The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 April 1987 — Page 1

Do you think the * > T UD jeimte oration should build one central middle school or keep separate schools in the three communities? Why?

— BRUCE HUNSBERGER Milford I am definitely not in favor of a combined middle school. It’s not necessary to bus kids that far._ And, they don’t get the opportunity to participate in certain activities with the increased number of students.

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VOLUME 26

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ELECTRICAL FIRE — An electrical fire destroyed this mobile home owned by Howard Haab which is located at 208 S. James St., Milford. James J. Tackett and his son resided there. Milford Fire Department received the call at 6:43 p.m. Sunday, March 29. They responded with 14 men and three pieces of equipment. According to Fire Chief Max Duncan, Tackett and his son were

M-J and merchants— I Sponsor Easter coloring contest

The publishers of The Papers Incorporated are once again providing a SSO savings bond for the grand prize winner of the Easter Coloring Contest. The event is sponsored annually by area merchants and The Mail-Journal. Besides the SSO grand prize, merchants will award individual prizes. The grand prize winner will be selected from the individualstorewinners. Youngsters in kindergarten through the fourth grade may enter the contest by coloring the pictures in this issue of The MailJournal and returning them to the respective merchants sponsoring the contest. No entries will be accepted at any office of The Papers Incorporated. The following contest rules will apply: 1. The contest is open to all children in grades kindergarten through fourth only, 2. Paint, pencil, crayons or markers may be used to color pictures. 3. Entries must be received at each sponsor’s place of business no later than 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, or by the store’s regular closing time on Saturday or Sunday, whichever is earlier. 4. Absolutely no entries will be accepted at any office of The Papers Incorporated. 5. Accuracy and neatness of appearance are very important. The judges’ decision will be final in all cases. 6. Entries should be mounted on sheets of paper with the youngster’s name, parents’ name and address, telephone number, school and grade.

I 808 GOEBEL North Webster I feel that there should be two junior high schools, one in Mifford and one near Syracuse. Mostly because of the population, and there needs to be enough support to have three schools. There may not be enough students to warrant even two schools, and if there isn’t, I would be in favor of just one school.

Sponsors of this year’s contest are: Richard D. Smith, Milford; White Plumbing and Heating and Aqua Wells and Service, Dixie Road, North Webster; Shopoff’s Drive-In, Wawasee Village, Syracuse; Doll’s Decorating Center, Milford; Bonnie Gene’s Boutique, 105 W. Emeline, Milford; And, Wawasee Bowl, SR 13 South, Syracuse; Ben Franklin, Bruce’s Marathon, Milford; Gropp’s famous fish of Stroh, SR 13 South, Syracuse; Three Flags Drive-in, SR 13 South, Syracuse; Marises, SR 13 South, Syracuse; Dairy Queen, SR 13 South, Syracuse;

Library officers elected

Friends of the SyracuseTurkey Creek Township Public Library elected officers and set by-laws during the first organizational meeting Thursday, March. 26. The meeting was in the Syracuse Elementary-Junior High School. Elected officers are: President — Carol Swartzendruber Vice president — Phil Fawley Secretary — Priscilla Rhode Treasurer — George Bushong Board members-at-large — James Hartshorne, Nancy Glon and Margaret Freeman. Bill Tarrimore, past president of the Indiana Friends of the Library, was the speaker for the meeting. He emphasized the local organization belongs to the local

NANCY PRATT Syracuse „ I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it (one central school) seems to be the only way they have to support programs that will benefit the students, but on the other hand, that’s a lot of kids to put together at that age. Overall, I’d probably be for it, if that’s the only way to get kids the best educational programs.

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

taking a nap arid when they awoke the kitchen was engulfed in flames. In another run, the department answered a call at 7:30 p.m. last night at the Ruth Hoppus residence. 104 N. Main, Milford. An overheated ballast in a fluorescent light caused smoke. There was no damage. There were eight men and two pieces of equipment who responded. (Photo by Linda Musselman)

Augsburger’s, North Webster and Syracuse; Whettcn Pizza, Milford; Jack’s Village Video, SR 13 South, Syracuse; Also, Sue’s Creations I and 11, North Webster and Syracuse; White’s Amoco, North Webster; Pilcher’s Shoe Store, Syracuse; Lake City Bank, Milford branch

Beautification meeting Monday

The choice between watching the Indiana Hoosiers vie for the NCAA basketball title and attending the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Beautification meeting was evident Monday evening as only four persons attended the meeting. Bill Beemer, chairman of the

members and functions in any way that will best benefit the local library. The number one function of The Friends of the Library, according to Larrimore, is to make the community aware of the library and its many services. Other functions a local group can encompass would be volunteer help, book sales, and legislative assistance. The 22 persons attending voted to have a meeting Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 p m. at which time a membership drive will begin. Another meeting will be called in the fall. The program for the April 30 meeting will be a report by the library board on the current-status of the library. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting.

*** ’ B I Hl ’ CONNIE SMITH Milford I think we should keep separate schools. I feel the kids are getting a good education in Milford and are being offered more than adequate subject choices. Additional driving to school activities would also be a problem for many families.

WEDNESDAY. APRIL 1, lf>«7

only; Kentucky Fried Chicken, 900 South Huntington, Syracuse; Evans Family Store, downtown Milford; Rinker’s Department Store, North Webster; Bales’ Butcher Shop, uptown Syracuse; and First Federal Savings and Loan, Syracuse Branch, Wawasee Village.

beautification project, stated he had expected very few people, if any, at the meeting, due to the NCAA basketball finals. The meeting Monday night was rescheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m., in the Syracuse Scout Cabin. It will be at this meeting the primary goals for the beautification project will be set with public input as to what the people in the community want to see done. Once this has been accomplished a rough draft will be prepared by Leßoy Troyer and Associates, Mishawaka, to be presented to the people In the community before a final draft is made. Beemer stressed at the short meeting, public participation is important with this project, as it will be a project where the people who live and work here decides what will be done, not a committee. It was noted funds would be available through the Harkless Foundation for such a project in which matching grants could be obtained. Jim Evans, chamber president, commented once the project begins to move and people are seeing something being done additional donations may be received.

***£&. JZL ■ W ’vWffiW*' 1 / F Y ■' I ANNCAVENDER I have so many mixed emotions. There are advantages and disadvantages, but, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and weigh them out. I’ve thought about it a lot. I have no objections to a- - junior high, but, if that’s not feasible, a new Syracuse Junior High is fine and definitely needed.

North Webster —

SAC chairman steps down

IByTABLAGAFF Start Writer Rev. Steve Fouts stepped down from his position as chairman of the North Webster SAC Tuesday afternoon during the group's discussion meeting. The North Webster group appointed Lynn Griffith and Bob Merchant to serve as cochairpersons for the remainder of the middle school study. "I have been asked by the leadership of my church to step down as chairman,” explained Rev. Fouts. ‘‘This is due to the fact that we have persons in our church who could have feelings on each side of this issue, and it would be best if I don't continue to serve as chairman." See editorial on Page 4, and article on Page 2. Fouts will be continuing as a member of the North Webster SAC, but will not serve as chairman. He’s the pastor of the North Webster Church of God and a North Webster resident. The SAC groups were originally asked to present a proposal on April 15, and after they’ve had time to study the middle school situation. Though an extension may be considered. Because of Rev. Fout’s resignation, Principal Richard Long chaired the meeting in which the group discussed what they had done thus far, and what they still hoped to accomplish. Four Point Action Plan Long pointed out to the group that they had been given a suggested action plan that entailed four parts, two of which they had completed. The plan suggested that each SAC group: review the learning characteristics of the middle school child; visit middle schools 6f comparable size districts; develop consensus of what program should exist for students; determine how to best meet the long-term needs of the district. The consensus of the group was that they had adequately covered points one and three, and that arrangements were made for those (Continued on page 2) Break-in at police department A break-in occurred last evening (Tuesday) at the Syracuse Police Department, 500 South Huntington St., Syracuse. The thief or thieves made off with a large amount of items including the toilet seats. Other offices in the town hall were not touched. Syracuse Police Chief Robert Ziller was contacted this morning (Wednesday) about the theft, but denied any of this was true. April Fool!

PATEVANATZ North Webster I think they should leave each school in its separate location. Because Syracuse gets too much attention, and the other areas get very little.

JB JU I I fwEßfli -JEW t*y wi -PSI ■ i*tWKaMB ■ •; w apt .. -. ? ■ f • - w Is ■ , fl UK. 1 NEW SAC CO-CHAIRPERSON —Principal Richard Long reviews copies of the information that the North Webster SAC has gathered during the last two months, with new co-chairperson Lynn Griffith. Griffith and Bob Merchant will be co-chairing North Webster SAC meetings for the remainder of the middle school study because of the resignation of Rev. Steve Fouts.

M-J reporter shown door at SAC meeting

The Milford School Advisory Committee held a short meeting in the library of Milford School on Monday, March 30, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting was ? adjourned abruptly at 4:17 p.m. after Glen Long, staff writer for The Mail-Journal, returned with a copy of the Indiana Open Door Act. The reporter had been informed at the outset of the meeting by chairman Kathy Beer that it was not a public meeting and was asked to leave. After conferring with his company management he returned and the meeting was terminated. The chairman and several of the meeting members had stated that this group was not subject to open door statutes and was privileged to meet in secret. The only substance the reporter was able to get during the few minutes he was at the meeting was an abbreviated discussion of population projections for Jefferson, Tippecanoe, Turkey Creek and Van Buren Townships as they relate to the possibility of establishing a central middle school to serve the communities of Syracuse, North Webster and Milford. The school advisory committees established at Syracuse, North Webster and Milford

I SUE PRICE Milford I favor keeping separate schools because when the kids go to a large school they become just a number. The quality of education is very good at Milford and the children get good individual attention.

have been asked to report their findings by April 15, after having studied the curricular and proBicycle stolen A bicycle was reported stolen from a resident sometime during the night of Friday, March 27. Kim Nguyn, 113 E. Boston St., told police his ST 600 BMX bicycle was removed from an outdoor shed on the premises, accounting for an $l2O loss. The case remains under investigation. SSAC is available for programs The Syracuse Schools Advisory Committee is available to make a presentation to civic groups or other organizations regarding the research this committee has done on the middle school building project. The SSAC has already spoken to the Wawasee Kiwanis and Syracuae-Wawasee Rotary Clubs. SAC welcomes the opportunity to share information and answer questions for other groups concerned with this issue. Those clubs and organizations interested in having a presentation by SAC may make arrangements through Jim Stucky, SSAC chairman, 457-3462.

JODIKLEEMAN Syracuse 1 think as long as they don’t make classes too big — where the students’ education loses its quality — it would be a good idea to build one central junior high.

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NUMBER 7

gram needs of middle school students within the next five years with particular emphasis on breadth and scope of curriculum. The next known scheduled meeting of the Milford School Advisory Committee will be April 27 at 3:30 p.m. at Milford School. Milford home burglarized The Rob Smith residence, 310 E. Fourth St., Milford, was burglarized sometime between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday. March 25. Taken in the theft were a Montgomery Ward VCR valued at $319; 15 fishing poles values at $500; seven video tapes worth SSO; and one video tape that was rented, $79. Smith told investigating officer, Milford Deputy Marshal Aaron Rovenstine, that they had left for work around 6 a.m. They had been leaving the front door unlocked for several days as they were expecting someone to do some house work. The neighbors, across the street stated they saw a red pickup truck at the house around noon. They didn't get a license number and couldn't describe the person driving.