The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 February 1984 — Page 1

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VOLUME 21

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FATAL ACCIDENT — Area law enforcement personnel and firemen gathered at the scene of a fatal accident last Saturday morning that claimed the life of Ronn Beer, Milford. Pictured above are from left are Gary Eastlund, Kosciusko Coun-

Train-truck accident claims life of young Milford farmer

By MARK WEINSTEIN Staff Writer For the third time in two years, a Milford resident’s vehicle was hit by a Conrail freight train. All might have been avoided had railroad crossing lights and gates been installed. The latest accident occurred Saturday, Feb 25. and claimed the life of Ronn Philip Beer a r 1 Milford farmer. Beer’s truck was hit by a Conrail freight train at 7:01 a m The Catherine Street crossing, sight of the fatal accident, continues to be a dangerous intersection without the protection of safety crossing lights. It is currently marked by crossarms and stop signs. In 1982, Arthur Napier suffered serious injuries when his car was hit by a Conrail train at the Fourth Street crossing. A vehicle driven by Terry Bailey, son of Mr. and Mrs. E C. Bailey,, was\it by another Conrail train at the north end of town in 1983. Although there's been no in-

Sectional 'curse?' Snow storm hits area

It’s sectional time and the “curse" of the boys' sectional is upon us. For as long as many can remember some type of inclimate weather has plagued sectionals in the area. This year it’s blowing and drifting snow The violent snow storm moved into the Lakeland area midmorning Monday with strong gusty winds lasting into the evening. Despite the halt of falling snow, strong winds caused the closing of county roads on Tuesday and the National Weather Service, Fort Wayne called for additional 35-40 mile per hour winds through Wednesday morning. Weather reports from South Bend indicated seven to eight inches of snow fell in the Michiana area with up to 10 feet of snow being reported in Kokomo. Drifts in the area were three to seven feet high. This storm brought back memories of the “Blizzard of 11978” when the area was crippled by high winds and drifts for almost one week Don Forney, Kosciusko County Road Supervisor, reported all county snowplows were called of the roads at 4 p.m. Monday evening. Al 1:20 p.m. Tuesday crews went back out in an attempt to open north-south roads. Forney stated the wind had shifted somewhat and was not cutting across these roads as strong. In fact, the roads plowed open

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

dication as to when lights will be installed, Milford’s Town Board has been working hard and long to correct the problem. * ‘Conrail just keeps telling us to sit still and be patient,” said Clerk-Treasurer Monica Bice. “I just wonder how many more lives we will have to lose before they do something.” The town board, which began in 1981 looking into the possibility of putting up warning lights at all five railroad crossings in town, has failed to see any action taken on its efforts. In October, 1983, Milford sent Conrail a check of $11,290 for its portion of payment of the federally funded project. Since then, nothing has been done. “It takes about two years to complete a project like the one Milford has undertaken,” said Pat Nugent, spokesperson for Conrail. “From the first stages of filing the papers, to the installment of the safety devices, it ends up being two years, or so.’’ But with the latest accident.

around 2 p.m. seemed as if they would remain open, unless strong winds picked up. Snowplow crews will remain out for as long as the winds are not gusty and try to open what roach are possible. However, if the wind speed increased and plowing is fruitless the crews will again be called in and used for emergency use only. No Snow Emergency With surrounding counties declaring a snow emergency Kosciusko County officials felt it wasn’t necessary. Forney said if people stayed at home a snow emergency would not be called. He also stated that if people did get out Tuesday they didn’t go very far due to the drifting snow. The county highway department had plows scattered throughout the county working on emergencies. Forney reported one snowplow became stuck, due to poor visability on the south county line, and plows that were out found it necessary to remove stranded vehicles from the roadways before plowing. With visability dose to zero Monday afternoon, several businesses in the area closed early and remained closed on Tuesday. The gymnastics sectional was cancelled Monday and Tuesday evenings and Lakeland Community Schools were closed both

ty Coroner; Steve Knipsel, Kosciusko County Deputy; an unidentified Milford fireman; and kneeling, Milford fireman Bob Hurd. They are looking at the remains of Beer's truck after the collision with the Conrail freight train. (Photo by Ron Baumgartner)

RONN BEER

Milford’s Town Board will make more noise about the delay of work. “They promised us they would get to the project as soon as they could." said Town Board Member Darrel Orn. “It’s not real easy getting things out of them. We ll just have to keep on them.” Conrail denies any delay in its efforts, but says it’s all

Tuesday and Wednesday. Numerous Accidents Local, county and state officers were busy with minor accidents Monday and Tuesday, all weather related. Indiana State Police reported 29 accidents were logged for Monday and there were numerous accidents on Tuesday involving semis on US 30 and SR 6. All accidents were either property damage or minor personal injuries. Kosciusko County Police reported 26 accidents were investigated. Captain Ron Robinson reported there were not many residents out and about on the roads Tuesday. “People have been very cooperative,” remarked Robinson. In Milford, Marshal David Hobbs reported no accidents within the town limits, however, there were approximately nine cars off the roadway at the “S” curves south of town on SR 15. North Webster Police also reported no accidents but numerous calls into the disp-’t-chers office asking for road <x. ditions outside the local area. Syracuse Police investigated at least seven accidents Monday within the city limits. One of the accidents involved a car and semi on Brooklyn Street. No one was reported injured. Due to the weather conditions

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29,1984

part of the normal process. “We received the approval from the state to go ahead with the project the first week of the year,” said Nugent. “The materials have been ordered, and Milford should receive flashers and automatic gates this year.” While the town waits for the much anticipated safety guards, the railroad company has continued to go against regulations set forth in Milford’s ordinances. Milford’s Town Board, adopted an ordinance in December, 1982, concerning the speed of trains going through town. A 25-mile-per hour standard was set by the board. Still Conrail refuses to listen. Saturday’s train was estimated traveling at 40 miles an hour. Along with the violation in speed on the tracks, Conrail also was in violation of consecutive petroleum fuel cars. “We were taught that trains can only have two petroleum cars back to (Continued on page 2)

and the number of accidents, individual police reports on many of the mishaps were available at press time. Accidents Available Among the accident reports available were: A two car-collision on East Main Street and North Park Ave., in Warsaw at 11:37 a.m. Monday. Involved in the mishap were Rhonda Hawley, 28, Leesburg and David L. Batta, 26, 1814 Michaels St., Warsaw. Damage was estimated up to SI,OOO to each vehicle. Jeffrey H. Williams, 33, r 3 Syracuse and Ben E. Wagner 18, r 6 Warsaw, were involved in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of CR 300E and Armstrong Road at 2:10 p.m. Monday. Damage was estimated up to $1,500 to each vehicle. Mitchell Beam, 24, Warsaw and Joyce Judd, 32, r 1 Leesburg, were involved in an accident at 2:14 p.m. Monday, at Cr 200N and Sunset Drive, Warsaw. Damage was estimated up to SI,OOO to each vehicle. Leann D. Kern, 19, r 1 Syracuse, was traveling through Ogden Island, Lake Wawasee, when her car struck a utility pole and mailbox. The mishap occurred at 2:40 p.m. on Monday. No damage estimates were available.

MAIL-JOURNAL INCREASE EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 7 The subscription price of The Mail-Journal will increase to sls per year for in-county subscribers and to 118 for out-of-county subscribers, effective March s <• The counter sale price will also be increased to 30 cents per copy on March 7. Subscribers will have until March 7 to renew their subscriptions at the current rate. Persons over the age of 65 will continue to receive their 10 per cent discount on subscriptions. These increases are due to a continuing rise in general production cost, according to Arch Baumgartner, board chairman of The Papers Incorporated. He added that these costs increases will be absorbed in employing additional reporters to cover all phases of news and events in our circulation area, and in order to provide an increasingly better local newspaper.

Top school board posts open for November election Two. seats on the Lakeland Community School Board will expire on June 30, 1985, and those two seats will be filled as a result of the November elections. Board president Bill Little and OPice president Phil Payne will complete their current terms. Little represents District 3 (Van Buren and the east half of Jefferson Townships) while Payne represents District 1 (Tippecanoe Township). In a telephone conversation, Little stated he has not made a decision about running for reelection. Payne was unavailable for comment. In previous board action, the time elected candidates take office was changed from July 1 to Jan. 1. In future elections, not including the one this November, elected school board members will take their posts on Jan. 1. As a result, whomever is elected in Little and Payne’s seats will serve terms of 3 1 * years instead of four. According to superintendent Don Arnold, the change was made to reduce the lame-duck period to less than two months. Board members who do not complete their terms until Dec. 31, 1986, are secretary Marguerite Hoerr, District 3; Dave Carey, District 1; and Henry Smith, District 2 (Turkey Creek Township). License branch to be open on Thursday Syracuse License Branch will be opened on Thursday, March 1, according to Roxanna Hadley, branch manager. Mrs. Hadley stated this is the only Thursday the branch is opened due to the large number of plates expiring in February. License branch hours on Thursday will be 8:30a.m. to 4; 30p.m.

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN —After a brief speH of spring weather, winter returned to the Lakeland area an Monday and Tuesday. Road crews from the Kosciusko County Highway Department were unable i \

Syracuse town hall floor plan receives still further revisions

By TOM CHARLES Staff Writer The Syracuse Town Board continued to seek design modifications in the proposed town hall at a special public meeting on Tuesday night. Jerry Firestone, of James and Associates architectural firm, presented a revised floor plan to the board at the Tuesday session. This is the third plan presented to the board. “We have very much simplified the plan in terms of movement through the building,” Firestone told the board. Changes incorporated into this plan included a reduced police squad room, a smaller north entrance way, the elimination of a lounge/vending area, less corridor space and the location of public restrooms at the north end of the building. Theboard approved all of these changes. However, ,/board members suggested some additional changes in the interior design. Specifically, the board requested that the garage door in

Sewage problems discussed in special board meeting

Milford’s Town Board met Wednesday afternoon in a special session to discuss sewage problems. During the emergency meeting, town officials discussed possible solutions, especially on Emeline Street. In addition, Phil Campbell sought the town’s approval to tap into the Emeline Street line. Being able to do so would help solve the backing up of water around his future store. “The problem is our sewer system which combines storm water and sanitary,” said Street Commissioner Bill Knowles. “And we are also concerned with Phil’s development with the excess amount of storm water which we will have to handle in our Emeline Street line.” Present at the 4:30 meeting were Bob and Andy Brown of Phend and Brown, Inc., who sketched out a possible solution. Bob Brown noted that Campbell’s drainage system would run across the front of the building

Expect anything in March With the shortest month of the year almost over, and the Ides of March on our very doorsteps, we’re wondering what to expect for our weather next month. According to Lores Steury, Goshen College weather observer, there is only a slight difference of 101 degrees between past March highs and lows, meaning we can expect anything. So, what else is new! March 24, 1939, saw a toasty 82 degrees, while the Bth of March, 1943, was a frigid minus 19 degrees. Normal average temperature for March is 36.6. The warmest average recorded for March was 48.8 in 1948, and the coldest average was 25.5 in 1989. Normal precipitation of 2.87 inches can be compared to the most we’ve had in 1976 with 6 inches, to the least in 1981 with .49 Indies. March snowfall doesn’t do too much for area skiers with a normal of only 4.8 inches. The most was in 1977 with 16.6 inches and the least was just a trace in 1921,1927 and 1935.

the police bay be enlarged from eight feet to 10 feet; the assessor’s office area be enlarged from 742 square feet to 1,000 square feet, that an extra office space be included in the structure for possible future expansion, and that the town hall meeting room be reduced in size. Firestone indicated that these changes would be easy to complete, and said that he can have a final schematic design ready for the board’s approval by Tuesday, March 6. The current design emcompasses 6,900 square feet. Firestone said that, with the modifications, the structure will cover approximately 7,200 square feet. At next week’s meeting, the board is expected to give its final approval on the schematic design as well as reach some decisions regarding floor and wall finishes. Financing Perry Glancy, of Midwest Educational Services, Inc., was present at Tuesday’s session to inform the board of financing options for the structure. Glancy presented three options

along SR 15, and dump the water into Emeline Street. Campbell, who also was present at the session, agreed with the Browns’ idea of disposal of the water, but was concerned with costs of the project. Along with the major problem in front of the store, the Browns also mentioned the standing water behind the proposed store along West Street. are going to need to take care of the standing water in the back also,” said Knowles: “This is our responsibility, and I think we should take care of this while we take care of the other.” While the three parties discussed how to correct the problems and how it will be funded, Knowles offered some optimism of a grant taking care of the project. “There’s a slim possibility that a grant will take care of this ...” added Knowles. In other action, Ed Ousnamer of Sewer-Tech, Fort Wayne, showed a video tape of the cur-

to clear rends on Monday night and Tuesday morning due > high winds. However, by Tuesday afternoon, conditions had improved to the point that plowing could he resumed. (Photo by Tom Charles)

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to the board; a five-year payback at a rate no higher than 8.25 percent, a 10-year payback at a rate no higher than 9.25 percent, and a 15-year payback at a rate no higher than 10 percent. The estimated tax rates on these plans range from a high of 42 cents on the dollar for the fiveyear plan to a low of 35 cents on the dollar for the 15-year proposal. All of these figures are considered to be upper limits. Based on a project cost of $450,000, Glancy told the board that the total cost of the project, including interest and financing charges would break down as follows; $558,270 for the five-year plan, $707,040 for the 10-year plan, and $878,310 for the 15-year plan. Town Attorney Robert Reed indicated that he felt the tax rate on anything less than a 15-year payback would be too high. The board will not reach a decision on financing options until sometime in March. The next meeting is scheduled for Tueday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m.

rent lines down Emeline; offering suggestions to the board. * “The first thing that I would do, with the conditions of the sewers, is take a bucket machine and get the roots out,” suggested Ousnamer. “Then maybe next year, vaporroot them and kill them.” Ousnamer noted that by using a herbicide to vaporroot the roots, they become overfed and eventually die. The process is good for between four to seven years. The board, without member Dennis Wuthrich, discussed the financial aspect of the costly project. However, Jean Treesh and Darrell Orn were reluctant to give the final approval without Wuthrich’s comments. Mrs. Treesh and Orn decided to ask Ousnamer to put the town on the waiting list for upcoming work. Health department sues Hampsher Elkhart County Health Department officials sued Rollen J. Hamsher, New Paris, for operating an unsafe dwelling. Hampsher owns the building at 67008-4 CR 29 New Paris which is part of a larger group of buildings. Also located there is a house that caught fire last month and killed an occupant. State law permits the health department to seek injunctive relief within 15 days of a vacate order which was filed Feb. 1. The department then filed suit Feb. 16 in Elkhart Superior Court 11. Dr. Stanley Reedy, health officer, inspected the structure and said the dwelling was unfit for human habitation with inadequate sewage disposal, inadequate water supply and a cracked and sagging roof.