The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 3, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 February 1990 — Page 5

Under the . . . ' x Courthousef,J|j Dome By Ron Sharp J »' ill

ARE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN? NO, according to those who are hiring young people who attend the public schools. Some of the most frequent complaints: Some youth do not know how to add and subtract. Others do not comprehend what they have read. Too many do not have pride in what they do. A review of surveys conducted by two different groups substantiate the belief that our educational system is in trouble. The Indianapolis Star ran a series of articles on education in the United States, comparing our school system to those in other parts of the world. U.S. students came up with a grade average of C. Breaking this survey down, Math: D-. After-school activities (unemployment rate for dropouts): F. Reading and writing: C-. Study habits: C.

The results of a recent Gallop Poll were published by a leading educational journal, PHI DELTA KAPPAN. Some of the questions and responses are listed below: What grade would you give the public schools here in the U.S. — A,B,C,D or fail?

8% 35% 33% 11% 9%

No Opinion

QUESTION: Would you take your auto back to a garage that had less than a 50-50 chance to solve the problem? Or, would you take your dog to a vet who advertised that he had only a 43 percent chance of curing your dog? But by all indications we are entrusting our kids’ future to an organization that 44 percent of the people believe is failing. The survey carried PDK also has several other interesting responses:

Would you favor or oppose more after-school and summer learning programs in the local school? Favor: 71 percent, Oppose: 21 percent, No comment: 8 percent. How do you-think such programs should be paid for? Increased taxes: 15 percent, Parent contributions: 23 percent, Combination of taxes and contribution by parents: 57 percent. Would you favor requiring the public schools in the community to use standardized national testing programs to measure academic achievement of students? Yes: 77 percent, No: 14 percent, No comment: 9 percent. How did we get in such a mess? The liberal faction and the National Education Association claim we just aren’t spending enough money. This argument was buttressed recently by a survey put out by someone who apparently has a vested interest in getting deeper into your pocketbook. This report stated that the U.S. ranked at the bottom of the heap when it came to spending for education. That’s a bald-faced lie. How they jacked the figures around is anyone’s guess. School expenditures in Indiana have almost doubled during the past 10 years. Locally, they have even gone higher. Most of the figures released by the educators do not include debt service and cumulative fund expenditures. Thus, they give a distorted financial report as towhat is spent for education in the U.S. As to passing out the blame — that’s easy, everyone connected with education is responsible for the mess. HOW TO GET BACK ON TRACK: At the university level — All persons going into the educational field should take a test. (Forget the minority junk.) If you don’t pass, you don’t get the position to teach. Don’t pass jocks off as teachers. Require all masters degrees to be in the subject field to which the teachers is assigned. It’s worthless to have an MS in physical education to teach science. ’ Provide low interest loans so teachers can go to summer school to earn their masters. Under the present system teachers are required by law to get a masters degree (any subject acceptable) within a certain number of years to continue teaching. Most of this work is done during the school year. Thus, most off these teachers are carrying a classroom teaching load as well as going to class themselves. Require that’professors — not some assistants — teach the graduate courses. This, of course, would limit galloping around the world and writing books at the taxpayers’ expense. Some graduate students are instructed by sitting in front of the TV set and hearing the professor’s lecture with no possible chance of discussing it with him. Also, professors in education should be required to take a test every three years on the subjects they are teaching. This test would be essay type prepared and graded by their graduate students. LOCAL SCHOOLS: Get off the building “kick.” (Quit building memorials to school superintendents.) The decision to embark on building programs of more than $1,000,000 should be left up to those who pay the bill — voted on by the taxpayers of the school district. School boards should regain control of the school systems. Present school superintendents implement and enforce the policies with tacit support of the school boards. Weak-kneed boards don’t help educate the kids. Adopt a voucher system. This means that a certain amount would be set aside for each student in the school system. This could be secured by the parent. The parent would then choose whether to use a private or public school to educate his child. This competitive situation would be a sure-fire way to counteract drugs and poor discipline in the schools. Fine the parents $25 per day for each day their child misses school. Exception — when the child is ill and has been sent home by the school nurse or has a doctor’s certificate. School boards should appoint a committee to review all textbooks — reporting on their good points and weaknesses. Limit the teaching load to no more than five classes per day for each teacher. « Have student proficiency testing done by retired teachers and have the entire state tested the same day. The regular teachers should not be in the room. And no coaching. If students must go to summer school to bring them up to grade level, then half of this cost should be born by the child’s parents. Any senior who does not pass the college prepartory test will not be admitted to a four-year college. PARENTS — Attend all open houses. Read the textbooks your child is using. Discuss homework assignments. Read essays written by your child. In other words, become involved in your child’s education. (LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR CHILD SAYS.) Do not take a position against those trying to teach your children. —o— MAYOR PLANK DOESN’T THINK UNI-GOV IS POSSIBLE - Mayor Jeff Plank, by all indications, doesn’t believe that Uni-Gov is something that can be “sold” in Kosciusko County. However, by recent indications the mayor might be pulling an Arab camel act on us. (The camel stuck his head in the tent because he was cold or lonely and later had his whole body inside.) Recent proposals made by Warsaw city officials which would include funding for an athletic complex (ACC), airport, and water district would entail portions of the county outside of Warsaw. Credit should be given to Demo County Chairman Dale Tucker. He “smoked out” the mayor on this one.

AMTRAK... You Can Make A Difference The Kosciusko County Convention And Visitors Bureau Feels Amtrak Should Remain To Service Kosciusko County Residents Please Send Your Views To: Mr. W. Graham Claytor, Jr., Amtrak President National Railroad Passenger Corporation 60 Massachusetts Avenue N.E. Washington, DC 20002

From the Syracuse Police Log —

High water in several areas

From the Syracuse Police Log is a weekly feature which presents a sampling of the incidents the officers from the Syracuse Fire Department and Syracuse Police Department are called upon to deal with: TUESDAY, FEB. 20 Ligonier Police requested that the dispatcher call a business and tell a man that his wife was in an accident. A person contacted the dispatcher and requested to know what the temperature was in Syracuse. An emergency medical service officer reported it was about 25 degrees. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21 A caller looking for the location of a Western Union Office in town was advised to try Ameritrust. The dispatcher received a call requesting where someone would be going to the Department of Corrections from the county jail. The caller was told they would have to contact the county sheriff’s department. THURSDAY, FEB. 22 North Webster Police reported they were advised of extremely high water at South Shore on SR 13. An officer requested the school be contacted regarding high water on CR 1000 N and CR 800E. There are no warning signs. FRIDAY, FEB. 23 Police were notified of a vehicle that was parked up town. The caller stated he wants a ticket put on it. Information was given to the dispatcher by an official from a business, that someone will be at the business all night and there would be a vehicle in the parking lot. SATURDAY, FEB. 24 An officer was asked to check on a person in a vehicle at the park. The vehicle has been there all morning and is running. The officer checked and reported that the person was sleeping. The dispatcher received a call from an elderly person who asked that someone help remove a limb from the driveway. The dispatcher noted that she will try to contact someone to help. Approx-

c ■Wfe1, MEETING THE CANDIDATE — Dan T. “Bull” Durham stopped by the Milford Community Building following his filing an official declaration of candidacy at the Kosciusko County clerk's office on Wednesday, Feb 21. Durham, a Democrat who announced his candidacy for Congress last May stated, “I have truly enjoyed campaigning for the last nine months. The best part is meeting all the people. I have spoken with thousands of people throughout our community about their concerns, about our Congress, and about our country." “It is an-honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to run for this public office. Our right to freely choose our representatives in government is what makes our country great. My candidacy will give the people of Kosciusko County, and everyone across our Third District a clear choice on May 8: a choice between a candidate who represents big money and special interests or Dan Durham. I want honest representation of our citizens. I will not go to Washington with strings attached. I will not be a PAC puppet.” Shaking hands, from left to right, are Don Kreis, Milford; and Durham. (Photo by Mary Jane Lorton)

Turning accident A driver attempting to make a left turn onto Main Street from North Carter Road in Goshen resulted in a two vehicle collision at 3:57p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. Kevin G. Bowler, 31, 206 Northwest St., Milford, was southbound on Main Street when his 1974 Ford Ranger collided with a 1977 Ford Granada driven by Robert W. Briscoe, 18, 1403 Ashton Court, Goshen. According to Goshen Lt. Craig C. Leslie, Briscoe was attempted to make the turn when the accident occurred. No damage estimated was given.

imately 20 minutes later the person called back and reported a neighbor cleaned it up. SUNDAY, FEB. 25 While enroute back to Syracuse, a member of the Syracuse Ambulance crew reported the railroad crossing arms at US 6 and SR 15 were lying across the tracks and were possibly broken off. Elkhart County Sheriff's Department was notified. Records at Syracuse showed no one being in an accident or incarcerated after a person called and said if any accidents were

Roemer files candidacy

The Third District Congressional seat drew another Democrat with Tim Roemer’s filing for the post in the Kosciusko County Clerk’s office on Thursday, Feb. 22. Accompanied by Jay Rigdon, attorney for the town of Milford, after registering Roemer made a stop in Milford where he visited the town hall. He later made stops in both Syracuse and Warsaw. Collision at restaurant A two vehicle accident occurred Friday, Feb. 23. at 6:50 a m. on SR 15 in Milford at the drive to Maxton's Restaurant. James Garman, 45, Leesburg, was driving a 1983 Ford laundry truck for Mechanics Laundry & Dry Cleaning out of Indianapolis and was attempting to turn into the restaurant. The truck was struck from behind by a 1987 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Duane R. Allen, 31. Warsaw, who attempted to stop and slid into the back of the truck. Milford Marshal David Hobbs estimated damage at SI,OOO to Allen’s Blazer and none to the laundry truck.

METZLER SHOES N . P “ „ X? SHOE SALE ALL THREE STORES uTto 50% On All SALE Shoes! As Always L Famous Name Brands j Now Thru Sat., March 1 Oth METZLER SHOES OF NAPPANEE ffi fM & IIISMI..SI PO 80. !92 I !!|HH«~ -""'11 ind *6550 METZLER SHOE ANNEX The Stop! N-til Ooot (219) 773-7100 Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Fri. Till 7 Plenty Os Free Parking At Rear Os Store

reported or anyone was incarcerated. It was suggested the caller contact the county sheriff’s department. MONDAY, FEB. 26 A CBer reported a vehicle was sitting on the east side of SR 13 in the first curve south of town. The vehicle was halfway in the road and is a traffic hazard. An officer was sent to investigate and found that the vehicle had run out of gas. the driver was putting more in at that time and will be moving it shortly. The dispatcher received a call of a dog running loose on North Street.

Promising to spend even more time in Kosciusko County, Roemer said he will continue knocking on doors in an effort to meet as many voters as possible in the district. He added in the first week of March, he will be knocking on his 10,000th door. In addition, while no dates were announced at this time, Roemer did state he would like to hold town meetings or other informal gatherings in the Lakeland area in an effort to meet more voters. Some of the issues placed on the front burner by Roemer include education, the environment. and investing in U.S. resources first. ABANDONED Abandoned by Czar Peter the Great, who moved his capital to St. Petersburg in 1712, the Kremlin’s grand buildings languished until Moscow became the Russian capital again in 1918, says National Geographic.

Need Help?

As a public service, ‘the PAPER’ is running the following information for those who need help and don't know who or where to call. Insurance companies and agents: Department of Insurance, 1-800-622-4461. Doctor: Indiana State Medical Association, 317-925-7545 Lawyer: Indiana State Bar Association, 317-232-1807 Landlord who is not keeping his building up: Buildings and Inspections, 294-5471 Business and to receive reliability reports: Better Business Bureau, 293-5731 Dentist: Indiana Dental Association: 317-634-2610 Businesses and licensed professionals (except lawyers): Consumer Protection Service, Attorney General's Office. 1-800-382-5516 Utility company: Public Service Commission, Consumer Affairs Div., 317-232-2712 Discrimination: Human Services, 294-5471 Laws, communication and problem solving, special education process, etc. for the handicapped: The Task Force on Education for the Handicapped, Inc., 1-800-332-4433 Mediation service for neighborhood disputes, custody disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, etc. No legal advice: Center for Community Justice, Ruth Andrews, 295-6149 Free budget counseling and debt management: Consumer

"CRUZIN around 'CUSE"

(Continued from page 4) friends from a table laden with fresh flowers. People attended the celebration in spite of the windy snowstorm going on out-of-doors. Guests were from as far away as California, Arizona, New Jersey and Illinois. Blanche received a letter from President Bush, and expects to get a card from Willard Scott, though she wasn’t honored on the “Today” show due to her birthday falling on the weekend. Consequently, she looks forward to next year, when her 101st will fall on a week day. Blanche's life span of a century goes back to riding horse and buggy to town, attending the one-room Guy schoolhouse (a structure still standing on the Syracuse-Webster Road), graduating from Syracuse High School in a class of three, and teaching eight grades for four years in the one-room Vawter Park School, which was located across SR 13 from where the new middle school is now being built. She was married to Esten Kline, a carpenter and farmer, who died in 1940. Their children are Mrs. Paul (Rowena) Brewer, Duane Kline (deceased), Mrs. George (Erba) Gardner, Harold Kline, Mrs. Delbert (Lois) Brown, and John Kline. She has 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. No longer able to be physically active, she remains mentally active, recalling incidents from the past on history and political issues and keeping up on current events. DON’T MISS the Variety Concert given by Wawasee High School’s Dream Company, Varsity Singers and Jazz Band. Sponsored by Theta Sigma Chapter of Psi lota Sorority, North Webster, the performance is Thursday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school. Tickets are available the night of the concert. Proceeds will go to the school’s music department. CHARLES AND NANCY Searfoss recently made a visit to the home of Nancy’s sister and family, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Cripe, in Melbourne, Fla.

Credit Counseling Service, 295-6596 Congressman J. Hiler, 407 Cannon House Office Building. Washington, D.C. 20515, 202-225-3915, 224 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 101, South Bend, 1-800-854-4537 Senator R. Lugar, 306 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D C. 20510, 202-224-4814 Senator Dan Coats, 411 Senate Russell, Washington, D C., 20515, (202) 224-5623

Special prices in effect thiu March 10 1990 We reserve the light to limit quantities t K I jl fl fl <299 ° !il 2 FOR fl AAsx AA 4" A 2 WeigEr K- Es. »«. f 0 -”* 1 Bni 750-mi bottle cellars wine SpUXBAIIvO BMai '•■'*• j Original. Brut, cold 1 5-liter bottle. . V 750-ml bottle duck or pink Choice of flavors AAg?? AA?®® ?sA S - 9 Stolichnaya If *OB Seagram’s V.O. I fcasjlffiO Calvert b£*4 £> Vodka 01 I < Sf “«™» * or McCormick ’’X" fBI S 3 **? Old Grand-Dad rmid va Vodka “ 1 |*|H Honrico Bum jsss i LtJ® Whiskey ' 750-ml Seagram s I I "*•"*"*1 RcJi'iico whif 6 or Bffrfta 750-ml bottle — > Y.° ° r 1 75 ' l,ter „ - QOtd B”* Jp Whiskey 100 proof Hw McCormick vodka QT «J| y iMast? iA?. I " Min 9 * IGinorJ&'B or i UIS or Seagrarts J Scotch |B«AhsJut |g||7(£££r 8 176 '" p ' b °” le ‘ voaaa 175 . hter bottle 1 75-liter bottle Reatfratn’s J7fT. 4 ' °r a'monns — . -ff _ ** 55 oz peanuts O’ -- ■ WIH6 12 oz Beer Nuts — J Cooler ™ Biii’n Choice of »v. ] ■ ~ "avors r _..., C Tl IT Q TlUrsty I I B 3-rolls Big n Thirsty . I wTw r — x paper towels. 300 I Big n pretty napkins ▼ I i 7 or 6-ro«s Big n Soft vyt < in < k i i> | — toilet tissue NORTH WEBSTER SYRACUSE 834-4772 457-4000 SR 13 South R.R. 1, Box 1-C, Pickwick Rd. Mon. Thru Sat. 8:30 A M.-9 P.M. Mon.-Sat. 7:00 A.M.-12 Midnight Sun. 9 A M.-7 P.M. Sun. 8:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M.

Wed., February 28,1990 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

MERLE SMITH of Orlando, Fla., has become embarrassed over his golf guests’ antics. It seems last year a well-known local man of the cloth (Dick Bunnell) appeared at a golf course in Orlando with an “uncollared” shirt, necessitating the purchase of a golf shirt. More recently. Merle’s guests, George Walbridge, Jim Hughes and Red Long, were playing the 14th hole, a sharp dogleg to the left. Hughes drove' through the fairway into the rough. His second shot rebounded off a tree, landing a full 30 yards behind him! At this point, his club seemed to launch from his hands and fly 40-plus yards. His next shot was next to the pin and he parred the hole. The throwing of the club, however, created embarrassment for Merle once again. A WHILE back, Cruzin’ had old pictures of Syracuse Lake ice boat racing from the late ’3os. Two present-day ice boaters, who live on Lake Wawasee, recently sailed the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association North American Championship, Mountain Lakes Region Competition at Traverse City, Mich. Mike Smith and Rick Lemberg competed with ice boaters from all over the U.S., Europe and Russia. Rick placed fourth in the Silver Fleet competition. A SIGN in front of Dan and Barb VanLue’s Electro-Net says that it is up for sale. What Dan plans to do is expand his new Video Connection building in the village to combine both businesses together, possibly by spring. Dean Carr, repair technician, continues to receive TVs, VCRs, and anything electronic for repairs at the building on Huntington Street. Barb said if he should happen to be closed (it seems when he “gets on a roll” he works through the night till finished), customers can take items out to the Video Connection store. BORNEY’S BAITS in Wawasee Village is up for sale or lease, which could mean more expansion and a future new business out there.

courses EARLY BIRD SPECIALS FOR 1990 : amily Membership $l9O All Dependents Under 18 i ngle Membership $l5O *emorMembership SIOO sisocoupie Pen-Play Pass S3O savesio.oo Iriving Range $125 (Unlimited Buckets) Membership SIOO With Golt Membership lunior Membership SIOO Lighted Par 3 Miniature Golf Pro Shop Open Feb. Ist 10.00-2:00 831-4434 Driving Range

5