The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 48, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 December 1983 — Page 1

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VOLUME 20

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HURRAY. IT’S FINISHED — Drivers using SR 13 in Syracuse were glad to see the bridge over Turkey Creek open Tuesday evening. Residents and merchants have been awaiting the bridge’s reopening for some time. Final work on the bridge construction was completed by Phend and Brown. Inc., Milford, on Tuesday as asphalt was laid on the north and south bridge approaches.

Family , classroom duties pressing —

Cindy Peterson resigns os swim coach

By GAIL WIDMOYEK Staff Writer On the recommendation of Don Arnold, superintendent, the Lakeland Community School Board of Trustees accepted Cindy Peterson s resignation as head girls’ swim coach 41 In a letter to Arnold and the board, Mrs. Peterson said her family and classrooms were demanding more of her time. However, she will remain as girls’ tennis coach. Phil Payne, board vice president, noted Mrs. Peterson has worked with the girls for 14 years deserves “recognition and commendation” for developing the team. Mrs. Peterson has demonstrated “tremendous loyalty” and “accute success” with her program, added Bill Little, board president.

Man county Veterans Memorial in Warsaw The committee for Die Kosciusko County Veterans Memorial met December 8 at the Warsaw American Legion Home to further plans for a memorial to be erected on the northed corner of the courthouse lawn. It was decided at a November meeting me memorial will honor all World War I, World War 11, Korean War, Vietnam War wd possibly Spamsb-Ameriean War Veterans in Kosciusko County, 0 y yy f. . s The names placed on the monument will he those of Kosciusko County residents who gave their Km tor their country, however, early records tor county residents may be incem{det& Research tot tlusproJect to spearheadedhy Dee Rose of Piereeton y y The memorial, it was will be a permanent maintaince-free stone type structure with the approval of the county commissioners y-> •* K ' 1 All interested parties are invited to attend the next meeting of the committee, which is composed of representatives Worn the service organizations and civic groups. The meeting is scheduled for ?:» p.m, January 25 in the Syracuse American

of intent to /Purchase Pierceton State Bank

Principal officers of the First National Bank of Warsaw and the -.Pierceton State Bank signed a letter of intent Tuesday morning at the board room of the First National Bank for the purchase of the Pierceton State Bank. First National Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of FN Bancorp. The actual sale is contingent on the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency, the U S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Department of Justice. It was thought this approval would take up to one year. Signing the letter were Neal M. Carlson, president of First National, and Leon S. Kubacki, president and chairman of the board of the Pierceton State Bank.

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Consolidation o/THE MILFORD MAIL 4E*t. 18884 and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL lEst. 19071

In other personnel business, Gayle Staley, special education teacher at Syracuse Elementary, was granted a child bearing leave of absence from March 9 until the end of the school year. Transfer Funds A total of $100,093 was transferred between funds within the general fund to balance all accounts by December 31, a normal year-end procedure. Assistant Superintendent George Gilbert was granted permission to advertise for a temporary loan against June 30 tax warrants and those bids will be opened at a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Gilbert also presented the board with a tabulation of the insurance bids received for corporation insurance from January l, 1984, until December 31,1986.

13.5 Million Deal Mr. Kubacki stated the exact purchase price under terms of the agreement would depend upon a variety of factors, but was estimated to be approximately $3.5 million. As a result of the proposed acquisition, total combined bank assets will be approximately $164 million, making First National of Warsaw the largest bank in Kosciusko County. Pierceton bank shareholders, holding the 900 outstanding shares of stock, will be asked to approve the transaction at a special meeting to be held in the near future. Both banks are full service banks that offer a wide variety of financial services to businesses and individuals, and will give the

The project started on September 19 and was scheduled far completion by April. Because of problems encountered in removing the old bridge, traffic was not allowed to cross the bridge on December I as anticipated. Contractor for the state highway was Small Construction Co.. North Liberty. The project cost the state $398,900. (Photo taken this morning)

■ CINDY PETERSON Bid specifications were hand delivered to several local agents who had previously expressed a possible interest in the insurance and the specs were also advertised in two local newspapers. However, only two bids were received. The two Warsaw companies. Hall and Marose Indiana Insurance Company and Randall Yeager American States Insurance Company, have handled the corporation insurance previously and the “relationships with both have been excellent,” reported Gilbert. However, Hall and Marose had the low bid of $45,679 compared to Randall Yeager’s bid of $50,961. Gilbert discussed the bids with both companies and on his recommendation, the board accepted the low bid. In August when lunch prices were established by the board, a financial status report was requested for December since there was no increase in the cost of

Pierceton bank considerable additional lending power. The Pierceton bank had total assets of $24 million on September 30,1903. The First National Bank operates branch banks in Milford and Claypool, both in Kosciusko County, plus two drive-up branches in the city of Warsaw. Its total assets were $l4O million on September 30,1903. Mr. Kubacki serves the Pierceton State Bank as president, chairman of the board, trust officer and director. With him are Beth C. Flinn, senior vice president and director; Ed Likens, vice president and director; and Betty Hostettler, cashier. Other directors include Stanley E. Pequignot and Leo C.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14,1983

school lunches. Gilbert presented the board with the report for Septonbr through November which costs were up lt'peveenVre&iptF were up nine percent and total number of meals served were up one percent. In comparing the total cash balance, Gilbert reported the 1961 balance was $47,228; the 1982 balance was $47,235; and the 1963 balance was $47,798. Because of the close relationship between figures, the board agreed to maintain the same meal price for the remainder of the school year. “It shows you have a good handle on what’s going on in food service,” Payne commented about the report. In other action, the board was advised on policy and procedures for providing public record information. Present procedures change with a new law that takes effect January 1.

Milford board ponders action; to meet Dec. 20

By MARK WEINSTEIN Staff Writer Although no action was officially taken by the Milford Town Board, several ideas were brought to light for vote at the board’s December 20 meeting. Milford’s voluntary fire depart-, ment’s contract and insurance plan were the biggest items discussed at the meeting Tuesday evening. Fire Chief Max Duncan brought up the fact that the current contract between the township and the fire department expires at the end of this year. Presently, no contract binds the fire department with the town itself, but through the new pro-

Mort. The bank hopes to continue with the same officers, Mr. Kubacki said. The Pierceton State Bank was opened September 15,1942, by the late Walter E. Shoop and Harold Switzer. Both mm “walked the streets of Pierceton,” selling common stock at $125 per share in order to open a local bank at Pierceton. It was capitalised with $25,000, plus $5,000 surplus, with Mr. Shoop being its first president. Leon Kubacki came to Pierceton as bank teller in 1952, from Manistee, Mich., his home community where he had served five terms as county treasurer. He and his wife Doris have three sons who are in the banking

Recognition During the extra curricular reports, Little took note of fun14ing from the Syracuse PTQ and \ the Calvary v United Methodist women’s society for their donations to the school. North Webster Junior High was also recognized for its purchase of computer equipment. In Milford, Little acknowledged thie Jayceettes and Sprague Devices Inc. for their donations towards six reading lofts in the elementary school. Following up a complaint on advertising in the basketball programs at the last meeting, Payne noted Hal Traviolia and Dr. Howard Hull met with him the day after and assured him the problem would be remedied. Payne expressed thanks to both for their attention. The next regular school board meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. to, at 7 p.m. in the administration building.

township would support the fire department financially. “The purpose of the new contract is to allow the fire department control of its funds, and invest whatever money is left over,” said Duncan. Along with the financial proposals, Duncan also raised the issue of insurance for the department, which premiums have increased from a year ago. The premiums, which are due the first day of January, raised to $2,905, with the township and town spliting the cost. The board also reviewed the Ron Davidhizar situation, posal, both the town and the (Continued on page 2)

business in Indianapolis and Chicago. Beth Flinn became associated with the Pierceton bank in 1942 as a teller, and has continued her association with the bank since that time. First National Bank The First National Bank of Warsaw was founded May 14, 1987 by the late A. I. Nelson of Mentone as president; Donald Vanderveer of Milford, former Kosciusko County circuit court judge, as chairman of the board. Others founders included the late Furel Burns and Wayne Nye. The bank was founded in its present location on the corner of Center and Buffalo Streets in Warsaw, and capitalized for $65,000. It now (Continued on page 2)

Commissioner Dorsey won't seek re-election

Maurice W. Dorsey, Kosciusko County commissioner from the northern district, now completing his fourth four-year term in office, has decided not to seek a fifth term, he made known this week, his announcement being made in this newspaper He said, “It’s time for me to bow out,” adding, “The voters of Kosciusko County have been good tome.” Dorsey said he would not endorse anyone as his successor, but noted that there are certain to be a number of good candidates come forth. His last opposition in a primary election came from the late Ray E. Ferverda. Since that time he has been opposed by several Democrats in general elections, but won handily each time. His present term ends the last day of 1984, at which time he will have completed 18 years as commissioner. Dorsey and his wife, the former

To spark interest in retail group

By GAIL WIDMOYER Staff Writer In an effort to increase participation, the Retail Merchants Division of the SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce has changed the monthly meeting schedule. Beginning January 9. the group will meet at Das Keller at 6 p.m The following month, the retail merchants will meet on the second Tuesday at 8 a.m. at the State Bank of Syracuse. Each monthly meeting will alternate from the second Monday at 6p.m. to the secpnd Tuesday at 8 a.m. in an effort to make the chamber more accessible to retailers. In other action by the group. Jeanne Gardiner will retain her position as president since no objections to the slate of officers were voiced. Also re-elected to their respective posts were: Jim Evans, vice president; and Gerry Bauer, treasurer. Christmas Promotion Mrs. Bauer reported on the Christmas Shop Syracuse kickoff program held Saturday, Nov. 26, by saying the promotion was “very good." She felt everything “ran very smoothly ” and only expressed regrets that more adults didn’t attend the ceremonies. Mrs. Gardiner reported $170.37 was spent on the day for ribbon.

I ; 1k m■ + A B i! M ' I mJa INKS BANK TRANSACTION - Principal parties in the signing of a letter eMatent ter the purchase of the Pierceton State Bank by the First National Bank of Warsaw are shown here. Seated from left are Neal M. Carlson, president of the First National Bank of Warsaw, with Leon S. Kubacki. president of the Pierceton State Bank. Standing, left, is Stanley E. Pequignot. director of the Pierceton bank, with George H. Leake. Jr., chairman of the hoard of directors of the First National Bank. 1

' § : ff^ws|P J|l ■ ■■ '; ■ MAURICE W, DORSEY Doris Shock of Syracuse, reside on CR SOON in Tippecanoe Township.

See photo on page 2. cranberries, cocoa. cookies. Santa and printing the merchant index in advertisements She also told members present that some merchants expressed displeasure with the advertising efforts where Syracuse ads were not coordinated Another merchant said the price he paid for advertising wasn't worth the number of people who visited his store. The group agreed more coordinated advertising efforts were needed in the future. Those present also agreed another weekend should be chosen for the promotion. This year the merchants were competing with promotions in the larger cities so an alternate

Dewart files for trustee

While a number of people from Van Buren Township have expressed an interest serving that township as trustee, only Randall (“Tim”) Dewart has filed the papers necessary for consideration. The new trustee is being sought to replace current Van Buren Township Trustee Max Evans who has submitted his resigna-

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Vice Chairman of Commissioners Chi Monday, Jan. 3k of this year Dorsey was elected vice chairman of the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners at its re-organisation meeting. Dorsey graduated from North Webster High School with the class of 1934, and spent his entire life in that area. At 88, he is an agent for the Farmers' Mutual Relief Association of Warsaw, and has been employed with that firm since 1986. He has also been a dairy farmer. The Dorseys are parents of three children: Bill, superintendent of WaNee School Corporation; Dixie Simmons of Syracuse and Kathleen (Mrs. Steve) Carlson of Elkhart. Maurice Dorsey’s father, the late William M. Dorsey and a longtime resident on the same farm where Maurice now hves, was elected county commissioner in 1934 and served three three-year terms.

weekend will be selected for next year.

The shopping index used in advertising will be updated and printed to include merchants’ phone numbers Each merchant will receive some of the indexes for distribution to customers. In other business, Mrs. Gardiner presented Mim Speicher with a special recognition certificate for resuming responsibih' ty for the Christmas Shop Syracuse promotion. The group was also asked to consider assuming responsibility for the Chili Cook-off which has traditionally been sponsored by the Syracuse Lions Club. After some discussion, those present agreed to table the idea until Jack Matney and/or Merle Smith could be present for discussion.

tion effective December 31. Evans, owner of Evans Fabric and Variety Store in Milford, has opened two additional stores in Wakarusa since becoming trustee last January. Kart Keiper, a committeeman and president of the advisory board, and other precinct committeemen, Dora! McFarren and (Continued on page 2)