The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 30 October 1985 — Page 2

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., October 30,1985

2

First in a series: Helsinki, Finland, first stop in trip through USSR

(Continued from page 1) Meet U.S. Ambassador Our group met Kieth Nybord, the United States Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy on our first afternoon in Finland. A native of Idaho (his wife is Finnish), he is in his fifth year at that post. He speaks the language fluently, and spoke to us of the good relationship between the United States and Finland. A busy man, he turned us over to Douglas Davis, his press attache, and David Wagner, head of the press section. Wagner told us the Finns have a foreign policy of neutrality. “All you have to do is look at the map and you’ll know why,’’ he said, noting again the 600 mile border common to both Finland and Russia. We kept hearing about the “double standard” of the Finnish government. They say one thing and think another, what with the big Russian Bear hovering over this country as it does. The Finnish government was explained to us as being a Republic, with a president that is elected for a six year term, but who can succeed himself indefinitely. It is a unicameral type of government with one legislative chamber. The government is a coalition government. It has 200 members, 65 of whom are women. Nothing backward about this country! Wagner spoke highly of the student exchange program that is promoted by Rotary International, as contributing to good AmericanFinnish relations. Wagner also used the term Finlandization, a term we hadn’t heard before, and he explained it as the Finnish government anticipating the wishes of its neighbors and adjusting its policies accordingly. Finland considers it a sort of life insurance policy to get along with Russia. We picked up the comment from those we spoke to that President Reagan of our country is not very popular in Finland. He comes off as being an inflexible, rock-ribbed conservative, too hostile to the Soviet Union, and relatively little merit is found in his strategic defense initiative — otherwise known in the media as Star Wars. For all his troubles and his being forced out of office by the Watergate scandals, former President Nixon continues to receive high marks abroad. Helsinki Accords There ns still talk here about the 1975 Helsinki Accords, when President Ford came here to ineet with the then General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union to reach a mutual understanding on nuclear proliferation. The meeting provided a high water mark for Finland, and brought it into the international limelight for a time. On Saturday, the 28th, we had lunch in an old guest house in a wooded area at the edge of Helsinki, named Tamminiementien Kahvila. A Finnish journalist of some note was having lunch in another room, and when he heard of us, he consented to talk to us briefly. He was Jukka former political writer for a major Finnish newspaper. He was bearded, slightly unkempt, and obviously wrote better than he spoke, for his English was hesitant and uncertain. Jukka told us he lost his job on the newspaper when a book he had written satirizing his government and that of the Soviet Union turned out to be a best seller. He said he didn’t spare the ladies both in and out of government. What he wrote about was what everyone had been saying, that this is part of the ambivalence that exists in the Finnish government. He said since then he has been writing a book a year, and making more money than he did when he was a full time journalist.

Speicher named Wawasee

(Continued from pagel) they live within the city limits of North Webster, and though they may live further away from the school than some families receiv-

EXERCISE CLASS At Lakeland Youth Center November 4-December 20 Monday- Wednesday-Friday 9-10 A.M. Monday-Wednesday 7-8 P.M. To Sign Up Call: 457-3055 Or 457-5319

t " WILDERNESS OAK .1 l-fe’l i r BOW-BACK CHAIR and- I jp 15 IB 1 , CANNONBALL J EmSIS I ■ PEDESTAL TABLE,, ' ! ■ 1 Festive Holiday . Dining Traditions ’ ■ • r J5m | / Sturt At < ' “ B '. ® ; Love Furniture :■ Americana in its truest tradition—Oak is chosen for its beauty, brute strength and its heritage. Ships’ hulls, AAao /■» ’ tavern and inn furniture, wagon wheels, barrels, all were I I US crafted from this fine hardwood. Bring a tradition of American design and craftsmanship into your dining £ MW M| ** *275°° 5

ing busing (out of the city limits), they should not receive transportation, by policy. An agreement was reached to provide transportation for the

He told us Finland is against a nuclear war, adding, you do not increase security by increasing arms. The first thing that is needed, Jukka added, was a nuclear freeze, then a reduction of arms. He is for a corresponding reduction of conventional arms and against having more nations in possession of nuclear armament. Nuclear Power While Finland, like so many nations, is against more nuclear arms, it is not against nuclear power. At the present time 40 percent of this country’s power is nuclear power. Asked if there had been no public outcry such as has been the case in America after the Three Mile Island accident, he said no, adding, possibly that’s because we’re a more reasonable people. It should be said that Finland does not have a ready source of oil and/or coal with which to generate power, and thus would have to rely heavily on nuclear power. The country has four nuclear plants at the time and will soon have five. They are government owned and operated. Social Programs Finland is on a par with other Scandinavian countries in its social programs, and far ahead of the United States. The Finns have had social security for at least 25 years longer than the United States. It has free medical care, very little unemployment, but there’s a kicker to all this. And that is their high tax rate, which runs as high as 80 percent. No one seems to object, or else it just doesn’t pay to object. All this is reflected in the marketplace, let no one fool you. We found a dinner for two (with reindeer meat) costs $63. And it can cost more. “Wow, those are New York City prices,” said Tom Coad of Washington state, a long time NNA traveler. Clean City If the rest of Finland is anything like Helsinki, it’s OK in our book. The city is clean — “well picked up”, someone in our group commented. Its buildings are modern, seldom over four or five stories high, and the streets are sufficiently wide for the small cars. There’s all kinds of water and bays where boats of all kinds abound. One hardly ever sees a city with more well tended parks, not all of them large either. The streets are lined with trees. We have to mention Temppeliaukio Church, quarried into bedrock and situated in Temppeliaukio Square near the center of Helsinki. It is also known as the Stone Church. The unusualness of the Stone Church makes it a major tourist attraction. It seats 940 people, has excellent acoustics and sunlight. Young folks consider it an honor to be married in the church, and so it is kept busy much of the time. We cannot close this without mentioning the Finnish language. To us. it seems the words are unusually long and encumbering, with so many double letters in one word, such as double AAs, Ils, MMs, NNs, KKs, and SSs. And there may be others. It would appear to us that learning to speak and/or write Finnish would be most difficult. But, then, so many foreigners think English is also difficult to learn. The coin of Finland is the Markka, and it is 5.8 Markka to the American dollar. We kept our little calculator busy and were usually surprised at the price of things. And yet, the shops in the center of town are overflowing with buyers — as if everybody was on a one-day spending spree. Finland is a delight. The people appear well fed, well clothed, and they respond to our American humor, a sign that life is good here in Finland. We’re leaving tomorrow — Sunday, Sept. 29 —for Leningrad, Russia, which is just a 45 minute plane ride due east. We hope we can get them to smile a little, too.

Anderson children for the balance of the year. Said Board Vice President Dave Carey: “Since they have received busing for the past six years. I can’t see taking it away from them immediately for the sake of being consistent with policy.” Bus Discipline Procedure Earlier in the meeting, Kryder explained the proposed bus discipline procedure and added that it should be implemented right away. The plan calls for drivers to be in charge of student behavior by devising seating plans and disciplinary techniques. The drivers will be supplied with school bus discipline report forms to gage recent behavior and possible misconduct. If students are written up for

principal

abusive or disorderly activities, principals will enforce first (a warning), second (a one-day suspension of riding privileges) and third (automatic suspension from riding privileges) offense penalties. Field Trip Policy Discussed Schools Superintendent Dr. Kenneth E. Webster mentioned that the corporation has specific rules regarding field trips and encouraged further discussion about present policy. • In response, Webster casually pointed out that there have not been many recent field trips and, which is one of the reasons why the board has not denied a request. Webster also pointed out that the board will take field trip requests “a step at a time.” “It seems like we have a good set of rules regarding field trips,” said Board Member Henry Smith. “What disturbs me is the attitude of how much is being spent on some of the trips. Things like distance and purpose have to be considered before trips are approved.” Milford firemen called Tuesday Milford firemen were called to the Al Graff trailer park home of Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Helmuth at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday where an overheated fuse box threatened to burst into flames. Fire chief Max Duncan said the threatening fire was easily contained, but that electrical repairs would have to be made to the fuse box.

L—„ I ®MtehJ »'"'TtSI K Kul H I r 1 lb S a il| At Safe-Way Door We’re The Commercial Door Experts! No Job Too Big Or Too Small 8589959 iAA&iiiM Call 267-4861 Or Stop In Our US 30 Showroom ««imaMmm And See Jim Or Ron For Free Estimates JABIN INDUSTRIES INC 1 uum.mumusm Sa | es _ installation - Service toot nasoum ooqumm

Junk vehicles to be ticketed at Syracuse Junk vehicles found in the Syracuse City limits will be receiving bright red stickers starting November 1. Syracuse Police Chief Bob Ziller announced all junk vehicles within the town limits will be marked with these stickers and the owners of those vehicles will have 10 days to remove the vehicle from town. Violation will result in having the vehicle towed at the owner’s expense. If the vehicle is in working condition the owner must show proof of current registration and proof the vehicle is in working condition and safe. Chief Ziller stated an effort is underway to clean up the number of junk cars in town and stated the town’s ordinance does give police officers the right to go onto private property to mark and move such vehicles. Vehicles collide in Syracuse An accident on Friday morning, Oct. 25, at 7:33 a.m. in Syracuse caused more than SI,OOO damage to the vehicles involved. Anita Hasse, 925 Medusa St., was traveling north on South Main in a 1980 Honda when a 1977 Chevy driven by Richard Wright, Richmond, pulled away from a stop sign on Boston Street, forcing a collision between the two vehicles. Wright stated that he had stopped, and then continued, thinking he had plenty of time. Hasse said she attempted to avoid the collision, which caused between $1,000—52,500 to her car. Estimated damage to Wright’s vehicle was undetermined. Elkhart man is suspected of using stolen prescriptions Syracuse police officers apprehended an Elkhart man on Wednesday, Oct. 23, suspected of using stolen to acquire drugs. Dennis Gwin, 25, was arrested at Hooks Drug Store, Syracuse, after he attempted to have two prescriptions filled, both of which two Nappanee physicians had reported stolen. Police Chief Robert Ziller, and officers Joe Thornburg and Dick Waterson made the arrest. The three law enforcement officials had received information that the stolen prescriptions might be used in Syracuse, and had set up a stakeout to apprehend Gwin, who was formally charged with acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, a class A misdemeanor. School to consider additional appropriation The Wawasee School Board will consider an additional appropriation of $165,000 to the general fund at its Nov. 12 meeting. Wawasee Corporation taxpayers are invited to attend and be heard on the issue. Meeting time is 7 p.m. at the administrative building. Vehicles collide at Railroad and Main Streets Two Syracuse residents were involved in an accident on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2:20 p.m., at the intersection of Main and Railroad streets. Christine Martin, r 2, was traveling east on Railroad Street when her 1979 Chevy collided with a 4979 Pontiac driven by Alan Tehan, r 1. Martin had stopped at the intersection of Railroad and Main streets, and then proceeded, causing Tehan’s car to strike her vehicle. Combined damage for both cars was placed between SI,OOO and $2,500.

1 ,• ' r > ! J

Conrail repairing tracks in area

By GLEN LONG Staff Writer Conrail sent in heavy equipment last week to do the heavy work of repairing the Conrail railroad track which runs through Milford, Leesburg and points north and south. The pictured large machine does the functions of tamping stones under the ties with powerful pneumatic thrusts to put the track to the proper grade and into proper horizontal alignment. These functions were formerly done by hand held air-hammers

NIPSCO offers winter protection plan

People on low and fixed incomes may get help managing their utility service through Northern Indiana Public Service Company’s Winter Protection Program. The program encompasses various activities conducted in an effort to work directly with customers. Edmund A. Schroer, NIPSCO chairman and chief executive officer, explained “Customers making a sincere effort to communicate with NIPSCO will find that there are a number of programs in place which may help them resolve payment problems regarding utility service. These customers are an ongoing concern, especially as we prepare for winter and the harsh weather that may accompany it. “We are committed to providing the best possible customer service, and in order to do so, we ask that any customer having difficulty contact NIPSCO before their bill becomes delinquent. We emphasize that they come in before the bill is delinquent to try to resolve the problem and avoid additional complications which may result when there is no comLiquor appeal still alive The Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission held its hearing last week on the remonstrance against the liquor license which was approved by the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Board in September. That approval was given to Mr. and Mrs. Norman S. Lovell, Milford, for Party Pack, Inc. They intend to establish a package liquor store on SR 15 at Syracuse road in north Milford. The hearing officer will make a recommendation to the state ABC and a final decision in the case is expected in a few weeks. Thirty three people attended the hearing in Indianapolis. Seven of these were in support of the licence and 26 were in opposition to its approval. Five remonstrators and their attorney testified at the hearing, which was described by hearing officer Ron Tucker of the Indiana ABC as an informal hearing. The remonstrators made the point that the county approval had been predetermined and their attorney, Craig Buche, Goshen, said the county board made its decision based only on the moral character of the Lovells. Syracuse attorney, Jack Lawson, representing Party Pack, countered with the position that the county board had fulfilled its duty and made a proper decision with more than adequate evidence.

CONRAIL TAMPING EQUIPMENT

and aligning bars in the hands of a crew of section hands. Before the air hammers the tamping function was done with bluntended tamping picks and strong backs. In those days it took most of a summer for a small crew to go six to eight miles. A Conrail employee said they can now complete four miles a day when things go well, using this type equipment which travels all over the Conrail district. The current method of cutting ties in two pieces to remove them

munication from the customer.” The Winter Protection Program may assist customers in any number of ways. They may be eligible for assistance from the Community Energy Assistance Program which NIPSCO has pledged to support with $500,000 in matching energy credits. Special arrangements may be made to restore service for customers who have been making a sincere effort to pay their delinquent bills. Repayment of the debt may be made through weekly, bi-weekly or monthly installments arranged at the customer’s convenience. In cases of extreme hardship, the required security deposit and reconnection fee may be waived. Outreach efforts will be made with social service agencies and labor organizations which may be able to assist in individual situations. Third party notification is another outreach effort allowing the customer to designate a relative, friend or social service agency to receive duplicate copies of delinquent bills. Some customers may be assisted through Project SAFE. However, as directed by the state, NIPSCO only takes applications for Project Safe from customers 60 years of age or older. All others may apply at their local Department on Aging and Community Services Agency. Customers may also apply at local Department on Aging and Community Services Agencies for Emergency SAFE funds. NIPSCO programs which may be particularly useful in home

i . .|PiB ” 1 * • ■ FORTY YEARS IN DAIRY BUSINESS — Tony Strombeck, left, North Webster, recently celebrated his 40th year in the dairy business. Strombeck began working for Baker's Dairy in North Webster in September of 1945. One year later, he purchased the dairy and started Strombeck Brother’s Dairy. Currently, Strombeck distributes a full line of Burger Dairy Products. Pictured with the dairyman is his son, David, who joined the business five years ago. AGRICULTURAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL r. 1 box 4 m No. Webster, IN Y Mon. Fri. 8 A.M.-5 P.M. f'ace*ca&t h 9,3 448 CLEAR SPAN BUILDINGS ' . NORTH WEBSTER CONST. INC.

is being replaced by the old method of pulling them out in one piece, using newly designed equipment instead of old style tie tongs and, again, strong backs. Disposing of the halves has become increasingly expensive since they cannot be burned or chipped and buried due to the environmental concerns about the creosote smoke going into the atmosphere or filtering into the ground water. When whole, many of the ties are marketable to contractors, thus keeping the disposal cost to Conrail lower.

energy management include the 12-month and eight-month budget plans, home energy audits and low-interest weatherization loans. “Our objective is to provide customers with reliable service.” Schroer stated. “When circumstances force us to disconnect service, both the customer and the company lose. This action is taken only as a last resort; however, costs associated with providing service must be met. The Winter Protection Program illustrates the variety of measures we have implemented to enable us to work with our customers to resolve bill payment problems.” Syracuse police to help on Halloween Need help on Halloween Night? Whether it’s the trick-or-treaters or parents of the youngsters, help will be available according to Syracuse Police Chief Bob Ziller. Throughout the town there will be members of Syracuse Boy Scout Troop 728, Syracuse Civil Defense, and Syracuse Police officers ready to assist in any way. Frank Krantz, Scoutmaster of Troop 728 stated troop members will be in their assigned areas with flash lights,while Jim Hall and the Civil Defense will be out, as will two police cars. Watch for the lights on their vehicles. So if you need help, look for a Boy Scout from troop 728, a civil defense member, or town police officer. They will be out there to help you.