The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 39, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 November 1989 — Page 5

What if a child had been hit?

Open Letter To Parents of School Children: On December 6, 1988, a school bus owned by Wawasee Community School Corporation was stopped with stop arm extended and flashing lights on S.R. 13 south of North Webster. Students had just entered the school bus and were not yet seated when a car passed the bus on the right side. The driver of the car ad-mitted-to school officials within an hour of the time of the incident that the driver had indeed passed the stopped school bus. Reports of the violation were filed with the Prosecutor’s Office and charges were filed. Numerous delays were experienced but the matter finally was heard in court on October 11, 1989, when the defendant’s attorney moved to dismiss the charge because the school bus stop arm had a 7/16” white border on the two of its eight sides rather than a 1/2” border as specified. After all proper legal arguments, the Court ruled that the charges against the driver who was alleged to have passed the bus be. dropped. The reason: the white

Stamp out unfair franking

By JOHN SLOAN American colonists gave stamps a cold reception. When the British Parliament, to raise revenue, required stamps on all legal and commercial documents, stiff opposition from early Americans forced the British government to repeal the law. Although used for a different purpose, stamps again are at the center of an outrageous drama unfolding on Capitol Hill. The franking privilege, a longstanding congressional perk, allows federal lawmakers to mail items at taxpayer expense by using their signatures instead of postage. The Senate in a bold move — one that garnered big headlines — voted to forbid lawmakers from using the frank for unsolicited mass mailings. During election years, this privilege is used extensively to “inform" voters of lawmakers’ activities. As the story goes, the lawmakers were so taken by the need to infuse the country with money to fight illegal drugs that they agreed to reform their mailing ways. The money saved would have been used to beef up a program that helps expectant mothers who are addicted to drugs.

KOEHLINGER PRESENTS PROGRAM — Gerry Koehlinger, president of Heritage Oak, Inc., Warsaw, restorer of antiques, presented the program to the Wawasee Kiwanis Club at its regular Saturday morning meeting, Oct. 28, in Gropp’s Restaurant, Syracuse. Os special interest was Koehlinger’s explanation of the process of removing the silver coating from old mirrors and spraying on a new silver coating. Pictured ’are Greg Long, left, president-elect and program chairman of Kiwanis, presenting a certificate of appreciation to Koehlinger.

Area residents booked at jail The following persons were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail recently: Adam Lee Wilson, 18, r 2 box 9C, Milford, was charged with criminal recklessness and held on $250 bond. Toby Leon Harney, 18, r 1 box 63, Milford, was charged with criminal recklessness and held on $250 bond. John Brown Christian. 40, 712 Pittsburg, Syracuse, was booked on a charge of driving a vehicle while suspended and held on $225 bond. David Muri Walker, 26, r 1 box 570 W, Leesburg, was sentenced to one year in the Indiana Department of Corrections on a charge of resisting arrest.

border was not exactly 1/2” on all eight sides. At the court hearing, the chairman of the Indiana State School Bus Committee and the Director of Student Traffic Safety was present to testify along with the school bus driver and the Director of Transportation for the school system. The school bus in question was certified by the manufacturer to meet the Indiana specifications. The bus had been inspected by the Indiana State Police prior to its first day of service and prior to the start of school each school year since. The State Police recognized the school bus stop arm as a stop sign. The manufacturer has maintained that the white border variance was human variance. Some letters aren’t perfect in size. Some areas of paint aren't blemish free. The stop signs in question aren’t even present on school buses in Kentucky and Michigan. Yet Indiana drivers going through those states had better stop when the school bus is stopped. That is the law. School bus laws are written

The lawmakers agreed to attach the reform to the bill, that funds the legislative branch for fiscal 1990. In addition to outlawing the use of the frank for unsolicited mailings, the reform would have required publication in the Congressional Record of members' mass-mailing accounts and limited franked mail to no more than two legal-sized sheets of paper per recipient. All in all, the scheme, which passed 83-8, would have boosted funding for the "crack-baby” program by an estimated $45 million. The story doesn’t end there. As with many reforms aimed at Capitol Hill itself, lawmakers voted with their fingers crossed. Senators designed the reforms to hit House members harder than themselves, assuring them that representatives would keep senators from dipping too deeply into their mail budgets. In public, the House went along with the Senate show. Since the House already had passed its version of the funding bill, representatives did the next best thing. They instructed their members of the joint House-Senate conference to accept a flat ban on congressional mass mailing financed by tax dollars. The vote passed 245-137.

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for one reason: to protect school children. Change one factor in the incident of December 6. 1988. Have the student do what small children sometimes do. Have a little boy or girl suddenly remember a forgotten item in the house, turn around on the first step and dart back to the house to get it. A child is hit by a car passing a stopped bus. Is the issue then a 1/16" difference in the white border or is the issue the life and safety of a child? On October 11, the issue was a well compensated legal expert with a ruler of perfection for a defense versus a bus manufactured by a reputable company whose employees were human and whose work was checked by specially trained police numerous times. All, even the defense attorney, recognized, the vehicle as a bus. All were even able to identify the stop arm to be a stop sign. Today we learned that the case was dismissed. The reason: 1/16 of an inch on two of eight sides. When the next child is hit by a driver of a vehicle passing a stopped school bus, perhaps

Shortly after the vote, conferees went to work watering down the reform, undoing what both houses already had agreed upon. Conferees did reduce the number of allowable mass mailings and cut the budget amount, but under the "compromise” legislation, the Postal Service still would be required to deliver congressional mail, even after the budget for it has dried up! And lawmakers can go back at any time for more funding. Small-business owners who are members of the National Federation of Independent Business, the largest advocate for small business, tell me they are not surprised at this latest congressional charade. But they view such play-acting with disgust. Those 570,000 NFIB members, long since tired of Washington's games, are mobilizing for change. For now lawmakers may keep their postage perk, but business owners will not forget this publicrelatidns grandstanding come election day. History is on their side. It wouldn't be the first time that a “stamp act” started a revolt. John Sloan is President of the National Federation of Independent Business, representing more than half a million small-business men and women

One bid for animal control

One animal control bid was opened by the county commissioners at a November 7 meeting. The bid was from the existing control provider. Public Safety Animal Control (PSAC) and was for $76,332. No bond was provided with the bid, however, it was later discovered that the advertisement for the bids did not include mention of a bond. Normally, a

Santa Claus takes spotlight

Turning its attention from witches and goblins to Santa Claus, the Syracuse Retail Merchants reflected on the 1989 Halloween Carnival and looked toward Christmas activities at its monthly meeting last Friday at Creative Touch Studio in Syracuse. It was agreed that Santa Claus would appear between Ip.m. and 3 p.m. shows at Pickwick Theater Sunday, Dec. 3. Bob Pilcher will contact a suitable person to play the elf, while efforts to escort him

all of those involved could review today’s decision again. Will the guilty party be. a. The stop sign painter who erred 1/16 of an inch? b. The car driver who passed the stopped bus? c. An attorney who accepted pay to get previous violators "off” by a technicality? d. A court system that thinks 1/16 of an inch on a stop sign located on the left front side of a bus makes a difference to a driver who elects to pass on the right? One thing is for certain. A car passing a stopped bus on the right is doing so illegally every time. The death or injury of the child stepping in front of that car is just as certain. Perhaps error in judgement in the legal system is even more prevalent than that of school bus sign painters. 1/16 of an inch might be a lot closer in painting than this legal decision was to common sense. Roger W. Thornton. Superintendent Roger D. Kryder, Dir. of Trans.

; -A J I r I I* a I /HKfIBBHHHB BEEMER SPEAKS TO ROTARY — Bill Beemer, Syracuse businessman, spoke to the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club at its Tuesday noon meeting, Oct. 31, in Gropp’s Restaurant, Syracuse. Beemer spoke of the beautification project in Syracuse and the plans made by his committee with consulting architects, who are students at the Ball State School of Architecture. One of these students is Steve Galegor, Milford, Wawasee High School graduate. Beemer also mentioned that the Mier car, built in the early 1900 s by Sheldon Harkless, father of Ken Harkiess, has been purchased by the Harkless Foundation and will eventually be delivered to Syracuse and placed in the museum of the Syracuse Public Library when completed. It is presently located in Las Vegas, Nev. Pictured are David Cates, left, vice president of Rotary, and Bill Beemer. (Photo by Lewis Immel)

five percent bond of at least $1 ,oo() is required with a bid. Animal control services were opened to bid by the county council during annual budget hearings. Some controversy surrounded the animal control contract last year, including questions about the local humane society and the cost of the service. Ultimately, the contract

to the theater in a fire engine will also be pursued. It was announced that Christmas Shop Syracuse will begin Wednesday, Nov. 29, while merchants will also be encouraged to open the day Santa arrives. The merchants discussed a Christmas gift certificate program and it was agreed that chamber members will be urged, by letter, to participate. The merchants agreed to publicize the times of Halloween

Serving our country JERRY L. AUER Sgt. Jerry L. Auer, son of Robert E. and Carolyn J. Auer, r 2, Milford, recently participated in the major Strategic Air Command exercise "Mighty Warrior ’89.” The exercise provided the opportunity for air and ground crews to operate much as they would in a wartime environment. The crews simulated the United States' response to NATO requests for long-range air support in conventional conflicts against the Alliance. Auer is a personnel specialist with the 279th Bombardment Wing at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich. His wife, Angela, is the daughter of Ron D. and Connie J. Smith, Milford. Caucus will be held H. Dale Tucker, Kosciusko County Democrat chairman, has announced that due to the death of the Scott Township Advisory Board member, Paul E. Slabaugh, there will be caucus of the precinct committee persons at the residence of Merlin Yoder, r 2 box 211, Nappanee, on Saturday. Nov. 18, at noon. The purpose of the caucus is to elect a board member to fill out the remainder of Slabaugh’s term.

with PSAC was signed. The PSAC bid was one of a number of annual bids opened on November 7. Currently, there is no money appropriated by the Kosciusko County Council for animal control services. An appropriation is needed before any contract can be awarded. No action is expected on this matter before December 4.

1 costume judging for each age group, employ a better public address system and gear prizes toward specific age groups at next year’s Halloween Carnival, hoping to improve each year. The Retail Merchants will meet again at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Creative Touch. Soviet deficit MOSCOW — The Soviet Union said it will slash military spending by more than 8 percent and cut its huge deficit in half in a 1990 crisis budget.

INFORMAL CHAT — Following the Milford Lions Club meeting Monday night a number of basketball fans gathered around Wawasee High School basketball coach Gary Goshert for an informal chat about the upcoming season. Goshert presented the program for the club meeting. He said there are currently nine members on the varsity team with one swinging from junior varsity to varsity. Three of the team members are seniors and one is a junior who has moved into the corporation. He touched on attitude, noting the team members must respect each other or it will be a long season. Goshert said he wants his team members to know they are special and are looked up to by others. The team members are currently working hard and are looking forward to t|rsgseason. The coach said there have been no big rule changes this year. The Wawasee schedule has, however, changed with the Warriors opening their season at Columbia City on Friday, Nov. 17. During the business meeting Larry Powers was installed as a new member of the club. An announcement was made of the Thanksgiving ladies' night to be held in Goshen on November 20 and the club voted to give S2OO to help transport ambulances to Guatemala later this month. » Gathered around the coach, who is standing in the center of the photo, are from left, Keith Beer, Don Beer, Kent Doty. On the right of the coach are Dennis Wuthrich, Dr. T. A. Miller and Don Wolferman. 7 , '

Letter to the editor Wake up citizens! Dear Editor: Wake up, citizens of North Webster, Milford, and Syracuse. How long are you going to let the school board get away with all of the things they are doing? I don’t care what anyone says, the members of the school board had their minds made up before that meeting. The only reason Jeff Wells was criticized On his apparel was because they had to have an excuse for appointing someone else. Maybe they are afraid that Jeff might say no to some of their ideas. It is time to stop some of the excessive expenditures, and it is time to stop creating new positions for teachers who are tired of teaching. Our school system is top heavy with administrators. When it is time to vote for a new school board, please remember some of the things this school board has pulled. You, as a taxpayer, are footing the bill. As the slogan says, "Just say no.” The only reason my name will not appear on this letter is because I have grandchildren in the school system and I do not want this letter to come back on them. Name withheld by request Know thyself When a man is in earnest and knows what he is about, his work is more than half done. — Grit.

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Wed., November 8,1989 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

KIP SCHUMM SPEAKS TO ROTARY — The Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club, for its weekly Tuesday noon meeting, Nov. 7, heard a classificaton speech from Kip Schumm, advertising manager for The Papers Incorporated and a recent new member of Rotary. The Rotary Club will ring bells for the Salvation Army during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. They will be at Big Wheel on Nov. 25 and Augsburger’s Super Valu on Dec. 16. i ... . )Ji .. ..• •<.;•. ' jiu V ■>.* [ ill Pictured are Kip Schumm, left, and David Cates, president elect and program chairman for the day. (Photo by Lewis Immel)

THANK YOU The Milford Fire Department would like to thank the community for supporting the department for many years. Also, special thanks to MAD for honoring the department members with a special banquet. The department would like to apologize to all past firemen whose names were omitted from the list during the banquet.

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