The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 38, Milford, Kosciusko County, 4 November 1987 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., November 4,1987

Editorial

A special gift Do you enjoy reading a good book or reading a bedtime story to your children? Can you read the labels on medicine bottles or do you have to re- - ly on what you have been told? What about your job? Does it depend on your ability to read? If you are reading this editorial, you have a gift that some who live in the Lakeland area don’t have. It’s something many of us give little or no thought. We just do it. WE CAN READ! Please take a minute and think about how you would feel if you had a book or magazine in your hand and could not put those printed characters together in order for them to form words. People who travel abroad and do not speak or read foreign languages often find themselves faced with this problem for a short time. They see photos of American cities and people in foreign papers but are helpless to know what is going on at home if the paper is printed in Spanish, French, German or some other language. What happened back home is anyone’s guess until you find someone who can translate. For a time there is a sinking feeling . A feeling of helplessness. As strange as it may seem, there are a number of people in the Lakeland area who have that same sinking feeling. None of them are reading this editorial. They don’t know how. For one reason or another, they never learned to read. Believe it Sr not, there are people who do not know the joy of curling up with a good book or magazine. They have never seen the delight on a child’s face as they read a story to the youngster. And, many Ire having trouble either on the job or finding employment because they can’t read. An article on page 5 of today’s Mail-Journal tells more about people who can’t read. It also offers help. In January, The Wawasee Organization for Reading Development was started. Arlene Berkey is serving as the literacy volunteer coordinator for WORD and people in this community are offering their services in order to give others a special gift — the ability to read! Lessons are free and confidential. The learner and the volunteer meet twice a week. Tutors, according to the article, attend an orientation session and are later given six hours of training before they begin working one-on-one with others. An orientation session has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Wawasee High School library. A tutor training session will then be scheduled and hopefully, many in the Lakeland area can be helped. With Christmas just around the corner, we can think of no better gift than giving a stranger the gift of reading! Think about it and then plan on attending the orientation session on November 19. You could make a big difference in someone’s life! Death in an ice chest Residents of this community should consider a recent tragedy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There three little children, a girl 6 and her two brothers, 5 and 4, found an ice chest unattended, and without safety latches allowing one to push open the door from inside. They were playing in the ice chest and when all three got in and closed the door, they couldn’t get out and suffocated. A judge charged the owner of the unlocked chest with “criminal, gross negligence of the highest order.” He was jailed and could be sentenced to as much as fifteen years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. The thought of parents losing their children in such an accident is enough to stimulate preventative thinking. Federal law has required for some years that f -manufacturers build only refrigerators, freezers, etc., which can be opened from ( the inside. .. < But no law can protect children one hundred percent. Parents must do most of that job. And when one reads of tiny children running out on a highway and being killed, the question is twofold. First, why wasn’t the driver more careful? But, also: Where were the parents? (Drivers sometimes can’t avoid such tragedies.) When one reads of little children burning to death in a mobile home fire, for example, one wonders where the parents were. Were they sober, or knocked out with drugs? Too many tragedies involving little children occur because parents aren’t keeping a close eye on them. Perhaps both parents are working. Perhaps they are negligept. Perhaps they are criminally irresponsible. Crimiflial negligency can be exhibited by parents as well as others — and itcan truthfully J}e said, without reference to any specific case, that this is the cause of the deafh 6f many little children today.

WhaYpJhers say —

By the way Ask Lee lacocca of the Chrysler Corporation what makes any business leader and he’ll say two words, “customer service.” In the last few years more has been said and written about the importance of customer service than in any period of our nation’s history. Businesses have been forced into being more customer oriented. The only exception to this is our country’s school system. A school is a business. Schools meet a need (formal education), serve a customer (students), and make money (tax revenues, book fees, etc.). Why are schools somehow exempt from the push toward better customer service? Indiana high school SAT scores were ranked 47th out of 51 in the United States. That is, needless to say, not a very flattering figure. Perhaps if everyone in the educational community was less involved in local politics, and needless technicalities, and were more concerned with servicing their customers (the students) in the best way possible our educational rank would not be quite so ... embarrassing. Am I suggesting a complete switch in the thinking of our educational society? Am I recommending that our educators spend their lives, trying to serve o students? Would I even go as far as suggesting that our guides through high school think about how to prepare their students for life and perhaps even reevaluate their reasons for being a teacher? Absolutely! Every other business has had to face the realities of increasing customer service or being forced out of the market. Let’s hope that before education is put at the very bottom of the list that some lone educational innovator will try to improve his or her customer services! HEATHER BECK — CARROLL EXPRESSION

iL Jr Spread the W«O«R«D!

Court news

City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Warrant 854066 (public intoxication) — Keith T. Patton, 29. Syracuse, $535, mittimus imposed for fine and costs County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarette, presiding: Illegal Consumption — Eric Lamar Knight, 18, Syracuse, $153. Check Deception — Delmer W Noyer, no age given, Leesburg, two counts, dismissed. Illegal Transport — Eric Lamar Knight. 18. Syracuse, dismissed. Illegal Possession — Eric Lamar Knight, 18, Syracuse, $153. Speeding — Christine Eldridge. 17, Syracuse, SBO. Disobeying Stop Sign — Ronald Upson, 17, North Webster, S6O. Expired Operator’s License — Donald Minear, 28, North Webster, S6O. Goshen Division The following fines plus court costs have been levied and paid in Elkhart County Court, Goshen Division: Speeding — Thomas C Gerstner, 50, Syracuse, $56; Patricia M. Carroll, 47, Syracuse, SSB; Elaine K. Fidler, 24. Syracuse, $63; Raul L. Zarate, 27. Milford, SSB; John K. Blair, 32. Warsaw, $63; Kathy S. Lambert. 33, Syracuse, $63; Christopher C. Jackson, 17, Syracuse, $63; Nancy L. Troup, 30, Syracuse, SSB False/ficticious registration — Joan R. Dickerson, 26, Syracuse. $48.50 Driving with BAC in excess of .1 percent — Timothy A. Haviland, 23, Syracuse, $250 plus costs, 60 days in jail suspended, on the condition the defendant be on probation for six months, follow standard probation terms, pay user’s fees, obtain an ECADAP assessment within 30 days and attend DWI school, driver’s license suspended 90 days Small Claims The following judgments have been awarded in small claims division, Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarette presiding. Comfortemp, Inc. vs Kado Allan. Judgment for plaintiff $196.50 plus costs. Miller and Sons Structures, Inc. vs Ralph Prater. Judgment for plaintiff $184.44 plus costs. Richard Monk d/b/a Claypool Mobile Home Park vs Keith Reffitt. Judgment for plaintiff $240 plus costs. Marriage Licenses The following couples have filed for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Diell-Disberry Troy Albert Diell, r 3, box 74A, Syracuse, and Tracy Lynn Disberry, 18, 1321 S. Main, South Bend. Hackleman-Schlabach Terry L. Hackleman, 49, r 4, box 38C, Syracuse, and Virginia L. Schlabach, 48, r 4, box 38 CB, Syracuse. Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Pagel — Keith R. Pagel, Kosciusko Co. and Kitsey Elaine Pagel, 1903 Robin Drive, Warsaw. The couple was married March, 1983 and separated September 23, 1987. There is one minor child. Wang — Abner K. Wang, Kosciusko Co., and Kate YungYuan Hsu Wang, r 1, box 433 E., Warsaw. The couple was married February 27, 1977, and separated March 1,1987. There is ohe minor child. Petitioner seeks custody. Peters — Lucille R. Peters, 218 N. Sherman St., Warsaw and Lester A. Peters Jr., address

unknown. The couple was married November 21, 1974, and separated March 18, 1978. There is one minor child. Petitioner seeks custody. & Charlton — Scott A. Charlton, Kosciusko Co., and Tracie L. Charlton, P.O. Box 17, Leesburg. The couple was married November 11, 1978, and separated October 19,1987. There is one minor child. Frazier — Mary B. Frazier, r 2, box 251. Milford and Franklin E. Frazier, r 2, box 251, Milford. The couple was married August 10, 1983, and separated October I,' 1987. There are two minor children. Neer — Gloria Ann Neer, 815 W. Winona Ave., Warsaw and Danny L. Neer, Kosciusko Co., c/o Zimmer U.S.A., Warsaw. The couple was married August 8, 1987, and separated October 19, 1987. The petitioner requests that her prior name of Edwards be restored Circuit Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint Herschel V. Wells and Robert Leroy Woods, d/b/a Kentucky Fried Chicken vs Charles Stuckman, r 3. box 226A, Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks judgment of sum sufficient to compensate plaintiff for removal and reinstallajion of work completed by defendant, for costs and all relief proper. Complaint Stanley Arnolt vs Larry Bradway and Dale Bradway, d/b/a Woodies Rental, 1900 Winona Ave., Warsaw. Count P— Plaintiff seeks a Writ of Replevin to the Sheriff of Kosciusko County, requiring the Sheriff to take possession of plaintiff’s property; for actual damages in the amount of $1,000; for punitive damages in the amount of $5,000; for attorney fees, costs and all other relief. Count II — Plaintiff seeks $6,000 plus punitive damages as assessed by the court; for costs incurred herein, and all other proper relief. Complaint Penny Saver vs Robert Farr, d/b/a Quality Building Services, P.O. Box 183, Leesburg. Plaintiff seeks $227.25 plus costs and all other proper relief. Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court. Judge Robert Burner presiding: Motion For Proceedings Supplemental State of Indiana, Department of Revenue vs Robert C. Miller, 224 North St., Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks an order requiring defendant to appear in court and answer to any non-exempt property which can be applied to judgment of $92.31. Motiohs For Proceedings ’ Supplemental State of Indiana, Department of Revenue vs Chem Electric, Inc., P.O. Box 372, North Webster. Plaintiff seeks an order requiring defendant to appear and to answer to any non-exempt property which can be applied to judgment of $95.05.

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258 4000) Published by the Mall Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 46567 Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: sl7 per year In Kosciusko County; $23 outside county POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mall Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542 lO\ /“f

"CRUZIN AROUND 'OUSE”

UR LEAD item in this column last week did exactly what it was supposed to do: stimulate some interest and comment on the latent Syracuse beautification efforts. The item, stating something should* be done to beautify the median in Wawasee Village, drew quick comment. One comment was that the State Highway Department would frown on this and probably uproot anything that is planted there. It appears clear, that whatever is done in the median would have to be done with the approval and consent of the highway department. In late March of this year there was a meeting of the S-W Beautification Committee, but it was poorly attended inasmuch as it bumped heads with the NCAA basketball finals. Nothing was decided. Another such meeting was held in early June, and this enjoyed better attendance. Out of this came the thought that a public survey in the matter is necessary, but no such survey has been forthcoming at this date. Attending the June meeting was Pat Brown of Leßoy Troyer and Associates of Mishawaka, who promised to help with the survey. With Thanksgiving and Christmas in the offing, perhaps it’s best to let the issue lie dormant until after the first of the year or spring. Serving on the beautification committee with president Bill Beemer are Deb Patterson, Jeanne Gardiner, Susan Myrick, and Marsha Fisher. This column assured that there will be another (“meaningful”) meeting of the committee, perhaps prior to the first of the year, and that something “for publication” will come out of that meeting. -OMUCH CREDIT should go to S-W Chamber of Commerce President Jeanne Gardiner for being one of the prime movers — if not the prime mover — to reactivate the move for a Rural Numbering System for Kosciusko County. She is working closely with Thomas W. Earhart, president of the Greater Warsaw Area Chamber of Commerce, with Deborah Lotz, president of the Silver Lake Area Township Chamber of Commerce, and with Ed Clayton of the North Webster chamber. - All four chambers appear “sold” on the idea of rural numbering as a positive step for our county. In fact, representatives from the four chambers will appear before the Thursday meeting of the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners to state their case. “The advantages of the numbering system are considerable,” states Jeanne Gardiner, citing rapid identification for prompt responses of emergency services, e g., medical attention by EMS, fire and police response, and emergency calls from utility companies. Elkhart County and other counties have the system and it is working -veil, proponents state. However, the plan came before the commissioners before and was turned down. It has a 50-50 chance now, some think, due to the conservative nature of the board of county commissioners. Cost to the county is pegged at $50,000, with the additional., $59,078 coming from businesses and industry interested in the inauguration of such a numbering system. (Note: See front page article on this issue.) —o— A LOCAL resident who has Warsaw connections made a political prediction last week: He said in the event Warsaw Mayor Jeff is re-elected mayor and is given a city council with whom, he cannot get along, he’d serve his term, opt out, then run for state representative. Warsaw furniture retailer Thames Mauzy, 1025 Country Club Lane, Warsaw, has held that office for over 20 years, and is now the oldest representative in terms of years of service in the legislature. Could be he’s right. —o— EVERYONE WANTED to get into the act. Friday morning townsman Bill Xanders showed up in a Rasputin-like get-up but his friendly voice quickly gave him away, at least to his''early morning friends. —o— SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE members Ernie Rogers and Bill Beemer moved quickly to remove the (closed) memorabilia stand in front of Thornburg’s in the Village after their good friend, drug store chain president John Kroh, reminded them it was time It be taken away. Anyway, it was a target for erratic drivers in that area. Who’s the Geezer in this case? A LOT of locals, young and old, got into the act of dressing up for Halloween Trick or Treat Friday night when the town fathers set aside this time (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) to roust their neighbors a bit. One clever one was five-year-old Ryan Skaggs, son of Terry and Beth Skaggs, 113 North Huntington St. Ryan is well aware of his dad’s penchant for golf, so he dressed up as a golfer and rang neighborhood doorbells as his dad stood behind trees in the yard, hand over mouth. Ryan had all the necessary paraphernalia: golf shoes, argyle socks, the little bag with three irons, his dad’s outsized golf cap, the works. One said, “How you gonna turn a fellow like this down?” SOMEONE ASKED Warsaw auto dealer Bruce Petro how business was since the big stock market crash. Bruce responded, "Just fine. Peo-

pie are putting their money in cars. They don’t go down in value as fast as the stock market! ” THE SIGN at the far north end of SR 13 going out of Syracuse reads “Little Shipshe” and one can understand why. AN AFTERTHOUGHT: This handed to this column: In the future, area communities should hold their Halloween Trick or Treat on the same' night. Reason: Youngsters of the several area towns not only Trick or Treat in their own towns but go to the other towns as well. What is that, Double Dipping? INTERESTING OBSERVATION - With all the conversation concerning the rejection of Robert Bork for the U.S. Supreme Court, and the naming of 41-year-old Douglas H. Ginsberg for a seat on the court, Syracuse attorney Stephen R. Snyder said, “We don’t necessarily need a practicing judge fpr that job. What we really need is a constitutional theorist. ’ ’ SYRACUSE POSTMASTER Tony J. Rudasics and his wife, Judy, are home from a town and one-hajj week’s vacation to North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. In Charlotte they attended NASCAR races, then took off for Myrtle Beach where they stayed a brief time, and finally spent some time on Gasparilo Island, near Placida, Fla. IS IT true that the breakfast crowd hits the local cases according to their status in the community? If so, is this true: Laborers eat their breakfast from 5:30 to 7 a.m.; junior executives, from 7to 8 a.m.; professionals, from Bto 9 a.m.; and retirees, from 9 a.m. on ? Where do you stack up in this scheme of things? A LETTER went out early this week, signed by Shelly Moore, Lynn Griffith and Clare Baumgardt, seeking financial support in the form of cash donations to insure the re-opening of Enchanted Hills Playhouse. The playhouse “is not presently planning a season for next year. We don’t want to let that happen and we hope you agree,” the letter states. It goes on, “Enchanted Hills Playhouse has done a lot for our community. They perform shows at all the area elementary schools, do career days at the high schools, perform at community events as time allows, and bring extra business to our area — not to mention the quality plays they present for us during the regular season. “It would be a terrible shame if we let this valuable cultural resource disappear. “If everyone of you would donate SSO, we would be able to keep our doors open. We realize that some of you won’t be able to give that much, but there are others of you who may be able to give more. Any amount is welcome! “We are taking pledges for now; if we get enough in pledges to keep the doors open, we will call the pledges in.” JOE TODD is at it again! That’s right, Joe is building some more condominiums in the area. Joe has been a major builder — if not the major builder —of condos, not only providing muchneeded additional housing, but adding to the community’s tax base as well. The new endeavor has already begun, will be called Marsh Harbor, and will be a 12-unit, twostory structure. It is located just south of Turtle Bay on the site of one of the area’s first miniature golf courses. AN EFFORT is being made to establish a link between business and education in the area through the establishment of a Junior Achievement program aimed essentially at eighth grade students of the Milford, North Webster and Syracuse middle schools. A program of JA is Project Business, an inschool economic education course taught by experienced business professionals in our three communities. To get the program off the ground, a 12 noon luncheon will be held Thursday of this week at Vincent’s Restaurant in the Village. If a letter hasn’t gone out to anyone who might be Interested in the program, and in the noon luncheon, he or she is asked to contact John F. Kroh, 457-3101. / THIS ITEM might be called “Who has the money?” Dick Prescott, 300 Front Street, an American Airlines pilot for 21 years, claims 35 percent of the passengers on his airline are senior citizens on retirement. Pilot Dick claims he can easily spot a woman executive, in that she comes aboard with four parcels: A large purse, a carry-on bag, a brief case and a cosmetic case. Now, now, Dick. ART NOTES: Marilyn Moore, North Shore Drive resident and an increasingly well-known local artist, recently received the Beatrice Covert Award and cash prize for a painting she submitted to the Northern Indiana Artists’ Show, currently being shown at Century Center in South Bend in the Warner Gallery. The show will run through November 22.