The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 March 1988 — Page 1

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 27

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RESIDENCE DESTROYED BY FIRE — Damage has been listed at approximately $40,000 to the home owned by Francis Lilly, r 5 box 181 D, Syracuse, that was destroyed by fire Monday evening, March 21. Fire officials list the possible cause as electrical. The Syracuse Fire Department was notified of the house fire at 4:29 p.m., and when firemen arrived they found the trailer full of smoke and fire in the rear half of the home. Syracuse Fire Chief Jerry Byrd stated the windows had been broken out and the fire had broken through the east and west end of the home. Firemen were able to enter the home to fight the blaze when the heat and smoke permitted.

North Webster student, Sharon Jackson

killed by smoke inhalation last night

Counselors, ministers, faculty and administrators are making themselves available today (Wednesday) to assist students dealing with the death of Sharon Jackson, 10, a fifth grade student at North Webster School. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Kosciusko Community Hospital at 12:02 a.m. today from smoke inhalation resulting from a fire at her home shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday evening. Her 15-year-old brother, George, was able to rescue their eight-year-old brother, David, but suffered minor burns to the head in his efforts to save Shar&h. They are the children of David Jackson. North Webster Fire Chief Dennis Rex stated the department was called to a trailer fire shortly before 11 p.m. It is located on Rattlesnake Drive in the Rolling Ridge Addition just off of SR 13, near the flowing well, south of North Webster. When the first fire units arrived they found the front end of the older mobile home completely filled with smoke and the start of

Bayh heavy favorite here

The staff of The Mail-Journal recently contacted the Democratic precinct committeemen and women in Kosciusko County and asked who he/she would vote for if the primary election was held tomorrow. The questions asked were “Would you vote for Kokomo Mayor Steve Daily or Secretary of State Evan Bayh for governor?” “Who is your choice for Lt. governor of Indiana? ” “President of the United States?” “Vice President of the United States?” Out of 24 people contacted, 17 would vote for Bayh for governor, three for Daily, and the rest wouldn’t comment. Few have made up their minds on who the Lt. governor should be. Five would vote for Frank O’Bannon and one cast a vote for Ann Delaney. The others either did not give an opinion or would be happy with whoever the candidate for governor would pick. In the presidential race there seems to be no clear leader. The only candidate to receive more than one vote was Republican Robert Dole. Dukakis, Gephart, Simon, Como and Gore each received one vote. Dukakis received five votes for vice president, Gore received two, Gephart and Simon each received one and current Republican Vice President George Bush received one vote. Carolyn Miller, Seward Township, said she would vote for Bayh for Governor, didn’t know for Lt. governor, Richard Gephart for president, and Michael Dukakis for vice president. Jay Swick, Franklin Township, would vote for Bayh for undecided for Lt. governor, Robert Dole for president, and George Bush for vice president. _

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flames. Firemen were able to enter the trailer and rescue the girl who was taken to KCH. The North Webster Emergency Medical Service was met halfway to the hospital by MultiTownship EMS. The youth and her two

Park board has no say in Dixie matter

(By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Releasing itself from the Dixie Boat controversy, the North Webster Park Board confirmed its role in the matter was complete. “We have no say in the matter now, we’ve rehashed it over and over but it’s up to the town board (to make a decision),” board president Howard Ziegler stated. Nevertheless, several residents spent much of the board’s two-hour

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23,1988

North Webster Fire Department was called at 4:46 p.m. for mutual aid. North Webster responded with seven men and two pieces of equipment and remained at the scene until approximately 7 p.m. Syracuse had 16 men responding. They were released from the call at 9:30 p.m. The above photo was taken within 15 minutes after firemen arrived. It shows the home full of smoke which hampered efforts to fight the blaze from inside. One fireman sustained a minor burn on the arm. No other injuries were reported. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

brothers, George, 15; and David, eight; were home alone at the time of the fire. Rex stated the father had left approximately one-half hour before to take a friend home. The boys were in a back bedroom when they heard their sister scream from the kit-

meeting last Wednesday, March 16, expressing their desire tokeep the Dixie Boat in town. Boat owners Greg and Sherry Van Pelt also attended the meeting, noting, “We don’t mind paying (for docking privileges) but we want to pay what’s fair. ” Claiming that the “right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing” in reference to the park and town boards, Sherry Van Pelt suggested the two entities get together before a decision is made about the Dixie.

Bayh Was the choice for governor for Merlin Yoder from Scott Township. He has no choice for Lt. governor at this time. He would definitely vote for a Democrat for president arid vice president. From Jackson Township, Linda Kay Cripe doesn’t know who she would vote for at this time for any of the offices. Maxine Gebert from Washington Township stated she would vote for Bayh for governor, Frank O’Bannon for Lt. governor, and she doesn’t know who she would vote for for president and vice president. Bayh would be the choice for Virginia Bennet of Washington Township. For Lt. governor, she would vote for O’Bannon, Dukakis for president, and Albert Gore for vice president. From Wayne Township, Marlene Walker stated she would vote for Bayh for governor, not sure for Lt. governor, Paul Simon for president, and Dukakis for vice president. Jim Koehlinger of Lake Township says he would vote for Daily for governor and not sure about the rest although they definitely would be a Democrat. In Van Buren Township, Margaret Brooks state she would vote for Bayh and the rest she’s still undecided. Mary Duncan, also of Van Buren Township, says Bayh is her choice for governor and she has faith in his choice for Lt. governor. She is also undecided on president and vice president. From Plain Township, Leo Donahue would vote for Daily, whomever he chooses for Lt. governor, and hasn t decided who is choice is for president and vice president. Judy Henwood of Tippecanoe Township would vote for Bayh and is ' . ......

chen area. The cause of the fire is not suspicious but is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office and Kosciusko County Squad 70. The home was completely gutted and damage

Richard Henry, a local resident, asked, “Why not give them (Van Pelts the property for the Dixie Boat as a historical landmark?” However, board member Dixie Pryor noted, “We cannot give public property to an individual — what’s to stop them from moving the Dixie five years down the road?” Assuring those present that “Everything will work its way out,” Ziegler added, “There’s no one sitting here (on the park board) who doesn’t want the Dixie Boat to stay in North Webster.”

To hold public meetings —

Design of new middle school will reflect education needs of tomorrow

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer The Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees heard a review of plans developed to date for the new middle school Tuesday evening from members of the Parent Advisory Committee. The l’/2-hour session focused on the various concerns seen in the schematic drawings of the new school in connection with how the building fits with the educational programs wanted and with the children. “No one has said it looks good architecturally,” noted Dr. Roger Thornton, superintendent, who said the committee has looked at the building through the educational aspects instead. Phil Payne and Courtney Blue, co-chairmen of the 12-member Patron Advisory Committee, presented an overview of the committee’s progress. Payne

estimates have been determined at $20,000. North Webster Firemen were at the scene until 1:30 a.m. Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.

The board also listened to claims by Henry that he was denied records of money budgeted for the town’s park and beach project. “I was told that the town attorney (Rex Reed) had to be consulted before I could see the records. They are public records — I’ve contacted the state and they’re going to check to see why the town won’t show the records if they don’t,” Henry stated. Suggesting that park money may be tied up with city money, Henry noted, “There might be (Continued on page 2)

undecided on the rest. Michael Neff from Turkey Creek Township says he would vote for Bayh, whoever is the Democratic nominee for Lt. governor, and undecided on president and vice president. Also from Turkey Creek, Wilma Cox said Bayh would be her choice for governor with Ann Delaney as Lt. governor. Gov. Cromo of New York is her choice for president but he isn’t running yet. Her choice for vice president is Gephart. Edwin McCarty, Turkey Creek Township, would vote for Bayh, Frank O’Bannon, undecided on president, and Dukakis for vice president. x . Wayne Township, Jay Rigdon, says he would vote for Bayh for Governor, O’Bannon for Lt. Governor, might vote for Albert Gore for president but he hasn’t made a final decision, and hasn’t decided about vice president. Also from Wayne Township, Robert Eherenman said he would choose Daily for governor but he’s not sure about the rest. From Warsaw (Wayne Township), Michael Armey chooses Bayh, O’Bannon, and undecided for president and vice president. Donald O. Bixel, Warsaw (Wayne Township), would vote for Bayh, Senator Gore from Tennessee for president, and Simon for vice president. ... Mary Ellen Blue, Warsaw (Wayne Township), says Bayh is her choice for governor, hot decided on Lt. governor, Dole maybe for president. / , ■

noted even though the committee is currently comprised of parents and patrons in the SyracuseNorth Webster areas, once it is known what residents from the Milford area will be sending their children to the new school, they will be asked to serve on the committee. The committee has worked on three letters in regards to obtaining a number of how many students will be attending the new school. Parents will be able to decide which middle school their children will attend, for an entire school year, with those in Syracuse and North Webster being the first ones eligible to attend. Blue noted public forum meetings will be held for the public to know where plans are in terms of progress. At the forum, two of which will be given, PAC will provide for the parents and the public the basis of how the plans were derived and that even though a second drawing on the plans has been made there will undoubtedly be more drawings before a final plan is approved. It was noted the public forum meetings will be held both in the afternoon and evening of the same day to accommodate people who work different shifts so all those interested can attend. The forums will be for anyone to attend. It is hoped the first forum will be in early April, if the latest revisions of the plan have been received - . • — Concerns Noted A report was given from each of the three sub-committees within PAC. The sub-committees each took a section of the school and focused on concerns in those areas. Major points of concern included: Lockers not in the areas of the library, math or computer departments. Every student have a locker. The need for a commons area. Benches installed outside of all entrances for socialization and a place for students to wait for rides. Adequate storage for all areas. Copiers, telephone capabilities and adequate computers in necessary areas. A trophy case in the gymnasium area. Locker rooms be moved from an interior location to an outside wall for better utilization of space and numerous other points which may be included when a detailed drawing of the building is made. Reason For Swimming Pool Dr. Thornton noted the two reasons why a swimming pool was being built at the new middle school site, following Board President Bill Little’s request to know the committee’s feelings. The superintendent stated the pool needs to be at the middle school if the school is to meet the needs of this area and to meet the life-time skill of the students. The

other reason dealt with the existing pool not being deep enough for diving competition which is causing significant problems. The pool at the middle school would be used for competition. “If we do not do anything we will expect a substantial expense to renovate the existing pool,” stated Dr. Thornton. Payne noted the committee felt the second pool would be a hard item to sell to the public, however “if we don’t build one now, we may never build one and down the road wish that we It was also noted that with the second pool the middle school students will have more pool time

Kiwanis club installs first lady members

Alice Rinker and her daughter, Dixie Pryor, were installed as members of Kiwanis Club of Lakeland, North Webster, on Monday morning, March 21. They were the first ladies to become members of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club under the Kiwanis International regulation of 1987 which permits Kiwanis membership regardless of sex. The Rinker family moved to North Webster from Anderson 22

Milford construction will close Syracuse Street

Construction is scheduled to resume next week on the current Milford Street and Storm Drain Improvement Project. The initial phase of work this spring will include the removal of existing pavement on Syracuse Street, from SR 15 east to James Street. Project plans call for the subsequent construction of new storm drainage, concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalks, and new asphalt pavement for this portion of the project. Due to the nature of this work, Syracuse Street will be closed to through traffic for approximately two and one-half months. Work will also be continuing from James Street east to Old SR 15 and north to CR 1300 N. Th'

Trash fires extinguished

Syracuse Fire Department responded to two trash fires within the past week. In both instances no damage was reported to personal property. At 1:08 p.m., Saturday, March 19, the fire department was called to a location on the east side of

li * UH M PRESIDENT’S AWARD — Charles Haffner, president of the Syracuse Lions Club, was honored with an International President’s Award at the 32nd Lions District 25-G convention held Sunday at Fairfield High School. The Syracuse Lion was honored for his work with the district and for his part in raising funds and items of clothing for the district’s Guatemala project. Haffner, left, is pictured above receiving his award from International Director, Howard L. Erickson of Minnesota.

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than they are currently receiving. “The legal ramifications if we continue to dive in our pool is not good,” noted Dr. Thornton. During the general discussion notation was made that the second pool, and the planetarium could not have been included if the corporation was to build two middle schools. These two programs enable the corporation to meet the needs of the kids. “There is room for growth,” noted Dr. Thornton of the 188,565 square-foot building with the capacity to accommodate 900 students comfortably. '‘This building reflects the education of tomorrow,” he noted.

years ago and Mrs. Rinker and her husband, Thurman, established the Rinker Family Store. Since the death of her husband in 1982, she has continued to operate the store and was named “Citizen of the Year” for 1987 by the North Webster Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Pryor teaches kindergarten in the North Webster Elementary School. Both are very active in civic affairs in North Webster.

section of road will remain open to traffic during construction, with at least one traffic lane during working hours and two lanes open overnight. The major portion of work on this section in- . volves the widening and resurfacing of the existing roadway and re-grading of side ditches. Remaining work on Henry and Section streets involves resurfacing and reconstruction of sidewalks and curbs disturbed by the installation of storm drains last fall. Residents or businesses with further questions about construction schedules, street closures, or driveway access should call Doug Brown at Phend & Brown, Inc., Milford.

Lake Wawasee on Old Road 8. The Cromwell Fire Department had also responded to the call. The Noble County Sheriff’s Department notified the fire - department at 9:54 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, of a second fire. The Cromwell Fire Department was at the scene also.

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