The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 50, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 December 1983 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed., December 28,1983

Editorials

Legislature cares about children To exaggerate a point, it’s a good thing the Indiana State Legislature cares enough about children to enforce a safety policy for young Americans. Effective January 1, parents of children under three years of age will be required to strap their children in safety tested car seat while parents of three to five year olds must have their children in a safety seat or secured in the auto with a seat belt. All parents are concerned about the welfare of their children and most adults have experienced the reflex of extending a right arm to prevent children from smashing into the windshield when a car has to be stopped suddenly. But yet, those same concerned adults fail to see the convenience of safety equipment installed in the autos for the welfare of the children and adults alike. Perhaps the most commendable part of the legislature’s ruling is its ulterior motive. Besides saving hundreds of children from unnecessary injury, the State also hopes to begin a safety habit that will become a natural reflex for adults. Film credits, films Should newspapers list all those who take part in getting a news story or feature story into print? At the end of a feature, should there be a list of people who contributed? That would include the reporters, those who set the type, proof readers, managing editors, press room employees, composing room makeup employees, plate makers, camera operators, headline writers, folding room personnel, delivery personnel (truck and carrier), etc., etc. ■ That’s what film producers do - in this film-crazy world of today. Every film made ends with a long list of credits, naming everyone from the assistant lighting director or wardrobe assistant to film editors, script writers, music dubbers, makeup people, etc., down to the flunkie who cleaned up the set after the shooting. Newspapers don’t name their production people after an article, or even an entire edition. They don’t inflict “credits” on readers because it would waste space, time and money. The film business, however, is ninety per cent wasted time, space and money. One is constantly amazed at the drivel millions of dollars are spent on, and dumbfounded to see how many Americans watch this hogwash. The novelty of moving, color pictures has still not worn off. Rather, television has seemingly increased the tolerance limit for worthless film. The food hope of those with reasonable intelligence is that the public will soon reach the state where violence, shock, base conduct, vulgar behavior and loud-mouth, empty dialogue is recognized for what it is, and not slavishly watched in fascination because it is on film. Computer fad Computers are, of course, today’s business and home “in” machines. Every business, it seems, wants a computer. And home computers are the rage. Families which need clothes more sometimes put hundreds of dollars into a home computer. Now comes a computer expert who admits that too many people have gone bonkers over computer myths and capabilities. Arthur Fink, who did graduate work in computer science at Harvard, says businesses can often profit from the installation of computers, but not always. Sometimes, he asserts, people using computers get carried away. Computers become an end in themselves, rather than a useful tool to help do the job at hand. He was quoted in the Christian Science Monitor recently as saying the need for a computer to balance one’s books, or checkbook, is a myth. The only practical use of a computer in the home today, he says, is for word processing. Many don’t need that. He discourag*es the use of such terms as “the computer said,” noting that computers will say whatever they have been programmed (by another human) to say in a given situation. He prefers terms such as, “based on the assumptions fed into the computer it indicates....” Home video games? He’s not impressed with them as learning devices. Most of them are mindless, he says, and addictive. The trouble with highly-pressured emotions is that they drop suddenly to a new low. There may be reason to complain of slow mail service but bills arrive regularly on time. What others say — Blinding the press No one was surprised last month when the Soviet government refused to let reporters near the place where Korean Flight 007 had been shot down; everybody knows how open the Russians are to public scrutiny. But there’s plenty of reason for surprise now, in Grenada, for this time it’s the U.S. government that has been trying to keep the public in the dark. At first it kept out all reporters, period. Even Thursday afternoon it let in only a small group; not including even one newspaper reporter, and for only a few hours. How does the Reagan administration justify thus trying to blind the pres and the public? It gives three explanations: each is feeble, infuriating. - Danger. Defense Secretary Weinberger said reporters were barred because the troops were unable “to guarantee any kind of safety.” Safety? Let Weinberger consider the Iwo Jima memorial, not a mile from this office- the Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi. How much safety does he think was guaranteed to Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press, who took the famous picture? Let Weinberger think about at least 53 reporters who died in Southeast Asia between 1961 and 1975. They well knew that the government bore no responsibility for their safety. So did the government. All is asked for — then — was that they sign releases from federal responsibility. - Military necessity. General Vessey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said the operation required surprise. For a brief time that was a responsible concern, but to bar reporters is a sledgehammer solution. Even in World War II reporters were allowed along on operations, including commando operations, subject to news embargoes or appropriate censorship. — I’m just a civilian. Weinberger’s most astonishing rationale was that he commanders of the operation did not want reporters along, and he “ wouldn’t even dream of overriding a commander’s decision.” What a perversion of the idea of civilian control of the military. Written several weeks ago — NEW YORK TIMES

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Ann-Drew Vanover, five-month-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oakley Vanover, is pictured above in a car safety seat to represent the new law which will take effect January 1. For parents who cannot afford an approved car seat, some local hospitals and organizations are beginning programs which will offer the seats for a small monthly rental fee. Ml n i 457-3666 Or • -J Hulse Call 658-4111, Ext. 17 QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How would you spend a million dollars? Results ot last week’s question: What’s your New Year’s resolution for 1984? To spend more time at home with my family . . . I think they are stupid, all you do is break them anyway ... Not to vote for Ronald Reagan, or even talk about the guy Gosh, I haven’t thought about it yet ... I never make them I’m so busy, 1 just hope to have good health so 1 can keep on going ~. To lose weight...it seems to be a perpetual one for me Playing my best in helping Grace win another MCC Championship To spend more time away from home ... To make a million dollars anyway 1 can ... To have a great time on my "Love Boat " cruise . To date my heartthrob . . . Losing weight and getting things back together . .To pass all my classes with no grade lower than a D” . Being able to help my Maple Leaf friends win some basketball games. . Gaining 20 more pounds before football season Finding a job, anywhere .. . Not yelling at the neighbor's dog more than twice a dav . . .

Court news

SUPERIOR COURT The following complaints were filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Robert Burner, judge: Complaint People State Bank vs Coreen Penn, Warsaw. The plaintiff is seeking garnishment of the defendant’s wages to satisfy a judgment of $4,963 56 MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS The following couple has filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Reed — Robin J. Reed vs Brenda K. Reed, Milford. The couple was married March 21, 1980 and separated August 15, 1983. There Visitor loses license plate Dennis Smith, 718 Main St., Chestertown, contacted Syracuse Police after he noticed his license plate was stolen or lost. Smith was visiting at Weaver Apartments on Boston Street, Syracuse, when he noticed his plate was missing. Syracuse Police Officer Robert Houser investigated the report which was reported at 3:40 p.m. Christmas Day. Snowmobile damages shrubbery Junior Frenger, r 4 Syracuse, contacted Syracuse Police at 11:17 a.m. Monday, Dec. 26, after a snowmobile went through his yard and destroyed some shrubbery. Damage was estimated at $25 by Syracuse Police Chief Warren Swartz. THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U S.P S. 3258 4000) Published by The Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 46547 Second class postage paid at 103 E Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 44567 and at additional entry offices Subscription: sl4 per year in Kosciusko County; 16.50 outside county. POSTMASTERS Send change of address forms to The Mair Journal, P O Box 188. Milford. Indiana 46542 Zk/ VC

are two minor children. CITY COURT The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Unreasonable speed — Jeffrey A. Cullers, 23, Milford, S3B Warrant 831532 (theft) — Dusty Penninger, 35. Syracuse, $69, 90 days in jail, suspended on condition defendant not commit a similar offense for one year, probation for two months for restitution Speeding — Paul A. Taylor, 17, Syracuse, $43 Augsburger seeks citizens' views Prior to the start of the 1984 Indiana General Assembly, State Senator John Augburger (RSyracuse) is interested in gathering public opinion on matters which will be before the legislative body. Among the issues on which persons are urged to write Augsburger are legislation requiring kindergarten for every five-year old child; legislation requiring all public schools to begin after Labor Day; legislation lengthening the school year from 175 to 180 days with an increase in school taxes; and legislation instating merit pay for teachers. Other items to be considered are legislation providing state tax dollars to supplement federal grants which help low-income and elderly people winterize their homes; legislation to base phone bills on the basis of duration and distance of calls; legislation transferring the operation of Indiana’s license branches to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (which may double the cost to taxpayers); and legislation proposing the use of excess state budget funds for road repair. The remaining issues include legislation dealing with a “rainy day fund” which would set tax dollars aside each year to deal with future revenue shortfalls; legislation to allow Hoosiers to write “living wills” as a request that they be kept off life-support systems; legislation dealing with physicians prescribing generic or name-brand medication; legislation regarding a state lottery; legislation dealing with crosscounty banking; handgun control and removing the sales tax from utility bills. Persons wishing to respond to any of these items are urged to write Augsburger at the Indiana Senate, Indiana State House, Indianapolis, Ind., 46204.

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

WHAT WE can say here about the extraordinarily cold weather of the past week or 10 days will mean little to those of us who have experienced it, but it might tell a story to our friends in Florida. It has been cold, believe us. setting all kinds of records throughout the North. It began with a fury early last week and just wouldn’t let up. On Friday, the coldest day so far, temperatures registered as far as 26 degrees below zero, depending in large part who one talked to. But 20 below was commonplace, and people were using every device imaginable to keep warm, many with less success than others. A year ago Friday, - December 23, 1982 - temperatures in the Midwest stood at a record high. We even reported young ladies water skiing on Webster Lake and a young Fort Wayne resident swimming in Lake Wawasee. Larry Stackhouse, local insurance man, got his boat out of storage and took daughters Kay, 15, and Lynn, 18, water skiing on Webster Lake after he had opened all his packages. And so this Friday, Dec. 23, record lows were reported. “There’s no justice,** one bundled up resident said, unsmilingly. The frigid wave extended into Florida, according to national news reports, even speaking to a loss of the much-valued citrus crops in central Florida. On Monday, the day after Christmas, it was 33 degrees above zero on South Miami. And this is cold in Florida, brother. And now for the bad news: there’s more of the same coming, so brace yourself. —O'NEIGHBORING CROMWELL will soon have cable television, if the wishes of the town board are put into action. Triax Cablevision Corporation of Manchester, Missouri, is already serving the town of North Webster and plans to service its Cromwell customers out of that office. The cable operation is slated to begin in the spring, according to Greta Wallace, Cromwell town board president. Triax cable rates begin at $7 a month for basic cable, according to Mrs. Wallace, whose board recently met with Triax representatives, which figure is less expensive than other companies hoping to enter the Cromwell market. —O'HELEN (MRS. Harmon) Harper of Cromwell has good reason to sing the praises of her granddaughter Kathy Gibson, a high school junior at Bozeman (Montana) High School. Long an outstanding runner, the teen-ager has been invited to compete in an International 10 kilometer (6.25 miles) cross country meet in Singapore in early January. Grandmother Helen, an employee at the Cromwell Feed Mill, said Kathy is slated to leave December 30, and will be gone about one week. The U.S. Team, which will consist of 30 male and 30 female runners, will spend two days in Hawaii, five days in Singapore and one day in Malaysia for athletic competition and cultural exchange. Athletes are selected to the U.S. Team by the International Sports Exchange from news clippings, sports information releases and meet results from competition throughout the nation. Kathy, a high school junior, led the Bozeman girl’s team to its* second consecutive state cross country championship in October and has been a state champion in the 3200 meters in track. Kathy’s mother, the former Becky Harmon, is a Cromwell High School graduate with the class of 1959, is a Purdue University graduate and wife of Dr. David Gibson, native of Palos Park, 111., a Purdue graduate also, and now serving as Dean of Engineering at Montana State University. Kathy has an older sister Karen, who is a sophomore at Purdue University. —o— JACK AND Barbara Marlette, winter residents at 1120 53d Avenue East, Lot 5 Brandenton, Fla., are suffering from some chilly weather right now like the rest of the Floridians. They spent their summers at r 1 Pierceton. Jack is hav- • ing The M-J sent to him “so we can follow the Wawasee Warriors, etc.’’ He was guidance counselor at WHS, retiring at the end of the *Bl-’B2 school year. —oJEAN MILLER, 106 East Pearl Street, is planning to leave the middle of next week for her home in Mesa, Arizona, near Phoenix, to return to Syracuse the middle of May. —o— WHEN THE subject of the Equal Rights Amendment comes up for discussion among women there is not the unanimous concensus in favor of its various tenants that one might expect. This column has found two local women, for instance, who get a slight chill when ERA comes up for discussion. They happen to be Jeanne Jones and Theda Cutter, close friends and associates on a number of local projects. This fact (their reservations about ERA) came to light last week when a reporter for this paper spoke to them concerning their Methodist Thrift Shop contribution of $2,000 to the local Boy Scout committee. Mrs. Cutter was quick to give ERA the • bah-humbug treatment — “except for equal pay for equal work,” she was ready to add. And Mrs. Jones acquiesced. Another thing Mrs. Jones can’t quite conference is the “chairperson” treatment. “I’m no chairperson; but chairman, that’s all right and proper,” she said. Then she sent along a little documentation. One was a Dear Abby column, and the following is lifted from the column:

“The 20th Convention of the National Association of Parliamentarians in San Francisco passed the following resolution: “Whereas, parliamentary law has a language all of its own: and whereas, in olden times the one presiding was the only person provided with a chair, while others sat on benches, hence he was called the Chairman; and whereas, since time immemorial the term Mister Chairman' or Madam Chairman' has always been employed to differentiate between sexes; and whereas, further effort toward sex differtiation is redundant and contrived; now therefore be it resolved that organizations and parliamentarians of the National Association of Parliamentarians must use the term Chairman instead of Chairperson. ’ and be it resolved that all members of the National Association of Parliamentarians should habitually stress the principle that the word Chairman belongs to the title of the office the same as the title of President or Secretary. “Abby, a person should not be more concerned with his or her sex than the position held. Besides, it sounds contrived and unprofessional. “Just thought you’d like to know. MARLISA BANNISTER, WESTERVILLE, OHIO” As could be expected, the resolution got Abby’s vote. Then there’s this piece by columnist Andy Rooney, who appears each week at the tail end of CBS’s “60 Minutes” on Sunday nights. He quotes one Lewis Jordan who wrote the manual of style used by writers and editors of The New York Times. Rooney writes, “I’ve always thought the words ’chairwoman* or ‘chairperson* were ridiculous, and so does Jordan. Under Jordan’s heading ‘chairman, chairmen* he says simply, “Use for both men and women. Do not use chairlady, chairwoman or chairperson." Long ago, when the United States Postal Department began naming ladies to head up post offices, it was made clear to all news media that they were to be called “postmasters’* and not “postmistresses” or “postpersons.” We were admonished by Mrs. Jones to “never call me ‘chairperson’,” and we have no intention of doing so. —o— AND NOW it’s New Year’s Resolution time: ’* i JACK VANDERFORD has resolved not to : harrass Bob Jones about Purdue’s athletic virtues over those of Notre Dame. . -oAND 808 Jones has resolved to let the matter rest if Vanderford will let his fury subside - and if, as longa s he feels he has the upper hand in the never-ending dialogue. —o— JUDGE JOHN C. Hagen has resolved no such thing when the discussion comes around to his favorite football and basketball teams — Indiana University’s Big Red. Hagen has resolved to continue his unflagging support of the LU. men of iron. -0Meantime, athletics will not abate, as principal Howard J. Hull resolves to stand his ground (as in the Manchester girts’ match against his favorite WHS girls when he had to use his imposing height to deter an over-zealous Manchester fan) in all future sporting events. -oWHS BASKETBALL coach John Wysong has resolved to spend more time on the bench in the final games of this year’s card. —o— UPTOWN, DARRELL Bales has resolved to make a decision about moving his Butcher Shop across the street by January 15. -oAND BILL Xanders has resolved to “do something” about the front door at the Syracuse Case to keep it closed, at least during the very cold weather. -oPATTI RICHEY, waitress at the case, has resolved to “do more traveling” during the coming year. —o— JACK ELAM, the self-styled mobile home parts peddler, has resolved to “do more of the same,** whatever that boils down to. —o— HENRY SMITH, the big man with Lake City Bank in this area, resolves to cover both fronts (Syracuse and Milford) with equal diligence when and after the Milford branch opens next week. —o— BILL BEEMER has resolved to continue “teUjng it like it is" during the year 1984. IncidentiallyNie says the Christmas decorations aren’t coming down until the cold weather abates, “regardless of what anyone says.” —o— AFTER HIS surprise birthday observance at the Ivy Hut, when he turned 50, realtor Larry Thwaits resolves never to let anyone, especially his son Jim, know when he has another birthday. —o— PETER PANG, of Maryann’s* Drive-In in the Village, resolves to “tell all” about his trip to the Caribbean as part of the cruise sponsored by ‘the paper*. He’s leaving today (Wednesday) with his family, to spend one night in Fort Wayne and three days in Miami before boarding the Song of America for their cruise. Making the trip with Peter are his wife Helen; daughter Teresa, 17, a St. Mary’s College sophomore: and son Michael, 17. a WHS junior. —O'INSUR ANCE REPRESENTATIVE Paul Schmucker, after spending three days inside his r 2 Nappanee home during the cold wave, came up with this sage advice, “Cabin fever is disastrous (Continued on page 5)