The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 2, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 February 1988 — Page 1

Milford 658-4 I<l & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 27

Wuthrich wants to see MAD function as C of C

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer The need for a chamber of commerce in Milford and a request for Milford Area Development Council, Inc., to become involved in that capacity, did not receive a decision during the council’s board of directors’ meeting last Saturday. The request had come from Dennis Wuthrich, town board president. Wuthrich stated he would like to see that group become involvSyracuse responds to IDEM The Syracuse Town Board met in special session on Monday night, Feb. 22, to review 28 technical engineering conditions listed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) which the town must agree to meet as its major sewer improvement project progresses. After the conditions had been read and commented on by Joe Dock, utilities superintendent, and Randy Lindley, project engineer for TenEch Engineering Inc., Bill Hess, acting town board chairman, was given authorization to respond that the Town of Syracuse will comply with the conditions. As a result of this step, the letter from IDEM now serves as a construction permit to continue with the project on which construction will be beginning this spring. Bids from contractors will be opened on Monday, Feb. 29, at 2 p.m. at the Syracuse Town Hall. Interested citizens are invited to attend this bid opening at which bids will be reviewed and given to Dock for engineering analysis. The three phases of the project are treatment plant, collection equipment and sludge handling equipment.

Big Wheel variance approved

I By GLEN LONG Staff Writer Rick Noca, real estate manager for Fisher’s Big Wheel, New Castle, Pa., came to a Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meeting on Thursday night, Feb. 18, with his homework done and was able to state his case clearly and concisely. His efforts paid off as the four BZA members present voted unanimously to grant Big Wheel a variance to design the parking facilities at its planned new store in north Syracuse with 238 parking spaces instead of the 387 originally called for by the zoning board. Noca said his company’s experience at its 88 stores in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia shows that except for special holiday shopping times only as many as 80 to 85 percent of their parking spaces are normally occupied, 60 to 75 vehicles at a time. He compared the 38,700 sq. ft. building planned for Syracuse with the 57,000 sq. ft. Warsaw and Goshen Big Wheel stores, which he said are two of., their best 10 stores in the country. Each of these larger stores has 225 parking spaces, which he said is very adequate. The representative said the planned parking facilities will use virtually all the space available to the company. He answered that the store will be hooked on to city water and sewer and will be required by the state to install a water retention basin to control run-off of surface water. In response to questions from board members, Noca said that a permit for acceleration and deceleration lanes have been applied for along with the request

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ed as far as acting as the chamber, since the town does not have one and new business is needed in the community. “We need a group to function in that capacity,” commented Wuthrich. The town board president stated the town can get funds for new businesses but a group is needed. “I always thought that was the original intent of this group,” he stated, asking to be corrected if in error. During the discussion it was noted some time back MAD had somewhat acted in that capacity and started working on a brochure. Pictures of the town were taken and paid for, but further work was never done. Also noted was the Economic Development Council that was started several times and dropped because some business owners did not have the time to meet. One comment was made that some residents of Milford did not want the town to grow, wanting to keep the small town effect. Wuthrich quickly responded

Committee formed to study county waste disposal

I By GLEN LONG Staff Writer * The concern of how or where solid wastes in Kosciusko County will be disposed of when present dump sites are full was the subject of a meeting on Tuesday night, Feb. 23, at the county courthouse. John Cupp, county sanitarian, called the meeting for the purpose of creating an ad hoc committee of concerned citizens to study intergovernmental approaches to waste disposal. Cupp had intended to name a nine-member committee, but soon realized other groups need to be represented. As a result the named committee, which will hold its first meeting at the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce office at 313 S. Buffalo St. on March 17 at 7:30 p.m., will number 12 people. Members named so far include

for a 36 ft. wide access from SR 13. He added that the store will employ 45 people, 10 full-time and the rest part-time. Other temporaries will be hired to get the store stocked and ready to open. Remonstrators Present Janet Spearman read a letter from her father, Delbert Whitehead, who owns property in the area. His letter expressed concern that the planned Big Wheel store would cause more surface water run-off onto his property, thus making worse an existing drainage problem. Noca answered that the structure would not add to the problem and Joe Todd, the realtor who plans to sell the ground, stated

i s' M Ate t f.III El f mF > ■afl Ik-Mft. EaH \ ■r -1 I B SYRACUSE BZA IN SESSION — Rick Noca, left, looks on as Bill Scherer, Syracuse, shows BZA members the access road north of Syracuse which he and a neighbor now maintain. His concern was that if the road was opened for use to Big Wheel it would increase traffic and required maintenance. He was assured it would not be used by Big Wheel. Seated from the left are BZA members Sharon Runge, Jean Rogers, Joe Hughes and vice chairman Bob Carroll. Their unanimous vote cleared another hurdle for Fisher’s Big Wheel as they plan to build in Syracuse. (Photo by Glen Long)

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

without growth in the town, tax rates will increase and those not wanting growth will be first ones to complain about high taxes. Hoosier Celebration ’BB Discussed John Replogle, president, asked the board’s feeling on planning a “homecoming” for Milford this year for the Hoosier’s Celebration ’BB program. Wuthrich commented he filled out forms for the celebration in 1985 and tried to get a committee formed for the celebration through those who were working on the sesquicentennial celebration. Also in filling out the forms, a project being worked on and planned for completion in 1988 was listed — the Milford Public Library Project. Replogle noted he attended the Milford Alumni Banquet board meeting and received approval to include on the alumni banquet cards to “Come On Home” for the event. An idea was also suggested to possibly host another open house at the library.

John Weyler and Gerald Romine from the County Board of Health; Deb Wiggins, from the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce; Dr. James J. Bohlin DDS, representing lake associations and environmentalist groups; Mike Lewis, of Lewis Salvage in Warsaw and Akron; land fill operators Harlan Beer and Dan Ransbottom; and Gregg Purvis from Hoosier Waste Systems. Other members will soon be named to represent the county commissioners and area plan commission, the city of Warsaw and the county council. Cupp said the county needs to put together a plan like some neighboring counties are doing and that the committee is to make recommendations of a general consensus of direction. He stated he hopes the committee will furnish recommendations to (Continued on page 2)

the new retention pond will, in fact, improve the existing water problem. Another neighbor, Bill Scherer, said he is pleased if the new store will help get city water and sewer lines extended to his area. He asked if an access road, which he and Andy Roach now maintain, would be opened into the Big Wheel property. Todd said the short road ends 100 to 150 ft. from the store property. Noca added that me only access his company • will have is from SR 13. Wilma Manning, who lives at the end of Harrison Street asked if it would be opened into the parking lot. The answer from

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24,1988

A committee consisting of Robert and Betty Hall, Pastor Dale Kuhns, Deb Patterson and Replogle was named to present suggestions at the March meeting. The board voted to donate funds toward the Kosciusko County Scholarship Pageant. Several Milford girls have won in the past. The exact amount to be donated will be decided upon once more information is obtained. Mrs. Hall stated the Mentone Chamber of Commerce has been picking up the franchise fee of S3OO and now feels other communities should become involved. She noted chambers of commerce will also be asked and , volunteers to help serve on the scholarship committee are being sought. Don Arnold, treasurer, gave I the financial report and noted 88 I individual memberships, at $lO each, and 25 businesses, $25 each, have been .received from the mail-out campaign in January. The amount is down from last year when 128 individuals and 30 businesses responded to help support the community building. He noted he knew of a few memberships still to come. He encouraged anyone wanting to be a member, but not sending in the membership fee, to do so. He also reported that one-third of the membership forms received responded to who should be recognized in the Milford Area Recognition Banquet. As expected, the two outstanding responses thus far have been the emergency medical service and Milford Fire Department. Elmer Sorensen, building maintenance, reported the outside of the community building will be checked for damage from the fire, when the weather is fit. Replogle noted the presence of four new people joining the board: Pastor Kuhns, representing the ministerial association; Dennis Replogle, EMS representative; Wuthrich; and Hall, an interested individual who has offered to assist in the building maintenance if needed. , The next meeting of the bpard will be Saturday, March 12? at 9 a.m. in the community building.

Noca was, “No, our access will only be from SR 13. The motion to grant the parking variance was made by Jean Rogers with the stipulation that entrances to the commercial site would be constructed as on the engineering plan before the board. BZA members present were Sharon Runge, Jean Rogers, Joe Hughes and Bob Carroll, who was chairman in the absence of Chairman Jim Tranter. Noca said his company plans to begin construction in Syracuse in May and hopes to open in the fall of 1988. The store will be the third Big Wheel in Indiana.

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PERSON OF THE YEAR — Alice Rinker, business owner, was named the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year, at the annual chamber banquet Monday. Mrs. Rinker was presented with a glass plate and a dozen roses. The

Thornton speaks —

Alice Rinker named by North Webster C of C

Text and Photos By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Alice Rinker was named the North Webster/Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce’s Person of the Year, during the chamber’s annual banquet Monday evening. The guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Roger Thornton, superintendent for the Wawasee Community School Corporation. Richard Long, principal of the North Webster School, presided as master of ceremonies during the evening. In announcing the Person of the Year, Long stated this year’s recipient used to be a laker, a long time ago, and is now a local business owner. He noted Mrs. Rinker has been active in the community for a number of years. Noting some of her activities, Long stated she has been active in the North Webster Lady Lions and in charge of the Mermaid Festival Cutie Parade for some time. She was involved in getting the North Webster Day Care established and is serving on its board as well as on the International Palace of Sports Board. “Anytime something happens in this community, there is one person you can depend upon. She’s always there,” commented Long. He added Mrs. Rinker has EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 2 The subscription price of The Mail-Journal will increase to >17.50 per year for in-county subscribers and $23.50 for out-of-county subscribers, effective March 2. The counter sale price will remain at 35 cents per copy. Subscribers will have until March 2 to renew their subscriptions at the current rate. Persons over the age of 65 will Continue to receive their 10 percent discount on subscriptions.

stated as long aS she can get out and keep going she will help the community always move forward. “She puts the community up front,” noted Long before announcing the rec pient. Mrs. Rinker, w ho was not going to attend due to a grandchild in his first play in Anderson, was let in on the award presentation earlier that morning, to assure her attendance. “I’ve done a lot of things and I love doing it,” she Fs DR. ROGER THORNTON noted, adding that she couldn’t have done it without the people in the community. “We have the nicest little town there is.” She was present ed with a dozen red roses and an engraved glass plate. Family members attending the special eveht included her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Charles (Dixie) Pryor; and grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Greg (Debbie) Evans. Also making a surprise a ipearance was her brother-in-law, Kenny Lewis, Anderson. Mrs. Rinker, who will be 73 years old in March is the mother of four children and has nine grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Renew Interest In Kids Dr. Thornton sjoke to the approximately 30 chamber

Person of the Year will be an annual event. Shown in the photo are Richard Long, master of ceremonies for the event; Mrs. Rinker; and Ed Clayton, outgoing chamber president.

members and spouses present concerning why the school corporation feels it is important to renew a commitment in the Business Education Partnership. “We are not here to ask for more money. We are here to ask for your time, renewed interest and mentoring of kids,” stated Dr. Thornton. Throughout his talk, a major point was made: the kids have not changed, society has. To point out this fact, Dr. Thornton noted “one thing we know for sure in business as well as education -*■ next year and the years after will not be like the past year.” He said there will be great changes in society as well as in education, calling for an “increasing need for people in the community to be involved with kids,” and to give them the experience they had that made them the kind of adults they are today and to offer those same life experiences. Showing the difference in years past with the future, Dr. Thornton said, depending whose figures are taken, a 58 percent increase in population is expected by the year 2000. Changes in the make

1987 Kosciusko County

Court revenues report

Figures reported recently to the Indiana State Court Administrator’s Office revealed the Kosciusko County Court generated a total of $465,995.71 in revenue during the 1987 calendar year. That figure represents an increase in court revenues of $85,785.26 over the previous high of $380,210.45 recorded by the court in 1986. The formula for distribution of those funds provides that $329,178.56 be paid to the State of Indiana, with $132,429.11 to be paid to Kosciusko County. The balance of $4,388.04 is paid to other local political subdivisions, chiefly the City of Warsaw. The source of the income is the collection of fines and court costs

NUMBER 2

up of that figure: 1980 14.9 percent of the residents were 60 years old or older and by 2000 that figure will increase to 15.5 percent. In that same period the percentage of the population over 50 will increase from 34.3 percent to about 41.5 percent. Other changes he noted included the level of education. In 1940, 38 percent of the population between 25-29 years of age, achieved a high school diploma or equivalent; 1960 it was 61 percent; 1975,83 percent. “Today we expect, while at the time of graduation 75 percent have a diploma, by the time they are 29 years old some 86 percent will achieve a diploma or equivalent. “Another change is the number of active workers,” he said. In 1950,17 active workers supported one retiree, by 1982, three active workers supported one retiree with one of those workers being a minority. Dr. Thornton cited statistics for those students beginning school in 1986 which shows: 25 percent are from families living in pover(Continued on page 2)

by the court during the calendar year. Due to a legislative change occurring during th 1986-87 session of the Indiana General Assembly, a greater percentage of the cumulative court costs are paid to county and city governments. In 1986, prior to that legislative change, Kosciusko County received $66,362 of the-court’s total revenue of $380,210.45. During that same calendar year, the. City of Warsaw received S3O of the court’s total revenue. The benefit of the new distribution formula to local governmental entities is quite evident by the relative distribution of this year’s funds.

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