Area Libraries Gear Up For 'Arts Alive'

The Bell Memorial, Milford and Syracuse public libraries will join Warsaw Community Public Library in an Arts Alive @ the Library program Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The event marks the end of the first year of a Dekko Foundation grant.A group of 16 northeast libraries share $25,000 per year for four years.Visual arts were showcased this year and many programs were built around this theme. Next month, musical arts will be incorporated into programs and displays, along with visual arts and language arts, will be added the third year and performing arts the fourth.

ViewPoint Motel To Be Torn Down

The former ViewPoint Motel, 935 N.Detroit St., will be demolished in May because the cost of bringing it up to habitable standards is too high. The owner of the property, Michael Conley, committed to having the structure torn down by May 17 to Code Enforcement Hearing Officer Larry Clifford during Tuesday's hearings.The building will be vacated by April 1. "I've determined that the cost of repairing the 17 units to bring them up to standard would not be cost-effective," Conley said. Clifford imposed a $1,000 civil fine on Conley, whose son lives in one of the units and serves as property manager, but suspended the collection of it pending the demolition.If the building is demolished by the May 17 hearing date, the fine would be waived. Conley, who is also a local dentist, said his current plans are to build a new dental office at the location, with an expected completion date of late spring 2000.

WCDC Reviews Bylaws

The February meeting of the Warsaw Community Development Inc.began with a review of the bylaws and recommended changes to them by the executive committee. Board president John Elliott discussed plans for the City of Lakes Festival June 21 through 23. Changes in the parade route include establishing a viewing stand on Indiana Street in Central Park.Working in conjunction with Mermaid Festival organizers and taking their lead, Elliott said the WCDC could offer $200 to high school bands to offset transportation to the parade. The parade begins at 11 a.m.Saturday and the annual parade through North Webster begins at 4 p.m.the same day.The idea is for the various bands members to "picnic and party" in Central Park before traveling north, Elliott said. A Shrine unit, the Purdue University Boilermaker Special, Clydesdales and other parade units are being contacted to appear in the parade, too.

Roemer Says He'll Run Again

Congressman Tim Roemer will seek a fifth term in Congress. The South Bend Democrat made the announcement Monday - the same time President Clinton announced plans for the first balanced budget in 30 years. Roemer was quick to make the connection and point to the rosy economy.Reduced welfare rolls are another aspect Roemer is pleased with. "When I first ran, the deficit was projected to be over $300 billion.It now appears to be on a path to being balanced and maybe have some surplus.Those are things that have shown to have great progress," Roemer said. Roemer, viewed as a moderate Democrat, also pointed to a series of tax cuts he supported.Those include the capital gains tax cut, tax credit for children and state tax relief for small businesses and farmers. "We want to follow up with that and provide tax simplification," he said. Any surplus from the budget should be set aside rather than used for tax cuts or new spending programs, he said.

Pierceton Legion Seeks Property For New Post

PIERCETON - Bud Darr, finance officer of American Legion Menzie-Reece Post 258, approached the town council Monday regarding a 4.6-acre tract in the industrial park.Darr said the organization is anxious to purchase the property to build a new Post. "The property is too small for an industry to build there," said town council president Jerry Kreger. After the meeting, Darr said the Legion would like to build a one-story building with handicapped accessibility.The Post would move from the two-story building at the corner of Ind.13 and Catholic Street and either rent the old building or sell it. The council scheduled an executive session for April 18 at 6:30 p.m.to discuss selling the real estate. Chris Sanders of Banzai Racing approached the council regarding a customer appreciation barbecue planned for May 21 from noon to 6 p.m. The council agreed to block off Catholic Street from the alley east of Ind.13 to Washington Street.

Local J.C. Penney Store To Remain Open

The J.C.Penney store in Warsaw escaped the axe swung by corporate headquarters when the latter announced four store closings in Indiana yesterday. The retail giant plans to close 47 stores across the country, cutting about 5,500 jobs or 2 percent of its work force. Ken Ashpole, manager of the Market Square Shopping Center outlet and catalogue center, said no nearby metropolitan-area stores will close either. "We've had good support from the community in the past and look forward to serving the Kosciusko County area for years to come," he said. Ashpole has been manager of the local department store for the last seven years, in charge for about half of its 13-year history in Warsaw.The catalogue desk opened in 1976. Penney, headquartered in Plano, Texas, has been in a years-long slide amid tough competition from discounters and trendier retailers.Analysts blamed the company's prior management for failing to respond to changes in consumer tastes.

KDI Discusses Dana, Fund-Raising, Ivy Tech

Kosciusko Development Inc.president Brian Redshaw commented on two newspaper articles recently written about Dana Corp.The company has systematically been closing and moving facilities out of the state.The Syracuse community has been particularly hard hit by the closings. Redshaw, also the Syracuse town manager, presented the articles during the KDI executive board meeting Wednesday. "There's nothing we can do about it," Redshaw said of the company's decisions."They don't owe us an explanation." He said another company has visited Syracuse, interested in the former Arrow building.If the Elkhart-based company moves to Kosciusko County, it would provide 110 jobs.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS - WARSAW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS - JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY

NOTICE TO BIDDERS-Claypool Elementary School

Zimmer Suspends Sales Of Hip Implant

A local orthopedic company has suspended the sales and marketing of a hip implant in the United States.

WARSAW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS - NOTICE TO BIDDERS

City Eyes Annexation Ordinance, Approves Tax Abatements

Warsaw City Council Monday reviewed an annexation fiscal plan and ordinance for voluntary annexation of property.

Counties Group Names Essay Contest Winner

The Association of Indiana Counties Northeast District members held a business meeting at Bogey's Restaurant in Warsaw Thursday.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - ENCHANTED HILLS - ENGINEERING SERVICES

Manchester Raises $7,000 Toward Pool

NORTH MANCHESTER - "This (event) is proof positive that our community wants a pool," said Manchester Town Council member Laura Rager.

Get Together

Editor, Times-Union:Today, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., about 50 of us plan to meet at a Mishawaka Church (New Life Christian, Fir and Day roads) for an "R-3 Summit" to pray.

NAPPANEE ZONING - NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF PIERCETON - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FO ENGINEERING SERVICES

TOWN OF LEESBURG - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING SERIVCES

TOWN OF CLAYPOOL - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES