The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 28, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 August 1989 — Page 5

M. Wn tl 11 ■ 11 1011 (Cl Cl / I STATE EXPENDITURES INCREASE — An audit recently released covering July 1, 1987. to June 30, 1988, reveals that state expenditures increased about .014 over the previous year. The audit revealed that the state spent $14,834,050,562 during 1987-88 as compared to $14,627,528,250 during the previous year. A breakdown is given below: Tvpe 1987-88 Increase-Decrease Personal Ser. $929,369,874 $91,788,756 Other Ser. ’ 59,811.897 4,953,857 Contractual 216,654,351 13,137.526 Materials 112.266,373 -116,159 Equipment 67,480,660 13,596.831 Land & Build 843,625.362 -22.486,992 Grants 12.586.262,506 105,269,127 Travel In St. 16.549.780 47,327 Travel Out St. 2,029,759 -96,061 Total $14,834,050,562 $206,522,211 State officials contest the grants account (including grants, subsidies. refunds, etc.). They contend that these are funds that are given to schools, counties, towns, townships) and should not be charged to state operating costs nor used to figure state expenditures. Some of the increase in state expenditures may be due to the state's taking over the license branches. What are some of the items the state government spent your money on? Some include: The liaison office in Washington. D C., $218,387. (This has been discontinued and an agency has been secured to handled these duties). Below are the various commissions which have been created for special interest groups. (It is interesting in comparing expenditures by departments as to priorities. ) For example: The Civil Rights Commission received $948,255. Agencies to promote the state for new industries and tourism received the following: Economic Development sl9/.052 — 88 percent of this expenditure was the payroll (personnel). Tourist $343,538. You would think that this would be used to advertise the state. Not so. Sixty-nine percent of its expenditures was for employees. You have been reading about efforts to boost Indiana for mor foreign trade. The audit report shows that $239,617 was spent for thi: However. 81 percent of the money went to pay personnel. This - coupled with the reduction showri' above for out-of-state travel — makes you wonder if this campaign to sell Indiana products abroad was more lip service rather than substance. The Business Expansion Division spent $252,915 of which 85 percent was for payroll. Not all the state commissions and boards were so top heavy with personnel expenditures. War Memorial Commission spent 64 percent of its budget of $554,291 for personnel service. Water. Minerals. Natural Resources spent 62 percent of its total expenditures of $4,226,733. for personnel services. Soil Conservation. 49 percent of its total expenditures of $553,008, for payroll. \ / Distributions to state colleges^w?nrconsiderable Indiana University received $282,072,189. Purdue. $183,427,156. Purdue-IU regional campus. $18,863,802. Ball State. $83,015,321; Indiana State. $56,726,460; University of Southern Indiana. $9,663,379; Vocational Technical College. $46,454,780; Vincennes Univ.. $46,454,780. —o— CHEERS FOR THOSE WHO SAW THE LIGHT — If you haven't noticed, you should. Florida auto plates have about disappeared from the county scene. It has been estimated that the county was losing about a quarter of a million dollars per year due to county auto owners' purchasing out-of-state plates. Those purchasing plates now are receiving a green and cream license plate. Indiana law now provides heavy penalties if you purchase your auto license out of state. The excise tax (auto license) revenue helps support schools and other local services. Revenue from this source now exceeds $4,000,000 per year. —OPFIGHTING BACK — An organization called Warsaw Auto Speedway Patrons (WASP* has organized to fight the efforts by some Warsaw area residentsdo close down the auto race track at the fairgrounds on the shores of Lake. WASP is not orttyxifftrffig memberships but is also publishing a newsletter for its members The address is W.A.S.P . 413 Westcreek Drive. Warsaw. Ind. 46580. —o— MAYOR DOESN'T MENTION TAX: In a letter - Report 1989'-' Mayor Jeff Plank comments on how successful he has been in holding down local property tax rates. The mayer takes credit for keeping the tax rate down However, a review of total funds coming ih on property tax and local option tax reveals that if the 1990 property tax levy is approved, there will be a 98 percent increase in funds received by the city as compared to 1985 In 1985 the city received $2,879,708 from property tax. ( No local option tax was in force at that time) For 1990 the city officials headed by Mayor Plank are asking for a levy that will raise's4,lß7,6sß. and will receive from local option tax $1,519,841. Total amount requested is $5,707,499. Not included in the above total is Warsaw's share of the Excise Tax (including bank tax, state taxes on cigarettes and liquor.) Bottom line: The city of Warsaw will receive well over $6,000,000 or about 100 percent more than it did in 1985. Sorry. Jeff. I just couldn't let this one go by.

Governor to address Democratic editors

For the first time in over 20 years, a governor of the state of Indiana will be among the speakers for the annual convention of the Indiana Democratic Editorial Association (IDEAL The editors of the state s Democratic newspapers and their guests will converge on the resort community of French Lick Friday. Saturday and Sunday. Aug. 25, 26 and 27’ for the association's 109th annual convention Governor Evan Bayh will be the featured speaker at Saturday night’s banquet at the French Lick Springs Golf and Tennis Resort. The last governor to address the Democratic editors was Roger Branigan in 1968. ~ Joining the governor in speaking duties Saturday will be his father, former Senator Birch Bayh. who will also be the guest of honor at a reception earlier in the evening The reception will be hosted by the Indiana Democratic Party Senator Bayh. who now prac tices law in Washington. D C., will be recognized for his con tributions to Indiana and the nation. A reunion of staff members who served the 'three term

senator, who held office from 1962 to 1980. is also on the agenda Convention activities openftith a golf tournament Friday z The organization's past presidents' banquet will be Friday evening with Jim Shelia, political reporter for Channel 8 News in Indianapolis, speaking. A tennis tournament is on the agenda Saturday morning. Lieutenant Governor Frank O'Bannon will be joined by his wife. Judy, in speaking at the Saturday luncheon. O'Bannon is a past president of IDEA The weekend will also include media seminars and receptions and will conclude with a reception and dance Saturday night featuring the Stonemill Band. Officers of the organization this year are Cecil 'J. Smith. Salem, president; Jinsie Bingham. Greencastle, vice president; Randy West. Corydon, secretarytreasurer; and Marcella Mason. Hebron, executive secretary Assisting with many of the arrangements for this year's convention have been State Democratic Chairman Michael Pannos and members of the Democratic Party's state"offiee staff

■ A reader's view — ' .

| Outcome of reflection is melancholy ■

While reading the August 16 edition of The Mail-Journal. I S came across the "Swartzendrubers leaving" article. Mrs. Swartzendruber has been a hardworking, sincere school board ® member and I wish her and her family well in their relocation. In recent days, however, I am beset with an unpleasant set of emotions as I reflect on what has transpired in our school cor- ® poration in the past several years. The outcome of my reflection S is melancholy. As I write. I have in my possession a The Mail-Journal dated February 6. 1980. On the front page I read - Statement by board ||| kills middle school." This, and a related article, reveal unanimous rejection of the central middle school concept for our p; corporation and an affirmation of commitment to keeping the ||| middle schools within their respective communities. Reading O these articles reveals an incredible irony in the intentions of 1980 Ip compared to the results of 1989. What happened? How could the ||| apparent unanimity against centralizing our middle schools II have changed so radically in a few short years? How I wish we could turn back the clock. Certainly the proQ blem of overcrowding in the Syracuse and North Webster - schools should have been addressed sooner. If it had been, we ||| would not have been faced with a crisis situation when Dr. Hi Thornton arrived. Perhaps, then, the diverse nature of the com- ■ (fully taken into account. >uld have been conceived Perhaps, then, peaceful I public input could have as a seemingly begrudged tern " mentality would not lities. Perhaps, then, the (immunity middle schools ared null and void. Never on among "the people" to led in Syracuse and North n 1980. his moment "but doesn't " Technically, the answer cator as I can see that ) fund staffing and operahe long run. I feel certain ong. d why separate communino longer an option for our ;oncensus among intellec-

DISTRIBUTIONS OF BIKE-A-THO.N PROCEEDS — Final distributions were made of the proceeds from the Rotary-sponsored Bike-a-thon at the Tuesday. Aug. 22, meeting of the SyracuseWawasee Rotary Club. Groups receiving distributions, which totaled $2,620, were as follows: in order of greatest amount of distribution to least: Syracuse Public Library, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, the Food Pantry. Enchanted Hills Playhouse, and the Syracuse Brow nie Troop. Pictured are those people who represented and received proceeds for each organization. In the front row are Dr. Richard Brungardt. Father Urbine, Rosalyn Jones, and Bob Decker. In the back row are Dick Conroy, Shirley Greider. Tom Stiver, and Jack Elam. (Photo by Lewis Immel)

Small business angle —

Congress in recess: Time for hometown lobbying

By JOHN SLOAN With most members of Congress back home for the summer recess, there is an excellent opportunity for small-business owners to tell their federal lawmakers how key issues on the Congressional agenda can affect the business climate. Section 89. the attempt to tax employee benefits judged discriminatory, is a good place to start. Its effective date was to have been January 1. 1989. but due to the flood of complaints from small-business owners, more than 306 Representatives signed onto a repeal bill in the House and similar proposals were introduced in the Senate. The effective date is now October 1. and delaying tactics continue. Had Section 89 gone into effect, millions of small-business owners would today be preparing their firms for a major setback The law. a tax increase disguised as an attempt to ensure that all employees receive the same level of benefits, would have thrown businesses into such chaos that many would have dropped their benefit plans altogether A vote on repeal should come soon after Congress reconvenes Business-owners and employees alike should be talking to legislators now. giving them first-hand accounts of what this bad law would mean if it takes effect The,message is simple: Repeal Section 89 Health care is another issue that begs attention Congress continues to dance around this problem but has yet to focus on

the real culprit: skyrocketing costs. Compounding the problem, the lawmakers refused to extend the 25 percent tax deduction that self-employed business owners had been permitted to take for their own health policy costs. If it is fair for corporations to deduct health insurance costs of all employees, it stands to reason similar treatment should be given the self-employed. But some in Congress don't see it that way. Encouraging that segment of business owners to provide health insurance, by extending the tax deduction to their policies, would go far toward providing coverage to millions who do not now have it. Small-business owners are about to get another shock from legislation rolling through Congress. the Americans with Disabilities Act. What appears to be a noble attempt to protect the civil rig Hts of the disabled, in fact discriminates against business owners Under the proposed law. small businesses could be required to perform costly structural modifications, buy special equipment. provide qualified interpreters. readers, taped texts and other aids whether or not any disabled persons ever make contact with the firm The measure also makes business owners subject to legal action even if discrimination occurs unintentionally The National Federation of Independent Business suggests changes to make the legislation more compatible with the economic realities of running a.

tuals that in schools "bigger is better." (See recent Carnege ® report). Why was it suddenly so true for us? Basically, only three options were presented at sometime or another. Unfor- -.W tunately, it all seemed to happen in an atmosphere of suspicion O and mistrust. Who was to blame? I'm sure all elements have some responsibility, but our leaders certainly seemed to do -f' nothing to defuse it. Two new schools at midpoints between the m communities was proposed. No deal. A new school at Syracuse ||| with special programs for all middle schoolers, was proposed. I A seem to recall that one of the school board members said that he ® consigned this idea to the bottom of his bird cage (a very ||| haughty and immature response which only made a bad situa- |' f tion worse). Along came our present "solution," a new middle | school between Syracuse and North Webster. Accepted. End of discussion. O Or was it? Last November s election gave the people a chance to speak through the ballot. Mr. Little and Mrs. Swart- g. zendruber were opposed by two virtual unknowns, both of whom fe went on record wanting to centrally locate the new middle |g| school. Dennis Mikel defeated Mr. Little and Mrs. Swartzendruber was narrowly reelected. The public had spoken. Did anyone in leadership listen 9 Was there a reconsideration 9 Ap- V: parently not. Construction began on our new --central' middle W school. lam personally resigned to the fact that w,ithin a few years J all Wawasee middle schoolers will step on buses each day lor p, their trip to the midpoint between Syracuse and North Webster. ||| The impact on our children, our families, our communities, and our pocketbooks Remains to be seen In retrospect, of our three S options. Dr. Thornton’s “two school" suggestion was the best. g| Second best was the centrally located middle school. A very. gg very distant third was what we ultimately arrived at, How sad. W when a little patience, a few "people skills." an^alot less egos || could have brought about an entirely different result. I recall three vociferous supporters of our new middle ||| school on the board: Mr. Little. Mr. Carey, and Mrs. Swartzen- || druber. Mr. Carey now lives in Warsaw. Mrs. Swartzendruber ||| will soon live in Michigan. It is unfortunate, indeed, that the new school and endless bus and car rides which they championed || will not be available to their children, their grandchildren, and their tax dollars. Tom Speicher

small business. For example, the 1964 Civil Rights Act exempts firs with fewer than 15 employees. An exemption for small firms should be included in the ADA. The act encourages lawsuits for unlimited damages where arbitration would make more sense, and it permits suits when a disabled person merely suspects a business intends to discriminate, a thoroughly unrealistic concept. Members of Congress need to know that ADA is complex and has far-reaching, negative implications for small-business owners. The summer recess provides a chance for face-to-face conversations about these problems. No concerned smallbusiness owner should miss the opportunity. John Sloan is President of the National Federation of Independent Business, representing more than half a million small business men and women Hiler to be in Syracuse Congressman John Hiler has scheduled a town meeting in Syracuse for Monday. Aug 28. from4:4sp.m t05:45p m . in the Syracuse Town Hall He slated this meeting on the premise that in the coming months Congress will be debating a number of issues that may have an effect on the communities within the third district. In an effort to "keep in touch' with area concerns, he is inviting residents to attend this town meeting

Home prices to fall? Home prices in the United States are expected to decline slowly but steadily during the next two decades, dropping 47 percent in real terms by the year 2007 because the pool of young buyers is drying up. according to a new study by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

"CRUZIN around CUSE"

(Continued from page 4) During the cruise, the ship made ports of call at Nassau and Freeport while cruising through the7oo-island chain. THE PAPER Airplanes lost another game, this time to the Art Gall Insurance Company team. With a score of 16-11. they looked better — at least they didn't get "stomped" this time. Rumors are practices are getting very demanding. GERRY BAUER, assistant childrens librarian, tells us that the Junior Mother's Club members are selling school calendars. These are engagement calendars with a complete listing of school activities, ball games, holidays, school board meetihgs. including meetings and times of community clubs and organizations. All mother's clubs proceeds go to child-related needs to provide for the well-being of children locally. —o—

>VR LADIES'& CHILDREN S APPAREL “ ALL SPORTSWEAR AT 40% now 50% "Fashion Center Os Hwy 13S Wawasee Village 0011 Open Mon So * 9 6 The Lakes Area" _■ Mile South Os Syracuse • Sat. 11-5

Wed., August 23,1989 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

NAILE SPEAKS ABOUT INVENTIONS — Jim Naile, who writes a column for The Goshen News called “Stray Tackles by Tack," talked to the Wawasee Kiwanis Club Saturday morning, Aug. 19. Naile’s subject was "Inventions.” He discussed various inventions. and when and how they came about, claiming that many were by accident. He feels that many people have great ideas, but just don’t do anything about them: some may think their ideas are not of sufficient importance to do anything about. Naile suggested that it would be a good idea to have a patent search made. Perhaps for protection of one’s ideas, the invention should he described in detail, sent by registered mail addressed to oneself, then kept unopened. This would be proof of ownership of the idea and invention. Pictured ..re Jim Naile accepting a certificate of appreciation from Herschel Wells, past president of Kiwanis.

Former party leaders endorse Tim Roemer

Four former Democratic Partychairmen recently issued a joint endorsement of Tim Roemer's candidacy for the congressional nomination in Indiana's Third District. They made their remarks at a press conference held Tuesday, Aug. 15. in the County-City Building, South Bend. Ideal Baldoni, Louis Chapleau. W. Joseph Doran and the Honorable Judge E. Spencer Walton each served as partychairmen in St. Joseph County. In their joint statement, the former party . officials cited Roemer's local roots, his youthful energy, and extensive experience as reasons for their endorsement. “Tim Roemer has gained valuable experience in the halls of Congress as an aide to Senator

TOM KNOPP remembers staying summers at a home on Syracuse Lake from the time he was eight-years-old. Owner now of that home, and director of engineering for Micro Lamps in Geneva. 111., Tom and wife. Regina, miss very few weekends at the lake, even in the winter. Tom said the home on John Street was in the family for years, and they were able to purchase it 12 years ago. 808 SMITH was 71 in March and just recently received his 70th birthday present —a ride in a hot-air balloon. After w aiting for over a vear for the right wind and weather conditions, including three attempts this summer, he took off into the sunset Friday evening from a field near Wawasee High School. The balloon ride was a birthday gift from grandson. Ben Reed, who came up from Kokomo to see the liftoff. This was something Bob (town electrician for over 42 years) has been wanting to do for a longtime. Commercial pilot and flight instructor Jerry Hull, from Warsaw, "piloted" the balloon. Bob said after riding for an hour, they landed just south of Milford. The wind wasn’t very strong, but allowed for a nice ride.

Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.) and Congressman John Brademas,” the party leaders said. "We know he will serve his Hoosier constituency well.” Roemer said. “I am encouraged by this strong endorsement of party officials who have been involved in community affairs since the 19405. I would like to continue this commitment to the people of the district.” Roemer. 32. is a graduate of Notre Dame. He most recently worked as a senior adviser to US Senator Dennis DeConcini (DAriz.) on issues to trade, defense, and foreign policy. The Mishaw aka Democrat announced his candidacy for the congressional nominationxiJUlyw’itha series of press conferences around the district.

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