The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 1, Milford, Kosciusko County, 15 February 1989 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., February 15,1989

Editorial

Innumeracy is a problem, too Most of us who do read are alarmed by thXspecter of illiteracy. Yet, how many dedicated readers or anybody, lor that matter, are worried about an equally pressing educational problem, innumeracy. Innumeracy is a lack of working, usable knowledge of numbers and basic math skills. Contrary to popular belief, the use of these skills does not end with a respectable “C” in high school algebra. We use math every day to bank, work on computers and follow recipes. In an increasingly technological world, the old excuses, “I’m not a math person,” “math is for boys,” or, “math is for nerds,” are both dangerous and stupid. In many of the achievements of the civilized world, including those in art, architecture and •music, are strongly rooted in mathematics. Math isn’t mysterious, it is basic and useful. It’s not boring, if, in the early years, it can be related to students in an exciting way. Yet, it seems, in this country, our students are falling behind in mathematics when compared to students in other nations. It’s hard to say why. Perhaps it stems from a general attitude that understanding math is safely in the hands of “someone else.” Everyone knows the “someone elses.” These are the people who vote, wear safety belts, limit their children’s television viewing and watch their cholesterol Whomever they are, if “someone elses” do understand math, then they have an edge over the rest of us, who, if the statistics that are coming out are right (and renTember, the people who gather statistics probably know math), are in trouble. It seems, that as a nation, we need to put two and two together and come up with an equation to solve this problem. - KATE WOLFORD Winter time can be family time The color of the sky as far as I can see, is coal gray. Lift my head from the pillow and then, fall again. Shiver in my bones just thinking, about the weather. (Lyrics taken from “Like the Weather.” by Natalie Merchant) Despite a balmy January, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and winter has arrived with a belated, freezing fury. Waking up each morning usually brings one overriding thought, “I can hardly wait until I can go back to bed." Although stumbling to the bathroom to drag a comb across their heads may be all most people can do in the morning, there are profitable ways to spend the rest of the winter days, and nights. Wintertime can be family time. According to a slew of newspapers and magazines, Barbara Bush and Roseanne Barr have made fat fashionable, so families can go ahead and bake cookies, munch popcorn while watching their favorite old movie or sit down to lavish, stick-to-the-ribs meals together. Modern families have little time together. Sub-zero temperatures that forcibly confine people to their homes can be a blessing in disguise. The fine art of conversation can be explored and maybe old board games can be dusted off and played. Parents can read to their kids, who in turn, can (if they are old enough), read to their parents. Baseball, shorts and summertime may seem far away, but they’re not. With the warm weather comes a host of family activities special only to that time. Os course, with heat comes sweat and sunburn. Let's enjoy winter while we can. -KATE WOLFORD The Samaritan & 1989 The people of this community have different religious beliefs. They worship according to their conscience without interference from government or officials. X Freedom of religious worship is one of the rights guaranteed by our form of government. Those who enjoy the blessing it affords should be scrupulous in respecting the beliefs of those with whom they do not agree. There is no other way to uphold and maintain religious freedom. Instead of disputing about non-essentials, we might follow the example of the great teacher who went about doing good. The good Samaritan, in 1989, will find much to do. /

What others say — A case study in taking out the trash From New Jersey, the state that defined the concept of garbage glut, comes a simple idea for lowering those trash mountains shadowing every hamlet in America. „ . The wonder is that no one thought of it before. Actually, someone else probably has. but High Bridge —a community of 4.000 near the Pennsylvania border — is getting a lot of attention and inquiries from all over the country because its plan works so well. The idea basically is a pay-as-you-discard system, with residents financing the amount of garbage they actually generate, instead of the usual practice of standard fee for profligates and conservationists alike. Every household used to pay S2BO a year for garbage collection; the town cut that in half, and for the new price issued 52 official garbage stickers per household Each sticker is good for one 30-gallon can or bag of trash at the weekly curbside pick-up. Residents who restrain themselves and use no more than one container a week get a year’s worth of collection. Those who don’t, or want to get rid of something like the old family couch, have to buy extra stickers at $1.25 each It is equitable, it is saving a lot of residents a decent piece of change, and most significantly it has reduced High Bridge s daily garbage pile by 25 percent, from 8.5 to 6.3 tons. The folks on their own have gotten into recycling, compacting, composting and generally taking a lot more care about what they throwaway That in turn is saving the town a bundle in disposal costs. It does not, of course, solve the problem of what to do with the garbage that is collected, but it achieves the principle of reducing the pressure on landfills and extending their life. And that 25 percent, by coincidence, is the standard goal of most recycling It would be simplistic to assume the same results in Chicago, but it doesn t take a math whiz to gauge the 8,000 tons of garbage a day and has budgeted some $45 million in the next year to get rid of it. It is an example as well for the growing number of suburbs trying to lure their residents into meaningful recycling With each American producing 1,300 pounds of trash a vear while landfills diminish and incineration fuels controversy, there have to be better ways. In High Bridge, they found one _ CHICAGO TRIBUNE

2- 3 3 zjj- — / x 3 3 1 3 Simple math problems? For some they are an impossible task.

Court news

Coimty Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrett presiding: Expired Plates — Jennene M. Miller, 29, Syracuse, S6O. Speeding — Delbert Bradley, 40, Milford, $65. Disregarding Automatic Signal — Robert E. Long, 50, Syracuse, S6O. Check Deception — Judy C. Huber, no age, Leesburg, dismissed. County Court Goshen Division The following fines have been levied and paid in the Elkhart County Court, Goshen Division: Failure to use seat belt — Kevin R. Dunithan, 22, Syracuse, $25 Driving left of center — Charles J. Clemens, 31, North Webster, dismissed by deputy prosecuting attorney Intimidation — Joseph L. Hershberger, AKA Joseph Leonard Kincaid. 18, address unknown, fine of S2OO plus costs, sentenced to two years at Indiana Department of Corrections with all but one year suspended, remainder suspended on condition of two years probation Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Schmucker-Stidams Richard Eldon Schmucker, 20, r 1 box 302, Warsaw, and Kimberly Row Stidams, 17, r 1 box 312A. North Webster. Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in the Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Vanlaningham — Sandra K. Vanlaningham, Milford, and Richard D. Vanlaningham, c/o Zimmer, Warsaw. The couple was married Aug. 30, 1986. and separated Jan. 27,1989. There are two minor children. Valentine — Mary Esther Valentine, PO Box 425. North Webster, and Garry A. Valentine, 5 box 30E, West Haven Estates, Warsaw The couple was married Feb 9. 1980, and separated Dec 8, 1988 There are two minor children. Lockridge — Ora D Lockridge, r 1 box 626, North Webster, and Donald E. Lockridge, r 1 box 626. North Webster. The couple was married June 8, 1968, and separated Jan. 30,1989. There are two minor children. Heliums — Milagros Heliums. 314 E Fourth St., Milford, and Marcus Douglas Heliums. Greenwood Apartments, #3, Leesburg The couple was married Aug. 12, 1988, and separated Nov. 18,1988 Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint Augsburger's Super Valu versus Michael A. Cravens, Sr., r 1 box 308, North Webster Petitioner seeks $412.54 plus $55 in court costs Complaint Augsburger's Super Valu versus Jerry Gans, r 4 box 34, lot 67, Syracuse Petitioner seeks $471 76 plus $55 in court costs Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Mark E Jarman, r 2 box 28, North Webster. Petitioner seeks $314.30 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Toni Leever-Kaiser, 211 Pickwick Place. Syracuse Petitioner seeks $277.43 plus $55 in court costs.

-■ Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Kevin R. Lepola, r 1 box 618, North Webster. Petitioner seeks S4OO plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Ronelle D. Maggert, 707 Pittsburg St., Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $226.25 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Dawn M. Neises, r 4 box 85C, Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $326.96 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Scott Ousley, PO Box 164, North Webster. Petitioner seeks $248.57 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Deb Richards, r 5 box 1238, Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $1,376.42 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Linda Stewart, PO Box 734, ■ Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $692.19 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Lisa Weber, r 4 box 66, Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $545.55 plus $55 in court costs. s City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding *- Clyde I. Holmes, 32, Syracuse, S6B Driving without operator's license — Charles M. Howard, 32, Syracuse, dismissed Criminal conversion — Kenneth E. Murphy, 18, Syracuse, dismissed Syracuse woman is injured A Syracuse woman, Leslie A. Perrino, 29, 729 Front Street, received contusions and bruises when her 1985 Ford Escort slid on icy pavement after rounding a curve, hitting an embankment and tree at 7:30 a m. Thursday, Feb. 9, along CR 29 south of CR 56 in Elkhart County. Sheriff Ptl. Ted Selman set damage at more than SI,OOO. Three persons were unhurt following a three-vehicle chain reaction traffic accident at 9:13 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, on Lincolnway East, south of 11th Street, Goshen John A. Ross. 17. Decatur, was driving north, glanced toward the school, and his 1983 Ford Thunderbird rammed the back of a stopped 1986 Ford pickup truck driven by Paul K. Newcomer, 30, 612 Bank St., Syracuse: Newcomer’s truck was shoved into the back of a stopped 1989 Buick Century, operated by Frank H. Miller, 55, Muskegon, Mich., according to Ptl. Gary Penland No injuries were reported, and damage was set at $4,500.

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 sl7 50 per year in Kosciusko County, $23 50 outside county POSTMASTERS: Send chanQe of ad dress forms to The Mail Journal, P O Box IM, Milford, Indiana 46542

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE ,r

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ARIANCE REQUESTS have been published for two local business owners. Don Current is requesting rezoning

or his Current’s Restoration business on North Indiana (SR 13). The location is zoned commercial at this time and he is seeking a special exception which will allow continuation of his offering of auto sales, service and repairs. The second request is by Michael Liberti, who is seeking a special exception on his commercially zoned property on West Main Street to allow for use as a bed and breakfast business. A CHANGE in “Visual Image” is promised for the Syracuse Civil Defense team. According to its director, Phyllis Kuhn, the group has been too often confused with the local police department because their uniforms are similar. No more. The CD will stand apart in their white coveralls with reflector stripes down the legs. The back of the coveralls will identify the Civil Defense member by “CD” printed with reflective letters. The new apparel is on order at this time, with plans to be in use this spring. There will be no need to change their hats, which are blue and white, spell out “Syracuse, Turkey Creek Township Civil Defense” and contain the member’s badge pinned in the center front. Phyllis reminds the public that the Civil Defense assists the police, and other local departments, when requested. They stand by to help out at most local functions for such requirements as traffic directing, which will enhance public safety. I • THE KFC is doing such a thorough renovation job that many have suggested that it might have been easier to bulldoze the entire building and start over! Trucks have been seen coming and going — the entire inside has been gutted and hauled away in pieces, and the windows are boarded up. At the present, it appears to be a deserted/condemned building. But, wait ’til spring! ’\.■ ’ ' ' BARB MATNEY’S eagle eyes didn't miss a thing when she and husband. Jack, were watching the doings from their home during the incident where a male driver crashed head-on into a police car and the culprit was locked up in another police car while the officers surveyed the damage. Barb kept hearing a pounding noise, then saw the suspect crawling out the window (which he had broken) of the squad car. She hustled Jack out into the cold to inform the unsuspecting police of the getaway. TODAY (WEDNESDAY) is Susan B. Anthony’s birthday. Run right out to your local bank and stock up on some commemorative Susan B Silver Dollars! (PLEASE!) That was a super, expensive foul-up done "by the Treasury Department. They wouldn’t accept the survey information which pointed out that the new coin would not fly — had to crank ’em out and distribute them anyway. WITH SPRING just about a month away, it’s exciting to consider all the new projects that will be either completed or implemented by that time. Scheduled for spring opening/reopening are: Kentucky Fried Chicken Noble Romans Sub and Yogurt Shop Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber’s Beautification Plan Repair of Pickwick (at Chinese Gardens) bridge Introduction to new county rural numbering system (for those outside city limits) Proposed apartments on West Chicago Street, just off of the Syracuse-Webster. Road Proposed Oakwood retirement condo’s and conference building Scheduled for summer: McDonald’s Scheduled for fall opening: Pizza Hut Some projects may have been suggested for implementation: Enforcement of junk vehicles ordinance Creation of an ordinance to identify buildings which are in a state of decay and potentially dangerous to people and the environment, along with a process of enforcing correction of the situation Thorough feasibility, study on hiring a town manager. Development of a recycling program for such solid waste items as glass, cans, newspapers This is just a nebulous beginning of projects that can enhance the future of our town and township. We’d like to hear your suggestions also. This may be a dangerous invitation, but please send your ideas to “Syracuse’s Future” c/o The Papers, Inc., 103 East Main Street, Syracuse, IN 46567. We look forward to compiling your input and publishing it at a later date. Together, we can make a difference.

FEBRUARY 17TH is both National Youth Workout Day and the beginning of National FFA Week. National Youth Workout Day is nationally recognized as a day for parents to make at least one change in their child’s daily routine to help his/her fitness. National FFA Week’s purpose is to celebrate annually the week of George Washington’s birthday and to recognize his leadership and commitment to American agriculture. Nearly 8,000 local chapters participate. THE SYRACUSE Case has made some visible improvements by replacing their front door and printing new menus — but there is still a need to upgrade the “olfactory disturbance” by replacing the ventilating fan. It is said that some customers will not eat breakfast at the case if they have an important business conference immediately following, because the “case scent" lingers on their clothing for many miles. WOW — A full moon and a total lunar eclipse will occur on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at approximately 10:35 a.m. EST. This is expected to last approximately 40 minutes, but it does not appear that it will be visible to those of us in the midwest. The western half of the North American continent will have the privilege. Since February 20th is also President's Day (combining the birthday observances of Presidents Lincoln and Washington), the general public should be “out and about” for viewing the eclipse. IT MUST be spring! The Mary Ann Drive-In reopens this week, following the Pang,, family’s vacation in Arizona. They’re all rested up and ready to serve up the popular oriental and western foodstuffs. NOW THAT Augsburger’s has revamped its North Webster store, folks are saying that the contrast with the local store is mindboggling. Os course, that was the view when the Syracuse store was upgraded and the Webster store remained the same. Just a role reversal. But, Syracusians are heading to the North Webster store to enjoy the new flower department and the deli — hmmmm. CURING THE weather blah’s. This just could help — February 21st is set aside as “Northern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day”. To become a part of this special day, all you have to do is go outdoors at high noon (local time) and yell “Hoodie Hoo” to chase away winter and make ready for spring, one month away. HATS OFF to the Syracuse-Wawasee Retail Merchants who pulled off an exciting promotional event in the form of “Queen for a Day” which attracted attention for miles around! Most of the credit for the outstanding success of this project goes tchdts creator and implementor, Roger Fetters, Jr. Without the inspiration and perspiration that he invested in contacting and following up with each merchant — encouraging, giving ideas on how to participate successfully — this could have easily been a non-event. The difference was brought about by the enthusiasm, dedication and TLC which emanated from Roger. Congratulations to all 46 retail merchants who helped to make this a memorable event! -JOG IF YOU had forgotten that yesterday (Tuesday) was Valentine’s Day, a visit to the Wawasee High School office would have quickly reminded one what day it was. Empty counter space in the office has hard to find as bouquets of roses and various other flowers had been delivered to “sweethearts” at the school. Whether students or staff, someone remembered to say, “Hove you.” THORNBURGS SUPER Drugs is offering a free blood pressure screening today (Wednesday) from 4-7 p.m., in the Syracuse.store. If one had ever thought about having his/her blood pressure checked, this would be a good opportunity. LAST WEEK a list of bass fishing tournaments was listed and since then one more group Bass ’N Buddies has scheduled a tournament for May 21. This tournament will bring in 60-70 boats. The Syracuse Police Department is handling the bass tournament reservations for the Syracuse Boat Ramp and are keeping in touch with Tri-County Fish and Wildlife. Tri-County is taking reservations for tournaments leaving from the new Wawasee Boat Ramp. Open communication is the key factor between the two departments so that no more than one large bass tournament is underway at the same time. • SPRING IS definitely on its way. Shopoff’s Drive-In has announced it will be opening for the season on Saturday, Feb. 25. (Continued on page 5)