The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 5 February 1986 — Page 1

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Phones: Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 23

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WINNERS IN ICEMOBILE’ DRAGS — These winners in the snowmobile drags at the Syracuse Winter Carnival last Saturday were safer on their powerful machines than trying to walk on the ice on which water puddles had replaced snow. Warm weather conditions did not dampen their spirit and enjoyment of their sport.

Rain dampens Winter Carnival

By GLEN LONG Staff Writer Old Man Winter apparently took off again last week for a warmer climate and left the seventh annual SyracuseWawasee Winter Carnival to fend for itself. Since the weather change was so abrupt and included a finishing touch of rain on Saturday, there was no time for the Winter Carnival committee to inform participants of another postponement. Since snowmobiles are pretty versatile and can run on about any surface the snowmobile drags and enduro races were held on Syracuse Lake by Lakeside Park. Since three wheelers are all terrain vehicles, were also raced on Sunday as planned. The Snotilla was scheduled to begin at the bowling alley at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. However, as the rain came down, the only people ready to go at that location were Jim Hughes, president of the Syracuse Town Board; a police officer; two Bremen and Barb Meyer and Marilyn Nash with Snotilla trophy in hand. Other events which could not happen due to the weather were the skating events, sledding events, bonfire, and the torch parade of snowmobiles. Cross country skiing was obviously out on Sunday since there was no snow on which to ski. The

Complaints on storm-sewer location aired at Milford

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer A special meeting to address property owners’ concerns over the proposed storm-sewer outlet was called by the Milford Town Board last Wednesday, Jan. 29. The groups met for nearly two hours in discussing alternate routes and airing complaints entangling the current proposal by Bonar and Associates, which is spearheading the town’s stormsewer project. The central shed area, consisting of Henry Street and its tributaries, was outlined by Mark Gensic and (keg Smith, project engineers from Bonar and Associates, for the benefit of the Mlfard property earners. The proposed trank line will begin at Syracuse Street, exteadag south down Henry Street to

Fireworks display did happen on Saturday night as planned. Jeanne Gardiner, Winter Carnival chairman, was cheerful to the end as she said, “Even though the weather was damp many people came to the carnival to have fun, and they did it.” She added that the committee will be contacting the Syracuse Park Board about helping put the park lawns in shape this spring. Gardiner felt that Rotary Club members did a super job of controlling parking at the event. Lakeside Park was a bustling place, even in the rain, on Saturday morning as snowmobilers, big people and little guys on Kitty Kat mini-machines, fine-timed their snowmobiles for racing. Boots were a necessity and the proper vehicle for the parking lot would have been a “mudmobUe.” By mid-morning, Syracuse Lake looked like a parking lot as racers had driven about a dozen trucks with trailers onto the ice to unload their racing machines. As the rain continued and well over 100 people congregated on the lake for the drag races, the depth of the water on the ice gradually increased. At about noon, officials decided that all vehicles and trailers might be safer if parked on the land and they were removed from the lake. Race Winners The racing began shortly after noon with the Kitty Kat children’s

Section Street, where it will turn west to West Street. The line will men cross die property opposite West Street and push south into Turkey Creek. Richard Roose, who had brought his concerns to the attention of die town board at its Jan. 13 meeting, is me owner of me property which me Bee will bisect enroute to the creek. Other property owners, bordering the ares near the creek, who « attended me meeting included Ted Brooks, Dr. TJL Miller, Sam Welker, and Dr. Jay Zehr. The purpose of using Turkey Creek as an outlet is to drain the central area, where the bulk of the drainage problems exist, according to Gensic. . While alternate routes were investigated, at the pranpting «f Roose, Bonar and Associates remained firm in the belief thst the

Consolidation o/THE MILFORD MAIL (E»l. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

While many of the Winter Carnival events were cancelled because of the weather, others went as scheduled, creating fun and excitement for at least one weekend during this unpredictable winter. (Photo by Glen Long)

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WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN — Marilyn Nash, left, and Barb Meyer could still smile, even in the rain, at Syracuse Lakeside Park last Saturday as they held the trophy which would have been awarded the winner in the Snot ilia parade of decorated snowmobiles. Unfortunately the rain took the snow and the trophy must be altered for use next year. (Photo by Glen Long)

snowmobile race. Winners in this event were Nickie Klinger, Pierceton, in class A and Jamie Corn, North Webster, in class B. The snowmobile drags included

current route is most viable and recommended that the town proceed with the original concept. Smith and Bill Knowles, Milford utilities superintendent, took elevation shots of Turkey Creek at Main Street, Jan. 17, at which time it was determined that it was not possible to outlet me new storm-sewer at Main Street because Turkey Creek is too high. » Another alternative, to go west and outlet the system at Higbee Street, was deemed too costty, as Gensic explained, “With me extra length of storm-sewer line, asphalt pavement replacement and backfill underneath the street your talking an addfthmal 198,000’’ The main concern of me property owners was for the flooding and hazardous health conditions an SOfrfoot open ditch, which is

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5,1986

participants in several racing classes. Winners in the powder puff class were Debbie King, (Continued on page 2)

needed for the outlet, would cause. “All of us visualize this as being very undesireaMe, it would ruin a lot of recreational ground,” commented Millar, a former town board member. The grounds near the creek had been “swampland” in the past, according to Roose, who informed the board that the property owners involved in the dispute had mowed the land and were responsible fqr its upkeep, turning it into a desireahle area. “We don’t want it to tarn back into a marsh land,” Roose said, adding, “If we go accanfing to your plan you’ll be taming it fromayardintoa flood area.” Stagnant water had been a problem la the urea in the past aecording to me property owners. (Continued on page 2)

Race set for April 17 —

'Rachel, The White Indian Girl' to be drama for sesquicentennial

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Nineteen members of the sesquicentennial steering committee met last night, Tuesday, Feb. 4, to discuss plans being set in motion and report progress within the group’s 41 subcommittees. While not all sub-committee chairmen were present, those attending assured president Jean Treesh that things were “going smoothly’* Treesh reported, on behalf of chairman Elaine Weiss, that the 10-kilometer race, which had been planned for April 12, would conflict with spring break. After discussion it was decided that the date be changed to April 17. The possibility of getting a barbershop quartet prompted the group to discuss other available groups that may like to sing at Garza family receives settlement A 17,560 compromise offer from Conrail officials was made to the family .of Fernando Garza, Jr., 20, Milford, who was killed June 14.1965, as he was riding his bicycle to work. Garza was hit by a train at the intersection of fourth Street and the railroad track in Milford, dragging his body 268 feet after the impact. The train was reported traveling at 50 mph. Richard Mehl of the Goshen office of Mehl, Mehl, Beeson, Leatherman and Crowder, acted as the family’s attorney and contacted Con-Rail officials about a wrongful death suit. Garza’s estate was then opened in Kosciusko Circuit Court. His father, Fernando Garza, Sr., was namecj/ personal representative for the sole purpose of collecting damages. The Garza family claimed, in the estate filing, that Norman Dillon, engineer for Con-Rail, was negligent in not activating the proper warning signals and speeding through town. In June, he stated that the lights of the train were on and that he did blow the whistle as required. The $7,500 compromise was made to the family to pay for funeral expenses and what Mehl called statutory payments. The offer was made “without admitting liability’’ and to “buy peace.” A law suit was made difficult as neither party was ever found at fault. Youth center dhector resigns position Mark Grady, president of the Lakeland Youth Center, announced today that Jill Stanley, director of the center resigned her position effective Tuesday. Mrs. Stanley stated that her resignation was for personal reasons and announced no immediate future plans. Mrs. Tom (Marilyn) Finlinson, Syracuse, and Mrs. Dana (Cathy) Cone, North Webster, both members of the youth center board of directors, will cover the office and assist in organizing activities until a new director is located. Grady commented that the board would start an immediate search for a new director. The goal is to find a candidate with strong organizational skills and past experience in directing group activities. The youth center, a non-profit organization, located in Wawasee Village, serves the youth and adults of the Lakeland area with activities ranging from beginner computer classes to exercise and gymnastics programs. Mrs. Stanley, who lives on Wilkinson Avenue in Goshen, has been the tirectar since the mid 7®’s.

the festivities, at which time Treesh appointed the Senior Citizens Qub to a committee to look further into such possibilities. The group agreed to report its findings at the next meeting. In another matter, the question of what to charge out-of-town concessionaires for booth placement on Main Street during the week long celebration was again posed when Treesh informed the group that Ralph Owens, a member of the booth committee, had told her that the street would be “crowded with booths” if the group stayed afixed to its S3O rent fee. After a lengthy discussion it was decided that suggestions be turned over to the booth committee, at which time it will form a proposal to submit to the steering committee. After a report on the drama committee’s progress it was suggested that the play, to be held on the shoreline of Waubee Lake, be filmed for historical purposes. All agreed to the idea, which will be acted upon at the next meeting. The drama “Rachel, The White Indian Girl,” was written by Judith Karst, a South Bend native who has ties to Milford. Vi Miller gave a report for the volleyball committee in chairman Natalie Stump’s absence. The tournament will be held Saturday, June 7, at 8 a.m., with first place trophies going to winners of men’s, women’s and mixed team competition. Proceeds from the event will go to the sports departments of the Milford schools. Jo Ellen Free, queen contest chairman, reported that the group would be searching outlaying areas for qualified judges and suggested that each judge be allotted a $25 fee for his services. She added that flowers and ribbons for the event have been donated, by Connie Smith, limiting the budget. An advertising committee report, headed by chairman Jeri Seely, was submitted by Treesh. A proposal to print the sesquicentennial logo on glossy paper to sell as posters was tabled until the next meeting, allowing the advertising committee time to look further into the matter. The steering committee was also notified that the group will send news releases to all Northern Indiana newspapers and letters to area television and radio stations, requesting spots

i .JR j vm Mi l HK ■ I mi v WGULJI ■I I 1 w ■ MB > r nHHHH ~ IJu a ■ i :: ' ‘ J- . ( ’ ’ iS, |p' V ... ; , - ..| M 1 TOM BROTHERS RECEIVE AWARDS — Max Tom, left, aod Garry Tom. who c«e soil conservation methods as they farm 336 acres north of Tippecanoe Lake, were presented Outstanding Conservation Farmer awards last night. Theawards were made at the annual Kasdusko County SoB and Water Conservation District dinner meeting at the Shrine hußding in Warsaw.

on their public service programs, during early spring. Randall Dewart, a member of the parade committee, commented, “There’s a lot of things cooking, but there’s not really anything specific to report.” After informing the committee of his efforts to secure the services of a group <4 “professional” clowns from a Shrine Club in Marion, Dewart assured members that the parade would be a real “humdinger.” On another upside note, Dick Koschnick of the decorating committee commented that decorations were “coming along,” adding that they’ like to place several flags around town. Koschnick also said that he had an 1836 flag in possession that he’d like to use and that pickle barrels would be available, at cost, for area merchants and citizens. It was also reported that the Milford Lions Club would be selling license plates and lapel pins with the state of Indiana engraved on it. Iromon. decals will also

Candidates needed for Milford's Mayor's race

It’s not often that one receives the opportunity to be referred to as “Mr. Mayor” without entailing all of the heartaches that title usually implies, but in Milford that chance will come alive by simply filling out a nomination form for sesquicentennial mayor. “The one chosen as mayor will serve a full year term, handling all of the ‘fun things’ involved with being mayor,” commented John Replogle, co-chairman of the mayor committee. Reporting at the bi-weekly sesquicentennial committee meeting Tuesday, Feb. 4, Replogle and Elmer Sorensen announced that Max Chiddister, Goshen Mayor, had confirmed his date to speak at the Milford mayor’s banquet, slated for April 26 in the community building. That mayoral candidate raising the most money, by any legal means, will have a chance to rub elbows with the Goshen mentor, while runners-up will be honored as town board members. Replogle also reported that the mayor would have his name printed on a sign to be placed in

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be made available for t-shirts. Arnold also submitted the steering committees budget as of Jan. 31, 1966. There is $1,553.49 currently available, according to Arnold, with $1,200 coming from the solicitation committee thus far. In a final report, the mayor committee,, headed by John Replogle and Elmer Sorensen, reported that several meetings * had been held since the last general meeting with the committee progressing at a maximum level. However, Sorensen commented, “We still need candidates.” This prompted Replogle to dispel the idea that the elected mayor would have to speak at meetings and luncheons, as reported earlier. “While the mayor is welcome to speak he doesn’t have to, he can keep quiet if he wants to.” In closing, Treesh urged all of the subcommittees to attend the next general meeting, which will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. in the community building.

the window of Milford attorney Bill Leemon. Special accounts will also be available at the Milford banks, making the collection part easy for candidates. Paul Reith of First National Bank and John Cousins of the Lake City Bank agreed to provide the accounts. With 160 tickets being printed for the banquet, the town is well on its way to toasting its first “honorary” mayor and while the race is in the “spirit of fun” it is also for a good cause — Milford’s 150th birthday. Merchants meet in town hall The next meeting of the Retail Merchants Division of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will be held in the new Syracuse Town Hall on Friday, Feb. 7, at 8 a m. All merchants are welcome to attend.