The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 24, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 July 1987 — Page 1

sesquicentennial 1837-1987

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 26

School proposes $10,587,889 budget —

Wawasee seeks $1 million budget hike

(By MARK WEINSTEIN Staff Writer | A 1988 tax rate of $4.45 —a proposed increase of 12 percent over the 1987 advertised rate of $4.20 — will be advertised for the Wawasee Community School Corporation. The School board approved the proposed tax rate at the Wednesday, July 22, meeting. The rate is expected to be cut by the state tax board to $4-37, still a 17-cent increase from the 1987 budget. The total proposed budget is $10,587,889, which is $1,059,252 higher than the 1987 budget package. All but $107,565 of the increase is earmarked for the general fund. The budget calls for $8,517,357

Pan Am torch run thru Milford

Local residents will serve as torch bearers as the Pan Am Torch is carried through Milford approximately 5-6 p.m. on Monday evening, Aug. 3. The torch run will be from Leesburg to the intersection of SR 15 and US 6. □ Local runners and their respective sponsors include Kirk Dewart, sponsored by Kilmer Painting; Jon Dewart, Milford Motors; Paris Miller, Milford Kiwanis Club; Richard Bender, CTB; Ray Myers, First National Bank; Ron Baumgartner, The Papers Incorporated; George Barrera, Maple Leaf Duck Farm; and Linda Neff, Sharp Hardware and Pat Speicher Insurance. A group of 20 runners will arFormer resident to declare candidacy Former Syracuse real estate agent Dan Stephan, now a state representative from Huntington, has announced he will officially declare his candidacy for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor.

He plans to announce a campaign committee in Indianapolis today (Wednesda.yl_.At t si x -'other potential candidates have expressed an

interest in running for that office. Stephan represents the 21st District (Huntington County and most of Whitley County) in the House of Representatives, a position he has held since 1981. He is a majority caucus chairman in the house and serves on the house, agriculture, elections and rules committees. The nominee will be selected by delegates to the 1988 GOP state convention„at Indianapolis next summer. Stephan, who lists himself as a farmer, headed Beaty Realty, Inc., when he was in business in the Syracuse area.

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CORRECTING DRAINAGE PROBLEMS—The Kosciusko County Highway Department crew is cleaning out a side ditch along old SR 15 north of Milford. Richard Wlnebrenner, superintendent of the department, said erosion from fields is a continuing problem and his men were working to clear the ditch so surface water will go there instead of down the road.

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directed into the general fund, while $1,240,203 is for the debt service fund. Transportation will receive $817,829, and the cumulative building fund is allotted $12,500. A public meeting will be conducted Tuesday, Aug. 11, with the expected adoption set for Thursday, Aug. 27. The general fund tax rate, advertised at $2.59 is 10-cents higher th&n last year’s budget. The debt service and cumulative building funds remained relatively the same, while transportation increased seven cents, from $.475 to $.546. Wawasee officials increased the 1988-proposed budget because of teacher salaries and two additional school days, required in the 1988 school year. By including the salary raises in the budget, it marks the first

rive in Leesburg with the torch. These runners will provide assistance to any of the local runners who might need help in completing his/her one-mile of carrying the torch. Members of the group will stay

One arrested after accident in Syracuse

Four accidents were reported to Syracuse Police between Wednesday, July 22 and Monday, July 27. No one was injured in any of the accidents, but one person was arrested. The investigation is continuing into a hit and run accident on Wednesday, July 22, at 3:43 p.m. on West Chicago Street, Syracuse. Randal Dan Manley, 22, P.O. Box 614, Cromwell, told police he had left the parking lot next to Rinker Boat Company and was traveling west on Chicago Street when an unidentified driver pulled out in front of him and struck the left side of his car. After the accident the unidentified driver pulled into the

Principal's wife victim of three auto accidents Mrs. Ned (Deb) Speicher, r 1 Milford, is looking forward to August because July has not been a good month for her. She has been on the receiving end of three highway accidents in the past two weeks. In the first occurrence, a man driving a van turned in front of her. As she turned to avoid hitting him her car struck a highway sign. The other vehicle involved proceeded on his way without even stopping to assist her. X>n Saturday, July 25, Speicher was driving near Elkhart with six children in her van. As she stopped at a yield sign the vehicle behind her, driven by Todd Mikel, r 2 Milford, struck her van in the rear. She said some stiff necks the next day were the only injuries suffered. Damage estimates were not available from investigating Elkhart County officers. Things got worse on Monday, July 27, as an accident at 6:40 p.m. sent her to the Goshen Hospital with bruises and a laceration on her forehead. She was released from the hospital at 11 p.m. that night. This accident occurred in Kosciusko County at the corner of CR 1350 N and 400 W. As a car in front of her turned beside Alvin Stutzman, who was stopped at the corner, he proceeded into the intersection and collided with Speicher’s vehicle. Stutzman, who resides at r 2, Milford, was not injured. No damage estimates were given by the investigating officers.

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

time in several years that raises were part of the budget. Previously, raises needed additional appropriations during the school year. “This is a fully-funded budget,” ipsisted Wawasee Business Manager Roger Kryder, while walking board members through the proposal. “It is verv sound.” , Without the two additions — additional school days and salary raises — the proposed budget would be nine percent higher than the 1987 budget. According to Roger Thornton, Wawasee Superintendent, the additional 2'/z days will cost $105,438. Highlighting the extra costs are teacher salaries, custodial service, extra energy costs, supplies and busing. Each additional day costs $42,175. In the $8,517,357 general fund, $6,720,452 goes for teachers’

overnight at Camp Mack on Monday evening and will then be given breakfast before continuing on their journey. These expenses are being covered by Don Arnold and Little and Clark Insurance. The Wawasee Kiwa-

parking lot and removed the license plates from the vehicle and left on foot. Damage to the 1974 Chevrolet Camaro owned by Manley was listed at up to $2,500 and damage to the 1975 Ford Granada was listed at up to $2,500. Damage was estimated up to $7,000 to two vehicles involved in a parking mishap on Saturday. July 25 on South Front Street, Syracuse, at 3:54 p.m. Brenda Stamper, 35, 513 South Front St., Syracuse, was attempting to park in front of her home when her 1986 Chevrolet Caprice struck the left front bumper of a 1967 Chevrolet C2O truck that was parked along the curb. Damage

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29,1987

salaries. The figure equals 78.9 percent of the general budget, overwhelmingly the largest expense in the fund. The purchased services accounts will use 11 percent of the fund, $941,066, and 5.9 percent ($506,750) goes to employee benefits. The remaining four percent is spread between supplies and materials, capital outlay, transfers, and other objects. Wawasee’s net taxable property is $116,000,000, which, according to school officials, represents a low figure. Through property taxes, Wawasee School Corporation expects to raise $5,066,184. After Wawasee’s public hearing, the budget will be adopted at the special August 27 meeting. From there, the budget will be delivered to the Kosciusko County Auditor, in the process which leads to its certification in 1988.

nians will be providing the evening meal for the group. All monies collected from the 1,100 run throughout Indiana (sponsors pay SIOO per mile) will go to the Riley Children’s Trauma Center in Indianapolis.

was estimated at up to $5,000 to the Stamper vehicle and up to S2OO to the truck owned by Phillip Ball. 918 E Chicago St.. Syracuse. David C. Tavlor. 31, 418 Dolan Dr., Apartment 3, Syracuse, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated following an accident Sunday, July 26, at 9:30 a m. at CR 1200 and Woodland Drive. Taylor was east bound on CR 1200 N and was trying to pull into a private drive on the south side of CR 1200 N and failed to negotiate the turn, running over a mailbox and post Damage to the 1973 Chevrolet was estimated at under S2OO as was the damage to the mailbox Police investigated another parking mishap at 9:37 a.m. Monday. July 27, when Carolyn S. Baker, 39. r 2 box 33. Syracuse, attempted to park her 1985 Toyota Van along East Main Street and struck the front bumper of a pickup truck. Mrs. (Continued on page 2) Wawasee Reporter to be mailed The Wawasee Community School Corporation’s Reporter will be mailed to all Lakeland area residents on Monday, Aug. 3. The paper contains information that is helpful for school patrons and lists the first student day as August 25. Persons who do not receive their copy should contact the school corporation.

Prime Time for all kindergartners in 1987-88

I By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer For the 1987-88 school year all kindergartners in the Wawasee School Corporation will be participating in the Prime Time program through the hiring of additional full-time instructional aides. Prime Time is a program which was established by the state of Indiana to provide money and encourage school corporations to lower the pupil/teacher ratio in kindergarten through third grade. The goal of the Prime Time program in the 1987-88 school year for the state of Indiana is to achieve a pupil/teacher ratio of 18-1 in kindergarten, 18 1 in first grade, 20-1 in second grade and 20-1 in third grade. The Prime Time program was established in the Wawasee School Corporation in 1984 for first graders only. It was then moved to the second grade the following year, and to the third grade the year after.' The state allows an instructional aide to be equivalent to that of one-third a teacher. This means

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FAIR OFFICERS — Pictured above Kosciusko County Fair Board members prepare for the upcoming fair. Pictured from left are Roy Bradbury, concessions committee; Don Hostetler, board of directors; Eldon Watkins, board of directors;

Begins Saturday, Aug. 1—

Gear up for Kosciusko County Fair

Members of the Kosciusko County Fair Board are gearing up for what many hope will be the most successful county fair in recent history. The fair officially begins Saturday, Aug. 1, with the queen pageant at Warsaw Community High School. In years past, the Kosciusko County Fair has struggled. Poor grandstand attractions’ and no county financial support have curtailed the fair boards' desire to improve the fair. Myron Metzger is the county fair president, while Eldon Watkins serves as vice president. Donna Hively is secretary and Tom Braddock is treasurer. Also, serving on the board of directors are Don Hostetler, Donald Goon, Watkins, Metzger, Dennis Burch, Braddock, Hively and Emra Stookey. John Hall is chairman of the board. Last year’s fair, for the first time in recent memory, took a turn in the right direction. The major cause for the turn-around was its paid gate. “We met some opposition to the paid gate,” said Hall. “But people got used to it and now it shouldn't be much of a problem.” It was the first time jn fair history that people were charged to enter the fairgrounds. Another improvement was changing the ride organization. Pugh Shows of Pennsylvania now serves the fair. The change proved valid, providing riders with a ‘classier’ format. “I think the people attending the fair appreciated the switch,” insisted Hall. “We were very happy with the change.” Still, even with the two notable changes in the fair’s format, board members opted to make a couple more changes this year. The biggest change deals with the queen contest. In year's past, the queen contest was decided by financial backing. This year, a beauty pageant will be held at Warsaw Community High School. “We think this is a big improvement over the other format,” added Hall. “The last couple of years we were only able to get a few candidates. This year we have 10, and feel good about the situation.” The fair will also feature an im-

that it would take three aides to equal one teacher in the pupil/teacher ratio. However, teachers or aides who are specifically funded by federal or other state programs and teachers in specialized areas such as art, music, physical education and special education are excluded for purposes of the Prime Time program. Superintendent Roger Thornton explained at this time the projected number of teachers has stayed the same in Syracuse and North Webster compared to last year, though a number of full-time aides have been added. He stated, the pupil/teacher ratio is handled through the hiring of aides in the North Webster and Syracuse schools because there is not classroom space available for additional classes. However, in the Milford School the number of teachers has decreased from 19.5 last year to 19 this year. In this, a second grade teacher was replaced by two full time aides, and the kindergarten program went from 1.5 teachers last year to two teachers this year. Thornton went on to explain, “It's projected that all three schools will have a number of full time aides with North Webster possibly having as many as nine.

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proved cheerleading contest. The event will be held 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 6, in the fairgrounds. Last year’s fair offered a cheerleading contest, but the program was a last-ditch effort and wasn’t very successful. The contest should be very successful this year, especially if the majority of the high school list participates. The following activities have been scheduled during this year's Kosciusko County Fair in Warsaw:

Lack of volunteers cited as Reason for— \

Closing Milford Emergency Services

(By MARK WEINSTEIN ”] Staff Writer [ A special Milford Emergency Medical Training meeting, aimed at informing Milford residents the role of a EMT, is set for Monday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. in Milford’s Community Building. Pat Gaume from Celebration 'BB to be topic for C of C The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will continue its bi-monthly luncheon meetings on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 12 noon, in South Shore Golf Club's Surf N Turf Room. A representative from Lt. Governor John Mutz's office will update those present on Hoosier Celebration 'BB, which is a statewide effort of Hoosier communities to celebrate the richness of Indiana's past and the bright potential of its future. Throughout 1988. hundreds of Indiana communities will welcome back everyone who has lived, worked or gone to school here for the greatest Hoosier Homecoming ever. Festivals and special events will be designated official Hoosier Celebration 'BB events. Syracuse has been named a Hoosier Celebration 'BB community. Reservations need to be made with the chamber office by calling 457-5637 no later than August 4.

Don Goon, board of directors; Emra Stookey, board of directors: Donna Hively, secretary; Myron Metzger, board president; John Hall, chairman of board of directors; Ron Hoyt, 4-H extension; and Dennis Burch, board of directors. (Photo by Glen Long)

SATURDAY, AUG. 1 7 p.m. — Pre-pageant Entertainment in Warsaw High School Auditorium 7:30 p.m. — Kosciusko County Fair Queen Pageant and Coronation in Warsaw High School Auditorium (nocharge) SUNDAY, MKMT 6:30 p.m. — Annualpospel Sing in the grandstand // MONDAY. JUG. 3 1 p.m. — 1987 Kosciusko County

Goshen Genera|Hospital will speak at the evaht. A lack of EMTvolunteers has caused concern fo?the local medical serwce, questioning whether the service can continue. “We will shut down if we do not get more volunteers," said Cheryl Brunjes. “This is a serious problem.” Milford started the EMT program in 1973 with a handful of workers. Since then, it has grown, but more EMTs are needed. Brunjes suggested the optimum size would be 15 EMTs and five drivers. Presently, nine volunteers make up the EMT staff. The highwater mark was 14, reaching that stage last summer. Since then, the Milford unit has operated with the present nine trained members, and sometimes less. “We should have atheist 20 EMTs in order to run efficiently.” suggested Richard Rhodes, a four-year veteran of the organization. “We run seven days a week and 24-hours a day. That takes a lot of manpower.” The organization serves automobile accident victims and heart patients. Milford also assists in broken bone injuries and other medical emergencies. The requirement for an EMT is minor compared to the service that is provided. Volunteers must enroll in a six-week class at Goshen General Hospital, then work with an area service. In Milford, the local organization will fund the class time in return for one year of service.

which is the largest number, and Syracuse having six and Milford following with five.' ’ The number of teachers and aides per student is calculated on a projection of the district, which was made prior to April 1 this year, so as to comply with state statutes and local negotiable agreements of reduction in force. At this point it’s estimated that North Webster will be the largest of the elementary schools with an expected 631 students for the 1987-88 school year Syracuse Elementary will be following close behind with 545 students and Milford with 367. “What happens if we get an increase in students? — we'll get additional aides,” commented Thornton. "We have to stay within the proper per ratio amounts to get the funding, but if we’re under the number designated by the Prime Time program we have to come up with the money from somewhere else in the budget. In other words, the money has to come out of one of the other programs.” Thornton concluded that, total compliance with Prime Time stipulations will be met throughput the corporation in grades K-3 this year so that state funding will be available.

SESQUICENTENNIAI IND T A~ N~ A 1917

NUMBER 24

Fair opens 7 p.m. — 4-H Tenure Awards in Warsaw High School Auditorium 7 p.m. — 4-H Fashion Revue in Warsaw High School Auditorium 4-H King and Queen CoronatKin .. in Warsaw High School Auditorium 7- p.m. — Exhibits open in Women’s Buildings 8 p.m. — Demolition Derby in grandstand N 8- p.m. — ‘BlackWUdge (Continued on page 2\

“We need more people to get involved,” said Rhodes. “We are really short-handed right now. If Milford wants the EMT service then we’re going to need more help.” Gaume’s speech at the special meeting is geared towards those interested in joining the organization. The Goshen Hospital employee will enroll anyone interested in pursuing this endeavor in the October class.

Olympic torch to pass through Milford Saturday The Special Olympic torch is expected to arrive at the Warsaw courthouse lawn at approximately 5 p.m. Friday as it nears its destination of Notre Dame University for the Seventh Special Olympic Summer Games scheduled to begin August 2. The torch is being accompanied by police officers from California, Jamaica and Hawaii. The torch and its entourage will rest overnight in Warsaw before resuming the journey to South Bend at 8 a.m. Saturday. The runners will pass through Milford on SR 15 sometime Saturday morning. The torch will have been carried 27,000 miles across the United States en route to Notre Dame Stadium for the opening ceremonies.