The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 47, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 November 1986 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., November 19,1986

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Editorial

American Education Week Celebrated annually since 1921, American Education Week this year occurs from November 16-21. At Wawasee High School, teachers, students, and administration will be noting the occasion in a variety of ways. A large banner in the Commons, posters for the rooms, and buttons reading “Proud to Teach” greeted staff and students on Monday. On Tuesday, teachers and staff found candy treats in their mailboxes. Today, Wednesday, coffee and doughnuts are scheduled and tomorrow, Thursday, the students, through the Student Representative Council, are planning a surprise. Coffee and doughnuts will reappear on Friday. Members of the committee who planned the week include Mr. Speicher, Mrs. Leach, Mrs. Yargosz, Travis Marsh, and Drew Parr. The latter two are the president and vice president of the Student Representative Council. Mrs. Leach and Mrs. Yargosz, teachers at the high school, represent the Wawasee Community Educators Association, and Mr. Speicher represents the administration. All the members of the Wawasee community are invited this week to consider the vital importance of public education. Education is a job for all of us: Parents, interested patrons, teachers, staff, administration, and — most importantly — students. 14th President — Pierce Do you know who the country’s fourteenth president was? He was Franklin Pierce, one of the lesser known presidents, born in New Hampshire on the 23rd of this month in 1804. Someone in Pierceton must have thought this man was very special since the town was named for this President. Pierce was a lawyer and a soldier and fought with distinction in the Mexican War. He was an active Democrat and for ten years, in the 1840 s, managed most of the Democratic political campaigns in New Hampshire. When another prominent New Hampshire native, Levi Woodbury, died, some in the state turned to Pierce as the state’s hope for high national office, yet little support developed and when the Democratic Party convention met in Baltimore in 1852 other prospects could count far more delegate votes. It is this convention which adopted the historic two-thirds nominating rule which survived at Democratic conventions the 1930 s The roll uas then called thirty-five times with no candidate receiving a two-thirds majority of the delegate vootes. That’s when the turn to Pierce began and he was soon nominated by an overwhelming number of delegates as a compromise candidate. Pierce was a goocL president, but the times were heavy with controversy between North and Southzf One major goal of the fourteenth president was annexation of Cuba. He succeeded in getting England and France’s blessing for annexation but when his secret effort leaked to the press, strong opposition too annexation erupted in the North. , , Pierce began talks designed for the purchase of Alaska, though the purchase wasn’t achieved in his presidency. He was caught up in the bitter disputes of his era, and trying to compromise and keep peace he became unpopular. The 1856 convention refused to renominate him and turned to Pennsylvania s James Buchanan. (Buchanan also rejected the idea of invading the South with an army and became unpopular in his term.> During the Civil War, Pierce courageously criticized President Lincoln, though with the die cast and soldiers dying this added to his unpopularity. He died four years after the war ended, thoroughly discredited, though history has softened its verdict on the nation’s fourteenth chief of state. Gettysburg, 1863 On Nov. 19,1863, while the Civil War continued, the battlefield at Gettysburg. Pennsylvania, was dedicated as a national cemetery, containing the graves of 3654 Union soldiers, comprises 17 acres. The speaker who is most remembered for his words at the dedication is Abraham Lincoln. He was one of two speakers and though his words were brief, they have lived and become immortal. Lincoln’s closing thought is what captured the world’s fancy. He said the sacrifice of those who had died there should make the living resolve, “that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people. shaU not perish from the earth.” That was just three and a half months after the Battle of Gettysburg, and only a year and a half before Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theater in Washington, in 1865. Os all Lincoln’s speeches, this one is perhaps the best remembered. What others say — Sing it with pride Some 172 years ago, a Baltimore lawyer on a mission of mercy was taken hostage by the enemy. Oh, they’d let him go all right, the English admiral said, but not until after they’d bombed his countrymen. For 25 grueling hours the hostage watched from an enemy ship as shells turned the night sky crimson. Then silence. Who had won? The sun rose, and the answer was clear — above Fort McHenry fluttered the flag that Francis Scott Key immortalized as The Star Spangled Banner. Nearly two centuries later, the words that Key penned on September 14,1814 still bring a lump to the throat. Listening to The Star Spangled Banner, you an share his despair at the British bombardment, his exhiliaration at the sight of our flag, his love for our lovely “land of the free.” * But, singing The Star Spangled Banner is another matter. This summer “USA Today” called for a debate of whether The Star Spangled Banner should be replaced as the national anthem. “While it certainly stirs the heart,” this newspaper said, “it also strains the vocal chords.” And debate you did — 7,010 of you wrote or phoned. Some of you said it was “outrageous” to tamper with our national anthem. Others applauded, saying it was about time we got a national anthem that all of us could sing. The Winner? The Star Spangled Banner. Here’s the tally: 3,873 votes to keep Key’s anthem (55 percent); 2,091 votes for America The Beautiful (30 percent); 323 votes for God Bless America (5 percent) and the remaining 10 percent for an anthology of also rans, some serious (America), some silly (Beer Barrel Polka). As any politician can tell you, with a crowded slate of candidates, 55 percent is a most respectable showing. Fans of The Star Spangled Banner argued we shouldn’t be offended that our national anthem is about war. We fought for or freedom, and The Star Spangled Banner reminds us we must continue to defend it. We shouldn’t be deterred by the struggle to reach the anthem’s high and low notes. It’s worth the effort. We shouldn’t be put off because the first verse ends with a question. We must continue to ask if our flag still waves, “o’er the land of the free and the home of the bra ve ” " ■ Those arguments ring true. The Star Spangled Banner, our national anthem — long may it wave. _ USA TODAY

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Education is a job for all of us.

Court news

City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — Larry G. Arnold, 40. Milford, $47.50 County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Speeding — Paying $65 fines and costs were: Mitchell Grevenstuk, 23. Milford; Randy A. Bartels, 19, North Webster; Charles E. Knowles, 18, North Webster. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Whitaker-Harp Terry Lee Whitaker, 24, r 2 box 23. Leesburg, and Rebecca Lynn Harp. 22, r 2 box 23, Leesburg Yoder-Locke Bryan Eugene Yoder. 26, r 2 box 462. Syracuse, and Jama Lynn Locke. 25. r 2 box 462, Syracuse Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts; Halsey — Marion C. Halsey, Jr., r 2 box 416. Syracuse, and Beverly A. Halsey, r 2 box 416, Syracuse. The couple was married July 29, 1972. and separated Oct. 18. 1986. There are three minor children. Circuit Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint For Trespass And For Permanent Injunction Jennie Neibert and Lakeview Terrace Mobile Home Park. Inc. versus William Stahl and Manon Stahl, r 1 Leesburg. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment ordering the defendants to remove fences and other personal property from property owned by the plaintiffs, triple damages, plus an injunction prohibiting the defendants Housmg problem Pushed aside — again | By MARK HUFFMAN Staff W riter Procrastination seems endemic to Milford, with town officials lagging behind in efforts to curb inadequate housing. At a September 29 public meeting, building commissioner Dr. T.A. Miller assured area residents that landlord Ronald Davidhizar would be ordered to re-appear at a public hearing to address claims of unsafe conditions in three of his structures “as soon as the law allows.” Apparently other town officials failed to see any urgent need of fulfilling this credence, considering the law allows for such hearing after October 10. Five weeks later plans for the bearing still go unannounced. Milford Town Board President Jean Treesh echoed Miller's intentions at that same initial meeting, saying, “We need to proceed in good haste.” Apparently five weeks is a tat too hasty. Building inspector Harry Doty had been asked to attach an itemized list to original orders of things that need to be done to the homes and forward them to Bill Leemon. town attorney. At last count, Leemon had not seen the list. Maybe Doty is waiting to write the list at the same time his Christmas list is transcribed. If Milford residents are lucky it may be Christmas before the hearing is held . . . maybe that’s it! Town officials are planning it for a Christmas gift. Then again, there’s always New Year’s Day, 0r...

from any future encroachment upon plaintiffs’ property. Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint For Damages Counting House Bank versus Joseph J. Neary, Joseph J. Neary, Jr., and Susan V. Neary, doing business as Pino Corporation, r 2 Leesburg. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendants for the sum of $9,406.04 plus interest, attorney’s fees and all costs of action, for a cashier’s check drawn on an account for a corporation reported as non-existent by the Indiana Secretary of State. Letters to the editor United Way reaches goal in county Editor: Thanks to the citizens throughout Kosciusko County, the United Way will continue to provide the maximum financial support possible for its 21 member agencies. Hundreds of volunteers in all communities throughout the county showed their genuine concern for their neighbors and their towns by raising and surpassing the $510,000 campaign goal. United Way will continue to grow, seeking out the needs of all communities and increasing the organized capacity of people caring for one another. Thanks to you. we are “Working Better Than Ever. . .the United Way.” Sincerely. Michael J. Martin 19R6 Campaign Chairman Congratulations, Warriors! Dear Editor: I, along with the Wawasee community, congratulate coach Myron Dickerson; and to our Wawasee Warriors, a strongrated number one, impressive team that won for us the NLC crown — good job — well-done. This well deserved, great, super, successful season, will be longremembered in the football history of Wawasee. Again, I’m very proud to have this fine team, the Wawasee Warriors, to represent Wawasee High School and Wawasee Community Vicki Nyce Milford THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by the Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse. IndwnaMW. Second class postage paid at M 3 E. Main Street. Syracuse. Indiana M 547 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: Sl« per year in Kosciusko County. *22 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of ad dress forms to The Mail-Journal. P.O. Box IN. Milford. Indiana MM

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

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THERE’S MORE than just a little concern being voiced by businesses and residents who are located east of the channel bridge (a.k.a. Pickwick Road bridge) over the closing of the bridge. Residents are exorcised over the inconvenience the closing of the bridge is causing them, and businesses over the loss of business. Businesses in particular include the Kale Island Beacon, Lou Yoder s Shrimpboat and the Wawasee Boat Company Don and Janet Hays, who began their nth year on March 11 as owners of the Kale Island Beacon, say the bridge closing has caused them a 30 percent loss of business. “And this is a lot of business for us to lose.” says Don Hays. Hays also contends the Kosciusko County Highway Department has done a poor job of directing traffic around detour routes. He is recommending anyone coming to the Beacon come byway of the County Line Road north of Syracuse, to East Shore Drive, then south to the turn-off to the Beacon. “Why not simply use the North Shore Drive?” Hays was asked. The Hayses are residents of 700 South Front Street. Syracuse, and use the County Line Road route each day themselves. Don claims the North Shore Drive route is fraught with turns and dips and is narrow. Inviting additional traffic on that road would be very hazardous. Hays claims. “It’s simply not built for heavy traffic.” Hays says. He did commend the County Highway Department. however, for not closing the bridge during the busy summer months, delaying it until Monday. Oct. IX when Pickwick Road was closed at the bridge. Lou Yoder claims a still greater loss of business at her Shrimpboat — from between 40 and 45 percent, she says. She agrees with Hays that the better route to her establishment is via the County Line Road and not North Shore Drive. She is now in her fifth year of operating the popular Shrimpboat. She claims workers are not on the job as much as they should be in order to hurry’ the bridge replacement along. “It's distressing to sit here with ten or fifteen customers, and see no one working on the bridge.” Mrs. Yoder states. Dick Weinbrenner has another story. Weinbrenner is the County Highway Department's superintendent and engineer and has charge of overseeing such things as bridge rebuilding. He told this column work on the channel bridge is being done by the Camden Construction Company of Pierceton. Owner Jack Camden, who has worked on such projects with his dad John for many years, is the man on the job. Weinbrenner said Camden bid the project for $1*2.000 and has a full eight weeks to complete the job. “As things are moving along, there's no reason why they won't come in on schedule.” says Weinbrenner. "Bidding was done on 3*-foot pilings, and this might ran into «*-foot pilings, causing an overran of some sß.o*,*' Weinbrenner said. Bidding on the bridge was done as unit bidding, allowing for such overruns where exact conditions cannot be predicted. The end product should be worth all the fuss and bother. Weinbrenner claims. “We’ve lost several people on that (narrow) bridge." Weinbrenner claims, a fact that is only too well known by local police and EMS personnel. New concrete pilings being put down will ran 5* feet and could ran as much as 6* feet, says Weinbrenner. The bridge was only 2* feet wide and posted for l*ton loads, and the new bridge will be 32 feet wide, plus a four-foot sidewalk on the south side, and allowing for much heavier load capacity. Ask a jogger or a bike rider about the old bridge, especially when they meet passing cars, and they’ll tell you of the hazardous conditions that existed there. They’ll appreciate the new. wider bridge. Weinbrenner says. “We know the inconvenience this is causing a lot of people, but all we can ask them to do is have patience until December 13th.” SOMETHING ELSE that concerns the residents around Lake Wawasee is what effect the draining of the 130-acre Goshen dam will have on the water level of the Big Lake. If any.

The Goshen dam has sprung a leak, and the Corps of Engineers personnel who inspected the damaged dam last Monday recommended all the water be let out of the pond before severe freezing and thawing action can begin on the dam, thus leaving it a 130-acre mudflat through the winter and spring. AU we have is the word of Dan Seltenright. superintendent of the Elkhart County Park Department, who told this column, “We are considering a controlled release of the water. This wiU probably not affect the Wawasee Lake. If anything, the water of the lake would be slightly lower/' JAMES R. HAWTHORNE. 71. who gave his address as Pierceton and Fort Lauderdale. Fla., collapsed and died at the booking station at the St. Joseph (Fla.) County jail where he was being taken for sentencing on drug charges, according to an Associated Press item last week. Hawthorne carried with him a shadowy reputation and was a former resident on a small island behind Kale Island. The item said Hawthorne's widow. Marianne, said he didn't show up for an earlier Florida sentencing due to an illness. She charged angrily that authorities had been warned he was too weak to survive the stress of a court appearance. “I'm just so outraged by the whole thing.” Mrs. Hawthorne said from her Pierceton home. “I cannot believe man's inhumanity to man. ” EVERETT KETRING gives us a yellowed copy of the summer schedule of the Northern Indiana Railway. but it contains no date. It was a complete schedule of trains running from South Bend to Warsaw, including the “Goshen Special.'* “Elkhart Accommodation,'' “Winona Flyer." and “South Bend Flyer." The Elkhart Accommodation only went as far as Elkhart, but the Winona Flyer, leaving South Bend at 4:15 p.m. and arriving in Warsaw at 6:30 p.m.. “in ample time for the evening's entertainment at Winona Assembly.” And the South Bend Flyer leaves Warsaw at 10:45 p.m. daily except Sunday, arriving at South Bend at 12:50 a.m. “This train is for the accommodation of people desiring to return after Winona Assembly entertainments and will be held for this purpose when necessary." the bill states. Those were the days, obviously, when the Winona Assembly attracted national attention. My. how things have changed! MIKE KILEY of Marion and Lake Wawasee i Pickwick Park), was recently named to a threeyear term on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources by Governor Robert D. Orr. His new term will expire in September of 1989 Kiley, well known in the community, served on the DNR from July 1978 until July 1985. then took a year’s sabbatical. The board, so important to the lake population of our county, has five appointed members plus four ex-officio members. r° ? JACK ELAM, the new go-go Turkey Creek Township Democratic chairman, will be working hard to breathe new life in the long-dormant town/township Democratic party, so elated is he over the good showing at the polls made by Shanda Blue, candidate for the Syracuse Town Board in the Tuesday. Nov. 4. election. votes separated Carl Myrick and challenger Blue (Myrick 492 votes. Blue 468). enonglrw have chairman Elam term the Blue showing “a victory." He said ordinarily the township is carried by the Republicans at a 5 to 1 ratio. Elam said so complacent have both local parties become that there were infractions at the polls "that are strictly illegal.” Without making a fuss over it. and thus becoming a factor for division in the community. Elam plans to detail the infractions in a letter to the local, county and state election boards, that they don’t occur again. A NOTE from Jim Hartshorne. 157 No. Shore Drive, states. “Thanks for a good travel story that makes one feel he was the 101st member of your party on Aruba. Would that all such accounts were so well done.” Thhnks. Jim. THOSE DEER hunters who may think of doing their stalking and shooting from the front seat of a pickup truck along a wooded area or field. (Continued on page 5)