The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 June 1989 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., June 28, 1989

4

Editorial

Try Wawasee this July 4 Floating on Lake Wawasee in an inner tube is one way to spend a heavenly Fourth of July holiday. However, for those who crave active relaxation, the Syracuse area is still the place to be over the coming Fourth of July holiday. A concert, sure to lure culture vultures away from the public radio stations and into Lakeside Park, kicks off an impressive schedule of events. Both the Elkhart Municipal Band and Lakes Area Symphonic Band will be on hand for the June 29 concert. For visitors and local residents who are into accelerated relaxation, a road race and bike race are planned for July 1. The road race is available in the extended 8.8 mile version as well as a shorter run and walk and the bike race is 25 miles. Just the ticket for people who enjoy relaxing themselves to the brink of exhaustion. The newly air-conditioned Enchanted Hills Playhouse offers fans of the theater a chance to relax in air-conditioned comfort. “Two by Two/’ a musical based on the story of Noah’s Ark, begins its two week run tonight. Few can resist the lure of fireworks — particularly when someone else is setting them off. On two nights, July 2 and 4, fireworks will be lighting up the night sky in Syracuse. Whatever one’s favorite relaxation technique, whether culture vulture or fitness nut, the Syracuse area looks like it’ll be a great place to spend the Fourth of July. Just in case those people who crave a lazy holiday are wondering if there’s a special event for them, don’t forget the Flotilla Parade on July 2. Os course, watching those decorated boats is sure to be a big attraction for everyone, but for the lazybones in this area, watching other people’s wonderful handiwork float across the lake sounds like a dream come true. A stamp of approval Much needed housing that is reasonable and safe appears to be just around the corner for those wishing to relocate in the Milford area and for those currently living in substandard structures. The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals and the Milford Town Board each gave their stamp of approval for the development of a mobile home park bn the south side of CR 1250 N and one-quarter mile west of CR 60W in Van Buren Township. Currently an agricultural district, the property will be transformed into a park for 202 homes. Provided the park adheres to its initial plans, it should make for affordable and safe housing — something the Milford Town Board has recognized as a need for some time. Previously, little was done to fulfill that need; however, at its June 12 meeting the board agreed to accept sewage into its treatment facility and to supply municipal water. Those measures paved the way for the BZA approval. While a group of remonstrators expressed concern over flooding, drainage problems and decreased property value, the plan includes storm drains and Coppes Ditch will be left intact to drain water at the west end of the park. A pond (retention area) is also planned for w ater from the east end. Property value should not decrease, with attractive shrubbery and fencing planned, while state restrictions should allow the county to address any trash problems that may develop. Mobile home parks are shredding past images of poorly maintained areas and sizeable lots (8,800 square feet) will ensure an uncluttered scene. Currently, many live in poorly maintained homes in the area due to the lack of affordable housing. Many of these unattractive homes are operated by absentee landlords. A mobile home park would provide the opportunity for safe housing at an affordable cost, a measure The Mail-Journal supports.

What others say

An American disgrace — Burning the Stars and Stripes

A flag is much more than just a “light cloth floating in the wind. ” A flag is an honored symbol of a nation’s unity, its hopes, achievements, glory and high resolve. The flag of the United States of America is such a symbol of freedoms bravely fought for and hardily won ... of protection under the Constitution of the rights and privileges of all Americans . . . of promises and fulfillment of all their hopes and principles and ideals It is also a symbol of the duty of all its citizens to serve in time of need, to speak out for what each considers right, and to help correct under the law that which is honestly believed to be wrong. Throughout the ages, man has developed character, courage, and strength by devotion to the symbols he believed in. That is the heritage left to us . . . Because the United States flag symbolized man’s highest ideals of liberty, justice and brotherhood, it deserves your respect and the certain traditional honors given to standards and banners that trace their beginnings back to the dawn of civilized man’s history.— Your Flag (1973 — Boy Scouts of America). Action by the United States Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the conviction of Gary Johnson, who in 1984 burned an American flag, in an act of protest, at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas. Johnson was fined $2,000 and sentenced to one year in prison for desecration of the American flag, but he fought his battle to the United States Supreme Court which voted 5-4 and overturned his conviction. , The five Supreme Court justices in the majority said the flag symbolized the nation's commitment to free speech and debate, which requires protecting even “offensive” and “disagreeable’’ political ideas. In other words, the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment of Freedom of Speech gives citizens the right to bum the Stars and Stripes in political protest. That is a disgrace upon the United States, the Supreme Court, and millions of men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect what the American flag stands for. It is also disrespectful to our country’s forefathers, who believed that the American flag, along with the American Bald Eagle and the Constitution of the United States, were symbols of this country that should be considered sacred and protected by law. Chief Justice William H Rehnquist, who

voted with the minority on Wednesday, said he could not fathom how a government who can order soldiers to “fight and perhaps die for the flag" may not punish people for “the public burning of the banner under which they fight.” Rehnquist’s evaluation rings true with patriotism, honor and respect that each and every American should have for this country and its symbols of freedom and peace. .. „ Wednesday's ruling strikes down federal laws and state laws, with the exception of Alaska and Wyoming, that consider it a crime to burn or desecrate the flag. These laws stem from the 1923 National Flag Conference held in Washington, D C. In 1942 the Congress of the United States adopted a resolution making the National Flag Code a law. In its present form, it is Public Law 829-77. As journalists, this publication supports the Freedom of Speech and the rights guaranteed under the first amendment. But an attitude that desecrating an American flag is Freedom of Speech goes against what our country and its patriotic citizens have fought for, respected and honored for more than two hundred years. There are symbols that every society and every country should protect and hold dear. The recent action by the Supreme Court is deplorable. Our country and its citizens have believed that the “will of the people” is of utmost importance .. . We believe that a majority of Americans believe this country’s symbols should be protected. The “will of the people” should cry out against the un-patriotic decision of the Supreme Court. Americans should cry out against this ruling, by writing the Supreme Court, their Congressmen and Senators. Let the “will of the people” be known. One person asked, “Who is being hurt when someone bums a flag?” The people hat are hurt are the citizens of the United States, and the patriots who have fought and died for the liberties and freedoms we enjoy. It hurts people like Korean War veteran Daniel Walker, who, with tears in his eyes, scraped up the American flag Coat Johnson burned without respect on that 1984 day in Dallas. Walker showed the honor that every American should have and gave that burned flag a proper and respectable burial. - LAGRANGE NEWS

Wawaseal welcomes all to the Flotilla festivities.

I Under the .. . < Courthouse lEMiig Dome By Ron Sharp * n th s - -

TAXPAYERS LOSING GROUND - The property taxpayer in this area is losing ground in paying for school construction. A survey of debt and capital outlay in our area reveals that taxpayers for years are going to be saddled with paying for schools now being bbilt. In the 1981-82 vear school boards in the area had owed $116,732,957. This amount had grown to $124,852,973 by the end of the 1986-87 year. In this six-year period school boards spent $110,192,807 for Capital Improvements (purchase of land and construction of buildings) and $74,863,977 for Debt Service — to pay leases on schools already built. (Some of the debt service money was used to pay for school buses.) The two accounts used for building purposes totaled $185,056,784. County public schools covered by this report in addition to Kosciusko County were Elkhart. Noble, Wabash, Marshall, and Fultdn. The report does not include the huge building programs currently undertaken by Warsaw Community School Corp, (estimated at $40,000,000 to $50,000,000) and Wawasee Community School Corp. (estimated at $25,000,000 to $30.000.000). These two programs may saddle the local taxpayers with the largest debt of any school corporation in the area. How these building programs affect the education of the youngsters is up for speculation. A breakdown of the 1986-87 year is given below in relationship to the cost per pupil per year. Also the percentage difference between the amount spent in 1981-82 for school building programs. School Corp. 1986-87 % Elkhart Co. Fairfield $ 33Sf 3% Baugo 673 -59% Concord 1.459 214% Middleburv 757 104% Wa Nee 568 19% Elkhart 700 32% Goshen 294 12% Fulton Co. Rochester 202 -4% Caston 224 11% Kosciusko Co. Wawasee 647 86% Warsaw 941 206% Tippecanoe Valiev 425 33% Whitko 264 -35% Marshall Co. Culver 508 180% Argos 539 277% Bremen 596 72% Plymouth 926 200% Triton 439 34% Noble Co. \ Central Noble 628 149% East Noble 559 76% West Noble 570 65% Wabash Co. Manchester 216 40% Wabash MSD 308 9% Wabash 224 -5% Baugo, Rochester, Whitko. and Wabash registered less expenditures in 1986-87 than in 1981-82. REPORT FROM FORT WAYNE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (Baer Field) — According to one who saw — Kosciusko County Sheriff’s vehicle was seen delivering two passengers to the terminal for air departure. The deputy hopped out with two bags and followed two passengers into the terminal. According to the report, the obliging deputy then told the two just to let him know when they returned and he would come and pick them up < Anyone interested in hearing an explanation?) - — SOME WORRIED — Some residents at Lake Wawasee are a little concerned about the effect of the construction bids on the new sewer system on one area of the lake being above the estimate. They’re concerned that the rates may exceed S4O per month for the new waste water system for each homeowner in that area. BUDGETS AROUND THE CORNER - According to rumors the five members of the Syracuse town board will consider the following new positions when they discuss the 1990 budget: Full-time fire chief, town manager, park superintendent, and building commissioner. The State Tax Board cut the 1989 rate due to the town’s rate being over the frozen levy.

Mail-Journal Subscribers Richard Preston R 1 Box 623 R Leesburg, Ind. 46538 Jamie/Linda McAdams R 3 Box 195 Syracuse.lnd.46s67 Kathi Machan 8 Fox Run * , Syracuse, Ind. 46567

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 $lB 00 per year in Kosciusko County $24 00 outside county POSTMASTERS Send change of ad dress forms to The Mail Journal, P O Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542

"CRUZIN. AROUND 'CUSE" -- ' - ■ hi

A SIGN of the times .. . Monday morning found Burkhart Sign trucks and booms in front of the main office of State Bank of Syracuse on Main Street and a workman chiseling away at the letters which spelled out the bank’s name across the front of the building. The shadows of the former name remained after the individual letters were removed. They will soon be covered by the bank’s new name, Ameritrust National Bank. The branch signs were whisked away that same morning and replaced immediately with new ones. BEAUTIFICATION HAS happened at the fire station. The old windows were replaced with more efficient models and the dispatcher has a whole new outlook on the world. NOSTALGIA WILL abound when the area Mothers Clubs serve up their Ice Cream Social at Lakeside Park Thursday from 6-8 p.m. The lush green tree-filled setting, gazebo, pavilion and Syracuse Lake background will help set the scene for the old-fashioned event. Immediately following the Social, the Elkhart Municipal Band will strike up its performance at 8 p.m. in the park. —O’SYRACUSE ARTIST, Donna Arnold, has been invited to show her water colors and tapestries at a two-week exhibit at Notre Dame. Her work will be on display through July 7, at the Isis Gallery in Riley Hall. A talented artist and Fairfield High School art teacher, Donna has also been invited to show her work and that of her students at the gallery located in the Goshen College Library. This is the first time that Goshen College has extended an invitation of this type and Fairfield is the only area high school which has been invited to participate in the summer-long showing. —o— NEARLY 400 people attended the Wawasee Property Owners annual breakfast at South Shore Sunday morning. During the three-hour serving period, members and guests enjoyed the good eating, socialized and officially opened the summer season. According to Bill Spurgeon, WPO head, the annual meeting of property owners will be held in August, with dinner, speaker and topics of discussion. —o— JULY IST marks the “halfway point of 1989” — 182 days of the year will have elapsed and 182 will remain before January 1,1990. —o— KOSCIUSKO COUNTY banners and brackets will be provided to all participating towns free of charge by the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Syracuse Town Board recently approved displaying the banners and Chief Ziller has agreed to be responsible for them. The brackets are double, meaning that an arm extends from each side of the utility pole that the bracket is installed on. This allows the county banner to be installed on one and the town to install its own banner on the other to promote special events. Fifty brackets and banners have been allocated for use by Syracuse. Dave and Susie Butler, Butler Signs, created some Christmas banners at the request of and purchased by the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce last fall. Some modification will be required as they were made for a shorter bracket which the chamber ordered last year — and exchanged this year for additional Christmas decorations after learning that the CVB would be supplying them free. FORE! THE Enchanted Hills Playhouse Advisory Board will hold its first annual golf tournament on Wednesday, July 19, at Maxwelton Golf Club (rain date July 26). The proceeds of this event are earmarked for the air conditioning fund. So far, the playhouse has been able to install two heavy-duty air conditioning units in the house, which have made playgoing the joy that it used to be; however, the actors are still without a cooling unit. Fundraising continues to help counteract the hot lights and allow the troupe to “keep its cool.”

JULY IS National Hot Dog, Ice Cream, Blueberry, Peach, Picnic, and Parks & Recreation Month. Rather a nice combination. IT’S TIME once again for the annual Friends of the Library Book Sale. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 30 and July 1, from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., browsers and buyers will find some outstanding bargains in the stacks which will be located at the Lakeland Youth Center. Proceeds, of course, go to the library. According to Rosalyn Jones, librarian, these are used books that are “weedouts” from the library, plus donations from the community. THERE REALLY is such a thing as the “Dog Days of Summer.” From July 3 through August 15, the hottest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere occur. Popularly believed to be an evil time “when the sea boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics and phrensies” (Brady’s “Clavis Calendarium, 1813). Originally the days when Sirius, the Dog Star, rose just before or at about the same time as sunrise. FLOTILLA FUN. Saturday, July 1, starts out at 8 a.m. with the Retail Merchant’s Flotilla Road Race at Lakeside Park, followed at 10 a.m. by the Flotilla Bicycle Race at Wawasee High School, and wraps up with the Flotilla Dance at the Wawasee Golf Course (9p.m.-l a.m.). Sunday features the Balloon Release at the Fish Hatchery (1 p.m.) which signals the start of the annual parade of decorated boats around Wawasee. That evening (9:45 p.m.) the Big Bam Boom fireworks will light up the skies oyer the big lake. As is always the case, on July 4th, the annual fireworks display will delight picnickers, homeowners and boaters on Syracuse Lake. THE FOURTH of July is a special time for all Americans to take time to remember who we are, what we have, and how dearly our forefathers paid to obtain this thing called Democracy for us. In light of the death-defying struggle in China for the right to have freedom of choice and voice, let us re-examine all the good that makes up this United States of America — and be grateful. —o— JUST RETURNED from a relaxing week in sunny, humid Corpus Christi, Texas, where we visited with our sons, Mike Gardiner and Rennie Orr. In an outburst of wanting to show the parents all the fun that they have found in SCUBA diving in the Gulf of Mexico, they piled us into a 25-foot boat and bounced us across the 6-8 foot waves (which came at the boat from three different directions) on a 50-mile, three-hour trip to some oil rigs. Bruised from stem to stern from the trip, we donned our SCUBA gear and rolled off the side of the boat to find out what could possibly be worth this battering. Below the oil rigs, located in clear blue water, is a different world. The older rigs have become encrusted with lovely coral heads which look like ruffled white bouquets; spiny oysters hiding behind a gauzy secretion upon which grows plant life; and sea urchins nestled in prickly piles along the rig’s support beams and joints. Darting in and out of the underwater columns are schools of angel fish, grouper and amberjack. Slowly circling above are the everpresent and inquisitive barracuda. The warmth of the water, clarity (visibility of 150 feet), and plant and fish life make this dive location seem like a miniature Caribbean reef. Yes, it is worth the trip. The bruises will go away — the happy memories will remain. ■—o~ -JOG THE CHILDREN’S Theatre Day Camp began Saturday, June 24, at the Enchanted Hills Playhouse with four local children involved this year. They are: Erin Thornburg, seventh grade, daughter of Tom and Cyndi Thornburg; Joel (J.C.) Wogoman, sixth grade, son of James and Diane Wogoman; Brad Koser, freshman, son of Charles and Sue Koser; and Emily Berkey, fifth grade, daughter of Dan and Marilyn Berkey, summer residents of Wawasee from Boulder. Colo. (Continued on page 5)