The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 March 1990 — Page 5

Under the . . . Courthouse Dome -t W By Ron Sharp ■ [ TtSS

COULD WE DO BETTER COLLECTING A DOG TAX? A survey of county records indicates that perhaps a better job could be done on collecting the dog tax licenses. Estimates have placed the dog population in the county at more than 10,000. About $12,800 was collected by township trustees in 1989 for dog tax fees. If the average license cost is $2 each, it would place the canine population in the county at about 6,400 — far short of 10,000. In the past money collected on the tax was used to repay those whose property was damaged by dogs — mostly cases of dogs' killing sheep. Lately this loss has been less than SI,OOO per year. The remaining funds are turned over to the county auditor and placed in the general fund. Below is an estimate of the licenses sold by each trustee in 1989. Clay 266 Etna 104 Franklin 196 Harrison 263 Jefferson 281Jackson 286 Monroe 306 Lake 163 Plain 713 Prairie 243 Seward 520 Scott 205 Tippecanoe 894 Turkey Creek 498 Van Buren 325 Washington 321 Wayne 816 Total 6,400 Presently the county commissioners and council are wrestling with the problem of paying for an animal control department. Estimates to man such a department range from SIOO,OOO to $140,0j)0 per year. Perhaps some of the cost could be recovered by increasing the license fees and placing a heavy fine on anyone who does not purchase a license for his dog. Another avenue that would take general assembly action would be to place a sales tax on pet foods. By the looks of grocery shelves heavily stocked with pet foods, this might be the way to go. —O’HEAP IT ON Congressman Dan Rostenkowski of Chicago has come up with a plan to reduce the national debt. A congressional committee has also come up with a plan. The two plans are similar. Some provisions worth note: Cut out cost-of-living increases on Social Security. Tax the first 85% of Social Security payments. Increase income tax by two percent. Put on a five-percent national sales tax. Put oh.a five-percent national added tax. Cut out farm subsidies. Require two-week wait for unemployment benefits. It is noteworthy that neither of these plans tackles the main problem — deficit spending by CONGRESS. Dan R. and his buddies will make you bleed, yet will not cut a cent from the items in the national budget promoted by individual congressmen, i.e.: In other words, never so much has been spent to benefit so few. These nonessential expenditures include all their pet projects (such as, loans to friends to build “highrises” that go broke). Red River Project. Building armories and other facilities not requested by the defense department. Huntington (IN) Lake Project. Billions of dollars wasted.on individual trade-offs that are dubious value to the U.S. taxpayer. CONGRESSIONAL EXPENDITURES: SIOO million in franking privileges (free postage). All-expense paid vacation overseas under the guise of investigation. (If they just paid for their liquor, it would help.) Size of their congressional staffs bloated. Unreasonably high pensions for all congressmen. Permit to keep extra campaign contributions. (Mr. Dan R. is eligible to receive $1,000,000 in such funds.) Perks — haircuts, dinners, insurance, and anything else that they can get free. Well, Dan, when you get your house in order, you can get around to us, and we'll “take our lumps.” Until then, stuff it! —o— CABLE: IS IT TOO EXPENSIVE: A recent survey conducted in 25 cities and states indicates that some cable in Kosciusko County costwise is in the top 15 percent nationally. TRIAX Cable subscribers are now paying $19.52 as compared to Warner Cable; Columbus, Ohio, $21.95; Post Newsweek. Sioux City, lowa, $21.78; Post Newsweek, Abilene, Kan., $20.90. All the remaining are below the Triax rate. The lowest rate is in White Deer, Texas, $13.91. Average: $17.14. Some of those below the Triax rate have from 45 to 60 channels to select from.

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 Sta.te Bar Association, 317-232-1807 Landlord who is not keeping hisbuilding 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.,

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1-800-332-4433 Mediation service for neighborhood disputes, custody disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, etc. No legal advice: Center for Community Justice, Ruth Andrew's, 295-6149 Free budget counseling and debt management: Consumer Credit Counseling Service, 295-6596 Congressman J. Hiler, 407 Cannon House Office Building. Washington, DC. 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 Exemption from withholding Students who had not tax liability for 1989 and who expect to owe no tax for 1990 may qualify to be exempt from income tax withholding during 1990. See Form W-4 instructions for more details.

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Despite political storms Meeks pleased with his work

Senator Bob Meeks, 13th District Senator, is pleased with his work in the 1990 General Assembly. Despite a rough and tumble political atmosphere, Meeks said, “There were some very good things.” Among the most important for Meeks was his boat tax bill, which he and Senator Harold "Potch" Wheeler worked on all during the summer of 1989. Meeks said they met with a number of professionals concerned with the boat bill. The ultimate result was House Bill 1375, which Meeks and Wheeler carried through the Senate. Now law, the bill allows boats to be taxed on value, not length. The taxes decrease by five percent each year for 10 years, until it hits 50 percent.

Johnson asks Jontz to make stance known

Jim Jontz’s action on the National Lakeshore/Crescent Dune acquisition dispute stands in sharp contrast to his refusal to take any controversial stands before voters in his own district, according to challenger John Johnson, Republican of Valparaiso who is opposing Jontz’s bid for re-election to Con ? gress from the Fifth District. “The contrast between his overzealous determination about land acquisition in the LaPorte County dunes area located in the First District (represented by fellow Democrat Peter Visclosky, who opposes Jontz’s position) and his wishy-washy, noncommittal stands on issues affecting Fifth District voters is unbelievable. He even recently held a private meeting, which was possibly illegally attended by some officials from a town outside the district, to discuss the land acquisition. “I do not believe voters understand why he is so expressive on this issue, but indecisive and evasive on taxes and overall government spending. “This man spends a great-deal of time (lately, about four days'a week), including time when one would think he should be in Washington, holding meetings, forums and photo opportunities within his own district, yet when attendees at these meetings and forums ask his opinion on issues,

Awaiting governor's signature —

21 st Century Scholars Program

Saying “no” to drugs and alcohol could open up an avenue toward higher education for Hoosier eighth graders under a measure awaiting the governor's signature, said State Senator Robert Meeks I R-LaGrangei. “Aside from the lifelong benefits of keeping drug free,” Meeks said, "qualifying students who pledge to stay away from controlled substances may receive tuition scholarships for college." House Bill 1424. which Meeks co-sponsored in the Senate, establishes the 21st Century Scholars Program for Indiana’seighth grade students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches and who agree in writing to graduate from high school and qualify for admission to a higher education facility; not illegally use controlled substances; not commit a crime, infraction or delinquent act; and apply during their senior year in high school for any federal and state student financial assistance. “The opportunity for getting a college degree is one that should be available to everyone,” Meeks said. “This program will show

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Meeks said the bill is a step in the right direction toward a “fair and equitable tax.” Coupled with the auto-excise measure that was amended into the boat bill, he says, “We really had a major piece of legislation there.” Now law, the bill is effective January 1, 1991. Meeks said he tried to make it retroactive to the beginning of this year but that the bureau of motor vehicles would have had trouble administering such a measure. In addition to the boat bill, Meeks says he had “a lot of good bills.” One of those was Senate Bill 125, which affects the language describing regulations for school bus crossing arms. Meeks was also involved with drug legislation and legislation that removes the bureau of motor

he almost never gives a straight answer nor indicates his thinking — other than on foreign aid. “For example, Jim had a series of well-publicized meetings on the issue of the problem of increases in medical costs — but he had no proposal to suggest and no concrete opinions to express. “Now, a leader of his own party whom he has always supported

County to buy animal shelter

The Kosciusko County Commissioners put their approval on a plan to purchase the animal shelter from Public Safety Animal Control (PSAC) for $55,000 at their regular meeting Tuesday morning. However, that approval is contingent on an inspection by commissioner Eddie Creighton and county council member Kathryn Teel to determine the worth of the building. The county council will hold a special meeting in April, if needed, to approve funding of the shelter. The council must also establish a new department and personnel to operate the facility.

these kids, who may otherwise think pursuing post-secondary education is beyond their reach, that by applying themselves they, in fact, can attain their goals. "And, by pledging to remain drug-free," Meeks added, “these kids will be developing a habit to say 'no' that will last them a lifetime.” The bill also establishes a support fund to offset the costs incurred by scholarship recipients in . purchasing required textbooks.

Letter to the editor Traffic problem in Syracuse

Dear Editor: Please contact our governor or state officials in regard to an ongoing traffic problem in Syracuse — on SR 13 and Boston Street —two blocks from the elementary school. The crossing guard and children are taking their lives in

vehicles from fact finding in auto accidents. In discussing the tone of the 1990 General Assembly, Meeks said, “I found out it was more political than a lot of people realized.” At stake in the 1990 elections is the redrawing of legislative and congressional districts. Meeks observed that whichever political party wins control of the legislature this year, can control the General Assembly for the next 10 years. “This is the most important election in the last 10 years,” he stated. Milford Meeting Meeks and 18th District Representative Dave Wolkins have tentatively scheduled a legislative wrap-up meeting for April 10. to be held at the Milford Town Hall.

on tax issues, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski has proposed a package of tax increase, spending freezes and a freeze on Social Security COLA increases. These proposals were recently one of the largest national news items and would affect every adult in the Fifth District, yet Jim has ignored them completely”

The Kosciusko County Humane Society, which holds a second mortgage on the building due to debts owed, agreed to yield its interests, provided the county continues to accept any animals from county residents free of charge and that the shelter remaininoperation. While the county council had set money aside to provide animal control from PSAC through June 30, it hopes to purchase the facility by April 30. Such money could be reverted to pay shelter workers, according to the commissioners.

supplies and other material required for a class. The measure appropriates SIO,OOO to the State Student Assistance Commission to establish the program. “This could be that one incentive to encourage many youngsters who otherwise would not attend college to pursue a degree and, in the process, stay drug-free,” Meeks said. “I'm hopeful the governor will recognize the merits of the program and show his support by signing it into law."

their hands. Traffic doesn't stop when children are crossing the highway, which is posted 30 miles per hour. Someone is going to get seriously hurt if the problem is not resolved. Thank you. Byron L. Sears (Concerned parent)

"CRUZIN AROUND CUSE"

(Continued from page 4) The scholarship is available to any needyhigh school or college student in the community. Three scholarships were given last year. This year, donations will allow for four. The fund is sponsored by the Syracuse-Wawasee Ministerial Association, the Church of God. and family and friends of the Johnsons. Applications must be returned by April 20 and the scholarships will be awarded in May. —o— THE LATCH Key Program held in the Syracuse Elementary School will be open during spring vacation, April 2-6. from 5:30 a.in.-6 p.m„ daily. Parents are encouraged to register their children early for that week. Special activities are being planned. For more information, contact Katerina Palacios at 457-4929. —O—NORTH SHORE Drive resident Michael McCauley recently was named general manager of the Postage/UPS Computing Systems Companyin Fort Wayne. He will head up the sales/marketing division of the company at their new offices in College Park. McCauley was previously a district manager for Pitney Bowes, with offices in Fort Wayne and South Bend. The president of the company noted that “as an active member of the Postal Customers’

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Soviet grain deal helps Hoosier farmers

U .S. Senator Richard Lugar announced March 22 that Indiana farmers will have increased access to Soviet markets because of a new US-USSR long-term grain agreement. Lugar (R-IN), ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee. 'praised the administration for reaching

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

Council, Mike brings to our operation additional know ledge of the mailing markets, as well as expertise in computerized manifest shipping systems.” Mike and his wife, Kristina, have four children. JUDY MOSER’S Creative Touch Studio on North Huntington Street has now taken over the tuxedo rental from Leisure Pools and Spas. Judy has decided to mainly use Jim’s Formal Wear out of Anderson, due to the good delivery of service which brings the clothing in an unwrinkied condition. , The front of the beautiful old brick house under the water tower has been remodeled for display purposes and is already set up, with some remodeling still going on in the interior. —o—"NO! THE rumor is untrue — Y’eager Photography is not planning to add a drivethrough facility," according to Tim Yeager. The car shown in the photo below, recently plowed into the rear of the building, demolishing the restroom. Brakes on the vehicle had failed. The mother of the bride-to-be who was being photographed at the time of the accident, a few feet away, said “No matter what may happen at the wedding, it can’t top this! ”

an agreement sooner than expected. "This is an outstanding opportunity to let our farmers expand upon what is already a large American trade surplus in farm products.” Lugar said. Last year US exports exceeded imports in farm products by S2O billion. Lugar recently visited the Leip-

zig trade fair in East Germany as head of an official Senate delegation. "We must be cautious about economic conditions in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe Eastern bloc," suggested Lugar. “But there is a tremendous appetite for American products that Hoosier firms should begin to tap."