The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 9, Milford, Kosciusko County, 13 April 1988 — Page 1

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 27

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SCENE OF MURDER — Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the murder of Lawrence K. Bailey, 44, 67193 US 33, Goshen. Bailey’s body was found shot at his mother’s cottage at 158 North Shore Drive, Syracuse, shortly after 1:45 p.m. Tuesday by an unidentified friend.

Goshen man killed — Another homicide in Syracuse

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer The Syracuse community has been rocked again by a homicide. Lawrence K. Bailey, . 44, 67193 US 33, Goshen, was found dead in the North Shore Drive home of his mother, Esther Bailey, Tuesday afternoon, April 12. Bailey died of multiple gun

At Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner —

Enthusiastic

Rumple,Ward, Rigdon, Daily

I By GLEN LONG Staff Writer The Shrine Building was full of people on Monday night, April 11, as local Democratic Part> faithfuls were joined by other party members and candidates for their Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner. Leroy Miller, chairman of the Kosciusko County Democrat Central Committee, was beaming as he informed the crowd of the 157 total attendance and exclaimed, “This is the best year yet! ”

WARD AT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC DINNER — Tom Ward was one of several who spoke at the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner held by county Democrats at the Shrine building in Warsaw on Monday night, April 11. Ward, will be running again for United States Congress against Republican John Hiler next fall. Shown are, from the left, Leroy Miller, Democrat county chairman- Ward; and John B. Livengood, Indiana Democrat Party chairman’. The dinner was attended by 157 enthusiastic Democrats. (Photo by Glen Long)

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shots to the head and upper body. Indiana State Police report Bailey was found shortly after 1:45 p.m. by an unidentified friend who went to check on his welfare. Kosciusko County Sheriff Ron Robinson noted this morning (Wednesday) there were no signs of forced entry. There is also no motive nor suspects. A small caliber handgun is believed to be the murder weapon.

The whole evening was upbeat as speaker after speaker commented that this looks like a super year at the state level for the Democrat Party. They all added that it will take a lot of hard work by- all party members to come up with success at any level, local, state, or national. The main speaker of the evening was John Rumple, candidate for state attorney general and former Democratic chairman of Bartholomew County. He stated, “Every vote counts” and added emphatically, “honesty and integrity must come back to Indiana,” as he spoke of the 20 years the Republicans have held

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

Police have no motive and no suspects at the time. An autopsy will be performed today (Wednesday). Officials are trying to locate a 1984 Silver Chevrolet Cavalier, license plate number 20L17, which is missing. The car is registered to Esther Bailey, mother of the victim. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Police are trying to locate the missing 1984 silver Chevrolet Cavalier with a license plate number of 20L17. The vehicle is registered to the mother of the murder victim. Officers from the Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, who are conducting the investigation, met this morning to go over details of the murder and begin questioning residents in the area. An autopsy will be performed today. It is unknown how long Bailey

Democrats hear

the statehouse. Chairman Miller stated that the appearance of so many top Democrat candidates is a good indication of the value of Kosciusko County to the party. Jay Rigdon, Winona Lake resident running for the State Senate from District 13, stated, “I firmly believe I can do a good job for you in Indianapolis. We need to put our money back into education and ‘pay as we go.” He exhorted those present to get excited and “help get out the vote.” Tom Ward, again a candidate for Congress against Republican John Hiler, was present and clearly enjoyed shaking hands with fellow Democrats before the dinner. On a pressing schedule, he was able to stay for a few comments but had to leave before dinner. Ward said he looks for a tough battle again in his bid for Congress, but added that he expects to get those 47 votes he needed in his last effort plus a lot more. “I want to tell you, friends, that Jim Jontz is doing a super job for you in Washington,” declared Ward. “He deserves your support as his efforts are all for his constituents.” Congressman Jim Jontz, who is running for re-election, arrived during the social hour to say a few words before rushing off to Valparaiso for a previous engagement. • Jontz spoke with pride of his roots in the Silver Lake area. He said he is the first member of Congress from Indiana to serve on the agriculture committee since Floyd Fithian. The congressman said he was much involved with the farm credit bill that passed last year and added that he has been working closely with the egg industry for trade agreements with Canada. Jontz thanked those assembled for their good work for Tom Ward

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13,1988

had been at the family cottage or when the murder took place. Bailey, who lived with his mother, is remembered as being a student teacher in the Syracuse Schools. He w»s hired by the Goshen Community School Corporation in 1965-1966 school year where he taught English and Social Studies the first year. He taught sixth grade students at West Goshen Elementary School from 1966-1967 until his resignation in September of 1974.

in his previous effort for Congress. “We now have a chance to rectify his close loss. Let’s make an extra effort for him this time around!” John Livengood, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, referred to Kosciusko County as a “resurgent Democratic county.” He stated that the one goal for 1988 is to win because winning is the yardstick against which all activities are measured. He said “On a personal note, I want to thank you for your enthusiasm. Democrats are excited this year.” He added that Democrats must mount the largest get-out-the-vote campaign they have ever had. Steve Daily, Kokomo candidate for Governor, spoke briefly and stated, “I’ve had 12 years in the trenches of local government. I believe i can give the party the Pot Robertson to speak in Indianapolis Presidential candidate, Marion G. (“Pat”) Robertson will be in Indianapolis on Saturday, April 16. He will be speaking at the Murat Shrine Auditorium, 502 N. New Jersey, Indianapolis, at 7 p.m. His speech, “A New Vision for America” is open to the public. Admission is free, but invitations will be issued to insure adequate seating capacity. A limited number of tickets are also available for a reception for Robertson at 5:30 p.m. Free tickets are available from Americans for Pat Robertson headquarters.

School board to accept bids for purchase of $950,000 in bonds

The Wawasee Community School Corporation’s Board of School Trustees has issued a bond sale notice for sealed proposals on the Syracuse School project. The proposals, for the purchase of $950,000 in school building bonds, will be accepted up to and opened at 1 p.m. May 3. The bonds are being issued for -the purpose of procuring funds to be applied on the cost of remodeling and improvements to the Syracuse Elementary School Building. These bonds will be direct obligations of the school corporation and payable out of unlimited ad valorem taxes collected on all taxable property in the corporation. These bonds will not be private activity bonds and have not been designated as qualified tax exempt obligations because the school corporation expects to issue or have issued more than $10,000,000 in tax exempt obligations in 1988. The bond sale notice states the bonds will be in the aggregate amount of $9§0,000, fully registered, in the denomination of $5,000 or multiples, and bearing interest at a rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum. The interest will be payable on July 1, 1989, and semi-annually. Bonds will not be redeemable prior to maturity and the principal will be payable at Lake City Bank, Warsaw. The bonds will mature on January 1 from 1990 through 1999. ‘?f(reach of those years the amount 'will be: 1990 - $15,000; 1991 - $75,000; 1992 — $80,000; 1993 — $85,000; 1994 — $95,000; 1995 — $100,000; 1996 — $110,000; 1997 — $120,000; 1998 — $130,000; and 1999 —5140,000. Bidders are to name the pur-

best chance to win in the fall.” He added that in Indiana “you can’t get elected in November with just Democrat votes” and said all Democrats need to convince their Republican and “undecided” friends to vote Democratic. Evan Bayh, also a candidate for Governor, was unable to attend, but sent his campaign manager, Joe Hogsett, who agreed with Daily that party members must ‘‘persuade the persuadables” so the Democrat Party can win the statehouse after 20 years of Republican domination. Other candidates present included Dale Tucker, candidate for state representative from the 18th district; Betty Lawson candidate for ninth district representative; Dennis Sprunger, candidate for State Senate from the 13th district; Paul Onstott, candidate for Kosciusko County Treasurer; Ann DeLaney, candidate for state attorney general; and Dr. Mary Peterson, running for superintendent of public instruction. Steve Wicks was also present to represent his brother, Jack Wickes, who is a candidate for United States Senator. John Christian charged with child molesting John Brown Christian, 38, 712 Pittsburg St., Syracuse, is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on a charge of child molesting, a class D felony. Bond has been set at $15,000. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Sam Whitaker stated Christian allegedly molested a 12%-year-old girl at his home on March 26.

chase price, not less than 97 percent of par and the rate of interest for the bonds to bear, not exceeding 10 percent per annum. Bonds will be awarded to the highest qualified bidder, the one who offers the lowest net interest costs. The school corporation does reserve the right to reject any or all bids and if an acceptable bid is

Unsafe housing, junk cars indicative of spring meeting

(By MARK HUFFMAN . Staff Writer Topics of discussion springing up at the Milford Town Board meeting Monday night, April 11, were indicative of spring meetings in the past. With junk cars and unsafe housing topping the agenda, board members assured citizens they were prepared to face the two pressing problems. After noting that he had brought the issue up about a Milford business that had suffered extensive damage by a fire last July, Milford boarcimember John Lehman demanded that action be taken to have the owner repair or raze the structure. Located on South James Street, the building, also known as Lavernier’s Body Shop, suffers from a caved-in roof. “This is the fourth meeting that I’ve brought it up,” Lehman said, adding, “I also brought it up when we had a building commissioner but nothing happened — right now we have an unsafe structure down there (James Street), I think we’ve waited long enough, we need to act on it.” After further discussion the board agreed to act as building commissioner until a town resident can be found to fill the position. As their first action in the new role, the three board members agreed to send the owner of Levernier’s a letter demanding that action be taken within 30 days. Kosciusko County Sanitarian Jon Cupp will also be asked to inspect houses located at Fourth Street and Maple Street that had formerly been deemed unsafe, while Building Inspector Harry Doty will be instructed to attend the board’s next meeting to report what has been done. “Next month we should be able to do something,” Lehman noted. In a similar matter, the board agreed to ask the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals to inspect and take possible action against trailers on Schafer Street and Williams Street that

hJ wWr--- 41 KnVVHHMMmI |g|l . Sw iI Q* W' ’ I IIIH* •» 1 I I - I ' U I -> 1 ' I ’ 1 I I < B-B *„ RAISING TRACK IN MILFORD —Conrail’s continuous action tamper (CAT) is shown as It raised track in Milford on Tuesday, April 12. Lloyd Brewer, supervisor of track in the Southwest Division of Conrail, said the track will be raised and all town crossings will be open by this evening (Wednesday). Brewer said the CAT can raise one mile of track every two hours. The computer controlled unit, valued at $250,000, is used with a 51-man gang including supervisors and foremen. Brewer added the CAT raised 520 miles of track in 1687 from April through November. (Photo by Glen Long)

not received the sale will continue for a time not to exceed 30 days. The notice states in event of a continuation no bid will be accepted lower than the highest bid received at the original date of bidding. No conditional bids will be considered. The school corporation has requested each bid show the net dollar interest cost from the date

are in violation of a state ordinance regulating the use of such structures for storage. While town resident Maxine Pifer asked if the board could consider placing regulations on where mobile homes can be placed, the board noted that such an action would hurt those who couldn’t afford other forms of housing. No Space For Junk Cars Problems with junk cars again surfaced at the board meeting, with Town Marshal David Hobbs explaining, “We’ve tried to do something about them but we have no where to put them. Until we are able to find a place we’re not going to be able to do much.” Noting that many salvage lots won’t take the cars due to the responsibility and liability involved, Hobbs mentioned that those willing to take the automobiles in the past have no room for more. “Wrecker services are also prevented, by law, to take them without a title,” he said. Currently the town operates its junk car law under state ordinance. “I’m going to rid the town of junk cars the cheapest way possible until the town has a better idea. We just don’t have the money to ship them down to Warsaw,” Hobbs stated. While Pifer submitted the name of a car lot in Goshen that was reported to have hauled junk cars, efforts to secure their services proved fruitless Tuesday morning. In another matter, Pifer asked the board to instruct those with dogs to have them tagged. “If you have a neighbor that has a dog without a tag than let the township trustee know,” she said, noting an increase in unlicensed dogs in the area. Reporting for the utilities department, Superintendent Dallas Winchester II stated that maintenance of sewage lines and the clearing of alleys would occupy the department’s time in April. A spring clean-up was also announced for Wednesday, May 11, through Friday, May 20. Town residents are asked to set unwanted items on the tree lawn between their yard and the street or near the alleys.

NUMBER 9

of the bonds to final maturity and the net effective average interest rate, however this is not a term of sale. Delivery of the bonds and payment will be five days after the successful bidder is notified at a bank in Indianapolis designated by the bidder. It is anticipated the bonds will be ready for delivery 30 days after the sale date.

Winchester was scheduled to meet with Dan Brown of Phend & Brown Inc., Milford, about a street paving schedule for the summer months. He also submitted quotes for the resurfacing of the north end of Main Street, near where Phend & Brown is currently working. The board agreed to allow $3,451 for a type K surface that will cover 178 square feet in the area. The funds will be allotted from the town’s street fund, with Phend & Brown doing the work. In a related matter, board member Bob Phillips noted that there was an eight-inch drop near a manhole that was installed on First Street for the town’s sewer project. Winchester assured the board that the problem would be alleviated soon. The board had also received a letter from the state highway department about SR 15. A resolution prohibiting driving left of center and passing is pending. According to Winchester, the state is waiting until a decision is made about installing shoulders on the street in Milford. Other Business In other business the following was discussed or decided: — An inter-local cooperative fire protection agreement for 1988 was formally signed between the town and Van Buren Township. A minor revision in the original copy calls for an amendment, which states: “The township shall not be responsible for the cost of any extraordinary repairs, Alterations, or additions to the fire department real estate and building, or buildings, owned by the town.” — Public input is necessary for the town to decide whether to absolve itself from membership in the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Town residents expressing an opinion should attend the next town board meeting or contact a board member prior to the meeting. — An Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Roundtable will be conducted Tuesday, May 3, in Shipshewana. — Clerk-treasurer Monica Bice will be attending an Indiana (Continued on page 2) ,

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