Timeline From The Past: Landmark Supreme Court Decision
From the Files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society
Editor’s note: This is a retrospective article that runs a few times a month on InkFreeNews.
Sept. 28, 1979 — A federal court judge has ruled in favor of Warsaw Schools and administrators in a suit filed by two students last March over publication of the student newspaper “Kontac.”
U.S. District Judge Allen Sharp issued a summary judgment dismissing the action against the Warsaw School Board, Superintendent Dr. Charles F. Bragg and Warsaw Community High School Principal Ray Green in the South Bend Federal Court.
Anne Summe and Jeri Grisso, who were WCHS seniors when the class action suit was filed March 1, by South Bend attorney Jeanne J. Swartz, alleged that school officials violated their First Amendment rights of free speech and press by refusing to permit publication of the student newspaper “Kontac” and reviewing student contributions to the “Tiger Alive” pages in a local newspaper.
The suit became a moot question this fall when an adviser was named and plans were made to begin publishing “Kontac” again. School officials argued that the newspaper wasn’t published last year because they were unable to find a teacher to act as adviser for the student publication.
The judge said that before the plaintiffs could proceed (in a federal court), they would have to “exhaust all remedies” available in the Indiana Student Due Process Code. Sharp dismissed the case and ordered each party to bear its own costs.
Oct. 4, 1967 — Private utility companies have just won a landmark Indiana State Supreme Court decision over REMC and the federal government in a case stemming from a jurisdictional dispute in the city of Warsaw.
The original dispute was between the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. and the Kosciusko County Rural Electrification Membership Corp., over which utility would serve the newly annexed Rolling Hills addition at the north edge of Warsaw.
The argument broadened to include the city of Warsaw, a number of other private utilities, other REMCs and the federal government when REMC appealed a decision of Judge Gene B. Lee in favor of NIPSCO.
REMC had attempted to deny the jurisdiction of the county court because the federal government held a mortgage on REMC and in effect was contending the case should be in federal court.
In yesterday’s decision the Supreme Court said the United States does not have to be named a defendant in proceedings brought by utilities serving the municipalities when municipalities annex territory served by rural co-ops.
Sept. 26, 1963 — Carl W. Burt and Mrs. J.R. (Daisy Lou) Baum – two highly respected citizens who have devoted virtual lifetimes to serving others – today hold the titles of Warsaw’s 1963 “Man and Woman of the Year.”
Burt, superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, and Baum, noted for her work and energy in helping those in suffering and pain, became the fifth recipients of the coveted awards during the 52nd Annual Warsaw Chamber of Commerce dinner Wednesday night at the Elks club. Approximately 225 persons attended.
– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels