The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 December 1987 — Page 1

sesq u icen ten n i a 1 1837-1987

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 26

Milford farmer honored —

Leon Tucker is Indiana's Cattleman of the Year

Leon Tucker was awarded the 1987 Indiana Cattleman of the Year honors last Friday (Dec. 4) by the Indiana Beef X Cattle Association. Tucker is Vs the first Kosciusko County ) resident to receive the award ' during its history. Tucker is a long-time Milford resident currently residing at r 1 box 13, Milford. The farm is located on the Milford-Syracuse Road. He became involved in the beef industry at the tender age of ten, when showing his first steer at the county fair, and at 16 he began marketing cattle for the commercial market. In 1953, Tucker started farming on his father-in-law’s (Raymond Pinkerton) farm with a handful of dairy cows. However, four years later he decided to get out of the dairy business and turned his attention to beef cattle. Leon’s goal has always been to keep pace with the cattle industry as changes take place. He continues to stress correctness and femininity in his cows and performance in his bulls. He strives to make the best mating for each cow. \ In 1967 he started using artificial insemination on his Angus cows, starting out with Charolais bulls and moving on to Limousin, Simmental and then to Chianina. He purchased the first percentage Limousin bull in Indiana and in 1976 bought his first purebred Limousin bull. Leon and his family held their first club calf sale featuring home raised calves in 1972. This tradition has continued each fall for the past 15 years with many champions being sold throughout the midwest. These calves go through a rigid preconditioning program employing the most up-to-date vaccination and parasite control programs. The success the calves have enjoyed dn the show ring speaks well of Leon and the breeding he has done. The Tucker farming operation consist of 600 acres. Corn and soybeans make up the major portion of the cropping system. Wheat, oats, hay and pasture make up the remainder acreage. Improved pasture management is - employed in the operation as alfalfa and orchard grass is the backbone of the cow herd operation. Purdue Graduate Leon is a 1951 graduate of Purdue University, and was a member of the livestock judging team while a student. He has remained active in livestock judging, judging several 4-H beef shows in Indiana and neighboring states each year. He regularly provides classes of livestock for FFA and 4-H judging teams and has helped in teaching these teams. He’s a member of the Milford Christian Church, and serves as an elder and a member of the board. Much of his time is spent on numerous church committees and in the area men’s fellowship of the Christian Church. A Sunday School class teacher for many years, Leon’s Biblical knowledge is well respected. Leon was nominated by Dr. Bruce Lamb who is a member of the state’s executive council and a member of the Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association. John Pavel of Leesburg serves as a director of the state association.

Dedicated Wawasee Community Bible Church Sunday

| By GLEN LONG Staff Writer

“And the Lord said ... I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there forever; and mine eyes shall be there perpetually.’’ I Kings 9:3 This is the scripture on the bulletin of the Wawasee Community Bible Church dedication

MailiglJoiu’iial

TJPWip "I .--L ■ J ->-] "J" ♦ ‘ x —ui I ■T/M V i ' 'fl Ll q •g -.v iPwii V 31 9 ■ fli i * a g NAMED TOP CATTLEMAN — Farmer Leon Tucker shows two of the 115 head of cattle found on his farm located on the Milford-Syracuse Road. Tucker was named outstanding cattleman of the year in Indiana last Friday, Dec. 4, by the Indiana Beef Cattle Association First becoming involved in the beef industry in 1939 at the age of 10, Tucker has raised numerous prize winning cattle and was instrumental in starting the Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association in the mid-19605.

Officials of the Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association, noted, “We feel that Leon represents the best in Indiana cattlemen. His vast knowledge of beef cattle

Christmas Coupons mysteriously appearing in Syracuse pay envelopes

As was announced last month, Christmas Coupons have mysteriously started appearing in many pay check envelopes throughout the Syracuse area and are now available at many retail stores for residents who have not ‘received any. The mystical sheets of paper boast of fabulous savings for the holder when redeemed at any of the listed area mer-

on Sunday, Dec. 6, 1987. The dedication service began at 6:30 p.m. after an afternoon open house of greeting and fellowship attended by more than 500 visitors, Sunday school at 9:30, fellowship time at 10:30 and morning worship from 11 a.m. until noon. “We all went into our building program with high expectations,” said Tom Speicher, pastor. “Without exception they were all met. It was a day we’ll remember always.”

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

breeding and feeding, coupled with his forward thinking truly set him apart from the rest.” The Tucker family is composed of Leon’s wife, Dorothy, and their

chants. Merchants participating in this year’s Christmas Coupons are: Pilcher’s Shoes, Aunt Verna’s Place, Love Furniture, Curtis TV & Appliances, Thornburgs Super Drugs, Marises, Augsburger’s Super Valu, Ben Franklin and Leisure Pools. The Retail Merchants Division of The SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce announced during its morning meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9, that there were supplies of the

“ ‘There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit In This Place’ was the closing hymn,” he added. “I think that characterized the whole day.” Sue Losee, who with her husband, Glen, served on the building committee, said after the ceremony that in addition to those who normally attend the new church on CR 1300 N east of Milford, visitors came from many other surrounding towns and rural areas. “It was a long day, but was certainly a very

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9,1987

five children — Craig, Brian, Steve, Lydia and Laura. All of the children were active in 4-H livestock programs while they were in high school.

coupons left which are still being distributed. Not to be confused with the Christmas Coupons, but also happening at this time, is the gift certificate program. Gift certificates will be made available to all industries, businesses, and merchants in the area to be given to employees or friends. “They’re all occasion gift certificates,” explained merchants treasurer Jeanne Gardiner dur(Continued on page 20)

pleasant day with the weather just right and all those friendly people to meet.” When asked about the large turnout for the day’s dedication, Becky Doll, wj>o also worked with her husband, Pete, on the building committee, commented, “We will handle the crowd if everyone wants to come back each Sunday.” She added, as her nephew, Pastor Tom Speicher, often says, that if the true enthusiasm of God’s word continues the church will grow.

Wm. Barths denied exception (By GLEN LONG Staff Writer The petition of William and Bethel Barth for a zoning exception, which had been tabled in September, was denied by the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals at its meeting on Dec. 8 at the Justice Building in Warsaw. In addition to the denial, BZA members gave the petitioners until August 1, 1988, to remove the old Vehicles which are stored outside at their residence on CR 1150 N east of Old State Road 15 or run the risk of court action. The Barths had asked at the September BZA meeting for a zoning exception for the purpose of a home occupation for restoration of antique and classic vehicles in an agricultural district. At that time the board deferred action until December to give the couple an opportunity to remove the items from outside storage on their property. John Lehman, BZA member from Milford, stated at that meeting that he had received many complaints from passers-by about unsightly vehicles at the residence. In another case, which attracted several interested Leesburg residents who had questions and additional requests, Larry Polk was granted an exception for the purpose of farm machinery sales and servtdc in an agricultural district. ‘Hjs property is located on the west side of SR 15 between Leesburg and' Tusing Brothers Lumber Co. Polk will be using about 10 acres in the southeast comer of his 40-acre field. Polk and Sons equipment salvage business, located south of the lumber operation, has been sold and Polk said he must be out by April, 1988. He and his attorney. Rich Helm, said that in the new location he will be selling retail parts and service, but no salvage equipment. Several letters of remonstrance were perused by board members and neighboring residents asked questions. Randy Black expressed concern that two dead-end streets from the north might be extended by Polk and create increased traffic through his neighborhood. Terry Hoover stated concern about the value of his property going down. He also wanted the roads left alone and a (Continued on page 20)

Look before t, . ** Milford town residents are again reminded tn chfHr their water for a reddish color beftrc washing clothes this week. If a redness is evident they are asked to delay ftwdr washing schedule the chemical “aquadene” was still being fed into water lines to alleviate rust pmhlems Rust may «till enter the water this week, with a gradual disappearance expected thereafter. Started as a preliminary stage tea distribution system, aquadene is commonly usSe’teSs to eliminate residual problems.

Becky, always the decorator, added that the interior colors of the church are blue, mauve and cream and the cushioned chairs are deep mauve. She directs the over 50-voice choir at Wawasee Community Bible Church and stated with deep feeling, “I never before directed a choir when everyone’s spirit was so much in the song as when the choir sang ‘Bless This House.’ We must build on the dedication we all felt on Sunday to help spread the Gospel in the future.”

fl -X Xs IT WSMMBMmMk - Al • - W 11 < / J HOLD MEDIA CONFERENCE — Jim Claxton, director of the area’s Indiana State Teachers Association, held a media conference Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, in order to discuss the allegations made again Milford music teacher Donna Pollen. She has been suspended since September 10 due to an investigation by the Wawasee School Corporation following an allegation of sexual involvement with a former student. In the photo from the left, Jim Claxton is addressing the media, while Donna Pollen and her husband, Randy, listen attentively. (Photo by Carla Gaff)

Time to get It out to the public'

Air morals complaint at press conference

i By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer - “There’s been so many rumors in the community that it was time to get it out in the open,” stated Milford music teacher’s husband Randy Pollen. “We’ve heard everything from — Donna has cancer — to whatever.” Pollen’s wife, Donna, has been on paid suspension from her position as Milford music teacher since September 10, due to allegations that she had sexual relations with a former student. Donna and Randy, along with area director of the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) Jim Claxton, and local officials of the Wawasee Community Education Association, held a media conference at the Milford Community Building Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, at 10a.m. Allegedly, the involvement was to have taken place in Donna's home over a seven-year period, starting when Kevin Harney was 13 years old. He was a student of Donna's for one semester, a neighbor and a frequent passenger to and from school in her car. Harney is now 24 years old and lives in the Columbia City area. The issue surfaced after Donna reported the younger brother of the accuser for driving his automobile through the Milford Elementary School parking lot in a dangerous manner, Claxton announced. However, the entire issue was not revealed until last week. The school system had not made a public statement about the suspension. J

■ ■ ' '' tr 1 _ _ - ■s ? OPEN HOUSE FELLOWSHIP — Jackie and Bill Kitsen, left, are Served cake and punch at the Wawasee Community Bible Church open house on Sunday afternoon, Dec,«. The servers are. Irra the left, Jennifer Wolterman, Kara Zimmerman and Diane Hoover. Over 5M people visited the church, located east of Milford on CR 13MN, at its afternoon open house. (Photo by Roa faw* ner)

Polygraph Tests During the meeting. Claxton also stated that Donna and Kevin Harney had both taken polygraph (lie-detector) tests on November 17 and that she had passed the test which was given to her by Michael Marsinkowski of Employer’s Security in Elkhart. He noted that the test shows conclusively, “Donna Pollen is telling the truth when she unequivocally denied ever having sexual relations with the accuser (Harney) and that questions answered by him relating to the involvement show every recognizable feature of untruth.” Claxton went on to say, “Pollen voluntarily subjected herself to a second polygraph test with the results showing exactly the same evidence of truthfulness. ” Claxton, representing Pollen, and John Whiteleather, representing the school corporation, entered into an agreement to allow the tests as evidence at the hearing on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. in front of the Wawasee Community School Board. The hearing will be held in the Wawasee High School auditorium and will be a public hearing. Allowing the polygraph tests as evidence was decided because “It seemed a logical way to try to get at the truth when we discovered glaring differences ifi testimonies given during depositions taken of the parties involved,” commented Claxton. Continuing, he noted that Donna was called by Wawasee Community School Corporation Superintendent Roger Thornton and “Unless your resignation is on my desk by 4 p.m., I cannot hold the lid on this.” When this paper contacted Thornton, he responded, “That statement is incorrect. ’ ’ Claxton also explained, this

SESQUICENTBWIAt IND T A~ N~A f T

35 e

NUMBER 43

whole thing surfaced the first time two years ago and Superintendent Kenneth Webster investigated the matter and “found there was no substance to it.” No actions were taken nathe matter at that time. Stressful In a nearly tearful voice Donna Pollen conveyed, “Needless to say, this has been extremely stressful for me, my husband and my family. It’s always hard to fight for your beliefs.” She concluded, “I only had Kevin one semester in the fifth grade, that’s all I ever had him as a student — I haven’t seen him in years. ” At the conclusion of the conference Claxton said, “We’re publicly asking for the school board to sit down and resolve this matter with us instead of having it go to a full scale hearing.” Thornton declared, “We are going to a hearing.” Sittier suspended at Manchester NORTH MANCHESTER — Former Warsaw and Manchester High School basketball coach, Tom Sittier, has been suspended with pay since Nov. 18 over a classroom incident. Sittier is accused of angrily tipping over a students desk in the teacher’s Manchester High School classroom. The incident occurred Nov. 13. Parents of the student asked school officials to look into the incident but did not demand disciplinary action against Sutler. The student was not injured. Wabash County Superintendent John Eckert is studying the matter and Manchester Principal, Jim Smith, has recommended Sittier be fired.