The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 38, Milford, Kosciusko County, 4 November 1987 — Page 5

WORD seeks help!

“I can’t read. I can’t even read a bedtime story to my little girl. When my son asks for help with his homework, I have to tell him I chn’t help. And, when my kids are sick, I have to depend on my memory of the doctor’s directions because I can’t read the medicine labels. It’s so easy to make a mistake! When I go to church I can only sing the hymns that I know by heart, and I can’t read the Bible as I’d like to. I want to fix good meals for my family, but I can’t read a cookbook or even the directions on a box mix! Who can teach me to read?” “I’m a 45-year-bld man who

Under the ... , Courthouse Dome ? j** By Ron Sharp i|| l| ||

GOOD NEWS FOR WARSAW PROPERTY TAXPAYERS Assessed valuation for real and personal property has been released and Warsaw taxpayers will get some relief. Assessed value of real and personal property reached the $92,500,000 mark for 1987. This is about $4,250,000 more than was listed in 1986. The big hike for Warsaw more than makes up for the loss that occurred in 1986 when assessment was below the 1985 level by $1,453,420. The entire county had a gain of almost $10,000,000 more than in 1986. I X. Eleven units showed losses — the largest being at Syracuse, where assessments were down almost $300,000. Winona Lake was second with almost a $250,000 loss. Below is the assessed value of property that will be used to determine tax rates for 1988. The higher the assessment the lower the tax rate “in theory.” Also shown is the increase or decrease compared to the 1986 figures. Unit 1987 Gain or Loss Clay $6,448,580 176,750 Etna a 4,619,340 45,050 Franklin 6,897,740 -22,490 Harrison 14,900,560 462,860 Jackson 5,225,110 71,530 Jeff. East 3,663,820 88,950 Jeff. West 3,420,990 -136,150 Lake 5,778,730 -32,340 Monroe 4,470,170 -4,850 Plain 33,865,070 1,933,180 Prairie 10,893,600 327,630 Scott 5,184,710 21,270 Seward 10,505,560 70,290 Tippecanoe 28,748,090 603,920 Turkey Creek 35,137,370 788,080 Van Buren 13,138,680 619,950 Washington 9,464,230 143,560 Wayne 46,213,780 51,110 Total 248,576,130 5,208,300 City and Towns Burket 627,230 » -3,900 Claypool 706,140 1,750 Etna Green 1,473,220 59,730 Leesburg 1,800,480 -66,790 Mentone Franklin ''1,140,690 133,030 Mentone Harrison 2,293,980 -125,010 Milford 8,710,860 486,140 North Webster 4,679,620 -126,270 Pierceton 2,919,370 38,110 Sidney 320,550 ' 20,880 Silver Lake 1,398,800 -19,020 Syracuse 22,788,980 -299,120 Warsaw Plain 241,640 22,640 Winona Lake 8,191,240 -220,400 Warsaw 92,559,870 4,293,510 Nappanee Jeff. 298,620 298,620 Total 150,151,290 4,493,900 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ‘ WaNee 8,904,320 183,740 Whitko 22,399,430 269,230 Triton 6,092,560 104,780 Warsaw 208,097,930 6,468,020 Wawasee 116,867,420 2,161,650 Tipp. Valley 36,365,760 514,780 Total School ’ 398,727,420 9,702,200 MAYOR OUTSPENDS HIS OPPONENT Reports filed in County Clerk Jean Weirick’s office, covering candidates’ expenses from April to October 10, reveal that Mayor Jeff Plank spent $2,644.91. His honor’s expenditure far cry from the more than 20 grand he spent four years ago on the mayoral race. Ron Dircks, His Honor’s opponent, spent $1,601. His Honor’s reports showed that he still had $1,846.53 in his treasury, while Dircks had $1,158.63. Dircks did> not have any “tooth fairy” donations (a candidate’s way of saying he does not want to say where the money came from). He listed all of his donors. This contrasted to Plank’s filing which listed more than $3,000 in “tooth fairy” donations. ONE HUNDRED GRANT IN FEES All indications point to County Recorder Betty Dust hitting the SIOO,OOO mark in fees by the end of 1987. Dust’s office has already posted $76,667 up to the end of September. The figure reported in Sep., 1986, was $64,434. In 1982 the office received $84,410 in fees for the entire year. IS IT TIME TO BURY THE CORPSE? Some are wondering if it is time to lay the Hall of Fame banquet to rest. The recent GOP event, which used to attract more than 200 party faithfuls, could only muster 40 to 50 this year. Arrangements had been made for 80meals.) The dinner was initiated purportedly to honor those party faithfuls who had performed “above and beyond the call of duty.” Some say it degenerated into a "pat on the head” for those who were on the good side of the county chairwoman.

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works in a factory. It used to be that I could do my job well by following what my supervisor told me but things are more complicated now. More and more I run into situations where I ‘have’ be able to read. Last week, I made a mistake and damaged an expensive machine. I’m afraid I’ll lose my job and then how will I support my family? Am I too old to learn to read?” “I’m 32 years old. I quit school when I was 16 because I couldn’t read very well and school was a real drag. I got a job and for a while it seemed like I had a lot of money. But now I have a wife and three kids and I’m still in that

same job — and believe me, the money doesn’t go very far now! I can’t get a better job because I still don’t read very well. Is there any place I can go for help in reading?” These three stories and their endless variations are repeated by some 60 million Americans^ 5 who cannot read well enough io function in today’s society. The frustrations and failures ' encountered by these people daily are almost incomprehensible to those of us who take reading for granted. The personal suffering caused by illiteracy would be hard to overstate. ? Illiteracy is also very expensivexlt costs the'public an estimated-112.6 billion each year in federal social spending programs and an additional $237 billion is forfeited annually in unrealized earnings (figures from Indiana Adult Literacy Coalition). Those people who* manage to secure and hold jobs are usually locked into entrylevel, low-paying positions with little or no help of advancement. Those who are unsuccessful in the job market often end up on welfare rolls, where an estimated 90 percent are functionally illiterate, or contribute to our crime statistics — 60 percent of the people in prison are illiterate. Obviously, this is a problem in desperate need of our attention. In the stories that opened this article, each person aSked for help. In the Wawasee Community •School district, help is available though the Adult Education pro- '' •gram. In January of this year, Wawasee Organizatioh for Reading Development began, with the purpose of providing reading instruction for those adults and out-of-school youths who read at a basic level or not at all. The learner meets once or twice a week, privately, with a volunteer tutor to work in materials written specifically to teach adults to read. Lessons are free and confidential. Tutors are given six hours of training by the Literacy Volunteer Coordinator, Arlene Berkey, who also serves as a resource person for the tutors. Prior to training, an orientation session is held to help prospective tutors understand the problem of illiteracy and WORD’S program, and to help them decide whether or not to enter tutor training. An orientation session is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Wawasee High School library. At this session, the next tutor training program will be scheduled. Anyone who is interested in becoming a tutor or who would like to learn more about the program is urged to attend. One of the major problems faced by literacy programs is that of reaching students. The Ford Foundation estimates that only two-four percent of the functionally illiterate enter programs designed to serve them. Obviously, recruitment techniques based on the printed word fail to reach the target population. One study found that nearly two-thirds of its students learned about the program through friends, neighbors,." and relatives. Human resource and personnel managers in industry are in a key position to give out information and encouragement to employees and job seekers. Those who read are an essential link between the programs available and those who need the help they offer. Mrs. Berkey is available to speak to groups who want to learn more about illiteracy. To schedule a talk or to request tutoring or to volunteer to be a tutor, call 457-5222, the Syracuse Public Library? 457-3022, or Wawasee High School, 457-3147, ext. 202. Kerosene stove cause of fire Syracuse Firemen were called a to the home of Kathy Larkin, r 4, Syracuse, at 8:50 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 when a kerosene stove started flaming out of the top and sides. No fire was found when firemen arrived and the stove, ceiling and attic were checked before leaving. There was no damage listed. The home owner told firemen she had lit the kerosene stove and after it had burned for a white, it started flaming out of the top and sides. She reported shutting off the stove but nothing had happened.

4 * * '* * f. ' ' • .*» • Ak | • ■ i' *•■***■ < i T r r S«|Bbßb i.« L s I f • 1 11 ER aR • BB ' 'W- 1 ' ‘ Pt m 1 P Things have changed in Syracuse

This photo, taken in 1889, is proof positive things have happened in Syracuse. The scene shows the back yard of the Harkless property on east Main Street. Shown to the east and across the lake is the Jacob Ott woods. This is now North Shore Drive. To the extreme right is the privy The crossarm of the clothes line post can be seen. It is supported by a makeshift brace to keep the wet washing from

Quayle honors local job training leader

US Senator Dan Quayle (RInd.) was the keynote speaker at a recent dinner in Indianapolis in observance of the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). The dinner was held at the Indiana Vocational Technical College and attended by about 122

No injuries in accidents

Two accidents were investigated by Syracuse Police over the weekend, with no injuries resulting in either of the incidents. \ Up to $2,500 in damages were caused to two vehicles when they collided on Syracuse-Webster Road, approximately 139' feet north of Bowser Road, at 1:55 am. Sunday, Nov. 1. David A. Culbertson, 23, Syracuse, was traveling north on Syracuse-Webster Road when his 1978 Pontiac Grand Am collided with a southbound 1982 Ford Mustang, driven by Oscar Hernandez, 24, Milford. _

II A k IL Il tzn A flh Il ■ A 1 H < 1 ■ PROMOTED TO SALES MANAGER — Dick Casto, right, owner of Milford Motors, has announced that Glynn Johnson, left, has been promoted to sales manager. Johnson has had 21 years experience in auto sales and been with Milford Motors for the past 3>/ 2 years. He resides in Winona Lake with his wife, Shelley, and two children, Matthew and Angie.

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Sesquicentennial Memories

JTPA program officials from 1 around the state. The gathering • : was jointly sponsored by Senator Quayle and Indiana Vocational Technical College. The senator presented awards to the Private Industry Council chairpersons from each of the service delivery areas in Indiana

Driver inattention contributed to a minor collision at 8:30 a m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Syracuse Street Department parking lot, 400 feet west of Mill Street and i Conrad Street. Charles L. Gain, 55, was backing a 1974 Chevrolet truck from the office area at the street department when he struck a 1983 Plymouth that was partially blocking the gate entrance to the lot. Up to S2OO damage was caused to the car, owned by Reub Williams & Sons Inc., Warsaw, while the street department truck sustained no damages.

dragging the ground. The other sheds, behind the picket fence, probably were used for tool storage and maybe housed the producers of fresh eggs for morning breakfast. It is hard to believe that this is the present site of the home which, until recently, was owned by the late Ken Harkless. This photo is from the collection of Ken Harkless and is now property of the Syracuse Public Library.

for their outstanding volunteer service to the JTPA program. Mike Martin of Warsaw was honored as the Private Industry Council chairman for the Northern Indiana Job Alliance which includes Elkhart, LaGrange, . Marshall and Kosciusko Counties. Quayle was the chief senate author of JTPA, which unanimously passed the US Senate and was signed into law on October 13, 1982, by President Reagan. It has been widely praised and is considered by many as

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

the major piece of domestic legislation during the Reagan Administration. More than 164,000 Hoosiers have participated in Indiana JTPA programs during 45 months of operations. Through the end of the 1986 program year, 50,723 economically disadvantaged Hoosiers had been placed in unsubsidized private-sector jobs after completing training through JTPA, and another 16,035 dislocated workers in Indiana had begun careers in new fields as a result of retraining.

In Indiana, JTPA is being administered for Governor Robert D. Orr by the Department of Commerce under the direction of Lt. Governor John Mutz. Kiwanians hear newspaper editor Gary Lewis, Syracuse, a newspaper editor, was a guest speaker at the Syracuse morning meeting, Oct. 31, of the Wawasee Kiwanis Club in Syracuse. Members were given insight as to how a newspaper operates.

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