The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 36, Milford, Kosciusko County, 18 October 1989 — Page 1

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Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 28

Choice — Drug Free' theme for Red Ribbon Week

“My Choice — Drug Free.” That is the message that the Wawasee Community School Corporation and officials from Milford, North Webster and Syracuse are embracing as National Red Ribbon Week kicks off Sunday, Oct. 22. Joining many communities who have celebrated the week in previous years to create awareness of drug problems, establish effective parent/community teams and to support drug-free healthy lifestyles, the three area towns are hoping their involvement this year provides a stepping stone. “It’s the first year for our community, but I think it will keep picking up steam every year until it’s universal,” says Wawasee Community Red Ribbon Committee member Ruth Angle. The Red Ribbon Campaign originated when federal agent Enrique Camarena was murdered by drug traffickers in 1985. The red ribbon became the

Grant amendment — Sewer district awaits EPA approval

I By MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer It will be 12 years on October 22 that the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District received approval from the state (Indiana Stream Pollution Control Board) to form a sewer district. After years of planning and waiting, the district is looking to leap perhaps one last hurdle — EPA approval on a grant amendment. Ray Kocher, engineer with Howard Needles Tammen and Bergendoff, Indianapolis, told the board that he spoke with the state and the grant amendment application is being sent to the EPA this week. This news came at a regular meeting of the district on Monday, Oct. 16. The district first applied for the grant amendment on July 17

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READY FOR HALLOWEEN — The North Webster Lions Club will hold its annual Halloween haunted house at the Adventureland Amusement Park from October 27-31 from 7 until 10 p.m. each evening. The haunted house, which covers over 1,500 square feet and has taken the club over 4,500 volunteer man hours to construct, will re quire 25 people to operate. On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 5 until 7 p.m., children under the age of

See window poster on pages 10-11.

symbol to reduce the demand for drugs. The National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth has assumed the leadership role

when it was learned actual contractors' bids were higher than engineer’s . estimates on the sewer project. In order to amend what funds the district had already applied for, the board prepared a grant amendment application. It is uncertain how long the district will be waiting for an answer from the EPA. In the meantime, the projected starting date for construction, November 28, is fast approaching. Kocher pointed out that the district may not receive word from the EPA before this start date thus putting the district in a difficult situation. Should the district decide to proceed as scheduled, it would be taking a calculated risk as the board might not know about the decision on the grant amendment until after construction would

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

in the organization of this annual campaign. A group of interested citizens in Milford, North Webster and

begin. And if the district should not get EPA approval for the grant amendment, then this would mean a higher project cost. At the same time delaying the construction date could also mean increasing the cost of the project. Kocher received three letters from contractors on the financial impact of a construction delay. Two of the three contractors contacted noted a delay would have a significant financial impact. In a previous meeting of the district, Kocher informed the board that a section of IDEM. Indiana Department of Environmental Management, sent a letter stating they had reviewed the grant application. In addition, they said they anticipated certifying to EPA a grant increase of approximately $34,000 more than

eight will be able to go through the haunted house without all of the frightening effects in place. There will be no charge for the kiddies showing. , Tickets for the haunted house are available from North Webster area merchants and will also be sold at the house on the nights of its operation. Shown above are some of the Lions club members who will be featured inside of the haunted house. (Photo by Scott Davidson*

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18,1989

Syracuse began planning for the national week for two months, meeting every second and fourth Monday of the month. “There have been generous donors everywhere. We’ve been putting out flyers at the stores and they’ve been very cooperative,” Angle says. Proclamations, signed by city council members of all three participating towns, and the Wawasee Community School Corporation’s board of trustees are also proof of the area's commitment to a drug free community. Wawasee students, teachers and staff will all be encouraged to wear the red ribbons throughout next week. Posters and banners are being hung in all three towns this week while Angle notes that there should be enough red ribbons for the whole corporation. “We’re going to try to push everyone to wear ribbons on Wednesday (Oct. 25)," she says. Wawasee Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and the Key Club have been speaking to

what the district had applied for. Some board members expressed concern about going ahead as scheduled; others said they would like to proceed. The district agreed to proceed, with caution, to the next step. That next step will be a meeting which is slated for Monday. Oct. 23. at 7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss and to decide on a user charge system. The public is invited to the meeting. The following action was also taken at the meeting:

KC stays in spotlight

KC. the county spokescritter. is still the focus of many public relations committee activities. At an October 16 meeting, the committee discussed some of the

area community service clubs and organizations, not only to create awareness of Red Ribbon Week and to urge individual participation, but also to enlist financial aid. Those two groups will also be putting ribbons up throughout the area. Area churches are also being encouraged to participate in Red Ribbon Religious Weekend, October 28-29. A one-pitch softball tournament sponsored by the Wawasee Kiwanis Club had been targeted for last weekend, Oct. 14-15, but was cancelled due to a low number of participating teams. The event was to help finance activities surrounding Red Ribbon Week. Official red ribbons with the slogan "My Choice — Drug Free" are still available at the Lakeland Youth Center. Those wanting a ribbon may go to the youth center between 9 a m. and noon Friday. The ribbons are free, although small donations are being accepted.

•The district approved the creation of a finance committee. Those on the committee are L.D. “Bud’’ Hayner, chairman; Robert Jones and June Cripe. •The board approved a job description for a treatment plant operator/superintendent. •The board will meet on October 26 to discuss passing a bond ordinance and on October 30 to discuss a rate ordinance. Both meetings are at 7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Town Hall.

reaction and publicity that the banners bearing his image have generated in the area. Although there have been some complaints about not being able to clearly read the signs, Linda Arnold, marketing director of the CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) says that many good opinions have been expressed. In another matter, the committee finalized a contract with Sweetwater Sound Inc. of Fort Wayne. The firm will deliver a jingle package of 10. 30 and 60 second spots, with at least 10 variations for special occasions. The committee also finalized a contract with Burkhart Advertising, Inc. The billboard companywill be displaying five boards throughout the county, each month, for one year. The total billboard package will come to 60 boards for one year. Arnold said it is hoped that a jingle will hit the air and the first set of boards will be out sometime next month. Ticket sales end tonight Committee members of the banquet to honor the Milford firemen wish to announce that as of 7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, tickets for Saturday night’s event will no longer be available. Anyone wanting to purchase tickets before the deadline maycall any of the committee members: John Replogle. Pat and Gary Hurd, Bill Stieglitz, Bob Groves, or Bob Rassi. No tickets will be sold at the door. As of Monday, over 550 tickets had been sold. Replogle announces, “That’s almost half the people in Milford. " Doors will open at 6 p m. this Saturday at the Milford School Dinner is scheduled to begin at 6:30 with the program and honors presentation to follow

an r ' ■HE bLs- HBT ak. READY FOR RED RIBBON WEEK — October 22-29 is National Red Ribbon week across the country and students and faculty members at Wawasee High School will be involved in various activities to promote the drug awareness campaign. The Key Club at Wawasee, sponsored by Pam Pletcher, is involved with helping to coordinate activities at the high school and throughout the Lakeland community. Activities at the high school next week will include the passing out of red ribbons for students and faculty members to wear, also a “Wear Red” day on Wednesday. Shown above in front of a bulletin board designed by the Key Club to boost awareness for the Red Ribbon week are, from left, students Keith Robbins, Anna LeCount and Sandy Avalos and teachers Pletcher and Karen Parr. All of the individuals are also sporting the red ribbons that students will be encouraged to wear next week. (photo by Scott Davidson >

At Milford — Davidhizar must comply

I By MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer At a hearing to address four violations of the town’s Unsafe Building Law with respect to a Milford propertyowned by Ron Davidhizar. Harry Doty, building authority, decided to abide by the town's order requiring Davidhizar to act within 30 days. This action took place at a hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 11, with Davidhizar failing to attend. The order as written by-

Sludge, insurance cause problems for Syracuse

I By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Runaway sludge and an insurance policy that can be likened to the excessive ooze were both topics of discussion at the Syracuse Town Council meeting last night (Tuesday) in the Syracuse Town Hall. Sewer departmeht superintendent Ron Helman noted that his department was running out of room for the town’s sludge, requiring a plan for removal in the near future. "It’s getting to the point of being critical. We re going to need something by spring." he said. While the sewer department has permits to haul the sludge to landfills, many area landfills don’t want it and farmers in the area are concerned with disconcerting neighbors. "I contacted several farmers in the area, but they don't want it because of problems with neighbors." he said. "We would need at least, 20 acres (to dump the sludge) to get us back in shape," Helman said. While 10 acres owned by the park department was suggested as a possible dumping site. Helman noted that state regulations require the land to be farmland that

Building Inspector Bill Durbin requires Davidhizar to act on four points with respect to the Fourth Street property: seal the premises against intrusion by unauthorized persons, exterminate vermin in and about said premises, repair the said premises and remove the portion of the premises considered unsafe. At the hearing, Durbin presented the order as he prepared it and noted he would like for it to stand. Following a period of questioning by Town Attorney Jay Rigdon. Rigdon turned the questioning over to Doty. During this questioning. Durbin presented Doty with photos of the present structure.

is tilled and used for crops. Board member Ken Johnson noted that he would investigate other options before the next council meeting. In another matter. Syracuse Fire Chief Jerry Byrd asked the council to pursue an alternative insurance policy to the one current ly covering fire and emergency medical service. "The current policy is totally unfair," Byrd said, noting that those injured while volunteering for the town may not be compensate<j/or missed work until a 30-day waiting period expires. "Even after the 30 days are up the fireman is- not compensated for those days already lost,” Byrd explained. The fire chief cited a case where a r ireman was injured last month while fighting a fire in town. “He was injured September 13 and he still hasn’t gotten a penny.” Byrd said. While current insurance, offered by Cotton & Cotton Insurance in Syracuse, compensates injured volunteers for medical bills, no compensation is available for lost wages. “They will pay compensation after 30 days, but what do you do in the meantime?" Byrd asked. The council agreed to allow the fire chief to research other Cotton & Cotton coverage plans that in-

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After this review by Doty, Rigdon advised Doty that he had three choices as far as how to act on the information. He could either agree with the town’s notice, disagree w-ith it, or modify it. Doty deeded to abide by all of it. Davidhizar has 30 days to comply with the town’s order as written by Durbin. Durbin noted that Davidhizar should have received the notice on September 30 thereby giving him less that 20 days to comply. If Davidhizar fails to make the necessary changes to the Fourth Street property. then the matter will return to the Milford Town Council for possible further action.

clude compensation for lost wages. The police department was also looking for compensation last night. However, the compensation wasn’t for lost wages due to injury; rather, a mechanical error resulted in five officers being shorted pay over the past three years. - Salary totaling $5,547 is owed to the five officers, who didn’t receive the wage increases denoted by the town council at earlier meetings. The council instructed town attorney Robert Reed to amend the 1989 wage ordinance to compensate the officers and to examine what can be done about lost wages in 1987 and 1988. In another matter, the council agreed to set aside funds to provide electric to the town’s shooting range and dog pound. Approximately SI,OOO is needed to rup underground wire to the building. Police Chief Robert Ziller noted that the police department used SSOO from its budget to provide a holding tank for restroom facilities at the range. At the conclusion of Ziller’s report the council set trick-or-treat hours for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 31. (Continued on page 2)