$1.50
Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Diana Wooley Lends A Helping Hand
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
One Nation Under God
See Page 7 themail-journal.com j
1(:/< (/(&7(' 2)),&,$/6 ³ .RVFLXVNR &RXQW\ 5HSXEOLFDQ &KDLUPDQ 0LNH 5DJDQ FHQWHU VWDQGV ZLWK QHZO\ DSSRLQWHG FRXQW\ WUHD VXUHU 0LFKHOOH 3XFNHWW OHIW DQG FRXQW\ FRURQHU 7\OHU +XIIHU ULJKW 3KRWR E\ 'DQ 6SDOGLQJ
Republicans choose Puckett for treasurer, Huffer for coroner %\ '$1 63$/',1* 6WDII :ULWHU
&+(&.,1* ,1 :,7+ 6$17$ ³ /LO\ /HHV SRLQWV RXW KHU EURWKHU /LDP /HHV DQG KHU JUDQG PRWKHU -DQH /HHV ZKLOH YLVLWLQJ ZLWK 6DQWD GXULQJ WKH %UHDNIDVW ZLWK 6DQWD HYHQW DW WKH 6\UD FXVH &RPPXQLW\ &HQWHU 7KH HYHQW ZDV KHOG 6DWXUGD\ 'HF 3KRWR E\ /DXUHQ =HXJQHU
9,6,7,1* :,7+ )5,(1'6 ³ 'DYH %UDQGHV FKDWV ZLWK *HRUJLD /,7 )25 7+( 6($621 ³ 7KH FRQLIHU WUHH ORFDWHG RXWVLGH WKH 5XG (UQVW DQG $O &DPSEHOO GHO 3DYLOLRQ LV OLW ZLWK ZKLWH OLJKWV
Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation holds annual tree lighting About 50 people representing staff, board members and volunteers of the Wawasee Area Conservancy
Foundation turned out for its annual tree lighting Friday night, Dec. 2. The event was held at the Ruddell Pavilion at the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center on SR 13 in Syracuse. Board member Dr. Joan Szynal welcomed everyone and led the countdown to the tree lighting, resulting in a large conifer located just outside the pavilion glowing with white Christmas lights. Dr. David
Brandes, a former board member, explained he helped get the tree lighting party started by asking his wife, Susie Brandes, to do a painting of the pavilion with Christmas lights. Susie Brandes, an accomplished artist, did the painting for her husband. It currently hangs in the education center of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. After the painting was completed, David Brandes decided the WACF
needed to have a party to celebrate the holiday season and its accomplishments over the past year. Another board member donated the tree. Those attending visited with one another while enjoying a variety of refreshments, including several board members’ “World Famous” chili and chicken and noodles. There was also a variety of homemade cookies and other treats.
Farber honored as KBOR Affiliate of the Year 7H[W DQG 3KRWRV %\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU ,Q &KLHI Brandi Farber and Anna Gilsinger were among four people honored Friday, Dec. 2, at the annual Kosciusko Board of Realtors Christmas Dinner. Farber, Milford, was named the 2022 KBOR Affiliate of the Year. Gilsinger, Bourbon, was honored
5IF .BJM +PVSOBM
with the 2022 KBOR Realtor of the Year. Also honored were Susie Wert, Milford, and Liz Decker, association executive. Wert was recognized on her retirement from Fidelity National Title and the volunteer work she has done for KBOR on the golf committee and official photographer at every event. Decker was honored for her daily work ensuring the goals and objectives are
Inside
7H[W DQG 3KRWRV %\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU
met, plans fulfilled and member needs met. James Miller, 2021 Affiliate of the Year, provided information on this year’s winner. He noted two most important facts about Farber — she has been in the same field of business her entire life and she is in the same business as her parent. Providing more information about Farber, Miller stated, “She Continued on page 2
Breakfast With Santa See Page 3 See Public Notices On Page 9
Republican precinct committee members on Thursday night, Dec. 1, filled two vacancies for Kosciusko County government that had been created by the Nov. 8 election. In back-to-back caucuses Thursday night, Republicans chose outgoing county auditor Michelle Puckett as the new treasurer and Plain Township Trustee Tyler Huffer as the new county coroner. The openings were created On Nov. 8 after Treasurer Rhonda Helser was elected county auditor and Coroner Tony Ciriello was elected to a seat on the county council. Each of the caucus decisions came on the first round of voting as upward of 57 precinct committee members participated in the old Courtroom of the Kosciusko County Courthouse. Puckett, whose office is adjacent to the treasurer’s office in the courthouse, is finishing her second term as auditor and was chosen over Diane Wulliman, a current employee of the treasurer’s office. Huffer is finishing a four-year term as Plain township Trustee and lost his bid for re-election for that job in the May primary. Both Puckett and Huffer will assume the office on Jan. 1, according to Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan. Puckett, while addressing the caucus, pointed to her skills and 23 years of experience in
county government. “As much as integrity and passion count, it means nothing without the knowledge and experience to step up to it when times get tough. It’s easy to walk away when it gets hard. I don’t walk away,” she said. County Prosecutor Dan Hampton spoke in support of Puckett during the caucus and talked about of Puckett’s “inherent desire” to work with county colleagues, as well as her problem-solving skills and leadership. Hampton added that all seven county council members were supporting Puckett. Huffer topped Tracy Wilson, a 10-year deputy coroner, and Silver Lake Town Marshall Jason McGlennen, in the race for coroner. Wilson lost despite apparent wide support within the coroner’s office and at least two funeral homes. She spoke of her experience and pointed out that she’s the only candidate certified to do death investigations. During his pitch to precinct committee members, Huffer pledged “to be in the trenches” and “not be a figurehead.” He pointed to his work as a paramedic and as township trustee and the importance of providing care and compassion for those grieving over a death. He’s employed with Titus Funeral Home and told the caucus that he would avoid directing business to the funeral home.
Milford finalizes sale of truck to City of Warsaw Milford Town Council held a special session Monday, Dec. 5, to adopt a resolution for the transfer of a 2012 International 4300 truck to the City of Warsaw, which agreed to purchase the truck — and a number of related pieces of equipment — for $50,000. In addition to the truck, the sale included a BOSS snow blade,
Monroe salt spreader, spare tire and tailgate. According to Street, Water and Park Superintendent Steven Marquart, the two-seater 2012 truck became nearly obsolete after the purchase of a 2021 crew cab dump truck, which allows for more efficient workflow and is now being used for leaf pickup and spreading salt.
SUBSCRIBE!!! Clip the form below, complete with your information, enclose payment and mail to:
Mail To: The Mail-Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542-0188 Please include check or money order. Reg. Price
Senior Discount
( ) In Kosciusko County ................... $4700 ( ) Outside Kosciusko County .......... $5800 ( ) Out Of State............................... $6800
( ) $4230 ( ) $5220 ( ) $6120
10% Discount To Senior Citizens (65 Or Older)
On-Line Subscription Only ( ) 6 Months ................... $1775 ( ) 12 Months $3525 Name____________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ City & State____________________________Zip_______ Phone ___________________________________________ ( ) This Is A New Subscription ( ) This Is A Renewal