The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 11, Milford, Kosciusko County, 27 April 1988 — Page 2

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., April 27,1988

Fire Chief Jerry Byrd gives department intights to C of C

(Continued from page 1) new lighter weight unit, operates on mineral oil instead of hydraulic fluid and a set of rams that can remove the front end of a vehicle if needed. Birkel noted the existing equip- ■ ment can be traded in for $1,200 and to replace the same equipment being used now the cost would be $12,880. He would like to see the department get a power unit, reels, 150 feet of hose, three rams, cutting unit, spreading unit and air bags, at a cost of $20,995. “That would put us back up to the rank and rating we thought we were when we first received the unit,” commented Birkel. The fire department is about midrank because of the equipment. Questions * were raised about how often is the equipment used? Is there state or federal funding? Birkel commented the JAWS were used on one-half of the personal injury accidents last year and if the right person is contacted, a $2,000 grant can be applied tor. Both men, noted the town and township have not been approached to allocate tax dollars for the purchase. “This is the first time it has been brought up to any one. We wanted to make sure of what we wanted first,” commented Birkel. Byrd noted the department is anticipating having a professional demonstrate the equipment’s potential this summer. “You know, I think you guys might underestimate the response of the community. I think when you really get going with this, I think you’ll find that there’s a whole bunch of people who will really get behind you,” commented Robert Troutman, chamber director and business owner. Recognition Needed “We always are getting bad comments, instead of good com-

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ments,” noted Byrd, who asked members of the public to put themselves in a fireman’s shoes. “We are there to protect property and life,” he stated, adding a fireman’s adrenalin goes up when an emergency call is received and noticed there are times the situation is life threatening for the fireman also. Byrd noted the volunteers have a stressful job, they feel bad about all fires, all accidents. “Most people read it in the paper and forget about it the next day. But I can tell you, and so can other firemen, details of accidents and fires 10-15 years ago. You don’t forget.

Ward criticizes Hiler distortion

Thomas W. Ward, Democratic candidate for Congress from Indiana’s Third District, recently criticized his opponent for distorting his positions on the issues. His remarks came in response to the charge that he was responsible for allegedly harmful provisions contained in the federal budget for 1988. “My opponent’s claims are inaccurate and untrue,” Ward said. “The truth of the matter is that when my opponent dropped the ball on getting relief for the taxpayers of the district, I stepped in to save the taxpayers $1 million in additional taxes.” Ward lobbied successfully for that provision, but not for the eventual budget bill. He added that he did not have a chance to vote for it and found it unusual to have his opponent take potshots at a record he doesn’t have. “When he says that I’m to blame for what was in the budget bill last fall,” Ward added, “he’s suggesting that I have more clout in Congress than he does. Come November, that may be true. But

“I’d like to see someone take the initiative some time and recognize these guys, maybe once a year, for the job they do,” commented Byrd. It was noted the firemen put in over 100 hours of training on their own time to upgrade the department and maintaining the nine pieces of fire fighting equipment. “We don’t get paid, but that’s no big deal, we’re all volunteers. There’s a lot of extra time going into being a firemen that most of you don’t realize.” He mentioned the Emergency Medical Service is a part of the fire department and is indirectly under his authority. “We definite-

right now, unfortunately, he’s the one who is in the office.” Ward charged that it was his opponent who was in the position to help fashion a bill that would protect the people of the district, and criticized his failure to do so as another example of his inability to effectively represent the needs of the district. “My opponent claims to be on the side of working families,” Ward said, “but look at what he did just the other day to the working families here in northern Indiana. He voted against plant closing legislation which would have required companies to

EMS plans big day

(Continued from page 1) fertilizer weed and feed Jackie’s Styling — $lO gift certificate Jones Food Center — Case of canned Coke K’s Hair Express — Free hair cut First National Bank —I9BB proof set Jenkins Automotive — Quartz Halgon auxiliary lights Jerry’s Carpet & Furniture — One four-drawer dresser and one table lamp Leesburg Mill — Twenty pounds Wayne dog food Lynch Service Center — Free oil change and oil filter Milford Small Animal Clinic — One cat (spayed) Sharp Hardware — HWI 15” weed and grass trimmer, sixpiece microwave cookware set Smith’s Flower & Gifts — One spring arrangement, two gift certificates-cuOflowers Walter Drugs — Timex men’s quartz watch, Timex ladies’ quartz watch Other donations include lead glass swag lamp, kitchen table lamp, GE electric self-cleaning stove, incinerator, freestanding fireplace, bicycles, lamps, dinette set, wooden student desk, TVs, come-a-long, 1949

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ly need help. There are seven EMT’s and most of them work out of town. “We need a major push to get people in school or we’re going to end up calling North Webster, Milford. If worst comes to worst we’ll drop the service if we don’t have enough people. ’’ Deb Wiggins, executive director of the Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, was present to highlight the new proposed residential septic system regulations by the state board of health. She noted an executive summary will be written highlighting the economic and technical issues of the regulation.

notify workers who were about to lose their jobs.” The US House of Representatives voted April 21 by a 312-107 margin to pass an omnibus trade bill including the plant closing provision. Hiler was part of an unsuccessful effort by legislators to remove the advance notification measure from the bill. Ward is an attorney from Knox. Ih 1986, he was the Democratic nominee for Congress in Indiana’s Third District and came within 47 votes of unseating Rep. John Hiler (R-Ind.). The recountclose margin of victory made it the closest congressional race in the nation.

Plymouth, and much more. Auctioneers for the sale will be Larry Mast, Denny Newcomer, Jack Beer and Jerry Lambert. Anyone wishing to donate items for the auction should contact Cheryl Brunjes at 658-4726 or Margi Brooks at 658-4640 by April 29. Theft, B and E under investigation One theft and one incident of breaking and entering were investigated by Syracuse Police last week. Pam Blosser, Syracuse, reported that the house she rents on South Main Street was brokdn into between 11:10 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. Blosser’s daughter discovered that a screen on an aluminum door had been forced open; however, nothing was reported stolen from the residence. In a separate incident, two stereo speakers were stolen from a vehicle owned by the Syracuse State Bank while it was parked at the parking lot on 100 E. Main St. The speakers were taken from the unlocked automobile sometime between Saturday, April 16, and Tuesday, April 19. No estimate of loss was given.

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SMALL CROWD AT SYRACUSE RATE HEARING — Gil Combs, on the left in the back row, and Rita Dodds, seated to his left, expressed concern about the cost of proposed sewage rates to their businesses, which both use large volumes of water, at the Syracuse sewage rate hearing last night, April 26.

No choice —

Syracuse board adopts sewer rates

(Continued from page 1) engineer with Jones & Henry Engineers Inc., and Joe Dock, utilities superintendent, explained that the town really had no choice but to charge a standard rate for large and small users. Stratman said the Indiana Department of Environmental Management had flatly stated that the grants for the town’s sewage improvement program would require this type rate

SR 15 bypass —

Will Milford be another Bremen?

(Continued from page 1) 15 to the bypass as one of the major reasons for his disapproval. Town board members also delayed their approval of the project, hoping to look further into advantages and disadvantages of such a plan. Benefits Balanced Steve Manhout, APC planner, pointed out the benefits, county - wide, noting that he is required to look at the advantages afforded the whole region and balance the costs of those benefits. “From a regional perspective this plan is, the most cost-effective,” he' stated earlier this month, adding, “If you look at Bremen, I don’t think the US 6 bypass has hurt them — if you drive through their community you’ll find that they haven’t experienced a decline in businesses.” However, most Nappanee businesses realize the benefits of having a highway through town. “I don’t think if we’d had a bypass that you’d see as many restaurants and service stations that you do within our town,” claims Nappanee resident Lynn Smucker, who adds, “On the other hand, we also have the hassle of increased traffic; which a bypass would eliminate.” Russell Cripe of Bremen also points towards the added businesses a town thoroughfare provides. “I think the bypass has helped to keep our town small, which most people around here like. If Nappanee had gotten a bypass I really don’t think it would’ve grown as much as it has over the past 10 years — whether that’s good or bad is just a matter of taste.”

structure. He said one of their points of logic was that “it costs the same to treat a gallon of waste water regardless of the volume used.” Stratman said the important thing for Syracuse is that the $1,310,000 sewer project cost to the city will be paid for from water user charges and not from the general fund, which is maintained by taxes. He added that after Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District has hooked on to

Nappanee will experience the other side of the coin when it receives a bypass north of town, labeled the SR 20 bypass, which should be completed by 1990. “That should reduce the number of trucks going through town, we won’t have as many wide turns from trucks onto SR 6,” Callander notes. Milford residents will likely see

Approximately 20 thefts solved

Arrests of six people have solved approximately 20 thefts from automobiles in the Warsaw, Leesburg, Milford, Syracuse areas as well thefts in Nappanee and Michigan. Two injured as cars collide Deb Chapman, 29, 751 East Fort Wayne, Warsaw and Michael Hobbs, 17, P.O. Box 7, Leesburg, were treated and released from Kosciusko Community Hospital Friday, April 22, following a two-vehicle accident at 7:20 a.m. in Leesburg. Chapman suffered a bruised collar bone and possible cracked ribs. Hobbs suffered a bruised collar bone also. Indiana State Police report Hobbs was west bound on School Street in Leesburg and had stopped for traffic at SR 15. He told police he did not see any oncoming traffic before pulling out. When Hobbs pulled out from the intersection, he drove into the path of the Chapman woman who was north bound on SR 15. The 1982 Mercury Capri, owned by Chapman, and the 1979 Chevrolet Camero, were estimated at a total loss.

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Joe Dock, utilities superintendent, and John Stratman, Jones and Henry project engineer, seated far right, explained the rate structure. The board voted to adopt the new sewage rates and charges. (Photo by Glen Long)

the system frdm Lake Wawasee areas, possibly by year end of 1988, the tbwnmay be able to effect a rate reduction for all users. Flat Rate Necessary Jim Hughes, board president, and other board members expressed their concern for the two speakers but noted, as did Stratman, that the dollars have to be there and the grants are allimportant so the equal flat rate structure for all cannot be

several years pass beforerit experiences such a situation, with the county plan being a 20-year design.. “The state will have several more studies before such a plan is adopted,” Manhout confirms. The county is 41so prevented from adopting its comprehensive plan until it gains approval of participating communities.

Jeffery Allen Levernier, 16, P.O. Box 125, Milford, James Edward Mourey, 16, r 2 box 520, Leesburg, Robert Duane Clingaman, 15, 1 Camelot Dr., Milford; and Brent Leßoy Conley, 16, P.O. Box 173, Leesburg, were booked on theft charges and released to their parents. Formal charges will be filed jn juvenile court. David Allen Warrick, 20, 236 North St., Syracuse, and Bryan Krebs, 20, 66849 M4O, Constantine, Mich., were also charged with theft and waived extradition to Michigan. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Bronsing stated the arrests started Monday, April 18, when Warrick, Krebs and Mourey were arrested for theft of car parts at Rice Ford, Warsaw. Their arrest lead to the arrest of the other three. A majority of the thefts took place prior to April 3 in Kosciusko County and sometime since the first of the year in Michigan. Items stolen from unlocked vehicles were stereos, citizen band radios, equilizers, and power boosters. Police are still identifying the items, the majority of which were recovered and are worth a total of several thousand dollars. Officer Bronsing stated the theft in Nappanee was from a Van Conversion Company and theft cases in Elkhart are still being confirmed. Police are also aware of similar incidents as far south as Greenfield.

• NOTICE JD Geiger, candidate for 18th District State Representative, received support from the following Township Trustees: Ed Pratt, Wayne Township; Don Boggs, Plain Township; Marsha Baumgartner, Van Buren Township; Ray Darr, Turkey Creek Township; Irene Salman, Washington Township; Merle Wertenberger, Monroe Township; Julie Goon, Prairie Township; and Jesse Berger, Jefferson Township. (SfeIGER Paid for by GEIGER FOR REPRESENTATIVE Commltteo, Bonita Goigor, Troawror P.O. Box 29, North Wobetor, IN 46555

altered. Hughes added that the town will be required by the state and federal grants to review sewage rates at least yearly. The total cost of the sewage improvement project will be $5,325,000. After the discussion the board voted unanimously to adopt the new rates as defined in Ordinance 88.3. In other business, Hughes read a letter from James H. Steele Jr., executive director of Indiana Bond Bank, which stated the Syracuse bonds were approved on April 21 to be sold and that the bond bank anticipates purchasing them on May 4 or 5. Bob Reed, town attorney, said it is great that the bonds were accepted so quickly as it shows a feeling of confidence in the Town of Syracuse. The board authorized Mark Tatman, clerk-treasurer, to advance five percent of the town’s indebtedness to the Farm and Home Administration so he can further investigate re-financing which could possibly save the town about $30,000 a year over the term of the loans. Tatman said the advance will be non-binding and refundable if re-financing is not completed. Pletcher held in county jail Gary Lamar Pletcher, 19, 607 Emerson St., Goshen, has been ordered held without bond in the murder of Lawrence Bailey, 44, Goshen, in Syracuse. Pletcher appeared before Kosciusko Superior Court Judge Robert Burner last Wednesday morning for an initial hearing. A preliminary innocent plea was entered by the court. Pletcher was arrested Monday, April 18, and charged with Bailey’s murder, which took place at 158 North Shore Drive, Syracuse. Vern K. Landis, Warsaw attorney, was appointed for Pletcher’s defense. If the case goes to trial, it may not be scheduled until late this year. If Pletcher is convicted of murder, the fixed term of imprisonment is 40 years and an additional 20 years can be added or 10 years subtracted for aggravating or mitigating circumstances. He also could face a SIO,OOO find. Also if convicted and sentenced Pletcher’s term can not be suspended. Inattention is cause of collision Driver inattention contributed to a two-car collision in Syracuse at 4:16 p.m. last Friday, April 22. No one was injured in the mishap. ..John K. Coffey, 23, Syracuse, attempted to turn right off South Huntington Street when he struck a 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Richard A. Phillips, 21, Syracuse. Phillips, who attempted to pass the 1984 Ford Mustang on the right, claimed that Coffey had his left turn signal on before he decided to turn the other way.