The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 31, Milford, Kosciusko County, 13 September 1989 — Page 5
1 Under the ... Courthouse Dome By Ron Sharp ® lb
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY JOBS AND WAGES INCREASE — Since 1984 the county has registered a 19 percent increase in number of persons employed. According to figures released by the Indiana Department of Employment & Training Services, each day an average of 26,842 Kosciusko county persons were employed in 1988. Other good news is that wages for these employees during that time increased an average of about 21 percent. In addition, manufacturing positions not only maintained an increase in number but also in wage scale. Those employed in manufacturing received an average of $26,359 per year. This was 22 percent higher than in 1984. Those outside of manufacturing received an average of $20,727 —a 21 percent increase. This would point out the problems service organizations are having finding employees. Most service employers have abandoned the $3.75 minimum wage and are now paying $4 (and up) per hour. The other good news — total wages collected by Kosciusko County workers rose to more than half a billion dollars per year. To local retailers this meant that these persons had more money to spend. Year Amount 1984 $387,155,983 1985 414,182,909 1986 453,013,703 1987 497,814,015 1988 556,561,857 The above figures are for persons covered under the department. Itinerants, part-time and some public employees are not in the above totals. An analysis of employment figures for 1988 as compared to 1987 reveals an overall increase of 4.9 percent. (Manufacturing recorded a 6.8 percent increase.) This is a good sign of Kosciusko County. It shows our economy is moving right along. —o— IS THERE FRICTION? If you could use the recent county budget hearings as a guide,the answer would be “yes.” A difference of opinion was evident between Kosciusko County commissioners and county councilmen. There have been complaints by some council members that the commissioners are not looking toward the future and are only putting out brush fires. There was disagreement about the county building inspector proposal. The council returned the commissioners’ ordinance creating this position. There seems to be a feeling that the position could be used as a weapon and make it more difficult for anyone to do his own building and repair. —o—- — CIGARETTE TAX — Mayor Plank has a sign on a painting project indicating that this is not underwritten by property tax funds but with cigarette tax money. Cigarette tax, excise taxes on automobiles and bank taxes go toward miscellaneous revenue in every budget. The more miscellaneous revenue received from these sources, the less your tax rate is. As an example —about $47,000 was received from the state during 1988 from the cigarette tax. (This represents about a five-cent tax rate per SIOO of property tax in Warsaw.) Os the money, $13,844 went into the general fund and $33,752 into the cumulative capital improvement fund. About $40,000 was received from alcoholic beverage sources and more than $700,000 from excise taxes (autoand airplane). By gum, mayor, if the park building needs to be painted, why make a big deal that it’s free to the property taxpayer? You might as well save the cost of your sign. Nothing in this world is free. —O'COUNTY TAXPAYERS PAY MORE — School patrons who live in Kosciusko County are paying more per SIOO of taxable property. This pertains to the districts which cross county lines. Below is a list of the rates charged per SIOO of taxable property. Tippecanoe Valley Kos. Co. $5.28 Fulton County 5.02 Triton Kos. Co. 4.77 Marshal 4.52 Wa-Nee Kos. Co. 4.22 Elkhart 3.96 Whitko Kos. Co. 4.70 Whitley 4.41 The state tax board makes these adjustments on the pretext that Kosciusko County property is not appraised high enough!
CROP Walk Oct. 8
The 1989 Kosciusko County CROP Walk will be held in Warsaw on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 1:30 p.m. The walk is a ten kilometer walk through the northeast part of Warsaw. The purpose of the walk is to educate people as to the scope of hunger in the world and to raise funds to feed needy people locally, nationally, and internationally. The walkers seek people to sponsor them at a predetermined amount per kilometer. Last year the county had 266 walkers, representing 26 churches, raise almost $15,000 to feed people. The Northeast Area of the county (Milford, North Webster and Syracuse) had over 100 walkers from nine churches participate. This area raised over $5,000. One-quarter of the money raised stays locally. One of the recipients of local monies raised was the Emergency Food Pantry sponsored by the SyracuseWawasee Ministerial Association. The Food Pantry received over SSOO. This year’s county goals are to have 30 churches provide 300
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walkers and raise $20,000. While the CROP Walk is dependent upon the support and participation of churches, the walk is not limited to only churches. Those who are not affiliated with a church but are interested in the problem of world hunger are encouraged to participate. Anyone interested in taking part or in further information should contact Arlie Waggy — 658-4951 in Milford. Carol Rhodes — 834-2538 in North Webster, and Steve Sharp — 457-3891 in Syracuse. On water pollution Hundreds of industrial plants in 45 states are violating water quality standards by releasing toxic chemicals into public waterways, the Environmental Protection Agency said.
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■ W[ ■I ■ I SYRACUSE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS GIVE TO BOYS’ SCHOOL — The Syracuse Knights of Columbus, at their Sept. 11 meeting at St. Martin de Porres Church, presented a check to the Gibault School for Boys, Terre Haute. This is the first of two checks for the school. Donations for the year will exceed S7OO. Bryon Zindren, Gibault representative, told the K of C members about the school, which is a residential treatment center for troubled and delinquent boys ages 10-18 years. Sponsored by the Indiana Knights of Columbus, Gibault School has been repairing the damaged lives of troubled boys since 1921 through programs that incorporate education, counseling, recreation, and spiritual development. The school is recognized nationally as one of the best programs of its kind in the country. Pictured from left are Less McGriff, Syracuse K of C treasurer and envoy to Gibault; Zindren; and Don Bokhart, grand knight of the Syracuse K of C. Letters to the editor Thanks for taking Syracuse back in time
Dear Editor: In today's world of fast cars, computers, nuclear threat, Bogota, air crashes and AIDS, it is possible to see a little sunlight. Kudos to the park department, park board, park foundations, Friends of the Park, Lake Area Community Band, donors, patrons, businesses, et al (it is a long list), for taking Syracuse back in time. What started as a dream is now a reality. "Music in the Park," ice cream socials, pic - nics, and seeing old friends is a small list of the benefits. Having something to pass down to our children and grandchildren may be the best part. If you happen to have missed this "Time Machine," please join us next year. Sit under the clear blue, star-filled sky and enjoy life. Take part in this taste of Americana, and please bring your children and grandchildren. Music does not have to be deafening to be enjoyed. Killed again! Dear Editor: Once again, our county council has killed attempts to establish a county building Inspector. One council member said this office should be established based on need, and that they had numerous calls against establishing a building commission. They said it would be a regulation that infringes against individual rights. I would like to inform the consumers of this county that it is Indiana state law»that all new construction be inspected. Building inspection can only benefit the consumer and assure them the quality of work that they have paid for. State building codes exist in Indiana and this county. It is the responsibility of the counties by state law to enforce them. That is your individual right! If our commissioners or council members worked in the construction industry, they would hear the complaints. I urge all consumers, past, present and future, to contact your council members and commissioners if you experience any construction problems. They have to realize there is a need, even though it is the law! Thank you. John Kozon Home Builders Association Director 457-2561
“Thank you” to everyone who helped make it all possible, and to the community for supporting their efforts. Robert (8.T.) Trame Thankful for efforts of park board Dear Editor: To the Syracuse Park Board and all their helpers: As the selfappointed spokesmen for those attending the dedication and concert, our thanks for you for your efforts. The Syracuse Park is pretty all year. It is functional and reflects the planning you have done so carefully. The Harkless Pavilion is beautiful, and the lighting and other improvements are appropriate and lasting. Many good years are ahead for our area because of people with your dedication. Congratulations. Helen and Jack Alfrey
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Easements being obtained for sidewalk to Wawasee
By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Reports on the sidewalk construction and/or pedestrian access to Wawasee High School and Milford School were heard by members of the Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of Trustees during last evening’s meeting, in Syracuse School Library. Board members gave approval for administrators to proceed on each project. Dr. Roger Thornton, superintendent, reported work towards the sidewalk construction from Syracuse-Milford Road up to the high school, along the Syra-Web Road, is proceeding with the easement agreement. The sidewalk will be seven-foot wide and is envisioned being 10 feet away from the road. The two entrances to the gravel parking lot will also be paved. Dr. Thornton was given approval to advertise for bids as soon as the easement is received and specifications are prepared. Concerning the pedestrian access from CR 1250 N to the Milford School. Dr. Thornton has not been successful on an agreement with the landowner with the price limitation given to him by the board. The area in question totals approximately one-third acre. He noted he can continue negotiations but, there are legal approaches the board could take to acquire the property. He would like to continue the negotiations. Dennis Mikel, board member, stated he preferred going back to the owner and make one final offer in hopes to resolve the matter. “I felt the offer we gave was substantial.” Bill Troup also agreed that negotiations should be left open. Mikel noted the board had discussed what the maximum price would be. He and other board members agreed Dr. Thornton should go with that price and if it was not suitable other steps would be taken. Plans call, if the land is acquired, to put in a limestone base this fall to serve as a walkway. The area could also be cemented or asphalt laid. There will be a fence erected. Reviews Heard Board members heard reviews on the Chapter I Program and high school athletics during the meeting. Henry Smith, assistant superintendent for instruction, reviewed the grant application in
which $151,118 is being sought for the reading program. Jan Perzanowski, Chapter 1 coordinator, explained how the program will effectively identify and assist these At-Risk readers. Plans are to start implementing the program on October 1. Hal Traviolia, athletic director, presented a review of the high school athletics. His report ini eluded budget figures for each i sport, expenses, revenues, total number of games at home and away for all sports and number of i participants. Still Time Reluctantly the board officially accepted the resignation of Carol Swartzendruber from her board duties, effective September 15. . She had submitted her resignation at the August 22 board ' meeting. ’ Curtis Jordan, board president, t urged anyone interested in serv- ' ing on the school board to file an application before noon on FriJ day, Sept. 15. He noted there are ’ currently three applications to be considered. The board will be meeting in executive session on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m., not at 7 p.m., as stated in the articles ’ regarding criteria for the board member on August 30 and 1 September 6. The public inter- ' view of the three final applicants • will at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, ' in Room 130 at Wawasee. Appropriations Additional appropriations in the amount of $220,332 were approved to be advertised. These ' appropriations include $15,000 to hopefully cover the land acquisition for a walkway at Milford and construction of the walkway and ' fence; and $45,000 for the sidewalk installation to the high school. The appropriations include $160,332 for reappropriating to the general fund. Permission was given to advertise for the purchase of four new school buses, one 54 passenger for the handicapped and three 66 passenger buses. Roger Kryder, business manager, stated he anticipates opening bids on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 1:15 p.m., in the board room and awarding bids at the November 14 regular meeting. I Personnel Matters The employment of Frances Troup as custodian was approved. Mrs. Troup will be assigned to Epworth Forest, central office. J Huntington Street office ( middle school office), and half time at Syracuse. The personal leave request was i granted for Diane Schwartz. Her
Wed., September 13,1989 —THE MAIL-JOURNAL
leave will be for the remainder of the 1989-1990 school year. Mrs. Schwartz is a paraprofessional for the special education program at .Wawasee High School. Contracts for adult education were approved for Nancy Nelson and Donna Hoff. Nelson will be teaching a GED course from October 3-January 12. Hoff will be instructing a course on English as a second language from October 3 through December 14. GED certificates were approv'ed by the board for Melani Clayton, Betty Cannon and Donald Pletcher. Jordan was appointed to serve as the board’s delegate to the Indiana School Board Association session October 9-10. Board members approved the reappointment of Julie Gunden to the Milford Public Library Board for a four-year term. Kryder presented the board with a brief review of changes in the employee health insurance plan. The health plan will be restructured as of October 1 and will reflect a 27 percent cost increase, instead of a 48 percent increase. Farewells Said “It’s going to be hard to leave . . . it’s good to see things heading in the right direction,” were
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several statements given by Mrs. Swartzendruber at her last board meeting. Dr. Thornton, on behalf of the staff and administration, noted appreciation for her consistent effort and involvement to serve children. Mrs. Swartzendruber was presented a plaque by Jordan. The plaque stated appreciation for her years of service between July 1, 1985, and September 15. It stated her “concern was people and her focus was always children.” She served as board secretary from July 1, 1987,-December 31, 1988, and board vice president from January 1-September 15. Prior to the meeting the board was given a tour of the completed Syracuse School Addition. Deficit widens The deficit in the broadest measure of U.S. trade widened sharply in the first three months of the year as improved sales of American merchandise were swamped by a deterioration in the country’s investment balance sheet, the government reported.
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