The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 38, Milford, Kosciusko County, 5 October 1983 — Page 1

Phones: 658*4111 & 457*3666

VOLUME 20

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ROTARY MEMORIAL COMPLETE — The final touches were finally put to the uptown Syracuse memorial, a Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary club project, in memory of the old Syracuse High School that stood on the site. The heavy, 300-old-pound bronze plaque was put into place by contractor Tom Jackson, assisted by a number of fellow Rotarians. In the above photo are, from left. Robert Troutman, Robert Westfall, Jackson, and on the right are benefactor Ken Harkless and David Hyndman, club president. Cost of the plaque was borne by Mr. Harkless, a lifelong Syracuse resident and graduate of the old school, in 1916. Cost of the entire project is something over $5,000. On the plaque is: Site of Syracuse School 1908-1957. This monument a project of

County tax adjustment board revises, approves area tax levies

The Kosciusko County Tax Adjustment Board Thursday revised and approved tax levies for county townships, towns and libraries. Tax adjustment board members Martha Klinger, Fred Helfrich, Raymond Gall, Bill Sincroft, Barbara Eastlund, Ronald Sharp and John Hall made the followng decisions concerning area townships, towns and libraries: Van Buren Township — Decided to recommend increasing the proposed tax levy $4,000 above the frozen levy of $20,813, bringing the total 1984 levy up to $24,813. The 1984 proposed levy was set at $27,573. They deducted some of the proposed revenues from the operating balance and recommended the remainder for anticipated poor relief expenses next year. Turkey Creek Township — Recommended reducing the proposed levy of $101,164 back to the

Fumes seep into restaurant, cause yet to be determined

Syracuse police were called to the Syracuse Dairy Queen Friday afternoon when gasoline-like fumes coming from a drain caused five employees to become ill. Dairy Queen employees Amy Wilson, Rose Hire, Barbara Wethington, Nancy Cannon and Lynn Johnson all became dizzy after coming in contact with the fumes, and were taken outside for fresh air. Officers Warren Swartz and William Selvey contacted Public Works Superintendant Joe Deck and members of the Syracuse Fire Department to help investigate the situation. A chemical slick of unidentifed

Indiana an agricultural disaster area: Gov. Orr

BY DEEJAYNES Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr scheduled a press conference in Warsaw last Thursday to endorse Jeff Plank for mayor. Gov. Orr said it was his “genuine pleasure to do so” and urged people to support Plank on November 8. Economic Revival Following a very brief statement of endorsement, reporters were given an opportunity to question the Governor, and the central issue seemed to be the future economic growth and development of Warsaw and Kosciusko County.

The Ly —Jift I

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL <Est. 18881 and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

frozen levy of $85,540. They suggested that the trustee use federal revenue sharing funds to cover the remainder of poor relief expenses. Tippecanoe Township — Decided to reduce the total amount of tax dollars to be raised from $63,543 back to the frozen levy limit of $48,791.40. The board told Township Trustee Richard Mitchell to use federal revenue sharing funds to make up the difference for poor relief expenses in 1984. Plain Township — Approved as requested because the proposed levy of $25,472 is below the 1982 maximum levy limit of $40,241. Milford — Reduced next year s proposed levy of $179,131 back to the frozen levy of $153,129. Syracuse — Reduced next year’s proposed levy of $554,965 back to the frozen levy of $465,095. North Webster — Reduced the proposed levy from $129,766 to the

origin was discovered at the disposal plant. The odor of the chemical could be detected in several areas of the south part of town by the time drains could be flushed and manhole covers were opened. Samples of the chemical slick were taken and sent to the state for analysis. Syracuse Police Chief Swartz estimated several hundreds gallons of the unidentified chemical went through the sewage system. Total cost of the incident, including the expense of recycling the sewer and lost employee hours, was estimated at $5,000.

Governor Orr was asked his opinion of the state of the Warsaw economy and he said he felt “Warsaw has experienced a revival of economic activity in a good many of its industries” and he cited the orthopedic industry within the county as a “shining example.” He went on to say that we need to “stimulate the growth of new industry within the state” rather than encourage the formation of “branch plants.” In general the Governor said he felt the economy and general business was in an “improving state, with far better prospects on the horizon.”

Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Chib. 1982. Plaque donated by Kenneth Harkless. It also carries a picture of the old school as drawn by Harkless the artist. The plaque rests between two original limestone markers, one listing the Board of Town Trustees, the other listing the Board of School Trustees. Town trustees were J. U. Winegard, president; T. H. Clemens; S. L. Akers. Jr.; G. W. Bundy, clerk; and F. L. Hoch, treasurer. Erected: 1908. The school trustees were E. E Strieby, president; H. W. Buchholz, secretary; A. W. Strieby, treasurer; C. D. Bachman, superintendent. Griffith & Fair. Fort Wayne, architects, and Everly & Wallace, contractors.

maximum levy limit of $124,460. Leesburg — Approved as requested. The proposed levy of $18,632 is below the maximum levy limit of $19,075. Milford Public Library— Approved as submitted because the proposed levy and frozen levy of $25,458 are the same. Syracuse Public Library— Approved as requested because the proposed and frozen levies of $43,069 are the same. School budgets were approved as submitted because the State Tax Board has yet to release frozen levy calculations and new assesed valuation figures. Tax dollars to be raised locally approved to go to the Lakeland Community Schools amounted to $3,849,480. • Pickwick Theater has been sold The Pickwick Theater, well known Syracuse movie house, has been sold, it was announced early this week by owner Jack Baker. The new owners are David and Linda Wright of Goshen, owners of the Balloon Express on Goshen’s Main Street. The Wrights took over the Pickwick Theater Monday morning. Mr. Wright has managed a number of small theaters, at one time managing the Goshen Theater for owner Roger Vore. It will be operated much the same as it has been in the past, Baker said. Baker now has full ownership of The Upper Crust, a pizza outlet on Main Street in Milford, and plans to devote all his time to that enterprise. He has owned the Pickwick Theater for just over a year.

The Governor said a study was underway to declare the entire state of Indiana an agricultural disaster area. At present 57 counties have received the disaster declaration. Kosciusko County is among the 35 counties who have not. When asked what the disaster declaration would mean to area farmers, the Governor said they would become eligible for lowcost loans from the Farmers’ Home Administration. These loans become available, however, only after farmers have been turned down for financing by all other conventional lending institutions.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5,1983

North Webster gears up for €eble TV

The North Webster Town Board heard a progress report from Triax Cable Corporation at last night’s (Tuesday) meeting. Two corporat ion representatives indicated an office will be opened in town on or before November 1. Construction of the underground work has begun and should be started in town on Monday of next week. If all goes according to schedule, North Webster citizens should be watching cable TV by the middle of December. A report from Paul Hardin on sewage treatment showed over 3.7 million gallons of sewage were treated during September. A letter was read by Eve Payne, clerk-treasurer, in regards to the handicap parking ordinance. The board decided the police department should look over the parking facilities and make recommendations at to where the best parking would be most useful. Larry Keim, trustee, advised the board he had talked with Warren Rauhe, representative of Design Enterprises. They will meet with him on October 12 to study the sewage plant. There was a discussion regarding an unnamed street that runs behind the North Webster Marina. The road is not paved and the board members are not certain of the property lines. Dennis Schaaf of the marina asked the board to consider opening the road so he can use it to haul his boats around. The road would also be a safety measure, keeping the traffic off the main roads. Schaaf also agreed to help maintain the road. Bemish said in order to do anything about the road it should be surveyed before making a decision. The board members voted to have the road surveyed.

Favors Tax Abatement Gov. Orr has been a long time advocate of the property tax abatement program begun in 1973, and he was asked if the program will continue. He said he felt that the so-called tax “freeze” should more accurately be called “controlled growth,” and “should prove helpful as the state moves into an improved economic situation.” He has also been a leading supporter of the local alternative tax and says that “differences in understanding" with state government have been responsible for delaying its implementation. Gov. Orr felt the alternative

Bill Ross asked for a public hearing in regards to having a business on his property under the special exception ordinance. This hearing will be held at the court house on October 11 at 7 p.m. Complaints The board advised the 20 mph signs along Effie Mae Street are not in accordance with the town ordinance and must be moved. The speed limit for the area is 30 mph and must be changed by ordinance. The town board received a complaint in regards to a cottage in town with outside plumbing. It was also brought to the attention of the board this same property owner burns trash on the grounds. Bemish advised Mrs. Payne to send a letter to the owner of the property along with the ordinance regarding outside plumbing and trash burning. At an earlier board meeting it was voted upon that any mail received by the Town of North Webster addressed to an in(Continued on page 5) Post offices dose Monday The Syracuse, Milford and North Webster post offices will operate on a holiday schedule during the Columbus Day observation, Monday, Oct. 10. Postmasters from the respective offices said regular residential and business deliveries will not be made and usual post office lobby services will not be available. Mail pick-up from collection boxes also will be on a holiday schedule, as posted on individual boxes.

tax stood an excellent chance of passage in the near future. Utility Commission A question was asked concerning Jean Northernor’s appointment to a committee to nominate new members to the Public Service Commission. The Governor was asked what he would recommend to Mrs. Northerner and the other committee members and what types of persons he would like to see on the PSC. “Pick the best people you can,” Gov. Orr advised. “We have a ffreat opportunity to have a diversity of types of persons on the committee.” He said he would like to possibly see an engineer,

Ask for referendum — School ground disposition draws crowd, wide interest

By JERI SEELY Milford residents may have a chance to voice their opinion on what they think should be built on the site of the old school when they go to the polls on November 8. This possibility and many other opinions were voiced during a meeting held in the community building last night. Approximately 100 persons turned out to hear two presentations and participate in a discussion on the eventual fate of the land. One presentation proposed

99999999Mgm. ■ th.pi ju C 3 i 9.. ■ a'«--/*** BdW* " i|9 PARK PRESENTATION — Jean Treesh, MAD president, has expressed her desire to have a park located on Milford’s old school grounds. She is shown above with Tom Hamilton, a CTB employee, who with Paul Steffen presented a slide presentation on what a park could look like. Hamilton also had the drawing shown in the photo on display for inspection following the meeting. IMFW bwJ real Hb«Ji 9 1 9k |||: 9 1 I R RBMMiMHttM 1 11 », J 9WM9MmI Bi ll i 'J/' ,; 9lr Bl V’ , ? j Su ssbß9R9b MbH NEW STORE PLANS — Milford businessman Phil Campbell expressed his desire to build a new supermarket on the grounds. He is shown above, second from left, with Charles Berhalter, left, sales and design consultant from Kendallville; and Tippecanoe Township school board representatives David Carey and Philip Payne as they look over plans for the store. (Photos by Arch Baumgartner)

farmer, senior citizen, housewife or representative of organized labor serving on the PSC. He pointed out that Peggy Harris, the first woman appointed-to the Commission, is also a Certified Public Accountant, and he said he feels this is a good starting point. He urged Mrs. Northerner and the other committee members to take “a good hard look at their qualifications before making any decisions.” Following the press conference, Governor Orr and members of his staff left for the annual Republican Hall of Fame dinner at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

the land be used for a park, the other that it be used for a supermarket Sentiments were expressed both for and against each of these proposed uses and for houses to be built there. The site is 2.55 acres bordered by Catherine Street on the north, West Street on the east, Emeline Street on the south and Higbee Street (SR 15) on the west. Milford Area Development president Jean Treesh chaired the meeting.

Mr M . GOVERNOR ROBERT D. ORR

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Park Presentation A slide presentation was made by Paul Steffen and Tom Hamilton. Steffen is a Milford resident and nurseryman. Hamilton is a Lake Tippecanoe resident and a CTB (Chore-Time — Brock) employee with an interest in such projects, having worked with zoning boards in the Chicago area before moving to Kosciusko County some five years ago. In his opening remarks Hamilton noted CTB recently (Continued on page 5)

Retail merchants to meet Oct. 10 The Retail Merchants Division of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 8 a.m., in the board room of the State Bank of Syracuse. Business covered will include the upcoming Halloween Moonlight Madness, slate of officers for 1984 and planning ahead for Christmas Shop Syracuse. All merchants, whether or not Chamber members, are invited to participate in the meeting.