The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 12, Milford, Kosciusko County, 3 May 1989 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., May 3,1989

Editorial

A National Drinking Water Week WATER: The American Heritage Dictionary says it is a clear, colorless, nearly odorless and tasteless liquid essential for most plant and animal life and the most widely used of all solvents. In simple terms: Without water, there would be no life on planet Earth! May 1-7 is National Drinking Water Week and the town of Syracuse is participating in the nationwide observance which has been created to increase public understanding of water issues and to remind people of the importance of good drinking water. In a news item in last week’s Mail-Journal Ron Conley, head of the Syracuse Street and Water Departments, said, “Most people take water pretty much for granted. During National Drinking Water Week we’d like to promote a better understanding of all the things that happen to water between the time we get it from nature and the time the consumer runs it from the faucet at home.” Tours of the Syracuse water plant on Dolan Drive and an open house are being held today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) with a water conservation film being shown at the Syracuse Town Hall tonight at 7 p.m. According to Jon Cupp, administrator of the Kosciusko County Health Department, the ground water, generally speaking, is in “pretty good shape. ” Most of us don’t give water a second thought until we turn on the faucet and nothing comes out. It’s like electricity. When we turn the switch (faucet) we gxpect results. Figures received from Conley show 338 billion gallons of water are required on the average day in the USA. That’s a lot of water. That’s a reason to be concerned. It’s a reason to start thinking about water. What would we do if suddenly there was no more water? Or, if suddenly it became so bad that we could not use the water we have? Lightning The National Safety Council warns that too few are properly concerned over lightning. One statistician recently estimated in the April-October lightning season, the ave age person can expect forty to eighty bolts within half a mile. The same statistician says more than a third of fires in rural areas are caused oy lightning. The safest places in thunder and lightning storms are in homes, steel-framed buildings, and in automobiles with windows closed. If in the open, seek a low place, such as a ravine or ditch away from trees and lie flat on the ground. Compartmenta tion Revulsion over the huge Exxon oil spill has continued for some time; recriminations, criticism of Exxon (deserved), and assessing penalties are now following. A preventative measure for the future Congress might wish to explore is a proposal to require oil tankers to be better compartmented. This is the principle used in warships and submarines. It means, in the event of a rupture of the ship’s hull, only a compartment, or a limited number, will be affected. The idea for warships is to prevent sinking. The idea for tankers would be to limit spillage. If the huge Exxon tanker which dumped so many millions of tons of crude oil into Alaskan waters had been more strongly compartmented, perhaps only a small percentage of the tragic oil spill which occurred would have resulted. There are many tankers in operation today. Any mandatory compartmentation program would have to be carried out over a period of years. Now is the time for the 101st Congress to initiate such a preventative program.

What others say — New states: Purerto Rico . . . On Jan. 18, leaders in Puerto Rico agreed to hold a new vote on whether the island should seek independence, become a state, or keep its present in-between status. The rest of the United States was hardly paying attention, until President Bush used a joint session of Congress to voice his support for a plebiscite in Puerto Rico. That should give the issue momentum in Congress. Bush said he favors granting statehood. Among Puerto Ricans, however, statehood is fiercely controversial. The last time they voted on it, in 1967, less than 40 percent favored statehood. More than 60 percent voted to keep the present commonwealth status. Pro-independence parties boycotted, and independence received only a sliver of the vote. Independence still is not a likely choice. AFter more than 20 years since the previous vote, majority opinion may have swung toward statehood. But not necessarily. Commonwealth status, while it is a peculiar hybrid, has some advantages. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. They travel as Americans throughout the country. They lack a vote in Congress or in presidential elections; on the other hand, they do not pay U.S. income taxes. Whether statehood is a preferable option ought to be.first of all put to them. Then the question of whether Puerto Rico could become a viable state can be debated. ... Washington, D.C. ? Meanwhile, promoters of statehood for Washington, C.D. thought they saw an opening in President Bush’s mention of Puerto Rico. They felt, a flash of hope that the two could be paired, as admission of Alaska and Hawaii were paired in 1959. That’s based on a political -calculation that Puerto Rico would be likely to vote Republican, while the District of Columbia would vote Democratic, leaving the twrience in Congress unchanged. of whether the government city ought to be a state, however, involves more than this. The District is artifically separated from the surrounding area. The largest percentage of government workers, lobbyists, etc. leave the District at the end of the day for their homes in Maryland and Virginia, taking their big salaries with them. As a consequence, five of the nation's richest counties lie just outside the District, while the District itself is divided into a stark contrast of rich and poor. Such an artificial island could not sustain itself. It would continue to depend on federal revenue, unlike any other state. If there is a sincere desire to let Washingtonians help choose senators and representatives, let them be included in the voting districts of the affluent suburban counties. The goal ought to be to integrate the District with the wealth that surrounds it, rather than isolate its poor in a state which would be forever dependent. - THE ELKHART TRUTH

f/L I -■ — Where does your drinking water come from? Open House at Syracuse Water Plant today — tomorrow!

Court news

County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrett presiding: Speeding — Eric A. Shaefer, 18, Leesburg, $65; Cathy A. Schaaf, 28, North Webster, S6O; Darrell Shull. 41, Leesburg, S6O; Larry L Jernigan, 32, Syracuse, $80; David E. Carr, 17, Milford, S6O. Unsafe Start — Spencer K. Davis, 17, Leesburg, S6O. Seatbelt Violation — Sally S. Cline, 39, Milford, S2O. Operating ORV On Public Road — Michael D. Simmons, 17, Syracuse, S6O. Fishing With More Than Three Poles — Tony R. Cassidy, 20, Syracuse, sllO. Reckless Driving — Dennis E. Bogart, 18, Syracuse, $l2B. Battery — Roger Kuhn, no age, Leesburg, $203. K.C.J. 80 days suspended, one year probation. Goshen Division The following fines have been levied and paid in the Elkhart County Court. Goshen Division: Speeding — Stephen Ashley Gall. 32, Milford. $56; Domingo Melendez, 39, Milford, $63; Kenya S. Beasley, 37, Syracuse. $63; Keith G. Cripe, 30, Syracuse, $56; Jerry C. Johnson, 57, Syracuse. $63; Stephen D Swinehart, 36, North Webster. $73; James A. Mishler, 32, Milford. SSB; Casimir J. Szynal. 42, Syracuse, $56; Larry A. Leek. 49, Syracuse, $63 New Claims Goshen Division The following new claim has been filed in the Elkhart County

Prom reminder

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The following appeared in the April 28 issue of Wawasee High School’s Smoke Signals and was taken from the newspaper column. Dear Abby It is being reprinted in The MailJournal in hopes of reaching a wider audience.) Dear Abby: I am enclosing a "paid notice" that appeared in The Raleigh (N.C.) Times Perhaps you can use it in your column. My wife and I thought it was very moving and deserved nationwide exposure. We hope you agree. Lori and Kevin Shannon, Raleigh Dear Shannons: I agree, and so did Claude Sitton, my "boss’' at the Raleigh Times. Here's the piece: MESSAGE TO TEEX-AGE DRIVERS EROM THE PARENTSOE A DECEASED TEEX-AGE DRIVER You have a power that no one else on earth possesses Your teachers, the police, the governor, the president — none of them have this power: only you have it This "power " is the power not to kill yourself while behind the wheel of an automobile. This "power" is the power not to kill others with the car you’re driving This '’’‘power" is the power not to be a victim of the slaughter of teen-age drivers on our roadways. You’ve all seen the stories in the newspaper Many of you were friends of the teen-agers killed Maybe they were speeding, or passed illegally, or ignored a stop sign, or tried to beat a red light You cried for them, went to their funerals, participated at memorial services held for them at school. And then got into your car and did the same thing because it could never happen to you! We want to tell you about another group that doesn’t have your "power." and that’s your parents When you leave this earth, your parents remain behind They are left behind to grieve over your premature death They are also left behind to grieve for the future that you'll never experience for yourself — your high school graduation, your wedding, your first child There will never be another vacation where the "whole" family goes on a trip On Christmas, your parents will decorate a little tree

Court, Goshen Division Mehl, Mehl & Beeson, 222 N. Main St., P.O. Box 562, Goshen vs David W. Grossman, 205 Williams St., Apt. 6, Milford. Plaintiff seeks $205 plus interest and costs. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Rich-Parker Donald L. Rich, 43, r 1 box 271, Leesburg, and Debra L. Parker, 36, r 1 box 565, Claypool. Chalk-Hamell Joseph Anthony Chalk, 31, 401 Wooster Road, Apt. A, Winona Lake, and Jill Annette Hamell, 27. 500 N. Harrison, Syracuse. Hutchinson-Hare William Halstead Hutchinson, Jr.. 21. r 5 box 338, Syracuse, and Tammy Sue Hare, 22, r 5 box 338, Syracuse. Garland-Ernst Dennis Garland, 36, 41 Turtle Bay Drive, Syracuse, and Tina Marie Ernst, 31. 41 Turtle Bay Drive, Syracuse. Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint On Note First National Bank of Warsaw versus Jerry W. Myers and Judy Myers, r 2 box 58, Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $4,852.62, attorney fees, interest and costs.

to put next to your cemetery marker The smiles around the Thanksgiving table will never be as wide Mother's Day .. . Father's Day . . . your birthday . . the first warm day of spring — will always cause your parents to think of what might have been. One year ago today, we buried our teen-age son. Jack. Jack was killed in an automobile accident. The accident was a direct result of ignoring the posted speed limit. Jack was a great kid, and we could not have asked for a better son. However, a few seconds of bad judgment, whether caused by inexperience or a sense of "teen-age immorality,” or both, cost Jack his life. Last month, three local teenagers were killed in an accident; the two brothers are buried next to Jack. When we saw these three kids lying side by side in the cemetery on Valentine's Day, we knew we had to try to do something to stop this carnage. How successful we are will depend on you: that means each of you exercising your unique ’’“power” — and using peer pressure to convince your friends to do likewise. Barbara and Jack Ratz, Sr., Raleigh Dear Barbara and Jack: My heart goes out to you in your sorrow. The piece you wrote is indeed powerful — and a fitting memorial to your son. Jack Jr. I hope editors of high school (and college) papers will feel it’s worthy of printing. If so. consider this "permission." ■ I know this piece will be clipped and saved by many. And God willing, some lives w ill be saved.

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 Mam Street. Syracuse Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices Subscription $lB 00 per year in Kosciusko County $24 00 Ou Is Ide county POSTMASTERS Send change of ad dress forms to The Mail Journal P O Box 88 Milford Indiana 4654?

"GRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

T

IS MAY, ’TIS MAY ... The merrie month of May...

We’ve made it through another winter. The rains of April have indeed brought the flowers of May. It is a breathtaking sight to cruise through the town and view the magnolia trees in full bloom. CRUISIN ’CUSE — the event — is gaining momentum with much interest shown by owners of classic cars in participating and touring the lake with the other cruisers. The logo, which appears to be a David Butler design, is nifty. O’ FIRST ANNUAL THIS IS town clean-up week. Residents have only to put their unwanted items out with the trash and special pick-ups will be made to haul it all away. There are also two big dumpsters located at the Civil Defense building for use. They will remain in place for the remainder of this week. We can each get involved with tidying up our town by “adopting” a section of ditch or roadway and picking up the items that have been tossed there by careless, thoughtless passerbys. It’s easy to say, "somebody ought to do something about this mess" — but we are the somebody and this is our hometown. —O'808 AND Mary Jane Knudsen have special house guests. Their daughter. Diane Cressman, and two children, Kyle (age 9) and Erin (age 7) are enjoying an extended visit while husband/father. Major Frederick Cressman, receives further flight training at Andrews Air Force Base. The Cressman children are finishing their school year in the Wawasee School system as the family will be here until June 15. Major Cressman, with over 5,000 flying hours is being trained on the Cl 2 and C2O, having flown the Cl3O previously. When completed, he will be eligible to fly VlP’s — Senators, Representatives, and such. Andrews Air Force Base is the home of the 89th Air Lift Wing which pilots VlP’s around — including the President and Air Force One. —o— THE SNORKEL truck is looking more like a reality for our Syracuse/Turkey Creek Fire Department. The Township Trustee. Ray Darr, will apply to the tax commissioners for an appropriation of $20,000 and Syracuse Town Clerk, Mark Tatman, will apply for a matching appropriation from the Accumulative Fire Fund. The normal time frame for approval is six weeks to two months. There’s no denying that our area has a real need for a fire truck that can extend to higher reaches for not only bringing people out of desperate situations but to be able to douse fires from the top down, rather than standing below and hosing up. -CODOLLARS FOR scholars is attracting attention in our area. The local program recentlyreceived a SSOO donation from our new McDonald’s. The check was presented to committee member. Sally Cotton, by Brian Hershberger, manager, and Rick Purcell, ow ner. —o— LEISURE POOLS & Spas kicked off the pool season with a weeklong open house which included spots on WBTU and give away T-shirts from the station in the well-known orange and yellow colors. THE SYRACUSE PTO is planning a “personal pizza bash" in lieu of its annual fish fry fundraiser. Scheduled for Friday , May 5, from 5-7:30 p.m.. at the school cafeteria, the group will be serving up pizzas from Pizza Hut. There are two meal choices — pizza only, or a “full meal" which provides the addition of a salad and a drink Dessert will be available for an extra fee. The PTO members are out and about selling tickets for this promising fundraiser “IT WAS that stupid asphalt!” Years ago. my son got in a lot of trouble for say ing that one too fast, and then we realized that the potholes in the asphalt caused him and his roller skates some problems. Anyway, the pitted asphalt at Lakeland Standard has been removed and a new smooth drive and parking area to the north of the pumps has replaced the holey one Makes for a smoother ingress and egress Thanks. Dick —o—

THE GOLDEN Razor is getting prettied up. Nancy and Dave Shields were providing “sweat labor” and laying out landscape timbers into neat garden areas. KENTUCKY DERBY time. May 6 marks the annual running at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., of “America’s premier” thoroughbred horse race, inaugurated in 1875. THIS IS Bike-A-Thon weekend. The Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club will host its annual fundraiser on Saturday, May 6. Starting location is St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, and starting time is 8:30 a.m. for registration, 9 a.m. for the bike-a-thon. Participants have been busy signing up sponsors and naming the project or organization to receive the proceeds. Riders will pedal a sixmile course around Syracuse Lake and will be paid by their sponsors for the total number of miles they’ve ridden. The top four riders raising the most money will receive special prizes. The awards ceremony will take place in front of the Syracuse Library on Saturday, May 27, at 1 p.m. This allows time for the riders to collect from their sponsors. A HOG roast is also planned for Saturday, May 6, from 4:30 until 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s. The choir is conducting what it calls the “pig out” to raise funds for new choir robes. Food will be served at St. Andrew’s, however carry-out will be provided also. Pre-sale tickets are available from choir members, or from the church office weekday mornings. Sounds like a “full” weekend! COOL THEY said it would be, and cool the 1989 season will be at the Enchanted Hills Playhouse. Two large air-conditioners are being installed in the audience portion of the old barn, with future plans including some cool breezes for the actors on stage also. For the past several years, "it’s too darn hot” has been a common comment when making plans to attend performances at the playhouse. Now, theater lovers can sing “in the cool, cool of the evening" as they settle down to enjoy the outstanding season planned. The fundraising continues to complete the project of cooling the entire theater. —o— HABITAT FOR humanity was the topic of last week’s Rotary luncheon, held at Gropp’s. Dick Bunnell, pastor of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, was responsible for providing the speaker, Rollin Handrich, director of Elkhart county’s Habitat program. Pastor Bunnell, aware of this writer’s interest, extended an invitation to attend and hear the process. There appeared to be a great deal of interest stirring through the membership. Perhaps this is a beginning for Kosciusko County... —o— THE COUNTY numbering (or renumbering) is, for the most part, completed in the Warsaw rural delivery segments. There are a few glitches, particularly around Chapman and Barbee Lakes, but they are being quickly and smoothly worked out. Syracuse’s numbering is progressing also, Ron Weaver, hired by the town to work on the project, will have a semi-final draft by midmonth. It is imperative that our town have its numbering system in place (no more rural routes within the town limits) by the time the county is ready to concentrate on the rural routes outlying Syracuse town limits. Steve Maenhout of the County Plan Commission has agreed to pick up Syracuse's system and continue it, to some degree, in preparation for future annexation by the town.'. Once every location has a specific address, the address posted on the home or business, and the residents at that address identified, we will be in a position to participate in the E9ll system that County Sheriff, Ron Robinson, is establishing. GO FLY a kite — but make it unique Syracuse Hardware is displaying some very unusual kites, with 15-foot tails that fill with air as they fly. According to Chris Carboneau, they are quite a sight in the air. Similar kites are featured in this month’s issue of Smithsonian Magazine. THE BALL State landscape architect student team returned to Syracuse last week to make a presentation to the beautification committee. The young men. led by Steve Gallagher of Milford, recommended initially, maintaining our "rich history" by cleaning and painting the up town buildings, stating that the facades are in very good repair compared to other towns For the village, their recommendation was to fill in the ditches * The warmth and rich history of our town can be enhanced and all segments drawn together through the planting of trees, installation of pavers in lieu of concrete sidewalks, and the ad- * dition of a unifying or buffer area between the uptown and village by turning the old railroad depot into a park and making use of the renovated for historical displays. (Continued on page 5>