The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 38, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 November 1989 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., November 1,1989

Editorial

Red Ribbon message must continue The Lakeland community saw red last week, with ribbons, posters, banners and other items shaded with the popular color making their way throughout Milford, North Webster and Syracuse. Participating in National Red Ribbon Week, designed to remind youths and older citizens about the dangers of drugs and to prevent further drug use, area communities did a commendable job. However, it’s important that those red ribbons placed on car radio antennas, telephone poles and door handles provide a lasting message. Red Ribbon Week may be over but its meaning must continue. A national symbol to reduce the demand for drugs, the Red Ribbon campaign originated when federal agent Enrique Camarena was murdered by drug traffickers in 1985. It was started in hopes that others would be spared the casualty of drugs. The National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth has assumed the leadership role in the organization of an annual campaign. The Wawasee Community Schools took a leadership role itself, with proclamations aimed toward a drug free community being forwarded to all three city councils and Wawasee Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and the Key Club speaking to various community service clubs and organizations to urge participation and enlist financial aid. Area businesses, churches and organizations willingly participated. A Red Ribbon meeting will be held at the Lakeland Youth Center in Syracuse at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, to access the success of this year’s campaign and to give input on how to make next year’s event even bigger and better. While the Red Ribbon Cam paign will continue to be an annual event, hopefully the message it carries becomes a daily reminder. The sensible way A committee of elected Kosciusko County officials is currently hammering' out what will hopefully be a revised and expanded version of the personnel policy for many county employees. At the heart of the matter is just how long the official work week is for county workers. The county council sees 40 hours as the standard work week; other officials use 37 hours as a base. At stake is the matter of overtime pay. The big question is — when to start it? There is currently no money budgeted for overtime pay, although it is allowed for in the existing county personnel policy. Instead, employees are able to take compensatory time. At an October 24 meeting of the personnel policy committee, overtime pay was the central point of focus. Although nothing was decided, several suggestions were given, including a highly sensible one provided by Commissioner Eddie Creighton. He said, pay workers for the time they actually work, “If someone works more, they get paid more.” That concept isn’t likely to start a revolution in the business world but it could cause a ripple in the courthouse. It seems that while the standard full-time work week is at least 37 hours, the average county worker (excluding those in the highway and sheriff’s departments, the possible personnel changes do not involve them) is often putting in a 35 hour week. • ' ✓ Courthouse hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays. That comes out to 37 hours of work if a worker takes a one hour lunch each day. However, according to one county department head, the two extra hours on Fridays are usually met with skeleton crews in most departments. Generally, employees rotate the Friday duty, often only having to stay the extra jiours once every four or five weeks. This practice seems to have evolved after the county stopped keeping the courthouse open on Saturday mornings and started staying open on Friday evenings. Initially, all workers were to stay the two hours. However, over time, the skeleton crew system developed. The upshot is that although the full-time base week for county workers is 37 hours — at least much of the time — workers only have to put in 35 hours to get their pay checks. Certainly there are employees who put in overtime, otherwise when to start paying it wouldn’t be an issue. Also, there are, no doubt, plenty of fine employees on the county payroll, to imply otherwise would be unfair. But do they deserve two free hours of pay a week? Does anyone? Probably not. However, the answer to the overtime dilemma is not’ to officially raise the base week to 40 hours. As Commissioner Maurice Beer pointed out at the October 24 meeting, many employees have signed on with the understanding that the county work week is 37 hours. Many may plan child care and other aspects of family life around that schedule. Also, their salaries probably reflect their shorter week. Employees should, however, be expected to work the entire 37 hour week if that is what they are paid for; it’s our tax money that goes to pay them. They should not be paid for time they do not work. The issue of overtime pay can be solved by having them be paid time and a half for any documented time worked over 40 hours. Any time worked over 37 hours but under 40 should be compensated with normal pay. A suggestion to that effect was put forth at the recent meeting. Getting paid for the time one works is the only sensible way to run a business. County government must hold itself to the same principles. What others say — Bakker's just desserts? Some people believe a 45-year jail term and $500,000 fine are a harsh sentence for TV evangelist Jim Bakker. But justice for Bakker should mean a lot more than time in jail and a fine he can afford. Consider: • Bakker isn’t required to cease solicitations for his “ministry” during his time in prison. Bakker has never stopped trying to raise money from his followers, right through his trial and conviction. • Bakker doesn’t have to demonstrate even a measure of remorse and repentance for defrauding his followers of millions of dollars. Instead, he’s permitted to present himself as a victim of opportunistic former colleagues. • Bakker doesn’t have to pay back as restitution even a small portion of those millions to those he defrauded. His fine goes to the government, but it won’t cover the cost of prosecuting him. • Nor is he being required to perform community service, in effect paying his debt to society, which was required of Ollie North and Zsa Zsa Gabor for lesser crimes. • In the meantime, taxpayers will foot the $300,000 bill to keep Bakker locked up for 10 years until he is eligible for parole. U.S. District Judge Robert Potter’s sentence punishes Bakker, sure enough. But does it satisfy all the requirements of justice? Hardly. - FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

Red Ribbon Week may be over but its message must continue.

Court news

County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Speeding — Jason H. Ladd, 20, Syracuse, $80; Jody L. Rouse, 21, North Webster, $65; Dennis R. Harper, 38, Syracuse, $65; Timothy Bushong, 28, Syracuse, S6O. No Operator’s License — Anthony L. Timmons, 26, Milford, S6O. Operating While Intoxicated — Larry McCullough, no age, Syracuse, $383, driver s license restricted 180 days, K.C.J. six days; Janice Marie Koselke, 36, Syracuse, $333, driver’s license restricted 180 days, K.C.J. six days. Illegal Consumption — Randy D. Hostetler, 19, Syracuse, $l3B. Driving While Suspended — Arnulfo S. Garza, 39, Milford, $163, driver's license suspended 90 days. Check Deception — Craig Ostendorf, no age, Syracuse, two counts, both dismissed. Circuit Court The following petitions Have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint Dean Hile and Ethel Hile, no address given, versus Sara S. Zollinger, Kari Lynn Zollinger. Kristi Louise Zollinger, Kandi Lee Zollinger, all of rural route. Syracuse, and all interested persons. Petitioner seeks to quiet title to specified real estates, costs. Complaint Milford Emergency Services, Inc. versus McClain Specialty Vehicles, Inc., Anderson. Petitioner seeks compensation, damages, attorney fees and costs. Complaint Carmen Sipes, no address given, versus William Silvey and Monett Silvey, rural route, Leesburg. Petitioner seeks reasonable compensation and costs. Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in the Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Miller — Brenda J. Miller. Milford, and Garry L. Miller. Milford. The couple was married Dec. 19, 1980, and separated Oct 10. 1989. There are two minor children. Bice — Donald D. Bice. Jr Milford, and Mary M. Bice. Milford. The couple was married April 23. 1983, and separated Oct 14, 1989. There are two minor children. > x Hershberger — Brian Scott Hershberger, Syracuse, and Dwana Jane Hershberger, Nap panee. The couple was married June 5, 1982, and separated Aug 17, 1989. There are two minor Marriage Licenses The following cou'ples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: r 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 >O3 E Main Street Syracuse. Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices - Subscription $lB 00 per yea*- *n Kosciusko County $24 00 outside county POSTMASTERS Send change o’ ad dress forms to The Mail Journal P O Box 188. Milford. Indiana 46542

Rohdy-Nine Stephen Craig Rohdy, 38, rural route, Syracuse, and Susan A. Nine, 34, rural route, Syracuse. foreman-Winter Richard Alan Foreman, Jr., 20, rural route, North Webster, and Kimberly A. Winter, 19, rural route. North Webster. Weldy-Johnson Robert A. Weldy, 20, PO Box, North Webster, and Elsie M. Johnson. 19, Ligonier. Havens-Daine Michael H. Havens, 37, PO Box, Milford, and Cheryl Ann Daine, 42, PO Kats-Kester James William Kats, 18, rural route, Milford, and Laura Kathleen Kester, 18, Sharon Street, Warsaw. Linn-Gushwa Leroy Justin Linn, HI, 45, rural route, Syracuse, and Terrie Lee Gushwa. 39, rural route, Syracuse. Sloan-Wogoman Todd Michael Sloan, 25, rural route. Syracuse, and Dorrie Lynn Wogoman, 19. rural route, Syracuse. County Court Goshen Division The following residents have had fines levied and paid in the Elkhart County Court: Speeding — Michael G. Ball, 21, Syracuse, SSB; Beth A. Williams, 42. Syracuse. $63 City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — Edward S. Cucura, 28. Milford, S6B; Brenda Justice, 27, Syracuse, S6B; Lori A. Jenkins, 17, Syracuse. S6B Leaky load — Nicolas Hernandez, 18, Milford. $54 Disregarding automatic signal — Keith E. Weitz, 41, Syracuse, $63 Illegal parking in handicapped parking space — Jerry C. Lowe, Syracuse, dismissed Public intoxication — James A. Spencer, 27, Syracuse, $213, 180 days to be served on work release, fine and costs included New Subscribers Harvey Hart R 1 Box 578 Cromwell, Ind. 46732 Glen L. Ritter R I Box 86 Ash Flat, Ark. 72513 Cherrie B. Caldwell 424 S. Harrison St. Syracuse, Ind. 46567 Charles Harter 9379 N. Citrus Springs Blvd. Citrus Springs, Fla. 32630 Wendy Lung Manchester College Box 322 North Manchester o . 1nd.46962 Raymond L. Barker, Jr. Terry Court 1251-9 West Lafayette. Ind. 47906 Cathey A. Barker Teter-Rabb Hall Room E 320 Bloomington, Ind. 47406 Scott Jewson Cary Quad P.O. Box 439 West Lafayette, Ind. 47906 Oscar L. Weaver R 4 Box 91 Syracuse. Ind. 46567 Charles/Paula Blosser 706'2 Huntington St. Syracuse. Ind. 46567

“CRUZIN AROUND CUSE"

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TT TT ELPING TO raise funds for 1 I supplies and games, the L I Latchkey Kids of Lakeland Community Daycare Center came up with the idea of a Haunted House. The event was held last Friday from 3-6 p.m., in the Syracuse Scout Cabin. According to Katarina Palacios, director, the 33 Latchkey Kids came up with the idea, worked on all the props and sold the tickets. Over S3OO was raised and approximately 300 persons went through their haunted house. Shown in the foreground of the top photo, Jonathan Meyer, Cecily Meyer and Brandy Cowan await to scare those coming to the haunted house. H * u j 1 Graydon Blue, pictured, dressed as a pirate was one of the first to scare visitors. Prior to the haunted house, the kids trick or treated those who attend REAL Meals at the scout cabin and sang Halloween songs. —o— IT WON’T be long before the town’s Christmas decorations will be in place. Dale Allen of Syracuse Rubber will be working with the decorations committee for the chamber in testing all sensors in the decorations. Once the sensors are tested, the next step is checking to make sure all lights are operable. —o— DON'T BE alarmed Saturday when you see a number of fire trucks and residents outside of Miller’s Merry Manor. A semi-evacuation drill for the residents and employees, along with an in-service training drill for the firemen, will be heldat2:3op.m. Chad Smyth, administrator, stated staff and residents will learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher. It is hoped this semi-evacuation, which will include one wing, will avoid a situation like the one that took place several months ago in Columbia City. DATES FOR the 1990 Syracuse-Wawasee Winter Carnival have been set for January 27-28. The committee, comprised of a number of representatives of local service organizations, will be putting together activities. Watch for more information. , —o— THORNBURG DRUGS closed the doors on the South Bend store at 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. The store was located in the North Village Mall. * Steve Kroh. vice president, stated there were a whole list of reasons' for the closing, but the bottom line, "it was not a profitable operation." He noted that the mall was "pretty much vacant." as lease problems caused a number of the businesses to move or close. The local company's lease was up and officials opted not to renew. I The corporation still operates five stores in Nappanee. Syracuse. North Webster, Columbia City and Warsaw. —°— THERE IS still time and room to sign up for the hunting safety program Saturday, Nov. 4. in the Lakeland Youth Center. The program is presented by the youfh center and the Department of Natural Resources. Conservation officer Carl Hepler will discuss safety issues, identify different animals, use of safe firearms and more. There is a fee for the program which includes materials and snack. The program will be from 12:30-3 p.m , and all children under the age of-eight. must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information contact Pam Howatt, director of the youth center between 9-noon. I I . SYRACUSE RESIDENT Richard B. Essig, was honored recently for attaining 25 years of . service with Northern Indiana Public Service ‘ Company. He was one of 82 employees who join- ' ed the company's Quarter Century Club. Essig is a lineman in the Goshen district. CERTIFICATE OF Achievements were received by four area Syracuse youths during the annual Elkhart County 4-H Awards Program for their outstanding 4-H accomplishments. Theresa Flanagan, was honored for her ac complishment in child development; Roger Hibschman, in dairy; Britt Berkey for forestry; and Jeff Brow n in model building. —o— A TOWN meeting will be held Thursday evening at 7 p.m., in the Lakeland Youth Center by the Goshen Hospital Association, Inc. The meeting will be to discuss the expanded districts on the hospital’s board of directors, and answer questions. Syracuse has been included in a newlycreated district. District 6, along with North Webster. This district and District 7, which is also new and consists of zip codes in Ligonier, Millersburg. Cromwell and Topeka, are eligible to elect one person each to serve on the hospital board. —o— IF YOU'VE missed the several recycling days in Syracuse or find it hard to store recyclable items until the next R-Day, the problems are over. Two recycling dumpsters have been placed at Thornburg Drugs for an indefinite time. According to Victoria Perry w ith Recycling Works, Inc., formerly Central Bailing out of Elkhart, the containers are for paper, aluminum and glass items, and are marked accordingly. Proceeds from these items could net over SIOO or more per load if there is a large participation. John Kroh. president of Thornburg Drugs, indicates the 'funds generated from the dumpsters will go towards community projects, including the annual fireworks fund. —o—- ■ L 4ML ip ■ 7 is w* PARENTS OF Wawaiee High School Seniors had nothing to worry about last Wednesday evening. when seeing their kids off on a senior trip to Washington, D.C. As this photo shows, the bus was lost before it even left the school parking lot. —o—r THE DEATH of Syracuse Clerk-Treasurer Mark Tatman last Wednesday evening, not only left a vacancy in the town government, but in the lives of all those he touched. Syracuse Town Democrat Chairman Jack Elam noted Mark "was a fighter and competitor in anything he went after, whether it was for his family, job or church." Elam added that whenever one would talk with Mark there were three things that were of top priority in his, conversations, his family, job * and church. "He will certainly be missed, not only by the people he worked with, but the whole town," commented Elam —o— WE NOTICE that management of “That Sailboat Place" has emptied the buildings in the Village, moving everything to the Wawasee Boat Company? John Augsburger said negotiations were going on now to have the buildings removed as the next step in the grocery store’s plans for expansion and more parking .space. Wawasee Boat Company expansion plans are also in progress.‘Carolyn'and Doug Anderson. owners, having consolidated all new and used boats from "That Sailboat Place", their Southeast Bay Marina, and what they have at the Wawasee Boat Company, all their boat sales will < Continued on page 5)