The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

• <3, THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 mnsti VOLUME 96 NUMBER 14 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1971 1 2 P A G E S T E N C E N T S Emergency Employment Act At Work In County School Lighting Problems Go To Committee For Study HONOR STATE'S ATTORNEY - Chief Larry Sabatino of the Sleepy Hollow Police department, right front, presents honor plaque to State's Attorney William Cowlin at the last meeting of the McHenry County Chiefs of Police association, held in Algonquin. Looking on, from left, are Police Chiefs Herb Lange, Woodstock; Richard Nelson, Huntley; Elmer Oerkfitz, Algonquin; and Sheriff Art Tyrrell. State's Attorney William J. Cowlin was the recipient of special recognition at the Sept. 8 meeting of the McHenry County Chiefs of Police association, held in Algonquin, when members of that organization honored him for his outstanding work in ob­ taining convictions in several recent murder cases. One of these was the Mark Smith conviction for the murder of two young McHenry women, leading to his con­ fession of two others. Smith is now serving a total of four life sentences. The Frank Alex Hennenberg conviction marked the first death sentence in McHenry county in mbrVthan 100 years. Phillip Lee Soper was con­ victed on two counts of murder. The citation, in the form of a plaque, was made by Chief of Police Larry Sabatino of Sleepy Hollow Police department. Sabatino is an executive of the National Police Officers association through whom the award was made. Speaking for the McHenry County Chiefs association, Chief Herbert Lange of Woodstock said all residents of McHenry county should recognize State's Attorney Cowlin for his outstanding work in obtaining convictions in these cases. Sheriff Arthur Tyrrell joined in the recognition of Cowlin for his work in the Soper murder cases. Tyrrell pointed out that "it is because of the professional way these cases have been handled in the court room by Mr. Cowlin and his staff that the 100 percent conviction rate for these horrendous murders have been so successful". . . . . * v .. . . . . •' With keen disappointment among many senior citizens over court action which prevented them from receiving a reduction in real estate taxes this past year, inquiries on the status of the Homestead Exemption Law at this time have increased. Apparently some assessors have indicated that it is necessary to file again. Not so, according to information received In the office of McHenry Township Assessor Sebre Whiting. Anyone who was approved for a rebate last year and has kept his blue receipt form need only wait for a ruling on the law. Deadline dates of last year should be disregarded in 1971. Of course, anyone who turned 65 after Jan. 1,1970, must file at the assessor's office since such persqns failed to qualify last year. Quite simply, the assessor has been informed that there is no assurance the law will not be declared unconstitutional. Therefore all action is deferred and deadlines for filing are voided. County Driver Comes Face To Face With Gun Just after midnight Thursday morning, county officials in­ vestigated the complaint of an Algonquin resident who reported he had been driving south on Route 31 from Lake Geneva when he observed a vehicle following him. When the motorist reached John- sburg road, he turned east and drove to Tomasello's, 3312 N. Chapel Hill road, Johnsburg, where he pulled into the p a r k i n g l o t . T h e a u t o followed him and drove up beside him. As the Algonquin man left his car and walked to the other vehicle, he saw the occupant sitting in the auto with a bottle of beer in his lap and a gun in his hand pointing at the Algonquin motorist. Suddenly the auto started up and drove away. Although a description of the suspicious vehicle was obtained, it could not be located. Investigation is con­ tinuing. File Narcotic Charge Against McHenry Youths Anthony P. Koleno of 3501 Beach drive, McHenry, and his passenger, Luella Ficek, of 209 N. Dale, McHenry, were arrested and charged with possession of cannabis (marijuana), one evening last week after sheriff's deputies who were making a routine traffic stop on Ridgeway road, north of Barnard Mill road, Ringwood, observed the passenger in Koleno's vehicle throw two articles out the window. The items were retrieved and found to be in a plastic bag and a package of cigarette papers. Examination of the contents of the bag revealed it contained 9.1 grams of cannabis (Marijuana). Bond was set at $1,000 and a court date set for Sept. 27. The board of Consolidated School District 15 last Tuesday night turned over a school lighting problem to the » Building committee for a study and a recommendation. After inspecting the gravel walkway area at Parkland which is to be lighted, Lee & Ray Electric had quoted a figure of about $1,400 to install a timer meter inside the building. Each of three poles would have one 400 watt mercury light, the power line running above ground and an electric cell to control lights at darkness. Before action was taken, Board Member R. Thornton said he has inspected all schools for lighting and found a need in most locations. He noted that there was a dark area at Junior high, and Valley View and Hilltop were also very dark. Thornton suggested a combined program which would result in more adequate lighting at all buildings in need of improvement. His recom­ mendation prompted the board to send the matter to com­ mittee. Approval was given for full payments to the various con­ tractors at Parkland school, with the exception of 5 per cent of the contract amount which will be withheld until the construction is completed. Joseph Frett & Son. Inc., was paid $18,260.78 for safety survey alterations at Junior high school. Payments to Carey Electric were withheld because of a change in orders. On the suggestion of Dr. Boos, superintendent, the board revised its policy which until this time called for bids to be asked on items which ex­ ceeded the purchase price of $500. Dr. Boos explained that in cases of emergency, where orders must be placed, long delays have resulted. The board approved his recom­ mendation that the revision should read, "to let all con­ tracts for supplies, materials or work involving an expenditure in excess of $1,500 to the lowest responsible bidder ..." The only negative vote was cast by Richard Golbeck. The superintendent ex­ plained that the state code lists the $1,500 figure, and he added that a recent press release, at this time not official, indicates a revision in new laws raising the amount to $2,500. In a discussion of tran­ sportation costs, it was disclosed that there are now 1,250 high school students who ride buses and 3,437 in the grade schools. Of these totals, 760 students, grades 9 through 12, ride the District 15 buses and 845 kindergarten through eighth grade pupils ride District 156 buses. Enrollment figures released showed a drop in the number of students in the grade school district this year. Totals in the nine grades are as follows, listing the present enrollments first, followed by the 1970-71 figures: Kindergarten, 384 and 325; first grade, 284 and 298; second grade, 293 and 357 ; third grade, 346 and 333; fourth grade, 327 both years; fifth grade, 307 and 365; sixth grade, 372 and 348; seventh grade, 363 and 338; eighth grade, 305 and 332; special education, 149 and 117. The total number, based on enrollment, not attendance, is 3,148 compared to 3,200 pupils last year. Three new teachers were employed, Jay St. John and Mrs. Donna Shanahan to teach sixth grade at Junior high; and Miss Dorothy Kuta, elementary guidance counselor. Restaurant Burglarized; Numerous Homes Entered When the Wharf restaurant at 4015 E. Lake Shore drive, Won­ der Lake, was opened for busi­ ness Sunday morning, it was discovered that someone had gained entry by removing a screen on a kitchen window. Examination revealed that a two-gallon whiskey bottle filled with coins and currency had been taken from a shelf near the bar. Also, several rolls of change had been taken from a drawer in the bar room. The money in the cash register was not disturbed. Further in­ vestigation is being made. Last Friday morning, Ed­ ward Stermer of 1921 Sunnyside Beach drive, McHenry, told deputies that sometime during the night, intruders entered his home while he and his family were asleep and removed a woman's purse from the kit­ chen counter. The purse was later found outside the home on a fence post. A total of $76 in cash was removed from the purse but other contents remained intact. Myrtle Ackerson of 1816 Davis, McHenry, reported that sometime between Aug. 26 and 28, their home had been entered in their absence and $155 in cash was taken from a closet shelf. The method of entry could not be determined and the house was locked. Nothing else in the home had been disturbed. v Sometime after Aug. 28, the summer home of Leonard Dalson of 315 North boulevard, Lilymoor, was entered by breaking a glass in the front door. Although the home had been completely ransacked, the only item missing was an an­ tique china cabinet. The con­ tents of the cabinet had been emptied and left at the residence. Sheriff's deputies assisted the Lakemoor Police depart­ ment Saturday afternoon, in the investigation of a burglary frrmtinuf^d on na^re 12) A special committee appointed by County Board Chairman G. Watson Lowe reported at Tuesday's meeting on the operation of the Emergency Employment Act in this county. The act provides federal funding to assist in the payment of unemployed workers, professional and otherwise, to fill county government needs. Supervisors Walter J. Dean and Leo G. Benecke-of the county board attended a recent meeting in Chicago, at which time they received instructions, rules and regulations for the initial funding of a grant of $125,000. A total of $4,000 was received before the middle of September to meet the first payroll locally. The budget estimate for the year beginning Sept. 1, 1971, totals $138,889, with $13,889 to be paid by the county and the remainder by the government. To date, five have been employed under the act, and thirteen positions remain to be filled. Occupations listed include secretary, clerk-typist, building inspector, registered nurse, auto mechanic, maintenance of utilities, patrolman, draftsman, census clerk, sanitary in­ spector, secretary environmental health, nurse aide and porter for county nursing home. Tempers flared at one point in the meeting when a report was made on a discussion in connection with a recent ap­ pointment to the McHenry county board of health. It was disclosed that at that board's meeting, Mrs. Lynn Hadlock, a new member of the board, had given a brief review of her educational and social background. Dr. S.L. Ruggero of Wonder Lake, also a member, asked her to explain to the board how she was selected for the ap­ pointment Later, he said he felt the county board of supervisors should have conferred with the Board of Health members on the candidates, and informed them of their intention to name new members. It was noted that the Board of Health expressed wholehearted acceptance of Mrs. Hadlock, but resented the manner in which the appointment was handled. In discussion Tuesday, county board members questioned how a Health department feels it has the right to dictate appointments. The board concurred with a recommendation of the Health and Agriculture committee that the reappointment of Dr. Edward Wilt to the McHenry County Board of Health be made, subject to a letter from the Medical society sent by the board chairman, asking the names of seven persons as candidates. Response from the Medical society to date has listed only the name of Dr. Wilt. The board expressed reluctance to act without an answer to its request, and Supervisor Howard Ruth, vice-chairman of the Agriculture and Health com­ mittee, moved that action be withheld until further response is forthcoming with an explanation. Board members spent considerable time discussing a report which resulted from a Sept. 10 meeting of the Zoning committee regarding acceptance of the tentative plat of Spojnia Circuit 6 second re-subdivision, McCullom Lake. The problem arose because of the necessity for construction of a new road to gain entrance to this addition to the original subdivision from Ringwood road. After several viewpoints were discussed, the board okayed the plat and referred the road problem to McHenry Township Highway Commissioner Clarence Regner. Supervisor Dean of McHenry pointed out that a new law is being drawn up at this time, permitting subdivisions to levy a special assessment for road construction. Such a law would solve the problem. The problem of roads in Claremont Hills subdivision, McHenry, was discussed and it was agreed that they have not yet been brought up to requirements which entitle them to township maintenance. (Continued on page 12) Local Schools $1,226,052 In To Receive State Aid Is there honor, even among thieves? An incident on the reports of the sheriff's office gives reason to wonder. Early last Saturday morning, residents of the Pistakee Bay Nursing home, 2301 W. Rocky Beach road, observed two people taking tomatoes from a garden grown by the patients. The offenders managed to make their get-away before the arrival of deputies. K.A.F. Night School Classes Will Oct. 4 Begin Registration for night school classes at West campus high school will take place Monday through Thursday, Sept. 20-23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the school, 4724 W. Crystal Lake road. Classes start Oct. 4. Further information may be obtained by contacting the school directors, Charles Cuda and Thomas Eickenberg at the central admissions office. 385- 7900. The McHenry county public schools will receive a total of $7,363,574 in state aid for the 1971-72 school year. Figures released by State Supt. Mich­ ael Bakalis show the county will get $897,294 more than last year's $6,466,280 allotment. The four districts receiving the largest amounts of state aid are Woodstock Community Unit Schools District 200 with $1,354,850, Crystal Lake Pub­ lic Grade Schools District 47 with $1,335,622, McHenry El­ ementary Schools District 15 with $949,060, and Harvard Co­ mmunity Unit Schools District 50 with $660,967. The total of the four districts is $4,300,- 500. The county's two districts receiving the smallest amount of state aid are Ridgefield School District 48 with $23,- 792 and Riley Community Con­ solidated School District 18 with $27,176. These districts re­ ceived 24,446 and $22,488, res­ pectively, in 1970-71. Other state aid totals releas­ ed to McHenry County Supt. of Educational Service Region, Ri­ chard L. Tazewell, for 1971-72 (1970-71 figures in parenthe­ ses) are as follows: Fox River Grove, $150,526 ($161,070); Union, $37,921 ($49, 610); Spring Grove, $75- 237 ($72,632); Johnsburg,$288- 138- ($243, 006); Richmond, $170,197 ($123,683); McHenry, $949, 060 ($859, 200); Haw­ thorne, $35, 990 ($19,637); Ri­ ley, $27,176 ($22,488); Alden- Hebron $169,883 ( $155,517); Cary, $481,863 ($490,154); Ha ­ rrison $198, 059 ( $175,730); Prairie Grove, $102,710 ($93- 184); Crystal Lake, $1,335,622 ($1,244,424); Ridgefield, $23,- 792 ($24,446); Harvard $660.- 967 ($610,238); Marengo, $124- 462 ($131,236); Marengo, $74, 793 ($51,245); Crystal Lake, $556,179 ( $492, 848); McHen­ ry, $276, 992 ( $185, 9<8); Richmond, $39,516 ($28,058) ; Huntley, $229, 632 ($212, 760); Woodstock, $1,354,850 ($1,019- 124). McHenry's two districts total $1,226,052. Crystal Lake's to­ tal was $1,891,801. Stop Forgery Operation With Monday Arrest in-Following intensive vestigation by the Sheriff's department and with the cooperation of several police departments, a forgery operation by a husband and wife team was terminated when June M. Howard of Route 1, Montoa road, Algonquin, was arrested Monday. She was charged with three counts of forgery in McHenry county. Mrs. Howard was ap­ prehended after she had posted bond in Lake county for similar charges there. Her bond was set at $30,000 and later reduced in court to $10,000. The court date is Sept. 27. She is now being held in McHenry county jail in lieu of bond. It was noted that several checks involved in the forgery operation had been taken in burglaries, the signatures forged and then cashed in various banks. McHenry county officials have lodged detainers with the Lake County Sheriffs department for Mrs. Howard's husband, Thomas James, who is presently being held in Lake county for similar violations committed there. Area Thefts Investigated Several thefts have been under investigation this past week by sheriff's deputies. Rodney Cole of 6704 Silver Lake road, Cary, told deputies that while his auto was parked in the lot at Tomasello's, 3312 N. Chapel Hill road, Johnsburg, one night last week, someone entered the trunk and stole a tool box filled with assorted tool?. Elmer Kollenkark reported last Friday morning that his new home under construction at 1307 Crystal Lake road, McHenry, had been entered. Taken from the premises were (Continued on page 12) I LEARN RESCUE WORK - John Olson, left, and Bob Meyer, right, captain and assistant chief, respectively, of the Johnsburg Rescue squad, are shown conducting a class in rescue work, instructing members of the newly organized McHenry Area' Rescue squad. Participating in the program, from left, front row, are Robert Sch- The newly organized McHenry Area Rescue Squad started its first aid training last week at the McHenry fire house. Mr. Carmen Hodges is the instructor. This training is the first phase of instruction in which rescue squad members will participate, followed by mating, Walter Schaefer. Tom Cheatham, Carmen Hodges and Mark Justen; in back, Paul Heber, Ron Schaefer, Rich Waychunas, Phillip Gust, John Schlofner. Axel Schwanke and Pete Smith. Two members of the class. George Lose and Mike Hodges, were absent. PLAINDEALER PHOTO mechanical training. The squad's sole purpose is to provide rescue assistance in emergency cases, removing and carrying individuals from the scene to the nearest hospital. Members will not transport patients to and from hospitals, etc. John Olsen and Bob Meyer of the Johnsburg Rescue squad will conduct a series of classes on the rescue phase, including equipment usage . and procedures to be used in emergency situations Jack Muffley, Jaycee coordinator, announced this week that an> person or organization wishing to donate monev may do so by making out a check to McHenry Area Rescue Squad, cars of McHenry St ite Bank. The new class started Thursday, Sept. 16, at the fire house * J