The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 59, Milford, Kosciusko County, 11 February 1987 — Page 1

'"/North sesquicentennial 1837-1987

Milford s 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 23

Seek public input —

Chamber favors beautification in the Syracuse / Wawasee area

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce beautification project was given the. go ahead as a result of a vote taken at last Wednesday’s chamber luncheon. There were 36 persons attending the luncheon who acknowledged a need for such a project and voted to proceed. The next step will be a public meeting in the near future for public input. “We need to establish a direction and take off. Let’s stop talking and get something done,’’ said Jim Evans, chamber president. Evans encouraged those present to get friends and ac-quaintancgs-kk-attend the public input meeting which will be called as soonas possible. Bill Beemer, chairman of the beautification project, stated for over the last five to 10 years there has been concern over the general environment of the Syracuse area. One step in trying to get some kind of a program moving was sign removal along SR 13. The next step is to try and get some continuity to the area, which is a drive-through community: “It doesn’t give the impression a lot is going on,” remarked Beemer who stated a lot is going on here and there is a need to show people their business is appreciated along with planned growth and development. “Someone said ‘it’s a tacky looking area’ and we have to do something to make it more exciting to work, live and play here,” he concluded. Beemer introduced Pat Brown, landscape architect of Leßoy Troyer and Associates, Mishawaka, who was asked to

w| l"EMr| *■ WKu'tflki aggy W l'« /■ ■ mHL SHOPPING AWAY CABIN FEVER — Lisa Howes just moved to Syracuse from San Diego. Calif., and has already found that shopping is a good way to recover from Indiana’s cabin fever. < Photo by Glen Long)

Super sales — Cabin fever is ending

It’s the second week in February already and the area has been through heavy snow which has turned to slush and refrozen again into a gray crust over mounds which have been shovelled to the curbs and edges of sidewalks. Heavy winds blow and skiffs of snow come and go. Winter is getting old, boring and ugly. Maybe this is cabin fever I ; With half of the Syracuse-

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give input. Beemer stated even though there were qualified people in the area, professional help from outside the area was needed. Brown stated the luncheon was just the first meeting and that there were going to be more. The public would be invited to have input. “If we don’t get input from the people whp live and work here we are not going to have much.” He stressed his firm is not going to design what it thinks would work in the community and say “here it is folks,” but put the ideas from the community to work. Leßoy Troyer and Associates would be facilitators by putting together the ideas of the community “It has to be the community’s idea,” he stressed. He stated this project could be a phased program which could

Milford gives OK to new mini-warehouses

j By MARK HUFFMAN Sta^f, Writer The Milford Town Board adopted an ordinance recommending the lot at 406 W. Fourth St. be changed from residential to commercial zoning after owner John Lehman submitted the proposal at its February meeting, Monday. The requested zone change had been approved unanimously by the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission and, after receiving

Wawasee Winter Carnival events, those to be run on the lake, postponed until Sunday, Feb. 15, next weekend will have plenty of activities to help area residents break out of the cabin fever blahs. With the beautiful sunshine and warm weather of last Saturday, Feb. 7, as a guide, can spring be far off? To make the winter seem shorter, many Syracuse and North Webster merchants have

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRAfcUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11,1987

take three to five years, or longer. The biggest aspect of a project of this nature is that of funding, which he noted will need to come from industry, businesses, and residents. Funding from grants will also be researched. Workshops will be called to originate all ideas, set priorities and identify a master plan whether it will take five or 20 years. “There are a few key items we know have,to be taken care of.” A question was posed, asking if there is a need for such a project. Robert Troutman remarked he felt the chamber was on the right track and mentioned how a few years ago everyone was delighted in the face lift at Anchor Bar. “Let’s keep on moving

assurance that the lot would be upgraded in appearance, the town board followed suit. Lehman stated his intention of replacing the structure currently on the lot with mini-warehouses, consisting of a steer frame and exterior. The board endorsed an additional recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals that a special exception be placed two< miles south of town, on SR 15, sot Roger’s Sanitation. A public fund agreement was also signed with First National Bank of Warsaw-Milford branch and Lake City Bank, allowing the town to proportion deposits and

scheduled super sales on Cabin Fever Days, Feb. 12 through 14, to induce folks to get out of the house and begin getting in the mood for spring. Cabin fever one liners are everywhere, from “Mid-Winter Price Thaw” at Rinker’s in North Webster to “Stir Crazy” deals at Augsburger’s in both Syracuse ana North Webster as these stores begin their 50th anniversary sale.

ahead,” was his vote. Mike Tallon stated Ligonier and Kendallville are getting new industries. “We’ve got 3,000 acres, it’s an asset,” adding he didn’t believe it was being utilized and it could help draw new industry into the community. Dick McDaniels stated he has a little business and was not located in town, but felt he and other businesses like his should be involved as it is their community also. “We will benefit along with the rest of the community and we could be a benefit to the chamber and to the rest of the plans.” Beemer agreed the project goes far beyond the Syracuse town limits. “We want everybody to be involved.” remarked Beemer, adding “everyone is going to have a

accounts to each bank. Reporting for the utilities department, Superintendent Dallas Winchester II noted that water meters will be read next Monday, Feb. 16. Acting on complaints from area residents, the department cleaned the Main Street alley on the east side of the street, although Winchester stated that some landlords are negligent in having trash collected while some others aren’t supplying Jorge enough dumpsters. Addressing an additional complaint, the superintendent apologized for not having town sidewalks cleared during recent heavy “The snow was 12 to 15 inches deep and our cub tractor isn’t equipped to handle such amounts,” he explained. Closed driveways also made for some irate citizens, causing Winchester to retort, “We have to keep the streets widened in the event of a snow emergency and sometimes this causes the blocking of driveways — it can’t be avoided. The department reported helping 36 stranded drivers, although one citizen issued a complaint that he was “passed over,” with Winchester arguing, if he wasn’t helped by the department he must not have been seen by the department. Urging citizens to “stay off the roads if possible” during future snow emergencies, the superintendent added, “It would 4nake our job easier and the streets would be cleared sooner.”

APC approves mini- warehouses

(By GLEN LONG Staff Writer The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission met on February 4 and voted to recommend to the Milford Town Board the rezoning of a property in Milford from residential to commercial. The property belongs Lehman and is located south of Fourth Street and west of SR 15. Lehman, owner of Lehman's Laundromat on SR 15, plans to raze the house on the rezoned property and construct miniwarehouse rental storage units. The APC approved the petition of ’ Charles V. Yeager for a residential subdivision on a 10.35 acre tract of ground on Wooster Road east of Winona Lake. This case had been continued from January so the board could receive the opinion of the county

chance to have input.” Other Business Evans opened the luncheon by stating it was the first of many quarterly luncheons and that other luncheons had been set for the second month of each quarter in different restaurants throughout the community. Those present were asked to fill out a brief questionnaire on how often luncheons should be held with the results to be announced at a later date. The next luncheon scheduled is for May 6. The topic at this meeting will be the 911 emergency telephone number with a representative of United Telephone Company scheduled to be present. Also discussed will be the local measured service .and its impact.

, In other matters, Milford resident Ralph Owens was commended for painting the utility signs, which have been installed, while it was reported that treated lumber would be used as containers for trash receptacles throughout town. After minimal discussion the board agreed to sponsor Winchester for an American Water Works Association (AWWA) convention in Indianapolis, February 24-26, while the town’s membership to the organization will also be renewed. Town attorney Bill Leemon reported that he would be contacting various residents about right-of-way acquisitions that need to be made for the town’s upcoming Syracuse Street improvement and sewer projects. In another department head report, David Hobbs, town marshal, reported that 166 complaints had been received January 12 through Monday, while six accidents were investigated, with damages in the amount of $17,006. The department logged 2,285 miles at an average of 20 miles per gallon. Before signing the register of claims to close the meeting, the board decided to readjoin at 5 p.m. next Tuesday, Feb. 17, to hear additional quotes for a new police car. It is expected that a final decision for purchase will be made at that time. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9, at the Milford Town Hall.

Soil and Water Conservation District on whether the planned water retention pond is adequate in size. The public portion of the case having been closed in January, the approval letter from the SWDC was read and the vote was unanimous for the petitioner. Howard Woodward, realtor, represented Loren Pound, Betty Bair, and Nancy Fawley in their petitions to rezone two tracts of land south of the Warsaw airport from agricultural to light industrialuse. The board approved the rezoning of the 40-acre tract because the members felt it would be a, logical continuation of the airport industrial park. Also a factor was that Woodward stated several parties were interested in buying here. Rezoning of the 65-acre tract was not recommended by the APC. Members stated they were not in favor of rezoning just for (Continued on page 2)

Iww r s y J®** STX. z £ n i Jin ■ \ 1* St*: I I J**’ frl x./ R I r £ I I k I VALENTINE SWEETHEARTS — Jodi Halsey aqd Benjamin Neff, kindergarten g students at North Webster are preparing for Valentine’s Day. People in the greater M 8b Lakeland area will join those in communities all over the USA in celebrating a time to show Os HK love on Saturday, Feb. 14. Sil M As one Milford.second grader put it, “Love is being nice. Love is sharing your popcorn. tJ U Love is walking hand in hand. Love is a rose. Love is sharing your toys.” (Photo by Carla g 5 g Gaff) ... B

At Syracuse — Thornton says curriculum should determine needs

I By MARK WEINSTEIN Staff Writer In an evening when the Wawasee Community School Board wrestled with several topics, the board returned to a very sensitive issue — the problems facing Syracuse Junior High and Elementary schools. The address, concerning the problems with the two-school structure, brought to light the direction Wawasee administration plans to move. The immediate problem with the two Syracuse school sites is size. There is not enough room to house both schools at its present location. Because of that, Wawasee Superintendent Dr. Roger Thornton feels the school system should focus its attention on forming a curriculum first, then deciding how the space problem will be resolved. In the past, it has been the tendency to figure out away to solve the facility problem, then work on curriculum. “The site is too small, there’s no question there,” said Thornton. “But, because of the problem, we need to look first at the learning needs of our youngsters.” Thornton believes that the curriculum should be worked around the students’ needs. The size of a school should be based on curriculum. The next «tep belongs to the Syracuse Advisory Committee. The group was asked by Thornton to look long-term on what should be done. The advisory group will prepare information forThomton dealing with the direction it feels the school board should travel. The information will be submitted to Thornton by April 15., At the meeting, it was generally conceded that a new middle school in Syracuse should be built. The school would be for Syracuse students, however, if residents in Milford and North Webster were interested in a central middle school, then the board would move in that direction. “Since this is going to affect our kids,” added Thornton, “it

deserves our attention.” Without reservation, the entire school board applauded Thornton’s insight and potential proposal. In other action Tuesday, the board approved the Curriculum Improvement Model for the 21st Century. The model, which was presented to the board last August, addresses curriculum uniformity, curriculum guides, a textbook adoption process, and the vehicle for change and improvement — the Corporation Curriculum Council. “This is an outstanding program,” said Thornton of the model. “I commend you for taking this action.” In addition to the adoption of the model, the board also accepted Dr. Howard Hull’s recommendation to hire Patricia Mikel to Milford’s half day kindergarten teaching assignment for the remainder of the school year. Her contract started February 2,1987. Mikel is a graduate of Wawasee High School, and received her bachelor of arts and master’s from Purdue University... Hull also enlightened the board to the latest enrollment figures within the school corporation. According to Hull, attendance for grades kindergarten through 12 averaged 94.44 percent during the second grading period — October 27, 1986 to January 15,1987. Last year’s average during the same time period was 95.87 percent. Milford Elementary School had the best attendance in the corporation with 95.22 percent. In addition, enrollment in the corporation has increased 111 students from a year ago. Presently there are 3,237 in the system. Finally. Hull informed the board that the corporation will receive a Science Teacher Retraining Grant of $2,078. The grant is an award grant, not competitive. The grant will be used for the in-service and retraining of 10 junibr high and high school science teachers. It is necessary because of the new adoption and technological expectations.

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In other action, the board unanimously approved a SSOO pay raise for board members. The school board will receive $1,500 this year. In 1984, Wawasee School Board members were paid S3OO for their services. A S7OO raise occurred the following year, and has remained until the raise last evening. The state maximum is $2,000. The board also approved Roger Kryder’s request to advertise for a school bus loan. The busses, originally set to arrive during the summer months, will be delivered within three weeks. , Because of the early arrival, board officials must scurry in order to get the funds needed to purchase the new busses. The corporation is purchasing 10 new vehicles. In other financial issues, the board accepted five banks — with area branches — as its depositories for the next two years. Included are the Counting House Bank, North Webster; First National Bank of Warsaw — Milford Branch; Lake City Bank — Wawasee. North Webster, and ■* Milford Branches; First Federal — Syracuse Branch; and Mutual Federal Savings — North Webster Branch. David Blackwell, Wawasee High School band instructor, curtailed business issues for a few minutes as he presented a slide presentation about Wawasee’s marching band trip to the Gator Bowl. The trip, paid by each participating member, totaled $38,500. , The board, in closing, approved the certificate of achievement to William J. Brown. The certificate is equivalent to a high school diploma. Brown dropped out of school in 1979 after completing the ninth grade. Finally, the board accepted Dick Wysong's bid to continue adult education at Wawasee High School. The program is in conjuc-tion-with Fairfield's adult education program. All claims and unapproved minutes from the boards' last meeting were accented

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