The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 2, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 February 1988 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., February 24,1988

Editorial

Are you registered to vote? If you are one of the many people in the Lakeland area who are not registered to vote... it is your patriotic duty to do so and to vote in the primary election this spring and then in the general election in the fall. “Oh, hum... my vote doesn’t count,” you say. Wrong. Every vote counts. However, as with most happenings, there are rules. For voting, the first rule is simple. If you aren’t registered, you can’t vote. Persons who have moved from one precinct to another, who have moved to the area or who have not voted for two years and have not reinstated their registration should check with the county clerk’s office. The final registration date for the May 3 primary is April 4. Both the Republican and Democratic precinct committeemen and women are registering people. In addition, Syracuse and Turkey Creek Township voters may register with the assessor or the clerk-treasurer’s office in the Syracuse Town Hall until March 18. It’s'simple. It doesn’t hurt. It only takes a minute. It’s your right. It’s your duty. If you aren’t registered to vote, do it now! Potholes aren't the only problem Once again, Mother Nature is drawing our attention to a serious and often overlooked problem. The seemingly endless winter cycle of wet weather and freeze/thaw temperatures is again playing havoc with our roads and bridges. While those bone-rattling potholes might be a boon to hub cap collectors, for most of us, they are traffic-delaying, car-slaying headaches. And nowhere is the problem more serious than on our bridges. Sometimes those potholes get so deep that you can actually see through the bridge surface. The usual solution, of course, is to put temporary patches on the potholes and wait it out until road funds become available for major rehabilitation work. That often takes years. Our bridges, however, may not be able to wait that long. According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, a report issued last year by the U.S. Department of Transportation offers some sobering statistics. (Jpvernment inspectors have found that 42 percent of the nation’s 575,000 bridges are either “structurally deficient” or “functionally obsolete.” And, the roadbuilders say, we’re not making any headway in fixing them. The number of bridges that deteriorate to substandard condition each year, roughly equals the number that get repaired or replaced. Here in Indiana, the report shows that an alarming 51 percent of 0urJ7,603 bridges are deficient in some way. In the face of this serious problem, last year Congress cut bridge repair funding by 20 percent, to $1.6 billion over each of the next four years. That is not enough. The U.S. DOT report, says $51.4 billion is needed to replace or rehabilitate all deficient bridges in the nation. Obviously, it is going to take time to get a job of this magnitude done. But we need to get on with it. Congress should take the lead by restoring — no, expanding — needed bridge repair money. Funds are available for this purpose in the user-supported federal Highway Trust Fund, which now has a “checkbook” balance in excess of $8 billion. By combining at least some of this money with matching state funds, we could start making real progress in the bridge area. A rough road surface is one thing. A deficient bridge that carries commuter traffic and school buses full of kids is quite another. It is an unacceptable risk. What others say — The double whammy! There was a character in the old Li’l Abner comic strip who had the power of an ‘’evil eye.” When aroused, he would zap his enemies with a “whammy.” when really mad, he would let loose with a “double whammy.” On Jan. 1, the working men and women of this country got hit with a double whammy. Whammy number one was a jump in the Social Security tax rate from 7.15 percent to 7.51 percent. Whammy number two was an increase in the taxable base from $43,800 to $45,000. In 1987, the maximum tax a worker paid into Social Security was $3,131.70. In 1988, it will be $3,379.50, or $247.80 more, a jump of 7.9 percent. Os course, those are only half totals. Every employee’s contribution to Social Security is matched by his employer. In reality, it is just a variation of he old shell game — now you see it and now you don’t — to deceive workers about how much they really pay into the system. The money your employer pays on your behalf is actually part of your wages that you never see. In 1988, workers earning $45,000 or more will pay $6,759 into the Social Security system. We are fast approaching the time when Social Security taxes will supplant federal and state income taxes as the primary bite on workers’ paychecks. Indeed, for many workers at lower income levels this is already the case. You have to earn a few dollars before the Internal Revenue Service puts its hand out; Social Security takes its cut beginning with the first nickel. As the Social Security bite grows, it acts increasingly as a deterrent to job creation. Not even the self-employed are free of the burden. In fact, the Social Security tax on self-employed workers jumped even higher — 8 percent — than for others. It is not by accident that elderly Americans today enjoy the lowest poverty rate of any demographic group. Since the early 19705, they have been insured against inflation. Unfortunately, the workers who pay the tab enjoy no such insurance. With each passing year, the gap grows and the financial burden upon workers becomes greater. The system is clearly unjust and unnecessary. It exists solely because of special interest politics. The growing ranks of the elderly are a powerful lobby, and Washington is full of skilled operators who know how to translate that awesome power into legislation. But what is good for retirees is not necessarily good for the country, especially when it flows from a system that is so out of balance that it threatens to undermine our economy. Sooner or later we must come to an understanding that we are all — young and old — in this together and that the benefits and burdens should be shared equally. Payment increases to Social Security recipients — as well as federal service and military retirees — should be based upon real increases in the ability of workers to pay. For example, if the cost of living goes up 5 percent in a given year, and the average workers’ income goes up only 3 percent, then retirees should receive no more than 3 percent, just like the people who pay the tab. That would greatly ease the financial burden. More important, it would be FAIR! - THE FAIRBURY, ILL., BLADE

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ VOTE! ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Every American should vote

Court news

City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Violation of seat belt law — Stanton R. Thomas, 30, Syracuse, $25 Speeding — James A. Rohrbaugh, 28, Syracuse, $54; Robert C. Greene, 22, Syracuse, S6B; Kathie A. Jones, 21, Syracuse, $73, ordered to attend Defensive Driver’s School; Elaine K. Fidler, 24, Syracuse, $63; Terry L. Senders, 29, Syracuse, S6B Expired driver’s license — Fay R. Sellers, 42, Syracuse, $54 Disregarding signal indicating approaching train — Chester D. Elder, Sr., 55, Syracuse, dismissed County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: False Registration — Tony Daugherty, 24, Leesburg, S6O. Speeding — Randy Hickman, no age, Leesburg, SBO. Speeding — Summer L. Bright, 21, North Webster, SBO Elkhart County Court Goshen Division The following fines plus court costs have been levied and paid in the Elkhart County Court, Goshen Division: Speeding — Teresa K. Boyer, 21, Syracuse, $63; Jeff D. Iden, 29, North Webster, $63; Daniel L. Spurling, 33, Syracuse, $63 Circuit Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint On Note ITT Financial Services, 131 S. Main St., P.O. Box 1085, Elkhart, versus Victoria Burns, r 5 box 2475, Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks judgement in the sum of $1,428.77 plus interest, cost and attorney fees. Complaint Steve J. Jordan and Diane R. Jordan, no address given, vs State of Indiana. Governor

Letter to the editor

Sandinistas atrocity committed

Dear Editor: I’ve read many “Letters to the Editor” from peace group people, who have been in Nicaragua, telling of Contras killing and terrorizing many civilians, etc. Although there’s some exaggeration, all of it can’t be condoned. Many of these incidents are at or around co-ops and CEPAD facilities which aid the Sandinistas. The Contras consider them basically Sandinista, therefore, military targets. Some atrocities are committed by individual Contras and not the policy of the Contras. Unfortunately, civilians are killed, etc., more so in a guerrilla-type war. Sandinistas acknowledge they have to tolerate some religion. The Evangelical Committee for Aid to Development (CEPAD) is a religious organization set up by the Sandinistas to support the Committee for the Defense of the Sandinistas (CDS). Ministers, who join and abide by their rules, somewhat, have their churches’ needs met and have other privileges. Some ministers join out of necessity. Those ministers, who won’t compromise their Christian faith by joining CDS, professing support to the Sandinistas, are persecuted, sometimes brutally tortured, according to CWA. Concerned Women for America (CWA) has been active in Central America. Teams have talked to hundreds of refugees and found no ill-treatment by Contras. Although refugees told many atrocity committed by Sandinistas, homes burned, family members gunned down, Sandinista snatched up children and never seen again, etc.; also, heard harrowing experiences by refugees, fleeing through the jungles to safety in Costa Rica. CWA has a mission in Costa Rica to provide humanitarian aid for some refugees. Five hundred

Robert Orr, State House, 200 W. Washington, Indianapolis and Attorney General Linley Person, State House, 200 W. Washington, Indianapolis; Department of Highways for the State of Indiana, John Isenbarger, Department of Highways, 1101 State Office Building, Indianapolis; County of Kosciusko, Board of Commissioners, 100 W. Center ST.,.Warsaw; County of Kosciusko Highway Department, Kenneth Traylor, County Highway Department, r 1 box 442-Old Road 30-E; Township of Tippecanoe, Richard Mitchell, Tippecanoe Township Trustee, P.O. Box, North Webster; Roger Perkins, P.O. Box 5351, Evansville; Farm Service and Supplies, Inc., P.O. Box 5351, Evansville; and Linda Taylor, r 1 Armstrong Road, Leesburg. Plaintiff seeks judgment of: Count I reasonable sum of damages and costs; Count II value of the motor vehicle, $7,600; Count 111 necessary and reasonable funeral expenses, $4,163.18 plus costs: Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Pyles — Mark Pyles, 406 W. Center St., Bourbon, and Mary Pyles, r 1 box 266, Leesburg. The couple was married July 22, 1985 and separated Nov. 6,1987. Senders — Teri S. Senders, no address given, and Terry L. Senders, c/o NAPA Parts Store, Milford. The couple was married Feb. 14,1987 and separated June 16,1987. There is one minor child. Maynard — Penny Kay Maynard, r 1, Cromwell, and Duane Maynard, Jr., Towne Barbee Villas, North Webster. The couple was married November 23, 1985, separated, December 12,1987. There are two minor children. Lenfestey — Connie L. Lenfestey, r 2, Leesburg, and Jerel D. Lenfestey, r 2, Leesburg. The couple was married November 16, 1968, separated February 9, 1988. There are two minor children.

thousand Nicaraguans don’t leave most all of their possessions and flee their homeland without good reasons. Few fled under the Somoza oppressed regime. In Managua, a CWA team met with the Movement of Mothers of Political Prisoners. The movement is a humanitarian effort to help political prisoners. Mothers are harassed for being active members — at times family members are tortured. These women told of murder, brutality, arrests and mock trials, etc. There are other Christian organizations, which I’ve talked to personally, which are active in Central America and confirm CWA findings. One such organization tells of Miskito Indian refugees having villages burned, bullet wounds, slashed ears, throats; even nails pulled from fingers, etc., committed by the Sandinistas. Apparently CEPAD members or other pro-Sandinistas escort (Continued on page 5) THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by the Mall-Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 46567. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: sl7 per year in Kosciusko County; $23 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mail-Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

LOTS OF interest in scubaing by residents of our lakes area. Several are taking classes this winter at NorthWood High School, Nappanee . . . a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) course given by Bill Trowbridg !, who operates Mermaid’s Quest, a dive shop in Mishawaka. This spring will find JoAnn Robinson, Doug and Judy Schmahl and son, David, becoming official card-carr ing scuba divers! . YOU MAY lu ve spotted Judy Wallace, owner of JA Business Service, sporting a knit cap indoors — that was to cover the 40+ stitches in her head which resulted from totalling her car against a tree one icy morning on her way to Fort Wayne for a business appointment. Her parents, Carol and Jack, went to the wreck site, after Judy was cared for, and cleaned out the car, taking the license plate and registration for good measure. Then they noticed that the registration and plate didn’t match up, took them to the Syracuse License Branch and found out that the plates were registered to someone else who had reported them as stolen! It appears that the thief, spotting Judy’s wrecked car along the road, decided to switch plates, assuming that no one would notice and report it, allowing; him/her to ride free on “clean” plates. AN INTERESUNG article from a Vermont weekly paper. The local National Honor Society is offering to provide babysitting services during the annual town meeting. These students are getting involved in town government by insuring that a large number of residents will attend the meeting, unfettered by worries of what their kids are up to! I admi’e that! (I also admire my niece, Edie, who is president of aforesaid society.) -oTHIRD DISTRICT Congressman, John Hiler, has dedicate! an entire newsletter to “A Special Report on AIDS,” covering the mostasked questions snd offering copies of the Surgeon General’s report and the Department of Education Report on AIDS, as well as the Federal Govermr ent AIDS Hotline phone number . . . 800-342-2437. A very timely and helpful report. THE INDIAN/ . Bicentennial Commission newsletter reminds us that “although the Constitution was approved by the signers in 1787, the formation of the three federal branches of government was not complete until 1791.” The Commission will continue “recognizing the ratification process in the 13 original states; the election of the first /’resident and first Congress; the creation of the judicial system ; and the drafting and ratificatior of the Bill of Rights.” The Commissicn will recognize through certificates issued by (’hairman, Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, those elementary and secondary schools which are c mtributing to the celebration of the U.S. Constitution. j ■ . RUMORS ABOUND. Is Syracuse going to have a Family Fare? McDonald’s? Pizza Hut? Tour boat on Wawasee? These questions crop up every year — and the answer is the same today: “Nothing has been signed, sealed or delivered.” PERHAPS THE DNR should be checking out our ice fishing louses a little more closely? Seems that on some other lake, some prostitution was going on in the: ittle huts! WE RE HAPPY to report that Fisher’s Big Wheel’s variance request was approved by our local board, consisting of Bob Carroll, Sharon Runge, Joe Hughes and Jean Rogers. Mark and Nancy Dunithan, nearby property owners were pleas ed with the approval, and another neighbor, Bill Scherer, noted that the fact that Fisher’s paying to bring in the sewer and water lines is a ulus for the neighborhood. The new store will have 45 permanent employees, 10 of w iom will be fulltime. According to Rick Noca of Big Wheel, the company intends to use local help as much as possible during the construction and afterwards in this |1.5 million facility. THERE’S A new verb bouncing about — to be forked (as in, to suffer quietly and hold one’s temper while those living in glass houses throw boulders)! TALK ABOUT school spirit! Wawasee High School basketball lnoosters Ned Speicher, principal; Mark Weinstein, The M-J sportswriter; and Tom Prickett, Logan Rogers Realtor (and perennial booster) have challenged each other to dribble a basketbal from next Wednesday’s pep session to the Tri on sectional. They will be relieved by WHS’: male cheerleaders, Chris Solina, Gary Stud man, Bruce Jackson, Rick Freeman, Brad Ric iards and Steve Briggs. According to Speicher, he, Weinstein and Prickett are “going; to need all the help we can get.” Prickett even suggested that they start out last Monday just to make sure they get to the sectional game against Warsaw on time! Janie Leach, cheerleader sponsor, is in charge of the caravan, consisting of the Wawasee Warrior ran and police escort. Show your spirit — get out and follow the caravan to the Triton section? 1 and watch Wawasee beat Warsaw!!! -JOG

WHEN WE mentioned in this space a week ago that Ron Sharp appeared to be stirring the political pot insofar as activities within his own (GOP) political party was concerned, we seemed to be on the right track. Sharp, sometimes called the gadfly of his own party, knows how to touch a raw nerve now and then. During the past week, this column has had a number of calls, stating in effect, “Hear! Hear!” One of Sharp’s chief targets is GOP chairman Jean Northemor, who, according to his calculations, is setting herself up for a county manager’s position if and when the county commissioners can be persuaded to establish such a powerful office. The more the establishment of such a post is discussed, the farther away from reality is seems to become. Anyway, Sharp’s column was a topic of quiet discussion at last Thursday night’s Lincoln Day Dinner at the Shrine Building at the county fairgrounds. FUNNY HOW the political pot begins to boil. When a TV commentator and GOP presidential candidate George Bush got into it recently in a network broadcast, viewers were quick to choose up sides. Syracuse insurance agent Bob Troutman, thought to be apolitical, watched the program and was incensed at Rather’s insensitivity. So much so, in fact, that he took to his trusty typewriter to get a note off to Bush. The surprise came when Troutman received a “thank you” note from Bush, dated February 10. Bob shouldn’t mind us quoting from the note, inasmuch as he has been showing it to friends. It read in part: “Many thanks for your kind words of support, following my interview with Dan Rather. Your letter was very much appreciated. “That nine minutes was the darndest ‘profile’ I have ever seen, but fortunately most of the American people seem to agree with your sentiments. Most sincerely, George Bush.” The question is: Does this automatically make Bob Troutman the ex officio Syracuse and/or Turkey Creek Township chairman of the Bush-for-President Committee? Or will he be just another spear-carrier? ALSO POSSIBLE: Indiana might have its first set of twins to serve at once in the state House of Representatives. Dean Mock, Elkhart Republican, has served five terms in the Indiana House, then, last time around, was defeated by Bruce D. Carter of Elkhart. Dean smarted under that defeat, and is back hoping to make a comeback. His look-alike twin, Dale Mock, also a Republican, 58 and a North Webster real estate developer and part time musician, has filed for the House, too, for the seat held for the past 22 years by Warsaw furniture retailer Thames Mauzy. Mauzy is bowing out. “Twenty-two years is enough,” claims Thames. According to Gary Eastlund, North Webster mortician and city GOP chairman, who is a lifelong friend of the Mock twins, they are as near identical looking as they can be. “I still have trouble telling them apart,” Eastlund, who is also Kosciusko County coroner, claims. Dean Mock’s race against incumbent Carter could be a tough rematch. Over the weekend Carter scored Governor Robert D. Orr for spending a disproportionate amount of highway funds for roads and bridges in his home county of Vandenburgh (Evansville), a charge that won him headlines over the state, and promises to keep his name in the news. \ Dean and Dale are part of a five member musical combo (sometimes six) billed as the Mock Twins, and have a reputation for playing at a variety of area events. It may not be a shoo-in for either of the Mocks. Elkhart county Democrats are organized, with Democratic mayors in both Goshen and Elkhart, and they want to* keep Carter in the Houser. ■ And in Kosciusko County, a race is shaping up. J.D. Geiger, county auditor, has filed for the Mauzy seat, as has Dave Wolkins, manager of Warsaw’s ABC Travel Agency. This is something that should be well worth watching. ANOTHER POLITICAL race that is heating up is that for the state Senate seat held for the past 12 years by John B. Augsburger. ■ V. When John decided to bow out, House member Gregory Mishler of Bremen bought a condo in Harborside on Lake Wawasee and established that as his permanent residence. He has filed for John’s vacant seat. Also filing for that seat is Warsaw attorney Jay Rigdon, well acquainted in the lakes area, and Dennis J. Sprague of Kendallville. GREG MISHLER’S sister Patti (Mrs. Don Miller) of Nappanee, turned up last week announcing herself as her brother’s campaign manager. Patti is the gregarious type, much like her brother, and should make an attractive addition to his campaign. Both Greg and Patti are Milford High School graduates, the children of Milford mortician Wade E. Mishler and Jean Mishler of Nappanee. GEORGE KECK is the Dana employee who takes extraordinary pride in his well equipped and well adorned Honda motorcycle. He caught this reporter’s eye one day last summer when he (Continued on page 5)