The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 35, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 October 1987 — Page 5

Under the ... Courthouse l Dome ■ '“**'*• By Ron Sharp j ■ ll | JJi Xjl dMS

BAD NEWS FOR PROPERTY TAXPAYERS IN 1988. Grab your hat and your socks! They — the taxing units — are going to get everything in between. This might be one way to describe the 1988 property tax rates. For the first time in modern times Warsaw taxpayers face a more than $lO rate, if the state tax board approves the proposed rates for 1988. The State Tax Board will meet to consider the rates for county units the early part of November. Warsaw taxpayers with their proposed $10.69 rate per SIOO of taxable property have plenty of blame to pass around. They can start with the county. County council members have increased the county tax rate from .805 in 1984 to a proposed rate of $1.12 in 1988. Not included in this tax rate is the 1988 local option income tax collection of $759,889 (equivalent to a . 195 tax rate). With these two added together the sum would represent a 64 percent increase in local taxes from 1984 to the proposed 1988 rate. Warsaw Community schools’ 1988 proposal is 23.7 percent higher than this year’s final rate. Comparison of the final 1984 tax rate with the 1988 proposed rate shows an increase of 64 percent in the four-year period. Warsaw City 1988 proposed rate is 11.2 percent higher than this year’s. This does not include the local option tax monies. Local option tax funds would be equivalent to a 70-cent tax rate. Add this on top of the proposed City rate of $4.16 and your rate would be $4.86 per SIOO. This compares with a rate of $3.22 in 1984 — an increase in local taxes of 47 percent over a four-year period. Below is the proposed tax rate and percentage of increase over this year’s rate. (All rates have been rounded off to the nearest penny.) Unit 1988 % Increase Clay $6.22 19.7 Etna 6.51 11.3 Franklin 6.96 J 10.7 Harrison 7.27 11.0 Jackson 6.31 5.7 Jeff. East 5.70 6.1 Jeff. West 6.72 16.9 Lake " 6.18 23.4 Monroe 6.08 5.9 Plain 6.08 19.9 Prairie 6.08 20.0 Scott 6.71 16.9 Seward 6.79 9.9 Tippecanoe 5.87 6.4 Turkey-Creek 6.04 10.8 Yan Buren - 5.92 6.1 Washington 6.39 6.5 Wayne 6.77 21.8 Rates above include state, county, school, library and township taxes. Unit 1988 % Increase Burket 7.90 12.0 Claypool 8.7/ 16.4 Etna Green 8.31 13.2 Leesburg 7.22 17.8 Mentone Franklin 9.49 10.3 Mentone Harrison 9.42 9.5 Milford 7.99 6.7 Napp. Jefferson 9.76 No Record North Webster , 9.05 9.7 Pierceton 8.91 7.4 Sidney „ 7.96 5.2 Silver Lake 8.84 21.3 Syracuse 8.51 12.4 Warsaw 10.69 11.2 Town and city tax rates include state, county, township, library, school and town and city taxes. SCHOOL PROPOSED TAX RATES 1988 These are included in township, town and city tax rates above. School District Rate % Increase Triton $4.52 4.4 Tippecanoe Valley 5.45 9.9 WaNee 5.47 19.0 Wawasee 4.45 6.0 Warsaw 4.80 23.7 Whitko 4.79 5.1 —o— A SILVER LINING According to reports, help is on the way to provide more boat landings for Lake Wawasee. The Lake Wawasee Property Owners Association is backing a proposal to convert the old fish hatchery site for a park area and one-boat landing. The association is to be congratulated for its effort. However, more than one landing is needed. A check of the assessor’s records reveals that there are two unmarked roads directly into Lake Wawasee. Both of them should be marked as possible sites for unloading boats. There are also three easements to the lake —two of which could be used for boat landing purposes. DIRCK’S PLAN Democrat Mayor Candidate Ron Dirck’s plan may be ridiculed and “a hoax” to Mayor Jeff Plank’s forces. According to those close to the scene in Warsaw, the plan to use the former Freshman High School and grounds in the uptown area makes sense. A special interest has been shown in Dirck’s plan to retain the old armory for inside sports.

Burket Claypool Etna Green Leesburg

HIGH MARKS Kosciusko County Health Department under the direction of Dr. David Haines is receiving high marks from the State Department of Health. The local department has taken the lead in locating underground storage tanks. It is also very active in examining possible ground contamination.

Ziller looking for photographs Syracuse Police Chief Robert Ziller has requested that anyone having photographs of the town marshals who served the town from 1930 through 1940 to contact the Syracuse Police Department. Those included are Charles Rentfrow, 1930; Madison McPherson, unknown, and Oscal Craft, 1940. Chief Ziller noted that the spellings of the former names may not be correct and anyone knowing the exact spellings are requested to contact him at 457-5333. Always forgive your enemies. You’ll find that it annoys them so much.

U>Store-lt Behind Cocinero's SYRACUSE, IN 457-4446

Clean the chimney If your home has a fireplace, be sure to clean the chimney if it needs it before building a fire this fall.

An act of love may tip the balance. We Invite You To Us For Worship This Week R 9:00 A.M. — Sunday Bible School For All Ages 10:00 A.M. — Sunday Morning VUhb 1-.A Worship f ’ Teen Worship In C.A.C. 6:30 P.M. — Sunday Evening ™ Services 6:45 P.M. — Wednesday Evening Bible Study And Youth. HB Program J Dale Kuhns Brian Wilcox Minister Youth Minister TRANSPORTATION provided for Sunday Mornings. Call 658-9151. Youth Groups meet Sunday Evening at 6:30 p.m. and Youth Program is Wednesday Evening at 6:45 p.m. CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MILFORD Fourth ft Henry Streets 658-9151 MILFORD

Letters to the editor

Plenty of space for everyone

Dear Editor: In the past few years, there has been much controversy over the feasibility on a public boat ramp at the old fish hatchery site on Lake Wawasee. Those against it have claimed that it would violate their privacy, and would be the cause of a great amSiht of congestion. Those in favor have claimed that the largest natural lake in the state should have a public ramp to make the lake accessible to all Indiana residents, not to just the lake residents. As most of you probably know, I have been a proponent of the latter line of thought, as Wawasee is a fine lake to fish, and there is plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. Now, it appears that this ramp is finally going to become a reality. I have been provided with a copy of the resolution drawn up on August 15, 1987, -by the Wawasee Property Owners Association, and I must certainly agree with the editorial of Sept. 23,1987, in The Mail-Journal. It is certainly a step in the right direction. For too long, the only public access to this lake has been at Syracuse Lake, and the result has been extreme congestion, not only by bass tournaments, but also by everything from small fishing boats to cabin cruisers. And, of course, when there are tournaments, that only complicates matters. That does not mean that tournaments should be eliminated, because, whether they are popular or not, they have become away of life, and I feel that they are here to stay. But, the big problem on any of our lakes is not the lack of water, as I feel that there is plenty of room on most of our lakes, especially Wawasee, for many boats. The biggest problem I can see is the lack of parking facilities at the ramp sites. No one could have possibly foreseen that fishigg was going to develop into 100-boat tournaments, and so adequate parking space was never included when most of the ramps were built. Another problem that adds to this is the lack of any public ramp, Hamilton lake has none, although one was planned for that lake, and the few lakes that do have them have such limited parking (Clear Lake has parking for about 20 vehicles. Grassy Creek at Lake Tippecanoe provides about the same space), and this means that whatever tournaments are held must be held on just a few lakes. If more public ramps were placed on more large lakes, this would distribute the load more evenly, and no one or two lakes would have to bear all the burden. We need more ramps where tournaments can be held. I am not saying that the ramps should be built just for tournament fishermen, because they must be available for everyone, and I know of no bass club or tournament group that has any desire to monopolize any lake or ramp, although I can understand that it may appear that way to some bystanders and lake residents. The clubs are out there to enjoy a day of competitive fishing, and it certainly is not their fault that adequate parking is non-existent. On the other hand, I do not feel that they should be required to give up their sport. Many of these tournaments are held for charity purposes, and the economy of any community where a tournament is held is going to benefit. A great majority of the participants are great people. I must, however, agree with the editor of this paper that there is an occasional ‘‘bad apple,” which gives the entire organization a bad name. You will find these kind in any sport, and it usually doesn’t take long to weed them out. Believe me, the bass clubs and tournament directors do not want them as participants. I know of several instances in tournaments where cheating was discovered, and when found out, these people were black balled from participating in future tournaments. This is as it should be. Anyone who can’t play the game fairly

should not be allowed to play. Everyone must respect the rights of everyone else, on the water and at the ramp. Deliberate blocking of ramps cannot be tolerated, and hopefully, an on-site attendant at Wawasee will prevent such inconsiderate acts. I have seen it happen at other ramps, and it causes nothing but congestion and bad feelings. Boats must keep a safe distance while on the water, and this does not mean trying to see how close you can get without actually making contact. Far too often, contacts have been made, and have resulted in death or injury. Neither the waterways or highways are the place for horseplay. liK.jrgsponse to readers’ responses to articles I’ve submitted to your paper and others, I would like to inform one reader that I, fully condone closing the season on bass in the spring. Although a DNR biologist has stated that fishing during the spawn does not hurt the bass fishery, I cannot agree. I feel that anytime the male bass is removed from the nest, bluegills and other small fish are going to move in immediately, and devour the eggs, and I will never be convinced that this is beneficial to the fishery. I also favor a size limit on bass in all waterways, twelve inches minimum. One reader complains that because boat owners register and title their boats, that gives them the right to put them on the lakes. About all I can say to that is this: when you register and title your car, don’t you feel you have the right to put it on the road. If I went along with the way of thinking of some lake residents, I would say “If you don’t want me on a lake because you live there, I don’t want you driving on streets past my house, because 1 live there.” Ridiculous, isn’t it? This reader also suggested charging everyone a fee of S4OO-SSOO a year for access to lakes, and then turning the money over to the lake associations. It just so happens that the lakes belong to everyone, not to just the residents or any association. Another reader complained of the loud shouting among participants at the start of bass tournaments. Although I have not heard it personally, I can understand that it would be frustrating to someone trying to sleep in on Saturday or Sunday morning. I don’t believe anyone is deliberately trying to harass anyone by doing this; but, I must agree, it is inconsiderate. Perhaps, the tournament directors need to discuss this problem with the participants, and inform them to keep the noise at a minimum. No one wears wings, and that includes bassfishermen. As for litter, this is a deplorable problem at most ramps. Many times I have picked up cans, paper, etc. at ramps where someone else disposed of it. Too many people do this, and they aren't all bass fishermen, by any means. The state has tried putting receptacles at the ramps; but, they are usually filled in record time, not by fishermen, but by residents living near the ramp. So, providing receptacles has been discontinued. It’s another problem that must be dealt with. By the looks of some of our ramps, parks, and highways, you would think some people were raised in a hog-pen. I guess the most simple solution to many of these problems is for everyone to respect the rights of everyone. The outsiders must respect the rights of lake residents to quiet and as much privacy as one can expect on a resort lake, while the residents must respect the rights of everyone to enjoy a public body of water, so long as it doesn't violate any laws. This means observing speed laws and maintaining safe distances, and eliminating horse play and drinking alcoholic beverages. This is against the law on water as much as on land. There will always be some problems, and hopefully most of them can eventually be eliminated. In the meantime, many people

are looking forward to the ramp On Wawasee. I am sure it will be used by everyone, certainly net just by bass tournament fishermen, which brings up a questions: Is the one-lane ramp really realistic? Can you imagine the congestion that will develop? I feel it would be much more feasible to install a four-lane ramp, which would diminish congestion more rapidly. I believe that if a one-lane ramp is put in, the residents and association will be the first to request the DNR to widen it. One reader suggested prohibiting bass 'tournaments from this ramp. That is discriminatory, and I don’t see how it could be enforced. I think a wider ramp should be installed immediately, to eliminate a lot of future headaches. Dick Wills Soviet missile deployment MOSCOW — A top Soviet arms negotiator confirmed that his country has begun deploying a mobile nuclear weapon that the United States says is the first intercontinental ballistic missile designed for launching from railroad cars.

Certificates Os Deposit SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS With HIGH YIELDS LONGER TERM INVESTMENTS With HIGHER YIELDS Invest A Minimum Os $2,500 For: Invest A Minimum Os SIOO For: ” 7.50% 1 Year 6% 7®l Days 7.75% 2 Years • — / 8/o 3 Years 6.5 C% >32-91 Days o o 4 Years 7% 92-364 Days 8% 5 Years Current interest rates paid as of 10-2-87. Rates subject to change. Substantial interest penalty is required for early withdrawal. State Bank Os t YRA Su SE WARSAW COLUMBIA city ' Main Office 119-123 East Center Street U.S. 30 And S.R. 9 HSlZiftQnilCD 100 East Main Street (219)267-2420 (219)244-6666 UdC (219)457-3165 Syracuse/Warsaw'Columbia City * /ffiCffllUSl p O Box 127. Syracuse. Indiana 46567 Bar* Member FDIC > / v di RAISING jl !h s j Uhi? Wki Nicolas Cage (PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED) And Holly Hunter Star In This Wild And Wacky Comedy Featuring Ex-Cons, Crazy Car Chases And The Zaniest Babynapping Ever! <SS Ute Hi-Fi Stereo • ”* Suggested Retail $89.98 ’ ©1987 CBS/FOX Company. All rights reserved. Except in Canada, CBS™ is a registered trademark of CBS Inc. used under license. In Canada. CBS™ Is a trademark ot CBS Records Canada Ltd. used > <4 under license, fox™ is trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film WInEQ Corporation used under license. f Hg Located: Back Os Wawasee Realty ■R Across From Hooks Drugs Parking Lot Next To Dairy Queen WEHAVEALL THE LATEST HIT MOVIES! 457-5322 * Jack Lewallen (Owner)

“CRUZIN aroundCUSE"

(Continued from page 4) Mike sees more acceptance of the trends toward less cash, more credit card type transactions. He thinks in a few years we’ll see many of our regular bills such as utilities, being automatically deducted from our checking accounts. In regards to financing, he’s sure we’ll see more variable rate loans. The 24-hour teller machines will be more widespread and may actually replace the need of people in some situations. Realtor/Developer Joe Todd sees the price of real estate doubling by the year 2000 and the area’s lake property rising faster than that. He sees even a greater emphasis being placed on fuel efficient and maintenance free homes. Joe believes we are moving toward greater density in our housing. In other words more people per square foot thru smaller tracts of land and more condo type living. Joe also agrees with many of the studies recently released that shoyv our area of Kosciusko County as one of the fastest growing areas in the state as in regard to percentage of population. And in the words of a true realtor, reminded me that real estate would continue to birone of the best investments for the average /person. Bill Musser, general manager of WKAM/WZOW Radio in Goshen, believes by the

Wed., October 14,1987 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

year 2000 that most small communities will have a local, small power AM radio station, probablyoperating through the local high school. At 6:45 every morning we may tune into that station to get information such as the daily school menu, schedule of athletic activities, extra-curricular meetings and practices, plus many of the general type announcements now made at school through bulletins, etc. Bill believes we’ll be less dependent on the networks in regard to our television viewing. More cable type networks and more regional news networks. We’ll probably get our national news from a local source rather than Dan Rather. Bill is also convinced that video telephones will be common place as well as televisions with the capabilities of showing multiple channels simultaneously. It’s a sure bet that by the time Ryan’s generation comes around we’ll see a lot of changes, some good . . . some bad. By the way, that graduation date will be Sunday, May 14, 2000 The featured speaker at commencement will be U.S. Senator Evan Bayh. Beth and I will be having a graduation party at our home immediately following the ceremonies and I think Senator Bayh will be stopping by briefly if his schedule permits. R.S.V.P. All this leaves me thinking of a quote I once read from an unknown source "If we tell our children that their school days are the best days of their lives, have we given them anything to look forward to?”

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