The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 25, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 August 1989 — Page 1

I'he Mail

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 28

PASSENGER KILLED — Nathan Perry, nine, r 2 box 377A. Syracuse, died of multiple internal injuries as a result of a one-vehicle accident Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 4:05 p.m. The accident was on Hoss Hills Road, in the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Preserve, five miles south of Syracuse. Nathari was a passenger in a car driven by his brother, Marvin, 17. Marvin is in critical condition at Kosciusko Community Hospital with chest injuries. Another brother. Matthew, 10, suffered lacerations, contusions and a fractured clavical. A third brother, Billy. 14. was not injured. The accident remains under investigation by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and Conservation Officers with the Department of Natural Resources. (Photoby Deb Patterson)

Nathan Perry killed in one-vehicle accident

One person was killed, two others injured in a onevehicle accident Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 4:05 p.m., on Hoss Hills Road in the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area. Nathan David Perry, nine, r 2 box 377A, Syracuse, died at Kosciusko Community Hospital at 5:06 p.m., from multiple internal injuries sustained in the accident. He was pinned in the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes until freed by the Syracuse Fire Department and the use of JAWS. Nathan and two other brothers were passengers in a 1964 Buick driven by their older brother, Marvin Perry, 17. Marvin is in

Carl A. McLear is named C of C's executive director

IBy MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer The search for an executive director for the SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce is over. Carl A. McLear of CARLA. KO /VI McLEAR Syracuse has filled this position The first order of business of this mornings (Wednesday) meeting was to introduce McLear as.the chamber's new executive director. McLear said that he looks forward to serving the chamber in any way, “as long as it’s within my capabilities ” McLear responded to the need to fill this volunteer position after reading about it in an article in The Mail-Journal McLear will work together with other board members to try to get the quarterly newsletter back He also noted he would like to work

critical condition following surgery Tuesday in KCH for lacerations to the left side of his chest and an injury to his elbow. Matthew, 10, suffered lacerations and contusions to his entire body as well as a fractured left clavical. Billy, 14, was not injured. According to Kosciusko County Sheriff Ron Robinson, the Perry car was traveling north on the grave] portion of Hbss Hills Road when the driver lost control of the car. It went off the west side of the road, down an embankment and struck a tree. Rescue crews from Syracuse and North Webster Fire and EMS Departments were called to the scene and Multi-Township EMS assisted in transporting.

on increasing membership in the chamber. McLear noted he will only be with the chamber for the four months he is here. He said he lives in Florida for the remaining eight months In related business, the board elected new officers for the chamber The new officers are Jim Caskey, president; Chad Smythe, vice president; Mike Tallon, treasurer; and Jeanne Gardiner, secretary. In committee reports. Bill Beemer, beautification chairman, told the board that he has done some presentations on the beautification project. Now, he would like to investigate how “we can get some grants.” He said he will be contacting Dave Wolkins, Republican State Representative for district 18. “to see if he can help us out in anyway." Beemer also said he would like “to get some idea of where we are at cost.” After some discussion, he said he will be contacting County Auditor Rat Brown to see if the beautification committee can put together a Master Plan Park Board News In other business, Jeanne Gardiner told the board that Calvary United Methodist Church has asked for a recommendation on signage The board agreed that the chamber does not have any

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL <Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

Fourth Grade Student Nathan was born October 1, 1979, in Royal Oak, Mich., to Todd and Peggy (Elliott) Perry. The Perry family moved to the Syracuse area in 1981 from Detroit, Mich. He was a fourth grade student in the Wawasee Community School Corporation. Survivors include his parents; three brothers; maternal grandparents, Marvin and Millie Elliott, North Manchester; paternal grandparents, Raymond and Myrtle Perry, Munising, Mich.; and maternal great-grandfather, Elgin Hill, Wabash. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time at the Eastlund-Harris Funeral Home. Syracuse..

real jurisdiction over signs, but that this would fall under county sign ordinances. Jim Evans said that he would look for these ordinances. Gardiner also informed the board that the four season color brochures are ready to be printed. She also commented that weeds are still present around the welcome sign and this needs to be cleaned up Kip Schumm, park board president, updated the board on what the park board is working on. He reported that they will be applying for a grant to do improvements at Ward Park on Medussa Street in Syracuse. Some of the improvements would include: constructing a seawall, putting in a boardwalk with seating, adding on to the restrooms bringing them up to handicap code and fixing the parking lot to allow for more single car parking. If all goes well, Schumm said they would like to start next spring, Schumm also showed board members a folder of demographic information compiled by another town. This folder carried literature about culture, education communication, business, and industry to name a few He suggested to the chamber (Continued on page2> .

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1989

Walden to file $1.2 million claim against Kosciusko County

(By KATE WOLFORD Staff Writer Kosciusko County was notified, by letter, on July 20 of a $1.2 million claim against the county by Rev. Jerry D. Walden, Syracuse. According to Paul D. Refior, Walden’s attorney, a formal filing is soon expected. Although neither Walden or Refior wished to comment on the case, Refior did say, “This, by itself, stands as a claim.” While there is a $300,000 liability limit on the part of the county, the $1.2

Commissioners to formulate road marking policy for county

(By KATE WOLFORD Staff Writer A county policy for marking and signing roads appears to be in the offing; Kosciusko County Commissioners discussed the matter at an August 1 meeting. Interest in establishing a county policy was sparked by the findings of a grand jury assigned to the David Rosenberry case. Rosenberry was driving one of the two cars involved in a March 10 crash that claimed the lives of six people. Rosenberry was the only survivor. In a July 29 decision, a sixmember grand jury declined to indict Rosenberry. Instead, jury members offered this opinion: “After a thorough review of the situation, we feel we should go on record as urging the county commissioners to strongly consider marking all county roads to better warn the public of dangerous situations that may not be apparent to motorists.” When asked what impact the decision had made on the commissioners, Commissioner Charles Lynch said, “It’s going to force us to mark the roads and it’s going to force us to put the signs up.” County Attorney Rex Reed offered the commissioners counsel on the matter advising them to formulate a policy and “carry through that policy to its fulfillment.” Whether the county implements a policy to mark and identify the roads or elects to identify none, it is complete follow through on the policy that Reed stressed most. Due to a court decision made within the last several years, if the county establishes a policy on road marking and follows through with that policy, then the county would more than likely not be liable for court action. It appears that the county will employ a company to computerize dangerous spots on main area arteries and in turn, those roads will be marked according ly. Some less traveled roads may not be marked. Reed also recommended that an ordinance be

Reporter in moil The 1989 edition of the , Wawasee Community School's Reporter is being sent to corporation patrons this week. The publication contains infortextbook rental registration, luri£h jirices. orientation and other school related items. Parents of school-aged children are encouraged to review the special publication before calling the schools with questions about enrollment and other issues.

million figure represents a combination of four claims. The letter from Refior to the county commissioners states, “On March 10, at approximately 7:40 am., an automobile collision occurred on Kosciusko CR 450E resulting in the deaths of Melissa J. Walden, Jonathan Walden. Shelah Walden and Sherah Walden, the wife and three children of claimant. “The collision occurred when David Rosenberry was passing the vehicle driven by Carl Winnebald along a straight stretch of road. Rosenberry, driving northbound, crashed head-on with the southbound car driven by Melissa Walden. Melissa Walden was

established once the roads are marked. Ken Traylor, engineer of the highway department, told the

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TOP FIVE IN ‘MISS KOSCIUSKO’ PAGEANT — Heidi Young, the 19-year-oid daughter of Florence and Link Young, of r 1 Milford, walked away with the title of Miss Kosciusko' on Saturday, July 29. at Tippecanoe Valley High School.

Heidi Young is 'Miss Kosciusko'

| By MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer Heidi Young, daughter of Link and Florence Young of r 1 Milford, won the title of “Miss Kosciusko” at the Kosciusko County Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, July 29. Following four competitions, which were interview, talent, swimsuit and evening gown, Heidi walked away with the crown and will be the county’s representative to the “Miss Indiana" contest next summer. First rdnner-up was Leslee Pettitt, daughter of Richard and Sherry Pettitt. Second runner-up was Jennifer Brumbaugh, daughter of Larry and Diane Brumbaugh of Syracuse Third runner-up was Debra L Thompson, daughter, of Mary Lou and the late Richard Thompson Debra lives in Bloomington Fourth runner-up was Tami Hollar, daughter of Stan and

totally on her side of the road, was driving legally, and did not in any way contribute to the collision.” The police report indicates that Rosenberry passed Winnebald at the crest of a hill and struck the Walden car head-on. The letter continues. “Kosciusko County has a duty to maintain the roadways and to warn its users of dangerous segments of the road in which passing should not occur. At the segment of Kosciusko CR 450E. approximately t-,400 feet north of Kosciusko CR 1100 N, the point at which the collision occurred.

commissioners that even roads that are already marked should be redone, as some requirements have changed. A new county road

Doris Hollar of Milford. There were 14 contestants vying for this year's crown, and after a day of competition, Heidi was awarded the coveted tiara. Contestants started early on Saturday with interviews with each of the five judges. Following the interviews, which accounted for 30 percent of their score, contestants were shuffled to the homes of different host families to rest, eat and make any last minute preparations for the evening's competition. At 7:30 p.m.. Tippecanoe Valley High School's stage was decorated and ready for the three final competitions of the pageant Talent, 40 percent of each contestant’s score, was first. A special talent award was presented to a non-finalist. Leigh Allison Woodward. daughter of Richard and Luann Woodward, won this special honor She performed VeneTihflßflaLSobg No. 2" by Mendelssohn on the piano Leigh has studied the piano for nine years Following the swimsuit and evening gown competitions, five

Kosciusko County failed to properly perform those duties. Kosciusko County, through the Kosciusko County Highway Department, should have foreseen the danger that existed at this location and should have taken measures to properly mark this segment of Kosciusko CR 450E as a no passing zone. Furthermore, the grade of said road is improper and dangerous, all as a result of the negligence of Kosciusko County, by and through its representatives. “This letter shall serve as notice that my client claims against the county for damages in the amount of $1,200,000 which

striper was lease/ordered in March of this year. That device will be employed in lining and marking county roads.

Pictured from left to right are Tami Hollar, fourth runner-up; Jennifer Brumbaugh, second runner-up; Heidi \oung, ‘Miss Kosciusko;’ Leslee Pettitt, first runner-up; and Debra L. Thompson, third runnerup. (Photo by Mary Jane Lorton) *

finalists were named and then Heidi was crowned. Shelley Sanders. “Miss Kosciusko" for 1988, presented Heidi with the crown. Heidi is a 1988 graduate of Wawasee High School where she won the National School Choral Award and Speech Coach's Award. She will be a sophomore at Indiana University where she is majoring in music and business and minoring in speech and hearing. She has five years of choral experience and a year of vocal training. At IU, Heidi is a member of the Student Arts Society and the Singing Hoosiers. She also participated in IU Sing, a campuswide musical skit competition. AIL of this musical experience supported her strong voice and stage presence during the talent segment of the contest when she sang “Happy Days Are Here Again” As for her ambition for the future. Heidi says. "I hope to obtain my degree in music and business with a speech and hearing minor and utilize this

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represent a small fraction of the loss suffered.” When contacted on the notification letter, county attorney Rex Reed declined comment. The accident detailed in the letter claimed the lives of two other victims who were passengers in Rosenberry’s vehicle: Larry D. Sult, Jr. and Shawn MaSt. All involved in the accident were residents of Syracuse. While Rosenberry did survive, he suffered extensive injuries and was hospitalized for sometime. A six-member grand jury declined to indict Rosenberry. However, on June 29, they handed down this opinion: “After a thorough review of the situation, we feel we should go on record as urging the county commissioners to strongly consider marking all county roads to better warn the public of dangerous situations that may not be apparent to motorists.” At a meeting held on August 1 commissioners indicated that lawsuits were expected. A road marking policy was discussed at the meeting.

knowledge in advertising.” Besides honoring the new queen of the county, the pageant also took time to celebrate its 10th birthday and to say good-by to the 1988 queen, Shelley Sanders. On hand for the celebration of the 10th anniversary were five former “Miss Kosciuskos.” this year's "Miss Kokomo” and the new “Miss Indiana,” Lisa Williams. Shelley’s farewell address was full of “thank you’s” to family, friends and Jo and Vic Gamble, coordinators of the county pageant. She left the stage after leaving the audience with a song which she described as one that expressed her outlook on life. “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” brought the crowd to its feet as all recognized the talent that won the preliminary competition at the state pageant in Michigan City just a few weeks ago. Again. Heidi will go on to represent the county at the state pageant next summer. If she should win, she would go on to represent the state in the “Miss America” pageant in Atlantic City