The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 31, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 September 1990 — Page 1

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Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 29

w\ | H'- - ■ i fl I * MARK HUBBS President

Retail merchants elect new officers

By JULIE MOORE Staff Writer

The reorganized SyracuseWawasee Retail Merchants group elected the following officers at its September meeting last Friday: Mark Hubbs, manager of Big Wheel, president; Sande Wappes, owner of New Attitudes Hair Studio and Your Village Boutique, vice president; Brenda Miller, owner of Office Resources, secretary; and Bill Fisher, owner of Fisher’s Lawn and Garden, treasurer. Voter registration underway in area People who will be 18 or over by the first Tuesday of November who haven’t already registered to vote, still have time to do so. Party chairpersons and precinct committee men and women will be registering voters throughout Kosciusko County until noon on Monday, Sept. 24. In addition, 40 some officials will be circulating throughout the county registering first-time and transfer voters at local high schools and businesses. After the September deadline, people can still register at the county clerk’s office in the Justice Building, Warsaw, through Monday, Oct. 8. Any residents who have moved since they last voted or who did not vote in the last general election two years ago will have to reregister to vote in order to be eligible to cast a ballot in the November general election. However, Jeanne Weirick, Kosciusko County Clerk, said it would be helpful if those residents who are receiving new mailing addresses in the county contact her office and inform her of their change.

Grand jury frees McAndrews

By STACEY LESCH Staff Writer

A six member Kosciusko County Grand Jury, Tuesday, refused to indict James McAndrews presumably finding difficulty agreeing with accusations that he Vehicle struck from behind A two-vehicle collision occurred Friday, Sept. 7, at 12:13 p.m. at US 6 and CR9. Dion A. Ridenour, 20, Greenhouse Drive, Apt. 11, Syracuse, was following a 1981 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Linda F. Swihart, 48, 71347 CR 9, Nappanee. Swihart had stopped her vehicle while waiting to make a left turn when it was struck from behind by Ridenour’s 1981 Datsun 8210. Damage was estimated to both vehicles at less than $3,500.

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Traditionally, officers of the local retail group serve a year term from late June to early July. But this year the merchants opted to postpone elections until the reorganized group got on its feet. With new-found momentum from the summer sidewalk sale and the election of new officers completed, the SyracuseWawasee Retail Merchants mov* ed ahead to discuss other possible joint endeavors at last week’s meeting. Fisher suggested organizing a fall arts and crafts festival to draw visitors to the Syracuse community after the summer season. “Granted we can’t do it now, but we have at least a year to plan for it,” he told the retailers. The other merchants liked the idea. Fisher said he’d head the committee, while Jerry Rumple and Mike Tallon agreed to help. “And it doesn’t take a retailer to work on this committee,” noted Jeanne Gardiner of Lake City Bank, adding anyone interested in organizing the event can lend a hand. Os primary concern for the newly-formed committee is choosing the date of the fall arts and crafts event, as well as finding a suitable location. And, of course, it needs a name. At the meeting, Charlene Rule, a marketing consultant hired by

Shoplifters apprehended

A Goshen woman and a 17-year-old female also from Goshen were apprehended by authorities following a shoplifting spree in Syracuse and Milford. Over $l5O worth of items from various stores were found in their vehicles. Shelly Lung, 20, Goshen, was charged with conversion and held on .$250 bond. The teenager was turned over to juvenile authorities. Police were called to Big Wheel

intended to commit fraud. McAndrews has been under investigation by several police departments for failing to deliver products he sold to businesses in at least four states. North Webster Town Marshal Jerry Craig has worked on the investigation since December of 1989. It was then discovered that McAndrews took more than $15,000 from businesses there and never returned the commemorative maps he had promised. The same business tactics were used by McAndrews in at least six other towns throughout Indiana, lowa, Ohio and Kentucky. Randy Girod, deputy prosecuting attorney, noted that although McAndrews did not attend the grand jury hearing yesterday, the documentation that was requested at the first hearing, on August 8, was presented. The initial hearing was continued until Tuesday, Sept. 11, to allow McAndrews

-HHML bp®’****' btjj ■ ! B w¥ o BRENDA MILLER Secretary

the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, asked the retailers to agree to be individually interviewed to help better define the job description of the proposed executive director/town manager. Being that “the town council is pretty well set on the issue, ” Rule said she’s querying retailers, industry officials and community members to get their input. “It’s really important that you call it as you see it in the interviewing process,” she told the retailers. In other business: • The merchants hope to once again coordinate efforts with the elementary school for this year’s Halloween Carnival parade to be held Wednesday, Oct. 24. The retailers will provide prizes and, if needed, judges for the event. Wappes volunteered to help organize the carnival for the merchants. •This year’s Halloween Madness is still on schedule for late October. It’s likely, however, if next year’s fall arts and crafts festival goes off, either the Halloween Carnival parade or Halloween Madness may be scaled down so that retailers can concentrate their efforts on the new event. • Santa’s arrival to Syracuse is tentatively slated for Saturday, Dec. 8. If it works out, the Jolly Old Fellow will come to town just

after Lung and the teen were apprehended by store security with $55.90 and $41.57 respectively, worth of items taken from the store without payment. Items were found in their vehicle from G. L. Perry's, Park Drugs, and Hooks, all located at Syracuse; as well as from Walter Drugs, Milford. Also numerous food items, clothing and cassette tapes were found. Most of the items taken were cosmetics, cologne, and undergarments.

time to collect evidence on his behalf. Os the documentation, Girod said, “It wasn’t exactly what they were looking for ... I think they wanted more,” however, he was not able to indicate just what the grand jury was hoping to review, nor did he know why the jury members dismissed McAndrews. “It is my impression that because they could not prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that (McAndrews) intended to commit fraud, they could not indict him,” offered Girod. Upset with the jury’s decision, Craig was also disgusted that McAndrews did not show up for the hearing. The North Webster Marshal was hoping to apprehend McAndrews on a local fugitive warrant. Presently, McAndrews is wanted by Kentucky officials on a warrant that notes “Theft by failure to make required disposition of property (valued at) over $100.”

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12,1990

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in time for a special Music in the Park and the Garden Club’s Bell Walk. Twelve members attended the September meeting. The next regular meeting will be conducted at noon on Friday, Oct. 5, at Gropp's Restaurant, Syracuse.

C of G president feels there is a need for uraent care center

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer

“Is there a doctor in the house?” That may soon be a common plea if Syracuse is unable to land a doctor for the Lakeland Urgent Care Center. The center, located at the former Ivy Hut Restaurant on SR 13S, closed August 31 due to sporadic business. Dr. Neil Harris, principal in the center, told Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce members that the center had not been well supported by local residents and

Milford now has handicapped parking space at post office

I By MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer

Upon the request of the Milford Post Office, the Milford Town Council voted to designate one of the post office’s existing 15 minute parking spaces, a handicapped space. During Monday evening's regular session, Dallas Winchester 11, utilities commissioner, brought the post office’s request to the attention of the Syracuse ordinance to be reviewed Syracuse Police Chief Robert Ziller announced that he will be presenting an ordinance calling for the elimination of parking on South Main Street, from Mill Street to the railroad tracks, next week. Ziller will seek the acceptance of the ordinance from Syracuse Town Council members at their monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17. He notes that increased industrial and commercial traffic on Main Street requires the change. Those Syracuse residents with questions about the ordinance are encouraged to attend Monday's meeting.

Warsaw Child Care closes —

Lakeland area feels its effects

By KATE WOLFORD Staff Writer

Reverberations from the closing of the Warsaw Child Care Center are being felt in the Lakeland area. From parents who work in Warsaw but live in this area (and vice versa) to the child care centers in Milford, Syracuse and North Webster, the sudden closing is having an effect. The announcement to end child care services as of September 14, because of financial difficulties, was made on Monday, Sept. 10. Before the day was out, Lakeland child care center directors were receiving calls from anxious parents. Carol Hurd, Lakeland Community Daycare Center director said on Tuesday, “Oh yes, my phone is jangling.” She warned, however, that she likely wouldn’t be able to absorb much of the demand, saying, “I probably won’t have any space by the end of the day.” A program serving school age kids, however, still has openings. “I'm full,” said Midge Allen, director of North Webster Day Care Center. She too, has been receiving calls, with a special demand for four-year-old child care emerging. Allen has a waiting list and says she is currently, “reevaluating some things here.”

was unable to continue. However, Chad Smyth, president of the chamber of commerce, is hoping that Syracuse will be given a second chance. “We have to get some data collected (on the need for urgent care), but I do think there’s a definite need," Smyth said. Noting increased summer traffic that facilitates such a need, Smyth hopes to have a committee formed within the next two weeks to recruit a doctor for the facility. Dr. Harris has expressed a willingness to lease the center with its equipment intact. The departure of a second physician, Dr. William Meyers,

council. The commissioner said that postal officials would not mind giving up one of their two 15 minute parking spaces if the council would consider making it a handicapped space Though council members were receptive to the idea of adding handicapped parking to Main Street, they wondered if this particular location would best serve the handicapped Bob Phillips suggested making the horizontal space at the corner of Emeline and Main Street a handicapped space. He said it would be easier for someone in a wheel chair to get in and out of a car in this type of space. After some discussion, the council approved the post office’s request. Council members noted there are two additional spaces for handicapped parking located behind the town hall. In a related matter, councilman John Lehman asked that merchants park behind their stores to allow for more public parking on Main Street. Sludge Removal Reporting for the utilities department, Winchester told council members that the land application permit would go into effect in 15 days. The department can then begin bidding out for sludge removal, the commissioner added. He estimated the cost of removing the sludge will run around $15,000. Winchester noted it has been 15 years since the lagoon has been cleaned.

Lakeland Loving Child Care in Milford is already beginning to take in some of the children displaced by the Warsaw center closing. As with the other Lakeland Area directors, Peg Habegger said on September 11, “My phone has not stopped this morning.” She described the parents as “panicked,” and expressed concern for the community. Lakeland Loving Care, Habegger added, is working on a program for two year olds, slated to begin next month. Children of that age were being cared for through the Warsaw program. One Parent’s Reaction Kris Losey says that when she heard the news about the closing, “My heart sunk to my toes and I cried all the way home.” She’s still looking for child care solutions. Losey is the parent of a two-year-old daughter, Robin. She and her six-year-old sister Katie have both been served by the Warsaw center. While Kris and her husband Keith live in Warsaw, Keith works in Milford. Kris was a member of the Warsaw Child Care Center’s PTO and its advisory board. Although upset about the closing, Kris Losey maintains, “They always had good care,” at the Warsaw center. Lakeland Companies Affected Companies in the northern county area may feel the shock of the Warsaw Child Care Center closing. A number of them have

may be adding a burden to the community, according to chamber members. Dr. Meyers' office on SR 13S will close September 29. Stating, “I don’t want to be victimized by Medicare,” Dr. Meyers said he is being forced to close because of a new Medicare measure that sub- * jects physicians to $2,000 civil monetary penalties for each violation of filing a Medicare patient's claim. Dr. Meyers noted that Medicare “will not tell the physician whether a claim has been paid or denied, the payment amounts, the payment dates or

In another matter, the council approved spending $499 for a new incubator for the town’s sewage treatment facility. It also accepted a bid by Phend and Brown to finish surfacing Turkey Creek Lane. The total bid for the street work was $7,770, with $5,839 representing encumbered funds. In other business, Winchester said he spoke with Maria Lozano with respect to her request that the town’s utilities be extended to her home. In a previous meeting of the town council, Lozano, who lives on South Main Street, told the council when her area was annexed by the town, its residents were promised sewer service. She added it was the town council’s responsibility to make good on this promise. Explaining the statute on annexation, town attorney Jay Rigdon told the council that in order to annex, one must have a policy to extend services to the annexed area. He noted generally the policy stipulates that service will be extended within three years of annexation. While Rigdon said Lozano'a .area was annexed about 12 years ago, Winchester commented he thought it had been 17 years since annexation. Regardless of the exact number of years, Rigdon remarked, “it’s been way too long.” Rigdon told council members that the residents have two alter(Continued on page 2)

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ONE CENTER FEELS THE TREMORS — Peg Habegger, center, director of Lakeland Loving Child Care Center, says the facility is already feeling the effects of the Warsaw Child Care Center closing. She’s getting lots of phone calls from parents who are anxious to find good child care. Habegger is pictured here with two youngsters who already attend the Lakeland Loving Child Care Center. On the left is Holly Foreman. Katie Plew is on the right.

employees whose children were attending the center. Some of these employers include Chore Time, CTB, Dana Weatherhead, Elkhart Gravel, Flexsteel, Hoskins Manufacturing, Leesburg Hardware, Maple Leaf Farms, The Papers Incorporated, Pacific Molasses and Sea Nymph. Latchkey Warsaw Child Care operated latchkey programs for school age kids, including one at Leesburg School. However, as with the

any other information. I’ve spent 24 years as a doctor and now this is causing me to leave,” said a disappointed Meyers. Placing an advertisement with The Mail-Journal August 29, Dr. Meyers wrote, “These samples of Congressional and Medicare oppression rob the last vestige of joy from what once were inspiring tasks done with enthusiasm.” While 900 active patients are on file in Dr, Meyers’ office, he admits that twice as many may be affected. Although Dr. Jack Clark of Syracuse Family Practice Inc., 303 S. Huntington St., is unable to take any new patients, his associates, Dr. Ruth Vandergrift

I PARKING M*’ i' * HANDICAPPED PARKING IN MILFORD — A reserved for handicapped parking space has been established in front of the Milford Post Office. The town council approved the parking space at the council’s monthly meeting Monday evening and the sign was put up Tuesday. (Photo by Linda Musselman)

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kindergarten program provided by Warsaw Child Care, an alternative care source has already been found. The Kosciusko County YMCA is taking over the latchkey program, while the affected kindergarteners will be absorbed by the appropriate elementary schools. Around 125 children enrolled in the regular day care still have to be placed in some kind of care. About 208 children in all were enrolled in various child care programs at the Warsaw center.

and Dr. Robert Craig, may accommodate any patients wanting to transfer to that office. “It will be up to Dr. Meyers’ patients. They may call,” Dr. Craig said. Many insist that a "graying” of the profession is imposing a demand for more physicians, but Dr. Meyers contends, “This is a buyers’ market as far as patients go. There is a multitude of doctors.” Smyth adds, “I don't know that we need doctors in town as much as we need urgent care. Currently, if, say, you break a leg, you have to go to the emergency room at Goshen or Warsaw (hospitals) — we need to provide something in Syracuse.”