The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 34, Milford, Kosciusko County, 20 August 1986 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., August 20,1986

Editorial

The time has come Many old things are comfortable. They make a person want to curl up and enjoy them. They become old friends. Things one really doesn’t want to part with. Then comes a time when they are no longer comfortable. The person doesn’t enjoy them. He or she knows it is time to get rid of the old. It’s time for something new, something comfortable, something that he or she will like just as well as the time passes. Such is the case ol the Milford Library. For years the Milford Library has looked the same. It has been a comfortable place. One where many of the area people wanted to curl up with a good book. It has been a friend. No one wanted to make changes. Now many of the chairs are no longer comfortable. Many no longer want to curl up there with a book. The time has come for a change. An organization, Friends of the Library, has been formed. It’s purpose is to raise funds and renovate the library. Plans call for new carpeting with an underlay needed first because of the uneveness of the wooden floors; wall coverings consisting of paint and paper and some wall-stenciling ; window blinds are to be installed behind the librarian’s counter to block out the afternoon sun; two new leather, wing-back chairs and a table are to be purchased; wicker chairs are to be re-done; a new counter top will be added to the librarian check-out area. End panels for the present shelving are needed and work is to be done in the restrooms as well as new shelving in two areas of the building. It’s a big project and it will take approximately $15,000 to complete the work. The $5,000 from the sesquicentennial will put a big hole in the $15,000. However, that still leaves SIO,OOO to be raised. That is the task of the Friends of the Library. They are seeking memberships which range from $2 for a junior to S6OO for a patron. It’s a project all residents of the Milford community need to get involved in. It’s something we will all be proud of once the work is completed. Soon, the Milford Library will be comfortable again; a place where all will want to curl up with a good book. After all, it’s a friend to all who visit there. The liberty bell , Issac Norris, Speaker of the Pennsylvania Colonial Assembly, ordered the first bell from Lester and Peck of London. His instructions to the bell makers were that the following words, shaped in large letters, should be on it: “By order of the Assembly of the Province of Pennyslvania, for the State House in the City of Philadelphia, 1752.’’ . Below was to be: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof. Lev. XXV :10.” The bell was delivered in August of 1752. When it was set up in the ward to try its tone and carrying quality, “it was cracked by a stroke of the clapper without any other violence.’’ Charles Stow and John Pass of Philadelphia were commissioned to recast the bell. They believed that the old bell was too brittle, so they added more copper to the mixture, with a resulting tone that didn’t please the purchasers. Stow and Pass cast a third bell, which became the famous Liberty Bell, for which they were paid about $303. The bell weighed a little over 2,000 pounds and measured twelve feet in circumference around the lip. This is the bell that pealed forth on July 8,1776. It was hidden under straw in a wagon and removed from Philadelphia when the British occupied the city during the Revolutionary War.

What others say — Soaring newspaper Postal rates cut grass roots

For most of the last century, and certainly in the four decades since the end of World War II and the great population upheaval which the military training assignments triggered, Americans, displaced by love and labor, have maintained their roots with subscriptions to their “hometown” newspapers. Quite often, during World War 11, these community newspapers, sent by the hundreds to those boys in far-off fox holes, barracks and ships, and usually as a courtesy of the publisher, fostered a fierce loyalty in the paper, especially when it found so often an avid readership among his comrades. Thus, as the post-war world offered attractive employment and climate in parts of the country they never would have seen but for military orders, they continued their lines to home through the columns of that newspaper. And the U.S. Postal Service helped, under a centuries old government view that newspapers were valuable tools for informing the public and merited a generous rate. And that position was formulated, we might add. long before the federal “paper mills” began cranking z out publicity releases by the tens of tons daily. The newspaper rate was called “Second Class” but they were ordered to be treated as were first class letters. * Out-of-the-area subscribers were not a big part of any newspaper’s circulation, and certainly something that they didn’t talk about a lot, as their advertisers weren’t interested in the folks in faroff Florida or California or Carolina. It is potential customers the advertisers want, and they’re the folks in a 40 or 50-mile radius. And until a few months ago, the Postal Service, under a category called “in-county” rate, recognized the special importance of that local circulation. At one time, now long gone, that rate was one-cent per copy, but under an agreement worked out between the Postal Service an the newspaper publisher’s associations, the local rate had been advancing each of the last 16 years, in addition to periodic advances in the more distant rates. Unlike letters, the farther a newspaper goes the more it costs! As the rates advanced gradually, the hometown newspapers helped maintain roots, and thus the warp and woof in the new sociological and geographic patterns which the war had woven in our society. _ , , But now, all that is falling apart as the postal service has arbitrarily raised newspaper rates twice this year, while abolishing completely the old “in-county” rate, even as its recently arrived at “Step 16” level. The new rates mean that The Blade is now

paying between 50% and 65% more in postage for the first seven months of this year than it did last year, and those were up over the previous year, and so on, ad infinitum. Your rates for letters and post-cards didn’t increase, so you didn’t get the message, but we did. Boy did we get it. The same applies to all of our paid-circulation newspapers. And what it means is that effective immediately, we must increase our subscription fees. In the case of The Blade, it will be $2 per year. And yes, not all of that goes for postage. The newsprint mills, most of them in Canada, last month announced a 6 percent price hike, to $575 per ton. And there are some days we use 10 or 12 tons! For sometime, because of distance we’ve had a much higher rate for out-of-the area subscribers, and this will push it even higher, and regretfully as a result, we’ll probably lose a number of them. It’s not regret insofar as our advertisers are concerned, except for the occasional purchase that some of those people may make during a hometown visit and stopping at a familiar merchant name, most likely during each spring’s alumni reunion. But it’s regret on our part insofar as the warp and woof of American Society is concerned; the identity with small town roots and small-town values. Those are values which include the fact that most people you'meet on the street speak to you, whether they be school kids, or adults in every walk of life, and whether you know them or not. But sentimental arguments like this fall on deaf ears at the Postal Rate hearings. So we raise our rates to keep up with them, and we antagonize, and lose, those folks who, distant though they be, still cling to their “hometown.” There are 750 newspapers in Illinois which are, like The Blade, “hometown” publications. And there are 7,500 of them in the United States. Many of them have not yet made a major adjustment for distance, as have we in recent years. These horrendous rate increases affect them all. So there are 100 to 1,000 subscribers of each, in distant places, who will be getting soon some major price hikes. Multiply that by 7,500 newspapers and you’re talking about anywhere from 750,000 to 7,500,00 subscribers who may be thinking seriously about dropping their “hometown” newspaper. We think the Postal Service has just severed an awful lot of “grassroots”. —J.H.B. - FAIRBURY (ILL.) BLADE

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Friends of the Library are currently raising funds and making plans to renovate the Milford Library.

Court news

Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Hawkins-Bacot Irvin J. Hawkins, 47. P.O. Box 666 Syracuse, and Charlotte M. Bacot, 37, P.O. Box 666 Syracuse Whitehead-Shively James Bruce Whitehead, 26. r 5 box 438, Syracuse, and Sally Jo Shively, 29, r 5 box 438, Syracuse Hartman-Dunithan Jack Hartman, 11, 26, r 2 box 37, Syracuse, and Donna Marie Dunithan, 32, r 2 box 37, Syracuse County Court The following persons have been assessed fines and have paid those fines in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Battery — Rick Westerman, Sr., North Webster, s6l; Ronald Graber, Syracuse. s6l Small Claims The following judgments have been awarded in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: State of Indiana has received judgments against the following persons: David B. Carr, $10.50; Jonas Conway Ella, $25.50; Janet Y. Forbes, $25.50; Brendt Harvey, $25.50; Jonathan L. Holder, $10.50, Eddie A. Parris, Jr., $10.50 Don’s Escavating Inc. versus John Burns; defendant ordered to pay $30.88 plus costs. Sidney and Pamela Labbard versus William E. Cox; defendant ordered to pay $2,874 plus costs. Milo W. Lightfoot versus Shirley Hall; defendant ordered to pay SIOO plus costs. Desmond Jackson versus Rita Harwood; defendant ordered to pay $1,114.55 plus costs. Surgical Associates, Inc. versus Debra K. Shaw; defendant ordered to pay $744 plus costs. Kosciusko County REMC versus Carl S. Thomas; defendant ordered to pay $621.44 plus costs. . Dian Adkins has received judgments against the following persons: David and Brenda Daniels, $72; Roland and Mary Gonzales, $35 costs only; Linda Sue Elliott, $311; Robert and Teresa Hurley, $6Ol Boron Oil Company, a division of BP Oil Inc. versus Tinkey Oil Company; defendant ordered to pay $568.75 plus costs. Cheryl Brunjes has received judgments against the following persons: Rick Lowery, by next friend Debra Lowery, $66; Brian Lackey, $63; Dustin J. Arnold, by next friend Larry Arnold, $32 costs; Elida Hernandez, $52; Felipe Flores, by next friend Eric Flores, $77 Judy R. Nast versus David F. Coppes; defendant ordered to pay $550 plus costs. ♦Schrader Co. versus Timothy G. Short; defendant ordered to pay $893.23 plus costs. Patricia Addair versus Ronald E. and Jacqueline Neeley; defendant ordered to pay S3OO plus costs. Ferro Corp, versus Sandra Blair, Creative Fiberglass; defendant ordered to pay $1,753.25 plus costs. Farmers Insurance Group Co., Jon Swoverland versus Jimmy R. Webb; gefendant ordered to pay

$825.73 plus costs J. Donald Brogan, Brogan Outdoor Advertising, versus Igor’s Inc; defendant ordered to pay $3,000 plus costs. Tinkey Oil Company has received judgments against the following persons: William Dotson, $412.35; George Fitzpatrick, $122.10; Dan Sicks, $239.59. United Telephone Company versus Igor’s Lamplite, Lee Adams; defendant ordered to pay $934 j 62 plus costs. Eugene R. Koser versus Lanny and Christie R. Gillman; defendants orered to pay $322 plus costs. Garry L. Miller versus Doug Owens; defendant ordered to pay $2,550.85 plus costs N.E. Ind. Water versus Jack Borton; defendant ordered to pay $212.39 plus costs. Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Stevens — Christy A. Stevens, r 2 Syracuse, and Keith W. Stevens, Nappanee. The couple was married Feb. 24, 1979, and separated Aug. 6,1986. There are three minor children. Charlton — Hazel E. Charlton, no address given, and Donald L. Charlton, r 2 box 12, Milford. The couple was married Sept. 8,1962, and separated Aug. 3,1986. There are no minor children. Hilker — Sharon D. Hilker, r 2 box 377, Syracuse, and Michael D. Hilker, r 3 box 77, Syracuse. The couple was married June 6, 1981, and separated June 30,1986 There are two minor children. Hoover — Kristy Kay Hoover, r 5 box 309, Syracuse, and Noble Ray Hoover, address unknown. The couple was married July 26, 1980, and separated May 15,1986. There are three minor children. Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint For Damages Claude Hontz and Ethel M. Hontz versus Jeffrey W. Plank and the Civil City of Warsaw. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against the defendants in the amount of $125,000 for damages and injuries received in an automobile accident with Plank on August 20, 1984, at the intersection of SR 15 and CR 200S. Plaintiffs are further seeking a jury trial and a change of venue in the matter. City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — Chadd S. Phelps, 19, Syracuse, $52.50; Arlen R. Lehman, 24, Milford, $57.50 Disregarding automatic signal — Paul E. Fink, 18, Syracuse, $87.50 Failure to yield right of way—- — S. Sheline, 32, Syracuse, $47.50 Following too closely — Ronald D. Cripe, 22, Syracuse, $47.50 Driving with expired tern* porary permit — Ronald C. Maggert, 22, Syracuse, $38.50

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE”

WHAT WAS once a bustling vacation community slowly turned into a weedtrodden, dilapidated picture of unsightly nature as residents and officials exclaimed, “There is no real problem, it's being blown out of proportion.” All the while a small group consisting of town officials and other nonage citizens lurk behind the foliage — still pleading with their neighbors to cut their lawns and take pride in the town's appearance — but the voices get fainter as the weeds get higher — until... While the above scenario is an extreme view of what could be, the vignette may have some reality to it depending on who one talks to. Are weeds, potholes, dilapidated buildings, and other overgrown vegetation a glaring problem in Syracuse? Every town has its share of shortcomings. but when a town begins to label itself as a place for' vacationers the added responsibility of maintain ing an attractive package becomes vital The real question may not be. "Is it (weed control) a problem?." but rather. "Who's responsibility is it to keep it from becoming a problem?" Almost immediately, most people's fingers point toward the street department, and while it would be ideal if that sector was able to aptly deal with the problem, a full docket of added duties during the summer and fall months, such as street paving, limit its availability "Everyone's a critic all of a sudden. 1 don’t think care (of the town) has been declining, the street department is doing a good job." commented town board member Joe Morgenthaler and part of what he's saying is true, although the sudden rash of complaints should merit some concern. While Joe may "say it ain't so." board brother Bill Hess has a different view. "I just made a trip to the post office and noticed areas on Mill Street that really looked rough — it seems that the pnly way anything gets done is when people raise enough ..." Hess said. x However, much of the ('ain raising that is done is "anonymous.” with residents unwilling to back their statements, as one resident balks. "The town board has been slacking in its duties to push property owners, merchants, and even the street department." Another rebuked those claims. "I see nothing wrong — the issue should be put to rest." Both residents sheepishly refused to state their na'mes after the acidic statements. Communication is vital when attempting to solve a problem, with aimless remarks never finding a target. Property owners seem to remain quiet on the issue when it's their property being

on- - K X—• • U W * ’ k * < * r ’ I. F ' fS I 1 f. ‘ 5216 DELIVERY OF NEW MOWER — Fisher Lawn & Garden. Highway 138, Syracuse, delivered a new Simplicity mower to Milford Junior High School on Monday, Aug. 18. Shown, left to right, arc Paul Levett, district sales manager for Simplicity: Hill P. Fisher: Bill W. Fisher; and Roy Stiffler, director of buildings and grounds. Wawasee Community School Corporation. < Photo by Dale Tobias)

NIPSCO comments on ruling

Northern Indiana Public Service Company commented Thursday, Aug. 14, on the Wednesday, Aug. 13, ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in the

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P S. 3258 4000) Publlilwd by fhp Mall Journal ovory Wednesday and entered a» Second C late matter at the Poet Oftlce al Syracirto, Indiana 44567 Second claw pottage paid at >O3 E, Mam Street. SyracuM. Indiana MSP) and al additional entry office* Subscription St* per year In KoeclutkoCounty. IT) outelde county POSTMASTERS Send change of ad dree* form* to The Mall Journal. P O Box IM. Milford. Indiana MS42 wo'

singled out but are vocal when the weeds overrun town property — is there a double standard? Another problem is presented with absentee ownership, as town board member Jim Hughes pointed out. "There is always a place or two in town where the people live but don't own — the town ends up having to mow the area and charge them." Such measures cost unnecessary time that could be spent maintaining town property, thus, property owners must take the responsibility of manicuring their own land The same situation is beginning to "crop" up between SB 13 and the east Access Hoad, where some merchants are leading a silent protest to a recent chamber of commerce action that saw business signs removed from the median between the roads. It seems that a small number of those businessmen feel that the property shouldn't be maintained by them since they were disallowed signs in the area — the sad fact is that the state isn't likely to step in and regularly maintain It either, even though it owns most of the land. "It seems to me that merchants' pride would show through — the purpose is to show a good image and keeping the area mowed should be the responsibility of those with businesses across from the strip." suggested Bob Westfall, the former chamber president who spearheaded the sign removal project However, such an idea is a hard pill tu swallow for some of the merchants — they'd rather be camouflaged, which would seem to hurt business, than clean out the "state's" weeds. When the area doesn't get cleaned it becomes a problem the town board must (should* address; however, some refuse to even discuss the matter Hughes did imply that the board would act on the matter if it was brought before them. "I'm not getting any calls about any problem with it (medium), if someone has brought it to the attention of a board member then that member should act on it at the following board meeting." hr said. Hess remarked. "The town board 'should' take a stronger stance — most people take care of their property but it's the few that don't that make it bad for others " It's those "few" that remain anonymous, along with a few select town officials who refuse to even take two minutes on the telephone to discuss the problem (or supposed problem). If all this seems jumbled it may be an Indies tion of the type of situation that exists in Syracuse — where no one can agree on a solution and cooperation is nonexistent They say action speaks louder than words, but the past few weeks makes one wonder if we’ll ever find out.

litigation between NIPSCO and the Carbon County Coal Company. i Randall C. Jacobs. NIPSCO director of public Relations. said the utility had received and reviewed the ruling and it states that Carbon County’s request to the court that NIPSCO be ordered to continue taking coal from Carbon County for the remaining term of the contract (approximately 15 years at an approx imate cost of $1.5 billion unescalated) was denied as was NIPSCO’s request for relief from the jury’s damage award in the sum of slßl million. “The denial of the relief requested by Carbon County is viewed by NIPSCO as favorable in the long run,” Jacobs said • The decision relating to damages can be the subject of further appeals to the Court of Appeals and ultimately to the United States Supreme Court ” If NIPSCO decides to take fur ther appeal to the Court of Ap

(X'uh. It must file a petition for rehearing with the court within 14 days The company is weighing the course of action it will pursue with regai d to the damage award, Jacobs said Registering voters in trustee's office Anyone residing In the Tip pecanoe Township/North Webster area may register to vote in the trustee's office located in the rear of the Tippecanoe Township/North Webster Fire Station Registrations done in the Tippecanoe Township Trustee's Office must be completed by September 19 The office is open ft am to S p m week days. Arrangements for after hour registrations can be made by contacting Sue Ann Mitchell in the assessor's office in North Webster