The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 13, Milford, Kosciusko County, 11 April 1984 — Page 1

Phones: 658-4111 & 457-3666

VOLUME 21

KKHHKKKI jOLt ' - ’ \ fl| ■ ■ l Ji '“’ ■» jp I■■ w A B JF :/lj W| .. 1 ■ IK

•CO-CITIZENS’ — M-J publishers Arch and Della Baumgartner were chosen as the 1984 Milford "Co-Citizens of the Year" and honored at the annual Milford .Area Development Council banquet Saturday

Arch and Della Baumgartner named Milford's 'Citizens of the Year'

B> JEKI SEELY Arch and Della Baumgartner. 201 James Street. Milford, publishers of The Papers Incor porated, were named “CoCitizens of the Year" in a community-wide recognition program Saturday night The event was held in the town s community building The Baumgartners became the first husband and wife team to be so honored Their being named co-citizens came as a complete surprise to both of them The couple was presented with an engraved plaque as a highlight of the evening’s activities by Marcy Habb. president of the sponsoring Milford Area Development Council In making the presentation Mrs. Haab listed the accomplishments of the Baumgartners as they have jointly work together for the betterment of Milford over the years She nojed Mrs. Baumgartner s serving as president of the Columbian Reading Circle and of the improvements made at the Lakeside Park during her tenure in office Her husband is a past president of the Lions Club. They served as co-presidents of the Milford Parent-Teacher’s Association and were instrumental in the basketball court being put in at the school. While Baumgartner has worked hard at bringing new business to Milford, his wife has joined others in the community in getting rid of unsightly and unsafe buildings in town. The citation read, "In recognition of outstanding community support and service." Following the presentation Baumgartner said he was very honored and extremely flattered and was proud to be a citizen of Milford. He introduced their son, Ron, and daughter-in-law Gloria, and their daughter, Jane, and son-in-law, Mike Yoder, all of whom were in attendance. Mrs. Baumgartner said the award was "really a surprise,” and noted her appreciation for same. She also introduced her sister and brother-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Earl (Marjorie) Suter of Goshen, who entered the room following the presentation; as did the couple’s four grandchildren, Criss and Jeny Baumgartner and Jason and Craig Yoder. Other ‘Citizens' Mrs. Haab introduced previous recipients of the community award who were in attendance — 1971, Dorothea Kerlin; 1973, Harold Young; 1974, Edith

The Mail Journal

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

Baumgartner; 1976, Dorothy Williams; 1978, Dr Floyd Rheinheimer; 1979, Ned Speicher; 1980, co-recipients Dr. T A Miller and Jean Treesh; 1981. Elmer Hartter; and 1982, co-recipients Ralph Neff and Priscilla Myers Carl Duncan, the 1972 recipient. is no longer living. Recipients not in attendance were 1975. Bertha Wehrly Gilbert; 1977. N John Perry; and 1983, Karl Keiper Seated at the head table were Marcy and Fred Haab, MAD Vice President Paris Miller and Mrs. Miller. MAD Secretary Mrs Darrell (Evelyni Orn and Mr. Orn. MAD Treasurer Don Arnold and Mrs. Arnold, and the speaker for the evening. Tom Mullen Speaker Mullen, associate professor of applied theology and minister-at-large at Earlham School of Religion, Earlham College, Richmond. was the evening’s speaker A summer resident of Dewart Lake, Mullen is a 1956 graduate of Earlham College and a 1959 graduate of Yale University and is a well-published author His topic for the evening was “An Attitude of Gratitude" as he stressed both humorously and more seriously the importance for showing gratitude The meal was prepared and served by Jennie Heckaman. Household items stolen Mary Pusti, r 2 Syracuse, reported to Kosciusko County police the theft of numerous household items from her home on CR 1000 N. The theft occurred between November 17 and March 28. Kosciusko County Police report entry was made into the home through a window. Stolen were two aluminum satin finish bowls, a fruit bowl, glass bowl, relish tray, box of antique dishes, a gold necklace with a diamond pendant, hairdryer, mirror, iron, linens, teflon skillets and approximately six kitchen towels. Area menln 2-vehicle crash Todd H. Leming, 32, r 1 North Webster and Kevin P. Kinney, 24, r 1 Milford, were involved in a two-vehicle mishap at SR 13 and CR 500 N. No one was injured. Kosciusko County Police estimated up to $2,500 to each vehicle.

night. Marcy Haab. president of MAD. is shown above presenting the plaque to Della and Arch Baumgartner. (Photo by Ron Baumgartner)

List accomplishments of new Milford Citizens of the Year'

Following is the text of the presentation as read by Marcy Haab at Saturday’s MAD banquet when she revealed Mr. and Mrs Baumgartner as the “Citizens of the Year: ” This year Milford once again has “Co-Citizens of the Year ” For the first time a husband and wife have been chosen to share the honor This couple has done a lot over the years for the community of Milford - working, supporting and backing many projects for the improvement of this Northern Indiana town. While others were thinking and talking — they were busy doing Doing things not only for their own growing business but for their community. From ice truck driver and telephone operator to publishers of four weekly newspapers this year's "Co-Citizens" learned as they went along In the summer of 1939 one of our "Citizens" was driving an ice truck in Milford for his brother He had just completed three years of college and was home for the summer. A few days later he found himself the young and completely inexperienced publisher of The Milford Mail. The paper had come up for sale and he grabbed the chance Our other “Citizen of the Year" worked as a telephone operator after graduating from Warsaw High School. She received 15 cents per hour. Not much by today’s standards but enough to buy milk at the local grocery rather than the goat's milk she grew up on. Our couple was married in Orlando, Fla., in 1943. In a story that most army personnel could tell about themselves, he used SSO out of his officer’s $l5O uniform allowance to buy a simple gold ring, pay rent on a room for a week and feed two people until another payday rolled around again. When they moved to Milford after the war, it was back to the newspaper business. Home was then a five-room apartment above the newspaper shop. Here they lived with their two children for a number of years. In 1949, at the request of many of the resident of Pierceton, they started a second weekly newspaper, The Pierceton Press. Asked in a 1954 Publishers’ Auxiliary story on “Editor of the

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11,1984

Week,” what he thought made a successful newspaper, our Citizen of the Year answered: “Keeping a program before our subscribers, using one of civic improvement.” And this has beed a keynote in the lives of our couple in our small community of Milford: Pride in our community and civic improvement. In the early 1950 s she was president of the Columbian Reading Circle and organized a work force to improve the Lakeside Park at Waubee Lake. Even to this day, she recalls going into the town’s taverns and getting men to help with the heavy work at the park. The club’s efforts won it recognition in a national magazine contest. Through his position as publisher he has worked hard, with others from the town, to encourage many industries to come to Milford, including Chore-Time, Barth and Sprague Devices. The Milford Mail became the first registered Democratic newspaper in Kosciusko County in the 1950 s—a landmark move in this strong Republican County. The couple served as copresidents of the PTA. While in this position they spearheaded a drive to build the basketball court at Milford’s school. A court that has seen much play over the years. A long time active member of the Milford Lions Club, the husband served as that organization’s president in 1959-60. While many businesses move out of their hometown, as they grow, our citizens elected to stay in Milford. Their business grew from one that employed three other people to one that now has 70 on the weekly payroll plus over 200 independent newspaper carriers. Always community-minded, our “Citizens” have served as chairmen of the United Fund drive in Milford and for years The M-J office was headquarters for Mental Health Christmas gifts. In 1966 their son graduated from Indiana University and came home to join the family business. In the 1970 s they began to think of their expansions and of helping Milford to grow too! In 1971 the first Kosciusko County edition of ‘the PAPER’ (Continued on page 2)

Holt nursing home plans at Syracuse A circuit court appeal has halted plans for Miller’s Merry Manor’s proposed Syracuse nursing facility. The initial project before the State Board of Health involved a new nursing facility for Kosciusko County. Three proposals, one from US Management, Muncie; one from Community Care Centers Inc., also of Muncie; and a proposal from Miller’s Merry Manor were taken before the State Board of Health. Initially, the 66-bed facility proposed for Syracuse by Miller’s was approved by the State Board of Health, while the 63-bed Community Care Centers’ facility proposed for Warsaw, and the US Management proposal were rejected. In an appeal Community Care Centers attempted through an administrative law hearing, the findings were again in favor of Miller’s. Community Care Centers has since appealed the case for judicial review through the circuit court in Marion County, a move that could result in a lengthy wait for all parties involved. The parties could wait as long as six months to two years before a judgment is reached. The appeals have been based on a tentative approval said to have been granted by Steve Dunn, Project Review Officer of the State Board of Health Planning and Development division. His recommendation was given to Evidentiary Hearing Officer Carolyn Cooper. She overturned his recommendation, and last Ocafter ruled in favor of Miller’s. The evidentiary hearing officer’s decision is believed to be based on market conditions. The Warsaw-Winona Lake area in which Community Care Centers proposed its facility has five such facilities currently in operation. Miller’s proposed Syracuse facility would be the only one in that area. The proposed 66-bed, single floor Syracuse facility would have an approximate building cost of $1,650,000. It would offer 22 beds for intensive nursing care patients, and 44 beds in a separate area for intermediate care patients. However, according to Tom Teghtmeyer, the director of marketing for Miller’s, it could be a long time in coming, even if the court eventually does decide in favor of Miller’s. “We’re not going to go ahead with the project until a decision is reached,” he stated.

Bomb threat at Dana Corp.

Some 200 employees at Dana Corporation Syracuse Plant were evacuated from the plant around 5:50 p.m. Tuesday evening after a bomb threat was received. There was no bomb found.

Clarify athletic code at school board meeting last night

By TOM CHARLES Staff Writer A large crowd of concerned citizens turned out for the Lakeland School Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday night, forcing the board to relocate its meeting in the high school auditorium. Several of the citizens were present to voice their concerns over recent suspensions handed out to high school athletes who have been in violation of the school’s athletic code. The issue was not raised until near the end of the four-hour session, but it generated considerable discussion. “The board has been aware of rumors and considerable discussion concerning the fairness of the Athletic Code,” noted Board President Bill Little. “The Code is subject to a yearly review, but once the rules are approved it is our job to enforce them.”

e fl W . .. GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE - John K. Snyder, Republican candidate for Governor of Indiana in the Tuesday, May 8, primary election, was in Syracuse Monday evening promoting his candidacy. He is shown here with his host. Don Byrd, owner of the Wawasee Golf Club where he appeared; with E. Maize Alexander, former two-term County Recorder, second from left; and N. Pauline Jordan, long-time party functionary in Kosciusko County.

John K. Snyder makes pitch here in race for Governor

John K. Snyder, who has a long history of working for the Republican Party in Indiana, appeared before a group of party faithfuls Monday night at the Wawasee Golf Club in his effort to seek the Indiana Governor’s chair. * Snyder has been making a whirlwind tour of the state, leveling charges of cover-up against incumbent Governor Robert D. Orr, who is seeking a second term in the state’s highest office. The two Republican leaders will face one another at the polls on Tuesday, May 8, in the primary election. Don Byrd, owner of the golf club and a friend of Snyder’s, arranged the appearance here and introduced Snyder. Former State Treasurer Snyder was nominated for Treasurer of the State in 1964 but was defeated in the general election. He won the office in 1966 and again in 1968, carrying 72 of the 92 counties, and garnering 30,000 more votes than Richard Nixon did that year. Nixon was always popular in Indiana, where his mother was a native. In 1970 Snyder was elected chairman of the state’s Republican Central Committee and retired a $300,000 party debt. His list of achievements within the Republican Party is long and impressive. Would Re-Organize State He said he traveled 40,000 mile since November in Indiana making talks and giving interviews. He called Gov. Orr’s term in office “372 days of deceit.” Snyder said he would ask the General

Syracuse Police received a call from Dana Corporation advising them the company had received a bomb threat from an anonymous male caller. State county and city police units and members of the

With that preface to the issue, several parents voiced their concerns that students had not been treated fairly in actions taken as a result of a party at the Thomas Inks home on March 10. As a result of that party, eight athletes were suspended for one calendar year, one was placed on a one-year probation and seven students involved in extracirriculars were disciplined by their club sponsors. Two parents in particular expressed their feelings that the punishment was too severe for the offense They noted that the present code contains some ambiguities which may lead to unequal treatment of students. One parent expressed her concern that students were punished as a result of heresay and not on the basis of solid evidence. Wawasee Principal Dr. Howard Hull, Athletic Director Hal Traviolia and several of those present at the meeting

Assembly to reorganize the state government from its present 80 agencies to a 15-member cabinet-type government, thus saving money and running more efficient government. “We’ve had no major change in state government since 1930,” he said. He would push for a utility tax reform to get utility rates under control. “We have lost more businesses due to high utility rates,” he said, “than the state has been able to attract.” He said France and England, who are moving toward nuclear energy, are laughing at the United States for its refusal to move in that direction. He added, “Indiana is fast becoming another Mississippi,” with its regressive gross income and inventory taxes. Indiana has had to purchase electricity out of the state during the past winter, indicating we are at a break-even point in supplying this vital component to the state’s growth. Snyder said he would return the license branches to the control of county chairmen and keep * the revenues within the respective counties. Strongest Charge He charged Governor Orr gave the state its largest tax increase in history after the 1982 election, then added: Governor Robert D. Orr conspired to hide the truth from Hoosiers as to the state’s actual financial status; that his administration improperly, most likely illegally, instructed that state warrants (checks) be written on an empty, over drawn general fund account; and that he knew that the state was in deep financial trouble, but he stonewalled and covered up the truth until after the November, 1982 General Election.

Syracuse Fire Department made a search of the building. Employees of the plant were given the option to return to work or go home. Most of the

defended the school’s action. Both Hull and Traviolia claimed that they received students names from the police and that students were fully aware of the code and the penalties before they attended the party. “I will not be a party to slackening the discipline in this high school," said Hull. “I think that it is one of this school’s strengths.” Board President Little noted that people who desire to suggest revisions of the code can express their concerns in a written letter to the board. Busy Night In other items, the board: • Approved the resignation of Wawasee social studies teacher Tony Vermillion and the retirement plans of Annabelle Anglin, Elmira Turner, Janice Baumgartner, Eldon Ummel and Carl Hadley. The board also approved a one-year leave of

30 c

NUMBER 13

employees returned to work around 7:30 p.m. Controller Rick Harman said it was unfortunate. They have no idea who called or why.

absence for Mrs. Mavis Vanderveer. Vermillion is planning to attend Navy officers school. The retirees are concluding a combined total of 132 years of service to the school corporation. “They hav£ made very valuable contributions to this corporation and it is with reluctance that we accept these resginations and retirements,” said board member Marguerite Hoerr. In another personnel matter, the board agreed to a r trial restructuring of administrators in the junior high schools. Under the present one-year plan, Marion Acton will assume the duties at Syracuse Junior High, replacing Charles Haffner who is returning to the classroom. Acton’s position will be filled by Milford Elementary Principal Ned Speicher, who will be in charge of both Milford schools. Both Acton and Speicher will be (Continued on page 5)