The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 13 June 1990 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., June 13,1990

Editorial

Raising the flag in the face of controversy Proudly commemorating the adoption of the official U.S. flag, residents throughout the area are encouraged to display the Stars and Stripes Thursday, June 14. Flag Day is designed to celebrate the day 213 years ago when our founding fathers officially recognized a symbol of our freedom. Since that time thousands have fought to ensure those freedoms. Earlier this week the Supreme Court struck down a federal law that outlawed burning the American flag, writing in its opinion that the government cannot prohibit the burning “simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” While desecration of the flag is offensive to most, freedom of speech, under current court interpretation, allows for such ludicrous acts. And perhaps it should. In many peoples’ minds, the very freedoms the flag symbolizes prevents it from secluding itself from the display of such freedoms. Yet, as publisher Malcom Forbes argued in an article last year, “It is a crime to deface or destroy U.S. currency. It is against the law to mutilate your own mailbox. It is illegal in most of the country to burn leaves. If the law can protect dollar bills, dead leaves and mail boxes, why is it unconstitutional to protect the American flag?” The issue will continue to be argued and the flag may again be burned, but such acts will fail to diminish its meaning. More wellmeaning citizens will continue to proudly display the Stars and Stripes that so many have fought for. Society must not "ploy God" In an era when more people seem to be turning from God, more are also attempting to fill His role. While the intent may not be to “play God”, society at times does just that. The most recent example of such cinematics was last week when Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a Michigan pathologist, stood by as an Oregon woman afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease committed suicide-with the aid of his “suicide” machine. Janet Elaine Adkins was a member of the Hemlock Society and believed in euthanasia. She chose to die before her disease robbed her of her capabilities. Kevorkian watched as Adkins pressed a button that emitted lethal chemicals into her veins. Death came within five or six minutes, according to the doctor. The world will never know how many people actually commit suicide because of illness, depression or mental instability, but we have programs designed to curb such numbers. Kevorkian’s device is in direct contrast to such programs. Our society must continue to care for the ill and those at less advantage. There is no easy way out. Kevorkian said in an interview last March: “Regligious dogma has become part of the marrow of humanity. We can’t get rid of it. There should be absolutely no connection between medicine and religion, but there is, and it's paralyzing.” The doctor may be right, in part. Religion should not be directly connected to medicine. But faith in God must, invariably, always be a part of the healing process. He is the one who gives life and ultimately should be the only one to take life.

What others say — A burning issue on Flag Day This year’s Flag Day, June 14, marks the 213th anniversary of the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Stars and Stripes as America’s official flag. flag itself is now at the center of a burning issue — literally. And the issue could well figure prominently in this year’s Congressional election campaign. It involves last year’s landmark five to four decision by the Supreme Court holding that demonstrators have the Constitutional right to burn the American flag. The Court’s majority determined that such action can be a form of political expression or “symbolic” speech and therefore is protected by the Bill of Rights. The decision set aside a Texas court conviction of Gregory (“Joey”) Johnson, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade, who had burned an American flag outside the 1984 Republican National Convention while fellow demonstrators chanted “America, the red, white and blue, we spit on you! ” The Supreme Court’s ruling also nullified the laws of 47 other states prohibiting willful desecration of the flag. Amid mounting public outrage over the Court’s decision, Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation making it a federal crime to burn or otherwise desecrate the flag. The bill became law without the signature of President Bush, who preferred the remedy of a Constitutional amendment. The President believed that any new legislation by Congress would simply be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, in line with its previous decision. “I will uphold our precious right to dissent,” he said, “but burning the flag goes too far...” Meantime, the flag burners lost no time testing the new law in the lower courts. In separate incidents in Seattle and on the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C., demonstrators arrested and charged for burning American flags promptly appealed to federal judges who declared the new anti-burning law unconstitutional. The Justice Department then took the cases to the Supreme Court for a final decision. The flag burners were represented, as before, by William Kunstler, the New York lawyer who has defended numerous leftist radical causes over the years. Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules this time, flag burning is certain to remain a hot issue. Demonstrators can be expected to continue desecrating the flag in one way or another. On the other side, if the law doesn’t hold up, members of Congress have said they will go President Bush’s route and push for a Constitutional amendment. Although this requires the votes of two-thirds of both houses of Congress and 38 of the 50 state legislatures, pro-amendment advocates predict landslide approval. Indeed, in a Gallop poll last June, 71 percent of the public voiced support for a new Constitutional amendment to outlaw flag burning. At the same time, liberal activists have waged a determined campaign in defense of the flag burners. They cite Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy that it is “poignant but fundamental that the flag protects those who hold it in contempt.” Conservatives for their part, point to the minority opinion of Justice John Paul Stevens that if liberty and equality are worth fighting for, then “the flag that uniquely symbolizes their power (is) worthy of protection from unnecessary desecration.” Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, an authority on Constitutional law, points out that “the First Amendment protection of free speech never has been viewed as unlimited.” Verbal threats, for example, “are universally punishable as crimes.” In any case, he adds, “flag burning is conduct, not speech.” Also, who can say that such inflammatory conduct might not incite rioting? Finally — and fortunately — the Constitution itself reserves the right of the people’s representatives to amend it. — BEHIND THE HEADLINES - PHILIP C. CLARKE

C 1990. PM edltoral J

Court news

Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint Wawasee Service Center versus Tammy Taylor, rural route, Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $298 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Wawasee Service Center versus Marlene F. Overfelt, rural route. Warsaw. Petitioner seeks $375 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Wawasee Service Center versus Clifford L. Carey, Jr., rural route, Syracuse. Petitioner seeks $316 plus $55 in court costs. Complaint Wawasee Service Center versus Beverly England, Cromwell. Petitioner seeks SBSO plus $55 in court costs. Circuit Court The following petition has been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint For Damages Delores Mobley, no address given, versus' Augsburger’s Super Valu, North Webster. Petitioner seeks compensation for injuries. County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Failure To Possess Fishing License — Shannon Scott, 20. North Webster, S6O. Operating Motor Vehicle On State Property In Unauthorized Area — Dale D. Young. 31, North Webster, S6O. City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Violation of seat belt law — Freeman J. Fry, 26, Syracuse. $25 County Court Goshen Division The following area resident has had fines levied’and paid in the Elkhart County Court: Speeding — Ronald E. Stuckman, 19. Syracuse, $63; Monica M. Lambright. 34.

Hogsett proposed debate schedule

In a June 6 letter to Mayor Bill Hudnut, Secretary of State Joseph Hogsett proposed a tentative schedule for a series of oldfashioned •Lincoln-Douglas" style debates. In his letter, he noted, "I believe the LincolnDouglas format will allow us to discuss the issues in away that will attract greater interest and involvement from the citizens of Indiana." He proposed the following

Letter to the editor

Include soccer as varsity sport

Dear Editor: A soccer program had its beginning at Wawasee High School this year Tom Beckett, a music teacher at Wawasee High School, who played on the Grace College soccer team, volunteered to coach the team on his own time, with no pay. Parents supported the program financially and by preparing the playing field. The team practiced and played with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, they had to com-

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 fa/ O Ron Baumgartner, General Manager lg( \ /Jw Jeri Seely, Editor K L/xW Kip Schumm, Advertising Manager "dr POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mail Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542. The Papers Incorporated reserves the right 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 p.m. Monday, classified copy and display copy, 11 a m. Tuesday,

Syracuse, $56; Brent C. Baker, 16, Syracuse, $63; Richard D. Stage, 38, Syracuse, SSB; Clark A. Schieler, 23, Milford, S6B Theft — Marc W. Randolph, 20, address unknown, fined $l5O plus costs, sentenced to one year at Indiana Department of Corrections, sentence modification will be considered New Claims Goshen Division The following new claim has been filed in Elkhart County Court, Goshen Division R.M. Long, S. Main St., Goshen vs Andres Sias Garza, S. James St., Milford. The Plaintiff seeks $1,557.27 plus interest and costs. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Enyeart-Johnson Keith L. Enyeart, Jr., 27, rural route, North Webster, and Sandra R. Johnson. 25, rural route, North Webster. Sterling-Irwin Thomas A. Sterling, 11, 29, rural route, North Webster, and Diana L. Irwin, 31, rural route, North Webster. Porter-Arnett Carl David Porter, Jr., 19, rural route, Syracuse, and Hope Elaine Arnett, 19, rural route, Syracuse. Hoile-Whitacre Jeff Alan Hoile, 18, rural route, and Roberta Lynn Whitacre, 21, rural route, Leesburg. Hostetter-Jodry Tony Richard Hostetter, 18, rural route, Syracuse, and Amy Jo Jodry, 18, rural route, Syracuse. Goralczyk-Kirkdorfer Jeffery Kenneth Goralczyk, 18. South Bend, and Angela Lynn Kirkdorfer. 19, East Shore Drive, Syracuse. The following couple has applied for a marriage license in Elkhart County Court, Goshen Division: Ropp-George Todd Patrick Ropp, 23, CR 31, Syracuse and Kelly Ann George, 29, SR 119, Wakarusa

schedule: Wednesday, Aug. 22; Thursday, Aug. 30; Tuesday, Sept. 4; Friday, Sept. 14; Monday, Sept. 24; Thursday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 14. Hogsett also proposed taking their meetings to the following communities: Auburn, Boonville, Corydon, Noblesville, Plymouth, Winchester, and Rockville. These communities represent seven of Indiana’s 10 congressional districts.

pete against experienced teams that have had soccer as a sanctioned varsity sport at their schools for several years. With the popularity of the sport of soccer growing, a very qualified coach available, and students enthused about playing, the Wawasee High School administration should consider including soccer as a varsity sport in the school program. Don and Monica Bice Soccer booster parents

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE”

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ONTRACTS FOR the construction of the new plant for Rogers Electro-Matics, Inc. will soon be issued to

area contractors. The 5,000 square-foot building will be built at 100 West Chicago Street, the last industrial site available. The architect’s drawing above, done by Sam Leman, Jr., shows the north elevation of the building which-will be seen by motorists using Chicago Street. Rogers Electro-Matics, Inc. is a Syracuse firm that manufactures industrial electronic controls. Owners, Ted and Marge Rogers, explained the major expansion: "In planning the future of our business, we considered several alternatives. We could have sold the business and retired, but this would have meant the business would be moved to another city. We have an excellent staff, headed by Production Manager Dick Bieghler who has been with us since 1954, and we just did not want to see these employees lose their jobs. Since business is booming, we decided to expand our facilities and find a buyer who would keep the business in Syracuse.” The first part of the plan for Rogers was completed with the hiring of Bob Haller as general manager. Bob, a native of Fort Wayne, obtained a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Michigan, and has had 10 years of experience in industrial electronics. He and his wife, Cathy, and two children, Julia, three, and Christoff, two months, have purchased a new home in Syracuse and will be moving into it in a few days. The second part of the plan is the building of the new plant. The building has been designed for maximum efficiency for the type of manufacturing done at Rogers Electro-Matics, Inc. “This new building will enable us to hire more employees to handle our increasing workload,” noted Rogers. “We will also add design capabilities to our business, with a modern computer-aided design system.” There are currently 11 employees with the firm. “The type of work we do requires careful control of temperature and humidity, so the building is really well insulated and will be heated and cooled by geothermal heat pumps. The entire building will be carpeted with antistatic carpeting. No smoking will be allowed anywhere in the building. This will be a building designed for maximum worker comfort and productivity.” Rogers noted construction of the building should be early this fall and after the move into the new building and things get moving smoothly, Rogers and his wife will sell the business to Bob, phasing themselves out and him in over a period of time. Rogers has been operating his business from the baserhent of his home since 1971. “It’s been convenieqjfor me,” noted Rogers about having the business at his home. At the time he moved to Lake Wawasee from Huntington, there were no zoning regulations, so the business could operate from the home. Customers of Rogers Electro-Matics, Inc. cover a wide variety of industrial fields, with no two of them in the same field. The oldest customer is The Minster Machine Company, Minster, Ohio, a major manufacturer of punch presses. The nearest customer is Chore-Time Equipment, Milford. “One of the most exciting products we are currently producing is a printed-circuit board assembly which is part of a system designed to recover and re-distill CFC refrigerants, allowing

them to be re-used instead of being released to the atmosphere where they damage the ozone layer,” said Rogers. This product is produced for Robinaire, Montpelier, Ohio. Rogers markets no products of their own, but are strictly a contract firm, frequently referred to as an outside vendor. “This is a growing part of the industrial scene, as large firms are turning more and more to outside vendors to insure a reliable flow of materials at predictable, controlled costs. We see a rosy future for Rogers Electro-Matics. ' it ;■ ..4. ; t ' Shown in the photo, below the drawing, are Haller, Bieghler, and Rogers. —o— CONGRATULATIONS TO T.L. Jackson Construction, Syracuse. The local firm recently was awarded as having the “Best Overall” home in the Kosciusko County Parade of Homes at The North East Dells, northeast of the Warsaw Municipal Airport. The home, built by Jackson Construction, is one of 10 homes on the tour this year —o— IF YOU haven't thought about participating in this year’s Flotilla on Sunday, July 1, there is still time to put together an entry. The committee is looking for a large number of entries and the only requirement is the craft is sea worthy and can travel a minimum of five miles per hour around the lake. The annual balahoo announcing the Flotilla will take place this Sunday and numerous “tents” have been placed around town in local restaurants promoting the Flotilla and seeking entries. There is no entry fee. -°- e SPEAKING OF the Flotilla, don’t forget the annual “Big Bang Boom” on Lake Wawasee will be on Sunday evening starting at 9:45 p.m. The annual Fourth of July fireworks on Syracuse Lake will be at Lakeside Park on Wednesday, July 4, also starting at 9:45 p.m. —o— FOR THOSE bicycle enthusiasts, the first bicycle tour, in conjunction with the Flotilla, has been cancelled. But according to sources, look for one next year. —o— ERNIE ROGERS has stated the annual Flotilla Road Race is slated for 8 a.m., Saturday, June 30, at Lakeside Park. There will be the 3.3-mile road run, eight-mile walk and 3.3-mile (Continued on page 5) L ,** ■ Bbß W 7 3 I I i 1 ibbmbbbbr fc* SFirtf w \\ B *-ii BL \\ aS W. .WO xft' sgiissa - •’ s ■HK uB \\ I™*: f r Wk