The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 41, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 October 1986 — Page 1

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Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 23

■■ ■ ' J | ift jf||l & - " / w 5 |w jBBSIb : ?: . l 74r«. w~ JMrksSSs < ZV rfggggggga^^K^^p:^^--" * M- '^ < * fc ' t?- ' ’* •, * " ; '- *W: -- ' -life*''' * NOT ANOTHER LAKE — The accumulation of rain water Martin’s de Porres Catholic Church. SR I3S Syracuse. throughout the Lakeland area last Friday, Oct. 3. made some places The area in front of the church flooded from heavy rains which fell look as though new lakes were being formed. This was the case at St. onto already saturated ground. (Photo by Deb Patterson) ** _' '-X s -Mff’TMiwHl^KTr' K jg , - ; ._/ _ JWw ** — .../■ L, BbJL - - ■ K S SJS ' *-■“ * * '~"" • *'-’■ - ~ ■■—-.-~- *”' DANGEROUS SPOT — The driver of this 4-wheel drive truck was serious injuries resulted. perhaps the first one to find out how deep the water was at the South Shore Golf Club. It was reported the truck was in the water up to its Traffic was rerouted around this spot for most of Friday morning hood, if not over it. before being pulled out by Don’s Wrecker Service, by Indiana State Police. The water, which measured lour feet deep at Nearby residents stated people were crazy when it came to driving the drain and at points was two feet deep across the southbound lane, through that area as several accidents were reported, however, no did not recede until Saturday. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Wawasee 11 inches above normal —

Heavy rains reign havoc in the area

(By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer It’s happened again, only this time it’s in the fall not the spring. Lake Wawasee. as reported by Dave Heckaman, is 11 inches above normal. Piers on the lake are “virtually, almost floating. We were about to initiate emergency procedures to get 4,000 sections of piers off the lake at once,” said Heckaman. This is the result of a week of scattered rain with Thursday evening and Friday bringing the largest downfall. Paul Royer, North Webster, reported he had measured four inches of rain Thursday evening alone and the result of that four inches was apparent throughout the Lakeland area. Roads were flooded as water had no where to go. The ground saturated from earlier rains in the week. Ponds were overflowing, as was the case at Dean Dowty’s residence on SyracuseMilford Road. Persons traveling past this pond at CR 300E found themselves driving through several inches of water. Perhaps the largest flooded area, in the northern part of the county, was on SR 13 at South Shore Golf Course. Heckaman reported for a time water crossed both lanes with about two feet of water across the southbound lane. He stated he measured the water level at the drain, on the west side of the road, and it was four feet deep. The flooding in this area was also due not only to the large amount of rain but because the drainage was not able to handle the volume. Hortaman stated people were crazy when it came to driving through that area and reported a

four-wheel drive truck went into the ditch and had water up to the top of the hood if not over it. Another car spun out, and a heavy gravel truck was moving slowly through the high water when an older four-wheel drive truck came through the southbound lane to fast and was thrown by the high water head-on into the gravel truck. He also said the female state police trooper was almost hit by vehicles whose drivers did not heed the high water signs and continued traveling too fast. Other area flooded locally were three spots on Crystal Flash Road (CR 650 N). The low area at Main Channel Marina was also reported flooded. Drainage systems in Syracuse and Milford could not keep up with the heavy down pour, thus causing streets to flood for up to one hour or more Friday. Joe Dock, Syracuse Utilities Superintendent, stated there were some areas in town which flooded where there were no records of such flooding in the past. The alley behind South Main Street and the 100 block of Brooklyn Street, were named as examples. “We don’t know why,” remarked Dock, adding the street department is studying the situation now to see what can be done to correct the problem in the future. Dock said there were crews working around the . clock from 5:30 a.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Sunday pumping water and monitoring the water system. “I felt things went fairly well,” Dock he added, “considering the volume of water that was received in a short amount of time. ” The water department showed 3.3 inches of rain was received in a 24-hour period Friday morning to Saturday morning

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE ;SYRACUSE-W AW ASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

Blame Dam \ Residents along Syracuse and Wawasee are blaming the high water in these two lakes on the control at the Syracuse Dam. The high water has caused septic tank problems, basement flooding and pier damage. Robert Deahl, r 1 Syracuse, commented the bottom of his pier was in water on Monday and the septic tank was not working properly. “They don’t leave enough out of the dam, ” he commented. Ric Schaekel reported the lake level has reached the top of his sea wall on Syracuse Lake and on South Shore Drive the water level is up over the top of several sea walls. Ann Sudlow, long time resident of the area, commented the flooding at SR 13 happens quite often but wasn’t as bad this year as in past when water has reached the South Shore Condominium tennis courts and the door of the pier shop. She stated her daughter, Connie and son-in-law, Dave Heckaman, reported the lake came up 41/2 inches between Friday evening and Saturday morning. The increase in the lake level following the rains is due to the run off and drainage from Papakeechie Lake and nearby fields. Mrs. Sudlow stated a person cannot predict “these things,” and added if the dam level was lowered before the rains it would of taken care of the high lake level. She remarked the worst evil of heavy rains and the flooding is the damage it causes. “A lot of people are not hurt and suffer a loss when the water level is lower, it is when it gets this way. The piers are lost and basement’s flooded. Heckaman stated Wawasee lake’s water level had been climbing all week. On Thursday mor-

WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 8,1986 «

ning the lake level raised 4-4’/2 inches with it cresting Friday morning at six inches higher than the previous week. He reported Monday the lake was 11 inches above normal, which is 858.89 feet above sea level. Dam Open John Nemeth, Syracuse Dam Operator, reported the gates at the dam were opened Monday through Wednesday to 12 inches and on Friday morning he opened the gate to 15 inches. Monday night, after checking downstream on Turkey Creek, the dam was opened to 18 inches. Water is now flowing through the one flood gate which is operable and over the spill way. He reported the dam would be opened as much as it could if the water could be taken down stream, but added you can’t get rid of that much water all at once. Nemeth stated there was six inches of rain last week. The reading at the gauge on the east wall of the dam building read 9.36 feet Tuesday morning. The water level at the dam under normal conditions is to remain at 9.02 feet. set at Webster The final night of discussion concerning the police dispatching at North Webster will be conducted tonight (Wednesday) during the regular meeting of the North Webster Town Board; Representatives from United Telephone Company and two alarm companies are expected to be present. Other items for the agenda include an alley vacation request by Paul and Genevieve Mueller, library presentation to the board The meeting will begin at T p.m. in the town hall/fire station.

Case venued to Elkhart County Circuit Court —

Dr. Howard J. Hull named interim superintendent

| By ARCH BAUMGARTNER I Publisher. The Mail-Journal In a short meeting of the Wawasee Community School Corporation board of trustees, at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the administrative building, Dr. Howard J. Hull, director of instructional services, was named interim superintendent by a vote of 2 to 1. The corporation has been without a superintendent since the dismissal of Dr. Kenneth E. Webster on September 27. Casting an aye vote on a motion made by David Carey and seconded by Henry Smith were Carey and Smith, with Marguerite Hoerr voting nay. Mrs. Hoerr would give no reason for her negative vote, only commenting following the meeting that she had no comment on the subject. Board member Carol Swartzendruber was not present at the meeting. She was attending a fall state school board conference at Indianapolis. The full motion read: “It is moved that Dr. Howard J. Hull, director of instructional services, ue designated as the corporation’s interim superintendent, and have all responsibilities and authority associated with the position. A mutually agreed upon additional stipend is also acknowledged. This is recognized ay a temporary appointment lasting until the selection of our permanent superintendent of schools is on duty. Dr. Hull- acknowledged the board’s support, and pledged to do his very best until a permanent superintendent is designated. In a written statement in The Wawascene, an in-house paper issued on Tuesday, Dr. Hull wrote: “Today is my first day and I need your help. I am pleased and proud to be your interim superintendent. Whether or not I make application for the permanent position will depend upon my feelings after the next three months ha ve passed. Dr. Hull came to the Wawasee School Corporation in 1981 from the Elkhart Central High School where he was assistant principal, to serve as principal of Wawasee High School. On July 1, 1985, Dr. Hull was given the post of director of instructional services. Ned Speicher was named high school principal. His bachelor of science degree was won in 1974, his master’s degree in 1976 and doctor's degree in education in school administration in 1981, his dissertation being, “The Superintendent’s Role In and Perceptions Os the Public School Certified Staff Collective Bargaining Process in Indiana. ” State Action Taken Dr. Kenneth E. Webster, who has served as the school corporation’s superintendent for the past 19 months, had his contract with the school corporation voided in board action taken September 26, but last Tuesday morning the Indiana State School Boat'd extended his superintendent’s license for another year, until June 31, 1987. And in action following that license extension, Dr. Webster, through his attorney Stephen Snyder, filed suit in the Kosciusko Circuit Court to have his contract honored by the school board. The three-year contract, sighed June 12, 1986, is to pay superintendent $54,350.14 for the first year, then to be reviewed annually The hearing date in the circuit court was to be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday of this week, then on motion by Robert Reed, the school board’s attorney, the hearing was venued to the Elkhart Circuit Court at Goshen where it win be heard at 1 |Em. t Friday, Oct. IT. In the absence of a “smoking gun” in the scenario involving the dismissal of Dr. Webster, there is considerable speculation concer-

ning the outcome of the October 17 meeting in the Elkhart Circuit Court, in that if Judge Gene Duffin rules that Dr. Webster’s contract is valid, the school corporation would be in effect paying the salary of two superintendents concurrently. To Seek Replacement The second point on the Monday early evening agenda of the school board was the timetable for a search for a new school superintendent. The board said it will accept and encourage applications for that position from qualified applicants within its present staff, as follows: Applications to be taken until Monday, Nov. 17. A screening committee, made up of representatives of the three schools in the corporation will consider the merits of the applicants from November 17 until Monday, Dec. 8. and the interviewing process will continue from December 8 through the week of December 15. The board hopes to have a new superintendent in place by the first of the new year. However, availability date and salary are areas which are negotiable, the board members noted. Personnel Changes Assistant superintendent Roger Kryder offered three personnel changes, which were approved on motion by Marguerite Hoerr and seconded by Henry Smith, then approved unanimously, as follows: That Carol Haab be employed as secretary at the Milford Junior High School, effective October 1. She is currently serving as a teacher’s aide in that school, is trained and experienced as a receptionist and secretary. She is a lifetime Milford area resident and comes highly recommended, Kryder said. Approved also was the recommended transfer of Bea Haddock from part-time cafeteria worker to full-time teacher’s aide. Mrs. Haddock has been a volunteer in the North Webster Junior High

Lions give SI,OOO to library

The Milford Lions Club Monday night gave SI,OOO to the program to improve the Milford Public Library. Receiving the money from Lions President Dennis Wuthrich was Becky Doll, president of the Friends of the Library Committee. She said the drive was to raise $15,000, and that $12,000 has already been collected. The program before the club was cancer control, one of the four major projects of Indiana Lions clubs. Speaking was

wKL >ISWm»O w Jww m| BirWaify'-- • ■ w . f •\ I wfllM"JlWl^HffOr*Hrrnhim—r jk * /» b >I,OOO TO LIBRARY— The Milford Lions Club Monday night gave a check of >I,OOO to the fund to improve the Milford Public Library. Becky Doll, president of the Friends of the Library Committee, is receiving the check from Dennis Wuthrich, left, president of the Milford Lions (tub. so in photo is Lion Kent Doty, the club’s first vice president.

School for five years, lives in North Webster with her husband and two children. Kryder noted that she worked with children for three years as a dental assistant and has two years’ experience with the United States Army as a supply administration clerk. Also approved was Roberta Ferverda as ,a part-time position in the North Webster cafeteria. She has been an active volunteer in the North Webster school over the years, and has a son in the sixth grade at North Webster. She will be filing the position vacated by Mrs. Haddock. Five-County Planning The third agenda item concerned the local school’s cooperation in a five-county effort to employ Elaine Shank, longtime vocational director in South Bend but now residing on Lake Wawasee,. for long range planning in Economic Region II to help establish vocational programs to give people marketable skills. In order to qualify for a Regional Planning Grant, such a coordinator is necessary. The grant is in the amount of $24,711.00 and her salary would be $11,419.00. The board approved participation in the planning effort. « Other counties participating besides Kosciusko County are Elkhart, St. Joseph, Marshall and Starke.

Area man killed in early morning accident

Jeffrey Leigh Phend, 22, r 2, and was released from the Leesburg, died early Saturday hospital morning, Oct. 4, in Kosciusko Harmon told police he was goCommunity Hospital where he ing east on CR 750 N, about 34 was taken after the vehicle he miles from Leesburg when a deer was riding in crashed into a utili- ran into the path of the Jeep. He ty pole east of Leesburg. Death swerved to miss the animal and was due to internal injuries. lost control, striking a REMC q pole. According to County Christopher L. Harmon, 21, r 3, Patro i man Gerry Moser, the Syracuse, driver of the 1976 Jeep, was treated for cuts to his head (Continued on page 2)

District 25-G past district governor Richard Powers of the German Township (South Bend) Lions Club, a caner trustee for the past 12 years. He showed slides of the several cancer control units Indiana Lions have purchased in the past 15 years for use in the Indiana University Medical Center at Indianapolis. Lion Powers said since Feb. 12, 1946, to June 30 of 1986, Indiana Lions have raised $2,465,850.13 for cancer control equipment at the medical center.

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NUMBER 41

DR. HOWARD J. HULL A Superintendent Candidate? About 20 patrons attended the Monday night meeting. No items were brought up from the floor for consideration. Next Board Meeting The next school board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the North Webster Junior High School. It is expected that the board will name its full screening committee at that time, and that the-committee will begin to function on November 17th, and have recommendations ready for the school board by December 8.

This past year alone $130,271.72 has been donated by Indiana Lions, $8,178.52 from memorials and $31,035.48 from candy sales. District 25-G has donated $10,547.00 of this amount. His slides dealt with cancer detection, and he urged constant examinations for early detection. Lion Bruce Lamb read a thank you note from Milford third grader Michelle Kistner for glasses the Milford club purchased for her. Leon Tucker was a . guest.