The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 12, Milford, Kosciusko County, 4 May 1988 — Page 1

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

, VOLUME 27

1 MICHAELS. DUKAKIS Democrat U. S. President

Cox takes treasurer's nod —

Meek, Sprunger, Wolkins win legislative nominations

(By JERISEELY Editor Robert Meeks won the Republican nomination for State Senate while Dennis J. Sprunger won the Democratic nomination. David Wolkins will be the Republican party’s candidate on the November ballot in the race for the 18th district senate seat. Meeks is a resident of LaGrange and owns a detective agency there. A retired state police officer, he has been' in public service for 29 years. Meeks received 4,730 total votes to win the nomination. Gregory Mishler of Syracuse came in second in the race with 4,399 votes. Philip Treesh of Kendallville was third. Sprunger is from Kendallville and is a school teacher. He received 3,610 votes while Warsaw attorney Jay Rigdon received 1,763 votes. Both Mishler and Rigdon were favored in Kosciusko County with Republican Mishler receiving 3,177 votes, Meeks receiving 2,048 votes and Treesh receiving 816 votes. Rigdon received 1,305 votes and Sprunger received 609 votes. However, these totals had

Spring clean-up scheduled in Syracuse May 16-20

Town board president Jim Hughes stated that the town of Syracuse will conduct its annual spring clean-up week May 16 through May 20. Citizens are asked to place all large objects, such as stoves, refrigerators, old furniture, or any other items that the normal pick up collectors won’t haul, in their regular pick up spot. Workers from the street department will collect the articles at no cost to the taxpayers. Town residents are asked to notify the Street department when these articles are placed out, at 457-3229, for faster service. Any resident wanting to dispose of their own articles before the

$950,000 for Syracuse — Wawasee Schools to purchase bonds at 6.72322% interest

—i : — By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer The bid from Summers and Company, Fort Wayne, on School Building Bonds of 1988 for the Wawasee Community School Corporation was accepted Tuesday afternoon. The bonds will be purchased for procuring funds towards the cost of remodeling and improvements to the Syracuse Elementary School building. The 1950,000 bonds will carry a total interest

The Mail Journal

' wWy ; w * ' * JUL ’ EVAN BAYH Democrat Governor

to be added to those in LaGrange, Noble and Stuben Counties and that is where Meeks, from LaGrange County, and Sprunger, from Noble County, outdistanced the Kosciusko County candidates. Wolkins, a Warsaw businessman, received 2,882 votes to defeat four other candidates for the Republican nomination for State Representative from the 18th District. J. D. Geiger, North Webster, former county auditor, was second with 2,043 votes. They were followed by Darwin Call, Charles E. Mills and Dale E. Mock. Dukakis Wins Here With victories in Indiana and Ohio yesterday (Tuesday) Michael S. Dukakis is only some 500 delegates shy of enough to be nominated as the Democratic party’s candidate for President of the United States. Presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson fell short in Indiana and Ohio but gained most of Washington’s 16 delegates by winning a large victory there. It was his first primary victory in six weeks. Dukakis, on the other hand, took most of Ohio’s 159 delegates and Indiana’s 79. Republican Vice President

clean-up week may discard them in a container that will be placed in the fire station parking lot May 14 and 15. Residents are reminded to place the articles inside of the container and not on the ground. Hughes also announced that the police department is cooperating in the program by tagging junk and abandoned cars within town and having them removed when necessary. Letters are also being sent to some property owners who have allowed junk items and rubbish to accumulate in their yards. Hughes stated that it is the responsibility of each property owner and renter to keep their property clean.

amount of $454,042 and the average interest rate over the 10-year-life of the bond will be 6.72322. The WCSC Board of Trustees met at 1 p.m. to open the six bids received. William R. Wilkerson, Indianapolis, financial advisor for the corporation, was present and recommended the Fort Wayne company’s bid. All bids were below the B.S percent projected interest rate on the bids. Board members present were Bill Little, Carol Swartzendruber and Curtis Jordan. The school corporation will be

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

Mm. - <■ IB- M b ■ d t i "Mg IB t. ■i I / k '”<c; - ■ Hk M HMk< TOM WARD Democrat U. S. Representative

George Bush already has enough delegates for his party’s nomination. Bayh Wins Big While total state returns are not available at press time, it is known that Democratic Secretary of State Evan Bayh was a big winner in the primary. He defeated Kokomo Mayor Stephen J. Daily and Senate Minority Leader Frank O’Bannon. Daily waged a hard campaign. O’Bannon dropped out of the race some time ago to give his support to Bayh and to seek the lieutenant governor’s post. O’Bannon was kept-on the ballot because of the Republican party’s challenge of Bgyh’s residency. Last week the state supreme court ruled in Bayh’s favor. Bayh will face Republican Lieutenant Governor John M. Mutz in the fall. Tom Ward outdistanced his Democratic opponent R. McAlister Ellis, Jr., to gain the third district’s nomination for Representative in Congress. Ward and incumbent Republican Congressman John Hiler are now in a re-match for the third district seat. 53.33% vote in county (By GLEN LONG Staff Writer With the weather warm and sunny and an opportunity to cast votes for county, state and national offices available to them, Kosciusko County voters responded by going to the polls in large numbers yesterday, May 3. Os the 22,804 registered voters in the county, 12,162 cast their ballots in the 63 county precincts for a 53.33 percent voter turnout. Complete vote

paying the following rates pver the next 10 years: 1990 — 6 percent on $15,000 1991 — 6 percent on $75,000 1992 — 6.15 percent on SBO,OOO 1993 —6.30 percent on $85,000 1994 — 6.40 percent on $95,000 1995 — 6.50 percent on SIOO,OOO 1996 — 6.6opercent on SIIO,OOO 1997 - 6.7 percent on $120,000 1998 — 6.7 percent on $130,000 1999 — 6.7 percent on $140,000 Other bids were: Banc One, Indianapolis, with a total interest of $456,751.67 and an average rate of 6.7634 percent. Griffin, Kubik, Stephens and Thompson, Inc., Chicago, 111.,

WEDNESDAY. MAY 4,1988

; J HL : "' * - ■ J™ ■ II ■ ROBERT MEEKS Republican State Senate

counts are on page 2 of this issue. The top vote getter in a contested race, after the huge 6,532 vote for George Bush, was Frederick Gilliam, who received 4,948 votes in his run for reelection as Middle District County Commissioner. “I was glad to see the large turnout,” said Rex Reed, Chairman of the county Republican Party after the votes were counted at the office of Jeanne Weirick, clerk of circuit court, and all computer results had been printed. “Anything over 50 percent is pretty good. ’ ’ Leroy Miller, chairman of the Kosciusko County Democrat Central Committee, was smiling broadly as he said there were no real big surprises in the Democrat vote. “Dukakis and Bayh won big as expected.” County Democratic voters backed Michael Dukakis for President of the United States with a bjg 74.6 percent of the vote. A distant second was Jesse Jackson, with 16.8 percent. It was no real contest for Governor as Evan Bayh was supported by 89.7 percent of Democrat voters. His rivals, Stephen Daily and Frank O’Bannon, garnered 8.1 percent and 2.2 percent respectively. In other contested races, Thomas Ward bested R. McAlister Ellis Jr. for Third District Representative, 82.7 percent to 17.3 percent; James Jontz outstripped S. Gopal Raju, 93 percent to 7 percent, in the race for Fifth District Representative; and Jay Rigdon received 68.2 percent of the vote to Denny Sprunger’s 31.8 percent vote as they competed for State Senator from the 13th District. When votes from other counties were in, Sprunger, however had won the nomination. Bush Wins Easily - On the Republican ballot there were several interesting races to watch as results were printed throughout the evening. The vote for president was as expected, with George Bush receiving 77.8 percent of his party vote. Bob Dole collected 11.7 percent; Pat Robertson, 6.5 percent; and Jack

with a total interest of $491,735 and an average rate of 7.281367 " percent. City Securities Corporation, Indianapolis, with a total interest of $457,470.17, and an average rate of 6.77399 percent. Raffensperger, Hughes and Co., Indianapolis, with a total interest of $469,389.17, and an average rate of 6.950481 percent. Indiana National Bank, Indianapolis, with a total interest of $464,708.33, and an average rate of 6.88117 percent. Prior to the opening of the bids, the board members adopted an amendment to their original bond

- r, ■ fl DENNIS SPRUNGER Democrat State Senate

Kemp, 4 percent. In the race for State Representative of the 18th District, David Wolkins received 40.7 percent of the vote and went on to win the nomination after votes in other counties in his district were counted. J.D. Geiger was second with 26.1 percent; Darwin Call had 18 percent; Dale Mock received 12.2 percent and Charles Mills finished with 2.9 percent. After the votes were counted, Wolkins said, “I feel very good about the race. I came out and said what I stand for. I guess voters appreciated that.” Ip the hotly contested race for £'junty treasurer, Judith Kay Cox won with 35.7 percent. Her closest rival was Sandra Frush, who finished with 32.7 percent. Gloria Maple was third with 20.4 percent and Fred Weagley received 11.1 percent. Judy Cox said, “I’m excited! I’m going to do my best after I win in November. The job will be '' a challenge, but I know I can do it. I want the people to be proud of their treasurer’s office. I will feel good about working with Pat Brown, county auditor.” The three County Councilman-at-large nominations were won by Kathryn Teel and Thomas Anglin, incumbents, and first time winner, Lewis Bertsch. Teel received 24 percent; Anglin, 21.6 percent; and Bertsch, 17.4 percent. The other candidates were Kip Tom, Jane Ann Scott and Merle Holden, who received 14.8 percent, 13.7 percent and 8.5 percent respectively. Gilliam Wins Frederick Gilliam far outstripped John McDaniel, who tried for the second time to unseat him as Middle District County Commissioner. Gilliam had 64.1 percent and McDaniel ended with 35.9 percent of the vote. Richard Kemper bested Ronald Weaver for County Surveyor, 60.5 percent to 39.5 percent. Robert Meeks, with 33.8 percent, finished second to Gregory Mishler’s 52.5 percent in the race for State Senator of the 13th District. Meeks, however, went on to win the Senate nomination for the district. Philip Treesh was third with 13.7 percent of the vote.

resolution of February 9, 1988. The original resolution stated the bonds would not be designated as qualified tax exempt obligations because the corporation expects to issue more than $10,000,000 in tax exemption obligations. The amendment states the bonds will be designated as qualified tax exempt obligations as less than $10,000,000 in tax exemption obligations are expected. The school board will again meet Thursday, May 5, at 2 p.m., to open bids on the construction of the addition and remodeling of the Syracuse Elementary School Building

11 ' I JS I DAVID A. WOLKINS Republican State Representative

County voters supported Patricia Williams for Fifth District Representative in Congress. She received 54 percent, winning over Wayne Burden’s 31.8 percent and Daniel Langmesser’s 14.2 percent. In the only contested delegate to state convention contest. District Two, Gerald Eastlund received 298 votes and Mary Waltz finished with 92 votes. In the contested school board trustee race at Tippecanoe Valley School Corp., John Mellott

Dr. Howard J. Hull, Jr., named Smith-Green superintendent

Dr. Howard J. Hull, Jr., assistant superintendent of instruction at Wawasee Community School Corporation, has accepted the superintendent position at SmithGreen Community Schools Corporation in Churubusco. Dr. Hull’s resignation has been submitted to WCSC officials and official action will take place Tuesday evening, May 10. His resignation is effective June 1. “I am very excited for Howard,” commented Bill Little, school board president, who has known Dr. Hull as a friend. “I’m excited by his prospects. He deserved a superintendency and he was anxious to be a superintendent.” Little added the resignation was no surprise, “we were aware for some time he has

Now $ 2 million — County Commissioners vote to double liability coverage

I By NEVIN DULABAUM Staff Writer The Kosciusko County Commissioners unanimously approved to double the county’s liability insurance coverage at the first of their two monthly meetings on Monday, May 2. At the meeting, Jerry Clevenger, managing partner at Beauchamp and McSpadden in Warsaw, presented the commissioners with the figures which would increase the county’s liability insurance from $1 million dollars to $2 million dollars. At a previous meeting, the commissioners — Maurice Beer, Fred Gilliam, and Charles Lynch — instructed Clevenger to find out, just for their own information, how much the extra $1 million of coverage would cost. Clevenger told the commissioners that general liability insurance for last year cost $94,951. He explained that general liability insurance covers police officers and the general operation of the county. This year the premium for GL rose $7,727 to $102,678. The extra $1 million dollars of coverage, said Clevenger, would cost the county $34,223. In addition, Clevenger said, “If you did that (raise the GL), you would probably want to bump the auto liability limit, too, to $2 million, and that would cost an additional $8,393.” The county is currently paying $53,670 for auto

j' • - JUDITH KAY COX . Republican County Treasurer

bested Roger Moriarty in District One, 673 votes to 492. At Whitko Community School Corp., Andrew Chalk defeated George Vasbinder, 442 to 265. The two successful candidates for District Three were Dale Haupert, with 336 votes, and Richard Dial, with 297 votes. A close third, with 293 votes, was Terry Duggins. County voters at Wa-Nee Community School Corp, gave Dana Stickel 113 votes against Roy

FT ~ ■ ■l J I DR. HOWARD J. HULL, JR.

liability, compared to $45,075 last year. Clevenger said an outright comparison is not fair, however, as new cars and equipment were purchased this year, which would cost more even without cost of living increases. Clevenger said that it was his understanding that in the state of Indiana, claims against a municipality can only go up to $300,000. He added that although claims against the county have not come near the current $1 million limit, four claims of the maximum dollar amount would easily exceed that amount. With a number of the vehicles that the county owns being used in all types of weather, Lynch said, “I don’t really think $2 million is anymore than enough. I think that is the least that we ought to get.” Beer added, “I would feel more comfortable with a-littlemore.” i The unanimous vote of ap- 1 proval for the $2 million liability protection will now be presented to the County Council, who must appropriate the funds for the additional premiums. The council’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12. In Other Business The commissioners decided on an unanimous vote not to close the county treasurer’s office for eight working days immediately following the last due date for property tax. Although the commissioners have allowed the office to close over'the past few

NUMBER 12

FREDERICK GILLIAM Republican County Commissioner

Williams’ 42 votes. Also at Wa- «• Nee, Larry Andrews and Steven Walters got 82 and 77 votes respectively. Behind them were Donald Quackenberger, 50 votes; Ross Sloat, 48 votes; and Risa Wright, 25 votes. At Triton School Corp., Steven Sechrist, with 118 votes, bested Joyce Stemm, who had 58 votes. _ After all printouts were run, Jeanne Weirick said. “I’m glad it’s over! We’ll start again soon for the fall election.” '

been interviewing. ” “He has done a valuable job for us and is a big part of our administrative team. A part of our success is we do have a team concept in our administration,” mentioned Little. The school board will start the search for a replacement following next Tuesday’s meeting. Dr. Hull started with the WCSC in 1981 as principal at Wawasee High School, replacing Henry Smith. Dr. Hull served as principal until 1985 when he advanced to his present position. Prior to coming to Wawasee, Dr. Hull was assistant principal at Elkhart Central High School and DeKalb High School, Waterloo, as well as a social studies teacher and administrative assistant at West Side Junior High, Elkhart.

years, they told Treasurer Vickie Shoemaker that many complaints from the community have been the result because of that decision. Last year the commissioners I approved a plan by Carole Cutler of Colonial Insurance in Indianapolis to set up an additional insurance plan for Kosciusko County employees. While the insurance program that the county subsidizes covers health insurance, Cutler’s agency is offering life, disability, and cancer insurance to those that are interested. In addition, under Section 105 of the Internal Revenue Codes, the subtraction of the additional insurance and all of each employee’s FICA withdrawals can be taken before taxes are Withheld, which wffl save money. Last year the county did not possess the computer software to make the necessary deductions of the additional insurance plan. In December the county received the needed computer software from ATEK, and so Cutler asked the commissioners to approve the plan, with the knowledge that county employees will be contacted about the additional insurance program on their own time. The next County Commissioners meeting will be held on Thursday, May 5, at 9 a.m. in the county courthouse. Among other items of business the commissioners will discuss the All Rezoning ordinance.

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