The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 29, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 September 1987 — Page 1

sesquicentennial 1837-1987

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 26

End of a heated controversy —

School board opts for middle school between Syracuse and North Webster

j By MARK WEINSTEIN Staff Writer Wawasee Community School Board members made a decision on the muchpublicized middle school issue Thursday, Aug. 27, when they voted 4-1 to build one middle school for Syracuse and North Webster students. The board action moves Wawasee Community Schools in a new direction — one of progressive education for Syracuse and North Webster middle school students. Milford’s educational program will be unchanged “The action tends to solve — at the earliest possible date — severe shortcomings, facility wise, at both the Syracuse and North Webster sites,” said Board President Bill Little of the accepted plan. “With deep regret, the plan concedes that to administer to 100 percent of our cor-

W © Lj fl I ■ SYRACUSE REPUBLICAN’S FALL SLATE — These four candidates will be on the November 3 Syracuse ballot for three town board seats and the clerk-treasurer position to be vacated by incumbent Jennifer Lewis. From the left are Bill Hess, unopposed incumbent trustee in Ward Four; Carol Koble, unopposed candidate in Ward Three; Sharon Batesla, candidate for clerk treasurer; and Joe Morganthaler, incumbent trustee in Ward Five. (Photo by Glen Long)

Short on Demo side —

Full GOP slate at Syracuse

I By GLEN LONG Staff Writer Democrat and Republican caucuses were held in Syracuse last week to vote for candidates to run in the upcoming fall election on November 3.„ Locally, trustees will be elected in Ward Three, Ward Four and Ward Five. A new clerktreasurer will also take office on January 1,1988, since Jennifer Lewis, present clerktreasurer, is not seeking reelection Due to dedicated effort and persistence on the part of a few Democrat Party faithfuls the Democrat caucus was held at the Syracuse Scout Cabin on Friday evening, Aug. 28, as 20 eligible voters were drawn together by hurried telephone calls so a slate of candidates could be put together. The caucus had been scheduled for Wednesday evening, but had to be continued to Friday because the required minimum number of 20 registered Democrats was not present to constitute a quorum. The local Republican organization easily met the quorum requirement as 71 registered Republicans turned outat the Syracuse Town Hall on Thursday, Aug. 27. Republican Caucus Syracuse Republican Chairman Betty Dust called the Republican caucus to order at 7:30 p. m. on Thursday. The Republicans in attendance nominated and voted in three candidates for town board trustee and one candidate for Syracuse clerk-treasurer. Assisting Dust with the caucus

The Tlsti

poration’s junior high students is not possible in light of the community mind.” The approved plan, according to board members, is second best. Little felt middle school education was compromised by the action. Four-of-the-five school board members verbally supported the administration’s proposal. However, because of a lack of community support, board members opted for a different plan. “Progressive education in Milford has been compromised, for years to come, by a pronounced media blitz,” said Little. Carey chimed in with the president. ■ , . The proposal, offered by Curtis Jordan, grants all students the opportunity to transfer to the school of their choice within five years. Size of the school was not given, although the board agreed on a 600-800 student population. “Through the past year-and-one-half, the board has

were Bud Smith, vice chairman; i Susan Myrick, secretary; and ■ Charlene Knispel, treasurer. For Ward Three, Carol Koble, Syracuse fifth grade teacher, was ; nominated by Margaret Nickols. There being no other nominees t IL f ■ ' * WEZr/''' -f 4- ■' . ■ SYRACUSE CLERKTREASURER CANDIDATE — Mark Tatman was drafted at the Democratic caucus in Syracuse Friday night, Aug. 28, to run for Syracuse clerk-treasurer in the fall election. He has a family background in accounting as both parents have public accounting licenses. He is a Wawasee High School graduate and attended International Business College in Fort Wayne. He is currently studying at Ivy Tech in Warsaw to earn an associate degree in accounting. “My computer training at Ivy Tech will be also be useful in the clerk-treasurer position,” he said. Tatman ran a very close race against Jennifer Lewis four years ago, losing by fewer than 100 votes. He said that if elected he will be a full-time clerktreasurer. (Photo by Glen Long)

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

deliberated over the middle school issue. We have listened to our patrons, taxpayers, concerned citizens,” said Carey. “We’ve had numerous open meetings for community input, received mail and phone calls, and we’ve even caught heck from and had divine guidance from our local newspaper (The Mail-Journal) which now lines the bottom of my bird cage. “I sincerely feel that Dr. Thornton’s two-building, threecommunity proposal is the best solution to our middle school dilemma,” said Carey. “I feel, however, that it lacks the taxpayer’s support ,-that it should have to operate effectively and efficiently.” Bill Troup, Milford, was the lone board member opposed to Thornton’s plan. Troup suggested the building of a middle school in Turkey Creek Township. The facility would rest on the 40 acres west of Wawasee High School, boundary lines would be moved, and Milford students allowed to

named, the candidate was selected by unanimous vote. Koble has lived in Syracuse since 1952 and has been a fifth grade teacher at Syracuse Elementary School for 16 years. Her husband, Carroll is a rural mail carrier and they attend Christian Church in Milford. About running for town trustee (Continued on page 2) m» 9 a - ’' ■ «'■ > f SYRACUSE TOWN BOARD CANDIDATE — Kenny Johnson accepted the Democratic nomination to run for the office of trustee from Ward Five in Syracuse in the November 3 election. He will oppose Republican Joe Morganthaler, who is the incumbent trustee. Johnson and his wife, Shirley, have resided in Syracuse for 25 years. Johnson, a native of Milford, served as Syracuse fire chief for 3>4years and said he is very interested in helping Syracuse grow and prosper. He is employed as a sales representative by Hoosier Fire Equipment, Inc. of Valparaiso.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2,1987

transfer to the school. Plus a review of the North Webster situation would be made in three to five years. No other member supported Troup’s plan. “It is not the obligation of this board to go with my proposal, rather, their obligation is to go with what they judge best for this community,” said Thornton following the meeting. “We are tired at this point but energetic as heck to get moving ahead. We are going to give it our best effort.” The approved plan, seemingly a compromise by board members, didn’t send all Wawasee patrons home happy. “I’m dumbfounded,” said Lynda Eastman following the board’s (Continued on page 2)

Expect ruling on Webster case in a few weeks

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Closing oral arguments on the motion for a summary judgment in the case between Dr. Kenneth E. Webster and the Wawasee Community School Corporation took 75 minutes Thursday, Aug. 26. However, the 13 people present, mostly school administrators and board members, were not able to hear the arguments as the

I" 11 .". 1 "41 r®Tum To Tiro STuTIOA Persons donirted origitSsl appointments were sorinc the fund raiser for the fire station on Friday, Sept. 11, p.m., dnd Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 9 P«1..inwii. (111.

Sen. Augsburger will not seek re-election

Indiana State Senator John B. Augsburger (R-Syracuse) announced today he will not seek reelection to the senate in 1988. Augsburger, who has served in the senate since 1977, indicated he will complete his third term which expires in 1988. 'Augsburger’s father, the late John F. Augsburger, held that office for two terms, giving the father/son team 20 years in the senate. (Note: See comments in Cruzin Around 'Cuse column on page 4, this issue.) 12 Years “A Good Tenure” When announcing his decision, the 13th district senator explained that he feels 12 years is a good tenure in the legislature and it is now time to lend his support to another local citizen who would like to represent the citizens of Kosciusko, Noble, LaGrange and DeKalb Counties. While the election is still over a year away, Augsburger announced his decision early in order to provide potential candidates ample time to organize for the May 1988 primary. ‘ ’Serving in the senate has been an experience I am grateful to have had,” Augsburger stated. “In a time when so many interests are competing for limited state resources.it is imperative that the person who represents

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’X - •». DRIVER ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY — Kent Enyeart, 18, North Webster, suffered only minor bleeding to the shoulders and upper arms when he lost control of this vehicle on the Milford-Syracuse Road at 8:21 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27. The auto was eastbound and travelled 237 feet before striking a fence, clipping off a large NIPSCO power pole and flipping end over end before coming to rest on its top in a field on the south side of the road. Electrical power was interrupted for about one half hour in Milford and as long as eight hours in some nearby rural areas due to damaged lines on the NIPSCO pole. Investigating officers estimated between $2,500 and $5,000 damage th wife accident;

hearing was in the chambers of Elkhart Circuit Court Judge Gene B. Duffin. This was due to Elkhart County Juvenile Court still being in session in the circuit court room at 1:30 p.m., when the hearing was scheduled to begin.

Judge Duffin took the decision under advisement and has 90 days to make a ruling. Mary Weaver, Judge Duffin’s secretary, noted Friday the judge said he will make a ruling “in a few weeks.” “There was no intention not to include those present in the hearing,” commented Steve Snyder, attorney for Dr. Webster. Snyder had stated the judge normally hears oral arguments on motions for summary judgments in his chambers, as no one is present to hear them. However, if people are present to hear the arguments, the hearing is moved into the courtroom. Following the hearing, Jan Abbs, council for the school corporation from Ice Miller Donadio and Ryan, Indianapolis, spent 30 minutes with members of the school administration and past and present school board members. She spoke briefly following that meeting with several members of the news media of what had taken place in the judge’s chambers. Jan Abbs, who does not want the case tried in a newspaper.

i our district be knowledgeable of I the local priorities and willing to > speak out for our interests. As s district 13 prepares to select a ; new state senator, I hope you will ’ do so with these criteria in J mind.” Augsburger stressed that even * though he will not be a candidate in 1988, until that time he will con- , tinue to carry out his duties as state senator and remain active . in public policy decisions. ' Augsburger is president of Augsburger’s, Inc., owners and operators of supermarkets in 1 Syracuse and North Webster. He is a 1952 graduate of Milford High School and currently a resident of Syracuse.

1 -Wfll flteh > fl > ...flfl fl i . I SEN. JOHNS. AUGSBURGER

tJoufnal

commented she was just as surprised as everyone else the hearing was in the judge’s chambers. She explained the motion for summary judgment is when there are no facts in dispute and no evidence to present. The pleadings were previously filed in writing and both attorneys were given the opportunity to

W z W V DEMOCRAT CONTENDERS — Four candidates emerged from the Milford Democrat Caucus last Friday, Aug. 28, to challenge for seats in the town hall in 1988. Hoping to secure spots, from left, are: Kay Dimick, candidate for clerk-treasurer, and town board candidates Margaret Brooks, Ward 1; John Lehman, Ward 2; and Bob Phillips, Ward 3.

BJI ff 7 I I 1 . / I <■ L 1 \ ‘ K' ■ / REPUBLICAN HOPEFULS — Two incumbents and two new faces found themselves filling the Republican slate for Milford clerk-treasurer and town board after an August 26 caucus in the community building. Shown, from left, are: Incumbent Monica Bice, clerk-treasurer candidate, and town board cans didates Gary Hurd. Ward 2; incumbent Dennis Wuthrich, Ward 1; and Max Evans, Ward 3. I

Promise Nov. 3 race at Milford

f Both the Democrat and Republican parties in Milford dispelled rumors of apathy towards the November town election and filled their slates last week for the clerktreasurer and three town board positions. Heading the Republican ticket are two incumbents, clerk-* treasurer Monica Bice and board member Dennis Wuthrich. Democrat Jean Treesh, a town board member for 12 years, l declined to opt for a fourth term, I while Republican Charles Bird, who filled the seat of retiring Democrat Darrel Orn last January, also decided against a I bid for a full term. I The Democrat slate finds itself 1 with a former clerk-treasurer vying for the town board, with

give the positions of their clients. The position of the school corporation, according to Jan Abbs, is the same as those presented before the board in September. She stated, “I don’t even remember the judge asking any questions.” (Continued on page 11)

Margaret Brooks challenging for a Ward 1 victory. Brooks served in the town hall office September, 1975, through 1979. She also opted for the office in 1984 but was defeated by Bice, who gained a 50-vote plurality. Brooks and her husband Jim live at 306 N. Main St. The lifetime Milford resident also has two children (Kelly, 18, and Clay, IS). She is a member of the Columbian Reading Circle, the Milford Emergency Medical Service, and is a Sunday School teacher at Milford United Methodist Church. Warsaw native John Lehman hopes to draw on his experience as a member of the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) as he heads into the election as the Democrat’s representative from Ward 2. A one-year member of the BZA, Lehman

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Cites his interest in the community as the reason for seeking his first Milford position. “It’s time for me to get involved,” said the owner of the Milford Laundromat, car wash, and U-Store Storage. A six-year resident of Milford, Lehman and his wife Pamela live at 109 Higbee St. (SR 15) with their three children (Heidi, 15, Michele, 11, and Kevin 8). He is a member of the Milford Apostolic Christian Church. Bob Phillips wUI battle for the final town board seat. A resident of Ward 3, the Democrat wishes to serve to provide “an investment in our children’s future.” The Muncie native is a fiveyear resident of Milford, residing at 404 First St. with Ms wife, Nanette, and three children (Continued on page 2)