The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 50, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 December 1983 — Page 1
Phones: 658-4111 a 457-3666
VOLUME 20
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BUDGETS INCREASED — Lakeland Youth Center and Lakeland Daycare Center, bath in Syracuse, recently had their 1984 budgets increased by United Way of Kosciusko County. The budget and admissions committee of the United Way of Kosciusko county, lnc„ met to increase budgets of agencies requesting additional funding for 1964. James E. McCleary. United Way President, said “without the fine efforts of voluteers and the support of our county during the campaign, it would not have been possible to answer these requests.” This year’s campaign goal was exceeded by more than $38,000. Shown above George Gilbert, vice chairman for United Way of Kosciusko County, is presenting the budget increase amounts to Jill Stanley. Lakeland Youth Center director; and Carol Hurd Lakeland Daycare Center director. (Photo by Deb Patterson!
Select James and Associates —
Fluoridation issue dominates Syracuse Town Board meeting
By TOM CHARLES Staff Writer Although no decision was reached, the issue of fluoridation for the Syracuse water system dominated discussion at a special meeting of the Syracuse Town Board last night. Board member Jim Hughes reported to the board that he has done considerable checking on the etfects of fluoridation and has turned up little evidence to suggest that it is harmful. “1 have done a little bit of checking — quite a bit, actually, ' stated Hughes. “1 checked with a medical person in a large insurance company and was told that there is no foundation to the fact that fluoridation would cause any health problems. “1 also checked the opponents of fluoridation,” he added. “They had some good points. However, all of their information was dated back into the 19505.” Eight town residents were also present at the meeting to voice their support for the idea. They expressed concern that Syracuse is one of the few towns in the area which does not use fluoride treatment in its water.
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NEW VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE ~ Marcia Baumgartner, left, was sworn in last Wednesday as the new Van Buren Township Trustee. She will assume her duties on January I,ISM. Mrs. Baumgartner is replacing Max Evans, right, who resigned the position after serving one year of his four-year term. (Photoby Tom Charles)
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"If smaller cities than Syracuse can afford it, then we should do it." stated Lynn Griffith, office manager for Dr. James Crossen and Dr. James Jinks, two of Syracuse’s dentists. "Ninety-four percent of the state is fluoridated. If 94 percent of the state is fluoridated, we should at least look into it.” Board President Carl Myrick and board member William Hess expressed concern over the cost of this project. "Nobody has ever been able to answer how much it will cost,” said Myrick. Hess asked, “Can we afford to do this?” Griffith responded to their concerns by pointing out the possibility of obtaining a government grant to pay for installation of the equipment. Myrick replied that the board has checked into that possibility, but that he wants to see some cost estimates. After a pointed exchange between members of the audience and Myrick regarding popular support for the idea, Myrick contending that there is no clear public support for the idea and members of the audience arguing
Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL IE st. 18881 and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL lEst. 7907/
the reverse, the issue was tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting. “I will take it on myself to find some things out,” said Jim Hughes, adding that he will check with other tow ns in the area to get an idea on the costs of fluoridation. The Board unanimously approved, without discussion, the selection of James and Associates, Fort Wayne, as the architectural firm to design a new Town Hall building. They will do the work under construction management so that local contractors have a chance to bid on the project. The Board also unanimously accepted Police Chief Warren Swartz's recommendation to accept Eby Ford’s bid of $9,528.5ft on a 1984 Ford LTD Crown Victoria S police car. Swartz recommended this bid, the second lowest, in light of the fact that the low bid ($8,783) was for a compact car. “It would take less money and time to install our equipment in the larger vehicle,” Swartz said. “I’m sure that you would all rather drive a full-sized car where your safety is concerned. ” A request by the State Bank of Syracuse to rezone a piece of property on SR 13 north of Syracuse was brought before the board. The bank would like to rezone the property from its current residential status to a commercial status. However, this proposal met with unanimous rejection at the Area Plan Commission. The Board unanimously supported the APC decision to reject the rezoning. The proposed seawall and fill project on the outlet channel at Syracuse Lake was brought up for discussion near the end of the meeting. Joe Dock, street, water and wastewater superintendent, stated that he thinks the town should continue to pursue the matter with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Town attorney Robert Reed reminded Dock that the Army Corps of Engineers has already told the town it cannot proceed with the project. However, Dock thinks that if the board pursues the matter with the DNR there is a possibility of obtaining permission to proceed. The board agreed that the matter should remain open. In unfinished business from last week, the board approved a Civil Defense request for a handheld radio and the Fire Department’s request for $1,238.35 for the purchase of new protective will meet next Tuesday night, January 3, to discuss new appointments for the upcoming year.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28,1983
PSC reviews August decision, NIPSCo responds
PSC view The Public Service Commission of Indiana in an order approved Wednesday, Dec. 21, granted a rehearing of certain evidence in the August Northern Indiana Public Service Company rate case. The PSC order found that additional evidence should be heard on the reasonableness of the construction costs of NIPSCo’s Schahfer Generating Station Unit, 17 and the rates now in effect substantiated. Further, the commission found that a separate investigation should be launched to study allegations concerning NIPSCO's excess generating capacity. The petitions for rehearing were filed by intervenors United States Steel and Citizens Action Coalition in August and oral arguments were heard by the full commission on October 7. In its order, the commission stated, “The public would have no confidence in this commission, and should not have confidence, if we allow permanent rates to go into effect based on the cost of a plant when we are not fully satisfied about the reasonableness of that cost." They went on to explain, "In the event that NIPSCo cannot establish the reasonableness of the costs, and other parties cannot make a convincing case to the PSC of what the costs should be, the commission may be forced to employ independent consultants to assist in determining why the costs of NIPSCo’s Unit 17 exceed- ■* ed by more than three times and cost of its last coal fired Unit 15 placed in service in 1979 and approximately twice the cost of PSl's Gibson Unit Five, placed in service in 1982. ’’ The PSC continued to say, due to the complexity of the issues surrounding excess capacity, a separate cause with a complete investigation was called for immediately and would be initiated by the PSC staff with procedural recommendations from staff due within three months on this issue. A prehearing conference to determine hearing dates and other preliminary matters relating solely to the issue of reasonableness of costs of Unit 17 will be held at 10 a m. on Sunday, Jan. 8. in Room 401, State Office Building, Indianapolis. City snow plow causes damage to parked car A snowblade on the Syracuse snow plow struck and scraped an auto while it was being used to plow city streets. The mishap occurred at 5:40 p.m. Friday, Dec 23, at West Washington and SR IX Francis E. Robinson, 38,206 E. Washington St., Syracuse, was driving the town truck up the hill on West Washington from SR 13 when it struck the parked auto registered to Jerry or Margaret Curry, 201 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. The car was parked along the street next to their home. Syracuse Police Officer Corky Wong estimated no damage to the town equipment, but up to SI,OOO damage to Curry’s auto.
Charges harassment —
Jack Mason found innocent of 'bellying' charge
John C. (“Jack”) Mason, controversial Lake Wawasee developer and self-professed professional gambler, received a “not guilty” verdict at a bench trial held last Wednesday afternoon before Kosciusko County Court Judge James C. Jarrett that lasted for three hours. The 55-year-old r 1 Syracuse resident was found innocent of a charge against him by one Robert Conley, a reserve officer in the Kosciusko County Sheriffs Department. The incident took place in front of Mason’s amusement parlor, The Billiard Parlor of Warsaw, on East Winona Avenue, Warsaw, on September 23. The
NBSCo rusgonsu Northern Indiana Public Service Company has responded to the Public Service Commission’s order of December 21, for a rehearing on the reasonableness of the cost of Unit 17 and initiated an inquiry regarding the question of "excess capacity . " Until the cost question of Unit 17 is resolved by the PSC, retail electric rates established by the PSC’s order of August X remain in effect subject to possible refund and payment of interest, effective December 21 In replying, Edmund A Schroer, chairman and chief executive officer of NIPSCo, said Thursday, Dee. 22, "We believe that our evidentiary presentation during the hearing process justified the expenditures of Unit IT, which was built during one of the highest periods of inflation in the history of the country, affecting both the cost of money and the cost of construction. "It is a high-tech unit designed to operate at a high efficiency level and to meet stringent environmental standards required by government regulations. "During the rehearing process, we will again justify the monies expended on this project, which we believe is clearly needed to serve the present and future electric energy requirements of our customers. "As to the question of 'excess capacity,’ the company welcomes the opportunity to have greater public understanding of • trus much misunderstood issue. "Electricity, unlike natural gas, cannot be stored. Sufficient power must be available to meet peak demand situations when they occur NIPSCo serves a highly industrialized, job-sen-sitive service area, more so than any service area in Indiana and in most of the country. “NIPSCo’s long-range plans have considered present and future demands upon its system, and we are confident we are not overbuilt,” Schroer said. Charged with maipracTice suit John C. Hagen and Hagen and Hagen Attorney’s at Law, Syracuse, have been named defendants in a malpractice suit filed by Ronald and Phyllis Roberts for insufficiently representation. According to the Roberts, Hagen was retained to represent them in a foreclosure notice from the State Bank of Syracuse. Hagen apparently failed to file pleadings or appear in the suit which resulted in a default decision. Also, the plaintiffs claim that Hagen failed to timely file for bankruptcy, which dbst the Roberts $137,500 in real estate interest and additional property. The Roberts also filed a second suit saying if Hagen would have filed the bankruptcy notice on time, the foreclosure might not have taken place. Estimation of the Roberts loss was 89 acres of land, interest on crops grown on the property and additional land valued around $300,000. They are seeking judgement for compensatory damages.
charge said Mason “bellied” the
reserve officer with a large protruding belly, prompting the plaintiff to file a citizen’s arrest. Clifford R. Williams, an Elkhart attorney, represented Mason, and in testimony asked Conley if he had shown his badge to identify him as a reserve officer in the sheriff’s department to the defendant. Conley replied that he was off duty, and that he used the reserve deputy card as identification only Mason said he told Conley he could not make a citizen’s arrest inasmuch as na felony had boon committed. Mason also said he had ordered Conley out of his Place of business.
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ACCEPTING THE GOOD DE ED — Milford Town Board President Steve MiUer. left, accepts the deed to property owned by Brock Manufacturing from CTB Accountant Dennis Becksworth. far right. Looking on during ceremony are Mr. Bill Kurtz, controller at Brock Manufacturing, Mrs. Jean Treesh. board member, and Mr. Dick Gentry, manager manufacturer at Chore-Time.
Rank and file to vote on terms —
NIPSCo and Union reach tentative 4-year agreement
A joint statement was issued today (Wednesday! by Bob Zeldenrust, vice president industrial relations and head of Northern Indiana Public Service Company’s negotiating team and W Ken Massengill. Sub-District 7 director of tKe United Steelworkers of America and chief union negotiator, outlining the tentative agreement reached earlier this month. Up To Rank And File The new four-year contract, if approved by rank and file members of locals 12775 (physical) and 13796 (clerical! would take effect June 1,1984 and
Chore-Time expansion makes —
Housing situation tight (and bright) in Milford
By TOM CHARLES Staff Writer With the continuing expansion of Chore-Time and the resulting influx of workers into the area, the future looks bright tor those hoping to develop housing in the area. Or does it? Phil Beer, of Syracuse’s Beer Realty, says that the need for houses today is probably as great as it was in the early 19705. At that time Beer built a total of 27 houses in two years. "1 think we are probably going to see a similar market in the next few years,” stated Beer. “But development has to be done slowly." Along with that forecast, Beer expressed some reservations as to the possibility of successful development in the Milford area. “The type of people that CTB is bringing in can afford to look at other communities," he said, in-
A teen-ager, one Mario Schaetzle, took the witness stand in Mason’s behalf as an eye-witness and stated Mason was innocent of the charge leveled by Conley. Mere Tn The Story There appears to be more to the story. according to County Sheriff Al Rovenstine. He claimed Conley, who had a barber shop in the Lakes View Shopping Center, near Mason’s establishment, saw two Warsaw teen-agers who had apparently been drinktog. He fottowed them to Mason’s ptece of business. Then, according te Rovenstine, Mason asked the intoxicated youth to go into his place of business and call their parents.
extend to May 31, 1988. It provides for across-the-board wage increases of 5 per cent the first year, 3“-2 per cent the second year and 2 per cent in each of the last two years, plus adjustments which track the Basic Steel Agreement of 1963. Improved Benefits The agreement also includes improvements in benefits (pensions. health insurance, holidays), together with a number of work rule adjustments which will contribute to greater efficiency and productivity. In making the announcement, Messrs. Zeldenrust and
dicating that many of them prefer to settle in Goshen, Syracuse or Warsaw. He also pointed out that one of the problems with selling homes in a new development is that they are in an untried neighborhood Families or individuals who buy homes in Syracuse or Goshen have the advantage of settling in an established neighborhood. The challenge for Milford, according to Beer, is to "match the type of house with the type of buyer.” While he doesn’t believe that there is a current housing shortage. Beer conceeds that there is a need for more rental units. However, the alleviation of that problem is complicated by zoning considerations. "Everybody wants more rental housing, but they don’t want it next to them.” said Beer. Not everyone agrees with Beer’s assessment of the sßua-
Conley would not allow this, and called tor Warsaw city police to enter the case. Officers Brent Nellans and Doug Brumfield responded and placed the teen-agers under arrest. They were taken totheceunty jail where it was adjudged they were intoxicated, Rovenstine said. One boy was kept overnight in the jail. Both boys were fined and placed in the custody of their parents It was at this point, late in the afternoon of September 23, that Mason reportedly “bellied” reserve officer Conley. Mason contends the arrest by Conley was pari of a systematic harassment that forced him to
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Massengill indicated that the early resolution of negotiations resulted from the conciliatory atmosphere that characterized the talks. All parties involved were dedicated to reaching a fair and equitable settlement in a non-confrontational environA series of meetings will be held this week so the details of the agreement can be explained to all bargaining unit and non- bargaining unit employees. Ballots will then be sent to members of locals 12775 and 13798, with the outcome expected to be announced by mid-January.
tion State Senator Jqhn Augsburger (R-Syracuse) believes that there is a housing shortage in Milford. He had plans to buy the old Milford School property in order to construct new housing units. "1 didn’t have any detailed plans.” said Augsburger. "I was considering villa-type individual units. I feel that Milford is ready for housing and I saw this as an opportunity.”
Augsburger went on to add that he also sees the need for more rental units and that interest rates are scaring off potential developers.
Two developers who are going ahead with plans are John Perry and Fritz Kilmer. The two men own approximately 13 acres of land on the west side of SR 15, north of Milford. According to Perry, they have (Continued on page 2)
close his Warsaw amusement parlor. He dosed the business in late October. Mason formerly had gambling interests in several Honduras casinos, and was in Honduras when he had to return to face trial. He said he was there to apply tor a new gambling license, and that when he faced the charges filed by Conley he was mehgibie for a Honduras license in accordance with that country’s strict laws on such matters. Mason said this week that he is against Conley, who witnessed that he had made from to to 18» citben’s arrests in the past