The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 12, Milford, Kosciusko County, 6 May 1987 — Page 1

K sesquicentennmi 1837-1987

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 26

Blow for Middle School concept — Milford SAC votes to retain Junior High School 'at home'

I By GLEN LONG The Milford School Advisory Committee has subemitted its recommendations to Dr. Roger Thornton, Superintendent, and Wawasee Community School Corporation. Dr. W.W. Becker, principal of Milford School, commended the citizens who put in many hours analyzing various facets relative to the question of whether one middle school should be constructed to serve the entire school corporation. Dr. Becker said it is his understanding that the school corporation plans to have public meetings in the affected communities to allow area residents an opportunity to state opinions or ask further questions. Connie Smith, who carried petitions in opposition to a central middle school being built, said, “I was glad to hear Dr. Thornton, superintendent, state at the school board meeting that public meetings will be held in the affected communities before a decision is reached.” The complete text of the Milford SAC input follows : The Milford School Advisory Committee is pleased to provide input relative to the subject of our children's educational needs in the time frame of the next five years. We realize that the classroom capacity problems being faced by Syracuse and, in the near future. North Webster, make the question you have put to us appropriate and timely. While we have been reminded many times recently of the local community feelings that prevailed when high schools were combined, the Milford SAC did not arrive at our recommendations in response to these feelings. We believe we have properly evaluated the possibility of consolidation, creating one or perhaps eventually two large middle schools to serve grades six, seven and eight for the school corporation. We believe such a consolidation to be inadvisable for the following reasons: 1. We believe that Milford has a junior high program that is working. The SAC committee feels the current curriculum is adequate. Stated another way, we believe the concept of better education with larger schools to be less important at the 6-7-8 grade level than in highschool. 2. The Wawasee district is geographically too spread out to consider busing children of this age group to a central location. Such busing places undue burden on the taxpayers, parents and, most important, the children and we see no evidence of any real benefits. 3. We feel it is very unlikely that the population growth figures provided to us will be attained for Van Buren and Jefferson townships in the next five years. Jefferson Township is entirely rural and projecting any population growth there shows a very casual approach in deter- ' * '*** A i Lt omS JOHN B. AUGSBURGER Voted Nay

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mining these figures. We are confident that the school corporation will take the proper steps to handle the overcrowding at Syracuse and shortly, North Webster, junior high schools. Construction of schools in each community with expansion and flexibility as considera-

AAilford board signs agreement for Syracuse Street project

Milford Town Board members Jean Treesh and Charles Bird signed a state and local public agency agreement with the State Highway Department at a special meeting Friday, May 1. Board member Dennis Wuthrich was absent from the proceedings. The agreement concerns street access for the Syracuse Street improvement project undertaken by the town. Greg Bonar of Bonar & Associates, Fort Wayne, also recommended the town hold another public meeting to address the street and sewer projects. A meeting was tentatively set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. Clerk-treasurer Monica Bice publicly acknowledged office hours at the meeting, addressing a letter that had been received from a Milford resident. According to Bice, the town hall is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through "Garden-Aid" requested by CCC director In what might be nicknamed “Garden-Aid,” Combined Community Services director, Joan Cusick, is asking area gardeners to plant extra rows of peas, carrots and other vegetables to help feed the poor of the community. Cusick says this year’s harvest for the area’s needy looks promising. “We have community gardens with donated seeds and we invite gardeners to give an extra row to. share with people in need,” she said. /— Combined Community Services ministry is an ecumenical effort that provides a variety of services to help the county’s needy. Each month CCS distributes over 100 grocery ordersto those in need. Combined Community Services was founded in 1985 with seven churches, but now includes 24 congregations. / \ Among Combined Community Services projects are utility assistance, matching funds United Way and NIRSCo during the months of January through March, weatherization program which does up to S3OO energy saving repairs for homeowners in Warsaw at no charge; a summer camp for low income children; information and referral service; and administration of a grant from REAL Services for emergency shelter, prescription and medical services. Volunteers donate time and talent. All donations to Combined Community, located at 212 E. Main St., Warsaw, stay in Kosciusko County and are given to those in need free of charge.

Augsburger, Mauzy divided on educational bill

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana General proval of a $460 million package of new education spending marks a major victory for Governor Robert D. Orr. The passed legislation will take effect in the 1988-89 school year. 5 Orr, in celebrating the victory, declares the ‘people of the future’ the true winners. The House voted and the Senate 31-18 in favor of the bill, which will be paid by art increased income tax rate to 3.4 percent. The tax ratals a .4 percent increase. “The educational program, for the most part, is a good one,” said Indiaha Senator John Augsburger, Syracuse. “But what upset me, and is the reason I voted against the bill, is the increased tax structure. I think it could be detrimental to the state in the long run. ” The legislative act is, some believe, to be the most significant piece of legislation about public schools since the 19605. The plan is

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

tions should serve these needs well. At this point, however, it is the Unanimous opinion of the Milford SAC that Milford School should not be merged with the other two. Milford School Advisory Committee April 29,1987

Friday, although the necessity of attending meetings and various town business may preempt those hours. “Residents should call the town hall to verify hours,” Bice stated. .In another matter, Utilities Superintendent Dallas Winchester II was given a special exception to live within two miles of the town limits. Winchester asked for an exception to a prior ordinance after finding a home at Waubee Lake. According to Bice, a representative of the Indiana Public Employee Deferred Compensation Plan will be at the town hall 10 a.m. Monday, May 11, to meet with town employees. Before closing the meeting, it was noted that one citizen had called Frank Ryan of the Indiana Department of Commerce to object to a grant the town has secured for its street and sewer projects. $2,000 damage in T-Bird fire Up to $2,000 damage was caused to a 1978 Ford Thunderbird owned by Richard Beil, Syracuse, when it caught fire in the Hook’s Drug Store parking lot, Pickwick Road, at 9:45 a.m. Friday, May 1. Bell was driving the automobile when it stalled and caught fire. Syracuse firemen were called and the blaze was extinguished shortly after igniting. No one was injured in the incident. St. Jude Bike-a-thon on May 16 Wawasee High School Key Club will host a St. Jude Bike-a-thon on Saturday, May 16, at the high school. The two and one-half mile route will go south on the Syracuse-Webster Road to Woodland Acres, through Woodland Acres, north on Kern Road and in the back entrance to Wawasee High School. Parking lot routes will also be set up for young participants. Key Club will award a first place cash prize of SSO; . $35, second place; and sls, third place. In addition to the certificates for all participants, T-shirts will be giverrto anyone collecting $25 and a tote bag for those collecting $75 or more. .' All money must be turned in by 3 p.m., Friday, May 29, to qualify for the prizes. Pledge sheets are available at the main office of Wawasee High School, Syracuse Junior High School office, Syracuse Elementary School office, and Syracuse Day Care.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6,1987

ROBERT TROUTMAN

Second in a series — Cook and Troutman are Syracuse mayoral candidates Eight candidates are vying to become Syracuse’s first mayor, through monetary donations given by the public, in an effort to raise money for the town's sesquicentennial celebration July 3-11. Following is The Mail-Journal's second installment of “Who’ll be mayor?” — giving the public a view of the candidates and his or her background. Syracuse will be afforded its first mayor on the strength of. donations given to individual candidates. The position is honorary, with the candidate raising the most money becoming mayor for a year. Four runners-up will serve as honorary town pounpil mpmhnrs ■ Having kicked-off April 13. the race will run until June 20 — at which time the winner will be announced at a banquet staged in the American Legion. All candidates have savings accounts set-up in their names atethree area banks. wheK donations can be mqtjp, for more information on the race one may contact committee chairmen Jim Evans. Augsburger’s Super Valu; or Bob Westfall, Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Syracuse Office. Lil Cook and Bob Troutman are profiled below. Other candidates include: Loren Longenbaugh, Bud Smith. Jane Nearing, Jeanne Gardiner, Jerry Claybaugh, and Ernie Rogers. Longenbaugh and Smith have savings accounts set up at Lake City Bank, where contributions can be made, while Troutman, Mrs. Nearing, and Mrs. Cook, have accounts at State Bank of Syracuse and Mrs. Gardiner, Claybaugh and Rogers have accounts at First Federal. Robert Troutman The honorary position of Mayor of Syracuse will be historic for Robert Troutman, r 4 box 166A1, Syracuse, but more important is the “monetary value to the sesquicentennial celebration.” Troutman, sponsored by the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club, State Bank of Syracuse and The Frog, moved to Syracuse from Fort Wayne six years ago. He is past president of the Syracuse Scout Cabin Board. Rotary Club and SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce, all of which he is still a member. He is also a member of the Boy Scout Council, Sea Scouts, Syracuse-Wawasee Yacht Club and St. Martin dePorres Catholic Church. He is owner of Pickwick Insurance Agency. Syracuse. He enjoys sailing, model railroading, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and woodworking. Troutman likes the easy living pace of a small community, together with the recreational values of the lake area and the friendly people. Troutman and his wife (Marjorie) have four children and eight grandchildren. Lil Cook Syracuse has been good to Lil Cook and her candidacy to become Mayor of Syracuse is how she wants to help raise funds for the sesquicentennial celebration. Mrs. Cook, sponsored by Laketronics, Rogers Electromatic, Hekcol, Inc., and Kiley Law Firm, loves the area and the lakes. She comments “This town has made me a very good living.” She is owner of Lil’s Anchor Bar. She is a member of the Elks Club, American Legion, presicLent of the Ladies Bowling League, and a member of Sacred Heart'Catholic Church, Warsaw. Area residents may not know that Mrs. Cook was an Ensign in the United States Navy for four yehrs, and was a school teacher. Mrs. Cook says her hobby is shopping and that she was born to shop. Mrs. Cook, 100 W. Main St., Syracuse, is the mother of two children, Dr. Sandy Chapkowski, Chicago, 111., and Sharyn Chapkowski, Lewes, Del.

similar to Orr’s $306 million “A-Plus Program for Indiana Educational Excellence” introduced earlier this year. In all, the tax increase will lead to an additional $753.5 million in tax revenue for the state. The majority of revenue will come from the individual income tax, up from 3.0 percent to 3.4 percent. In addition, the Corporate Adjusted Gross Income Tax will be increased, as will the Supplemental Net Income. Only $461 million of the $753.5 million is slated to be used for funding education. Included in the new bill is a test in English and math for students who fail to meet state standards. Presently, 16 percent of Indiana students fail to meet state requirements. Also, a $lO million reward system, starting in 1988-89, gives financial rewards to schools that show academic improvement. The reward system is based upon individual districts. No district will be compared to another in the program. Other improvements include five additional school days. In his original lull, Orr requested 10 additional school days be added to the

i ‘a ia LIL COOK

Death stuns student body — Brett A. Traviolia final rites at 3 p.m. today

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Calvary United Methodist Church, SR 13S, Syracuse, for Brett A. Traviolia, 18, r 3 Syracuse. He was fatally injured in a carsemi accident Monday, May 4. The accident occurred at 5:35 p.m. Death was due to massive head injuries. Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department reported Traviolia was southbound on US 33, north of CR 146 in Elkhart County, when his 1983 Alliance crossed the center line and collided head on with a 1984 International semi tractor. See editorial on page 4. The two vehicles came to stop some 200 feet apart. The truck jackknifed. The car spun and stopped along the berm on the opposite side of the road.

Coming to Syracuse June 16 — Lt. Gov. John M. Mutz to highlight chamber meeting

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Lieutenant Governor John M. Mutz will be the £uest speaker at the annual Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce meeting on June 16. Jim Evans, chamber president, made the announcement this morning (Wednesday) during the monthly chamber board of directors’ meeting. The annual meeting will be in Maxwelton Restaurant at 7 p.m., according to Sally Cotton, with the meal consisting of Cornish hen and wild rice. This meeting will be open to anyone who is interested. Mrs. Cotton announced the cost of the meal as $9.50, and it was voted to raise the cost to an even $lO. Bob Westfall, nominating committee co-chairman, announced the slate of new board of directors will be announced at the chamber’s luncheon today (Wednesday) at noon. A letter and ballot will be sent to all chamber members with the results to be announced at the annual meeting. Jim Evans, chamber president, announced the tri-monthly chamber luncheon will be today at noon in Gropp’s restaurant, with United Telephone presenting the program on local measured service and 911. Evans said “The goal of the chamber is to have the 911 emergency number in the Syracuse area.” Among the special guests invited include Kosciusko County Sheriff Ron Robinson, Syracuse Town Board President Jim Hughes, Syracuse Police Chief Robert Ziller and a representative of the

175 minimum. The additional figure was cut in half in the new plan. Thames Mauzy, a member in the House of Representatives, voted in favor of the education bill. In a brief statement, Mauzy suggested his reason for voting positive was the elimination of 10 additional days of school. In the new bill, however, students will be required to attend five additional days of school. The bill also calls for a new school accreditation system that takes into account student performance on the standardized proficiency test, graduation rates and other factors. Wawasee Community School Superintendent Dr. Roger Thornton was unable to give a statement due to the corporation’s lack of knowledge on the subject. Thornton is awaiting word from the state on the exact plans of the bill. Thornton suggested that each district will be affected differently Donna Yargosz, president of the Wawasee teachers’ organization,was unavailablefor comment.

11 —■ 111 Timothy E. Davis, 28, 505 East Ash St., Piqua, Ohio, driver of the semi tractor, suffered contusions of both legs. He told police he was northbound on US 33 and was unable to avoid hitting the vehicle. Upon impact the front end of each vehicle caught fire. Davis was taken to Goshen Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released. Benton Township Fire Department and the New Paris Emergency Medical Service responded. Elkhart County

JOHN M. MUTZ Wawasee Community School Corporation. Third Town Siren Needed Westfall announced he had been contacted by Chief Ziller concerning the town's storm warning system and asked for assistance in raising funds towards the purchase of a third siren. It was noted the Syracuse Lake Association has already begun working on a siren. The six samples of commemorative china plates are in. according to Deb Patterson, vice chairman of the sesquicentennial celebration. She stated the plates will be sold for S2O each, which is due when orders for the plates are placed. Each plate will be numbered and those wishing a specified number will place a silent bid for that number. It is hoped the plates will be available at numerous locations by the end

StSOUICBiTEMMUI INDIAN; ÜB7

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NUMBER 12

Patrolman Julie Mattern investigated the accident. WHS Senior Traviolia was born on January 23, 1969, in Muncie to Harold (Hal) J. and Francis (Francie) Utterback Traviolia. He had resided in Syracuse the past 14 years, moving to the area from Lake County . He was a senior at Wawasee High School where he was active in football and wrestling. Survivors include his parents; one brother. Brad Traviolia, Northwestern University; maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Bozanich, 7 St. Cloud, Mtnn.; .and pateijial grandparents, Mr.- and Mrs. Harold J. Traviolia, Lafayette. ... Rev. David Maish, pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church, will officiate at the 3 p.m. service. Burial will be in Syracuse Cemetery. Harris Funeral Home, SR 13S, Syracuse, is in charge of arrangements.

of next week. Final details and locations will be discussed during the sesquicentennial meeting Monday evening. To Hire Entertainers She also noted contact has been made with John Kroh in changing the Syracuse Fireworks from Sunday, July 5, to Friday. July 3, an official decision by the fireworks committee has not been received. It was also mentioned Coca-Cola Company is possibly interested in helping support the celebration and a representative is expected to attend a future meeting of the committee. A list of professional — entertainers has been received with costs ranging from $3,500 to $9,500. A decision will be made, as to which entertainers to have in Syracuse, in the near future. No progress on the Syracuse Town Board renaming CR 530E, to Harkless Road was reported. The issue will continue to be pursued until a decision is made by the town. Jeanne Gardiner will be representing the chamber at the next town board meeting. It was noted a public meeting on the chamber s beautification project will be Wednesday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m., in the Syracuse Scout Cabin. - - The restoration of the chamber sign on the north edge of Syracuse has not been completed yet. Westfall stated he has talked to Dave Butler and it is on his list, as is the touch up work on the sign at the south edge of town. Westfall noted the Harkless Foundation is assisting in the cost. The next meeting of the board of directors will be Wednesday. June 3, at 7:45 am., in the South Shore Restaurant.

£ If* THAMES MAUZY Voted Yea