The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 24, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 July 1987 — Page 5

Letters to the editor

A response to selective hearing Dear Editor: The editorial of the July 22 The Mail-Journal prompts me to believe there must be another definition of the word “silence.” After lengthy meetings in each community covered by three newspapers, a length explanation by us of rationale that was published in The Mail-Journal, numerous front page articles on the middle school issue, repeated and increasingly personal attacks leveled at me in “Letters to the Editor,” I find it difficult to understand an allegation of silence. At the same time, the superintendent is stated to have conducted “a concentrated lobbying campaign for the two-school concept.” With only one exception, all discussions with and materials presented to the board of school trustees has been in public meetings properly advertised and covered by the media. The one exception was an executive session (it too was properly advertised) during which two site locations were recommended and viewed by the board so they would know the locations the two-school proposal envisioned. Discussions of this type are permitted to be held in executive session for the obvious reason that public discussion would adversely affect the district’s ability to purchase land at a reasonable price. Numerous alternative plans have been discussed prior to and since this superintendent’s arrival. The Syracuse Advisory Committee spent many months reviewing an architect’s and a superintendent’s proposal to remodel Syracuse Middle School. Another architect’s study showed an expected cost of $3.2 million to renovate the existing building. The adequacy of the renovated building would not have lasted more than five to seven years at most and this on an inadequate site with rooms far below state standards. Early on in the public hearings, the superintendent’s assertion that significant growth was expected in the North Webster School attendance area was viewed with skepticism. By the end of the hearings, patrons were urging for simultaneous construction of the two middle schools because of North Webster’s view of its own growth. A subsequent study by the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission requested by the Citizens for Quality Education substantiated our position that dramatic growth is occurring and will occur in the North Webster attendance area. The results of that study have been publicly discussed in board meetings. This superintendent is quite aware of the significant leadership provided by previous superintendents and boards. However, the circumstances of today and the foreseeable future are much different than the early 1980 s when the Milford facility was constructed. New educational initiatives have been mandated by the state. Student population has expanded to the point that the Syracuse and North Webster school sites are inadequate to meet the space needs of the student populations they must serve. Because of this, we must construct two new middle schools at new sites regardless of the proposal submitted. In regard to the location of those sites, 15-acre sites are not available within the city limits of Syracuse or North Webster. We presently have an offer on the table tq,purchase two lots adjacent to the Syracuse school in order to expand that site for elementary school purposes. That offer, not yet accepted and for less than an acre of ground, exceeds what 30 acres of land in rural areas of the district would cost. In addition, the school serving the North Webster school attendance area would have the same type of water source no matter where it was located. North Webster does not have municipal water service. Regardiess of the plan adopted, the new schools will not be in the city, two schools will be needed, and students will need to be bussed. The two middle school proposal would not vacate Milford School. It would remove 180 of the 619 students attending there. We would expect that elementary classes would use the newer available classroom areas and part of the older portion of the facility would be unused at present. The new.cafeteria, library, gymnasium, and office area would be used by elementary students as they are now. To build the two middle schools to serve all middle school students across the district would cost about $1 million more than building a middle school for Syracuse and a middle school for North Webster. Viewed in that light, the expenditure of $4.5 million for the Milford Junior High School is not a decision that would be deemed prudent today. However, the issue of how Milford Junior High came to be built „must be viewed in light of two other factors. First is the matter of the role of the superintendent as he relates to the board, the community, the students, and the staff. Recognizing that this board is the only one of which I am aware in northern Indiana to fire its superintendent in mid-coritract, “being in the pocket” of anyone, let alone the superintendent, seems to be questionable. It is accepted practice for a board of any type to employ a chief executive with expertise exceeding that of the board or its members. In the public schools, the superintendent is that chief executive officer and serves at the will of the board. However, while serving at the will of the board, the superintendent must think on behalf of the children he serves and seek to provide the most equitable and, at the same time, the best education possible for all students within the parameters of finance, state statute, accepted practice, and community desires. The superintendent must hear the community and yet, recommend that which, in his judgment, will best serve children. The input of staff must be solicited, weighed, and considered. As in any corporation, there must be a person who decides how all of the factors best fit together. In schools, the superintendent is that person. The superintendent’s recommendation must be made freely, without coercion, and based upon the best interest of all children in the district. The other factor affecting the junior high issue is the media. Having been told prior to arriving here of the substantial influence of the local media in all civic affairs, I have come to know first hand the significance of pressure that can be generated when one is at odds with media management. It indeed would be easier to follow the past traveled path. Regardless of the decision that is reached by the board on August 27, it will have been better for students that they were considered first. Our willingness and ability to debate the issues without personal attack and solely upon the interests of all this district’s children will be the true measure of our intent and mission. In this instance, somewhat larger will be better. It also will be more economical. It will better serve students educationally. Since voters throughout the district vote for all board members, children and parents throughout the district should expect their board members to vote in the best interests of all students in thedistrict. Roger Thornton, superintendent Wawasee Community School Corporation

An unusual concept of peace

Dear Editor: I I read Byron Ulrich’s comments, his stars and stripes tirade about Ronald Reagans “Christian principals’’ and “patriotic ideas”, and I decided I’d comment on some of his ideas. Mr. Ulrich comments, “All conservatives must redouble their efforts to insure peace in Nicaragua.” Peace, Mr. Ulrich? Sir, you have a very unusual concept of “peace”. Your type of “peace” involves the torture and murder of thousands of Nicaraguan men, women, and children. Our glorious Contras and they are our Contras, are nothing but the lowest form of animal — terrorists. Doesn’t your chest swell with pride when the Contras blow up a Day Care Center? Don’t you jut want to sing “God Bless America” when they torture and dismember some poor peasant? Don’t you feel Christian when you think of what the Contras did to an American Engineer, Ben Linder, just a few lonths ago? Linder was executed point blank from two feet away. Linder graduated in 'B2 (tom tjhe University of

Washington. He was an engineer and his goal was to help people. Well, he tried, in Nicaragua, but the Contras blew his brains out. Gosh, isn’t patriotism grand? I graduated in Linder’s class from the same school, and I’m sorry Mr. Ulrich, Ben Linder wasn’t a Communist. He only wanted to help people. What our government has done in Nicaragua these past seven years is shameful, evil, and criminal. We’ve been trying to teach these Nicaraguans peace, Christianity, and Democracy by mining their harbors, killing their people, blowing up their schools, and running military exercises three miles from their borders. So, I’m glad you’re proud of our terrorist’s dirty little slaughter in Nicaragua, Mr. Ulrich. Maybe you should call Ben Linder's mother and father and hit them up for a donation. As for me, I am deeply ashamed of what our government, and apparently what we’ve become. Sincerely, Jim Sawyer 22327 98th Ave. W Edmonds, WA 98020

Not informed conclusions Dear Editor: I must tell you that I was pleased to see your editorial in the paper last week. I was pleased because I had been waiting for an opportune time to write to you about the Middle School proposal presently beihg debated. Because of my involvement with the school system through the Syracuse PTO and the Syracuse Advisory Committee, I have a great deal of information that relates directly to this issue. Information that you either do not have, or that you refuse to consider. Your statgiftent in last week’s letter about remodeling at Syracuse not having been considered couldn’t be farther from the truth. The school board hired two different architectural firms to submit renovation plans on the Syracuse site. They also called on the former superintendent to make recommendations, and they called together an advisory committee to further evaluate those plans. Substantial amounts of information were compiled relating to population growth, present site limitations, cost of acquiring additional properties, and present and future needs of the Syracuse and Wawasee schools. Several hundred pages of documentation pertaining to the Middle School issue have been presented to the school board by the Syracuse Advisory Committee. Never the less, none of this information was ever requested by your paper for publication, or even for study. Your conclusions about how the Middle School topic came about are simply not informed conclusions. Reporting on the Middle School issue has been biased, lacking in facts, and in certain cases misleading and incorrect. The proposal put forth by Dr. Thornton was inspired by the needs of our children for the best educational opportunities possible. Our world is rapidly changing and the demands on education are increasing at a fast pace. We can’t change that. Our children are finding competition for college and job placement to be increasingly fierce. Even the military requires at least a high school diploma for enlistment. Everywhere we look, higher levels of training are being required. Our ability as a school corporation to provide an ever improving education to our Middle School students (those in grades 6,7 &8) is determined greatly by the student enrollment. It is simply not economically feasible to implement new and desirable programs in schools of less than four hundred students. Scheduling and staffing won't allow it. We can’t afford to pat ourselves on the back for “doing well” in spite of our size while larger programs in other districts turn out better prepared students. Putting convenience to certain parents ahead of educational benefits when deciding on school system policy is not just selfish, it is unfair and irresponsible to the students. To fear the supposed negative influence of larger student enrollment is to show lack of faith in our ability as parents to instill strong sets of values jn our children. We owe it to our children to provide the best education possible. The two Middle School plan is a giant step into the future for our Middle School system because of the flexibility and growth potential it provides. To defeat this plan is to turn back the clock on Middle School education in three of the Six smallest middle schools in the state... OURS. Yours for Better Education, Courtney A. Blue Thanksfor taking stand Dear Editor: Great editorial! Thanks for taking such a strong public stand against Roger Thornton’s proposal of two consolidated Jr. High Schools. As business owners and most of all as parents we* appreciate it. Vickie Hunsberger The Flotilla was a success Dear Editor: We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make the Flotilla a success. A lot of time and work went into building the floats, and we truly appreciate the extra effort. We realize how busy everyone is this time of the year, so it makes an even greater strain to participate. See you out there next year! Thank you again. Sam Cole Flotilla Committee

Agrees with position taken Dear Editor: Let me say first off that I agree completely with your position as stated in your editorial of July 22, 1987. ( Why is it when we elect people to serve us, the taxpayer, as well as their own tax dollar they completely loose sight of their responsibility to the community that put them into these offices to use sound and prudent judgement. I will go on record supporting a middle school for our community of Syracuse. Let’s keep our children in their own socioeconomic setting and not destroy our small towns. I have had many discussions with our school boards over the past 25 years, and the same old song is sung, “the state says this, the state says that”. I am at a point of, ‘So What! We have to consider our community and what is best for the people in the Wawasee School Corporation. The parents that must pay the taxes and our children that attend our schools. We don’t want to be compared with every other community. We are very fortunate to have one of the wealthiest school corporations in Indiana, with a large part of this money coming into our system by the absentee home owners who live on our lakes, and have their support another district where they live during the school year. I think it’s time the superintendent and his board get their pie in the sky programs back on solid ground, and support the local communities. Wm. M. Beemer 'Harass the Fisherman' was the game Dear Editor: Upon participating in a bass tournament on Lake Wawasee on July 26,1 was made aware at the outset there is a new game being played at Syracuse. It’s called “Harass the Bass Fishermen.” It was made obvious when we launched our boats at the DNR ramp on Medusa Street and were told our trailers and vehicles had to be parked at Wawasee High School — necessitating a shuttle service between the ramp and high school. Then came the order we hadf to idle completely across Syracuse Lake, even though the sun was up, and could not open our throttles until we came into Lake Wawasee. Os course, it was still nkay for the ski boats to go full blast on Syracuse Lake — just a small matter of discrimination against the bass fishermen. When it came time to weigh in, we had to do so at the site of the old fish hatchery at Wawasee, where if the host club hadn't waded out to hold our boats, they would have been pounded on the rocks along the shore there. Upon returning to the ramp at

w-. t/p Zz .• A Karl 7

This picture was taken in 1940 of the Syracuse second grade class at the east side of the grade school when it was located at the corner of Main Street and Harrison. In the background you can see the awning of the Syracuse Public Library, and street lights along Main Street. The photo was loaned to us by Ernie Rogers who is one of the students shown in the photo. Identification of the students are: Seated in front: Delbert Strieby, Jim Blocker, Darrell Grisamer, Arlen Bobeck, and Emory Stiffler . Seated in the second row are Pat Koher, Marcia Fobes, Joy Stuckman,

Syracuse, the town marshal was there, informing fishermen if they held up traffic, they would be arrested. How were they to know when they picked up their vehicles and trailers at the high school what the conditions were back at the ramp? There were other people launching and removing boats, too; but, he got on just the bass fishermen. The pay-off was when a resident pulled in with a pickup truck and a large trailer containing a pontoon. He launched the pontoon and went out into the lake, leaving his truck and trailer on the ramp. After awhile, a bystander moved the truck and trailer and parked them. (The owner had left the key in the ignition.) When the owner returned, he started cursing me and calling me bad names. I told him what he was and informed him it was against the law to leave a vehicle on a public ramp. At this, he laughed, and stated because he was a resident, he could do as he pleased. He also stated after he reported the incident to the lake association, tournaments would be impossible on Wawasee. His attitude did not surprise me. It seems to be the’contention of many lake area residents that because they live on a lake or near one, it is their private playground, and they can do as they please in spite of laws, and an outsider is trespassing. I can understand the frustration with all the boat traffic and congestion, but you people are taking it out on the wrong folks. We bass fishermen want a ramp on Wawasee as much as anyone, but as you have stated yourselves, the big money on Wawasee is preventing this; the officials in Indianapolis are bending to the will of these wellheeled residents. However, I feel the bass clubs will find away to continue holding tournaments on Wawasee and any other public body of water that is large enough. I also feel if such incidents continue as I observed on July 26, then it should conic as no surprise to anyone if violence develops. The person who parked on the ramp stated to me "the bass tournaments had no business there." I must differ with his line of thought. We pay our way by purchasing fishing licenses and boat registration fees and have as much right on any public waterway as any resident. I agree completely a, ramp is needed on Wawasee, and I’ve been writing to this effect for nearly five years. I was also instrumental in getting a public hearing at the high school a few years ago about this matter. I definitely don't feel harassment is going to accomplish anything except trouble. I, for one, will not tolerate it, and I know of many others who feel as I do. Instead of picking on the fishermen, relay your grievances to the DNR in Indianapolis and demand a solution. There is only one solution: a ramp on Wawasee. Dick Wills 6706-G Ramblewood Ct. Fort Wayne

Sesquicentennial Memories

1940 second grade class at Syracuse

Americans are an endangered species

Dear Editor: Now that the Fourth of July festivities are over, I would like to quote from The Republic: Decline and -Future Promise by Archibald Roberts, Lt. Col. AVS. Ret. This is an by II soft cover book obtainable «at $3.95 from Committee to Restore the Constitution, P.O. Box 986, Fort Collins, Colorado., 80522. How could anyone argue with these passages? Think of them if you will. “Within the past two or three generations the civilization of our forefathers has come under sophisticated assault. The structure of freedom erected at such great cost in blood, sweat and

Dear Editor, As a long-time out-of-town subscriber to The Mail-Journal, I have followed the Sesquicentennial celebration with much interest and nostalgia. I lived in Syracuse in the early 1950’s when my father was minister of the Methodist Church and became quite enamoured with the area I am still carrying on that loveaffair and so I decided to write down my memories. I am an English teacher and free-lance writer and I enjoyed writing this more than anything I have done. I wonder if, in honor of the ses-

Milford EMS is closing its doors

Dear Editor: This article is to inform all Milford residents that the Milford EMS is closing its doors, because there is a lack of volunteers to keep it running. There is no way that seven or eight people can keep an organization needing twenty-five people running smoothly and efficiently. Picture this in your mind if you will. A severe car wreck happens in Milford and the ambulance is dispatched by the county police. The victims wait and wait and wait and finally they have to call an ambulance from New Paris, Syracuse, or even Warsaw. The time span for an ambulance coming from another community to Milford, could certainly mean the difference between life or death to the patient. It does not take that much time to be an EMT. If Milford was sufficiently staffed, the most anyone should be on call is one day out of the week and one Saturday or Sunday per month. All Milford EMT’s right now have to be on call much much more than that to fill in the gaps of being understaffed. If you say “I don’t have time”, which is the basic excuse, then I ask you this, “Do you have time to call an ambulance when you or your family needs one?” What if you called the ambulance number and the EMT’s say I don’t have time for that?!!!! Being an EMT does not restrict you in anyway. So you can’t go out of town for one day out of the

Billie Kitson, Barbara Brown. Sharon LeCount, Harriet Eppert, Mabel Rang, Marie Stiver, Delores Bell, Janet Russell, Maxine Snooks, Kathryn Huey, Ruth Droke, and Katherine Kistler. Standing in the third row are Bob Shiere, Carlisle Baumgartner, Steve Lung, John Kroh, Sasha Hire, Rosemary Gingerich, Darlene Weimer, Marilyn Godshalk, Jack Darr, and Jack DeWault. Standing in back are Gary Meek, Bob Witmer, Richard Hann, Charles Reagan, Ernie Rogers, Paul Disher, John Bushong, Raymond Oyler, Lyman Lawson, Jack Dean, and Mrs. Merton Meredith, teacher.

Wed., July 29,1987 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

treasure are crumbling. Our God is being blasphemed, our lineage reviled, and our constitution dismantled. Our destiny has turned to dust. “Americans have been reduced to economic serfs in the land that once was theirs. A secret government of monetary power, employing perverted mass media and the coersive authority of a captured bureaucratic civil service is forcing us into a “New World Order” of Liberty, Fraternity, Equality. “To liquidate this threat to life and property Americans must first accept the fact that the frame of reference upon which they erroneously rely to preserve the Republic no longer exists.

Love-Affair lives on

quicentennial, you might be interested in sharing these thoughts with your readers. Yes, they are concerning only one brief period of those 150 years but the ’so’s were certainly a special time to people who are now from 40 to 70 or so. Also, I think that it points up the fact that living in the community for even only a short time enables one to realize what a charming place it is. I am taking the liberty of sending the manuscript unsolicited since I have it completed. Since it is fairly long, perhaps it could be run in installments — I think it

week or one weekend out of the month. Big deal. There are a lot of things like going swimming, playing volleyball, barbecuing outside, mowing the lawn, going bike riding, going to the store, working in the garden, going out to eat, going to church, working around the house, washing the car, and just a number of other things you can do, while being on call. And I don’t ever want to hear the excuse that “I can’t stand the sight of blood.” Hey, I faint at the sight of my own blood and I have been a Milford EMT for over three years. When you are out there helping people, blood does not even become a factor. This letter does not exclude anyone. If you are a big shot executive, big deal!!! Make time. If you own your own business, big deal!!! Make time. Potential EMT’s include town employees, policemen, preachers, town board members, funeral home directors, managers, and really anybody who lives in Milford, or within a five mile radius. This letter is not designed to make former EMT’s feel guilt-■ for leaving. In my book they hav\ served their community well. This is to inform Milford residents what they have to do to keep an ambulance service in Milford. Now then Milford residents, the fate of the Milford EMS rides on you. There will be an orientational type meeting on Monday, August 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the

“Gone is the constitution, and it’s protective covenants. Gone are the courts, and their shield to personal freedom. Gone is representative government, and the sovereignty of the individual. Gone is the U.S. dollar and it’s authority in the market place. All have been surreptitiously phased out of the society to usher in a totalitarian one world autocracy of the financial‘elite’.” , . ’ There are answers provided. Some people, (their numbers must increase) do not recognize the fact that we Americans are an endangered species. Ruth Clindaniel Syracuse

would lend itself to separate readings. If you are not interested in this article, perhaps you have something similar in mind that I could write for The Mail-Journal. Sincerely, Janet F. Holloway Jariet- Fenstermacher (Mrs. Willard) 3616 Rockwood Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46815 (Editor's Note: You bet we re interested, Mrs. Hollaway, and we’ll use your article(s) if and when they arrive.)

back of the Milford Community Building. The purpose of this meeting is to let Milford residents know just what all is involved in being an EMT, what you have to do to become an EMT, and meet the present Milford EMT’s now serving. Pat Gaume from Goshen General Hospital will be presenting the program. The ambulances will be pulled out and chairs set-up to accommodate the meeting. There will also be refreshments served after Pat Gaume’s demonstration. The Lion’s club will be meeting in the front of the building, so please come around back. The Milford EMS has had numerous calls for help in the newspaper in the past. Well, this is the last ditch effort. If there is not a good response to this article at the August 17th meeting, then the Milford EMS will be no more. And you will just have to wait the extra ten or fifteen minutes for Syracuse, New Paris, Warsaw, or multi-township. It would be a sad day in Milford if the EMS would have to shut down because Milford residents were not willing to give a little of their time to help the ones they love. If you have any questions about the public meeting on Monday, August 17th, in the Milford Community Building, or about being an EMT, please call Rich Rhodes at 658-4082 or Cheryl Brunjes at 658-4726. Signed One of the few Milford EMT’s left Rich Rhodes

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