The Times from Munster, Indiana • 12

A-12 THE TIMES Tuesday, February 22, 1983 N. Board pulls plug on Channel 50 inctno mnnpv because of Tdl(OW People He said the station rejected an offer from state Sens. John Bushemi and Carolyn Mosby, both D-Gary, to seek additional state money, and failed to apply for federal revenue sharing funds. But Iaconetti said he was told by Lake County officials that revenue sharing money wasn't available. He also said a public broadcasting lobbyist told him not to turn to the legislature for.

money because it would be a quick fix that wouldn't solve the station's long-term financial problems. WCAE has a deficit of about $96,000. That will rise to $126,000 when unemployment benefits are paid to laid-of workers. Roman said the station would have Board Member-Elect John Eppl, who will take office July 1, disagreed. He said Lake Central could've afforded to keep the station.

"They've got a $9-million or $10-million budget," said Eppl, chairman of the Channel 50 advisory board. "They can't afford If they have to make cuts, fine, but don't get rid of something valuable." And News Director Kent Schmidt questioned whether the school system and the station management did all they could to save the station. "I know they're in financial straits," Schmidt said of Lake Central. "I can't blame them for trying to put the money into education that's what they're here for. But too little was done too late." declining federal aid and private contributions.

Iaconetti said there have been "serious" offers from local groups Interested In taking over the star tion's license, but he declined to name them. Any transfer would have to go through the Federal Communicaf tions Commission. And even if a transfer was Iaconetti said, it probably couldn't happen fast enough to keep the station from going off the air at least temporarily. The school system will continue using the studios in the high school for vocational education classes at least through the 1983-84 school year. financing the station.

"I just don't feel we have the financial wherewithal and the time (to keep running the station)," he said. "The tradeoffs for the Lake Central School Corporation are just too great." He also said "Channel 50 has become a real problem in terms of our time" because of the effort it took to try to keep the station alive. Board members echoed Roman's reluctance to pull the plug on the station, a 16-year-old affiliate of the Public Broadcasting System. But they agreed money being spent on Channel 50 should be used for hiring more teachers or buying educational supplies. Actor Ed Asner, the hard-nosed city editor on the "Lou Grant" television series, told some real editors that they shouldn't hesitate to hold up a mirror to society.

Asner, Hammond seeks cash for bus terminal speaking Monday to the midwinter meeting ot the Inland Daily Press Association, said laying out the hard news may seem cruel, but it's necessary. "One thing about holding up a mirror to your readers, they don't like it much," said Asner. "Not only do you become the bearer of bad tidings, you arouse the emotion of not wanting to know what's going on." Singer DeloresHope, I $66,000 federal grant to purchase two more buses to increase route frequency. "By this summer, we should have a good feeling of what the public thinks about the school buses," McKechnie said. "Then it would be up to us to decide whether to add a lot more school buses at the lower cost or to buy just a few of the more expensive transit buses.

But the main thing we'd like is some type of terminal." 5-cent federal gasoline tax. The tax revenues have been dedicated to support both transit systems and highway projects. Officials of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District have already indicated they want to rehabilitate South Shore stations in Hammond and East Chicago. Northwest Indiana is expected to have about $9 million in federal money for construction projects and equipment purchases in 1984, compared to about $2.6 million this year. Transit planners will meet today in Highland to figure out bow to spread $4.4 million in federal transit operating funds among six Northwest Indiana transit operators who are seeking a total of $5.1 million.

In addition to a bus terminal, McKechnie said the city might seek more buses in 1984. Hammond leases five buses from Hammond Yellow Cab Co. to run city bus routes, and has requested a A central bus terminal near downtown Hammond would also serve as a feeder for shoppers traveling to the retail mall planned for the old Goldblatt's building on Hohman Avenue. All Northwest Indiana transit operators are expected to take a harder look at possible projects in their service areas because of the influx of new federal money generated bv the wife of comedian Bob Hope, has been honored for contributions i totheUSCan i organization I Indiana legislature restricts state's utilities with which her husband has been associated for decades. i amendment removed all state laws used to set utility rates.

His amendment couldn't change the rate-making process because there was nothing left to change, House Parliamentarian John Forbes ruled. The House could take final action on H.B. 1410 when it reconvenes PSC approval before building new plants or expanding old ones. It expands the three-member PSC to six members. In case of a tie vote, a rate increase would be denied.

In addition, the measure prevents utilities from filing a rate increase within 12 months of the last one received. The withdrawn amendment was authored by Rep. Jerome Reppa, R-Munster. It would have prohibited utility increases if the state's average unemployment was higher than 8 percent. Reppaf's amendment was ruled out-of-order because a previous used to generate power; Prohibit utility shut-offs from Dec.

1 through March 15 each year for families which qualify under Project SAFE, the state heating assistance program. The bill also requires utilities to get Munster police chief Beratis hands in notice "Delores Hope is one of the most gracious ladies ever to serve the USO," said Virginia Rutledge Holley, USO president, announcing that Mrs. Hope would receive the USO's Distinguished American Award in a dinner ceremony Monday night. It was the first time Liza Minnelli had ever publicly sang the songs made famous by her late mother, Judy Garland, but she made an exception because this was something of a family affair. It was an 80th-birthday tribute to her father, director Vincente Minnelli, a benefit dinner show Saturday night at the Palm Springs Desert Museum.

Miss Minnelli broke a lifelong custom to sing "The Boys Next Door" and the trolley song from "Meet Me in St. Louis," both of which were popularized by her mother. to bring this entire matter to rest is for me to step aside and consider retirement." Beratis will remain on leave of absence until his resignation takes effect. The board granted Beratis 22 additional sick leave days to allow him to fully recover from recent surgery. That plus vacation time and ter mination leave will carry him to the retirement date.

Police' Pension Board Member Robert Grove said Beratis will receive a yearly pension of 54 percent of a first-class patrolman's salary, plus a small! amount for serving more than 20 years. Beratis joined the Munster Police Department July 1. 1961. and was appointed police chief Jan. 1, 1973.

Commission President Hugh D. Brauer said Lt. Thomas Rhind will continue acting as chief until Beratis' successor is named. The town board, which convened after the police commission meeting, approved the commission's acceptance of Beratis' resignation. "The reason for this," he said, "is because of the confidentiality involved as it may apply to police intelligence.

"After a great deal of thought," he said, "I have come to the conclusion that since I cannot openly comment on the allegations, that the only way Arredondo calls for federal probe Stephen R. Stiglich, one of Ar-redondo's opponents, pleaded guilty in 1980 to two counts of vote buying in Gary and one count of failing to disclose certain campaign expenses connected with the 1978 Democratic primary election for Lake County sheriff. Stiglich was fined $1,500. And Merrillville-Ross Township Democratic Precinct Chairman Sam Bianco began impeachment proceedings this week against Pastrick, charging him with "misusing the powers of his office to further his own personal and political interests." redondo, an East Chicago policeman for 23 years and former Lake County chief of police, pledged an "open, sensitive, responsive and responsible administration that will devote its energy and resources to addressing the city's probelms." He "said he would "return government back to the people where it belongs." Arredondo challenged his opponents Pastrick, Stiglich, Margaret De-Igado, Kennie Williams and Frank Torres to participate in televised debates monitored by the county's two major daily newspapers. The boundaries of most of East Chicago's 55 precincts were changed on a map city officials submitted to Lake County commissioners Jan.

31. Commissioners have the sole power to change precinct boundaries, and their deadline was Jan. 31. Nancie Fromm, former Democratic chief deputy of the Lake County Voters Registration Board, said the East Chicago map arrived so late that no one had time to check it before commissioners voted on it. She said there was at least one error on the map shesaw.

Regarding the campaign, Ar "Because one of the candidates in this race is chairman of the Democratic Party (Mayor Robert Pastrick) and would in a desperate move change 41 out of 55 precinct committeemen for his political gain and is presently facing impeachment and because another candidate in this race was charged and pleaded guilty to vote fraud in the past my staff of attorneys have advised me there will be a lawsuit filed challenging the redistricting in East Chicago," he said. Former East Chicago Police Chief Englishmen Peter Bird, who wants to become the first person to row across the Pacific Ocean alone, had his first direct contact with other humans in six months over the Injunction sought Reagan renews push WASHINGTON (AP) President change, not simply to try to preserve weekend when a supply ship showed up. He even dressed up for the occasion. "Normally, I don't wear anything," he said. "But since I've got company, I'm wearing shorts." Bird, who left San Francisco Aug.

23, had traveled more than 4,000 miles and was about halfway to his goal of Australia. Chairman Jerry Miller. The rules specify the chairman of the committee in this case Pastrick set a hearing date on the petition within 10 to 30 days after the petition is filed. If held, Pastrick would be allowed to submit evidence and introduce witnesses in his behalf. The committee would be allowed to ask questions on the charge.

If two-thirds of the committee find him guilty, Pastrick would be removed immediately. The committee would elect a person to fill the unexpired term. An appeal process is available. Reagan says the United States is ready to "take all necessary measures" to guarantee the security of Israel's northern borders if the Israelis withdraw their forces from Lebanon. At the same time, the president is urging Arabs to accept Israel's right to exist and to let Jordan negotiate the future of the West Bank.

Reagan made the statements in a speech reviewing his foreign policy at midterm, prepared for delivery to the American Legion today. In the speech, the president contends past U.S. policy-makers "had lost touch with changing world realities," and "ignored our responsibility to work for constructive tne status quo." He also declared that the "ultimate Soviet goal in Europe is to force the nations to accommodate themselves to Soviet interests on Soviet terms." On the heels of allegations that U.S.-Israeli relations have worsened substantially over the situation in Lebanon, the president pledged "This administration is prepared to take all necessary measures to guarantee the security of Israeli's' northern border in the aftermath of the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army." He was referring to U.S.-led efforts to get the Israelis and all other foreign forces out of Lebanon, which Israel invaded last summer. Places Bianco said he will seek impeachment under provisions of the law. He is charging Pastrick with "a course of conduct which does not promote the best interest of the party or which creates dissention within the party." According to the process Bianco must: File a petition with Lake County Democratic Central Committee Secretary Cleo Wesson describing the charge in writing; Gain the support of one-third of the members of the committee; File the petition in writing with State Democratic Central Committee French explorer Jacques Cousteau was in the Brazilian capital Monday Clouds may give way to sun to meet with President Joao Figueiredo and discuss the continuation of his trip down the Amazon River.

states. A narrow band of cirrus clouds stretches from Colorado through the Northern Plains states to the Western Great Lakes region. Frontal clouds with a few embedded rain showers border the Pacific Coast states. The National Weather Service predicts mostly cloudy skies tonight, with low temperatures in the mid-30s. Wednesday should be mostly sunny, with high temperatures in the mid-40s.

Elsewhere, the service forecasts rain and snow for most of the East. Rain also is forecast for the Pacific Northwest. Central portions of the country will be mostly sunny. Thunderstorm clouds cover the lower Mississippi Valley, and high clouds are over the Tennessee Valley and the Middle Atlantic The famed oceanographer began his first trip down the steamy jungle river last June in the northern city of Belem. His ship, the Calypso, ended the voyage late last year.

Cousteau has received government approval to continue his studies, but it was not immediately known when the next voyage would begin. MONDAY'S TEMPERATURES: High, 49; Low, 31. WEDNESDAY'S FORECAST-High, 45; Low, 33. SUNSET TONIGHT: 5:32 p.m. SUNRISE WEDNESDAY: 6:35 a.m.

Almanac HiLo 46 25 58 31 35 25 65 51 48 42 54 44 59 36 51 33 69 55 47 26 55 40 48 34 75 47 Today's highlight in history: On Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington was born at his parents' plantation near Fredericksburg, Va. On this date: In 1819, Spain ceded Florida to the United States. Thought for today: "Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief." George Washington, U.S. president (1732-1799) Dayton Denver Des Moines Detroit Duluth El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Great Falls Hartford Helena Honolulu Houston Buffalo Burlington Casper Charlstn.W.V.

Chrltte.N.C. Cheyenne Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columb.S.C. Columbus Dal-FtWth 65 40 53 33 52 41 51 32 32 23 63 34 07 -09 37 22 52 30 47 25 51 28 82 67 58 49 Albany Albuque Anchorage Atlanta Atlantic City Austin Baltimore Billings Birmnghm Bismarck Boise Boston Brownsvlle 48 29 44 28 42 25 62 50 68 34 63 36 55 25 49 31 66 37 60 34 69 39 67 34 56 46 Indianapolis Jacksn.Mis. Jacksonville Juneau Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Louisville Memphis Miami Milwaukee 66 39 Nashville 71 47 San Antonio 69 51 NewOrlns 69 53 San Diego 63 49 New York 51 42 San Franco 40 25 Norfolk 61 40 St Ste Marie 49 42 OklaCity 52 45 Seattle 66 45 Omaha 40 33 Sioux Falls 66 51 Orlando 73 60 Spokane 81 60 Philadelphia 51 32 Syracuse 67 42 Phoenix 75 48 Topeka 71 53 Pittsburgh 61 32 Tucson 72 69 Portld.Me. 40 27 Tulsa 42 33 57 48 Washington 39 35 Providence 45 32 Wichita 60 42 75 54 60 52 36 26 56 47 37 30 49 42 52 36 47 42 73 42 58 46 60 37 44 39.