Mentone Elementary Patrons Concerned About School Violence

MENTONE -ÊIs Mentone Elementary becoming too violent? Several parents of Mentone Elementary students think it may be.And they said an alternative school for disruptive students may be the solution. Sherrill Hamman, a parent representing a small group of parents, told the school board, "We would like to share with you some of the concerns we have about our children's safety and their right to an optimal learning environment." First, she said, the problems in no way reflect on retiring Mentone Elementary principal Jack Fisher and that she respects him and will miss him as a principal once he retires. She said she believes part of the reason he is retiring is because "of the stress he has been under this year.Part of that stress is dealing with some severe behavioral problems in our school.It has been a real struggle for our students, our staff and our principal, and even for me as a parent.

Perspective

Editor, Times-Union:It seems that someone who calls me hateful is either blinded by their misconceptions - or blinded by the reality that has been crafted.

Attorney Says Retired City Employee's Insurance Coverage Is Unique

When Warsaw fireman Gene Fancil was allowed to remain on city insurance after his retirement three years ago questions were raised by other pensioners who weren't extended the same courtesy. Fancil, was a fire department driver and his tenure with the city began in 1966.He worked as a volunteer for 11 years and retired after 33 years. In June 2001 fire chief Matt Warren made the insurance request on Fancil's behalf.Costs covered by the city to carry Fancil and a dependent amount to more than $200 per month. In July 2001 the board approved a memorandum of understanding regarding insurance coverage for Fancil. Fancil did not convert his pension plan in 1979 and, thus, did not receive a $22,000 payment in 1999 and other benefits.He is the last member of the 1937 pension plan, according to the memorandum. The insurance coverage will continue until Fancil reaches age 65 or qualifies for Medicare.

DeGood Earns Degree

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Joshua Nathaniel DeGood, Syracuse, earned his doctor of chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractic, St. Louis, Mo.

Miller named vet of the month

Retiring Battalion Chief Called ‘One Of The Best’

A second-generation firefighter with 34 years of experience on the job retired Wednesday, with plenty of friends, family and co-workers at Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Station No. 2 to celebrate him for his retirement party.

Year-End Tax Tips Include Tax Minimization And Retirement Maximization

Understanding The Positives And Negatives Of Roth Conversions

A Roth conversion is a strategic financial move that involves transferring funds from a traditional retirement account — such as a Traditional IRA or 401(k) — into a Roth IRA.

Triton Works On Retirement Plan

BOURBON - The Triton School Board approved three resolutions Monday dealing with the reorganization of Triton School Corp.'s retirement and severance plan.Triton schools have been working since 2000 to meet Indiana's mandate that all school systems must be prepared to forward pay retirement/severance plans for employees by Dec.31.The schools must begin to forward pay Dec.31, 2004. The resolutions passed Monday were a bond resolution, authorization of a hearing on additional appropriations and a tax neutrality resolution.According to schools superintendent Ted Chittum, the resolutions put the school corporation in a position to sell bonds in February or March, which will allow them to comply with the new state mandates. Chittum said with the new system of forward paying retirement/severance benefits, the school corporation will know exactly what their costs in that area will be each year and employees will have more control over their benefits.

Beaman Home's Basic Needs Center Moving to Winona Ave. Location

As construction nears for the Beaman Home’s new location, the shelter’s Basic Needs Center is also getting a new home.

Indiana Regulators Approve $1B NIPSCO Upgrade Plan

MERRILLVILLE — State regulators approved on Monday Northern Indiana Public Service Co.’s plan to spend more than $1 billion over the next seven years on its electrical network, funded largely by gradual rate increases.

Warsaw Aviation Board Hears Update On Power Lines Project

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go ... Stop ... Go

Coming into Warsaw from the north on Ind.15 can be somewhat of a "stop-and-go" experience, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. Three new traffic lights have been installed within a half-mile stretch of the Ind.15-U.S.30 interchange over the past year, with one more planned just north of the busy intersection. "Basically, with the amount of traffic on Ind.15, people had a lot of problems crossing it when coming off of U.S.30," said Kim Leake, Warsaw public works superintendent."The state came in and did some traffic counts and determined, for safety reasons, there was a need for a series of traffic signals at the interchange." Shan Gunawardena, of the Indiana Department of Transportation, said the traffic study of the interchange was conducted between 6 a.m.and 6 p.m.April 8 and 10, 1997.The traffic counts from those time periods were sufficient to warrant the installation of the traffic signals.

Hospitals

Editor, Times-Union:The Parkview Warsaw facility is slated to open fall of 2015. Once again, Warsaw will test having two medical facilities.

Local Musician Releasing First Solo CD At 47

Mark Allen has always loved music, and at 47 years old, he’s finally putting out a CD of his original material.

Retiring Utilities Manager Recognized At Webster Meeting

Manchester Schools Reduces Budget

NORTH MANCHESTER - After hearing a proposed budget plan at its last meeting, the Manchester Community Schools Board of Trustees adopted the plan Tuesday.

Bell Museum To Explore Expansion Options

MENTONE - Although the 1950s-era Bell 47G OH 13 and Hiller make for an interesting display in Gerald Romine's back yard, he'd much rather have the helicopters on view elsewhere. The perfect place for the single-rotor choppers would be under roof at the Bell Aircraft Museum, according to Romine, who serves as that board's president. The current facility is chock full of Lawrence D.Bell memorabilia, illustrating the life and career of the Mentone native and aviation pioneer. There's no space for indoor exhibits - yet. On Sept.9 from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m., the museum's directors will host an open house to feature several new donations and to detail expansion plans. Romine has been involved with the facility since its beginnings, when test pilot Chuck Yeager, actor Bob Cummings, seven acting generals and 11 retired generals attended the initial fund-raising campaign for the museum 25 years ago.

Pfleiderer 50th

Glenn and Velma Pfleiderer, Warsaw, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner hosted by their children. They also plan to take a trip to Hawaii in January.

Social Security Workshop Set

A free educational workshop titled “Savvy Social Security Planning: What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income” has been scheduled for this month.