The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 45, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 December 1987 — Page 2

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 23,1987

Public meeting January 12 on Syracuse Elementary addition

(By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer A special question and answer session to discuss plans for the Syracuse Elementary o School addition construction was set by the school board for Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. The addition is for the purpose of providing additional classrooms for Syracuse Elementary students in grades K-5. The special meeting time was set during the board’s appropriation and tax anticipation warrant hearing Tuesday evening, Dec. 22, at the administration building. The cost of the addition is estimated at over $1 million and will be financed through bonds, the cumulative building funds, or other methods if they become available. During the meeting, board

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LIFE MEMBERSHIP — Arch Baumgartner, a member of the Milford Lions Club, was presented a Life Membership award at the club’s annual Christmas party Monday night. The award was requested by the Milford club members and approved by the organization's International Board. He received a life membership certificate, tab and silver card and a letter of congratulations from the association’s International President Judge Brian Stevenson of Canada. The award was a surprise for Baumgartner. In attendance at the Christmas party and for the presentation were his wife, Della; his son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Gloria Baumgartner; and his granddaughters, Criss and Jen. Baumgartner joined the Milford Lions Club in 1945 and has been an active member since that time. He has served the club in a number of offices, including President. He has taken an active part in the club’s projects and has served as district 25-G’s photographer. He is currently serving as editor of the state Lions’ newspaper, The Hoosier Lion which is printed bi-monthly in Milford. Pictured from left are Past District Governor and club Secretary D. G. (“Bud”) Seely, who made the presentation; Baumgartner; and Milford Lions Club President Kent Doty.

Last in a series

Guatemalax A first hand Peace Corp workers

Kurt worked tirelessly to ensure our success. Without Kurt's assistance, my job as mission leader would have been enormously more difficult. — Richard D. Myrick, VOSH 1987 Guatemala mission leader By Editor JERI AND BUD SEELY This, the last article on Guatemala, focuses not on the Lions of Indiana or on the VOSH mission we participated in, but on the American Peace Corp workers in Central America. , Ever since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corp in 1961, we have had an awareness of the existence of such an organization, but never before have we had a chance to see the corp in action. When we made plans last spring to go to Guatemala, we were told that the work site would be in a school in the town of Cuilapa and a young Peace Corp volunteer, Kurt Pope, was already hard at work to ensure the success of our Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity mission. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Pope of Indianapolis, Kurt enlisted the help of other Guatemalan Peace Corp workers. They worked side by side with the Lions and VOSH group, serving as our interpreters. One or the other of them was always there, helping where and when he or she could. Both Kurt and his new bride, Veronica, were at the airpent in Guatemala City when the VOSH team arrived. He worked with the Guatemalan Lions to speed up our entrance into the country and to help retrieve our luggage, sav ing us the hassle that some people have with the customs officials in a foreign country. Veronica joined him in helping to get the passports back to their rightful b >

members will discuss the educa- , tional purposes and needs for the community, and go over the cost of the project. Additionally, the project scope, fiscal and tax rate impact, plus a project timeline will be presented Objections by the public will also be heard as well as questions and support of the proposed construction. -; The board announced during its November 10 meeting that property would need to be purchased before an addition could be constructed at the Syracuse site. Shortly after that, the purchase of three lots for $65,000 from Larry Weaver took place. The property has two houses on it which will be removed before March 1,1988, and will be used as an elementary playground area. The expansion of the Syracuse school is scheduled to begin immediately with at least two classrooms to be finished on or before school starts in the fall of 1988. The building program is then scheduled to continue at a rapid pace so that the entire pro-

owners. He traveled with us to and from Cuilapa on the bus, relating facts about the people and the country as we traveled. Rick Myrick, the VOSH mission leader, in a letter to the Peace Corp of Guatemala, noted the fact that Kurt was instrumental in planning and coordination of our project and that Kurt had the highest regard for the people of Cuilapa and nearby villages as well as for the 35 VOSH volunteers. Myrick also noted Kurt’s obvious compassion for the people of Santa Rosa (the state where Cuilapa is located). Kurt, a school teacher before joining the Peace Corp, is teaching the people of Cuilapa English and wants to build a library for the town. It will give the young people there a place to gather and enjoy each other’s company. He must, however, raise around $3,500 before this project can be completed. Kurt told us he has been in Guatemala about V/2 years. He and Veronica, who is from Antigua, will take a belated honeymoon sometime in mid-1988 and then will return to Indianapolis. He told us Peace Corp workers are paid a small amount in Guatemala (about 150 quetzals per month). This, he said, makes them more effective If they received larger salaries and lived above the people, they would be ineffective and their projects would be nil. They have no cars, no televisions, but live like the middle class people of Guatemala or “maybe a little lower.” The 150 quetzals is about as much money as a school teacher makes. Kurt explained that an allotment is also deposited in an account for Peace Corp workers so when they return to the United States they have money to live on while looking for a job. There are 200 Peace Corp workers in Guatemala. All go through 14 weeks of intensive k Y •

ject will hp finished in as short a time span as possible. In an earlier meeting, Superintendent Roger Thornton noted concerning the playground area problem during construction, “We’re going to hurt in the spring, but there is really no way around it.” He went on to explain, as a long term goal, the old part of the Syracuse school will come down and outside physical education space will be made available. He commented, currently students are traveling nearly three blocks to Vega Field for physical education and though the walking exercise is helpful, the 1 time left for class activities is less than needed. The project will be handled by Barton, Coe and Villema on the basis of a 5‘6 percent architectural fee. Other Business The State Bank of Syracuse was awarded the corporation’s tax anticipation warrant bid. The local bank quoted the corporation a 5.29 percent interest rate for

training in Guatemala City prior to being placed in the villages. They adapt to life in the country and learn the culture and the language. Kurt is working in youth development and is trying to involve the young people of Cuilapa in a lot of different types of activities ~ including sporting events, math and English classes — in order to teach them responsibilities. The Hoosier Peace Corp worker said the families are very poor and have 10-12-15 kids. One family in Cuilapa has 18 children. With such large families, the parents can’t give each child the love and attention they need on an individual basis. He and the others working with youth development are trying to take these youngsters under their wings and show them someone cares. He said they aren’t always successful but when they are there is a lot of hope. He’s also trying to teach them that the people in the USA care. ♦ Not A Vacation Kurt stressed the fact that a lot of thought must go into becoming a Peace Corp worker. Potential applicants must ask themselves, “Is it really what I want to do?” They need to be prepared. Foreign countries are not like the United States. It’s not a vacation. “Sometimes you’re sad. Sometimes you get mad. Sometimes,” he said, “I get confused. Sometimes, I get frustrated. I live in a town of 10,000 Guatemalans and I don’t have another white person to turn to. If I have to turn to someone, it has to be a Guatemalan and I have to speak in his language. If you want to join the Peace Corp, you need to prepare yourself. If it’s not what you want, don't do it.” He said he did prepare for the job. He thought about ttfora-long time before deciding it Was a stop he wanted to take. Kurt was asked if he felt he

both the $1,000,000 general fund and the $150,000 transportation fund. The bid was the best and lowest bid and the monies will be drawn on January 4,1988 and repaid on June 30. There were six other bids received by the corporation which were as follows: Summers Company at a 6.3 percent rate; First National Bank of Warsaw with a six percent; Merchants National Bank at 5.61 percent; Indiana National Bank at 5.7 percent on general fund and 5.75 percent on transportation; Bank One, Indianapolis, had 5.625 percent; and Clayton Brown and Associates Inc. handed in 5.7 percent bid. It was also announced the corporation had accepted the bid of Indiana Insurance on December 14 for its insurance needs. The breakdown of the tabulation form shows that the corporation will be paying $69,695 for property insurance, which is S6B over last year. Automobile comprehensive for 1988 will be $15,714, which is $2,581 over the 1987 cost. Business manager Roger Kryder noted that only two bids were received and that although Farm Bureau Insurance handed

Post office to close & The Milford Post Office will be closed the following two Saturdays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, according to Postmaster Nancy Kurzhal. me information/ which was released late this morning, is in contrast with the story on the post office, found elsewhere in this issue and printed earlier. The post office will remain open until 5 p.m. tomorrow, Christmas Eve.

Trustee, advisory board refuse to approve Webster's Fire Chief

IBy DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer A routine approval of officers for the North Webster/Tippecanoe Township Fire Department was not so routine last even-

would return to Indiana as a better person after two years in Guatemala. His reply, “I’ll come back changed.” He was in Indianapolis last August for the Pan Am games and said that he now realizes that looking at the USA from Guatemala is like looking in a window. “I can tell you one thing,” he said. “I will never, never ever again in my life take advantage of or overlook the way of life that we have. I took advantage of that before because I didn’t know how others lived. “I don’t know why we have these things or why our lifestyle is the way it is, but it’s something that you can’t take for granted. I will never take the things we have for granted again because I have seen how other people live.” He is, however, happy with his life in Guatemala. It’s full of fascinating things. It’s a small country of eight million people with a big contrast of cultures. Half of the population is pure Indian, others are Indian and Spanish mix. Kurt related the fact that a person can climb a volcano and then be at the beach the same day. The climate is perfect with the temperatures ranging from the 60s to the 90s. How To Join Questioned about what a person who wanted to join the Peace Corp should do, Kurt said there is information in University Placement offices and there are commercials on television which give information. He was quick to note film crews were in Cuilapa about six months ago to make a television commercial. After finding information and deciding it is something a person wants to do, he or she should find the nearest recruiting center. The people in these centers will answer questions and are always willing to help. There are many categories of work. Some are nurses and work in the health field, others are call—ed fish people, he explained, and help the people to cultivate fish ponds. The agriculture people set

; in a bid which was $1,499 less, the fact that it was a variable rate made it unacceptable. “My concern is if we had one major vehicle accident, we would quickly use up the premium and be put on a higher rate,” said Kryder. He also explained this year’s policy covers three more vehicles and gives coverage for three vehicles for outside use. He said the total bill would be paid on quarterly payments, interest free. Final transfer of appropriations within each fund were approved during the meeting, at which time it was noted the corporation will be closing out the year with approximately a $120,000 cash balance. However, Thornton explained at the November 4 tax hearing the state tax board gave the corporation figures totaling $1,466,143. But on December 22, the corporation received $1,546,208.06, which was $80,065.06 higher than originally stipulated. In conclusion, Thornton stated, “It has been about a year now that I’ve been here, and I’d say it has been an exciting and enjoyable year.”

ing for the township advisory board. A resolution, adopted one year ago, led to a misunderstanding and conflict in the appointment of a fire chief. The outcome, following lengthy discussion, was the appointment of the

up nurseries. There is a program like 4-H where people work with the young people of the rural area and there are national park people who are trying to set up recreational areas. From Washington One day the VOSH work site had a special visitor. He was Robert Collin of Washington, D. C. Collin is the desk officer in charge of all Peace Corp workers in Guatemala and Honduras and was on a trip to Central America so he could see the workers on the job and learn first hand the problems they have to face. He was in hopes that his visit would help him to better help the workers and the people of the country when he returned to Washington. He would, he said, have a better understanding of the needs in Guatemala. In the nation’s capital, he channels requests for different types of people that the countries need to the recruitment offices. He also serves as a liaison officer for the two countries and answers questions for people. Collin said the qualifications for Peace Corp workers included being flexible. He commented on the fact that it is hard to describe what the jobs are going to be like and the people have to be ready for anything. They also must have a technical skill, depending on what’s needed. “One of the biggest concerns for the people going to Central America to work is the war,” said the Washington official. He was quick to note that both Guatemala and Honduras have a good concept of Americans and of the Peace Corp volunteers. “The average Joe on the street,” he said, “isn’t affected by the war in Nicaragua or by the gorillas.” Asked about what he was seeing, he said the volunteers are very well accepted. They are happy in their communities and the people are very happy with the volunteers. “Some very positive things are being done," he concluded. A Good Deal Bud questioned a young woman

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CONTINUANCE GRANTED — A continuance was granted to Milford school teacher Donna Pollen on Thursday, Dec. 17, at which time the hearing was to have taken place. She has been on paid suspension since September 10 when allegations that she had sexual relations with a former student were made against her. In the photo from left are; Randy Pollen, Mrs. Pollen’s husband; Mrs. Pollen; and attorney John Bloom, defense counselor. (Photo by Carla Gaff)

Teacher granted continuance on Wawasee behavior hearing

IBy CARLA GAFF Staff Writer A continuance was granted to Milford school teacher Donna Pollen after it was announced that she had only recently sought private counsel. Pollen was to have appeared at a public hearing scheduled for December 17, 18 and 19, at which time the full allegations against her and her defense were to have been heard. The public hearing is now scheduled for January 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the Wawasee High School auditorium. “I was contacted only six days ago,” explained attorney John Bloom, “because Donna did not know she could reqiiest legal assistance and therefore had none. I would respectively re-

list of officers with the chief being appointed when a qualified person’s name is presented to the board. “We have a potential officer elected by the membership that, according to the resolution is not /Qualified,” commented Richard

from Massachusetts about her feelings on the VOSH mision and the work we were doing. She said she felt the people were very appreciative of what was being done for them. She said many were taking advantage of a good deal. “It’s something they couldn’t get otherwise, because they can’t afford it,” she added. Asked what she would do if she could change life in Guatemala, Pam, who is a nurse by profession, answered with the fact that she would give everyone a little piece of land so they could grow their own food and feed their children. She said the people in the town where she worked loved Americans. Many, she said, had relatives in California and

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DEDICATED WORKERS — Members of the American Peace Corp worked by our side in Cuilapa. In the photo on the left, Ted Collister, a VOSH worker from Kansas, and Kurt Pope of Indianapolis take a minute to discuss the happenings of the day. Kurt, a school teacher, has been In Guatemala about 1 years and will be returning to Indiana sometime next summer. In the photo on the right Peace Corp workers from Tennessee and Arizona work with people in the dispensary. Paul is shown with the woman on the left and Jeff Is working with the woman on the right. In the background is Jane Tieman of Georgia, daughter of the Charles Haffners of Syracuse (Photos by Jeri Seely)

quest a continuance to a date in which Mr. Whiteleather and myself could be adequately ready.” Prior to this time, Pollen was to be represented by Indiana State Teacher’s Association Director, Jim Claxton. Although legal assistance has been brought in, Claxton announced, “I am still involved and will continue to assist in the case.” The board granted the continuance after a private polling of members’ thoughts, in which counselor Charles Rubright assisted them. Rubright is serving as special counsel for the board and ied them into an executive session during the public meeting, which is in direct violation of Indiana’s Open Door Law. Pollen has been on paid suspension since September 10, at which time allegations that she had been sexually involved with a student were made against her The

Mitchell, township trustee at the opening of the meeting. The meeting was called for the matter and township attorney, Robert Reed, Syracuse, was present. The board met in a public meeting for approximately 10

Florida. She said the people in the villages feel that Americans are rich and it’s a little like Santa Claus when VOSH missions and others come down because they wouldn’t be helped otherwise. Questioned as to why she joined the Peace Corp, she said there were many reasons. “I like to travel and I like the adventure. I wanted to help and to learn a different language.” Kimf is froiA Minnesota and worked with beekeepers. She was putting in her! last week in Guatemala at tMe time we were there/Kim was nappy to be turnthe USA foriChristmas but was glad to have served the people of her community in Guatemala. Valarie is from Texas and

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incident was to have taken place over a seven-year period, beginning when the student was 13 years old. During a media conference two weeks ago, Claxton noted that the involvement was to have taken place with Kevin Harney in the Pollen home. He was a neighbor, a student, and a frequent passenger to and from school in the Pollen vehicle. The issue surfaced after Pollen reported Harney’s younger brother to school officials for driving his automobile through the Milford Elementary School parking lot in a dangerous manner. However, the entire matter was not revealed until 2M> weeks ago. The school corporation has not made a public statement about the suspension and Superintendent Roger Thornton has not made a recommendation at this time. Additional information about the matter will be covered by this paper as it becomes available.

minutes, before adjourning into an executive session on the issue. The reporter from The MailJournal noted the Indiana Open Door Law stating an executive session can not be conducted during a meeting and that a meeting (Continued on page 13)

works with youngsters between the ages of nine and 20 in a 4-H club-type project. Jeff is from Arizona and works with a sports program with the young people of his community. He said baseball is a favorite. We were too busy working to remember the last names of these young Americans who are working hard to help the people of this Central American country to better themselves. For that, we apologize. However, we worked close enough with many of them to know that when they return to the USA after two years in Guatemala, the people there will be better off because of the work they are doing and we are better off for having seen the Peace Corp in action.