The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 3, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 March 1988 — Page 2

$ THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., March 2,1988

2

No fire at — Town-township meeting

An initial misunderstanding between the town, township, and fire department turned what was predicted to be a fiery night of negotiations into a relatively calm signing of the inter-local cooperative fire protection agreement for 1988. Milford Town Board members, Van Buren Township Advisory Board members, and Fire Chief Jim Amsden and Assistant Chief Max Evans met for over an hour at the fire station Monday night, Feb. 29, to pound out the agreement. Wording in a new contract submitted by the advisory board had fire department personnel and town board members thinking they had abandoned the idea of helping maintain the Main Street fire station. However, soon

Augsburger votes against state's new 1C gas tax

State Senator John Augsburger recently opposed a measure that will increase Indiana’s gasoline tax one cent, beginning April 1, as away of raising money for highway improvement projects. Approved by the House and Senate on the final day of the 1988 legislative session Monday, Feb. 29, the proposal is designed to raise money so the state can float about S7O million worth of bonds each year for the next five years. Shortly after its approval Gov. Robert D. Orr said that he would sign the bill into law. Sen. Augsburger, R-Syracuse, was one of two legislators representing northeastern Indiana who voted against the increase. Sixteen others voted for the measure, while Rep. Phyllis J. Pond, R-New Haven, sided with Augsburger. “We do need more highway funding and I would have supported same, but felt it should have been on the gas tax, not by bonding,” said Augsburger in support of his decision. He noted that bonding passes the burden onto the next generation and he

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after opening the meeting, it was discovered that the advisory board had merely wanted a guarantee stated in the contract that had been assumed in earlier years. The guarantee absolves the township of any obligation to provide funding for major improvements or repairs to the fire station, which is owned by the town. The township will continue to pay approximately 50 percent of the fire department budget, allowing for general upkeep and maintenance. An agreement signed at an earlier town board meeting by town board members was approved with the following amendment: “The township shall not be responsible for the cost of any extraordinary repairs, alterations or additions to the fire depart-

felt that it should be “pay as you go.” Augsburger also said he voted no because most of the calls and letters he received from people in this area had said they felt he should vote against it, a consensus he agreed with. The House, which had turned down a similar proposal earlier in the session, approved the bill 51-48, while the Senate voted 30-20 in favor. Little Effect Dan Brown, secretary-, treasurer of Phend & Brown Inc., a Milford street contractor, noted that the measure would have little effect on local contracted businesses. “From what I understand the measure is going

Vandalism, thefts reported at Syracuse Friday and Saturday

Two incidents of vandalism and two thefts were reported to Syracuse Police last Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26-27. In a case still under investigation, a subject cut a screen window at the apartment of Rhonda Ridenour and Steve Mast, West Pearl Street, at 2:48 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. Police arrived on the scene after Ridenour reported the attempted break-in at 3:10 a.m. and have a suspect.

ment real estate and building or buildings owned by the town.” Harry Doty, president of the advisory board, reasoned, “If the town owns the building, any repairs should be made by the town.” “We’re jyst trying to clear up any problems before they happen — improvements to the real estate would come out of the fire department budget — over and above the budget is what we’re trying to cover,” added secretary Bob Pifer, referring to the added wording to the contract. In other business the town board set a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the town hall. Sewer and water improvements, appointments to various boards and committees, and tree lawn maintenance will be discussed.

to be tied to bonding for specified state highway projects — as far as local government agencies or re-surfacing of state highways (which Phend & Brown often does), I don’t think any money was gained.” “The need was $l5O million and the legislature provided about S3O million — it’s a move in the right direction, but a lot more needs to be done,” Brown added. One of the arguments for bonding during the legislative session was that it is limited to four years, according to Sen. Augsburger, who felt that it could be extended and increased. “Once it’s on the books that’s what’s going to happen,” the senator concluded.

The building is owned by Nancy Glon of Syracuse. An unestimated amount of damage was caused to a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass owned by Tammy J. Stevens, Syracuse, when someone entered the unlocked vehicle and attempted to open the glove box. The damage occurred at the Stevens residence sometime between 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, and 5 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26. The theft of gasoline was reported at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, from the self serve service station at 1025 S. Huntington St., owned by Kaufman Oil Co., Syracuse. An attendant at the station noted that the offender had entered the station and bought cigarettes but failed to pay for $6.77 worth of gas at approximately 5:30 a.m. Friday. The incident remains under investigation. A resident of Rinker Apartments in Syracuse reported the theft of $370 worth of items from her vehicle while it was parked near the apartments sometime between 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, and 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26. The offender entered an unlocked 1976 Chevrolet Impala, owned by Dawn M. Neises, and removed several cassette tapes in two cases, two bottles of men’s cologne, and one electric shaver and leather case. Changing world In youth we want to change the world; in old age we want to change youth.

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DEMOLITION UNDERWAY — Demolition of the old Murphy Medical Center in downtown Warsaw got underway last Friday. Dale Custer, owner of the Superior Excavating Company, was awarded the city’s contract to tear down the building. After the property is cleared, as part of his fee, Custer will retain some ownership of the land. (Photos by Mary Beth Biltz.) V J . .

'Hoosier Hysteria'

I By R. S. LEHMAN Guest Feature Writer Inside the gym, the air is filled with excitement and emotion. The aroma of hot dogs and fresh popcorn drifts through the air as the fans file into the alreadycrowded bleachers. The sound of Spaulding “Speed Win” leather basketballs bouncing on the shiny wooden floor echos through the gym as the opposing teams take their pregame warm-ups. As the pep band bursts forth with a rousing rendition of “On Wisconsin,” the rowdy student section buzzes with anticipation. The cheerleaders and their lifters whip the crowd into a frenzy with chants, cheers, and acrobatics. Some of the older fans get “comfortable” on the hard, wooden bleachers and socialize with their neighbors. Others impatiently wait in line at the concession stand in order to stock up on Pepsi, Milky Ways, and butter popcorn. All the fans in the gymnasium nervously await the beginning of the game. Entering the biggest gym in the county at the first of March has become a type of pilgrimage for the citizens of Indiana. This is when they pay homage to a great Hoosier tradition: the high school basketball sectionals. The sectionals signal the beginning of the state-wide tourney in which all high schools participate, no matter what their size. Each team plays until they are eliminated; therefore/there is only one team that wins its last game of the season. This team has earned the right to be called the state champion, an exalted position in the state of Indiana. But, it all starts at the sectionals. The lines begin to form outside the box office window long before gametime. Those at the end of the line can only hope to get tickets before they are sold out. Those

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couraging their team to perform well. The student section is going who had foresight enough to buy tickets in advance also arrive early, in order to get a parking place within close walking distance to the gym. By the time the referee’s whistle pierces the air to signal the beginning of the game, the atmosphere has grown to a feverish pitch. Everyone in the gym is standing — shouting and enwild, being induced by the cheerleaders to show their school spirit by screaming, taunting, and waving banners. The noise is deafening. Things settle down some at halftime, as many fans take the opportunity to get up and stretch, or visit the concession stand again. Often, the local high school band gets the chance to perform before the large crowd, and it usually responds with an inspiring halftime performance. Just as one begins to think that normalcy is beginning to set in, the second half arrives. If it were possible, it is even noisier in the second half than it was in the first. The gymnasium comes to life again, as both the fans and the teams realize that this is the time of reckoning. This half will determine who wins, and who loses; who continues, and who is finished; whose dreams may be realized, and whose dreams are crushed. This is the time when one bad play could change the outcome of the game. The coaches are screaming instructions to the players, the second-string team is yelling encouragement, and the water boy either waves his towel in jubilation, or throws it onto the floor in disgust. The student section is nearly out of control, and the older fans vociferously agree or disagree with every call. The intensity increases, as both teams give all they have. Sometimes this superhuman effort results in incredible team-

work and nearly impossible shots, much to the approval or chagrin of the fans. It finally reaches a climax at the end of the game. When the final gun sounds, both the teams and the fans are left exhausted, physically and emotionally. The fans of the losing team are inconsolable, dreading the thought of going through the next nine months without basketball. The fans of the winning team are ecstatic, realizing that their team has avoided elimination for at least one more game, and that their hopes for a state championship are still alive. Often, they also realize that somehow they must recover their voices before the next game. There are many reasons why the Indiana high school basketball sectionals are sc popular. It provides a community meeting place where people go to socialize with their neighbors, and at the same time support the local team. Some people gc to scout out the local talent, to see if any of the young players have the potential and motivation to make it to the “big time.” Others like the intense competition, knowing that each team has a chance, but only the best survives.

Sewage disposal — North Webster receives permit North Shore must find another way

(Continued from page 1) and written comments in response to the March 18, 1987, request for a draft permit by the Town of North Webster Wastewater Treatment Plant. The draft permit would be for regulating discharge into Kuhn Ditch. A primary concern with the proposed permit was bypassing that occurred due to excess rain water flows, allegedly coming from Epworth Forest Sewer System. Bardonner noted to help prevent the problem from reoccurring, wording was added to the town’s permit prohibiting discharge from the sanitary Ambulance hits deer The Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Ambulance sustained less than S2OO damage Sunday evening, Feb. 28, whe n it struck a deer on US 6, east of SR 15. The incident occurred at 9:43 p.m. The Syracuse EMS was enroute to Goshen Hospital on an emergency run when the driver, Jerry Curry, 50, 201 North Huntington Street, Syracuse, observed two deer in the roadway. Curry stated he was able to slow down enough to avoid causing extensive' damage. No one was injured in the accident, and the ambulance crew continued to the hospital. The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department was called to investigate the accident.

National Geographic — Snow fleas

By JOY ASCHENBACH I National Geographic News Service WASHINGTON — Snow geese, snow leopards, and snow monkeys, of course — but snow fleas, flies and gnats? An unheralded part of the winter landscape, these snow insects are stirring when many of nature’s creatures are hibernating. “From a short distance away, it looks like a black patch on the snow, but when you get close you realize there are thousands of moving insects, bluish-black snow fleas,” says Carolyn Klass, a Cooperative Extension entomologist at Cornell University. Describing winter insects in eastern New York state as early as 1847, entomologist Asa Fitch wrote, “The surface of the snow, often, over whole acres of woodland, may be found sprinkled more or less thickly with these minute fleas, looking at first sight, as though gunpowder had been there scattered.” In Waconia, Minn., biology teacher Jim Gilbert noted in his Jan. 2, 1987, record of natural seasonal phenomena: “Snow fleas out today. Snow fleas are about three millimeters in length and look like pepper on the snow.” Snow fleas are not really fleas. They are primitive, wingless insects known as springtails, which have a forklike abdominal appendage that enables them to propel themselves great distances. For their minute size, three inches is a great distance. “They spring like a mechanical toy,” says Gilbert. “You see them dancing, jumping or hopp-

is in the air

Many go to soak up the authentic atmosphere. But some are just plan basketball addicts, and out of love for the sport, go to a game whenever they get a chance, no matter who is playing.

Vehicles collide

Three accidents were reported to Syracuse Police between last Tuesday, Feb. 23, and Friday, Feb. 26. No one was injured in any of the mishaps. Up to SI,OOO damage was caused to two separate vehicles at 4:20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, when a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by Harold P. Hostetler, 72, Syracuse, struck a parked 1984 Chevrolet Camaro, owned by Kenneth Patton, 28, Syracuse. Hostetler was traveling east on East Boston Street when he sideswiped the Patton vehicle while attempting to avoid an oncoming vehicle. Driver inattention contributed to a two-car collision at 4:20 p.m. Thursday. Feb. 25. Sandra K. Heyse, 17, Syracuse, was attempting to turn around at the intersection of Seventh Street and Pittsburg Street when she

sewer system. If a bypass is necessary in an emergency, the town will be required to notify the state department within 25 hours and as soon as possible eliminate the cause of the bypass. The NPDES permit, issued on February 17, 1988, allows the town to discharge wastewater into James Lake via Kuhn Ditch. The permit information states • plant operations result in an average discharge of 0.186 million gallons per day of treated municipal wastewater.

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Four fall through ice

An ice fishing outing Sunday, Feb. 28, by four area persons ended in an unexpected trip to the hospital. Cindy Simpson, Leesburg; Cheryl Carpenter, Ligonier; Preston Armantrout, Syracuse; and Floyd Tanner, North Webster, were coming off Sechrist Lake from their fishing outing when 25 to 30 yards from

ing on the snow.” Abundant in the northern United States and in Canada, the harmless snow fleas usually come up through cracks or holes in the snow whenever a mild spell (around 32 F) occurs, from January, through winter and into early spring. Snow fleas are frequently found at the base of trees, and in deer tracks and boot prints. “You may see hundreds in one deer track,” Gilbert says. Why snow fleas leave their habitat in the top layers of the soil for the snow surface is uncertain, Klass says. Are they in need of more food? They normally feed on decaying plant material, fungi, and pollen. “They are creatures of a winter thaw,” Gilbert says. ‘‘When temperatures drop well below freezing, they are forced back down again.” Their fellow winter bugs — snow crane and snow scorpion flies, commonly called snow flies and snow gnats — apparently have one purpose for surfacing: to mate on the snow. “They are out to find mates, we suppose, to avoid inbreeding,” says George W. Byers, director of , the entomology museum at the University of Kansas. But the females dig down and lay their eggs in the earth. “When you see them walking across the snow, they remind you of spiders,” he says of the long-distance-traveling crane flies, which are less than a centimeter * long. But these flies can’t fly. Spiderlike, with small vestiges of wings, they “cannot get warmed up enough for the muscular activity flying requires,” Byers . says.

For whatever reason, the people that do attend make the sectionals a special Indiana tradition, and in turn, the sectionals provide some fond memories for them.

struck a 1986 Nisson Maxima, driven by David W. Ganz, 28, St. Petersburg, Fla., who was traveling north on Seventh Street. Up to SI,OOO damage was caused to both the 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit driven by Heyse and the Ganz vehicle. Up to SI,OOO damage was also caused to two vehicles at 5:46 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the Augsburger’s Super Valu parking lot off East Access Road. Roxanna Lewallen, 41, Syracuse, was attempting to drive her 1982 AMC Eagle into the lot when she struck the passenger door of a parked 1983 Dodge Charger, owned by Kathy S. Lambert, 34, Syracuse. Lambert’s son had opened the door to exit and Lewallen couldn’t stop in time to avoid the collision.

Any person wishing to object to the issuance of either permit will have until March 10 to appeal in writing to the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, 105 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Ind. 46225, for an adjudicatory hearing on the question if the permit has been issued in accordance with applicable law. Public notices of both permits were issued on February 24 and atopeals are due 15 days after the publication of the notice.

shore, they fell through thin ice. Cindy Simpson stated the quick action of nearby residents, three of the four were pulled from the water by the time rescue officials arrived. Cindy Simpson, Cheryl Carpenter and Preston Armantrout, were taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital and treated for hyperthermia. Tanner did not require treatment.