The Herald-Palladium from Benton Harbor, Michigan • 3

V' Twin Gtv Area Highlights Michigan's Biggest Buy For Reader And For Advertiser BENTON HARBOR, MICH. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1966 PAGE THREE ir JL nn nnnn ua. OuuuuuU JVJ! i mm iJ They Have Gone or Good" Highway Funds, ME Parking Meters 'i Period Hi 1 I I I i i A I I DENNIS What was once the Dennis hotel in St. Joseph is nothing but a pile of broken wood, bricks, glass and steel. Standing atop its victim is the power shovel that did the job.

It belongs to Woodruff Michigan City, demolition contractor that is tearing down the block bound-ed by Main, Ship, State and Port streets. This view is from the corner of Ship." and Main looking west. (Staff photo) dr Iff 1tH mil aZ a1.rr-Ifcag:., Commission Reaches New Low On Spwm RM i Figures Mis-Read St Joseph city pretended Monday night that part of their meeting a week" before never happened. I They did this by omittmn v. part of the earlier meeting from, the official minutes and then re- voting the issue, but with a dif-; ferent outcome.

The item under consider atiob was a contract to lay a sewer line under the Railroad OLD FENCE FOR SALE: Raymond Sreboth, assistant superintendent for business affairs, Benton Harbor school district, paused to examine this old iron fence, put up for sale by school officials. The fence was acquired by the school district last fall with the purchase of the former Baker estate at 381 Broadway, at Lake street. Bids will be accepted on fence until noon Friday on application forms to be secured at school office, 400 Pipestone street. (Staff photo) Stevensville Has First Hass, Eversole, Nernberg Winners STEVENSVILLE Village President James Small was unopposed here yesterday in his bid for a nomination to run for re-election. Small polled 33 votes in the first primary election in village history.

He will lead the Union Party slate the only slate to be officially on the March 15 ballot The only contest in yesterday's primary saw incumbent Gerald Hass, Charles Eversole and Robert Nernberg winning nominations to run for trustee Primary BAKER PROPERTY li 4 0 QUICK CAUCUS Shoreham Candidates Nominated All Shoreham village officers were nominated last night in a Progressive party caucus that took only 10 minutes. The meeting drew only a small crowd, mostly village officials, in the village halL Nominated were Hugh Davis to his fourth term as president. Mrs. Janet Helsley to her fourth term as clerk and Mrs. Fyrmith W.

David to her fourth term as treasurer. Nominated trustees were Eric Buckleitner, Lester Larsen and Ray Marshall, all for two-year terms. Nominated assessor was Frank Oles, Jr. The Progressive party is the only one registered in Shore-J mount to election. The election is held March 14 from noon to 7.

p. m. Charges Dropped Catherine Jefferson, 43, Town- line road, Sodus township, was released Monday from murder charges stemming from the death Feb. 13 of Ed Hatcher of the same address. St Joseph Municipal Judge Maurice A.

Weber dismissed the murder charge after a preliminary hearing in which the Jefferson woman took the stand in her own behalf. She told the court she "hit" Hatcher with a butcher knife after he attacked her with a lamp, axe and frying pan. Ber rien county sheriff's officers said they found Hatcher lying in a pool of blood on his living room floor. Hospital officials said Hatch er died from loss of blood, due to a stab wound that punctured a lung and severed several blood vessels near his heart. BH School Board To Sell Old Iron Fence posts.

They defeated Eric Yops'ham and nomination is tata- Some, Not All Answers 'What's Really Going Asks Miss McCauley Woodruff' Sons, of Michigan City, Monday night was awarded the contract extend St Joseph water service to Bendix Lake-shore division. The Woodruff bid of $72,584.40 was one of only two submitted to lay 8,600 feet of water main from Hawthorne avenue south along Lake Shore drive to the Bendix plant The other bidder was Yering- ton St Harris, of Benton Harbor at $78,251.15. Bendix has authorized pay ment of $60,000 for the project, but will probably pay somewhat less, according to City Manager Leland L. HilL The difference in cost will be footed by the city, Hill said, to pay for valves, hydrant leads and other appurtenances which Bendix did not order but will be included for the, city's future use. Bendix' demands require only 10-inch main, Hill said, but a 12-inch one will be laid to allow for growing demands on the line in the future, including, possibly, the addition of Shore- ham village to the St Joseph water system.

A. visitor to the commission meeting, Miss Clementine Mc Cauley, 1220 Guernsey court, told the commission she had several questions about urban renewal. GHOST TOWN' I'm a firm believer in going directly to the source for my information," she said after accusing the news media of failing to tell the urban renewal story often enough. "If you were teachers like I am, you'd know you have to tell people things over and over again." Miss McCauley said her ques tions were prompted by the extensive demolition in the downtown area. "I moved back here from Detroit when retired from teaching," she said, "because I lived in St Joe for.

many' years and have learned to love it Now, when I go downtown, I end it looking something like a ghost town. I hope you arent transfer ring one ghetto to another," she said, apparently referring to the urban renewal area as a ghetto. She then read a list of questions, which follows: 1 What is really gomg on here with regard to housing? What's behind this sudden and intensified inspection of not only rental, Dut private housing? 2. What is going up in all those places you are tearing down? Have you any immediate prospects of replacing them? 3. Just how is all this being financed? Where are you going to get the money which is being lost in taxes from those places which have been and are being torn down, and where are the people going who are being evicted by these proceedings? 4.

Have your inspectors the right to go into private homes to criticize their ventilation, plumbing and lighting? 5. If you do have the right how much time are you giving to these places to make these Improvements? 6. What are you trying to accomplish, bow do you en vision the future of St Joe and how much time are you allowing yourself for these accom plishments? 7. Do you envision housing units with the city becoming a 1 landlord, or if private landlords are still going to be with us, what protection are they going to be given from destruction by their tenants, and how much time are they going to be allowed for remodeling and condemnation? "All these things cost money," said Miss McCauley, "and in may cases a means of livelihood. I know many places in St.

Joe are in bad shape and should be repaired if possible. How much time are you going to give them to decide what action is best for them to take?" SILENCE The barrage of questions left the commission in stunned silence for a few moments. It was City Manager Hill who finally rose to the occasion. First of all, he told Miss McCauley, he wished to refer her to the urban renewal and inspection departments for specific answers to her questions. However, he answered briefly as many as he could recall.

Hill said half of the urban (See back page, sec eoL I) tracks at Hawthorne avenue. Last week, the commission vot-" ed to awr-d the contract to Get-man Bros, of South Haven on that firm's bid of $3,200. However, the next morning it I was discovered one of the other bids on the Job had been mis-j' read to the tune of $1,000. J. G.

Yerington Co. of Bentoa Harbor' had a bid reported as t' $3,970. It was learned a week ago this morning that the bid was really $2,970, but a recommendation from the city engi- neer's office was band printed, and the first number in the fig-1 ure was misread when it reach- ed the city manager's office. When the error was the decision was made to leave the item out of the minutes of $250,000 Spent; Plan Then Killed State Abandons Part Of M-139 The prospect $250,000 In state highway funds going down the drain bristled the beard of Benton Harbor City Commis-sioner Rex Sheeley last night. "Think of that, and no construction," Sheeley snapped.

City Manager Don Stewart said the Highway department has announced plans to abandon part of M-139 route from Main street, Benton Harbor, to the intersection of US-33 in Hagar township will be turned over to the city and county. Stewart estimated the state has spent $250,000 for property and surreys to build a new M-139 route for which plans are now canceled. Sheeley said later he believed the amount was twice that much. The state's action was not unexpected, but the notice was a definite irritant to city commissioners who have been trying for a year to get the highway department to carry out its original plans for relocation of M-139 on the north side of the city. The decision to scratch part of M-139 was attributed to a State Supreme court ruling that an overpass would have to be constructed over the railroad tracks.

The Highway de-nartment had intended to install the new road at grade level, but the railroad protested and was upheld by the Michigan Public Service commission and the court. Stewart said highway officials have indicated cost of an overpass and interchange at $3.5 million and think the route is not worth such an expenditure. ABANDONED' Sheeley called for the" city to nress the matter as far as Dossible and accused the de partment of abandoning Benton TTarhor in road construction. Original plans for M-139 north tailed for elimination of Paw Paw avenue as a state highway by running the route from North Fair and Forest avenues over Waukonda avenue and Klock road to the little used cloverleaf at US-33 in Jean Klock park. The state purchased right-of- wav and demolished several before suspending opera tinnu last summer.

Stewart said the city could reclaim some of the land for puoiic purposes. The state can dispose of other parcels by auction sale in attempt to recover some of the financial loss. Meanwhile, the state is pushing ahead with plans to widen M-139 from 1-94 south of the city to Main street. The commission indicated its formal objections would be presented to the state in a resolution presented next week. The commission acted to help a St Joseph business find a new home by voting to sell A.L.

Hatosky a lot adjacent to the Memorial Gardens addition Crystal Springs cemetery. Hatosky is owner of a monument works at 811 Ship street that will be displaced by St. Joseph's urban renewal pro-cram. Purchase price Is $5,000 for the lot with 110 feet of frontage on Napier avenue, extending back to a small creek. The action was taken on recommendation of the cemetery board which reported the land is not needed for burial pur- The cemetery board will use the sale money for drainage work and repairs.

FUNDS TO FLOW passed toe last three of a series of resolutions required to start federal funds flowing Into Benton Harbor's $6.75 million urban renewal project. Two of the resolutions pertained to acquisition of five off street parking lots and committed the city to develop them as part of the urban renewal plan. The other regarded transfer of 17 acres north of the high school football, field to the dich-irt The city will buy the land through urban renewal Of Trial Near End Commission Makes It Permanent The absence of parking meters Benton Harbor moved from temporary status to permanency ast night by action of the city commission. A unanimous vote of the com mission made meterless parking permanent However, the reso- ution framed by Commissioner Ralph Lhotka left the door open just in case the. meters are desired.

The commission will consider requests for meters in off street spaces if petitions are filed, Lhotka said. He noted the com mission- was still looking for ways to offset the toss of revenue caused by meter removal. Meters were yanked on a three-month trial basis starting Oct 1. The commission last month extended the period to March 1. Parking is controlled by a two-hour limit on streets and lots.

Two parking proposals of the Benton Harbor Democratic com mittee were referred to the pub lic safety committee. The Demo crats seek repeal of the over night parking ban and limiting parking to one side of the street in residential districts. RULE CHANGE In other matters during last night's meeting, the commission adopted new procedural rules, then was tempted to circumvent them. Changes approved for the con duct of commission meetings re quire that any matter not on the agenda be referred to commit tee before the commission acts on it Commissioner Edwin Ray who presented the changes moved later to authorize the city cen tennial committee to incorpo rate as a non-profit organization. Commissioner Ralph Lhotka wondered if the commission could vote on it without a com mittee report This produced an I told you so" from Commissioner Edward Merrill.

He voted against the new procedural rules because they might prove to be an im pediment later. Commissioner Edward West passed his vote while the rest of the council concurred. Ray quipped that the rules could be suspended but with drew the centennial corporate resolution for presentation next week. The rules also blocked im mediate passage of another move that seemed to have unani mous assent. This was a pro test expressing commission dis pleasure at State Highway de partment plans, to abandon part Of M-139.

SUPERVISORS ATTEND Eight supervisors from Ben ton Harbor, St Joseph and Co- loma saw the commission in action on "city supervisors night" Mayor Wilbert Smith question ed them on business at their meeting yesterday regarding bolstering the sheriff's denart. ment and a county public works department The mayor said he was hope ful that more policemen could serve the area, and since cities pay the bulk" ol tax money to the county, be. feels they are entitled to more county services such as policing. bmitn closed the session ex pressing his sentiments that the old courthouse should not be pre served after county offices move into the new building this year. Doll Will Coach WASHINGTON (AP) Don DolL once a Washington defen sive back, joined the Redskins today as offensive backfield coach.

Doll, 39-year-old gradu ate of the University of Southern California, also played with Detroit and Los Angeles of the National Football League. CITY MANAGER OUSTED CADILLAC (AP) The City Commission voted 3-2 Monday night to dismiss City Manager Emil Meyer. Meyer had been placed on six months probation and ordered to work more closely with the governing body. An old iron fence, unusual to this era of modern ranch-style architecture, probably will serve many more years, but not on its original site. The fence is to be sold soon by officials of the Benton Harbor school district, who last fall purchased the property, including the fence.

Raymond Sreboth, assistant superintendent for business affairs, said bids on the fence will be accepted until noon Friday on forms provided at the school district administration office, 400 Pipestone street Sreboth said the fence, including two ornate gates, is about 230 feet long. It surrounds on three sides the former Baker property at 381 Broadway, at Lake street A relative of the late William H. Baker, who owned the prop erty, said the fence was installed many years ago by Baker and waiired Lyon. Hass polled. 29 votes; sole, 24; Nernberg, 21; Ever-Yops, 20, and Lyon, 16.

Other Union Party candidates unopposed for nomination yesterday were Fred Albrecht incumbent clerk, 35 votes; Gertrude Slavicek. incumbent treasurer, 38, and Arthur Bucholz, incumbent assessor, 31. Incumbent Trustees Warren VanOsdal and William Snyder did not chose to run for nominations. Trucker Halts Fire St Joseph firemen were called to the 400 block of North State street Monday when the tractor of a truck caught fire. However, the blaze which was started by a short in the wiring had been douse! by the time firemen had arrived.

Driver of the truck was Ken Jennings of 328 Crescent WatervHet. The tractor belonged to Clark Cartage and had been leased by Darling Freight Lines. i. a the Feb. 15 meeting, said City Manager Leland Hill.

AWARDS JOB Last night the commission found the action satisfactory and voted to award the contract to Yerington. Third bidder for the Job was H. J. Compton of South Haven, at $3,750. The sewer line, which will be driven 54 feet under the rail- road tracks, will serve 660 feet of city-owned commercifal-zoned property on the west side of Cleveland avenue beginning on the north side of Hawthorne.

NX COURT RULING TRENTON N.J. (AP) The. New Jersey Supreme Court says that barbers cannot refuse, cut the hair of a Negro. State Insurance Mr. Baker died April 3, 1961.

Members of the Benton Harbor board of education purchased the property in the Baker estate to acquire additional land for the adjacent Benton Harbor junior high school They recently awarded a contract to have the bouse razed. The nature of the old fence prompted board members to exclude it from the wrecking contract and take separate bids from interested buyers. Just how old the fence is, no one seems to know. A plate on each gate reads, "Cincinnati Iron Fence Cincinnati, Ohio." Sreboth said several inquiries have been received from pros pective buyers. Bids will be opened after noon Friday, Sre both said, and chances are me old fence will serve in a new location.

i President LAWRENCE K. BELL Young St. Joe Woman Jailed Miss Margaret C. Alexis, 19, of 1307 Michigan avenue, St Joseph, was ordered to serve 10 days in jail Monday when she failed to pay fine and costs of $28.50 for being drunk and cus- orderly. The girl was arrested by St.

Joseph police when a resi dent called and reported she was trying "desperately" to get into lit bouse. to keep his dogs home, Group A ti i i i if Elects Bell One -Year Term Starts In September Lawrence K. Bell, president of Larry Bell Agency, 815 Ship street, 1 St Joseph, is president-elect of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents. Bell won the post during the association's 1968 business convention Feb. 16 to 18 in Detroit He will serve a one-year term beginning Sept 1.

The association has about 1.100 members in Michigan, Bell said, all of whom are also members of the National Asso ciation of Insurance Agents. Vice ores ident-elect is Howard W. Edgecombe of Flint and treasurer-elect is Robert J. Grow of Detroit Bell was treasurer during the organization's last business year and is vice president now, BATTERY STOLEN Mrs. Magnolia Weatherly, 151 Chestnut street.

Benton town ship, reported to township police yesterday that the battery had been stolen from her car while it was parked at her I I nO-U. tU 11 (if, 1 Call Delta tall frei YA 5-CC43 cr set ycur Travel Agent house. i (Sea back page, sec. 1 coL 1).