PREP SPORTS 24-25
Wedding Planner • 12-16
The Wabash Lady Apaches defeated the Tipton Lady Blue Devils in the opening round of the Lewis Cass Regional, but then fell to the Bishop Luers Lady Knights in the championship. The Manchester boys couldn’t overcome a slow start against Columbia City and Wabash senior Alex Hentgen signed his letter of intent. For all this and more, check out this week’s edition of Sports Shorts.
February is engagement season! Engaged couples can find helpful ceremony, reception and honeymoon resources in the Wedding Planner section of this edition.
THE PAPER
of Wabash County Inc.
www.thepaperofwabash.com
February 23, 2011
Commissioners to again accept bids for remodel of meeting room
by Danielle Smith At the Feb. 21 meeting of the Wabash C o u n t y Commissioners, Sheriff Bob Land reported that, after 23 book-ins over the weekend, the jail population is 67. Wabash County Recorder Lori Draper again presented the opportunity to make her records available online and she requested permission to attend a conference to learn about the computer program used in her office. The commissioners approved both requests. County Coordinator Jim Dils informed the commissioners that the north façade project will be postponed until late summer or early fall. They will again be accepting bids for the remodel of the commissioners’ meeting room once architectural plans are restructured.
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MSD reconfiguration to begin in fall 2011 by Danielle Smith Metropolitan School District’s (MSD) board made difficult decisions at their Feb. 17 meeting that will affect all elementary MSD students. The board voted on two key issues: reconfiguration and the Metro North renovation project. Reconfiguration is the organization of classes on each end of the district so that all grade levels are housed in the same building. For example, northern students would attend Kindergarten-third grade at Metro North and fourth gradesixth grade at Sharp Creek. The Metro North renovation project includes the construction of walls
and installation of a new heating and cooling system and new flooring. This project is not expected to exceed $2 million. MSD parents and staff attended the meeting in full force to hear the outcome of the votes, and several took the opportunity to voice their opinions to the board. Kraig Ahlfeld, trustee of Paw Paw Township and a former school board member, presented his financial concerns and asked the board to find a more economical way to accomplish the Metro North improvements, such as hiring local contractors. Toni McKillip, parent and author of several editorials concerning the reconfigu-
ration project, delivered a heated message to the board members, relaying information she reportedly received from a member of the reconfiguration committee. She expressed concerns about what she considered to be unanswered phone calls and e-mails. J e n n i f e r Donaldson, parent of a fourth-grader involved in a special program for reading disabilities at Metro North, expressed concerns about students that may “fall through the cracks” with reconfiguration. She outlined her son’s outstanding progress and explained her fear that reconfiguration would set him back. Many other concerns were mentioned
including transportation issues and the inconvenience of having siblings in multiple schools; however, two parents spoke out in favor of reconfiguration. “The way we get better is by change,” said Shawnna Meyer, mother of three. “The resources that we are going to pool together if we consolidate will allow more opportunities for my students and all of yours as well.” After all attendees had the opportunity to speak, if desired, MSD Superintendent Dr. Sandra Weaver presented information from the reconfiguration committee to the board. The committee was made up of 18 members of the community, some
Carl Bechtold, 79 Raymond Brothers, 75 Kenneth Burnworth, 95 James Clark, 79 Esther Conrad, 86 Louise Daggett, 88 Wilbur Eakright, 82 Jackie Ferrell, 75 Jerrie Gidley, 68 Julie Korkos, 48 Danny Schlemmer, 64 Russell Schroeder, 60 David Stouffer, 64 Clifford Strickler, 74 Stanley Venosky, 78
Index
Vol. 33, No. 46
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
quite a bit of interest,” Dr. Weaver said. “She stated that she and many others from Wabash City Schools were against reconfiguration for the same reasons she hears our parents give. She wanted me to know that her voice was among the loudest of the protestors. After reconfiguration happened she found it to be the best thing ever done for her children.” Dr. Weaver explained that MSD could save more than $600,000 per year by creating fewer classes for grade level and eliminating teachers, but she said there would not be an immediate reduction in force if reconfiguration took place. (continued on page 6)
Cooperation is key to current state of the city, county
In Memorium
Classifieds............37-39 Community News......23,28-29 D & E ..................26-27 Sports Shorts........24-25 Weekly Reports ....17-19
involved with the school and some not. Interviews were conducted with the former superintendent of Oak Hill, the superintendents at Wabash City Schools and Manchester Community Schools and a principle from Wabash, all schools that have undergone reconfiguration. Dr. Weaver shared the results with the board. Their answers outlined the positive opportunities afforded by reconfiguration, which include equalizing class sizes, improved teacher collaboration and tailoring school activities to a more narrow age range. “Today I had a Wabash City parent tell me she has followed our story with
MAYOR BOB VANLANDINGHAM engages attendees during his 2011 State of the City address on Feb. 18 in the Honeywell Center gym. The annual event, hosted by the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, also featured Commissioner Brian Haupert’s 2011 State of the County address. (photo by Shaun Tilghman) by Shaun Tilghman When members of the Wabash community gathered for the 2011 State of the County and State of the City addresses, both Wabash County Commissioner Brian Haupert and
Wabash Mayor Bob Vanlandingham, respectively, referenced the importance of cooperation. The event, hosted by the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce and emceed by Commerce Chair Jim Widner, took place in the
Honeywell Center gym on Feb. 17. Haupert spoke first, leading of the 2011 State of the County address by recognizing his fellow commissioners, Scott Givens and Barry Eppley, and thanking all of the elected officials and county employees for the work that they do. “It is truly a team effort that keeps Wabash County running smoothly,” he added. According to Haupert, a significant milestone will occur in December 2011 with the last payment of the bond for the Judicial Center. This means the building will be paid off and there will also be approximately $300,000 more available in CEDIT funds for 2012. He then moved on to discuss the Wabash County Jail and the Wabash County Sheriff ’s Department. “In 2009, the prospect of the county building a new jail facility seemed to be inevitable,” Haupert explained. “However, after over a year of meetings by the jail committee, and an almost unexplainable drop in jail population, the perceived need for a new jail has dissipated for the moment. Commissioners, along with the sheriff and the judicial branch, will continue to monitor population trends at the jail. “The Wabash County Sheriff ’s Department is under new leadership with the election of Bob Land. One of Sheriff Land’s first priorities is to get his staff of deputies up to full strength; he expects this to occur by mid-April of this year.“ Haupert also stated that the Wabash County Plan Commission is in the process of writing a new “Community Comprehensive Plan”. Following this process, which began last summer and will continue through 2011, a new zoning plan and updated county ordinances will be adopted. He went on to recognize the efforts of the (continued on page 7) many dedicated vol-