The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 40, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 October 1986 — Page 1

HMDIANA A,u X X 4O NORiTH StNATE 40 -7Q4 1

Milford 658-4111 & 9 Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 23

igfe •90 ■ 90- 1 ■H 80 -/. 180 HBg pS 70-(7 ■ 70- -7„ K J6O ■ I 60f ■% V 50] r% ■ 50- -SS,'tf V 40 7 I 40 V o-% ■3O K~ ‘ x*-" “ I 20 :i ;- / £ I ♦WP '" r WATCH THE THERMOMETER — On Tuesday this large thermometer was planted in front of Pickwick Place in uptown Syracuse, and will monitor the progress of the Northern Towns United Way fund drive whose goal is to raise $13,500. On the right is Roger Kryder, Northern Towns chairman, with James Evans, one of his captains. The other captain is Col. Joe Gray. Roger Kryder, director — United Fund goal in Northern Towns: $ 13,500

Roger Kryder, director for the United Way Northern Communities fund drive now in progress, said this week his goal is to raise a total of $13,500 in four communities. The goal for Kosciusko County is $510,000 and of this amount he and his committee hope to raise $6,500 in Syracuse, $4,300 in North Webster, $1,500 in Milford, and $1,200 in Leesburg. Acting as co-captains in Syracuse are Col. Joe Gray and Jim Evans, while Richard Long is captain at North Webster, Lee Frauhiger at Milford, and Stacey Haines at Leesburg. ‘Working’ Is Theme Kryder said this year’s theme of “working better than ever” calls upon each person to remember that sharing is caring. He said, “Local recipients of United Way funds have included the Lakeland Youth Center, Lakeland Daycare Center and Meals on Wheels.” United Way was a major factor in funding the establishment of the daycare center in Syracuse and supporting’it annually. Kryder added, “If you as an individual or small business are contacted by one of the United Way volunteers feel free to give and if desired to designate where you want your contribution to go. A hundred percent of the money raised in Kosciusko County finds its way to recipient agencies. ” Anyone who is missed is asked to contact any one of the abovenamed captains for a pledge

card. Chairman Kryder said, “Someone once said, ‘Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have.’ Somehow this has meaning to me in this year’s campaign. ”

New hearing set for Milford landlord

I By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Milford building inspector Dr. T.A. Miller announced that landlord Ronald Davidhizar, 203 Middlebury St., Goshen, will be ordered to re-appear at a public hearing “as soon as the law allows,” (which would be after Oct. 9) to answer charges that he failed to correct violations of the town’s Unsafe Building Law in three of his rental properties. Five area residents, building inspector Harry Doty, town attorney Bill Leemon, and the Milford Town Board joined the building commissioner at MonActing at a public hearing Monday night, Sept. 29, in the Milford Community Building, Dr. Miller acknowledged that Davidhizar had not made improvements to structures at 106 N. Maple St., 212 E. Fourth St., and 313 W. Williams St., as ordered by the commissioner at an August 28 meeting.

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907 f

The northern towns in the county have always given to the United Way drive. As in years past, Jjie large thermometer is posted in the uptown area and will record the progress of the drive periodically.

day night’s meeting to review the Davidhizar case. The Milford landlord was not present. Doty reported that a sewer line had been “partially” fixed at the house on North Maple Street, while a drain pipe at the trailer on Williams Street was also repaired; however, additional orders for repairs had been ignored, with Dr. Miller commenting, “I didn’t expect a lot to be done but I did expect a little.” Leemon listed options the town has available after Milford resident Della Baumgartner questioned “What’s our next step?” Following discussion, Dr. Miller asked Doty to attach itemized lists to the original orders of things that need to be done to the homes. Leemon will then prepare notices for a third public hearing, with Davidhizar required to attend to answer charges. Town board president Jean Treesh confirmed that the board was “determined to see the (Continued on page 2)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1,1986

18-year-old is a moped victim Bobby R. Thomas, 18, 701 Pittsburg St., Syracuse, was pronounced dead at the scene when a moped he was driving collided with a semi tractor-trailer in Benton Township, Elkhart County. The accident happened at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, on US 33 at CR 50 straight west of Ligonier during a heavy rain. Elkhart County Coroner Carl Yoder said death was due to massive head injuries. Thomas was riding east toward Ligonier on a Honda moped and apparently did not stop at the junction of US 33. A red flasher light for eastbound traffic was in operation at the time of the accident. James P. Angel, 45, 60362 CR 113, Elkhart, driver of the semi, had no chance to avoid the rider. According to State Trooper Wayne Calloway and Elkhart Sheriff’s Sgt. Walter E. Miller and Ptl. Stephen Mockler, Angel was driving south on US 33 and stopped his truck along the berm of US 33 south of the intersection. Thomas was thrown about 50 feet to the center of the pavement. The moped was found a short distance south of the intersection. Funeral arrangements are pending. Kiwanis Chib plans popcorn canvass Milford Kiwanis members will be canvassing area neighborhoods beginning next Thursday, Oct. 9, in an effort to collect S7OO towards a statewide goal of $250,000, to be used for the new Kiwanis/Riley Hospital Trauma Life Center for Children. Kiwanians will be selling twopound bags of popcorn, with a portion of the proceeds going toward funding the Indianapolis hospital wing. Residents wishing to place orders or contribute toward the cause are urged to contact any Milford Kiwanis member. Chain-reaction accident on wet surface Wet surface conditions contributed to a three-car collision at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, on SR 15, onehalf mile south of CR 1350 N. According to Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs, a 1982 Buick, driven by Teresa J. Weirick, 22, r 2 box 265, Warsaw, slid into another passenger car that was stopped behind a third vehicle, causing a chain-reaction crash. Weirick, who was traveling north, attempted to stop after seeing a 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo waiting for a 1984 Lincoln, driven by Lowell Hunsberger, 80, 27891 CR 50, Nappanee, to turn left. She claimed that her vehicle hydroplaned across the roadway as she applied the brakes. The Monte Carlo, driven by Ronald E. Chupp, 28, 915% E. Barfield, Warsaw, was pushed into Hunsberger by the impact of Weirick’s car. All three drivers escaped injury. Up to SI,OOO in damages was caused to tjje Hunsberger and Chupp vehicles, while the Weirick automobile suffered up to SIO,OOO in damages. Will discuss Chamber roles The Retail Merchants Division of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly meeting on Friday, Oct. 3, at 8 a.m. in the Syracuse Town Hall. Jim Evans, president of the Chamber of Commerce, will be present to discuss the “Roles and Goals” of the chamber. The merchants will also be discussing the possibility of a Halloween parade during the Halloween Madness weekend. Al merchants from this area are invited to attend and share their ideas and concerns with the group.

State School Board hearing tomorrow — Wawasee School Board declares Supt. Webster's contract void

LBy JERI SEELY Editor, The Mail-Journal Members of the Wawasee Community School Board voted 4-0 Friday night to declare the contract of Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Webster void. The motion, made by member Henry L. Smith, and the vote followed an opening statement by board President Billy G. Little. Smith’s motion reads as follows: “Our school attorney, Mr. Robert Reed, was notified by letter on September 12,1986, by the state department of education that Dr. Kenneth Webster’s superintendent’s license had expired on July 31,1986. “Dr. Webster has acknowledged that he presently does not have a valid superintendent’s license for the state of Indiana. “Based upon this fact, his contract dated June 12,1986, with the Wawasee Community School Corporation is a voidable contract. “The contract is invalid and not enforceable. This motion declares the superintendent’s contract to be one of no further force or effect and will not hereafter be performed by the Wawa?ee School Corporation of Scheel Trustees. ‘ Board member David Carey seconded the motion. Little then stated that in view of the importance of the vote he would call for a roll call vote. Carey voted yes. Carol Schwartzendruber said it was “with a very heavy heart’ she voted yes. Marguerite Hoerr said it was with “deep sadness’ that she, too, voted yes. Smith voted yes. Little explained that as president he could not vote. He would, however, vote with the majority. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned only a few short minutes after it began with no additional comments. A large crowd was on hand to hear the board’s decision in spite of the fact it was Friday night, Warrior football team was at Plymouth with a 4-0 record and in was raining. In the audience were teachers, former school board members, school board candidates and school patrons. Opening Remarks Little, who delayed the meeting for a few minutes to allow persons arriving late to be seated, apologized for the scheduling of the meeting. It was, however, the first evening the entire board could be together. He noted the fact that many of the people who were present at the September 18 meeting were again present and explained a vote had been tabled at that meeting. Friday’s meeting was a continuation, LitMilford board awards bids on billing system The Milford Town Board awarded bids for its hardware and software for a new utility billing system to be utilized next year at a specially called meeting Friday, Sept. 26. Board members Darrell Orn and Dennis Wuthrich agreed to accept the bids of Computerland, Indianapolis, and Personal Computer Network, Chicago, for hardware and software, respectively, on the advise of Milford’s computer consultant Kenneth Murray, who represents the Indiana Association of Cities ad Towns. Acting in president Jean Treesh’s absence, the board members signed documents allowing the town to purchase hardware at a cost of $5,785 and software for $995.30, in addition to an $8 membership fee. The board had reviewed bids from 12 companies on September 2, forwarding its findings to Murray before making a final decision.

tie said, of the September 18 meeting. Little said that between Thursday, Sept. 18, and the Tuesday, Sept. 23, executive session, every member of the board had been contacted many times by many persons. “Never have I been involved with this type of public

Legal action appears certain — Dr. Ken Webster to fight for reinstatement at Wawasee

I By ARCH BAUMGARTNER I Publisher. The Mail-Journal Much will depend upon the decision of the State School Board at 8:30 tomorrow (Thursday) morning, at the office of the Department of Education in Indianapolis, how Dr. Kenneth E. Webster, superintendent of the Wawasee Community School Corporation since July 1, 1986, will proceed in his case with the Wawasee School Board. Last Friday night, before a crowd of some 100 school corporation patrons, the school board voted 4-0 to terminate Superintendent Webster’s threeyear contract, which the board considered an illegal contract. (Note: See adjoining article.) It was a short meeting which left no room for discussion, and left a puzzled audience wondering about what has often been termed as “other problems” with the superintendent. These problems have never been spelled out. Several weeks earlier, when Dr. Webster asked the board for a vote of confidence, he received a 3 to 2 negative, with Marguerite Hoerr and Carol Swartzendruber voting with the superintendent. In that vote, board president Billy G. Little broke the tie, casting a no-confidence vote. Mrs. Hoerr and Mrs. Swartzendruber reversed their earlier vote Friday night.

>-*•* fe v]3 x?x 'jrr* I wLur" - IL? || WW ; ■' ™ ’ 4 *«k«w j? | ** JB II * --*■ 11k^ S^vJ^^HEF r 9Xt IS -J* l "'■•’'■ jfF .■*■ SS gP%pJfeMi « i bw ' 11® H» Kl nF I <s ‘ > -i-'L SK > iff ffissb ' «•■ ■ finOKX ff ff j top* fl ffffffßfci&. ■ •#■, : -^«a <a< ~ jk .A^C?> • ■'■* ** A TRADITION BEGINS — This trophy, being held by Hal Traviolia. Wawasee High School athletic director, has been donated by the Robert and Patricia Reiff family of North Webster as a travelling football trophy between Wawasee and Warsaw high schools. Football continues to be very important to the Reiff family. Grandson Troy is on the current War rior team and he and his brother. Travis, were both on last year’s playoff team. Their brother Todd also played on the varsity team in 1982-83. The Reiffs’ two sons. Mark and Ralph, also were starters on the 1973 Wawasee state playoff team. Retog ranked immher one in the state. Wawasee hopes to be the first to find a home tor the trophy as the Warriors best the Tigers from Warsaw this coming Friday night. (Photo by Glen Long)

reaction and public feeling, ” he said. Every board member agonized because of the climate within the school community, he said, continuing to note that since the end of August things have been nearly at a stand still. Loyalties have been tested. Sides were drawn. The community was

Invalid Contract For the record at least, the school board charges that Dr. Webster has an invalid superintendent’s contract, and is resting his case on this issue. The public hearing at the school auditorium on Thursday, Sept. 18, for instance, before about 150 school patrons, concerned the validity of the superintendent’s contract, and only that. At that meeting Dr. Webster was present with his counsel, Stephen Snyder, and the school board was represented by the school’s retained attorney, Robert E. Reed. Most of the thrust of the case surrounded what constitutes a “school year ” and on this legal interpretation the school board contended Dr. Webster’s license in Indiana became invalid on July 31 of this year. Attorney Snyder read the law otherwise. It is this one-issue stance by the school board and its refusal to elaborate on other charges that has fed the rumor mill and has only served to raise more questions than it has answered insofar as the patrons of the school corporation are concerned. Dr. Webster received his Doctor’s degree from the University of Sarasota, an unaccredited degree in Indiana after 1982 when Indiana law changed. His license was given gear’s extension, during which time he was to take 30 hours of additional education in Indiana to keep his license valid in Indiana. He claims to

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caught up in • the problem and most of all the students were effected. It was not a good example for the students, he concluded. Following the opening statements, he asked if either Dr. Webster or his attorney, Stephen Snyder, had any comments to make. They had none.

DR. KENNETH E. WEBSTER Preparing For Battle have done this at Ball State University at Muncie at considerable expense to himself, but that state machinery is slow in extending or permanently approving his license. However, for an additional year’s extension of his Indiana certification, Ball State University has informed Dr. Webster that he would need to take three mote courses (or 12 hours) for a master’s degree in administration and supervision. He claims to already have .two master’s degrees for this type certification. (Continued on page 2)