The Wheaton Record
Wheaton, Ill.

Aug. 19, 2005

Prairie Path runs away with award
By Sarah Pulliam
Instead of running in circles around a track, junior Jonathan Koehler prefers the 61-mile Prairie Path south of Wheaton’s campus.
The cross country runner plans to put in about 35 miles every week and finds the path more convenient, safe and enjoyable to run than in subdivisions or on roads.
“I definitely notice the difference when we have to train on the roads in the winter when the path is iced over,” he said. “It also runs forever in all four directions from campus so we have an almost endless amount of runnable area.”
The path was named June’s Rail-Trail of the Month by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), a Washington, D.C. organization that creates a nationwide network of trails made from former rail lines.
The 42-year-old path runs east from Wheaton to Maywood, covers three counties west of Chicago and reaches shopping districts, forest preserves, commuter rail stations and neighborhoods.
RTC’s Rail-Trail of the Month program was established in 2001 to honor the best of the country’s open rail-trails: Every trail of the month exemplifies unique qualities and serves as an illustration for future trails around the country.
RTC’s Media Coordinator Katie Magers said the Prairie Path is one of the most well-known rail-trails in the country.
“I do hope that DuPage County can use this award as leverage to bolster their requests for grants and money to enhance their trail in the future,” Magers said. “It consistently lures an impressive number of walkers, bicyclists and equestrians each year because it is one of the best rail-trails in the country.”
Rail-trails began in the 1960s when residents began converting abandoned or unused rail corridors into public trails. The Prairie Path claims to be one of the oldest rail-trails in the nation.
Today there are 13,150 miles of rail-trails and over 100 million nationwide users per year, according to RTC’s web site.
President of the Prairie Path Don Kirchenberg said the June award was the path’s first award this year.
“It’s always a pleasant surprise,” Kirchenberg said. “It’s been recognized by many as a benchmark for rail-to-trail conversions for people who want to get their rail-to-trail as successful.”
The path has won dozens of awards in the past from national, state and county bicycle groups, advocacy groups, government agencies and environmental awareness groups.
Wheaton Mayor James Carr said the path serves as an asset to the city.
“It’s a great way of connect-ing the municipalities other than by car or rail,” Carr said. “It adds to the quality of life in our community, and it’s a very convenient way to get from one place to another.”
Deputy Chief of Wheaton Police Thomas Meloni said police have seen minimal crime on the path in Wheaton in the last two years.
Meloni said the police have had some reports of suspicious persons, abandoned property and cases of indecent exposure.
Joel Smyth, interim chief of Wheaton College Public Safety, said the Prairie Path is not in the college’s public safety jurisdiction.
In case of an emergency, Prairie Path users can call either 911 or Public Safety, which would then report an incident to the city’s police department.
When sophomore Anna Zimbrick uses the path, she tries to run during the day with at least one other person because she finds it safer.
“I think the Prairie Path is pretty safe, but that basic precautions should still be taken,” she said. “It is not only safer but will also motivate you to work harder.”
Not only do students use the Prairie Path, but some professors also find the path convenient.
Professor of business/economics Steve Bretsen said he runs about 20 miles on the path every week.
“The Prairie Path forms a nice, green tunnel and provides a brief escape from the man-made landscape that is so prevalent in Chicagoland,” Bretsen said. “I think the crushed gravel surface is less jarring on joints than asphalt or concrete. Also, there are no cars so I think it is safer for a pedestrian and much more pleasant.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.

Aug. 5, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
The county clerk’s office burst into laughter after Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita responded to deputy clerk LeaAnn Johnson’s question.
“What time zone are we going to?” Johnson asked.
“I better leave before I have to answer that,” Rokita answered.
Rokita dropped into Wells County Thursday as part of his election-reform efforts.
Running for re-election in 2006, Rokita travels more than 50,000 miles to each of Indiana’s 92 counties every year.
As the third highest ranking state official Rokita’s visit marks the second state official visit this summer. Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman toured Pretzels Inc. July 26.
Rokita came from Tipton County and was on his way to Randolph and Delaware counties to distribute reimbursement checks for new voting equipment.
Wells County already received $223,600 for the equipment, but Rokita spent 30 minutes with The News-Banner and then walked over to the county courthouse to speak with the deputy clerks about the new system for about 10 minutes.
He commended the clerks for their efforts to purge election records.
The county clerk employees looked surprised but pleased at the unexpected visit.
County clerk Beth Davis was at lunch during Rokita’s surprise appearance and said she was disappointed she wasn’t there when he visited but was glad that he came.
“I cannot believe I missed it,” Davis said. “I think it’s great that he takes the time to come to counties, especially small counties like ours.”
In his interview with The News-Banner, Rokita explained that elections account for about 70 percent of his job and he wants to raise Hoosier awareness of new voting laws.
Accounts of voter fraud are mostly anecdotal because there was no way to prove voter identification outside of matching signatures in poll books.
Rokita spoke of the new voter photo ID state law that went into effect July 1, affecting all voters across the state.
Voters will be required to show a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
If a voter is unable to present ID at the polling place, the voter can cast a “provisional ballot” and has 13 days to provide proof of identification for the vote to be counted.
Exceptions can be made for voters who have religious objections to being photographed.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will issue a free photo identification card that expires like a driver’s license to anyone who does not have a government-issued ID card.
It is unclear how much the free ID plan will cost the state at this point but the money will come from the state budget, according to Rokita’s Communications Director AJ Feeney-Ruiz.
Rokita said 19 other states have similar laws and 25 states were considering an ID law in the past legislative session.
He makes the comparison that Hoosiers already need to present ID when renting a movie, buying a gun and cashing a check.
“But we don’t need one to exercise our most important right?” he said.
Rokita knows that with 25,000 poll workers, there are going to be mistakes.
“I want to make sure the mistakes that occur are honest ones,” he said.
Indiana is moving to a statewide voter registration by Jan. 1, 2006. If a voter moves to another county, county clerks will be notified and can make appropriate changes.
Rokita said the new statewide voter registration will cost the state $13 million, being paid for through state and federal taxes.
“My theory is if people have more confidence in the voting process, they are going to come out and vote,” Rokita said.
Rokita hopes to raise voter turnout in the next election through public service announcements in media outlets such as newspapers, television and radio.
Fifty-eight percent of Hoosiers voted in the 2004 election while 62 percent of Wells County voted.
In another effort to decrease voter fraud, a new law went into effect establishing penalties for electioneering while a voter is absentee voting.
The law also requires anyone assisting a voter in completing the absentee ballot application to sign an affidavit indicating the assistance.
Rokita said, “Since 2000, people across the world are watching us. If we can’t get elections right, we lose our credibility.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.

Aug. 5, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
Heather Roush leaned back in frustration after her golf ball barely missed the hole.
“This game’s stupid,” Roush said before she saw Norwell’s coach Jody Ault and added, “I’m just kidding. It’s not that bad.”
The Southern Wells High School senior competed in Thursday-morning’s match with her varsity team against Norwell High School.
Sprinkling rain threatened the match, but the overcast sky and 80-degree weather didn’t wash out the match at Timber Ridge Golf Course.
Norwell’s varsity team scored 178 to Southern Well’s 218 and the Norwell junior varsity team topped Southern Wells 223 to 275.
Roush, an outgoing blonde 17-year-old, shot the round with Norwell freshman Kaylee Imel.
When asked how she played, Roush looked to the sky and said, “I played, uh, not that great” and then pointed the attention to Imel.
Imel shot 38 for her first high school match, an impressive start to her high school career.
“I had one bad hole but I was pretty satisfied with how I did,” Imel said.
“She almost had a hole in one,” Roush quickly added. “I was like whoa, and then she almost had an eagle. It was ridiculous.”
Ault, Imel’s coach, and Southern Wells coach Dave Wall said Imel played really well for her first high school match.
Not everyone was as satisfied as Imel.
Norwell senior Natalie Layton was frustrated with her round on the junior varsity team.
“I played horribly because I didn’t practice all summer,” Layton said. “I hit in the sand so that was no fun, but hey, I like the beach.”
Other junior varsity players were more optimistic.
Southern Wells freshman Stella Grimm played well in the tournament and is excited for her first season.
Norwell senior Kerianne Dahn ended the round by sinking a 30-foot putt.
“I’ve done the best I’ve done this summer,” she said. “I did well except for the water and the trees. That defeats the purpose of golfing.”
The golfers sported matching light blue sleeveless polo shirts with Norwell or Southern Wells labels and khaki shorts.
Ault was pleased with the way her team played.
“I was just really happy with the way they played since it was the first match of the year,” she said.
Ault’s goals for the season are to go to state and win.
Southern Wells coach Wall said his team has a long way to go, but it’s still early in the season.
“We’re just getting our feet wet,” he said. “I think they’re better than they played today but I don’t think we would’ve beaten Norwell anyway.”
Thursday’s match was Southern Well’s second for the new season and Wall sees potential for this year’s team.
“I’ve got all my starters back from last year,” he said. “To have a strong freshman class like I’ve got is pretty exciting.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.

26 Years and counting!
Aug. 5, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
Roger Sherer pulled out a calculator, paper and a pen.
He rested his chin in his hand and paused to think for a few minutes.
“Several thousand” was the number he came up with after he was asked how many children and teens he has worked with during his 26 years as Wells County 4-H extension educator.
Michelle Langford, 18, of Rockcreek has worked with Sherer during her 10 years of 4-H and described his leadership style
“He’s helped me to be a better person through junior leaders because of the dedication that he wants me to have,” Langford said. “He always makes me laugh and he is very patient.”
Several past and current 4-H members and 4-H officials honored Sherer for his 26 years of service at an open house July 17.
A pot of flowers sat on Sherer’s office desk with a note that said “Thank you for all that you do!!” from the Rockcreek 4-H club.
Showered with thank you cards, Sherer said he hasn’t been able to read all of them yet.
Sherer leads more than 600 4-H members and 200 mini 4-H participants within 15 Wells County clubs.
Judi Merkel, 4-H family and consumer science educator, has worked with Sherer for 10 years and described his strengths as a 4-H extension director.
“He has a great sense of humor, is dependable, responsible, very hardworking and models a strong work-ethic,” Merkel said. “I think he has a very calming effect because he’s very evenly paced.”
His office demonstrated Sherer is still recovering from this year’s 4-H fair.
Papers were scattered across his desk, fair signs leaned up against the wall and Sherer’s spiral-bound schedule book lay open with events marked on the pages.
“You don’t just wrap everything up in one week,” he explained.
The soft-spoken director keeps busy during the 12 months of the year, though most people see his active participation in the summer.
Meetings, workshops, conferences and school visits take up a large portion of Sherer’s work.
Sherer explained that he has to do a lot of preparation before the fair actually begins, including ordering ribbons and pins for contestant’s identification patches.
“People don’t think of little things like that,” he said. “I don’t get bored.”
One of the most difficult parts of Sherer’s job is recuiting people to volunteer.
However, Sherer finds his job fulfilling.
“I enjoy the summer when I actually get to work with the kids,” he said. “You hear and see more immediate success and progress.”
Beginning his job in the courthouse, Sherer remembers how the 4-H office was the first to have a computer in the building WHEN.
Technology has changed Sherer’s job, including the way 4-H identifies animals.
“Things were different,” he said.
Sherer takes nose prints of livestock instead of tagging the ear.
Growing up in Kendalville, Sherer was 10-year 4-H member in Noble County.
He graduated from Purdue in 1978 and earned a degree in animal science and agriculture education.
The middle of five children, Sherer’s three brothers went to Indiana University and sister went to Ball State University.
The Sherer siblings banter back in forth about their rival schools.
“It’s a friendly family thing,” he said and laughed.
His brothers work in insurance and auto manufacturing, but his sister took the 4-H route and is a district director in the southwest corner of Indiana.
Sherer’s younger brother took a separate route and works as an actor in Los Angeles. He acted in “Days of Our Lives” and various commercials.
Sherer became prepared for his current job during college when he worked at the 4-H extension services at Purdue University for four summers.
Purdue recruited him for the Wells County position in 1978 after he spent seven months in Poland in the 4-H exchange program.
“I was anxious to get some job so I thought I would give it a try,” he said.
Sherer is interested in sending a 4-H student to participate in the same exchange program in Poland in the next two years.
“Any type of international experience broadens your experience and opens your mind to other ideas,” Sherer said.
Sherer doesn’t know how many more years he plans to stay in Wells County.
“I guess I never thought I would work here this long,” Sherer said. “It’d probably have to be a pretty good opportunity for me to move.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.

Aug. 3, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
Stacks of postcards lay on a table at the Wells County Clerk’s office.
Tiffany Gentis, 17, sat at the table and thumbed through 10,060 postcards to put them in alphabetical order.
Gentis is a part-time employee at the courthouse but her job won’t be as time consuming because more than 6,000 Wells County voters didn’t respond to a May mailing.
Of the 21,200 postcards that officialsmailed May 26 to verify voter registration, 50 percent were returned because voters verified or updated their addresses while 50 percent were undeliverable or not returned by the Aug. 1 deadline.
“I thought it might be more like 60/40 percent but not 50,” said Wells County Clerk Beth Davis.
Voter registration clerk Janet Double is purging the records of people who have died or moved and placing other voters who failed to return their postcards on inactive status.
Thirty percent of the postcards were not returned.
“We would’ve like to have 100 percent returned but that wouldn’t be realistic,” Davis said.
Voters placed on inactive status must vote in the next two elections before their status will be purged after the 2008 election.
Voters who did not receive or return their postcards can contact the clerk’s office at 824-6497 to be placed on active status.
The precinct where residents vote at the Community Christian School had the highest rate of postcards not returned at 41 percent. Precinct voting at Southern Wells School was the second highest not returned rate with 35 percent.
Residents who vote at Bluffton-Harrison Elementary School and Bluffton Middle School precincts scored the highest return rate at 62 percent.
Part-time employees are alphabetizing returned postcards before sending the current voter registration cards to the State Election division where the registration will be scanned and returned to the clerk’s office.
There are 21,182 registered voters in the county, according to Davis.
In a county of 27,600 residents with 8,294 people under 19 years of age listed in the 2000 Census, the election office allows for more registered voters than possible.
Davis guessed the number will decrease to about 12,000 after purging records.
Purging the records will increase the voter percentage and decrease risk of fraud. Davis said it’s been at least 10 years since the last purge took place.
“It was worth it because we were able to get more realistic numbers for the size of our county,” Davis said. “By the end of this month, we’ll be done with the postcards.”
The clerk’s office spent approximately $11,450 for printing the postcards and postage, according to Davis.
Indiana is moving to a statewide voter registration by Jan. 1, 2006, as a result of Help America Vote Act.
Wells County residents can register to vote at the clerk’s office, Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the State Election Division or on the secretary of state’s Web site.