The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 6 December 1989 — Page 1

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 28

Syracuse Industrial Park expanding?

I By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Three parties who have had common land interests in the past may see their paths cross in the near future.

VIABLE BY-PASS? ! ■ /AX Ibb«b«ib«'/' i r~ Memorial Park / _ . / / Milford -Syracuse Road £// Syracuse o . . / Webster jf// Road FUTURE DEVELOPMENT? — An alternative route into the Syracuse Industrial Park could be a distinct possibility if efforts by the Syracuse-Wawasee Area Development Company to purchase .Memorial Park (Vega Field) are realized. The Wawasee School Corporation has expressed interest in selling the 10-acre tract, giving the town hope for industrial property expansion. Should such expansion occur, a proposal by The Mail-Journal columnist Ron Sharp for a by-pass into the site may become a selling point.

Chamber to compile service directory

IBy MARYJANE LORTON Staff Writer Compiling a directory of services of area businesses, as well as creating a survey with regard to the need for a chamber executive director, were both topics of discussion at a meeting of the ■Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce this morning (Wednesday). Judy Moser, who is currently taking phone calls on behalf of the chamber, noted within the last month she logged some 50 phone inquiries. "Some came as far as Saint Louis, Mo ," she said. She was asked about places to stay, hunting maps, and winter cabins for rent, for example. Judy remarked, “I was amazed at the kind of calls and number of calls.” Given that there is no reference material detailing the services available in the Lakeland area. Moser asked the board if it would be possible to compile such a directory. She said that not only would a directory make it easier for her to respond to inquiries, but she would also have something to send out to people if they asked for additional literature. Mike Tallon and Bob Westfall volunteered to collect information on area businesses and to compile it into a directory of serTfr a related matter. Kip Schumm pointed out “it is becoming more and more obvious we need a full-time executive director, especially after listening to Judy today “ Schumm commented there is a need for someone who can work with the town and with existing businesses. "We have the natural attractions right here.” said Schumpi, “we just need someone to draw them out ." Schumm said the park depart ment wants to hire a part-time park superintendent, "so maybe

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Kip Schumm. Syracuse Park Board president, announced at last night’s (Tuesday) Park Board meeting that the Wawasee School Corporation had expressed interest in discussing options for the recently approved purchase of a 16.6-acre tract of land

there is away of combining the two positions.” Board members agreed that in order to pay the salary of a fulltime executive director, chamber dues would have to be increased. Before making a decision on a director, therefore, the board decided it will send out a survey with February’s newsletter to get additional input on the matter. Beautification Bill Beemer, beautification chairman, reported that he has developed an executive committee for beautification. Members will be: Jim Evans, Larry Teghtmeyer, Bob Pilcher, Jim Hughes, Jim Caskey, Sam Leman. Deb Patterson, Joe Todd. Steve Snyder, Tim Yeager. Kip Schumm, Jeanne Gardiner and

Officials aware of problems in former treasurer's office

I By KATE WOLFORD Staff Writer Although an 1988 audit report of the treasurer’s office under Vickie Shoemaker has only recently been made public, high level county officials were aware of problems in that department while Shoemaker was still in office. Commissioner Maurice Beer recalled that in July 1988. when he was serving as chairman of the commissioners, he and Shoemaker, “had a very nice talk We agreed there was a pro blem." Shoemaker, Beer remembered, agreed to rectify the problem.

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6,1989

north of Wawasee High School. The park board will extend an invitation for a school representative to attend its next meeting. January 2. The school corporation is purchasing the property, pending state approval, from the Ruth Kern family for $79,000. Dr. Roger Thornton, school superintendent, said at the November school board meeting that the corporation would like to use the property as an expansion of outdoor school facilities. However, he also noted that the land would afford the corporation the opportunity to work with the Syracuse Park Department to explore options for communityfunctions. 'Maybe the school property would allow the school and park department to realize some options sooner than if the park department would pursue them by itself. " Schumm said. Such use would free Memorial Park (Vega Field) for another use. which is where a third party comes in. The Syracuse-Wawasee Area Development Company (SWADCO), which last met in March, 1989, has expressed an interest in obtaining the Memorial Park area for the town, expanding industrial-use opportunities. Currently. an industrial park lies south of Memorial Park. However, SWADCO President Dick Conroy maintained that there was no room left for industry at the current site. Syracuse Products is the last company to move into that area, with plans to be fully operational by New Year's Day. "This (Memorial Park) is the first really good site we've seen and it's a very workable situation," Conroy said, adding, "It would be a real nice place for the city to build and is about the onlyplot of land that makes logical sense to use as an industrial area since it already has water and sewer service options."

Mike Tallon. He noted the members "do represent a good cross section of the community. Beemer also told the board he recently attended a seminar in Indianapolis giving directions as to how to get involved in the Main Street Program. He noted this program has a variety of grants and other resources that might work well with the beautification project. The following action was also taken at the meeting: • The board agreed to send a letter of thanks to DJ Canvas, Jeff Wells and Ron Conley for their work on the banners. • Carol Hurd, director of the Lakeland Community Day Care Center, thanked the chamber for its help with their fundraiser on

However, Beer said three days later, he received a letter from the former treasurer saying she did not plan to follow through with his suggestions. Beer said he also consulted the Indiana State Attorney General at that time on the matter of removing Shoemaker from office but was told there was no way to relieve her of her duties. Beer said he believes at that point he had done all a commissioner could do. Charles Lynch, who now heads up the commissioners, did not wish to comment on the audit report and said, "It isn't in our hands.’ He added that it is up to the bonding company covering Shoemaker and the prosecutor. County Attorney Rex Reed concurred. Commissioner Eddie Creighton

Hoping to prepare itself for a possible offer for the 10-acre tract. SWADCO will meet today (Wednesday) at 4 p.m. at Ameritrust National Bank in Syracuse. “This is all in the early stages, we don't even know if we can get the land. We just want to be in position to have the doors open,” said Conroy. Dr. Thornton had said that the corporation would want to get as close to the purchase price of the 16.6 acre property as it could. Such potential industrial expansion may make a proposal submitted in a weekly The MailJournal column by Syracuse resident Ron Sharp a viable suggestion. Sharp noted that the only access into the current industrial site was “via Main to Huntington Street and vice versa.” Such limited access creates a hazardous traffic situation, while Brooklyn Street is the only street wide enough to accommodate semi-tractor trailers turning into the site. Sharp has suggested that consideration be given to constructing a by-pass, beginning at the Elkhart-Kosciusko County Line on North Huntington Street and extending west of the current sewage plant, across TurkeyCreek. and eventually connecting with Milford-Syracuse Road (See Map). “This would take the load off of Main Street, where you already have too much congestion with school traffic and Dana Corporation employees coming in and out," Sharp said. Bill Beemer,' SWADCO representative, noted, "Getting another road certainly makes sense. We have to get the traffic off of residential roads." However, he noted that acquiring land for a definite industrial site would have to take precedence. "It's a rather complex program, but it (expansion) would be cost-effective if we can get the grounds out there i Memorial Park)." Beemer said.

Saturday, Dec. 2. • Schumm noted there would be a meeting with a represen tative from Amtrak on Wednesday afternoon. Dec. 6. The meeting will include Warsaw's mayor. Jeff Plank. • Chamber plaques have been ordered. • There will be cash prizes for the winners of the Christmas decorating contest compliments of NIPSCO. The deadline for calling in to be eligible for judging is noon on December 18. • The board agreed to issue a letter to NIPSCO in Goshen noting the chamber's satisfaction with the decisions of where to hang the county banners. • Chamber gift certificates will be available again this year.

was in office a very short time before Shoemaker's second and final term as treasurer expired However, he said that while he was unaware of the problems in Shoemaker’s department prior to taking office, he soon became concerned. "People generally recognized that her performance was not where it should be,” Creighton' recalled. As other officials have stated. Creighton said it is difficult to remove an elected official from office, However, he added that options, including replacing her. should have been considered. No Prosecution Kosciusko County Prosecutor Michael Miner has no plans to take court action against Shoemaker he said on December 5. Miner has read the audit report

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SANTA ARRIVES IN SYRACUSE — Santa Claus arrived by fire truck Saturday afternoon. He was delivered uptown in front of the Pickwick Theater where a number of children greeted him. He sat outside the theater and talked to the children and gave them a coloring book or gum. Santa made his appearance between showings of the movie, "The Muppets Take Manhattan." Tickets for the movie were purchased from the Lakeland Community Day Care Center by the Syracuse

Syracuse welcomes Christmas

The Syracuse community ushered in Christmas last weekend with song, some dance and plenty of entertainment. Beginning festivities with a movie for children at the Pickwick Theatre Saturday afternoon, Santa Claus paid a visit between two showings that attracted many children. Arriving by Syracuse Fire Engine. Jolly Old Saint Nick handed out candy canes, gum and coloring books to the receptive children. Many older residents also took advantage of the holiday cheer, frequenting area stores throughout the day. while several children could be seen sledding at nearby Lakeside Park. The sledding continued at the park Sunday afternoon and evening, with many others joining in the fun for An Old Fashioned Christmas in the Park. A special concert, featuring the fifth grade special choir from Syracuse Elementary School, the Varsity Singers of Wawasee High School and the brass and woodwind sections of The Lake Area Community Band, began at 5 p.m While temperatures dipped below 20 degrees, coffee, hot chocolate and doughnut holes coupled with Christmas Carols to help warm over 300 area residents attending the festivities. A candlelighting ceremony followed the groups’ individual performances, with those attending being invited to join all three

and said, “It doesn’t look to me like there’s any indication of criminal activity .” He added that he would take no action. “Unless something else should come to the front.” Miner said that had state auditors seen any evidence of criminal activity on the part of Shoemaker or another worker in the treasurer's department it would have shown up on the audit report. The 1988 audit report, which found an actual cash shortfall of $14,131.80 and other instances of poor bookkeeping, came from the Indiana State Board of Accounts. While copies were officially certified to County Auditor Pat Brown and current Treasurer Judy Cox. Miner received his copy only for informational pur poses.

groups in a community sing along of three Christmas Carols. Santa Claus made his rounds throughout the park festivities,

IP*’’* jl, < --i / "J* 1 ~ - - ■ .Hl* MCT' - ’• ?*'-*> . . WINTER FUN — Several children could be seen taking advantage of the snowy grounds at Lakeside Park Sunday, as this youngster slides down a hill south of the gazebo. Weather conditions were perfect for the Syracuse Park Department-sponsored Christmas in the Park.

P-wrrJt r'Sli KflfflSLj la CHRISTMAS GREETINGS — Members of the Syracuse Elementary fifth grade special choir entertained community members at a Christmas in the Park concert at Lakeside Park Sunday. Over 300 area residents participated in the event, with the Lake Area Community Band and Waw asee High School varsity singers also caroling in the lighted gazebo.

•SILENT NIGHT’ — Area residents participate in a candlelight community sing-a-long during activities at Lakeside Park in Syracuse Sunday. Over 300 people congregated at the park at 5 p.m. for an evening of music, caroling and fellowship.

Retail Merchants. Tickets were given away free to those interested in viewing the movie by participating Syracuse merchants. Santa also made an appearance in the evening at an Old Fashioned Christmas in the Park concert. These two children were among the many who visited with Santa Saturday afternoon. On the left is Robbie McKibbin, two, son of Rob and Marcella McKibbin of South Dakota, and his cousin, Trent Weisser, two, son of Terry and Kim Weisser, Syracuse. (Photo by Linda Musselman)

handing out candy canes and listening to the wishes of area children. Ending at approximately 6

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p.m.. the community’s first Christmas in the Park was deemed a success by Syracuse Park Board President Kip Schumm.