The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 31, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 September 1988 — Page 1

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 27

Loitering problem to be addressed at Milford

I By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer While a bill on the register of claims called for the repair of the town’s camera, Milford resident Maxine Pifer proved she had no problems with her’s as she forwarded photographs to the Milford Town Board Monday night, Sept. 14. Pifer claimed the photos revealed violations of town ordinances. The board also heard complaints leveled against the police department during a meeting that became heated at times. After Pifer and town resident Della Baumgartner expressed problems with loitering downtown, the board agreed to look into ways of making Main Street safer. Baumgartner asked why the police car couldn’t be left downtown instead of being taken

Sept. 30 deadline

Jaycees October

(By MITCHELL STINSON Writer Residents of the Lakeiafttl area can get their “two cents in” on the Third District congressional race for the price of a postage stamp. The Syracuse chapter of the Jaycees is sponsoring a forum for Republican incumbeftt John Hiler and his Democratic oppo-

BWJ FtS .

DRIVER KILLED — Seberiano Villarreal, 29, 314 East Williams, Milford, was fatally injured when his 1985 Chevrolet Celebrity was run over by a semi-tractor trailer on US 6, east of CR 25 in Elkhart County Thursday evening, Sept. 8. The accident occurred at 10:32 p.m. Villarreal died of massive chest injuries. Herbert L. Smiley, 50, 421 West 96th Place, Chicago, 111., driver of a 1988 Peterbuilt semi-tractor trailer, involved in the accident, was treated and released from Goshen Hospital for a bruised right knee. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Seberiano Villarreal killed when semi runs over car

Seberiano Villarreal, 29, 314 E. Williams, Milford, died instantly of massive chest injuries in a carsemi accident Thursday, Sept. 8, at 10:32 p.m. The accident occurred on US 6 east of CR 25 in Elkhart County and northeast of Milford. He was alone in the vehicle. Indiana State Police report Villarreal was driving east on US 6 in a 1985 Chevrolet Celebrity when be lost control of the car and drove left of center into the path of a westbound 1988 Peterbuilt semi-tractor trailer. The semi was driven by Herbert L. Smiley, 50, 421 West 96th Place, Chicago, DI. He suffered a bruised right knee and was treated and released from Goshen Hospital. Smiley braked his truck but had no chance to avoid the colli-

/ZIHL ANNIVERSARY HurS ' w w.* 77 CROI *** STATE LIBRARY.

home by the officer on duty. While Board President Dennis Wuthrich noted that a similar measure taken about five years ago resulted in vandalism to the vehicle, the board left itself open to trying the idea again. The police department was commended for its performance in keeping a log over the past month. The log assures that the board is able to account for the location of the officers at all times. Pifer quizzed the board on requirements to hook on the town’s sewer system, claiming that two lots on the east end of town are paying one tap-on fee. Utilities Commissioner Dallas Winchester II noted that the second home on the lot has not yet been tapped, saying that the owner would be charged for the tap-on when it actually takes place. However, Pifer stated that the owner of the lot, Bud Campbell, is preparing to have two mobile homes while he only has a permit for one. The

nent Tom Ward on October 22 and questions from the public will be presented to them through a moderator. Residents have until Sepl. 30 to mail their questions to the Jaycees at P.O. Box 73, Syracuse. The Jaycees board of directors will screen the questions and submit five or six of them to the candidates in advance of the forum. The event is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Wawasee High School auditorium and admission is free.

sion. The truck ran over the car and then jackknifed on the side of a steep embankment. Alcohol was a factor in the accident and officials state Villarreal had a high alcohol content at the time of the collision. State Police also indicated Villarreal was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident but this would not have prevented the fatal injuries. Investigating the accident were Indiana State Police Master Trooper Wayne Calloway and Trooper Jerry Berkey. Elkhart County Sheriff’s Sgt. Milt Montandon and Ptl. Bobby Kerwood assisted. New Paris Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service were called to the scene. Born In Texas Villarreal was bom in Sinton,

seek questions for Ward, Hiler forum

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

board agreed to check the allegation with the Area Plan Commission. ' Pifer also showed photographs of three mobile homes near Levernier’s Body Shop, South James Street, placed on one lot. “Who’s going to be the watchdog for such instances?” she pleaded. The Milford resident noted the lack of taxing revenue caused by such homes. “If you infiltrate your town with mobile homes you’re not going to have any income,” she claimed. However, Winchester stated that by eliminating one form of housing the town ‘‘would be discriminating.” “Not everyone can afford the type of housing you want to see. I feel that we just have three to four (mobile home) units that are ruining it for everyone,” Winchester added, while Building Commissioner Bill Durbin noted that a method called “rent certification” may help assure safer housing. “It allows the town to

“I can’t stress enough the importance that we’re doing this for the people and community of Syracuse and we' are very interested in their thoughts,” said Syracuse chapter president Mike Flumbaum. “We hope that they would come forward with their questions and concerns for the gentlemen.” The tentative format for the forum calls for the candidates to start off by addressing the mailed-in questions, devoting 10-15 minutes to each topic. They

Texas, on April 26, 1959, to Cristoforo and Julia (Ybarra) Villarreal. He moved to Milford two years ago from Texas and was employed at Blue Fin Industries, Nappanee. Survivors include his parents; two brothers, Abel Travino and Daniel Villarreal, both of Odem, Texas; five sisters, Mrs. Oscar (Dora) Pena, Milford, Marta Travino, Ligonier, Noemi Rocha and Francisca Frausto, both of Odem, Texas, and Mrs. David (Mary) Deuhart, Sinton, Texas. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 10, at 9 am., in Thompson and Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. Rev. Albert Jimenez officiated and burial was in San Patricio Cemetery, Odem, Texas.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14,1988

police housing by having a check every time someone new moves in. It does open a door that you don’t have open now,” he said. The board agreed to investigate the matter further, while the APC will be consulted about the legality Os drafting an ordinance that regulates housing. Durbin also gave a progress report qn the demolition of Levernier’s Body Shop. He noted that the roof had been removed, while the interior had also been cleaned. “The 60-day notice time is approaching and he is making some progress,” he said. Housing complaint forms are also still available in the town hall. In another matter, Nappanee Attorney Loren Sloat, who represents the Byron Ulrich estate, notified the board that the estate may not be abje to meet a 100-day deadline it was given for sewage work to be completed. A notice for the work calls for an October 29 completion date. Sloat also asked why the town

B WK? TOM WARD will then address two topics of their own choosing and conclude with a 30-minute question and answer session. Hiler will go first and after an intermission Ward will follow the same routine. Flumbaum said the forum will focus on issues that touch close to home for people in the Syracuse area. “The questions are not necessarily for the entire country or even the state,” he said. “The gentlemen are coming here to address the concerns of our community and they are both more than anxious to meet and greet the people of Syracuse. ’ ’ |B v / wviHBP ■ B j Eka JOHN HILER Flumbaum said it wasn’t easy getting the two men together because of conflicting schedules. But lots of preparation and planning finally paid off in the end as Flumbaum expects print and TV media from across the state. “I think this is a great medium to bring the public into focus with what’s going on and who our elected officials are,” he said. “A lot of people have no idea that their vote does count and they do have a voice as far as what’s said and done with the elected officials.”

doesn’t maintain Ulrich Drive, [ which he contends is in town i limits and was deeded to the town. Wuthrich noted that the street hadn’t met specifications, having been chip-sealed over gravel. “We had told Byron that we would maintain the street when it meets town specifications,’ ’ Wuthrich said. Sloat will be working with Winchester in an attempt to obtain a working agreement toward improvements at property previously owned by Ulrich. EMS Given Approval After discussion it was decided that the Milford Emergency Medical Service would be allowed to combine its telephone service with the police department. The measure may be taken to improve service of the volunteer branch. “We’re looking at a couple different ways of bettering our service — to make sure that the phone is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” EMS President Cheryl Brunjes remarked. The EMS would pay county dispatching services, while Milford would provide them with a WATS line. “It (the addition) shouldn’t affect the town’s telephone or dispatch rate,” Town Marshal David Hobbs stated. Reporting for his department, Hobbs noted that a vandalism incident at the wastewater treatment facility had been solved, with two juveniles being apprehended, while the apprehension of an automobile theft suspect was also made over the . weekend. ■ • A. ’ The police department.receiv- ' ed 288 complaints from August 8 through Saturday, Sept. 9, while six traffic accidents resulting in $17,000 damage were investigated. Eleven traffic arrests, 11 misdemeanor arrests, and two juvenile arrests were

To honor EAATs —

Tickets on sale tomorrow

for MAD's 'Citizen' banquet

(By SCOTT DAVIDSON Staff Writer Details for the MAD Council’s Citizen of the Year banquet, which this year will honor past and present members of the EMS, was discussed at the September meeting of MAD on Saturday. This year’s banquet, to be held on October 22 in the Milford School gymnasium, will hopefully attract a total of 500 persons according to John Replogle, president of MAD and coordinator of the banquet. commented that tickets for the banquet will go on sale tomorrow (Thursday) at Doll’s Decorating and Milford Insurance. He added that tickets for the dinner, which begins at

School attorney addresses 'what if' of school board member resignation

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer The statute regarding a vacancy of a board member during a term was addressed last evening (Tuesday) at the Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of Trustees Meeting. Robert Reed, legal counsel for the board, was asked to shed light on the matter. Bill G. Little, board president, stated there continued to be conflicts in the process to follow when and if this would occur. Reed, who initially misunderstood the topic, stated he had not researched that area,

also made, while the department logged 3,408 miles at a cost of $288.27 for gasoline and oil /(15 miles per gallon). I Also, Hobbs and Deputy Marshal Aaron Rovenstine will soon be giving safety classes to Milford School students, and Milford resident John Miller was formally hired to fill a reserve position that had opened in the department. Miller, 42, had helped establish the reserve officer program at the Richmond (Ind.) Police Department and is currently employed by Fairmont Homes in Nappanee. Decomposition Problem The utilities department will purchase a dissolved oxygen probe for the wastewater treatment plant in attempts to alleviate decomposition found at the bottom of the plant’s lagoons. The probe will cost approximately $1,400. Winchester noted in his report that manholes would be raised, some water hydrants replaced, and an attempt will be made to paint the town’s hydrants in the coming weeks. He also is taking measures to have a 30 mile-per-hour speed limit sign on Syracuse Road replace the 45 mph sign currently installed. “The town’s sidewalk program is complete, while we used 21,000 tons of hot mix during the month,” Winchester added. A recurring problem at Newcomer’s Mobile Home Court is also being examined, with sewage still being discharged into Turkey Creek. The deadline of theJKl-day order given to- correct the problem is nearing, white the state still hasn’i examined the site, according to Winchester. The board agreed to review its ordinance and see what further ac(Continued on page 2)

6:30 p.m., are $lO with $5 going to cover the cost of the dinner and the other $5 going to the EMS. “We have 400 tickets to sell for the banquet and we would like to see 300 people from Milford and 100 persons from Leesburg attend the event since the EMS does such a fine job serving both communities,” said Replogle. Replogle stated that MAD in the past has honored one man or woman as “Citizen of the Year.” He said that the results of this year’s survey conducted by MAD showed that the people of the Milford community wanted the EMS as a group to be honored this year. He added that 72 percent of the persons who returned the surveys chose the EMS as their first selection to be recognized. Replogle commented that 27 percent of the surveys

however would checklhe statutes and make his opinions available at the superintendent’s office for those interested. Reed left the meeting and unexpectedly returned later with an answer. He noted the state statute is still the same as in 1970 when Little was placed on the board. The statue states whenever a vacancy occurs on the board during a term, the school board will appoint a person for the remainder of that term, or a full term, and that the seat cannot be filled by an election, until it is scheduled to come up at an election. This would include appointing a person if a seat was up for election and no one filed, the board would appoint someone. Reed also stated that the person appointed by the board must also meet all

WeSI "«*«wevepENastfNwa/ Registration deadline Oct. 7 Americans must be registered before they may cast their ballots in the November 8 election. No ballots will be given to persons who are not registered, not even a ballot for the Wawasee Community School Board. Persons may register locally until Friday, Sept. 23. They may then register at the clerk’s office in the Justice Building at Warsaw until Friday, Oct. 7., Persons who have moved from one precinct to another and persons who have changes of addresses must re-register. Anyone with a question as to whether he or she is properly registered should call the county clerk at 457-5757. All precinct committeemen and women and others who are currently registering persons may do so whether a person is a Republican or a Democrat. Registration is currently underway at the following places in the Lakeland area: Tippecanoe Township At the township assessor’s office; Or by contacting one of the following precinct committeemen and women: Ted Sauder and Gary Eastlund, one; Judy Henwood, two;- Ronald Bame and George Applegate, three; Charles Shock and Lynn Stalter, four. Turkey Creek Township At the township assessor’s office; Or by contacting one of the following precinct committeemen and women: Mary Jane Cox and Forrest (“Bud”) Smith, one; Opal Miller and Charlene Knispel, two; Bill Coburn and Susan Myrick, three; Betty Dust, four; Michael Neff and Roxanne Hadley, five; and E. P. (“Pat”) McCarty and Jack Ridings, six. Van Buren Township Maxine Pifer is holding a registration open house at her home at 202 East Fourth street from 4 to Bp.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, and from 8 a.m. untiJ 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 17. Or, persons may register at the town hall; Or by contacting one of the following precinct committeemen and women: Mrs. Pifer and Margaret Brooks, one; Bob Phillips andjßob J. Beer, two; and Mary Duncan and Nilah Jonasch,

returned listed the’Milford Fire Department as their first selection and that unit will be honored at next year’s banquet. Replogle stated that more than 75 invitations have been sent to current and former EMS members. He added that expectations are for at least 100 EMS members and spouses to attend the banquet. The banquet, whose doors will open at 6 p.m., will be catered by Campbell’s and will include a dinner of ham and chicken, scalloped potatoes, corn and dressing, jello salad, rolls and butter, pie/cake and beverage. Replogle stated that several area organizations are helping out with the banquet. He added that the Kiwanis Club is buying a large plaque with all of the EMS

the other qualifications and board policy. Reed noted earlier in the meeting that in the past, the vacancy has been handled through the appointment process and there has been at least four persons appointed. These persons include Charles Purdum, Stewart Walker, Jim Fry and Little. / Survey Response Response on a survey concerning what students will attend the new middle school will not be known for sometime. Results of the survey was asked for during # the meeting by a The MailJournal reporter. Dr. Roger Thornton noted the i survey was mailed to every parent in the corporation with children in grades three, four and five. Included in the packet was an introduction to the new facility

NUMBER 31

members names on it and First National Bank is buying individual appreciation certificates for each individual EMS member. Replogle commented that the present and former EMS members who will be honored are “very deserving because of their service to the area.” In addition to Replogle, the EMS banquet committee includes Charlton and Mary Ann Beer, Bob Groves, Bill Steiglitz and Dennis Schori. In other business during Saturday’s MAD meeting, Replogle noted that the goal of raising $1,500 for the Christmas Light project had been reached and even surpassed. He added that the extra money would be used for maintenance and upkeep on the lights.

and a survey asking parents to choose where their children would attend junior high once the new middle school is completed. All parents were given the choice between Milford and the new middle school: A self-stamped, addressed envelope was provided His response to the question was that approximately 50 percent of the surveys were returned and this was not felt adequate. To obtain more response persona were presented the information during enrollment and again through classroom teachers. The third attempt to gain response received a high return. “We need to record these yet,” commented Dr. Thornton who noted recording of the results from the final batch had yet to be started. (Continued on page!)

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