The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 November 1984 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., November 14,1984

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Editorials

Counting our blessings With Thanksgiving just a little over a week away the thoughts of many of our readers are on this holiday. A holiday that is all too often lost in the rush of Christmas which is still six weeks away. R. L. Kohls, in a news release this week from Purdue University, is counting his blessings. We agree with what he has to say. Th& following are his words, not ours: As I left the polls in our recent elections, I was struck by many blessings that we take for granted in this country. There were no armed guards present either to protect or intimidate me. I was presented with choices — not a roster approved by the group in power. Every precaution was taken to keep my personal decisions secret. I have no fear of revolution or civil disorder regardless of whom is the election winner. Our country has great resilience and stability. It survives and functions whether we elect mediocre or superior leaders. It occurred to me then that much of this resilience and strength comes not only from our political freedoms but also from our economic freedoms. We often do not think about it, but realistic political freedom and economic freedom go hand in hand. What are these critical economic freedoms that we often take for granted? One fundamental economic freedom is the right of individuals to own and control property. We can buy our home; remodel it; sell it. We can buy and sell land. We can own our own business and succeed or fail. We cab spend and waste our resources or we can save them for the futiire. True, there are some restrictions placed on what we can do with our property. For example, most of us cannot build a hog-house on our land in town! . . . Another fundamental economic freedom is the right to control the use of, and the returns from, our physical and mental labor. The students in my classroom can choose what line of work they wish to prepare for. Individuals can quit their jobs, move to another community, and seek another job. They can do this without a special permit or fear of losing food rations or housing permits . . . We can spend our earned money pretty much as we please. We can choose to dress poorly and spend our income on a boat and booze if that is what we want.

The results of these freedoms have been immense productivity and a high standard of living. These freedoms also result in the more capable and ambitious among us having much more wealth than others. Our basic belief is that all men are created equal — not that all end up with equal wealth. Our premise is that all can pursue happiness but there is no guarantee all will reach the goal. One of the issues of the recent political campaign concerned how fair society is and how much the more wealthy should be forced to give to the poor. It is sobering to remember that only an economically productive country can realistically have this kind of political debate. If all are poor there is nothing to share! The current famine situation in Ethiopia is a brutal reminder of this fact. We are particularly blessed in that even the poor in this country have a higher living standard than much of the world. Another critical debate of our time is over the role that government should play in our business lives. The lessons of history are clear. The more that government involves itself in the ongoing day-to-day operations of the daily tasks of production and consumption, the less realistic freedoms of choice individuals have. Many communistic authoritarian countries like to boast they have elections and nearly all of their people vote. Such a facade of political freedom is a sham unless their citizens also have economic freedom.

What others say

Mondale's last hurrah: A class act that lost There’s no presidential candidate in recent memory who displayed more class and poise in defeat than Walter Mondale. He didn’t blame anybody else. He didn’t apologize for any mistake in campaign strategy'. In his concession speech, he spoke simply and movipgly of the values that buoyed his spirits higher and higher, even as the polls showed the cause was hopeless. “Let us determined to fight on. Let us continue to seek an America that is just and fair,’’ Mondale said. ■ His campaign embodied his own ideals. He always spoke to the issues. He had plans and proposals. He had an agenda for America. He spoke for that agenda clearly. It wasn’t he who moved toward fleagan on the issues; it was he who forced Reagan to move in his direction. Mondale*s campaign had its low’ points. When Gary Hart nearly knocked him out of the race in New Hampshire. When his primary campaign faltered in Indiana and Ohio. When there was a firestorm of protest about his attempt to replace party Chairman Charles Manatt with Bert Lance. His historic choice of Geraldine Ferraro heralded a new political era that quickly lost some of its luster in the controversy about her husband’s financial dealings. Exit polls Tuesday suggested Ferraro hurt Mondale more than she helped him. Nevertheless, putting a woman on the ticket constituted a major breakthrough. A woman no longer can be excluded from the ticket because of sex, which is precisely the point of equal rights. Ferraro herself proved to be a better-than-average campaigner. Her press conference to defend family finances was a tour de force that should be a model for candidates who believe themselves unfairly attacked. If he thought it, Mondale never allowed any doubts about Ferraro to leak out. In the end, he had nothing but praise for her. Mondale’s daring gamble helps assure her of a political future. Many already are speculating she will try for the U.S. Senate in 1986. , As for Mondale, he almost seemed to grow before the electorate’s very eyes during the campaign. He won the first debate with good humor and forcefulness. Most people say he at least tied Reagan in the second debate. And even those who first viewed him as a tired practitioner of a discredited philosophy came to respect him for his feistiness and the essential decency that came through. Mondale lost in a landslide Tuesday, but’he won big, too. He showed courage and grit to a degree rarely exhibited in American politics. “I am confident history will judge us honorably, ’’ he said. And so it will. THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL-GAZETTE

g Jhe I ■E tol i| HBor, Qi Tuesday winners: Reagan, ' littleTfi t Qrr, Mun, Brower, swarttendr»l>er, ur Igl _ ■ Wk.-.-. ■■ ?s - '■ -• 'i-- C- ■ IIP

Election results were published in last week's paper. How many readers counted their blessings and included the freedoms we have in this country?

Court news

City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court : Speeding — Benjamin L. Deterling, 25. Syracuse, S4O; Lynne K. Medlock. 25, Syracuse, S4O No operator’s license — Lyle J. Oiler, 18, Syracuse, $36 Failure to stop when emerging from an alley or driveway — Rick L. Gerber, 22, Syracuse, dismissed Circuit Court The following complaint has been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint On Contract Marion M. Hooley and Marjorie K. Hooley versus Jack E. Stookey and Darla C. Stookey, r 2 Leesburg. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendants asking that a contract with the defendants be declared in default, that the court cancel and rescind said contract, determine all payments made as liquidated damages, order defendant to immediately surrender possession to plaintiffs, plus attorney’s fees and costs of action. Superior Court The following complaints have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court. Judge Robert Burner presiding: Bad Check Wawasee Service Center versus C.C. Darrenkamp, also known as C.L. Darrenkamp and Cecelia Darrenkamp. r 1 Milford. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $256 for a check returned for insufficient funds Wawasee Service Center versus Alvin Ray* Mast, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $255.55 for a check returned for insufficient funds. Complaint On Account International Aluminum Distributors. Inc. versus Joel W.

International Alumwm Distributors. Inc. versus Joel W.

Letter to the editor

One pint may make a difference

Dear Editor: I would like to ask each and every one of your readers a question: How would you like to give someone life’’ Just one pint of your blood may make the difference between life and death for one or more of your fellow men You may not have money to give to others , but one pint of your blood could mean more than any money and you won’t miss it. This means everyone;

Funding problems to be seminar topic

Funding problems for county government is one of the key topics to be discussed at the 26th Annual Conference of the Association of Indiana Counties. The conference will be November 18, 19, 20. in the Radisson Plaza Hotel on the north side of Indianapolis. This is held for countyofficials. Included among the numerous workshop topics is a report from the Governor's Commission on Public Welfare. Other highlights for the more than 500 participants include a preview of the upcoming session of the General Assembly as presented by the Car fire is extinguished Syracuse firemen extinguished a car fire Saturday morning at 10:50 a.m. Damage was estimated at SSO to a car owned by Pam Buffer, Syracuse. The firemen were called to 600 S. Main Street, Syracuse, when the car back fired through the carburetor. The fire was extinguished with a fire extinguisher by firemen.

Burdick, formerly doing business as J & M Aluminum, r 2 box 320, Leesburg. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $5,745.72 plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs of action for a past due account. Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Whybrew — Carolyn Whybrew and John J. Whybrew, Syracuse. The couple was married May 21, 1981 and separated July 10, 1984. Reffitt — Kevin Reffitt and Maria Reffitt, r 1 box 503, North Webster. The couple was married Aug. 28, 1982 and separated Oct. 30. 1984. Combs — Gary Leo Combs and Rebecca Ann Combs, 237 North Lake, Syracuse. The couple was married Oct. 21, 1977 and separated Nov. 3,1984. There are two minor children. Williams — Barbara J. Williams and Ivory Williams, r 1 box 66, Leesburg. The couple was married May 11, 1978 and separated Oct. 26, 1984. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jean Messmore: Keene-Appenzeller Kenneth J. Keene, 23, r 3 box 266, Syracuse and Margaret A. Appenzeller. 30, r 3 box 266, Syracuse Green-Sherman David Monroe Green, 24,206 W. Washington, Syracuse and Tamara Kay Sherman, 19, 206 W Washington, Syracuse Stichter-Clark Kent Stichter, 20, r 2 box 86, Milford and Debra Ann Clark, 26, 206 W. Main, Syracuse *=-= s =‘ Richards-Manns Terry Joe Richards, 24, r 2 box 112, Milford and Penny Jo Manns, 24. r 2 box 112, Milford Evans-Conley Jeffrey Allen Evans, 19, 301 E. John St.. Syracuse and Kerri Lea Conley. 19, r 5 box 88, Syracuse

ministers, teachers, students 17 or oyer, farmers, homemakers, doctors, nurses, beauticians, store clerks, factory workers, volunteers, newspaper workers, firemen, lawyers, everyone. Check your paper for the next blood donation and give! The quota needed Wednesday, Oct. 31. at the Park in Warsaw was 200 pints — only 127 tried to donate. Where were you? Someone Who Cares

leadership of the Senate and House. Governor Robert D. Orr is invited to address the conference, as well as, Mathew B. Coffey, executive direction of the National Association of Counties. He will be there from Washington, D.C., to discuss the recently adjourned Congress and how its actions affect county government. THE MA IL-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 46567 Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street. Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices Subscrption slsper year in Kosciusko County. SIS outsidecounty ■; POSTMASTERS Send change of ad dress forms to The Mail-Journal. P.O Box 188. Milford. Indiana 46542

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Lakeland Community School Corporation Atsittant Superintendent George W. Gilbert hat just completed hit term at Kotciutko County United Way campaign chairman — one of the mott tuccettful on record. Hit job and that of hit many faithful workort wat a large one indeed: to raite an unprecedented $450,000. They went $25,000 over that goal, and money it still coming In. We asked Mr. Gilbert. "How did you do it, George?" and hit antwer it in the following article.) If I had to use one word to describe United Way it would have to be “Local.” The money for the twenty agencies is all contributed locally by people in Kosciusko County. The money is all spent locally to meet the needs of people of all ages in our county. And most importantly, United Way of Kosciusko County is controlled locally by a board of directors composed of twenty-seven members. These twenty-seven people are from all walks of life and reflect a cross section of our county. They are housewives, businessmen, farmers, maintenance men and company presidents. The terms of service are staggered so there are members going off and coming on the board each year. ' The United Way board members from the northern part of the county are Pat (Mrs. Phil) Oppenheim, Col. Joe Gray, Charlie Taylor, Robert Brown, Bill Sanders and myself. The philosophy of the board is to help people help themselves. One of the main functions of the board is to see that funds are raised each year and that these funds are utilized to meet the needs of residents of Kosciu&o County. One of the most impressive aspects of the organization to me is the function of the Budget and Admissions Committee. This committee, composed of five local people not members of the United Way board, meets each spring with the directors of each of the twenty United Way agencies and representatives of their boards to review each agency’s financial needs for the coming year. This review is very thorough. Last year over $36,000 was cut from the budget requests. Each agency is evaluated on a yearly basis. If it is determined that an agency is no longer functioning as it should or for some reason is not meeting the needs of its targeted area, that agency will qo longer be funded by United Way. After the Budget and Admissions committee has met with each of the agencies a campaign goal is established. This year the goal was $450,000. a $50,000 increase over the 1983 goal. As the campaign chairman my task Was to organize the volunteers. This year there were over 400 volunteers that actively participated in the campaign. I have always found that the secret to good management is to get the right people in the right place. The organizational structure for our campaign included 14 division chairmen who in turn selected a predetermined number of captains who would supervise other volunteers. I spent a lot of time selecting the division chairmen for the various areas. These are key people and the success of the campaign rests on how well they function. In the northern communities the key people were Bob Westfall from Syracuse, Lee Frauhiger from Milford, Dick Long from North Webster, and Stacy Haines from Leesburg. They all exceeded their goals. Each of the communities can be justifiably proud of these individuals and the people who assisted them. The actual campaign began on September Bth and ended on October 31st. This year, for the second year, it was decided to select four businesses and conduct their United Way campaigns in August. This would allow four businesses to complete their solicitations early and give the campaign a head start toward the $450,000 goal. The four businesses were Lake City Bank, R.R. Donnelley, Sun Metal and DePuy. Companies and organizations were encouraged to allow a speaker to come in and show a film about United Way and give a brief talk about the agencies and their functions. This allowed people the opportunity to ask questions. The presentations turned out to be a very popular option. Over 100 presentations were made. One question frequently asked at these presentations was “How much of the money contributed to United Way goes for administration costs and campaign expenses.” We are fortunate in this county that we can answer that question by simply stating “None of the money collected by United Way of Kosciusko County is used for administration costs or campaign expenses.” The reason being that when Ross McNamara from Pierceton died several years ago he designated in his will that a large sum of money be given to United Way of Kosciusko County. The United Way board decided to invest the money and use the interest for necessary expenses. Interest from the fund, appropriately named the McNamara Fund, has also been used for many special allocations over the years. When the Lakeland Day Care Center in Syracuse needed a new building, they requested funds from the United Way and were given $37,500 from the McNamara Fund. This year $7,500 from the Fund was used to rejuvenate the Syracuse Scout Cabin. New bleachers were purchased in Milford with McNamara funds last summer and construction is presently underway in Packerton for a community building utilizing McNamara funds. It is important to note that these funds are one time community projects. The annual campaign contributions are specifically designated to maintain the United Way agencies. You don’t give to United Way, you give through United Way to the agencies that the community feels are necessary. Volunteers donate their time and energy each year for two months to collect money. This allows the agencies to do what they do best, and that is to meet the needs of the people they serve. It works! 1 am proud to have had the opportunity to

serve as the 1984 campaign chairman. But I know if it weren’t for volunteers, United Way would cease to exist. As an example, did you know that each month over 250 volunteers deliver over 1500 meals to people in this county, who for medical or physical reasons are unable to fix their own meals? These volunteers use their own automobiles and pay for their own gasoline. United Way only pays for the meals if the recipient cannot afford the cost. My tenure as United Way chairman is now over. The goal of $450,000 was met prior to the end of the campaign on October 31st. There are still contributions being received and the final amount will exceed $475,000. 1 remember vividly all the different presentations. John Scott, Mike Martin and myself gave presentations to all 1,800 employees at R.R. Donnelley’s. Every half hour around the clock another group came in. 1 had the lUOO p.m. to 2:00 a.m. shift. I remember driving home that morning feeling good about the'response I had received. Other presentations were made as early as 5:30 a.m. at Uniroyal and as late as 9:00 p.m. at 3D. In spite of all the hours spent and all of the miles driven I am convinced that I received much more than I gave. The memories of the campaign will always be pleasant because I know people care. We are our brothers’ keeper and we become stronger as a community when those who have help those who are not so fortunate. -G.W.G. —o— DAVID THWAITS, son of Don and Jean Thwaits, residents of two miles north of Syracuse, received a valuable scholarship, the Frank McHale Scholarship, at Marian College, Indianapolis. He is a Marian sophomore, majoring in accounting. Dave was an outstanding Fairfield Falcon basketball player, graduating in 1983. The Frank McHale Scholarship was set up to aid deserving students at Mahan where the late Mr. McHale had a close interest. McHale was an influential force in Indiana Democratic politics for years. The late Seth Ward, a McHale personal friend and fan, called McHale “Mr. Indiana Democrat.’’ Marian CollegeKa coeducational, liberal arts college on the near west side of the capital city with an enrolimentof 1,044 students. \ THIS YEAR'S Syracuse-Wawasee Winter Carnival, slated /for Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27, is assured of having a horsedrawn sleigh, thanks to the generosity of Jack Alfrey. It comes about this way: Jeanne Gardiner was telling Alfrey about her bidding on a sleigh at a local auction, to be donated to the carnival. But she lost out in the bidding. Alfrey moved in, offered to donate his sleigh, the one he has loaned in years past. Jeanne says, “All we need now is a loaner horse” to make the thing complete. BIG THINGS are happening at the North Webster post office. According to Postmaster Imogene Menzie, 23-year veteran, the interior of the building is getting a complete remodeling, the 334 old boxes are coming out and being replaced by 600 new ones —a sign of growth in that neighboring community. Other repairs long overdue, are being made inside the PO. Marge Link, North Webster accountant, is owner of the building. 808 TROUTMAN, chamber of commerce president, says he has a “neat idea.” “Why not buy or lease the old railroad station and convert it into a chamber headquarters?” Someone chimed in: “Why not make it into a new town hall?” Troutman, an old railroader himself, would eye this old building for some useful purpose before it comes under the wrecker’s ball. Many have been demolished, others converted into museums. Even Jimmy Carter converted a similar railroad station in Plains, Ga., into his national election headquarters in 1976. Troutman was a fireman/engineer on the old Pennsy line for eight years, going from the coalfired engine era to the diesel era with ease and JACK VANDERFORD calls attention to the gold fish, that inhabit the open pond just off the fourth hole tee off at South Shore Golf Club. We checked it out, and sure enough, there are gold fish there. * SUNDAY’S VETERANS’ Day salute to the memory of veterans, living and dead, who have served their country in uniform was held at II o’clock, the 11th of November, in front of the Syracuse Public Library. Local veterans, through their American Legion Post No. 223 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1342, have faithfully stood watyh to see that this day of memorial is properly observed. All went off well, with brief remarks by Joe Gray, Retired U.S. Marine Colonel, until it came to firing the three volleys of the Honor Guard in a final salute to The first two volleys went off aS planned, but the third fizzled. Only one of the guns fired the third time around — to the muted smiles of the participants and their small but attentive audience. IF ONE could read lips, he might come up with some choice expletive-filled remarks, as he watched patrons of the post office and the NIPSCO office try their respective doors on Monday. Both were closed for Veterans’ Day, although Veterans’ Day was officially Sunday. Both places had “closed” signs in the windows, but that mattered little as angered patrons tugged and griped (usually in that order) at stubbornly locked doors. One was seen to give the (Continued on page 5)

-G.W.G