The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 2, Milford, Kosciusko County, 25 February 1987 — Page 1

Milford 658-4111 Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 26

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$25,000 plus price tag to re-route 'Crazy Corners'

Plans were recently reviewed by county commissioners to re-route a jog on the Syracuse-Webster Road along CRI2OON at the “Crazy Corners” intersection south of Wawasee High School. Two intersections, located within 270 feet of each other, run along CR 1200 N and connect Syracuse-Webster Road. The corner got its name because

No primaries in area towns

ißy Carla Gaff Staff Writer The question has been asked, “How does a person get his or her name on the ballot when seeking a position on a local town board?” Since no primary election is held in the Lakeland communities anyone wishing to run for a town board position in Milford, North Webster or Syracuse may do so by being nominated by a political caucus in his/her town, or by filing as an independent candidate. Because Milford, North Webster and Syracuse all have less than 3,500 residents a primary election is not held, therefore the coming March 6 deadline for filing does not affect the local communities. Although, a political committee does hold a public meeting, called a caucus, during which candidates may be nominated. These meetings usually held in the summer. Board member Jean Treesh states,“ln Milford it’s more of a case of talking someone into running,” and not a case of needing primary elections to eliminate all the candidates. However, if someone in any of the three towns is wanting to run

B H B 1 11 ■ Bl Ik B - -I Bl ■ rf*fl|K k > ■ - A I . --}.>■ MERIT FINALISTS — Four Wawasee High School have been named Merit Scholarship finalists this year. This marks the largest number of merit finalists ever at Wawasee. Pictured above, are Marilyn Curtis, guidance counselor; Mike Neterer; Jerrod Stoller; Drew Parr ; Angela Barton; and WHS Principal Ned Speicher. Merit offers will be mailed in March and early April. Following the initial announcement, a statement concerning the three major winners will be made public. A total of 6,000 students will receive merit scholarships.

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of the eight stop signs located there. The proposal would reduce the number of stop signs to four and involves constructing an extension of Syracuse-Webster Road south of Wawasee High School into a direct link with the road at the western intersection. The eastern intersection along CR 1200 N would be eliminated. The cost for reconstructing the job is expected to be approx-

he or she may contact the Democratic or Republican party i chairman in the community t where he or she resides for more 1 information. < After a resident has expressed < his or her interest to a political t chairman he or she is asked to at- t tend a public caucus in which i nominations will be made. Towns < are divided into wards with a < representative chosen to repre- i sent each ward and a clerk- i treasurer candidate. It should also be noted party will not 1 necessarily nominate the board < member who is currently serving I even if he or she should chose to < serve again, as a public caucus is I much like a primary election. i Many towns board members i serve staggered terms, which is what Syracuse board members 1 do. In this each board member I would not be terminating his 1 term of office at the same time, I for example in 1987 Syracuse will I have three board members runn- I ing for office though there are < five members on the board. .. I Anyone wishing to file in- i dependently may do so at the i county courthouse after the town caucus has been held. These peo- I pie will run in much the same i manner as a national independent candidate does.

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

imately $25,000. The county would also have to secure several right-of-ways in order to construct the new road. That cost has not yet been determined. According to Kosciusko County Highway Engineer Richard Winebrenner, “This corner is a patrolman’s first stop once a week as someone is always knocking the signs down.” Other Construction Another construction slated for spring will be a new 20-ton bridge

Appointments are not normally made to a town board, though in the case of a vacancy this is done. Vacancies in the case of death or disability of an appointed town election board member, requires the town clerk-treasurer to notify the county chairman of the member's political party. The chairman may, within five days after notice of the vacancy, nominate in writing a successor who shall be appointed. Because vacancies are filled in this manner, it’s common for area residents to think that town board members are appointed and not elected. This misconception has stopped many qualified residents from becoming actively involved in their communities. Syracuse resident and Republican party chairman, Betty Dust, suggest that anyone interested in running for a town board position should first become knowledgeable of the job. She states, “I personally attended town board meetings for years before I considered running for an office. Because running a town is a lot like running a big business yoii don’t want someone in the office that is not knowledgeable of its many facets.” Fall elections will be held on November 3 this year, however

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25,1987

for Turkey Creek Bridge on Old 13A near Lake Wawasee. The current bridge capacity is a 10-ton limit. The new bridge will be two feet wider and raised one foot. There will also be a 20-ton capacity bridge installed on Pickwick Road near Lake Wawasee. This will replace an eight-ton capacity bridge already there. This work is to be completed this fall.

declaration of candidacies must be made by September 1,1987. Area officials are encouraging residents to become involved in their town, and to learn all they can about the position they wish to run for ahead of time. In next week’s paper a list of seats which will be filled in November will be printed along with a list of people to contact to show an interest in seeking a position on the Milford, North Webster or Syracuse Town Boards. County BZA schedule changed Beginning with its March 10 meeting, the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold its meetings on the second Tuesday each month instead of the second Monday as in the past. Dan Richard, director of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, said the meetings will be at the usual time of 9 a.m in the basement meeting room of the Justice Building in Warsaw. Property damage at Whetten's over the weekend Damages estimated at between S4OO and $1,500 were done in a hitskip accident to the front of Whetten’s Bar, Milford, at 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. A yellow and white Chevy Blazer struck the front of the building, leaving the scene. Damage was minor to the Blazer. The same vehicle later became stuck in The Papers Incorporated parking lot. Town Marshal Dave Hobbs had the vehicle impounded. An arrest is pending. Other Happenings On Friday, Feb. 20, at 10:20 p.m., Marshal Hobbs arrested two underage persons for possession of alcohol. One was a 17-year-old and the other was William L. Brown, 20. Both are from Goshen. Marshal Hobbs noticed the pair at Fourth and James Streets and caught them at Main Street. They were transported to the Kosciusko County jail. Window Broken A window wing on a car belonging to Helen M. Lentz, 107 W. Fairview Dr., South Bend, was discovered broken early Saturday morning.

Syracuse invited to join KDI

IV ByGLENLONG Staff Writer Deb Wiggins, representative, and Tom Earhart, chairman elect, of Kosciusko Development, Inc. attended the meeting of the Syracuse Town Board on Tuesday, Feb. 24, to extend an invitation to the town of Syracuse to join with KDI. Wiggins stated the function of KDI is to work with agencies and towns in Kosciusko County and to act as clearing house for development efforts in the county. She said the corporation now has its own board and membership dues equate to $1 per resident in a town. She said Pierceton, Mentone, Warsaw and North Webster are considering joining KDI and that Winona Lake is the only town which has declined to consider joining. The offer was taken under advisement until the next town board meeting and Jim Hughes thanked the KDI representatives for the information. Town Marshal Bob Ziller and Carl Myrick, board member, presented information and price quotes from two contractors for construction of a police garage behind the town hall. England Construction of Leesburg quoted a price of $20,600 for the 42 by 20 Joot building with brick facing on SM sides and eight foot highoverhead doors. The quote of Greep Construction of Syracuse was $21,085. There being only three board members present, these prices were taken under advisement so the full board can consider them at the March meeting. Ziller asked board members to consider purchase of a VCR with a recorder and TV monitor to be

Hughes speaks with optimism on Syracuse

i By GLEN LONG Staff Writer When asked to comment on the “state of the town,” Syracuse Town Board President Jim Hughes enumerated many of the projects the town has completed and spoke with optimism of future plans. “We on the town board feel good about the progress made in Syracuse in recent years and plan to work hard to move forward in the future,” said Hughes. “We are pleased that we have maintained one of the lowest tax rates in the area without cutting services.” In early 1986 the town government offices, including the township assessor and township trustee offices, “settled in” to the new town hall on South Huntington Street and that building was dedicated. “We believe this facility is good for the town.” stated the president, “We want to hear the people and invite them to attend any or all town board meetings. If there are problems we want to hear what they are. We have been trying to listen to our town’s residents.** In 1986, 2.2 miles oi streets were paved, This was more than ever before. Other needed proEFFECTIVE ON MARCH 4 The subscription price of The Mail-Journal will increase to sl7 per year for incounty subscribers and $23 for out-of-county subscribers, effective March 4. The counter sale price will increase to 35 cento per copy. Subscribers will have until March 4 to renew their subscriptions at the current rate. Persons over the age of *5 will continue to receive their It percent discount on subscriptions.

pidUCU 111 Lilt LUWII inerting 1 UUUI. He said it could be useful for presentations to the town board and would be a good training tool for police personnel. Larry Hunter, fire chief, also stated such equipment would be very useful for fire and EMS training purposes. A committee of Ziller; Hunter; Joe Dock, utilities superintendent; Tim Weisser, EMS captain; and Jenny Lewis, town clerk-treasurer, was named to investigate further and make a joint recommendation. The subject of paying for the recently purchased ambulance was discussed and it was determined that $16,000 of the total cost of $57,957 will be paid from the cumulative EMS fund. Os the balance, 45 percent amounting to SIB,BBI will be paid by the town and 55 percent, or $23,076, will be paid by Turkey Creek Township. Hughes referred to a recent editorial in The Mail-Journal and expressed his appreciation to. Ziller and liaison board member Myrick for the fine job being done by the Syracuse Police Department. The proposal from the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce to change the name of CR 530E to Ken Harkless Drive was again deferred for full board consideration. Steve Butt and Joe Morgapthaler, board members, have been designated to handle details ■of having a plaque placed on the front of the town hall to list those involved in its construction. Three banks were renamed as repositories for town funds. These were State Bank of Syracuse, First Federal Savings and Loan of Wabash and Lake City Bank of Warsaiw. The next meeting of the Syracuse Town Board will be on March 17 at 7:30 p.m.

jects included 2,200 feet of new storm sewer, which cleaned up a water problem in the area around Sea Nymph, and the cleanout of 17 miles of sanitary and storm sewers. JIM HUGHES The town worked on and received a $400,000 grant from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. It completed several steps toward the goal of receiving an EPA grant to improve the sewage processing facility. State approval has been received on all studies (Continued on page 2) Joycees to hold spaghetti durnot Syracuse Jaycees are having a spaghetti dinner Saturday, March 21, from 4 30-8 p.m., in the Lakeland Eagles Lodge The lodge is located across from Syracuse Rubber Company on Sycamore Street. The dinner will include spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, coffee or punch. The public is invited and advance tickets are available at the Eagles or from any Jaycee member. Tickets will be available at the door.

SECTIONAL CHAMP — Skip Winnebald turned in his best performance of the season Saturday to win the 50-yard freestyle sectional championship at Elkhart. Pictured above, Winnebald accepts congratulations from the official scorer. Wawasee will send eight swimmers to the state meet. See details in Sports. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

Child molesting charges filed oooinst Webster mon

Jon A. Valentine, 41, North Webster, has been arrested and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on two counts of child molesting, class C felonies. Valentine was arrested and booked Wednesday, Feb. 18, at approximately 7:15 p.m. after formally admitting to charges. He remains in the county jail and bond has been set at $20,000. In another arrest that evening, originally thought to be connected, Brian L. Rose, 18, r 2 box 191, North Webster, was arrested for disseminating harmful materials to minors, a class A misdemeanor. He was booked in the county jail at 8 p.m. and released. Investigation Valentine’s arrest came after an extensive week-long investigation and surveillance to trace the origin of telephone calls being made to young children at a telephone booth near the North Webster School. The calls requested sexual favors in exchange for money. The arrest came with the help of two 13-year-old boys on Wednesday. Jerry Craig, acting North Webster Town Marshal, stated the pair answered a telephone call that afternoon at the phone booth in which they were asked to go to a nearby residence. Once there, the boys were offered money in exchange for sexual favors. “At no time were the boys in danger,” remarked Craig, who stated the pair was watered by police throughout the incident. Valentine was then contacted by North Webster Police to come to the station where he was interviewed and formally admitted to

Fisherman falls through the ice

Lottis Leier, 70, Huntington County, fell through the ice near the Tippecanoe Boat Co., on Monday afternoon, Feb. 23. Leier was returning from an afternoon of fishing when he fell through the slusy surface. Reports are he had been standing safety on the ice while fishing, but the surface gave as he was walking back. Bruce Pierce, owner of the Tippecanoe Boat Co., was outside his mother's home near an inlet next to the boat company when he heard Leier's yells for help. He and an employee at the boat company, Chris Longnecker, pushed a boat out oa the ice. Kosciusko County Sheriffs Ptl. Tom Brindle v

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the telephone calls and offering money in exchange for sexua favors. Officers involved in the in vestigation and surveillance were North Webster Deputy Mar shals Jim Felkner and Shac Hunter and Kosciusko Count} Sheriff’s Department officer Tom Brindle. If convicted, Valentine coulc face a prison term of two to eigh years plus a fine of up to SIO,OOO. Not Related Rose's arrest stems fron distributing obscene material lef in the telephone booth to schoo children. Concerned parents con tacted police after their childrer had been given obscent materials from Rose, thus laun ching the investigation. School officials also contacted police concerning other material being confiscated, not related tc Rose’s arrest. Richard Long, principal, stated it was not known at the time where the material was being found and where it was coming from. “We caught most of it before it was coming into the school,” Long said. “The police did a super job with it,” stated Long, who commented the teens involved in Valentine’s arrest did a great job as well. “We really appreciate the job they did.” Officer Craig stated the school officials are doing a good job in keeping the obscene materials which are making their way into the school away from the students and are concerned with this matter. Rose could face a possible prison term of up to one year plus a fine of up to $5,000. The case concerning Rose is still under investigation by police.

arrived shortly after and followed a safety rope to the boat, assisting in getting Leier out of the water. Also assisting was the North Webster EMS. Leier was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital and was listed in stable condition in the intensive care unit Tuesday morning. Ice Coadttieas The condition of the ice on the lakes at this time is very da ng* torn. According to vonvurvation Officer Dave Anderson, the thickness of the tee on area lakes and ponds varies, but current whither conditMOß bbblmi tiio nets are 0