The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 April 1987 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., April 1,1987

4

Editorial '

Is bigger necessarily better? When it comes to educating our young folks, is bigger necessarily better? / This is a question the Wawasee School Corporation Board of Trustees will have to address in the months ahead. Right now, it’s a question the School Advisory Committees of the three districts in the corporation are seeking an answer to. * It all comes into question when school officials and taxpayers of the school corporation are trying to determine a solution to the overcrowded Syracuse Elementary and Junior High School. The Turkey Creek Township School Advisory Committee has done a thorough study of the Syracuse school situation and has decided remodeling the present school would be inadvisable for several reasons. Its report, now in the hands of the school board, recommends a new junior high school facility. And here’s where the question becomes sticky for patrons of the other two school districts within the corporation. . The proponents for one central middle school to serve the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students (and possibly even the fifth grade, too) of the entire school system are vocal in their desire to approve a one-sphool plan, relegating the present school facilities at Milford and North Webster to elementary schools. Dr. Roger W. Thornton, the corporation’s new superintendent, grabbed onto the middle school concept and appears to be pushing hard to see it through: Last week, The Mail-Journal ran a lengthy piece under his name, delineating his concepts for junior high education. He cited area growth, predicted trends in education, including so-called Prime Time and Governor Orr’s concepts of what educators must do in Indiana to upgrade its school systems. Dr. Thornton built a good case for himself. He even brought Dr. Jack Riegle of Ball State University into the area last Tuesday to speak to SAC members. Speaker Riegle made some excellent points. We particularly liked his one-on-one approach between teacher and student and think this can best be achieved with a smaller school environment. But, finally, Dr. Riggle plugged for the one central school concept. Many educators think this way: that bigger is better. The SAC groups were set up not simply to echo the superintendent’s thoughts of what junior high education should be; rather, to sound out the residents and taxpayers of their respective school districts. Our reporters have found a strong trend for secrecy. Literally, no open meetings have been held for public soundings. In fact, on Monday of this week at Milford a Mail-Journal reporter was illegally ordered out of the Van Buren/Jefferson Township SAC meeting. The reason given: People won’t talk when a reporter is present. We would ask: How, then, is the public to voice its concerns in this important matter if no public meetings are being held and reporters are barred? It smacks of a blatant cover-up. We hesitate to use a term we’ve heard several times — that there is a “conspiracy of silence” going on in our midst, and that taxpayers will one day wake up to the breaking of ground for a new middle school, not knowing how it all happened and with such meager public notice. We contend Prime Time, which involves closer supervision of the lower grades as a sort of “leveling,” can best be achieved in smaller classes, which is the exact opposite of what a central school would do. As far as the governor’s educational package is concerned, calling for increased funding and adding additional days to the present school program, that’s far from being a reality. The present legislature looks on this package with a jaundiced eye, and it seems highly unlikely it will get anywhere. We contend, rather, that the secrecy should be sheared from the move for a central middle school — first by the new superintendent with his asking the SAC groups to hold open, public meetings, to really find out what the people in these several school districts think. We feel, further, that these 10-, 11-, 12^, , and 14-year-old students will be better educated and better served in their home communities and in the smaller classes this portends, where their teachers can really — really — show them the personal interest many of them need. This will best prepare them for entry into the four higher grades of secondary learning. This way parents would also be spared three (and possibly four) more years of transporting their youngsters to a. more distant middle school for extracurricular activities. Our concern is and always has been for the best possible education for the youngsters of our school corporation. Throwing all these youngsters into a larger environment can never achieve these goals. And moreover, it can be devastating to these young people. Dr. Thornton should know that better than most of us. And the school board members should know it, too.

What others say — Credit card war great: Just by itself Charge! The first shots have been fired in a possible credit card war, and consumers could end up the winners if Congress stays out of the battle. The interest rates on bank credit cards are too high, hovering around 18 percent, but they may at last start coming down because of competition. American Express fired the first round with an announcement this month of a new revolving-credit card, called Optima, that could cut into the credit card market dominated now by Visa and Master Card. Welcome the new competition. Optima will initially be offered to some of American Express’ current cardholders at a 13.5 percent annual interest rate on unpaid balances, comparatively lower than the average 17.8 percent rate on bank credit cards. In response, Visa USA Inc., the association for the barfks that issue Visa cards, shot back. In a letter to its bank clients last week, Visa urged they stop selling American Express travelers checks. If the fight heats up, the move by American Express could open up a new competitive era in credit cards. While bank rates may not start falling right away, it will be more difficult to cling to high rates with a heavyweight like American Express in the competition. We just hope that competition isn’t cut short by efforts in Congress to force rates down. A House subcommittee last week voted to impose an adjustable cap on credit card interest rates that would, if in effect today, set top rates at 13.8 percent, almost five percentage points below the prevailing rates. Backers of a rate ceiling argue that credit card interest rates haven’t come down like other interest rates. The only way to bring them down, they say, is with legislation. But a cap on rates now could be counterproductive. Faced with a limit on interest rates, card issuers would raise other charges, such as annual fees, and tighten credit restrictions, according to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Board. So for the more than half of all bank card holders who pay off their entire bills every month, the cap on interest rates could cost them more money. ■ Some legislation may help keep the competition more open. Along with the rate ceiling is a proposal to set disclosure! standards for credit cards. Under current federal law, a bank must give consumers information about its annual fees, annual percentage rate and other finance information when a card is issued. But banks don’t have to provide that in their advertising. That part of the legislation would benefit consumers, by giving them more information when deciding which credit cards to take. With or without legislation, however, consumers will still have the responsibility of shopping around for credit cards, comparing interest rates and annual fees. As they should. — (THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES)

jT Wmaea These people are shown listening to Dr. Jock Riegle at last week's combined SAC meeting.

Court news

Small Claims The following judgments have been awarded in. Small Claims Division, Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Desmond Jackson versus Larry Sheetz; defendant ordered to pay $69.90 plus costs. Robert Snyder versus Irven Senders; defendant ordered to pay $192.69 plus costs. Robert Snyder versus Mario Rodriguez; defendant ordered to pay $149.36 plus costs. Robert Snyder versus Lloyd Turner; defendant ordered to pay $326.36 plus costs. Robert Snyder versus Jerry and Dorothy Lewallen; defendants ordered to pay $336.46 plus costs. Patrick Silveus versus Daniel and Annette Slabaugh; defendants ordered to pay $440 plus costs. Counting House Bank versus Mike Dobbins; defendant ordered to pay $2,330.88 plus costs. Ray Frost versus John McCarty; defendant ordered to pay $131.93 plus costs. Ray Frost versus Diane Gibson; defendant ordered to pay $175 plus costs. Dian Adkins versus Lorraine J. Amerikanos; defendant ordered to pay $369 plus costs. Dian Adkins versus Kathy Peele; defendant ordered to pay $506 plus costs. Dian Adkins versus Barry W. Demuth; defendant ordered to pay $2,269.85 plus costs. City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — Jimmy C. Batley, 38, Syracuse, $50.50; Valerie A. Flanagan, 18, Syracuse, $55.50; Erick N. Marquart, 21, Milford, $50.50; Rodney A. Stanley, 28, Milford, $50.50; Deborah A. Kern. 20, Syracuse, $55.50 No supplemental highway user decal on vehicle — Jimmy C. Batley, 38, Syracuse, dismissed Violation of bumper law — Paul J. Miller, 16, Milford, S3B 50, $25 suspended County Court The following individuals have been assessed fines and costs and have paid those fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Speeding — James L. Garman. 42, Leesburg, S6B. Paying $53 were: Angela Gates, 16. Cromwell, Anne M. Ballinger, 17. Syracuse, Randy L. Ketcham, 26, Leesburg. Also, Todd A. Boggs. 18, NJilford, S4B. Disregarding automatic signal — Hamilton, Jr., 22. Milford, $53. Passing in no-passing zone — Todd E. Wehmeyer, 23, North Webster, $53 Failure to transfer registration — Debbie L. Hunley, 19, Syracuse, $53. Disregarding stop sign — Ron L. Strieby, 37, Syracuse, $53. Improper windshield — James T. King, 19, Syracuse, S4B. No operator’s license — Paying $53 were: Neely J. Schwinnen, 16, Leesburg; Matthew L. Wagoner, 24, North Webster. False registration — Daniel Penn, 26, North Webster, $53. No snowmobile registration — Jack Wells, 25, Syracuse, $77.50 Expired snowmobile registration — Douglas E. Fraser, 40. Leesburg, $77.50. Circuit Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand For Writ Os Certiorari Wayne O. Wimmer versus Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals, and Byron Fry and Julia Fry, Leesburg. The plaintiff is seeking a writ of certiorari regarding a variance granted to the defendants; Byron Fry and Julia Fry by the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals. Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior

Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Tami J. Coquillard, r 1 Milford. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $321.04 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Angela McDonalderS box 342, Warsaw. The plaintiff-is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $236.23 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Ronald Nickle, 513 E. Center St., Warsaw. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $241.48 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Annette Ratcliff, r 1 box 279,Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $228.31 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Robert A. Renier, Jr., r 3 Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $707.48 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus James D. Tilbury. 824 Pixie Parkway, Cromwell. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $437.73 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Mi Suk Tilbury, 824 Pixie Parkway, Cromwell. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $392 plus costs for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Diana L. Wade, P.O. Box 23 Cromwell. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defen dant for the sum of $322.96 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Robert D Dalton, P.O. Box 511 Topeka. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $334.39 for a check returned for non-sufficient funds. Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Timothy Ringler, 514 W. Winona Ave., Warsaw. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $4,945 plus interest to date of judgment, attorney’s fees and all costs of action. Elkhart Division The following fines plus court costs have been levied and paid in Elkhart County Court, Goshen Division: Speeding — Brian D. Bartholomew, 27, Syracuse, $50.50; Michael R. Behr, 51, Syracuse, $52.50; Sam E. Cormany, 48, Warsaw, $52.50 Driving while license suspended — Patrick E. Newell, 23, Syracuse, $250 plus costs with SIOO suspended, 180 days in jail with all but 4 weekends suspended on the condition the defendant not commit a similar offense for one year (Continued on page 5)

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000 F Published by the Moil-Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class Matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 46567. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street. Syracuse, Indiqna 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: sl6 per year in Kosciusko County; $22 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mail-Journal, P. 0.. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542.

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE” .

IT’S BEEN long a-comin’, but we’re seeing the first signs. The Syracuse Case, the uptown emporium where all the great decisions, local and national, are debated with no holds barred, is finally getting a face-lift. It’s been promised for a long time by its owner, but over the weekend the case’s regulars were beginning to see the first signs. Thanks in no small part to manager Beth Myers. She said early this week she had the helping hand of her brother, Dave Anglemeyer, and son Troy Minnix. First off, the front and north side were painted white with brown trim. This alone was enough to draw one’s attention for a double-take. But now Beth promises big things, and she has a regular rooting section egging her on. The interior will be painted and Beth is on the lookout for any good bargain she can find on interior carpet. This is no earth-shaking affair, you say. No, but to the regulars who assemble there each morning, with late-comers often overlapping with early risers, monumental decisions are debated there, and a more cozy atmosphere will probably soften the rhetoric of the more polemic of the lot — women included. i IF YOU’RE a basketball fan and watched the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament at the Superdome in New Orleans Saturday afternoon, in which Syracuse (N.Y.) defeated Providence, and Bobby Knight's Big Red defeated UNLV, you probably noted that the old home town (Syracuse, Ind.) inadvertently received some notice. On one side of the scorer’s bench was listed “Syracuse” and underneath it was “Indiana.” On the opposite end of the sign were “UNLV” and “Providence.” But the “Syracuse” appearing just above "Indiana” gave local fans a start for a moment, with its “Syracuse, Indiana.” This wasn't lost on local fans. Even a Fort Wayne WOWO radio announcer, Chris Roberts, who owns a cottage on Lake Wawasee, called his listeners’ attention to it on his Monday morning farm show. Then in the evening finals, where IU captured the NCAA title with a fantastic field goal by Keith Smart, we found Syracuse (Indiana) getting full TV billing as the two names were flashed repeatedly on the screen. All of this wasn't lost on local basketbail fans. It would have been enough to.see their Big Red favorites win the coveted crown, but to see their home town get all this national attention was yet another thrill. 808 AND Peg Jones,49 North Shore Drive, Syracuse, were surprised toreceive a telephone call from daughter Katnie, an IU junior, last week stating she had received not one but two tickets to the NCAA basketball finals at New Orleans. The catch was: she had to claim them in person at the Superdome. She left with a girl friend in her trusty Ford on Friday and was able to attend the Saturday and Monday-night games. Kathie telephoned home that she had “excellent fourth row seats." She said each participating college received seven such -complimentary tickets. Kathie s name was drawn from 30,000 season ticket holders. THE FINAL gun at the Monday night finals at N’ew Orleans had no more than sounded than the telephone rang in the home of Jim and Laura Stucky. It was Ralph Thornburg calling from his Scottsdale, Ariz., home, stating, “What did you think of that game. Jim?" Ralph and Marge and Jim and Laura are close long-time friends and are quick to call one another on such auspicious occasions. LOOK FOR a public announcement within a week on who the candidates for "Mayor of Syracuse” will be. At the present time five candidates have officially signed up. but an announcement is being withheld. At least two more are expected. „ This column jumped the gun last week when we said Bud Smith's future campaign headquarters will be at the Three Flags. It turns out Jimmy and Donna Conder, of Leisure Pools & Spas, Inc., 11l East Main Street, are sponsoring Smith, and they plan to establish Smith’s headquarters in their uptown location. Could it be that Bud’s campaign will take on such wide proportions that he’ll need two campaign headquarters — one uptown and one in the Village? STEVE FINTON was the recipient of a flood of “get well” cards during the past week, according to his wife following the announcement of his room number (222) at the Goshen General Hospital. If the good wishes of Steve’s many card-sending friends have anything to do with it, he should be home soon. A PERSONAL “thank you” goes a long ways. This is the philosophy of Bob Watt, chairman of the Wawasee Kiwanis Club’s citizenship committee. The club has made a big thing out of its Needy Family Program whereby each Christmas the club collects money and merchandise to give to needy families of the area. Watt said nearly SIB,OOO was collected and distributed during the 1986 holiday season. He took 31 color photos and has them mounted on a 3x4’ board, and is making the rounds of the 68 contributing merchants to give them a personal thanks. We’ll bet Bob keeps this job, and we’ll bet, with his generous note of appreciation, next year will be bigger and better than ever.

808 AND Betty Deahl of Ogden Island, Lake Wawasee, are home from a two-weeks’ stay in Honolulu, Hawaii, and are both well tanned. “THE AMERICAN farmer farms the United States Government as much or more than he farms his fields. ” This statement from a loqal farmer-turned-businessman, who decries the amount of support farmers receive from the government. The richest farm subsidy program 'in American history is bringing on something of a backlash, according to NEWSWEEK magazine. Intentional bad farm planning can earn lucrative rewards for farmers, with nonfarm families paying up to S7OO in taxes to support a farm program —a program that cannot be sustained forever. Individual farmers, an independent lot, really want their independence back, the NEWSWEEK article states. The more a farmer overproduces, the bigger z this subsidy check becomes, so the farmer makes decisions he knows are inefficient. One farmer said, “THe farm program keeps us afloat — and keeps all of us overproducing. ’ ’ Even with the subsidy program in full bloom, local farmers are having a very difficult time of it, and the exodus from the farm is unbelievable. Many farmers have sought out alternate uses for their land and efforts, such as raising crawfish and Christmas trees, all unsubsidized. The article states, “Budget-conscious urban congressmen coolly eye farm programs much as robber Willie Sutton viewed banks: that’s where the money is.” We re indebted to NEWSWEEK for the following chart: Absurd Wonderland Feed-grain growers now receive the largest percentage of the government’s soaring commodity price and income supports. Government Farm PERCENT OF TOTAL OUTLAYS OF DOLLARS P 1985 1986 jgro&r grams’ 29% 47% Wheat 26% 13% Cotton 9% 9% . Dairy 12% 0% Soybeans 4% 6% Rice 6% 4% 3% 1% V Other 11% 12% Mn n H «nt Wf I ■ •CORN. GRAIN SORGHUM. BARLEY. OATS ♦EST.. US. BUDGET. 1968 ’ SOURCE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BLUMRICH—NEWSWEEK WITH THE coming of spring, the beautiful wood ducks make their appearance, and our resident naturalist Don Kime didn’t let this escape his attention. In a flight of fancy, Kime sat down to do a piece for this column, which he chose to call, "The Wood Ducks Arrive With Spring. it is: “With the dawn of the first day of spring a pair of wood ducks swoop down and gently make a landing on the lake in front of our home. The wood duck is the most colorful of any of the species of ducks that inhabit our lake area during the spring, summer, and early autumn months. Those who are fortunate to see them return and search out nesting places to rear their young, are treated to some rare glimpses of wild life. “Mature male and female wood ducks are from fifteen to eighteen inches long, and both have prominent crested heads, white under-sides (belly), and long tails. The white trailing edge is contrasted against the dark back and upper surfaces of the wings. The head of the male has an iridescent crest of green with two white streaks, one extends back from the bill the other from the eye. The white throat has two prongs extending upward, the beautiful burgundy chest is stippled with white, red eyes and a partially red bill add brilliancy to their already marked plumage. The female has a gray head and crest, the white eye patch is elliptical, and the chest and sides are grayish brown with whitish spots. “When there is danger the female wood duck sounds the alarm with a shrill, squealing wee-e---e-ek. The male may be heard roosting on a tree limb, and giving a series of notes — ter-we-ee, ter-we-ee. By observing you learn to distinguish their brief repeale<f calls from oiliei birds. “Once a pair of wood ducks have mated the female always takes the lead and precedes the male, whether it is to a roosting place in a tree, a feeding area, or the search for a. nest in the hollow of a tree limb or trunk. The female, wood duck inspects the nesting cavity. “How do 1 know about their long, dainty webbed feet, and the detailed description of their marking and color? What if you had been called to remove them as unwelcome guests in homes where they entered by unintentionally coming down the chimney! Why do they go down a chimney and how do I gently remove them so they take up their activities in tree top. marsh or on water is another story. “Please don’t send me a zoo this summer! ”