The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 35, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 September 1984 — Page 4
THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., September 12,1984
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Editorials
Adults return to classrooms
Adults in the Lakeland, West Noble and Fairfield Commimity School Corporations are being given a chance to return to school the week of October 1. The adult education classes are sponsored by the Wawasee Area Vocational Cooperative. They offer the opportunity to return to the classroom. 10 take up new vocations. New hobbies. Exercise. A chance to do something different. . . Among the classes scheduled are woodworking, secretary refresher, ballroom dance, beginning beekeeping, accounting, computer programming, powder puff mechanics, typing, watercolor painting, co-ed volleyball/photography, basic ground school, conversational Spanish, intermediate conversational Spanish, computer literacy, computer word and information processing, advanced sewing, upholstery, quilting, knitting and crochet, calligraphy, slimnastics and GED preparation. We feel much thought has gone into this program to offer a little of something for everyone. The Vocational and Continuing Education Office can also tailor-make a course of instructions exactly suited to the needs of a business and its employees. Also currently being considered at Wawasee are night school classes for drop outs who wish to work on their high school diplomas. Persons who would like to see this program put into operation should call the vo ed department. All in all, it’s a very good program. One that many area residents should and do take advantage of during both the fall and spring of the year.
Reconfirmation ?
Several bills have been introduced in Congress in recent years to require reconfirmation or renomination of federal judges. Federal judges, unlike those in many state courts, are appointed for life. This has always presented a problem, although the idea behind life appointment is sound: to place judges beyond the corrupting influence of any group or individual. Yet since the life tenure system presents a problem, the founding fathers provided for impeachment. This is where some modification of the judicial system is needed. Most Americans would agree that there’s nothing wrong with reform that makes certain federal judges are not unfit, senile, alcoholics, dishonest or mentally enfeebled. ' ; . . The impeachment process isn’t working to provide Americans that security. The last Federal judge to be impeached was in 1936. It takes a very naive individual to conclude that in the past 48 years none of our thousands of federal judges haven’t done anything to warrant impeachment in the public interest. The best course for Congress, in initiating the process of constitutional amendment, is to provide for reconfirmation of federal judges by the Senate, perhaps every six, eight or ten years. Renomination would involve politicians, aspirants and various pressure groups in power struggles to w in judgeship appointments from the White House. Administrations might tend to change judges along party lines, certainly undesirable. But Senate reconfirmation of sitting judges would likely be and should be more or less routine, unless glaring circumstances of improper conduct persuaded the Senate to refuse reconfirmation. In that case, another judge would replace the incompetent. There are some who believe inherent evils in the present system are the lesser of evils in a system of reconfirmation. They feel that this will involve judges in politics, political waves of the times, and influences from pressure groups. They have a respectable argument. The bQttom-line question is whether today’s system of, in effect, no impeachments, is a greater threat to trial justice than the reconfirmation process would be.
What others say —
New message for Faith Assembly
Members of Faith Assembly should have gotten a new message this week when a Whitley Countyjury deliberated just over two hours before returning a guilty verdict in a case in which parents didn’t seek medical aid for their 26-day-old child Gary Hall, 33, and his wife, Margaret. 27, may go to prison because they permitted little Joel David to die, apparently needlessly. The Halls said Jesus was their doctor The child reportedly died of pneumonia, and it was said that about $3 worth of medicine may have saved his life, according to Whitley County Coroner Alfred Allina. The guilty verdict should be about all the proof Faith Assembly members need that it is a criminal offense for parents to permit a minor child to die without seeking medical help for THAT child. Sentencing has been set for Sept. 24 when the Halls could go to prison if the court decides against probation. Members of Faith Assembly have been rather careful in the past not to directly disobey the law as they practice their faith. Members have complied with court orders to seek medical treatment for their children, as requested by welfare departments who have been asked to investigate individual cases. Some parents may be pleased when a public agency gets involved and medical care for an ailing child is ordered by the court. This takes parents “off the hook” with Faith Assembly leaders who do not ostracize parents who get medical help for their children if parents are faced with a court order. These parents of ailing children may actually hope their situation is turned into a public agency like the welfare department for investigation. The Whitley County case would seem to make it clear that all parents have a responsibility for the health and well being of their minor children. Common sense has told us this for years, but Faith Assembly members have been pressured by leader Hobart Freeman to trust Jesus and not medical doctors to care for their health problems. Most parents put trust in both. & A Ligonier couple, David Bergmann, 28, and his wife, Kathleen, 27, face reckless homicide and child neglect charges in the death of their 9-month-old infant daughter. The child died of untreated bacterial meningitis and pneumonia.
It’s time Faith Assembly members in our area stop playing Russian roulette with the lives of their children. There is a big public debate today over abortion and whether the unborn child has a right to survive Well, there may be a difference of opinion about the unborn child but there shouldn’t be any question about a child's rights after being brought into this world. Our prosecutors in this state should have been trying these cases long ago, even if they lost. It simply doesn’t make sense in 20th century- America for society to permit little children to die without medical treatment. Parents may be free to make martyrs of themselves, but they are not free to make martyrs of their children. This is a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court. Faith Assembly leader Hobart Freeman may have some good ideas, and some of his members may be better people than they were before joining ' his church, but no caring and reasonable person can accept permitting a child to die needlessly when routine medical treatment would restore health. People who do all sorts of things in the name of religion have gone too far when they think they can permit their children to die for some Cause. This is disgusting and disgraceful. Some adults in our area have refused medical treatment and have given their life to Hobart Freeman’s Faith Assembly cause. They have that right; suicide is not all that uncommon. But the Whitley County verdict should tell Faith Assembly parents very clearly that they are violating the law when they don’t provide medical care for their children.lf Faith Assembly members won’t care for their children, society must get involved. With school starting again, administrators and teachers should be alert to ailing and injured children who do not appear to be receiving any medical treatment. They must have the courage to report these cases to a public agency for an investigation. Friends of Faith Assembly members should do the same thing. There may come a time when the Faith Assembly members will “see the light” and be eternally grateful. We’re talking about a life-and-death situation that must be a concern of everyone.
- THE GOSHEN NEWS
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Adults who want to go back to school this fall should call Dick Wysong s vo ed office at Wawasee High School for more information on fall classes.
Court news
Circuit Court
The following complaints have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Reciprocal Support Georgia Conrad versus William L. Conrad, r 4 box 38-B-3, Syracuse for support. On Account James L. Walmer versus Carolyn Beigh, r 2, box 197-2, Leesburg. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant in the amount of $250 plus attorney’s fees and all costs of action for a past due account. Complaint On Foreign Judgment Tom Adams, Jr., as administrator of the estate of Frankie B. Adams versus Gomadore Corp, 400 W. Brookland, Syracuse. The plaintiff seeks judgment against the defendant alleging that the Comadore Corp, having merged with Conchemco Corp, is liable for damages in the amount of $70,000 plus attorney’s fees and all costs of action for a fire that destroyed a mobile home, resulting in the death of the plaintiff’s decedent. Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filled for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Circuit and Superior Courts: Ream — William Robert Ream
Letters to the editor
American defense
Dear Editor: America must rise again patriotically, defensively and spiritually if we are to resist the enemy, save our freedoms and not be subdued into slavery Our once free -USA is being underminded, deceived and divided within by our liberal leftiest element in congress Ever since Jimmy Carter dismantled and destroyed our CIA intelligence organization by firing some 800 faithful courageous workers, we have had thousands of Soviet spies and KGB jobs. They are even making trouble for all Russian dissidents that have found freedom in America, such as Soviet historian Roy Medvedev, who has been placed under 24 hour house arrest. Note the latest Soviet craize is called diplo-bashing. An example of it is when US consul Roland Harms was assaulted in daylight while leaving a restaurant in Leningrad recently. The- recent Afghan raids have cost Moscow in total, losses of 5,000 troops in their invasion of Afghanistan. It is reported the Soviets are training Cubans to fly the Mig Air Craft loaded with booby trap toys and firebombs over Afghan villages to terrorize the people. The loaded toys injure and crip-
TNI 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, Indiana46s67 Second class postage paid at 103 E Main Street. Syracuse. Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: sls per year in Kosciusko County; sls outside county. POSTMASTERS Send change of ad dress forms to The Mail-Journal. P.O. Box IM. Milford. Indiana 46542.
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and Janet Sue Ream, r 2 box 139, North Webster. The couple was married April 26, 1974 and separated September, 1982. Hammond — Sally Jo Hammond and Lyle Joseph Hammond, box 3 North Webster. The couple was married October 20, 1979 and separated June 1, 1984. There are two minor children. City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — John C. Schacht, 27, Syracuse, S4O Operating motorcycle after daylight hours with motorcycle learner’s permit — Jamie T. Wine. 17. Syracuse. $36 Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jean Messmore: Roberts-Martin Edward Lee Roberts, Jr., 20, r 2 box 828, Leesburg and Kimberly Jean Martin, 18, r 5 box 334, Warsaw Keaffaber-Hile Gary Alan Keaffaber, 21, r 2 box 57, Warsaxy and Tami Jo Hile, 21, box 362 Leesburg Johnson-Gerrity David Alan Johnson. 23, 226 N. Shore Dr., Syracuse and Patricia Mary Gerrity, 21. r 5 box 250, Syracuse
pie the children. Then the helicopter infantry swoop in after the bombing for mopping up activities. Surely Afghanistan and El Salvador need our military support to keep Soviet aggression at bay. The following is a report on Central America by Senator Jesse Helms: Helms favors military aid for the region since the citizens are willing to fight for their freedom. We must give the people of El Salvador the military means to win the guerilla conflict without achieving social reforms as a pre-condition and Helms believes the Kissinger Commission report totally misses the mark in achieving this. It will permit too much delay in, conquering the guerilla conflict and allow or permit — even hasten the spread of Marxism. So. if we wish to protect our own defense interest and give the people of Central America a chance to win their freedom, we must reject the Kissinger report’s recommendations. We can not’expect the Salvadorians to divide their energies between social and political reforms while trying to win a war to hold their freedom. The Red Chinese are like Soviet Russia seeking world conquest and Taiwan is their immediate target. The US has foolishly aided them by giving away our advanced nuclear technology. So the now free capitalistic Taiwan has been our allie for 40 years. So the US should do nothing to strengthen the Red Chinese military build up. Now we read the Soviet Air Force General “Romanov,” the butcher dies while in performance of his duties. He is credited with issuing the shoot down order which killed congressman Larry McDonald and 268 other helpless people aboard the Korean Air Lines Flight 007 in August 1983. Byron Ulrich Milford „
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"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"
THREE OF the six school board candidates have written statements for this week’s column. The statements of the other three candidates will appear next week. Two of the six will be elected to serve on the Lakeland Community School Board when voters go to the polls on November 6. The terms of Billy G. Little of Milford and Philip Payne of North Webster are expiring. Little is seeking re-election. Payne is not. Since each of the three districts in the corporation must have one representative and no district may have more than two and each district has one member on the board whose term is not expiring, any of the candidates may be elected. However, only one candidate from each district may be elected. Candidates from District 1, Tippecanoe Township, are George D. Lung, Paul Reith, and Jeanne G. Thomas. Candidates from District 11, Turkey Creek Township, are R. Swartzendruber and Stuart Walker. Incumbent Billy G. Little is the lone candidate from District 111, Van Buren and the east half of Jefferson Townships.
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CAROL SWARTZENDRUBER SYRACUSE
CAROL SWARTZENDRUBER is a resident of Syracuse. In announcing her candidacy, Mrs. Swartzendruber emphasized the following: Our schools are excellent and I believe that the education of our children is the backbone of society both in the community and the country. Children must be guided by the schools to use their full potential by learning first, the basic skills, second, how to learn and then, the excitement of learning. Along with these skills, schools are involved in the child’s; development of self-esteme, selfdiscipline, problem solving, and working with people. Our society is changing and new information and ideas are increasing at a whirlwind pace. Our young people need to be trained to handle the future not only while they are in school, but the rest of their lives. With a current budget of nearly seven million dollars and about 3,000 students, this is a very heavy responsibility for our corporation and can only be achieved by a well run team of administrators, teachers, auxiliary personnel working with the community and dedicated to all children who are our greatest natural resource. I see the functions of the school board to be to carry out the educational policies of the state along with developing the educational policies of the local community. This should.be done by setting up policies and written goals for our schools and then selecting good administrators and personnel to fulfill these goals. By continually evaluating the team and their pursuit of the goals, the school board can best serve the community. I feel the need for intense community support of our schools. The community can achieve this by their willingness to become involved in the schools and the schools can achieve this goal by keeping the community and parents informed, by encouraging community input and opinions, and by realizing their responsibility to the community. A solid base of communication between administrators, the board, teachers, staff members and the community will achieve the goal of an excellent school system. I feel the board has many important issues with which to deal in the near future. The selection of a new superintendent is an immediate need along with the selection of a full time curriculum coordinator. Because of the recent national report, A Nation at Risk, which evaluated our nation’s schools, many new laws and mandates are coming to the local level as society focuses on improving our educational system. With programs such as Prime Time, the school board needs to determine the immediate as well as long range effect on our local schools. Along with the always present need to be financially responsible, the school board needs to evaluate present policies and goals to include the current trend towards educational excellence. 1 feel my greatest asset for being a school board member is my past nine years of current, active involvement in the schools. As a parent, I have been a room mother every year, have attended school board meetings on a regular basis, have been a volunteer worker in the elementary and . junior high schools, a member of the Citizens Committee, on book selection committees and worked temporarily as a library aide. ■ I am currently president of the Syracuse PTO and a member of the superintendent selection criteria committee. I earned my bachelor’s degree in nursing from Goshen College and practiced in pediatrics and pre-natal teaching. I have lived in Syracuse since 1975, moving here from Detroit. Having three children in the elementary and junior high schools as well as having the free time to visit the schools during school hours with the board's approval I will have a positive effect on understanding the school and community needs and desires. ■ ■ ■ j I look forward to serving all three Lakeland communities and their children in a positive and open manner.
I feel my greatest asset for being a school board member is my past nine years of current.
active involvement in the schools. As a parent, I have been a room mother every year, have attended school board meetings on a regular basis, have been a volunteer worker in the elementary and junior high spools, a member of the Citizens Committee, on book selection committees and worked temporarily as a library aide. I am currently president of the Syracuse PTO and a member of the superintendent selection criteria committee. I earned my bachelor’s degree in nursing from Goshen College and practiced in pediatrics and pre-natal teaching. I have lived in Syracuse since 1975, moving here from Detroit. Having three children in the elementary and junior high schools as well as having the free time to visit the schools during school hours with the board’s approval I will have a positive effect on understanding the school and community needs and desires. I look forward to serving all three Lakeland communities and their children in a positive and open manner.
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JEANNE THOMAS NORTH WEBSTER
JEANNE THOMAS of North Webster had the following to say: A board of education exists for the purpose of providing all students with the opportunity to acquire the best education possible. This involves many things. However we should never forget that effectively serving the learning needs of our students is what it’s all about. A team approach where all our administrators work together towards a common goal is important. Teachers set the stage for the "educational harmony" and can make the task of learning easy or difficult. I believe we have a good team and we need to continue this as changes are being made now and in the future. "Everything in not “black'' or “white" and a good board member is the one who can help resolve the “gray” areas. I lam very excited about the new state supported Prime Time program. During the next few years this program will allow students in grades K-3 to have one teacher for each 18 students. In talking with children in this age group, their whole life revolves around, "Mom, Dad and Teacher.” During this time our teachers have a great deal of influence and with fewer students in the classroom our teachers will have more time to spend with each individual student. We have a strong teaching staff and need to do everything in our power to keep it strong and yet improve where and when needed. Teachers are the people who transfer learning to our sons and daughters. They are most important! The Rand Corp, has done a study titled "Beyone the Commision Reports: The Coming Crisis in Teaching.” This report shows that within the next few years the school of education will not turn out enough teachers to satisfy a teacher shortage. In order to keep the high quality teachers that we now have and be assured of being able to hire the most qualified in the future, we must all work together and continue to keep the Lakeland Community School system strong. Having a daughter who spent her entire school years in the Lakeland Community School Corporation, I feel confident that I can represent the youths’ feelings. Many times student input can be very helpful in inspiring their educational program. We need to get the maximum for every dollar spent. We cannot afford to do less. If elected I will bring a very strong interest level to this position. I will serve the taxpayers and citizens to the best of my ability and will need their input and support.
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PAUL REITH, a resident of r 6 Warsaw and Milford banker, had the following to say : I graduated from Purdue University in 1965 with a B. S. degree in animal science and agriculture economics. I accepted employment after graduation with Central Soya Company in Fort Wayne. My position was agricultural sales and finance. In 1969 I changed employment and was hired by the USDA Farmers Home Administration. During the seven years employment 1 worked with agriculture financing — utility and community service loans, business and industrial loans and residential and multi-family housing. / In 1977 I accepted employment with my pre- 4 sent employer, First National Bank of Warsaw. I am presently branch manager and vice president of the First National Bank of Warsaw. I believe that my past and present employment will provide me a good basis to work with fa the Lakeland School System. . (Continued on page 5)
PAUL REITH WARSAW