The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 52, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 February 1990 — Page 5

Under the ... •> 'I Courthouse, Dome f'fll By Ron Sharp * k ib iFXiH

A BUM RAP — Kosciusko County Councilmembers are being pilloried because they have insisted on inspection of the dog pound facility. County officials for a number of years have contracted with private individuals to take care of the stray dogs in the county. In 1989 the county commissioners renewed the contract for 1990 year. In September in considering the 1990 budget the council members withheld funds for the contract. Reason: They indicated the need for better supervision of the dog pound. It all came to a head the first of the year when the operator of the pound objected to the council action. He stated he would not give the service to the county under the conditions outlined by the council. Those giving the council the lumps for their action apparently do not understand that the only authority the council has is to see that the tax payers of Kosciusko County get their money’s worth. The council’s only recourse is to cut off funds until the problem is resolved. Inaction by the council not only can be expensive but also result in poor governmental services. This is not the first time the council has exercised its authority by holding up funds until a problem is solved — nor is it the first time that special interest groups have gone after the council when the latter exercised the right to insist on better services. Several examples of the council’s actions on withholding funds — or threatening to do so — are given below: During construction of the new court complex, the council received a request for additional appropriations to take care of change orders. The council called in the architect to see just why and how many more of these were to occur. After much hemming and hawing, the architect gave a figure. He was informed by councilmembers that any expenditures exceeding that amount would come out of his pocket. As a result, the project came in on cost. Another example: The cutoff of funds to the Kosciusko County Fair Board. Reports that some of the 4-H youth were not receiving their prize money for fair exhibits. This was changed so that the 4-H Supervisors took over payment of the prize money to the youngsters. After that the council appropriated the prize money. This program has benefitted our 4-H program. Another example: The council requested that the county commissioners appoint a board to oversee the county ditches. Under the old system the commissioners were not raising the ditch maintenance fees requiring money from the general fund. Under the new plan this separate board has the ditch funds in the black several hundred thousand dollars. Another example: The council by reducing the Kosciusko County Health Director’s salary, forced his resignation because it did not feel the county was getting its money’s worth. Out of this came reorganization of the county health department resulting in one of the finest departments in the state under Dr. David Haines. Another example: The landfill problem. The council ended the drain on the taxpayer s pocketbook by cutting off funds for the landfill program. This was done after years of effort by the council to get the landfill program at least operating within financial reason. When the council increased rates to those using the landfill, the landfill operators in turn increased their rates to the county for burying the garbage. Other examples could be given, but suffice it to say, the council is at work helping the taxpayers’ dollar get its money ’s worth. In looking back there are areas that the council could have utilized its power and did not — e.g.: the Kosciusko County Treasurer’s Office. Also, would the council members have voted for the 911 project if they had known it would cost the taxpayers of this county $1,000,000? The dog problem has "dogged” the council for more than 15 years. At various times council members have received information from those manning the pound either through oversight or misunderstanding. This has resulted in friction between the council and the pound management. People would complain that they called and the dogs were not picked up. Some claimed that the pound was not operating as it should. The answer to the problem is expensive, but it is time that someone took “the bull by the horns,” and put the county in the business. The only fault that can be found with the county council is it should have indicated to the county commissioners it favored a different program from what was presented to it. —o— MORE ON CONGRESS’ REDUCING THE 1990 BUDGET - Still on the Department of Defense budget. The department asked for $67,162,000 for Armories and Childcare Development. Congress in its wisdom changed this to read $134,343,000, or 100 percent more than requested by the defense department. A breakdown shows that the defense department asked for 19 armories to cost $27,952,000. In response, Congress appropriated funds for 47 armories at a cost of $72,723,000. Congress loves anything connected with children. While local daycare centers are funded by non tax funds, this is not true for military bases. The defense department budget called for 21 centers to cost $39,210,000, but Congress added 11 more to bring the cost up to $61,620,000. -O'WATCH FOR THIS TERM — For people who have children in the public schools — watch for the term “Multicultural Curriculum.” Although this sounds good on the surface, be wary as it is being advocated by the liberal element. It is an indoctrination program embracing all the radical ideas that have been coming down the pike. It stresses a new concept of the social sciences (history and geography). You would be hard-pressed to associate this program with your past educational experiences.

Hudnut announces candidacy

On February 5, Indianapolis Mayor William H. Hudnut 111 declared his intent to seek the Republican nomination for Secretary of State, expressing his desire to help build a great state of Indiana in the 19905. Hudnut has been called upon to serve in a variety of leadership positions, including president of the National League of Cities, president of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, advisory board member of the United States Conference of Mayors. and co-chairman of the Urban Policy Task Force that advised President George Bush on city issues during the 1988 campaign. Before the people of Indianapolis elected him as mayor in 1975, Hudnut served two years in Congress, 1972-74. He has been re-elected three times, most recently in 1987. He is a third generation Presbyterian minister and before entering politics served as senior Recently divorced or separated? Changes in income, deductions, exemptions, or filing status may require you to change your withholding with your employer or to make estimated tax payments Obtain free IRS Publication 504, Tax Information for Divorced or Separated Individuals, by calling toll-free, 1-800-424-3676

minister of the Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis for nine years. He graduated with high honors from Princeton University in 1954 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to attend Union Theological Seminary in New York City where he graduated summa cum laude in 1957. In 1986, Princeton awarded Hudnut its highest alumni honor, the Woodrow Wilson Award. Car stolen A 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier was reported stolen to Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department by David C. Rader, Sr., r 2 box 139, Syracuse. He told investigating officer, Ptl. David Gordon, that his auto was taken from a parking lot at Interior Woodworking Corp., 67742 CR 23, Goshen. The theft occurred sometime bet ween 5:45a.m. and 11 am. Driver charged Kristy K. Hoover, 28, Milford, was charged with driving while intoxicated by Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department last Saturday morning at 3:45 a m. She reported her 1978 Dodge van’s alternator failed causing her to drive off the road into a field on SR 15 near CR 50 in Elkhart County. She then drove herself to Goshen Hospital wnere sne was treated for a cut above her right eye sustained when her head hit the van’s steering wheel.

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FLAG PRESENTATION — Senator Robert L. Meeks and Representative David Wolkins presented a new Indiana state flag to representatives of Syracuse’s town council prior to the town meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3. Following the outdoor presentation, the flag was raised on the pole in front of the town hall. Shown, left to right, are Kenny Johnson, council member; Carol Koble, council member; Carl Myrick, council member; Senator Bob Meeks and Representative Dave Wolkins. (Photo by Mary Jane Lorton)

It happened ... in Milford

10 YEARS AGO, FEB. 6,1980 The old hotel building in Milford will be coming down in the near future. It was purchased last week by the Milford Emergency Services, Inc., from Frank Hernandez for $4,500. EMS President John Perry said the building is to be torn down and a community building will be built in its place. Four brothers and a sister and their spouses have been married a total of 288 years. The Theo Beers, Milford, have been married for 54 years; Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Beer, Goshen, 53 years, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Graff (Hulda Beer), Milford, 63 years; Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Beer, Milford, 63 years; and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beer, Milford, 55 years. 20 YEARS AGO, FEB. 4. 1970 Rev. Ralph Karstedt, pastor of the Milford United Methodist church, appeared before the Milford Lions club on Monday night to tell the story of the blind. Gene A. Miller was recently appointed to the grade of warrant officer in the United States army, criminal investigation division. Miller is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman C. Miller of r 1 Milford. There is a new enclosed entrance way to the children’s department of the Milford public library. The entrance covers the stairs to the basement entrance and keeps ice and show off of them.

Restaurant burglarized

i®PERS Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization involving the police, the media and the public in the fight against crime, offers anonymity and cash rewards to persons who furnish information leading to the arrest and the filing of criminal charges against felony offenders and the capture of fugitives. The following “Crime of the Week”, was furnished by the

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30 YEARS AGO, FEB. 4, 1960 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Orn and children left for their new home at Santa Anna, Calif., after spending the week end in Milford. They had resided in Conneautville, Pa. Gerald Grove is the new mail messenger for the Milford post office replacing Nansen Kline, who resigned recently and moved to Fort Wayne. Miss Sharon Dewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Dewart, has been pledged to Delta Zetz, a social sorority at Ball State Teacher's College, at Muncie, Ind. Mrs. Richard (Betty) Smith, advertising manager for The Milford Mail, fell while ice skating at Waubee lake Tuesday afternoon and chipped a bone in her ankle. She is using crutches to get about. 50 YEARS AGO, FEB. 8, 1940 The donkey ball game held in the high school gym last Thursday night was a grand success, financially and from the point of local entertainment. The only injury in the game was a sprained knee received by Barnette Martin, teacher from Jefferson township. Otto Beer and Marshall Estep took a load of honey to Cleveland for the Market Sunday. They returned to Milford Monday.

Kosciusko County Crime Stoppers organization: The burglary and theft of a restaurant at Dewart Lake is our "’Crime of the Week. " Sometime early Friday morning. Feb. 2, unknown subjects pried open a door of C.J.'s Restaurant and entered. Once inside, the subjects took a small amount of cash, some Marlboro cigarettes, Lite beer, and several Nestle candy bars. Persons with information concerning this burglary are asked to contact Crime Stoppers, tollfree, at 1-800-342-STOP. Crime Stoppers will may up to SI,OOO if the information leads to an arrest or indictment. Callers will be assigned a code number and will not be asked to reveal their names.

A spioke house located on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Beer, about three miles west of Milford, and a large quantity of new meat burned completely last Wednesday morning at about 1 o’clock. Jim Ripley, sophomore at Indiana university, arrived in Milford Thursday night where he spent the week-end with his aunt, Miss Lillian Kantner.

If you’re not in The Red Phoneßook, a lot of people won’t have a due where to find you.

jfl ’ W# It’s no mystery why some 48,000 people in the Kosciusko CountyWide area rely on The Red Rhone Book" from United Telephone for all their 4HPJ|| calling and shopping information. Or why it’s used more than any other directory in the coverage area* They know The Red Phone Book " will help steer them in the right direction— your direction. But only if you’re in it. -.;S'; _i£fl Because if you're not, you're just another missing person. Sales Representatives for the United Telephone Yellow Plages are in your area now. They can show you how an ad in The Red Phone Book" isn’t just good for business. It’s elementary. I H CALL TODAY 1-800-877-6868 THE RED PHONE BOOK ■■■ United I B “I ■■■ leiepnone I 7\, ■■■System fAAj «xc«»«»w Indiana ♦. . ©!«• DiredoneaAmenca. nk AN npu ititnw 7m«4 c ‘Research conducted by Market Dimeimom

Monthly agreement signed with Riffle for services

Kosciusko County Council President George Klinger hopes to be armed with an offer for the Public Service Animal Contrs? facility on CR 100 S when the council meets Thursday. County commissioners approved a temporary contract with PSAC owner Dan Riffle that called for animal service to be offered on a monthly basis. Utilizing emergency relief funds, the contract went into effect after last Tuesday’s meeting in the county courthouse. However, a different arrangement may be the result of a proposal county officials have been developing over the past two weeks. The proposal would provide animal control service through a joint city-county effort, with an Animal Control Commission, comprised of members appointed by both the city and county, overseeing the service. In the absence of a final plan, the county will receive animal control service from Riffle under the terms of last year's contract. The county received full service from PSAC for 11 days in January, with only shelter service provided for the remaining days. Riffle announced his resignation as animal control officer at the January 16 commissioner’s meeting, citing an increase in the cost of service and the county’s failure to implement an animal control ordinance to help support the program. Riffle had been paid $76,332

Wed., February 7,1990 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

from the county for each of the past four years and approximately $25,000 from the'city of Warsaw. Commissioner Eddie Creighton cited “public safety” as the main contributing factor in signing a

New boundries outlined

I By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer The Kosciusko County Surveyor’s office is working on maps that outline new boundaries for various precincts within the county. With changes in boundary lines being approved by the state, area residents may soon see the results after a special media meeting in the coming weeks, according to county clerk Jeannie Weirick. “The changes will go to the county attorney to write ordinances for the county commissioners to . approve,” Weirick said. Those ordinances could be ready by next Tuesday's meeting at the courthouse. “Five precincts had to be changed,” Weirick said, noting that new requirements called for boundary lines to follow visible features (such as roads and waterways) and to follow new census blocks devised by the state. Precincts may not have more than 800 people, which resulted in small changes throughout the

monthly agreement with Riffle. The county commissioners meet again at 9 a.m. next Tuesday on the third floor of the county courthouse. A final proposal for animal control services may be presented at that time.

county, according to Weirick. "Two townships were made into a single precinct,” she said, referring to the combination of Etna and Jefferson townships. While -county officials are attempting to check boundaries as candidates apply for various offices, Weirick said that any candidate filing in the wrong precinct as a result of the changes will be given the opportunity to file again before the March 2 deadline. “Precincts, for all practical purposes, are changed now. We just need to get the maps ready for people to see where they are at,” Weirick said. Exclusion Os Gain The gain from the sale of a home may be excluded from some seniors’ gross income. Taxpayers age 55 or older who meet certain use and ownership tests at the time of the sale qualify for this once-in-a-lifetime deduction of up to $125,000. For more information, call IRS toll-free at 1-800-424-3676 and ask for Publication 523, Tax Information on Selling Your Home.

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