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v r 15 xVUNC^ THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING yTHE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 dsnis*) VOLUME 97 NUMBER 48 School Financial Dilemma ,Aired Z Z • ' " 7 . « « « • T h f > i n r r p n s i n e l v s p r i r a i s f i n a n c i a l r i i l p m m a w i t h i n S c h n r FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1973 -4L. 18 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS Qorrme Controversy Continues $2,151,282 Tentative County Levy Awaits Early Approval Rescue Course In Preparation Hal Baker, county Civil Defense staff; John J. Shay, director of McHenry County Civil Defense; Judy Sharp and Claude Jewell, instructors of the International Institute of Diving and James Darby of the Illinois Scuba Rescue and Recoyery division of the Illinois Civil Defense agency look over plans for the Scuba Rescue and Recovery course that begins Jan. 23, at West campus. All of this inaugural hullabaloo is coming closer to us in our small newspaper office than we can ever remember. Maybe it's because we're growing and people are taking a second look. First there was the state inauguration, for which an invitation arrived to attend ceremonies for George W. Lindberg as he assumed the duties of the new office of state comptroller. Now politicians should realize that Monday is a busy day in a newspaper office. We lidn't really think we could make either the morning inaugural or the afternoon reception and put the paper to xbed on time for the first edition. j Probably nobody else locally "carol, but it would have been to mingle briefly with all who^ have been jfs in print for lo mqnths. r . „ _ „Snt regrets\After wiereNvas still the Jan. 20 jguration in Washington We remembered a very official looking invitation arriving last week and set it asidfe for further consideration. What we didn't read was all t%. small print. One of the many extra cards, signed by the 1973 Inaugural committee, asked us to take note of the fact that this was merely a souvenir invitation. "It does not constitute ad­ mission to any of the inaugural events". That's what the card said. Horrors -- foiled again! In • lieu of attendance, however, we are allowed to share all the extra goodies with the general populace.^Tnat is, we're allowed if we pave the cash to send and the time to fill in all of the coupons enclosed. For instance, for between $5 and $50 we can watch the inaugural parade. The dif­ ference, we surmise, lies in whether we want to mount someone's shoulder in the fourth row or sit on the curb up front on Pennsylvania avenue. Then there's the inaugural book - a hard bound edition at that - for $50. The committee says the book is deluxe, and you can bet your life for that kind of money it had better be. (Continued on page 18) McHenry County Civil Defense will sponsor a Scuba Rescue and Recovery course at the West campus of McHenry high school. The first class is Jan. 23, and advance reser­ vations are necessary. The course is open to any person who currently holds a certified divers card. For the past two years the Illinois Civil Defense agency has had under study a pilot program to study the recovery of drowning victims by way of Scuba. The program has been *t*rmted a success and the training material is currently at the * Defense Civil Preparedness agency in Washington bdng printed. The pilot program" has been ac­ cepted for national im­ plementation. The plan calls for MjcHenry County Civil Defense to organize an un­ derwater recovery team to assist any police, fire depart­ ment or rescue squad in the county. There is also a need for land support volunteers. These individuals would not be divers but would^learn the problems faced by the diver. In leading the techniques the diver must go through, the support volunteer can better assist the diver. Anyone interested should contact the McHenry County Civil Defense office at Wood­ stock immediately to request an application and medical exam form. A tentative levy- totalling $2,151,282 was reviewed by the county board at the January meeting held Tuesday. Final action on the levy to be made on all taxable property in the county will be taken next month. Largest sum was the $560,000 for General fund purposes,* followed by $483,320 for County\ Highway Tax. Other sums were 1 $50,000 for Supervisor of! Assessments purposes; $31,03?r for Civil Defense; $207,000 f6r Matching Fund; $184,680 for County Bridge fund; $227,500 for Illinois Municipal Retirement fund; $275,000 for Mental Health fund and $132,750 for Tuberculous patients care and treatment. Considerable time was spent in consideration of a lettty|$ent to the board chairman by Supervisor of Assessments Stanley H. Cornue, including an hour spent in executive session. The letter stemmed from*a refusal by the board in December to fill the vacant position of Deputy Supervisor of Assessments through the appointment of Cornue's son, Paul Cornue. Much con­ troversy occurred at that time when some members became infcensed over newspaper advertisement which they said had been placed by Cornue in the name of the Fees and Salaries committee, seeking applicants for the opening. A vote following an executive session of the board last month defeated the proposal to hire young Cornue. At this point Board Member Robert Varisek of District I (Fox River Grove) moved that the county ask Stanley Cornue to resign.* Although this action carried, another suggestion to table the matter pending a meeting between the Fees and Salaries committee chairman and Cornue was approved by a 14 to 6 vote. The letter of Cornue read at Tuesday's meeting again urged that the vacant position be filled and he again submitted the name of his son, Paul. Further, it stated, "It is im­ portant to the programmed advancement planned for this department that the above position be filled without fur­ ther delay. The statutes of Illinois include a 'Fair Em­ ployment Practices act' which may provide a guide to members of the county board in reaching a decision on this appointment". Varisek moved to refer the matter to the Grievance committee, which passed by a 15 to 7 vote. However, after the results were made known, one supervisor warned that ac­ cording to Roberts rules, any motion for such action must originate with a board member who cast a negative vote in the previous expression on the subject. O Another motion to place the letter on file was approved by a 14 to 8 vote. Members learned that at the Dec. 1, 1972, deadline for ac­ cepting the initial group of subdivisions requesting local improvements, twelve of the thirteen were from the McHenry area. Approval was given under the subdivision- initiated assessment program to be paid by the individual property owners within the subdivision. Local requests were Huemann's subdivision and Stilling's Riverview sub­ division, .5 mile of road; Edgewood Acres subdivision in Nunda township, .9 mile; W.E. Knight's Ristakee\Terrace subdivision/^# milesi Mineral Springs Pari and ) Clement Lodge subdivision; / Pistakee Highlands, 5.1 miles; Holiday Hills, 6.9 miles; Wonderview Subdivision Units 1, 2 and 3, 7 miles; Orchard Heights, 3.1 miles; Shore Hills, 1.5 miles; Lilymoor, 3.5 miles; Deep Springs Unit l, 1.2 miles and .Deep Springs Woods Unit 2, .8 mile. The board approved the petition of Hidden Valley Corp, (Continued on page 7) Hospital Highlights Are it? Reviewed For 73 Meet Reservations for the McHenry Hospital corporation annual dinner meeting Saturday night, Feb. 3 are being accepted now and 1973 membership cards ~ together with reservation information ~ will be sent to members this week. People, who are not members are invited to become a part of the growing number of persons who support the work of McHenry Hospital and its medical staff with an annual membership. "Many husbands and wives belong because people served by McHenry hospital know the valuable health care service offered," Anthony Corcoran, executive director, said. 4 In discussing the past year's activities at the hospital, Corcoran noted that McHenry hospital has been able to keep room rates at the same level they have been since May, 1970, even though salary increases have been given in keeping With the Phase II wage and price control regulations. He added that hospitals are affected by the inflationary spiral just as are other businesses and this pressure of required wage increases combined with inflationary costs has put a severe demand on the resources and capabilities to contain the rising cost of patient care. "We are doing our best to contain this_ cost and still maintain the highest possible standards," said Corcoran. "We are still moving forward into new programs and we are doing this to keep well ahe^d of the anticipated health cl^e needs for the expanding area McHenry hospital serves." He praised the hospital's board for its insight into in­ stituting strict budgetary control several years ago. He explained that it was fulfilled by immediate response of various department heads as well as administrative staff which he supervises. "Corcoran noted that total expenses of the hospital in­ creased eight percent com­ pared with a year ago, and of that increase 77 percent of that total went for salary increases- increases permissible within the guidelines set forth under Phase II. Among 1972 highlights, he listed three events: 1. Designation of McHenry Hospital as a Local Trauma Center. 2. Participation with the Elgin Community college in a student nurse program to (Continued on page 18) R.L. Weber New President Of State Bank ROBERT L. WEBER Robert L. Weber, who has served the public in local banking institutions Uff more than fifty years, was elected president of the McHenry State bank at the annual meeting of the board of directors and stockholders held Wednesday of this week. He fills the vacancy created by the recent death of Gerald Carey. Mr. Weber started his banking career at the request of Mr. Carey in 1922, when the latter was cashier of the Fox River Valley State bank. The young Mr. Weber did general bookkeeping and a^ted as teller. On June 15, 1925, Mr. Weber started his employment at the McHenry State bank, then located on Main street. In recent years he has served on the board of directors and acted as executive vice-president. Investigate Twi Burglaries Of McHenry Homes Deputies investigated the recent burglary of an unoc­ cupied home at 502 Eastview, McHenry, owned by James Peterson of 312 Tijuana, McHenry. Peterson hachbeen at the home doing sd^ne work Jan. 2. When he returned the next morning, he found the honW had been entered. Missing were two automobile tires, a 25 caliber Smith and Wesson blue steel revolver, a 22 caliber Smith and Wesson blue steel automatic pistol, a short-wave radio and a complete set of socket wrenches along with other wrenches and hand tools. Last Monday, Richard Rath of 1205 S. Route 31, McHenry, reported that sometime bet­ ween Dec. 18 and 22, intruders apparently entered his unlocked house and took about $210 from the premises. Ac­ cording to Rath the burglary must have taken place when the owners were working in the farm fields. Reservations Accepted For Carnegie Class Set Criteria Reservations for the McHenry Dale Carnegie class are now being accepted, it was announced Friday by John Perhach, Dale Carnegie area manager. *The course is being offered in McHenry under the spon- T^sorship of the McHenry \ Plaindealer as a community Ask Opinions On Judge Successor Illinois Supreme Court Justice^ Charles H. Davis (Rockford) said he would be "delighted to have any com­ ment on any candidate" to replace McHenry County Circmt Court Judge William Carrolh^ State Rep. Cal Skinner, Jr. (R-Crystal Lake) made the request that the public, as well as lawyers, be allowed to comment on the fitness of the applicants for the $27,500 a year post (assuming no pay raise). "It seemed to me that the public has a very real stake in the man who is appointed to replace Judge Carroll," Skinner said. "For that reason, I called Justice Davis and asked that ordinary people be allowed to comment on the applicants' qualifications." Thus far, eight men have applied for the judgeship. They are Associate Judges Thomas Baker, Leonard Brody and William Gleason; former Associate Judge Charles T. Smith; and Attorneys Henry Cowlin, Roland Herrmann, Daniel Weisz and Robert A. Wilbrandt. "Judge Davis said he had three selection criteria: (1) Who can the present sitting judgeslwork with? (2) Who do the members of the Bar respect and think they can work yith? (3) Who can get elected when the post goes before the people in 1974? "I believe Judge Davis' welcoming of the comments of ordinary citizens who may have come in contact with the applicants, along with those of lawyers, judges and politicians, meaps that the people won't have to wait two years to make their feelings known in favor of or against any of the above named candidates. "I believe this is as it should be," Skinner continued. "After all, the person nominated will probably have the job for life." (Continued on page 18) service. "Inquiries already received in the Plaindealer office in­ dicate a high degree of interest in this world-famous adult education program," Mr. Perhach said. "Since enrollment in the class is limited," he added, "anyone interested in knowing more about the course should call or write the Plaindealer as soon as possible." \ FILES FOR ALDERMAN The only filing to date for a city office in the spring election is James Wegener of 1503 N. Freund, McHenry. He seeks the aldermanic post now held by Raymond L. Smith. The increasingly serious financial dilemma within School District is^occupied much of the discussion which continued until midnight Tuesday. Meeting with the board in its first January session were County Board Chairman Walter Dean, Finance Board Chairman Edward Buss and Township Assessor Sebre Whiting. Their presence was asked following a report assembled by School Board Member James Shaffer. Looking ahead to a continuing escalation of financial difficulties now approaching critical proportions, Shaffer's report considered methods of obtaining needed money. v. In addition to the apparent alternatives of holding a referendum and requesting an increase in the tax rate, and making drastic budget reductions which would "render the educational program ineffective", he suggested a third possibility. Shaffer's report suggested that the board pursue a goal of equal assessment practices within the district which wprild, in turn, increase the revenue substantially. He cited the legal requirement that property tax assessments be made at 50 per cent of the fair cash value, which when multiplied by the combined tax rates authorized, determine the total tax. Shaffer then pointed to the actual practice, reportedly confirmed by county and state statistics, in which, generally, he said owners of larger parcels of property are favored. Earlier in the meeting, the board had passed a resolution to authorize 1972 tax anticipation warrants. They set maximums of . $620,000 for the Education fund, $129,000 for the Building fund and $34,500 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement fund. The board indicated it will ask for only $50,000 at any one time to meet payments as needed before more tax money is received later this year. At this time, the district has received 97 per cent of its budgeted tax revenue. * To review the unfavorable financial system to the board and invited guests, President Henry Nell explained that even with a reduction in budget allowance of $205,000 last year, and more anticipated this year, the school remains $605,000 in debt. "Taxpayers should have the privilege of looking into procedures of taxation to see how more money can be •ealized", Nell emphasized. On a board-prepared chart, Shaffer showed the assessed valuation of the district in 1968 as $71.1 million. In 1972 this had increased 7 per cent to $76.1 million. Assessor Whiting interjectedan^xplanatory note at this point. He said these figures were in error since the 1968 valuation was 60 per cent of the property's worth, where the 1972 valuation was 50 per cent. Whiting continued a& he informed the board that the tax spread value had been at 60 per cent until a change took place in 1971 to equalize th& valuation throughout the county. Shaffer said he was not aware of this fact, which changed the assessment picture^ It was revealed that in 1968 the assessed valuation per student in District 15 was $26,400, whereas in 1972 it had dropped to $25,479, a decrease of 4 per cent. Of the total school budget, local effort toward taxes accounts for 57 per cent, the state pays 37 per cent, student and com­ munity, 5 per cent and federal aid, 1 per cent. Buss reviewed major recommendations of the Kissel com­ mittee report just made public. They resulted from hearings conducted throughout the county between Aug. 10 and Dec. 11, 1972, in regard to assessment practices. The county board member said these recommendations will be analyzed and Supervisor of Assessments Stanley Cornue and the Board of Review will come up with new procedures. Both Buss and Whiting will obtain this report when completed and copies will be made for school board members. After much discussion, the board pointed again to the financial problem and voiced their question, "What shall we do?" / County Board Chairman Dean said his organization is ham­ pered from giving assistance since there is no (authority for doing so on the local level.^e suggested thaK pressure be exerted on the Springfield Legislature to establish Revenue Sharing or other funding for schools. Dean then asked the school board, "Would you recommend discontinuing the real estate tax and go entirely to an income ix"? Mrs. Ann Cuda, a member, commented on the apparent in­ justice of such a practice in that the wealthy might buy up property to avoid taxes. • It was generally agreed that the best procedure would probably be to hold real estate taxes down and increase the income tax. < \ At one point in the discussion, the board and its guests con­ sidered the six points contained in the Shaffer report. Many of the suggestions were answered by Dean's previous statement that the county is powerless to act. Dean did suggest that some help might be derived from legislation which would require builders to pay a specified lax at the time they applied for building permits. At the present time no tax money is available for about 18 months after permit is obtained. » Another recommendation was that area school districts band together in a lobbying effort to obtain legislation requiring improved assessing procedures. i- Three parents from the Bay View subdivision at Pistakee Bay attended to present objections to the board's decision to halt transportation into the subdivision. 0 The spokesman, John Gealow, stated letters had been sent out Jan. 4 and 5, a day after the bus service into the subdivision was stopped. He commented that roads in Bay View are kept in as good condition as those in the city. Nell told the objecting parents that he had been part of a bus tour Dec. 30, at which time the board termed the narrow, win­ ding road too dangerous. It was decided that in the future, if roads are considered to be unsafe, busses will not be allowed to enter. However, when possible, notification will be given in advance to parents. Dorothy Vick and Ann Cuda were named to a committee to meet with parents from the Bay View area concerning the problem. Miss Leta Clark was granted a leave of absence from her teaching duties at Hilltop school. Edward May was employed as custodian at Valley View school to replace Henry Cieslak. The board concurred with the decision of District 156 to use an average of the transportation costs of the two districts from the State Aid claims in arriving at a formula for a sharing of costs. A safety survey of Orput-Orput and Associates, Rockford in 1964 included work which was never completed. At Tuesday's meeting, it was agreed that this survey shoujd be revised to meet the ten-year requirement and determine what still needs to be done. The preliminary cost estimate given at the time the original report was made totalled $2,850. With one negative vote, members authorized Ted Seiler to serve as agent of record to bid group hospitalization insurance. Action followed distribution of copies of a letter from the present carrier, the New York Life Insurance company, informing of a substantial premium increase as of Feb. 1, 1973. The one negative vote was cast by M. David Cain, who ex- (Continued on page 18)