The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 49, Milford, Kosciusko County, 18 January 1989 — Page 5

Republicans seek tax relief for Hoosiers

By STATE SENATOR ROBERT L. MEEKS

INDIANAPOLIS — Tax relief for Hoosiers and continued progress in education, health care and the environment will top Republicans’ priorities during the 1989 session of the General Assembly, according to the legislative agenda outlined by Senate and House GOP leaders. Because of a strong economy, record-high employment and prudent state spending, budget experts forecast a state surplus -of S2OB million for the fiscal year ending June 30, and anticipate new state revenue of $1 billion over the next two years. In addition, Indiana’s “Rainy Day ,_Fund” has a $220 million reserve in case revenue should decline unexpectedly. As a result, Senate President Pro Tern Robert Garton and House Republican Speaker Paul Mannweiler this week said the state should share its prosperity by providing tax relief to Hoosiers in 1989. Several tax-relief proposals have surfaced in the first ten days of the legislative session. The proposals for individual taxpayers include: —raising the homestead credit for homeowners to ease property tax increases expected to result from next year’s property reassessment; —increasing the personal ex®*emption on income taxes from the current $1,000; —providing a one-time tax rebate; —reducing the 3.4 percent state income tax rate; and —addressing the issue of auto excise taxes, which have risen substantially along with the prices of vehicles. For education, we will work to preserve the reforms and performance-based accountability aspects of the A+ program enacted in 1987. During the current fiscal year, state spending for primary and secondary education totals nearly $2.5 billion, including $1.6 billion in direct, per-pupil support to local school corporations, $67 million for Project Primetime, S2O million to help students at risk of not completing school, and sl9 million to pay for ISTEP testing and remediation. Now, the education focus must be broadened to encompass Indiana’s outstanding higherlearning institutions. The Republican agenda includes supporting expenditures for new academic programs; examining the need for more classroom, office and dormitory space on some

Toll free number for Meeks Citizens wishing to register their views on issues facing members of the Indiana General Assembly this year can use a tollfree telephone number, State Senator Robert L. Meeks (RLaGrange) announced Jan. 9. Persons interested in contacting him can reach the Senate by dialing 1-800-382-9467 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Hearing-impaired Hoosiers also will have an opportunity to register their opinions by telephone during the legislative session. The Indiana Senate has installed a Teletype for the Deaf (TTD) ip an effort to reach a segment of the population which frequently is overlooked. The year-round service will include a tolj-free telephone number, 1-800-548-9527, for longdistance calls and a local telephone number, 232-0404, for the Indianapolis calling area. The TTD combines and acoustic coupler, a typewriter style keyboard and a monitor over which the message is printed. The system also can be adapted to use computer printers as well. “Maintaining a strong line of communication between the citizens of Indiana and their lawmakers is an integral component of our representative form of government. “Knowing how the people of our district feel about the issues better enables me to represent their views in the Senate,“Meeks said. ' In addition to adopting a twoyear state budget, the Legislature is likely to consider expanding the home health care program for elderly and disabled Hoosiers, assisting local governments with the problem of solid waste and hazardous waste disposal, enacting tougher laws against drug abuse and softening the impact of the 1990 property tax reassessment and the auto excise tax “sticker shock”. “We are elected to represent the citizens of our district and ah citizens are given the responsibility of participating in the affairs of government. I welcome the views of my constituents on these important issues,” Meeks said. The General Assembly reconvened Jan. 4 to complete the 61-day session, which is expected to continue into April.

of our university and vr-.ational school campuses; and expanding the College Placement Assessment Center which has contributed to a record student enrollment in state-supported institutions of higher learning. Our ieducation program also calls for greater emphasis on adult education. Seventy-five percent of Indiana residents who

Behind the headlines — ' Central America's 'feet people' are coming!

By PHILIP C. CLARKE

President Reagan and others had warned it could happen. Hard on the heels of Congress’ cut-off of arms for the Nicaraguan freedom fighters, or contras, last year, thousands more refugees from Central America began streaming across the U.S. border to escape growing communist aggression and oppression. The stream is now a flood. More than 125,000 newly-arrived Central Americans have requested political asylum in the U.S. in the past year, most of them from Nicaragua or El Salvador. Border communities in south Texas are swamped by an ever-rising tide of “feet people.” In December in the Brownsville area alone, at least 5,000 Central

Indiana inaugural float has 'Hoosier Pride' theme

Symbols reflecting the diversity of Indiana will adorn the state’s floapiik. the January 20 parade celebrating the inauguration of President George Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle. Although most states will be recognized by units in the parade, the Indiana and Texas entries are designated “honor floats” because they represent the home states of the new President and Vice President. Indiana’s float, named “Hoosier Pride,” which is the same name given to Vice President-elect Quayle’s chartered airplane used in the 1988 campaign, has been financed through contributions of about $50,000 from Hoosier corporations. Sponsored by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the project is being coordinated by a committee under the chairmanship of David N. Griffiths, Indianapolis, a senior vice president of Citizens Gas & Coke Utility. The committee has been

Ice fishing derby to kick off Winter Carnival

I By MITCHELL STINSON Staff Writer

Lakeland fishermen will be staking out territories of ice in the darkness of early morning on Saturday, Jan. 28. They will spread across Lake Syracuse and Lake Wawasee, hoping to land the granddaddy of a fish that could make them a champion in the Winter Carnival’s Ice Fishing Derby. First and second prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in five categories. Included in those categories are pike, bass, bluegill, crappies and perch. Weights of the fish will be taken into consideration in a tiebreaker situation. Despite the recent warm weather, derby organizer Ed Bogart says he isn’t worried that there won’t be enough ice for the event. He says there will be ice in the channels even if the lakes don’t freeze. “There’s going to be ice, we’ll fish on top of an ice cube,” Bogart joked. Bogart emphasized that the possible cancellation of other carnival events would have little bearing on the fishing derby. Any decision to cancel the derby would have to come from Bogart’s Fish n Fun resort and

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will be in the workforce at the beginning of the 21st century are in the workforce today. Therefore, state student assistance programs should be expanded to include adult and part-time students who desire to pursue higher education and need financial aid to enable them to achieve their educational goals. In next week’s report, I will

American aliens are stranded without money, jobs or housing. Immigration authorities are struggling to limit and control the influx. But as Mike Seifert, who directs a south Texas church relief effort, says: “I think we’re heading for a human disaster.” In much of Central America, disaster already has arrived. Even as the contra’s seven-year-old fight for Nicaraguan freedom has withered for lack of U.S. support, the ruling Sandinistas, bolstered by some SIOO million a month in Soviet-bloc military aid, have tightened their controls. Civilians who backed the contras are being systematically hunted down. Death squads roam the countryside. Nicaragua’s Human Rights Commission puts the number of political prisoners at more than 8,000. Nicaragua is plung-

assisted by Josephine Hauck, executive director of the Indianapolis 500 Festival Associates and Ernie Williams of the Indiana State Chamber. The “Hoosier Pride” has been designed and built by Robert D. Buvia, president of EXPOdesign Incorporated of Indianapolis. Among celebrities riding the float in the 1:30 p.m. parade in the nation’s capitol are Navy Captain and Astronaut Donald E. Williams of Lafayette, who also is a Purdue University graduate, and race car driver Pancho Carter of Brownsburg. Honor units from many Indiana colleges and universities will accompany the float in the parade. The patriotic themes of peace, prosperity, and independence are rendered in the float design, whose predominant colors are red, white, and blue. Thousands of similarly-colored balloons will be released along the route. The center section is a of the state.

the chances of that happening are slim. “If the other events of the carnival are postponed the fishing derby still goes on," Bogart said. Judging Will be carried out at the resort. Organizers will be,on the lookout for people who try to catch their whopper in advance and bring it to the derby. “The fish have got to be brought in fresh,” Bogart said. “No frozen fish are accepted.” Early bird registration ends January 20. Final registration ends at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 28 and the competition lasts from 7 a m. to 6 p.m. An awards presentation will Serving our country BRYAN L. SLABAUGH Sgt. Bryan L. Slabaugh, son of Sharon A. Slabaugh, 604 Hiawatha Drive, Syracuse, has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. t The Achievement Medal is awarded to soldiers for meritorious service, acts of courage, or other accomplishments. Slabaugh is a team chief with the 526th Signal Company.

discuss health care and the environment, two other areas wjiich Republicans see as priorities for 1989. As always, I encourage you to let me know your opinions on the issues facing state lawmakers. Please write me c/o the Indiana Senate, Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, or phone the Senate at (317 ) 232-9400 or tollfree 1-800-382-9467.

ing ever closer toward economic collapse. Managua economist Carlos Gabuadi estimated in December that the inflation rate had reached an astronomical 20,000 percent! Shortages of food and other essentials are rampant; except for the Sandinistas and their armed forces, hunger stalks the land. In desperation, tens of thousands of Nicaraguans are fleeing, many to the U.S. One Sandinista official admitted that 15,000 civilians had left in the past six months. Others estimate that the total number of Nicaraguans who have fled their country at over 30,000, or 10 percent of the total population. Political unrest also continues. Defying police curfews and roving gangs of Sandinista toughs, scattered demonstrations still occur, many protesting the military draft. Charles Stansifer, an authority on Central American history at the University of Kansas, suggests Nicaragua is “disintegrating as a country . . . disappearing before our eyes.” However, the same was once said of Castro’s Cuba in its early stages — and before Moscow began propping it up as a surrogate base for some $5 billion a year. Whether Mikhail Gorbachev follows suit and attempts to transform Nicaragua into the first Soviet beachhead on the American continent remains to be seen. Ominously, the communist guerrilla war in neighboring El Salvador is hotting up again with fresh Soviet-bloc arms shipments via Nicaragua. Much will depend on whether the new U.S. administration and Congress decide to abandon Nicaragua and, ultimately, the rest of Central America to the Sandinistas and their Cuban and Soviet sponsors. If the communists achieve total victory in Central America, warns Senator Phil Gramm, the Texas Republican, “up to ten million refugees could pour across the U.S. border.”

be held at Fish ’n Fun resort on Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. Bogart said about 100 participants showed up for last year’s competition and that interest in the derby keeps getting higher. He hopes that increasing interest will show itself in this year’s derby. “I just hope for a good turnout,” Bogart said. “We’d like to see as many people as we can get there.”

Six Reasons Why an IRA from IDS is Still One of the Most Effective Retirement Planning Tools.

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SELECTED PRE-TEEN FINALIST — Jennifer Lincoln, eight, Syracuse, daughter of David and Mary Jane Lincoln, has been selected as a state finalist in the popular and prestigious Miss Indiana Preteen to be held at the Adams Mark Indianapolis Hotel. Lincoln is a third grader at Syracuse Elementary School. She enjoys reading, has pet rabbits, and is active in Girl Scouts. Miss Indiana American Preteen will be crowned at the State Pageant culminating a weekend of fun, excitement and competition, which will include over 100 outstanding young ladies from Indiana. They will be judged on poise and appearance on stage, poise and personality in interviews with pageant judges, and involvement in school, community and/or church activities. Miss Indiana American Preteen for 1989 will win a cash award and an all-expense paid trip to Florida and Disneyworld in November, where she will compete for the National Miss American Pre-teen title. Lincoln is being sponsored by several local merchants. Man assaulted Reports of vandalism,-criminal trespass and an accident were made at the Syracuse Police Department the past week. Juanita Miller of Syracuse reported a bent antenna on her car. The offense occurred in the parking lot of Augsburger’s Super Valu store on Dec. 31, 1988, in the evening. It was reported on Jan. 10 at 5:42 p.m. Miller stated that the antenna was bent by hand. • Adam List reported an assault on Roger Emmons. The offense too/place at Rinker Apartments, r 4 Lynwood, Syracuse, when the subject broke into a residence and assaulted Emmons. The offense took place on Jan. 10 at 11:09 p.m. and was reported on the same date at 11:15 p.m. An accident occurred on the Syracuse-Webster Road at the intersection of that road and Main Street. It happened on Jan. 11 at 7:45 a.m. Charles E. Dawson, 17, r 1 box 327 AA, North Webster, was traveling west, driving a 1971 Pontiac Ventura, when he and Susan Strasser, 34, r 3 box 58, Syracuse, hit each other. Strasser was traveling south, driving a 1988 Lincoln Town Car. Both cars had damage estimates of up to SI,OOO. Dawson stated that he had pulled across the road and had his view blocked by a bus that was crossing the railroad tracks. He did not see Strasser in time to avoid hitting her car. Strasser said that she had crossed the railroad tracks and that Dawson pulled out in front of her. causing the accident. Dawson’s car is registered to Charles and Maude Phyllis Dawson, r 1 box 327 AA, North Webster. Strasser’s car is registered in her name plus Brungardt R. Strasser, r 3 box 58. Syracuse.

The IDS Advantage-Three more reasons to open an IRA. 4. Choice. Choose from over 30 investment options including a variety of annuities, certificates, mutual funds, limited partnerships, unit investment trusts and even individual securities. 5. Flexibility. You can transfer your IRA dollars between IDS investments as frequently as you want, often with no charge. 6. Professional guidance. An IDS personal financial planner will help you make the right decision for your retirement needs, now and in the future. And, every IDS planner is backed by the resources and experience of IDS Financial Services Inc., part of the American Express family of companies. The IDS companies have been helping people reach their financial goals since 1894. Discover what an IRA from IDS can do for you. Please ask for our informative booklet, “Tbday’s IRA " This booklet is yours absolutely free of charge. Simply call 773-7968. or write IDS Financial Services Inc. JOHN F. KENDALL ’ 221 W. MARKET STREET NAPPANEE IN 46550 <' IW* IDS Financial Corporation All nyrhls L

"CRUZIN AROUND CUSE"

(Continued from page 4) the year. Why determine the mean level? Supposedly in order to base decisions as to how much water to allow to flow over the dam periodically during the year. » So far, we have not spoken to anyone who, knows the formulae nor decision-making process, although there’s plenty of strong feelings about the “lowlanders” below the dam being inundated with water just to maintain the lake dwellers properties. Routine replacement of sump pumps seems to be away of life with those living below the dam along Turkey Creek. Perhaps representation from high and low landers should be on the dam committee? . —o—- « THE NEWLY planned Retail Merchants promotion, “Queen for a Day”, finds over 40 local merchants providing goods and gift certificates totaling $1,500 for the February 4 drawing. Watch for complete information coming soon in their promotional advertising. —O—WINTER CARNIVAL fans should be aware that, regardless of the weather, there will be activities at Syracuse Park on January 28 — food, volleyball, road run, fireworks — and the pancake and sausage breakfast in the early hours as well as the Winter Carnival Dance following,the fireworks. Only snowmobiling events will be moved back should the weather and ice conditions not be suitable. Call the chamber office at 457-5637 for additional information. The Jaycees even have a contingency plan for the sleigh rides — if no snow, there will be buggy rides! Ice fishing derby will be held (there’s always enough ice for fishermen!). —O—HAPPY 90TH Birthday Sunday, Jan. 22, to Charlotte Weirich, mother of Elgie Tatman and grandmother of Mark and Don Tatman. Mrs. Weirich moved to the Syracuse area from Logansport 36 years ago and resides with Elgie and Mark at 406 S. Lake Street. jogSPORTS FANS will enjoy half time of this Sunday’s Super Bowl even more when they watch through the 3-D glasses that Coke is pro-

It happened . . . in North Webster

10 YEARS AGO, JAN. 17, 1979 New officers were elected during the January 11 meeting of Barbee Ladies Christian Service. The meeting was held at Barbee Community Church. New officers are. Orpha Foster — president; Rosemary Stapleton — vice president; Mary Schaefer — secretary-treasurer. Due to the absence of the president, Mrs. Raymond Wilson, the January 10 meeting of Goodwill Extension Homemakers Club was opened by Mrs. Fred Butt. The ladies met in the home of Mrs. Bernard Roberts. She was assisted by Mrs. Butt. Even though on the outside they were wet and cold, on the inside snowmobilers from all over Indiana had warm hearts as they participated in the second annual Heart Association Sled-a-thon and Winter Carnival held last Saturday and Sunday in North Webster. The Lakeland Snowmobile Club hosted the event. The snow came one day late as cold, rainy weather awakened snowmobilers on

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Wed., January 18,1989 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

viding through their promotion. Thanks to an inquiry from State Bank of Syracuse’s Paul Pritchard, Jim Evans of Augsburger’s did some checking with the store’s supplier and found that Coke was, indeed, having a promotion and that they could participate. Augs jurger’s has a limited supply of the 3-D glasses and you must ask at the checkout counter after purchasing your 12-pack of Coke. JOHN KROH returned to the Elkhart Hospital last Sunday. He was feeling so good following hi§ hip replacement surgery that he had been driving back and forth to Thornburg’s, checking up on things, and his newly implanted parts popped apart. According to his friends, the hardest part about getting “Big John” back on his feet will be keeping him down! —O'AN UPDATE on buildings built originally for real estate offices comes from Dick Ditmer, who with William T. Jones, built the Huntington « Building in 1961 to house the William T. Jones Realty office which had been located across the street in what is now The Image Group. The site had previously had an old house on it, which was moved to a lot behind the Syracuse Case and divided into apartments. According to Ditmer, the Huntington Building was also divided into offices, housing Dr. Shank, Mr. Charles’ beauty shop, and Tatman Accounting. THERE IS a continual need for emergency medical technicians on the Syracuse EMS and if anyone has ever considered becoming an EMT, here’s your chance. Goshen Hospital is offering a basic EMT training course beginning February 8 and lasting until mid-July. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 1, and the class is limited to 20 people. . The basic EMT training requires physical activity and applicants for EMT certification are required to obtain a medical physical. However, if lifting and stressful activities could prevent participation, it is suggested the course not be taken. For more information about the course, contact Jeff Cooney, EMT-P, PI, EMS Education Coordinator for the hospital, at Goshen Hospital, extension 1103.

Saturday morning. Because of the wet conditions, many snowmobilers had to come by trailer rather than on machine. 20 YEARS AGO, JAN. 15, 1969 North Webster Jaycees are planning their annual Bosses’ Night, to be held next Tuesday evening beginning with a 6:30 dinner at a North Webster case. Steve Williams, president of the Jaycees, said two awards will be presented at a highlight of the meeting: The “Outstanding Jaycee” award, and the Distinguished Service award to the outstanding citizen of the North Webster community. The United Methodist church will hold its family night at 5:30 Sunday, Jan. 19. Each family is asked to bring a dish and also table service. It is talent night and everyone is asked to share his talents. The meeting will be held at the church. The Miriam circle met on Tuesday evening in the home of Mrs. Robert Rose for its monthly meeting. Two Wawasee high school senior girls, Debby

Bockman and Charis Snyder, entertained the group with about 200 slides, showing their travels to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, which they had taken during the summer vacation. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Reiff of North Webster had a birthday dinner on Sunday for their son Tbdd Alan, who was four years old. Those present to help him celebrate were his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Reiff, and uncles Ralph and Mark, and his brothers, Travis and Troy. 30 YEARS AGO, JAN. 15,1959 Freshman basketball teams of Cromwell, North Webster, Milford and Syracuse will compete in a tournament at the Syracuse gym next week, Glen Longenecker, principal, announced Monday. Drawings will be made before the games which begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday 19 January. The second game is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday night the championship game will be played and consolation game.

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