The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 14, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 May 1990 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., May 16,1990

Editorial Support starts at local level Area residents and visitors to Syracuse this weekend will have an opportunity to step into the past by visiting the Lakeland Youth Center. \ The Second Annual Crusin ’Cuse Rod, Custom, Antique & Collector Car Show will be held at the Center Saturday. What better way to spend a spring day than to reminisce about the old soda shop, Satur- .. day night cruises down Main Street, and the simple pleasures of the past? A dance will be held at the center that evening to fuel even more memories. Local organizers expect over 150 vehicles to be displayed. Local residents should take pride in that turnout and take some time to show their support SYXACUSt Festivals and similar activites have experienced dwindling numbers in recent years and Syracuse, one of the drawing cards of the Lakeland community, must show its willingness to keep such activities at a premium. In what promises to be the “Biggest little show in Indiana”, Crusin ’Cuse needs support from its own residents to fulfill that promise. Gardening —a favorite hobby Each year around this time, greenhouses, discount stores and lawn and garden centers bloom with the color and smell of bedding plants. It’s gardening time in America. Marigolds, impatiens, pansies and geraniums long to be planted or potted. Even people with a “black thumb” can usually be tempted to pick up a plant or two to brighten their homes. Why the attraction? The fact is, gardening is a guilt-free hobby. Unlike stamp collecting or bird watching, gardening is something the hobbyist can do that provides more than just relaxation. Flowers and plants benefit the environment, improve the value of a home and look lovely. Besides, gardening is something the whole family can do together. It’s good, hard, dirty, satisfying work that anybody with a strong back can dig into. Parents can have the satisfaction of designing and implementing a landscape look, while their kids can appreciate the wonders of watching something grow from seed. It’s no wonder gardening is one of the fastest growing hobbies in America. This weekend, if the weather is fine, get off your hammock, grab a spade and dig in. Go ahead, make something grow. * Employees of the Army Corps of Engineers have constructed many of the nation’s vital assets, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Library of Congress and the world’s second largest dam. What others say — The post office debacle From time to time The News conducts its own test of the U.S. post office. So far, we have discovered no instances of properly addressed mail not being delivered. But this is the end of the line as far as the efficiency of the Postal Service is concerned. As we have reported in the past, the time needed to deliver the mail has not improved. In truth, the records confirm that there has been some regression. Should it take eight days to move a first class letter from Phoenix to Indianapolis? Ten days from California to Indianapolis? Os course not. But we have uncovered several instances of such inefficiency. Delivery time from smaller cities to Indianapolis — even as near as Athens, Ohio — may be from three to six days. It is strange that there is a lack of consistency in these mailings. Sometimes the deliveries are fairly prompt, but most of the time the lag is excessive. It’s not only individual Americans who must endure these delays; the business community is driven by mail and almost every mailer faces this kind of unacceptable service. Many companies and individuals have become reconciled to it and if they want prompt service, they pay from $7.50 to sl2 for overnight delivery. On March 6 the Postal Service announced plans to increase the price of first class stamps to 30 cents by 1991. This increase, if it is allowed, means that all mailing costs will rise on the average of 19 percent. Such an increase is quietly accepted, like the slow deliveries, because of the “only-pennies” increase. Percentagewise, however, it is unconscionable. Most of the increases are rationalized on the basis of the need to install new autorrfation equipment. The service spent $339 million on automation in 1989. At the same time, the number of employees increased and wages went up. More than 83 percent of the service’s $40.9 billion budget is spent on labor. The average postal worker receives more than S2O an hour, about $42,000 a year, including fringe benefits. Remember, these are semiskilled jobs for the most part. Postal Rate Commissioner John Crutcher says that Postal Service wages are probably the highest semiskilled wages in America. The automation charade has been going on for eight years, with accompanying claims that costs will be reduced. It hasn’t happened. In fact, the projected deficit for 1990 is $1.6 billion, attributed to lagging productivity and growing competition from private mail delivery services such as Federal Express. Although postal and union officials try to make their worn-out defense on the basis of comparisons with postal rates in other countries, American customers are not impressed. The facts are that: 1) postal service employees are inefficient; 2) the Postal Service is mismanaged; and 3) unions have too much control and are too quick to defend the practice of taking 10 days to move a first class letter from Los Angeles to Indianapolis. Again we must call for reduction in the number of employees and for better management of those who remain. Turning point — or all as in New Zealand —of the delivery system to private contractors may be the answer. The Postal Service has already contracted some of its functions to private entrepreneurs, realizing a 50 percent reduction in labor costs in some instances. There may be other solutions. But the main imperative now is to improve the service to tighten work procedures and to stop increasing the work force at the same time the service is claiming that its new automation equipment will allow a reduction in force. — THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS

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Court news

County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Speeding — Karen Stremley, 24, Syracuse, $80; Jeanne A. Garner, 35, Leesburg, S6O. Battery — Billy Gene Smith, no age, Syracuse, dismissed. Criminal Mischief — Harry Meyers, no age, North Webster, dismissed. Driving While Suspended — Alan J. Nichols, no age, Syracuse, dismissed. Goshen Division The following area residents have had fines levied and paid in the Elkhart County Court: Speeding — Linda J. Haskins, 33, Milford, $56; Leroy A. Greene, 19, Syracuse, $63 Small Claims The following judgements have been awarded in Small Claims Division, Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Milford Motors, Inc. vs Joseph Fullington. Plaintiff awarded $152.94 plus costs. City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Violation of child restraint law — Danette D. Whitehead, 30, Syracuse, SSB; Eugene R. Hershberger, 43, Syracuse, $25 suspended Driving while license suspended — Brian K. Vale. 29, Syracuse, dismissed

State Democrats to move offices

Indiana Democratic State Central Committee Chairman Michael A. Pannos has announced the relocation and expansion of Indiana Democratic State Central Committee offices. On May 14, state headquarters will be moved to the One North Capitol Building at the corner of Washinggton Street and Capitol Avenue. “We need more space to accommodate additional staff for this year's coordinated campaign,'' said Pannos. “We also want our new office to be more accessible to visitors. ’ ’

New Subscribers

Brian/Doris Wall R 5 Box 454 Syracuse, 1nd.46567 Donald Hollis R 1 Box 86 Lake Estate Warsaw, Ind. 46580 L. Foyle R 5 Box 226-A Syracuse, 1nd.46567 Michael DeLucenay R 3 Box 190-A Syracuse, 1nd.46567 Nelson/Peggy Felt P.0.80x 271 Syracuse. 1nd.46567

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by The Papers Incorporated every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office in Syracuse, Indiana 46567. Second class postage paid at 103 E Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: Newstand rate 45C per copy, $19.00 per year in Kosciusko County, $25 00 outside county. Della Baumgartner, Publisher Pon Baumgartner, General Manager zVI Jeri Seely, Editor Kip Schumm, Advertising Manager POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mail Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542. ■ The Papers Incorporated reserves the rjght to refuse for publication any advertising that is considered offensive, misleading or detrimental to the public, the newspaper or another advertiser and to edit advertising at its discretion. DEADLINES: Legal copy, 5 pm. Monday, classified copy and display copy, 11 a m. Tuesday

Speeding — Sandra L. Beery, 30, Syracuse, S6B; Herman E. Miller, 37, Syracuse, $63; Heather G. Impey, 26, Syracuse, SBB Expired driver’s license — Anna E. Harris, 63, Syracuse, $54 No insurance — Stacie L. Bickel, 20, Milford, sll3, five days in jail suspended, defendant showed proof of restitution arrangements Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint Lake City Bank versus Elizabeth Harmon, rural route, Leesburg. Petitioner seeks $2,386.02, interest, attorney fees and costs. Marriage Licenses The following couple has applied for a marriage license in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Freel-Goshert John P. Freel, 23. rural route. Syracuse, and Glenda A. Goshert, 21, Syracuse. Marriage Dissolutions The following marriage dissolution has been granted in Elkhart County. Superior 111 Stroder — Bonita M. Stroder, address unknown and Jerry L. Stroder, Cassopolis St., Elkhart. The couple was married on September 28.1989 and separated on December 30, 1989. The wife’s former surname of Went was restored.

Pannos said Democratic State Committee offices will be moved temporarily to the first floor of One North Capitol while the permanent 11th floor offices are remodeled. The new phone number will be (317) 231-7000, the new Fax number will be 231-7129, and the toll-free number will remain (800) 223-3387. The new address for headquarters will be One North Capitol. Indianapolis, Ind. 46204. Mail should continue to be addressed to P.O. Box 3366, Indianapolis, 1nd.46206.

James Langdon R 2 Box 406 F Leesburg,lnd.46sßo Charles Rock 307 Park West Dr. Goshen, Ind. 46526 Randall K. Girod 114 S. Scott St. Apt. B Warsaw. Ind. 46580 George Tilley Lendonway Terrace Lot 16, R 5 Syracuse, Ind. 46567 Jane Plew 308 E.4th Milford. Ind. 46542

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SURFACE WATER from recent rains has caused a soil compaction problem resulting in a delay in the work of laying footers on the Syracuse Public Library addition. Work is at a temporary standstill. Since construction began in April on the library, the south walls have been removed from the back of the library, and temporary boarded walls have been put in place. Space is limited, but library service continues. The children's library seems most cramped, with some books placed in boxes stacked nearly to the ceiling. But Dianna Evans, children’s librarian, said, “Yes, I really am able to find books when 1 need to.” The back ground has been leveled and smoothed in preparation for the addition, which is shown in the top photo. Some of the plumbing has been done in the lower section for the restrooms and workers have begun putting in the new sew-er lines. Work has also begun on the east side, where there will be an entrance built on Harrison Street at the lower level with handicapped access and an elevator to the second floor. Visiting the boarded up and cutoff section in the basement on the east side, shown in the bottom photo, one can visualize the staff lounge, elevator area and restrooms, including a publicone. Tearing dow n walls and partitions exposed an interesting sight — the line on the walls was made visible marking the original old winding staircase used for the librarian at the back. Years ago, the librarian’s book check counter faced the entrance to the library. In spite of all the noise and inconvenience, the usual smiles greet the public from Rosalyn Jones and Dianna, and other workers and volunteers Without air conditioning available this summer, chances are these folks are not complaining about the present cool weather. —o— A LOT of people took advantage of the warm weather last week and began working on landscaping. Several employees at Kentucky Fried Chicken were seen out on their hands and knees planting flowers last week. Also there has been some landscaping going on at the Sunoco Station at the corner of Baltimore and SR 13. —o— MENTION WAS made of several areas along SR 13 in the Village where ditches are still unmoWed. This has been a touchy subject for some time in the village. The ditches belong to the state highway department, yet they will not maintain the area on a regular basis, leaving mowing up to the business owner. —o— THERE IS an effort underway to get the state to agree to filling in the ditches, repairing the storm sewer, and widening SR 13 with a turn lane. Local officials who have contacted the state have not been turned down on the idea yet. —o— SEVERAL PERSONS are working diligently to get the recycling bins back in town. The bins were removed almost one month ago when the recycling firm wanted to charge S9O per month to keep the bins in town. Those working to get something going include John Kroh. Steve Kroh, Tom Thornburg, Dick Snyder and Barb Meyer. —o— THERE WILL soon be a new, yet familiar, face at the Village Branch of Ameritrust. Cindy Weils is currently receiving training at the uptown bank for the position of branch manager. She is replacing Millie Ginger who retired in December 1989. Cindy and her husband, Doug, and their two boys, Jason and Joshua, moved back to Syracuse recently from Michigan. Doug is the manager of the North Point K-Mart in Elkhart.

Cindy is the former Cindy Jones, daughter of Gaylord and Evelyn Jones. According to Cindy, her husband, Doug, graduated from Syracuse High School and she graduated from Wawasee High School. —o— THE PRESENCE of Jo Ella Johnson can no longer be found at the Syracuse License Branch, as she resigned from her position as branch manager to go back to college and study nursing. Stepping into Jo Ella's position is a familiar face, Syracuse resident Lynn Griffith. Lynn, who many may remember, has been the office manager for Dr. J.C. Jinks the past 10 years. Lynn began her job the first part of May, spending several weeks in training in Indianapolis and at the Nappanee License Branch, before coming back to Syracuse. MEMBERS OF the class of 1965 from Wawasee Prep will be visiting their former alma mater the weekend of June 9 to take a look at the various changes in the old preparatory school, which is now condominiums. There were 16 members in that graduating class. —o— DONNA HIBSCHMAN, Syracuse, was named the intermediate Homemaker of the Year during the recent Achievement Night for Elkhart County Extension Homemakers. Donna is a member of the Hex Rural Extension Homemakers Club. Donna and her husband, Joe, have three children, Dee Ann Hibschman, Syracuse; Janet Gardner, Millersburg; and Roger Hibschman, Claypool. She is a full-time homemaker and works with her husband on their dairy and crop farm. She is the present lecturer of Hex Grange, a member of Elkhart County Pomona Grange, and State Holstein Hoosier Homemakers. Donna and Joe were the 1975 “Dairy Couple of the Year,” 1978 “Young Couple of the Year” in Indiana, and in 1979 "Farm Family of the Year.” —o— JERRY RENSBERGER, a former Syracuse-North Webster resident, who is now a free lance travel guide and a veteran of 35 years in education, will be leading a seven-day Inside Passage cruise to Alaska, followed by a sevenday journey homeward through the Canadian Rockies. The trip will begin August 31. The trip will include the flower gardens at Vancouver, 8.C., north up the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier, Skagway, Totem Poles and Indian culture, to the Chilket Inlet. The turning point will be at the village of Wrangell, when the journey then goes to the Canadian Rockies including Fraser River Canyon, Banff, Lake Louise and Calgary. Those wanting further information about the trip can contact Rensberger at 328 West Campbell Street, Loudonville, Ohio, 44842. —o— DID YOU know that sunbathing is dangerous? No, not to your skin, but to your ribs? Lil Cook recently found out just how dangerous getting that golden tan can really be. According to our sources, Lil was just beginning her day's sunbathing and was dressed in her muumuu. She went to sit down on her chair when it fell apart and broke. Down went Lil, but up went her muumuu. Being embarrassed about the whole situation and'trying to get her muumuu back down, Lil didn’t have time to think about being hurt until later. As it turns out, she suffered a cracked rib in the fall. , —O’NEW HANDRAILS are being installed along the sidewalk in the alley beside Leisure Pools and Spas and the lower parking lot uptown. Work is being done by the town street department. The old handrails, which were rusted and. broken, were removed several months ago. (Continued on page 5)