-old woman from Gary said that while she has needed to see a doctor for two months for a heart condition, she cannot due to high NIPSCo electric bills. A typical comment was offered from a 66-year-old retiree from LaPorte who said, “My income is stationary. Why should NIPSCo’s income stay the same regardless of how bad off the rest of us are? When 1 get pinched, they should get pinched.” A retired woman in Warsaw vowed to “get a bunch of old widow ladies together and fight.” CAC hired Dr. Vargus to conduct the study to determine the likely impact of a NIPSCo electric rate increase on the electrical consumption, finances, and general lifestyle of residential consumers. NIPSCo attempted to withhold the random sample of customers needed for the study. CAC obtained the list after winn-

Augsburger renamed to resource committee

State Senator John Augsburger (R-Syracuse) has been reap pointed to the Indiana Natural Resources Advisory Committee, the state- panel responsible for overseeing Indiana’s Natural Resources’ laws and programs. Augsburger was named to the panel by Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Garton (RColumbus). According to Augsburger, the NRA advisory committee is required to conduct an on going review of all laws relating to the Department of Natural Resources, for the purpose of proposing legislation to accomplish the following: Repeal outmoded or unnecessary laws; consolidate and retate existing laws; improve coordination of state laws with federal laws; and add or amend laws that will further the purpose

procedures were followed in building Unit 17 at the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Jasper County. Loew, who was project director for work commissioned by NIPSCo to review cost, schedule and management procedures pertaining to the construction of Unit 17, said that if NIPSCo had failed to properly carry out its role as project coordinator, the cost of construction would have increased and the project might have been delayed. Significantly, there was no evidence of either occurring. James T. Doudiet, senior vice president and chief financial officer of NIPSCo, provided an updated capital structure breakdown to reflect recent innovative financings. Doudiet testified to the commercial operation of Unit 17 on April 28, 1983, and to the cost of $589 million recorded as of that date. The projected final cost of the project is s6ll million once all work is completed. In carefully weighing the necessary rate of return for this case against all relevant factors, Doudiet concluded that an 18.5 per cent return on equity is necessary to arrest the utility’s deteriorating financial circumstances. He presented testimony to show that the result of the disallowances of expenses and rate base as recommended by several of the invervenors would effectively deny the company the opportunity to significantly improve its financial condition. Another NIPSCo witness was Charles J. Cicchetti, partner with Madison Consulting Group and former chairman of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. He supported the utility’s request for an 18.5 per cent return on common equity by emphasizing that NIPSCo’s current financial condition has greatly reduced its strength. “The company is earning a return on equity that is among the lowest in the utility industry and the situation must be corrected quickly if permanent damage to the company and its ability to serve its customers is to be avoided,” Cicchetti said. In his testimony, Cicchetti observed, “1 have come to the opinion that companies like NIPSCo which (1) build the plants that will be needed to keep and attract jobs; and (2) undertake needed maintenance expenses, should be encouraged, not penalized by regulation. Failing to send the right signal to utilities will mean that their willingness to spend needed money will come to an end. We will all be losers as consumers, jobseekers and taxpayers when this happens,” the former Wisconsin Public Service Commission chairman concluded.

ing a legal battle with NIPSCo. CAC had to win another legal battle to secure an extension of time from the PSC to permit Vargus to complete the study and prepare his testimony. Vargus concluded that, “Considering these findings, anything more than a marginal increase in NIPSCo’s residential rates would have profound implications for the economy, political system, and social structure of the region. Among these implications would be a significant change in the lifestyle of citizens, a significant reallocation and decrease in consumer purchasing power. Additionally, public agencies will face massive demands for increased public aid.” CAC, an intervenor in opposition to NIPSCo’s 30 per cent rate increase request, is a statewide coalition made up of church groups, senior citizens, neighborhood groups, unions, environmentalists, and individual members representing over half a million Hoosiers. The PSC is expected to issue their final order in the NIPSCo case by the end of the summer.

for which the DNR was created. The committee is also given the authority to advise and assist the DNR in programming its activities and in developing a long range plan for the land acquisition, capital improvement and development of facilities. The committee is composed of eight state lawmakers, four each appointed by the speaker of the House and president pro tempore. Augsburger is chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, which reviews all natural resources related legislation in the Senate. During the 1983 session, he authored and sponsored numerous bills dealing with water resources, watercraft safety, hunting and fishing licensing, coal mining and water resource management.

Wed.. June 8.1983 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

Ml Dilina 457-3666 Or -J rUISe Call 658-4111, Ext. 17

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: The National Commission on Excellence in Education of the U.S. Department of Education gave a scathing report on the nation’s failure to provide a quality education for our young people? How do you feel about our educational system? Results of last week’s question: What changes should be made in Social Security if financing problems worsen? You’ve got me. Instead of cutting down on the people who need it, they should cut it down for these big guys who are rich. . That *s a hard one. I just can’t think of anything. As long as a person’s getting it, like 1 am, and is satified, you don’t want change, but at the same time, you know something has to be done someday. . That I can’t answer. I really wouldn't know what to say. . .1 think any changes should be made now in terms of social security and social security disability and who is getting it and if they really deserve it. It should be better investigated. . .1 think they should let private organizations run retirement programs, and leave the government out of it. . .1 really don't know what to say.. .1 suppose it would be wise to investigate the other source of income, and if it is over, say, $40,000, curtail the Social Security. . Social Security’s getting bad now. I don’t have a solution. . .1 don’t think they ought to raise them any. In fact, they could cut them a little. I’d be willing to take a cut if it would help them any. . .Social Security should be used for those who people who really need it. If the very rich really and truly don’t need it, why couldn’t they just give it up for someone who really needs it?

APC rejects Neibert case

By GARY LEWIS Discussion of an already controversial topic may have resulted in even more controversy when the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission elected to disallow a referral request to the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals last week. Lewis Neibert requested the BZA to consider his planned marina as a special exception in an agricultural district. Located on a channel off of Grassy Creek, the commissioners voted to table the issue last month so the board’s attorney, Max Reed, could help interpret a vague paragraph in the zoning ordinance. The paragraph says the board can allow any “similar use” on a property that is not listed as special exceptions. A marina is not listed as a special exception in an agricultural district, but is listed as such an exception in a residential and commercial district. Area Planning director Dan Richard asked Reed for his opinion, and told board members that he believed the paragraph could be interpreted as the board wished. Richard said Reed told him the ordinance was purposely written that way so the board could exert its influence in a situation such as this. “If you turn the referral down, the only course available is to rezone and then ask for a special exception,” Richard said about Neibert’s plans to establish a marina. The paragraph states: “In addition to the uses stated under special exceptions in each district, any other similar use which the Area Plan Commission may determine to be consistent with the objectives and purposes of the particular district may be permitted.” Attorney Richard Helms, who has represented Neibert in this case, said he will appeal the APC decision to the BZA. The BZA will then have to decide if the APC acted properly in handling the case. Board chairman Ron Baumgartner, board members Steve Butt, Dee Stiver, Don Ahrns, Jerry Grady, and Vic Virgil voted unanimously to reject the referral bid. k Rezone Adjacant Property Tippecanoe Township was the topic for two rezoning requests unanimously approved by the board. Both involved the Muncie YMCA which operates Camp Crosley near the area. The first rezoning request involved 135 acres of wetland property owned by the Nature Conservancy. The conservancy, as part of its ongoing land reclamation efforts, sells to acceptable buyers wetlands with certain restrictions applied to protect the environment. Terry Jones, a full-time employee with the YMCA staff, said the organization is planning on purchasing the property for hiking and nature study pur-

ESTATE AUCTION In order Io settle the estate of Rubydean Worth we offer for sale the following personal property located in Syracuse west of the downtown stoplight on South Main Street, Thursday, June 16, 3:00 P.M. HOUSEHOLD, ANTIQUES* COLLECTIBLES 3-pc. modern bedroom suite; 5-pc. bedroom suite; Gibson deluxe frost-clear refrigerator; Roper self-clean electric range; Sideboard with mirror, dining room table and 6 chairs; desk with glass top. 7 drawers and chair; b/w TV; scalloped wall mirror; end tables; coffee table; bed: dressers; chairs; bookcase; table lamps; 3'/* hp lawnmower; micrometer; Bmm movie projector; camera: movie screen; hall tree; 20" fan; kitchen tables: child's rocker; 14-sp. blender; pressure cooker, knickknacks; bedding; dishes, pots; pons: Jenny Lind type 5-pc. bedroom suite: poplar blanket chest; cedar blanket chest; cupboard top; table linens, hand boll; 18k gold wedding band; Roseville vase; dish; 3 little pigs; cast iron pots; Rembrandt vase; footed candy dish; goblots and sherberts; some depression glasses, other collectible dishes; post cards; many other useful and desirable items. TERMS: Cash Or Chocks With Proper ID Lunch Will Be Served — Not Responsible For Accidents Rubydean Worth Estate Gary Ringfor, Exacvtor AUCTIONEERS: Jerry Lambert 658 9674 Taylor Watts 761 -3491

poses In a separate petition, another 58.3 acres in an agricultural district was requested to be switched to an environmental district for YMCA use. The 58.3 acre property is located on the east side of Grassy Creek at the mouth of Lake Tippecanoe and the 135 acre property is located on the south and west sides of James Lake. Clark Request Granted A portion of a 39 4 acre tract in Plain Township was rezoned from an agricultural district to residential. The property- was cited for having poor soil with a wide variety of soil types. Edwin Clark, owner of the land, plans to develop restricted homesites on two or three-acre lots. He said a portion of the pro perty is not suited for development due to their marshy condition. The property is located on the west side of CR 300E, near Bell Rohr Island. The board voted that one-third of the land be earmarked for rezoning, indicating that the property could support a few homes. % The board also approved a request by Bob Kline to rezone seven acres on the north side of CR 200S, east of the railroad tracks, from agricultural to residential. Kline lives across the street from the land, and plans to plot five lots for development. Kline said the land has not been farmed for quite some time and the property is surrounded by residential areas. The approval will be sent to the county commissioners for final action. Webster woman and Zionsville teen injured in crash Joellen Sims, 33, r 2 North Webster, and Brian Russell, 14, Zionsville, were injured in a twocar accident Monday afternoon. Joellen Sims suffered lacerations and abrasions to her chest and>leg and Russell suffered head injuries. Both were treated and released from the Goshen Hospital. The mishap occurred at the intersection of Syracuse-Webster Road and CR 1000 N. Roderick Russell, 18, Zionsville, was westbound on CR 1000 N when, after stopping at the stop sign, he drove through the intersection into the path of the Sims auto. The Sims auto struck Russell’s car broadside. Parked auto hit Syracuse Police Sergeant William Selvey investigated an accident at r 1 box 30 Syracuse on Monday morning. The report was made at 8:30 a.m. According to the police report, a 1971 Ford van driven by Gloria Frew, 52, r 1 box 30 Syracuse, struck a 1982 Pontiac owned by Mary Wright, r 3 box 445 Syracuse. The Wright auto was parked in Mrs. Frew’s drive, but was in the blind spot of Mrs. Frew.

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