The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 32, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 September 1987 — Page 1

•esquiccntennial 1837-1987

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 26

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SERIOUS INJURY AVERTED — Warsaw driver David Bratten 11, 28, escaped serious injuries when this tanker truck burned early Monday night, Sept. 21, near Oswego. The drive shaft broke and ignited approximately 1,200 gallons of fuel Bratten was hauling for Tinkey Oil Co., Warsaw, at 6 p.m. on Armstrong Road, according to the Leesburg Fire Department, which responded to the call. North Webster firefighters were also on the

No remonstrators at Syracuse library budget hearing

Syracuse Public Library Board of Trustees passed the 1988 advertised budget at the September 8 board meeting. It was noted that no remonstrators were present at the August 31 public hearing on the budget. Billie Rigdon announced she has written to the Library of Congress for assistance in the board’s efforts to protect and preserve old photos of the area in the library’s possession, so the public can view the photographs without damage being done. She also will be contacting area libraries for their suggestions. Virginia Ditmer reported she has been invited to present programs on the library at a Learning Adventures For Fun meeting and for the Syracuse Senior Mother’s Club. The programs will consist of slides and an explanation tape concerning the library’s history and other community features. Organizations are encouraged to contact the library for a program at meetings. Bonnie Bjella, children’s

Illiteracy a local as well as national problem

One of the most important service club programs was presented to the Milford Lions Club Monday night, by Arlene (Mrs. Stephen H.) Berkey, Adult Literacy Volunteer Coordinator, working with the vocational department of Wawasee High School. The theme of her talk was concerning adult illiteracy in the country as a whole, and how it is perceived locally. ‘Academic AIDS* Mrs. Berkey posed the question: “Is functional illiteracy a form of ‘Academic AIDS’?” She used illustration after illustration to make her point that illiteracy could be and sometimes is disastrous. “Butttie greatest cost is in human suffering,” she said. She said the cost to our country is staggering, and our addressing the subwhere the printed word faces us on a day-by-day, hour-by-hour basis. “A hundred years ago, a youngster learned a trade by following and working with his dad,” she said, “but this is no longer so. We live in a more complicated world than that today.” She noted that the U.S. Army spends $lO million per year to teach reading skills to recruits. "We are just awakening to the importance of this deficiency in our society,” Mrs. Berkey added. “It’s a hot topic right now.” A? ’

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librarian, reported the summer reading program was a success and was highlighted with a summer party on August 12, with 175 children present and spellbound with Rick Kirby’s magic show. There was a total of 278 children awarded ribbons for reading one or more books and ribbons and reading certificates were awarded to 232 children for reading 10 or more books during the program. Rosalyn Jones, adult librarian, reported the library had 7,394 borrowers at the end of August

Oct. 25 is Ag Awareness Sunday

Agriculture Awareness Sunday, a reminder that rural faith remains strong in Indiana, will be observed on October 25, according to Judith A. Carley, Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. women’s department director. Farm Bureau women are urging the pastors of their churches to use a farm person to take part in the liturgy on that Sunday. They are also recommending responsive readings with agricultural references.

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (E5t.1907)

scene. Flames also burned NIPSCO and cable wires overhead, hampering efforts to extinguish the fire for nearly two hours. Bratten did suffer an ankle and knee sprain after jumping from the truck. Damage was set between $25,000 and $50,000. Area residents were also without electricity for a short time Monday night. (Photo by Steve Eryman)

with an additional 89 reciprocal borrowers. Additional information on the free reciprocal borrower program or renewal of reciprocal borrower’s card can be done during library hours. A library workshop on November 19, in Wakarusa was announced. The workshop will suggest various ways how a library can evaluate its circulation and draw up a five-year future growth plan. Attending the meeting were: Charles Koser, president; Mrs.

In some cases, farm volunteers are visiting Sunday School classes and talking with children about life on the farm and ways farm families feel close to God as they work under the skies and in the fields. A list of scripture references and hymns appropriate for this Sunday observance are available from the Indiana Farm Bureau women’s department, P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206, phone 317-263-7830.

She pointed out that the instructions on an aspirin bottle are printed in sixth grade level English, and that job application forms and forms to apply for a driver’s license are usually on 10th grade reading levels. As It AppUes Locally Mrs. Berkey said there are 25 million “bedrock” illiterates in the United States and 35 million functional illiterates. With 9,000 people in the Wawasee School Corporation, this could mean we have 3,000 people here at home who are functional illiterates 1 And the program she heads is directed to this problem. Mrs. Berkey said 00% of att prisoners are functional illiterates, and 35% of all who come into our courts are functional ittiteratea. So acute is the problem nationally that NBC-TV put on a two-hour network program on Sunday night, Sept. 13, as a Family Showcase presentation, entitled Bluffing It, starring Dennis Weaver and directed to this vital topic. The problem is very complicated Some youngsters learn to read at home at an early age; ethers do not, and fall behind and never catch up. Here the “big buck* of the marketplace attracts this potential drop-out. Where this to the case, the illiterate drop-out becomes locked into a job where his lack of reading skills limits his progress severely Ito. Berkey said her program to partially funded bytbe state, but that she needs volunteers to the three communities of the school corporation, plus some additional funding.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23,1987

Ditmer; Rev. David Hyndman; John Naab; Billie Rigdon; Karen Tranter; and Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Bjella, librarians. The next meeting will be Monday. Oct. 5, at 5:15 p.m., in the Syracuse Public Library.

Mayor Plank announces 'new usage' — Ron Dirck proposes downtown sports center

| By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer

In opposition to Warsaw Mayor Jeff Plank’s proposed park projects, mayoral candidate Ron Dirck recently announced he proposes a “positive alternative plan” for the parks. The plan will not require implementing a food or beverage tax or additional property taxes, but will include the removing of the old freshman high school building except for the gymnasium or cafeteria wing, and the park will be constructed

Milford, Leesburg, Clunette elevators find— Corn storage in short supply

Many area grain elevators are experiencing difficulty moving U.S. government corn from storage facilities. “This problem will certainly to the farmer if we are not able to load the corn elsewhere,” said Kelly Phillips, a representative from Milford’s Farm Bureau Co-op. “If we are full it will make it hard for them (farmers) to bring us their corn.” Although Milford’s co-op seems to be hurting for storage space, another grain elevator hasn’t experienced the problem — yet. “As far as us in Leesburg, we have not really experienced any of the storage problem, yet,” said Doug Smith of the Leesburg Grain Elevator.- "We haven’t requested any shipping or moving bids.” Leesburg's operation, unlike Milford’s facility, has little storage space. Smith cited this as one of the reasons many farmers store their corn elsewhere “Obviously, storage will be in short supply this year, but it will find away of working itself out," added Smith. “It (com) will find a place somewhere, but still will be tough.” Both Clunette and Wolf elevators are experiencing crowded storage facilities. At Clunette, a new 50,000 bushel bin has been installed, easing the overcrowding of com presently being stored. Mitch Rader confirmed 425,000 bushels of com presently being stored at Clunette. “We are more crowded now than in previous years, but we feel good about our situation,” said Rader. V'We think we will be able to jtake care of the farmers thatjwant to store their grain at Clunette.” Wolf’s Grain Elevator has run out of storage space, largely due to last year’s corn crop. Presently, 300,000 bushels of com resides inside storage bins at the Atwood facility.

adjacent to the present Center Lake Park. Dirck is seeking the mayoral position for the second time and is once again running on the Democratic ticket. He’s a lifetime Warsaw area resident and owner of Mavron Inc. on the southwest side of town. He stated he is not interested in preserving the old freshman building, and he does not see Warsaw as needing another hotel/motel which is what has been proposed for the property. He stated, “I recently heard the reason one of the hotel/motel chains, which had contemplated building in Warsaw, pulled out

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was because it didn't want to put a facility in the area if the city were going into the motel/hotel business, too." Continuing, he explained the armory part of the old freshman building would serve well for indoor volleyball and basketball — noting this section of the building is still in good shape. He stated he does not feel the old freshman high school property will be resold and returned to the tax rolls. The main reason Dirck is proposing the park be built in the downtown area, he stated, is to compliment the downtown area and, “not deprive kids from outdoor play by sending them five

miles out of town and jeopardizing their lives by putting them out on US 30.” The alternative plan will be financed through the city budget, according to Dirck. “We have an economist on our team who proposed there’s enough fat in the 1988 budget to do the project,” conveyed Dirck. Plank Responds Mayor Plank responded to Dirck’s alternative plan stating, “I’m looking forward to meeting this anonymous economist. I don’t feel an economist worth his salt would pass judgement on the financial condition of the city without first having a thorough knowledge of the operation of it.” He continued, stating, “I am reminded that in 1983 this is the man (Dirck) who stated in his campaign brochures — that if I (Plank) were elected, Warsaw would be doomed — I am very pleased to announce that the people of Warsaw have not allowed themselves to be doomed. ” Dirck noted tax monies were not going to be needed to keep the softball fields going after construction because, “I think at this

Phend and Brown low bidder on Milford road

John P. Isenbarger, director of the Indiana Department of Highways (IDOH), recently announced official action has been taken on 38 contracts for roadwork in Indiana. Bids for five bridge, 20 maintenance, nine road and four traffic projects were opened on September 9. Among the largest contracts approved in this letting was for a road reconstruction project on Syracuse Street in the town of Milford. New bituminous surface, binder and base will be ap-

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time the women’s and men’s leagues are paying for their lights and so forth through concessions, and it could go on that way. I really don’t think the taxpayer should foot the whole bill. I think it should be on a user basis.” Dirck’s plan, which he is calling the “Warsaw Sports Center,” will include the area between Canal Street and Main Street, and between Indiana Street and Detroit Street. He is not proposing the closing of any streets and stated he does not see traffic flow as a problem. The Center will feature a raised area in the middle of the four men’s softball fields, with concession stands and a raised scorer box. There will also be two women’s softball fields, two soccer fields, two outdoor basketball courts and parking for several hundred cars. “If needed, we can eliminate one of the men’s diamonds and use the area for parking,” commented Dirck. He stated pee-wee football (Continued on page 2)

plied from SR 15E to Old SR 15 and north on Old SR 15 to CR 1300 N. It is due to be completed within 120 working days and traffic will be maintained. The low bidder on this Kosciusko County job was Phend and Brown, Inc., Milford, with a bid of 9907,548.55. The IDOH engineer’s estimate on the contract was 1981,368.48. The sum of all contracts awarded or pending totaled 810,824,849.73. The engineers’ estimates totaled 812,448,051.78.