The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 42, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 December 1987 — Page 13
J.D. Geiger looks to the future with high anticipation
(By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer Stepping into something ' new and out of the normal pace of one’s life is always a bit scary, but J.D. Geiger of ’ North Webster finds he’s looking to the future with high anticipation. Geiger will be stepping out of the county auditor’s position and perhaps into a non-political lifestyle on January 1,1988. “I’ve got a number of irons in the fire, but I don’t actually have anything hammered out yet,” explained Geiger of his future plans. “I’m going to have to make some decisions in the next couple months, but I don’t really know for sure at this time what I’m going to do.” Geiger was elected as Kosciusko County Auditor on the Republican ticket in 1982. However, this was not his first political endeavor, as he actually started his political career in 1958 when he ran for county sheriff. He was a state police officer stationed in North Webster when he decided he’d like to be county sheriff, but in order to run for the position, he was required to resign from his seven years of police duty. He didn’t attain the sheriff’s position at that time and decided to go into the insurance business. “If you don’t win in an election, you do whatever you can because you can’t be in any type of politics while on the state police force,”
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commented Geiger. Geiger continued in the insurance business working out of Fort Wayne until 1964 when he became a part of Lyall Electric. In this new position, he served as general manager for a number of years. During his 10-year stint with Lyall, he was elected as justice of the peace for Tippecanoe Township. Looking for new endeavors and excitement, Geiger left the electric company and began working as manager of Jellystone Park in Pierceton. “I’m always looking for new challenges,” stated Geiger, who went on to say that during the summer months, (he park was like a small town with all the problems and confusion. “We had problems with animal control, alcoholic drivers, trash pick-up, and just all the normal things that towns have,” he said. However in 1981, Geiger found himself involved in another challenge and became branch manager at the Warsaw License Branch. “During those years, the county branch manager actually operated the office as his own business,” explained Geiger. “Fees were set by the state and all expenses were paid out of that, and whatever was left went to the branch manager. It all operated on a user’s fee. ” Geiger remained with the license branch until he took office as county auditor. “I’ve been accustomed to private business — so when I took this position, it was really confusing. I found that you don’t have as
much latitude to make decisions as what I was used to because of all the state regulations,” he said. v He went on to say that when
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■e—e—uh .j «<«, STEPPING DOWN J.D. Geiger, Kosciusko County Auditor, will be stepping down from his position on January 1 and into a new life. He’s served one full term as auditor and stated that he’s looking forward to the future, though he hasn’t made any definite decisions for his life. (Photo by Carla Gaff)
you’re county auditor, “you better not make very many mistakes — not that you don’t, but you try not to.” Geiger noted that he’s had a
great working relationship with county commissioners and the county council, and that he’s enjoyed working with those in the auditor’s office. “It’s been an enjoyable experience,” Geiger stated. Continuing, he noted that the high points of his career as auditor were assisting in getting
It happened . . . in North Webster
10 YEARS AGO, NOV. 30,1977 Country Neighbors Extension Homemakers Club members met recently in the home of Sherry Andreys. Devotions were given by Kay Tusing. Her topic was “Keeping In Tune With Spiritual Leaders.” Mrs. Steve Angel, r 1 Leesburg, was guest of honor at a baby shower held November 20 in the fellowship room at Barbee Community Church. Miss Debra Searer and Mrs. Herb Searer were hostesses for the party. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mifflin, North Webster, spent the Thanksgiving holiday visiting with relatives at Goshen and LaGrange. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert George, Epworth Forest, have just returned home from New York state where they spent Thanksgiving visiting with relatives. 20 YEARS AGO, NOV. 29,1967 The town of North Webster was beautified for the Christmas season Sunday afternoon by the
the computer system in the courthouse and the justice building, as well as getting the outside lights put on the courthouse. Geiger graduated from Cromwell High School, and the International Business College in Fort Wayne. He then attended the state police academy in Bloom-
Lions club members. Elson Wilson, chairman of the decorating committee, and 15 other members turned out to string the lights across the main street. Light strands were wrapped with evergreen and a large candle tops the stoplight in the center of town. New decorations were purchased with donations from the local merchants and the Lady Lions. Richard Mitchell is president of the Lions club. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baugher celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 22 at a family dinner in their home. The anniversary was not due until Monday, Nov. 27, but the Baughers were in Florida. They spend the winters in Kissimmee where there are other North Webster natives. Among them are the Homer Hiners and the Hershel Wright. The Tippecanoe Township Extension Homemakers club met at the Barbee club house for a regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, with 21 present. Mrs. Robert Reiff and Mrs. Grace Hall were hostesses. The pledge to the flag and the club creed were given. Mrs. Hall gave the meditation which was in the form of poetry, one called “Old Friends” and the other, “The Friendly Things”. The Women’s Society of Christian Service general meeting was in the church social room on Tuesday evening, Nov. 21. In the absence of the president, Mrs. Charles Turner opened the meeting with poems, “Beyond Today” and “Give Thanks”. The group sang a hymn.
Humanly Speaking — Plain talk about the stigma of mental illness
By DANIEL D. STEINER, ACSW Chief Executive Officer Bowen Center The stigma of mental illness can trace its origins to the history of the treatment of those afflicted in the United States. We are all familiar with the revelations of “care” received by patients in the old asylums established by state legislatures for the “treatment” of those committed. They were dubbted as “human warehouses” and “snakepits,” and stories of abuse abounded. Those who were more functional were simply neglected and the mere process of institutionalization itself was debilitating and fostered dependency, making chances of recovery guarded at best. The understanding of mental illness and its treatment was shrouded in mystery and prejudice. Since the passage of the National Mental Health Act by the U.S. Congress in 1946, care and treatment of mentally ill people has dramatically improved through the use of psychoactive drugs and the development of other new therapies. Research has unraveled many of the mysteries about the origins of mental illness. Many such disorders are actually caused by biochemical imbalances, as is the case of many physical illnesses. The mentally ill should not be blamed for having diabetes. Uncovering many of the biological imbalances had led to treatments restoring the needed chemical balances, as insulin controls the balances for diabetes. When this procedure is coupled with psychotherapy, the victim can lead as normal a life' as possible. Although attitudes toward the mentally ill have changed in the past few decades, such changes appear to be minimal. People continue to discriminate against sufferers, although it may be less socially acceptable to do it lyWhat is behind the stigma directed at mental patients? Some researchers think the term “stigma” is itself the problem. It is too strong a word to be useful in describing the full range of reactions toward the mentally ill, they believe, and it discourages objective thinking about the problem it encompasses. Many people feel that the mentally ill are dangerous, yet the behavior of former patients is, on nearly every occasion, no different from the rest of society. The vast majority are not dangerous. Fewer than two percent of them pose any threat to society. Those pa-
Wed., December 2,1887 —THE MAIL-JOURNAL
ington. j He enjoys reading, playing golf, gardening and working in the yard. He and his wife, Bonita, n have three grown children. e He’s the past master of the n Square and Compass Lodge 747, e F&AM, in North Webster where i- he received a 25-year pin in 1984.
James Turner, North Webster school music instructor, attended the music convention at Terre Haute November 16, 17, and 18. The college there was host. From this area attending were Mr. Turner, Mrs. Richard Ditmer and Miss Pauline Cork. Varner Chance and wife were there on Saturday. Eddie Overmyer and Ollie Hardin returned on Thanksgiving day from a hunt in Wyoming. They did not come emptyhanded, each bagged a deer. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mitchel were guests Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. Burrel Mathias and family in Larwill. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ritchie were guests of their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. James Freeman, and family on Thanksgiving day in their home at Albion, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Redding, Mrs. Marie Lesh and Mary Jane Lesh were guests on Thanksgiving of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Lesh at Bluffton. The Arthur Iden family were with her grandfather and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Franks of Wawaka on Thanksgiving day. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Charlton and children visited Mr. and Mrs. Vern Leitch and family at Larwill nj» Thanksoivinc Other guests were Mrs. Anna Rush, Mrs. Edna Harter, Mr. and Mrs. David Harter and family, all of Larwill; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Fritz, South Whitley and Mr. and Mrs. Don Shively and family of Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Black were guests of their son and family.
tients who do not have prior ar- ] rest records have post arrest j rates equal to or lower than those j of the general population. The continuing public percep- s tions of the mentally ill as ■ dangerous has been thought by t some to be the responsibility of | the news media. Some , newspapers in particular stress < the history of mental disorder when they find it in the I backgrounds of people who commit crimes of violence. Televi- < sion news programs also sustain this view. One critic has pointed out that, on television, mental il- 1 Iness is synonymous with danger. ( The media — in the interest of fairness and in recognition of their power to influence public i opinion — have a responsibility to provide a broader perspective on the mentally ill. We are fortunate, in this community, to have news media which informs the public in a straight-forward way of the struggles of real people with emotional problems. Awareness of such people’s experiences result in increased resistance to negative mass media images of current and former mental patients. It has been learned that mental patients are people from all walks of life who have sustained setbacks and need help in restoring their lives.
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He is also a member of the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite. Changes in one’s life don’t have to mean a time of confusion and fear, as Geiger points out. He’s looking forward to being involved endeavors and may possibly run for another political position in the near future.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Black in Farmington, Mich., on the holiday. They spent the week end with them returning Sunday night. Mr. and Mrs. David Richards and family, Mrs. Charlotte Richards and Karleen left last Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with Mrs. David Richard’s parents at Ogden, Kan. They will visit other relatives and friends over the week end. 30 YEARS AGO, DEC. 5,1957 Mr. and Mrs. Noble Kline and family of South Bend, Rev. and Mrs. J. L. Kline and Mr. and Mrs. Orva Miller and daughter had Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ormel Kline and family. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Lewallen were Thanksgiving dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Deverl Bowser and family. Mrs. Bertha Likens, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Bowser and sons, Mr. and Mrs. John Graham and daughter of Muncie, enjoyed dinner Thanksgiving at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bus Likens. Afternoon callers were Mr. and Mrs. Bob Likens and family, and Mrs. Irene Grieger of Mishawaka. Mrs. Edith Shoemaker was hostess F’ridsy to s demonstration show. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Busz and son of Columbia City, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hontz and sons also of Columbia City, Miss Doris Tom of Milford, Miss Waneita Walton of Syracuse, Mrs. Kline and daughters, Ilene and Kathy, and Mrs. Orva Miller.
Many of them can, it given that help, recover fully enough to lead productive and satisfying lives. The Bowen Center’s professional staff is available to help people work through difficult times or to give counsel to families of persons struggling with mental illness. Call, 267-7109 or toll free 1-000-342-5653. Firemen called to Spinks Syracuse Fire Department was called to the Wawasee Spinks Condominiums three times in three days when the automatic fire alarm was activated. In all three cases, there was no damage. Firemen were called to an unidentified residence in the condominiums at 12:21 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 26. Firemen found hot grease had spilled onto the stove and after extinguishing the fire returned to the fire station. A second call to the condominiums was received at 7:14 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. There was no fire and the alarm was caused by a malfunction in the alarm system. Firemen were called again to the Wawasee Spinks Condominiums at 9:42 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. There was no Are.
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