The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 35, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 October 1988 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., October 12,1988 F

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Editorial

Some hypocrisy remains Two years ago the Milford Town Board’s ethics were being questioned by an area resident who had been released from duties formerly assigned him by the board. Seems this resident, who was a park board member since 1979, had spoken harsh words about the police department. Shortly after his words were spoken he found himself relieved of his duties. While the board noted an ordinance (which called for park board members to be town residents) was the reason he was relieved, the park board member pointed out that he had been appointed under that same ordinance seven years earlier. He claimed that he was relieved shortly after his verbal attack on the police department and stated at a board meeting, “After one criticism I’m out! If I’ve criticized someone they probably deserved it. I didn’t know the police department was above reproach,” He added, “I don’t want to be a part of any kind of hypocrisy like this.” Others talked about a “Barney Fife department” and questioned the whereabouts of officers at times. Since that time the board has had, somewhat, smoother sailing. And, with the complaints becoming fewer, it appears that the board has become a more effective branch of the town. However, while two of the current board members were no part of the 1986 incident, the claims still hurt. The board still suffers a stigma of being a panel that listens to complaints but doesn’t act on them — which isn’t entirely true. Recently the board has seemed to have taken a (bit) stronger stance against substandard housing; although constant needling from the public helped bring about the minimal success. Last month clerk-treasurer Monica Bice and board president Dennis Wuthrich may have been reminded of the 1986 attack on their “ethics”, after listening to recent complaints about a lack of police protection downtown. The two remaining board members had to listen to the complaints in a public setting for the first time. Longtime safe housing advocates Maxine Pifer and Della Baumgartner expressed problems with loitering and the board agreed to look into ways of making Main Street safer. Since that time, Marshal David Hobbs and his deputies have been seen canvassing the area more frequently. Miles patrolled increased from 1,820 to 2,397 to 3,408 over the past three months (which may cause one to wonder what the department was doing in previous months). While board members have taken a tighter grip on the department, calling for it to keep a log so they can account for the location of officers at all times, there are still other measures that have gone unheeded. At a September 14 meeting, board members said they would “leave themselves open” to the idea of keeping the police vehicle parked downtown to help deter loitering during the town marshal’s free time. However, the vehicle remains at his home. The stigma of a “Barney Fife” department is disappearing (which was unfair to Barney in the first place since he was much more accessible), but some “hypocrisy” still exists. Columbus It was in the first week of August, 1492, that Columbus sailed from Palos, Spain, in search of a route across the Atlantic to China and the Far East. With three ships he sailed westward for more than-nine weeks before land was sighted. 1 Columbus was looking for islands west of the Sargasso Sea. When a lookout sighted Watling Island, on the morning of October 12th, Columbus thought he had reached India, named the natives Indians and called the island San Salvador. Careful research has established that Columbus was not the first to discover America. A Viking, Leif Ericsson, had arrived almost five hundred years earlier. , J Oldest U.S. city The oldest city in the United States, said to be St. Augustine, originally was the site of a Spanish fort, which still stands. The Festival of St. Augustine, still remembered in the Roman Catholic Church, refers not to the city but to the saint for whom St. Augustine was named. Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed on the Florida coast on August 28, 1565. He had been sent by King Philip of Spain to expel a colony of Protestants from France (Huguenots), who had settled on the St. John River. The Spaniards massacred the Protestants (in the name of God, of course) and built the fort and named their settlement St. Augustine — after an African of that name born in 354 who became a famous bishop.

What others say —

Ozone warning Another warning has been issued about ozone depletion, linked to use of chlorofluorocarbons. Will it be heeded? It’s up to the United States to make the first move. I Lee Thomas, the Environmental Protection Agency director, says use of chlorofluorocarbons has to be scaled batk drastically, even more than the scheduled phaseout approved at a/conferehce last year in Montreal. That international meeting was successful venture by the United States to get other countries to do something about chlorofluorocarbons. Now it appears another conference will be needed, even before the protocol signed in 1987 takes effect next summer. The latest development shouldn’t be a surprise. Scientists have greatly increased research into the state of the ozone. The new evidence has been anything but encouraging. Even as critics contend that much of the “hole” in the ozone is naturally occurring, and will expand and shrink over time, scientists say ozone is being depleted more quickly than expected. Skin cancer could increase as the shield protecting humans from the sun is eroded. Some companies are working on substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons. These will replace a product that is used as a refrigerant, plastic foamer, computer chip solvent and in fire extinguishers. The United States is the leading maker and consumer of chlorofluorocarbons. It has a special duty to take direct action to reduce the harm they cause to the environment. x x -KANSAS CITY TIMES

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Oct. 10-12 are special days for persons who think Christopher Columbus was a special man.

Court news

County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrett presiding: Disregarding Stop Sign — Steven J. Pfefferkorn, 27, Leesburg, S6O. False Registration — Dorian Carpenter, 19, Syracuse, S6O; Jeff A. Smith, 29, Syracuse, S6O. Unsafe Start — David A. Stuckman, 17, Syracuse, S6O. Seatbelt Violation — Deborah R..E. Singrey, 30, Leesburg, S2O; Mike A. Flumbaum, 31, Syracuse, S2O. Speeding — Nicole L. Blade, 19, Syracuse, $80; John c. Burger, 17, Syracuse, $80; Mark A. Taylor, 27, North Webster, $80; Lawrence R. Pletcher, 42, Syracuse, S6O; Shawn P. Kahle, 17, Syracuse, S6O; David A. Keener, 17, Syracuse, $80; Kevin L. Brown, 26, Syracuse, S6O; Michael R. Brown, 33, Syracuse, S6O; Robert Stoliker, 41, Syracuse, S6O. No Operator’s License — Marilyn S. Leemon, 37, Milford, S6O. Operating While Intoxicated — Frank Vera, Jr., 28, Syracuse, dismissed with prejudice; Walter Feshchenko, 26, Syracuse, dismissed. Public Intoxication — Todd R. Eyer, 25, Syracuse, $153; Roger Dale Emmons, 34, Syracuse, dismissed. Possession Os Marijuana — Roger Dale Emmons, 34, Syracuse, dismissed. Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint On Written Loan Agreement First Federal of Wabash versus Violet Birky, PO Box 251, Milford. Plaintiff seeks $3,947.88 plus interest and costs. Complaint Campbell’s 1.G.A., Inc. versus Panessia M. Burke, PO Box 1585, Warsaw. Plaintiff seeks $572.86 plus costs. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Caudill-Skelton Donald Ray Caudill, 19, 312 Dolan, Syracuse, and Michele Marie Skelton, 18, 312 Dolan, Syracuse. The following couple has applied for a marriage license in Elkhart County Court: Sylvester-Graber Robert Lee Sylvester, 29, r 3 box 259, Syracuse and Colette Jo Graber, 23, 904 E. Walnut St., Nappanee Marriage Dissolutions ♦ The following marriage dissolutions were granted in Elkhart County Court: Superior 111 Howard — Gloria Jean Howard, r 2 box 34cc, Milford and Charles Michael Howard, 114 Elizabeth Street, Owosso, Mich. The couple was married on Dec. 1,1981 and separated June 8,1988. The wife was restored her maiden name of Gonzales. County Court Goshen Division The following fine plus court costs has been levied and paid in

Elkhart County Court, Goshen Division: Speeding — Karen L. Falk, 34, Syracuse, $56 City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Driving while license suspended — John J. Kuipers, 28, Syracuse, dismissed Speeding — Sirena S. Barton, 17, Syracuse, $63 Disregarding official traffic control device — R. Hunsberger, 36, Milford, $54 No valid license — John J. Kuipers, 29, Syracuse, $63, plea bargain - • Brake failure not cause of accident Officials at Wawasee Community School Corporation have determined it was not brake failure nor defective brakes that caused a school bus/truck accident on September 21 south of North Webster on SR 13. Fred Green, bus* mechanic, found nothing wrong with the brakes after a complete check of the brake system and re-enacting the accident. Roger Kryder, business manager and transportation manager, reported it was driver error that caused the accident and the driver, Judy I. Moser, was cautioned. It was noted, by Kryder, Mrs. Moser came around the curve to fast for conditions. The school corporation will be working with the state highway department about the dangerous conditions of the flowing well area on SR 13. Remedies to the situation may include lowering the speed limit or caution lights. A number of accidents have occurred in that area. Kryder did note that because of that areas dangerousness, the bus routes have been changed so that school children would not have to cross the highway. Soviet golf course MOSCOW — The driving range of the Soviet Union’s first golf course opened recently in a ceremony attended by dignitaries ranging from heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson to a leading Russian Orthodox clergyman. THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by the Mail-Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 46567. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: $17.50 per year in Kosciusko County; $23.50 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mall-Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE

Everybody has his day, it is said... and Friday, October 14, has been set aside to celebrate Boss’ Day. lere’s an opportunity to say “thank you” to the person who leads the way, stands up for employees and sets the standards for the company — and without whom, there would be no work! Hats off to bosses!!! FALLEN IDOL. The first annual Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce golf outing had many plusses — great weather, good company, super food. It also shed a new light on a golfing legend, as shown by the following anonymous report: Some people say bald(ing) is beautiful. However, there are some disadvantages. Just ask local avid golfer Terry Skaggs, who is famous for post-mortem analysis of a round of golf. It seems that Skaggs played in the first annual S-W Chamber of Commerce scramble at South Shore last week. His playing fivesome included Dan Arthur, Bob Westfall, Dennis Stutzman, and local attorney, Dick Green. Skaggs admittedly did not have his best round. During the usual post-mortem conducted in the presence of all who played in the event, Skaggs was rationalizing (making excuses for) his play. Dick Green, who normally has to dust off his golf bag before playing twice each year, and who was obviously fatigued from carrying Skaggs around the golf course all day, quipped, “Terry Skaggs has always been my idol. I always thought I wanted to play golf like him until I played with him.” It was then that Skaggs proved that the upper portion of his face, where there used to be hair, gets red right along with his face. A NEW business at the old Schacht Rubber site on SR 13 across from South Shore??? The triangle property is being cleared, flagged, and readied for something. —o— A THIRD annual Halloween costume parade is being planned by the local retail merchants group. The date is fixed for Thursday, Oct. 27. The Lakeland Youth Center will again be the rallying point at 6 p.m. and the spookily-clad entrants will make a short trek up the access road, across 13 and back down the other access road, across 13 once more, and return to the Youth Center for final judging, refreshments, and awarding of prizes. —o— / RED RIBBON week, a national campaign geared for promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, is scheduled for October 23-30. Many surrounding communities and their schools are preparing for the event and will decorate with red ribbons, but nothing has been said about Syracuse’s participation in supporting the program. —o— THE ENCHANTED Hills Playhouse’s airconditioning fund is slightly over SSOO richer, thanks to the Guild’s recent successful garage sale. Trudy Bouterse, Guild president, reports that the Playhouse was pleased with the community support. Some unsold children’s clothing was taken to the Methodist Thrift Shop; adult clothing was removed to the old barn for possible ''' use as costumes, the remaining will go to the Thrift Shop; and decorative items, pots and pans, and such will be for sale each Saturday at the Leesburg Flea Market through October. IT MAY be too late to register to vote, however you can still have an opportunity to learn more about local candidates when they appear at the WHS/Syracuse Jaycee-sponsored political forum on Saturday, Oct. 22, 4:30 p.m. at Wawasee High School. This free forum will feature Congressman John Hiler and Candidate Tom Ward. THE CHURCH of God honored Jiggs and Kate Hibschman last Sunday for their years of dedication and service to the church and the community. The couple was presented with a gift from the church and a floral arrangement. The program committee members making the presentation were Butch and Jackie Plikerd and Lloyd and Lucy Kammerdiener. TOM FARRIS, of Muncie and Lake Wawasee, has been elected Ball State University College of Business Alumni Board President. Farris, a marketing consultant, artist and writer, is a 1967 BSU graduate and has served on the Alumni Board since 1986. Its mission is to advise the college and act as a liaison between the

Three accidents in Milford last week

Milford Police investigated three accidents last week that resulted in a total of over $7,000 damage. A personal property damage accident was reported behind Milford Clothing Store, Main Street, at 5:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. Lisa Maggart, 21, Cromwell, was backing her 1982 Pontiac when it bumped a 1974 Dodge Charger parked behind the store, owned by Edward Cucura, Milford. Damage was estimated up to SSOO to the Cucura vehicle and under S2OO to the Maggart vehicle.

HL 71 college and the business community, stimulating interest in the educational, professional and sdcial aspects of business and industry. —o— MYSTERY CAR? We keep hearing reports of sightings of a white extended-body Cadillac limo around town — parked in front of the State Bank of Syracuse on Main Street one day, at The Sleepy Owl on another occasion and at the Syracuse Case most recently. Who gets out of it? Who gets into it? “’Tis a puzzlement! ” — JOG FALL IS definitely upon us. Wherever you drive in the area, signs of fall are visible. Leaves changing colors, farmers harvesting crops, jackets being worn and many other signs. But, it was a sure sign of fall last Thursday at the Herman Weisser and Ray Miller homes on East Shore Drive. Both men reported having ice on their piers, not frost. Os course once the sun appeared, the ice disappeared. —o— SOME CHANGES are being made at the Syracuse Church of God. Workers have spent the past week repairing water leaks in the basement wall on the older church structure. Once the repair work is completed, the former gravel parking lot will be deineritea. This will all be done before a new handicapped entrance is installed on the west side of the church building. —O’STREET PAVING is still underway in Syracuse. Crews paved Harrison Street from Washington Street to SR 13 early this week and were seen paving the alley between North Street and Portland Street on Tuesday. Dan Brown of Phend and Brown, Inc., Milford, who has been contracted to do the paving, provided a list of what areas are to be paved. In addition to those already mentioned, areas include: Henry Street from SR 13-Harrison; Medusa Court from Medusa to SR 13; Ash Street from Brooklyn to Portland; Brooklyn Street from Main Street to the dead end at the west end; the north-south alley west of SR 13 between Pearl and Carroll; Seventh Street from Medusa Street to the railroad tracks; and the fire station parking lot. QUESTIONS ARE still being raised about North Huntington Street. By many, this street has been dubbed an eye-sore to the town and even called a cow path. Official word as to why this street has not been paved could not be obtained as Syracuse Town Board President Jim Hughes is out of town and everyone feels it should come from him. But word from reliable sources is that the residents of North Huntington Street don’t want it paved because it would mean losing several large trees. It seems that the street was scheduled to be paved. A grant was obtained to improve the street and correct the drainage problem on the north end. The project even included widening the street. Yet when it came time, the residents voiced their objections and the town granted their wish. Apparently an ultimatum was given to the residents: This way or not at all.

Doug L. Brown, 29, Milford, was not injured when his 1988 Chevrolet truck struck a deer on CR 1300 N west of CR 1050E on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6:35 p.m. Damage to the truck was estimated up to SBOO. Charges are pending in an accident Friday, Oct. 7, at 8:10 a.m. on SR 15 near Fourth Street. Milford Marshal David Hobbs reports a 1968 Ford van was parked at Stan’s Restaurant on SR 15 with mechanical problems. The driver, James W. Collins, 515 E. Market St., Warsaw, got out of the vehicle to jump start the van,

however the vehicle was left in gear and on its own accord took off out of the parking lot. The vehicle made a 180 degree turn after traveling 150 feet, hitting a garage owned by Juan Olivo, 311 West Fourth St., Milford, destroying the garage and damaging a 1987 Mercury Cougar parked in the garage. Damage to the garage was estimated over $6,000 and up to S6OO to the vehicle. Damage to the van, owned by Nela Collins, 511 E. Market St., Warsaw, was estimated up to S4OO.