'C 15 0 THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CH A IN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 ( 15 Gnna VOLUME 96 NUMBER 28 FRIDAY, NOVEMBERS, 1973 20 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS Merchants Protest New Meters In Parking Lot View Model Of Proposed Hospital Guest speaker at the regular tumor conference of McHenry hospital's medical staff Tuesday, Oct. 30, was Dr. Robert L. Schmitz (left), clinical professor of Surgery, University of Illinois Medical school; chairman of the Department of Surgery, Mercy hospital and Medical center, Chicago; and member of the hoard of directors, American Cancer society. Dr. Schmitz was the guest of Dr. George Alvary, right, who is showing him a model of the proposed new McHenry hospital. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Regner Named Division Leader Young people are impetuous, a quality that has its ad vantages and its dangers. It is the dangers which concerned school officials when they acted this week to prevent injury and death through a tightening of regulations regarding students and their conduct in relation to school buses. The trouble point is the East campus parking lot, where large numbers of students are picked up and dropped off daily. The problem itself is that some of them are engaging in actions dangerous not only to themselves but also to the majority of students who take the buses at the end of the day's classes. In a letter sent home to parents of East campus students, some of the abuses are recalled in an effort to reach a cooperative effort to correct the situation. Some of these young people make it a practice to run in front or alongside moving buses. Others prefer not to remain in the designated loading zone and consequently must run to that area when their bus arrives. A slip could find them beneath the wheels. Another dangerous nuisance is the attempt to force open the bus door as they run beside it. Clinging to the mirror support arm on a moving bus is also considered fun. Less mature young folks also throw objects at the buses as they enter the parking lot, distracting the drivers and providing real cause for an accident. Another impulsive act is the pushing and shoving of students who have waited in line within the loading zone by late arrivals in their effort to get aboard first More defiant students refuse to obey parking lot supervisors and bus drivers in their at tempts to provide a safe situation. Some of these supervisors have been sub jected to verbal and physical abuse. For all these reasons new rules will become effective next Monday. Any student who is disrespectful or disobedient to a supervisor or driver, or who engages in actions considered dangerous to himself or others will be barred from riding the bus that evening. Further, he (or she) will not be allowed to ride the bus again until a parental conference is held with a dean of students. Does it sound tough9 When all else fails, there is no other recourse Moms and Dads who take their youngster's misconduct lightly, usually see the situation in a new light when they find it (Continued on page 18) Relate Community Services As Township Officials Meet~ Three local township officials joined 2,000 other delegates last week to attend the largest convention in the history of the Township Officials of Illinois. At the meeting, they demon strated the vitality of township government in spirited sessions and seminars on subjects related to local level services to the people of the state. Attending the sixty-fourth annual convention from McHenry township were Clarence Regner, highway commissioner; Sibre Whiting, assessor; and Howard Snyder, town board auditor. At the gathering held in Peoria, Regner was unanimously elected first vice- president at a divisional meeting of the township road district commissioners. In the closing session, a report was given by the nominating committee for the election of new officers of all division heads. Mr. Regner plans to attend several official meetings in the year ahead. Convention sessions covered a wide range of subjects related to township services, ways and means to improve and expand services, effective ways to expend federal revenue sharing funds, along with an emphasis on maintaining the strength of township government as one which is vitally close to the people it serves "It was a very significant convention, particularly in this year of greater emphasis on the importance of local govern ment. All of us from McHenry township who attended the convention were well rewar ded, and the evidence of this will be reflected in our services to the people," Regner said. Among dignitaries who addressed the convention was John J. Nimrod, State Senator of Skokie and former president of the supervisors of the state organization. In citing the advantages of township level government, Nimrod struck a serious note as he pointed out the many challenges it faces. Never theless, he said, in his own township, citizens voted 19,000 to 8,000 in favor of retaining township government rather than abolishing it in favor of county government. The convention also heard Gov. Daniel Walker, Secretary of State Michael Howlett, State Treasurer Alan Dixon, Senate President William C. Harris and other state legislative leaders pledge their support to strong township government. Gov. Walker told the township officials that "Because township government is close to the people, that's the kind we need." One of the most significant subjects discussed was that of township use of federal revenue sharing funds. Many townships reported increasing services to the people with projects such as drug control services, mental health services, senior citizen services and others. The Township Officials of Illinois passed resolutions urging that township clerks continue to handle local township elections, instead of transferring control of such elections to county clerks, as proposed in pending state legislation, and also to give township clerks complete responsibility for handling absentee ballots in their respective townships. The association also urged the state legislature to override Gov. Walker's veto of Senate Bill 380. This legislation would have eliminated the need to hold an election of 50 per cent of township supervisors in the state in 1975 by extending their terms to 1977, which is the year of the next general election of all other township officials. This, the association says would save taxpayers millions of dollars. Although McHenry's City Council meeting Monday night was a short one, it didn't lack excitement or controversy. Former property owner, Mary Rita Stilling, appeared as spokesman for several mer chants on the west side of Riverside drive. She stated that they objected to the installation of parking meters in a lot at the rear of the stores. It was noted that several weeks ago, the city installed twelve meters on half of the parking lot at the request of businessman, Bill Nye, and other merchants in the area. A survey was also made by Alderman George Harker of the Streets and Sidewalks committee who "visited every merchant he could find on the block and told them what the city had in mind." "The concensus that I came away with," said Harker, "was that a limited number of meters, while not a totally satisfactory solution, was a workable compromise." Harker also stressed that he hnd consulted both aldermen Tazewell Will Leave County School Post Richard L. Tazewell, superintendent of the McHenry County Educational Service Region, has announced that he will not be a candidate for that office at the primary election to be held March 19. The regular election will be held in Novwnber of 1974.* In leaving office, Mr. Tazewell expressed himself this way: It has been a privilege to work with all those interested in education in McHenry, where good cooperation and good will is apparent among all schools, organizations and groups concerned with education. He was elected six times to the county school office. Prior to that time the Board of Supervisors appointed him to a partial term of office. Hitchhiker Steals $75 From Benefactor's Purse Deborah Thomas of 929 Broadway, North Chicago, reported to county officials Tuesday night that she and two passengers in the front seat were driving east on Route 173 west of Route 31, Crystal Lake, when they observed two youths hitchhiking. They stopped to give them a ride to Island Lake While driving, she recalled she had left her purse in the rear seat and asked one of the youths to pass it to her. After the hitchhikers left her vehicle, she discovered $75 had been taken. Ms. Thomas returned to the location where the youths had left her auto and found one boy there He claimed he knew nothing of the theft and his companion was onlv a passing acquaintance. Ms. Thomas later observed the other youth walking along the road. When she stopped, he handed her the money. The youth was identified as Michael Brill of 508 Laurez, Wauconda. Brill was arrested for disorderly conduct by sheriff's deputies. Deputies investigated an attempted burglary Tuesday night at The Joint, a business place at 2913 W. Route 120, McHenry. Inspection revealed a piece of lumber had been thrown through a window at the rear of the building in an ap parent attempt to gain entry. The offender was apparently frightened away when the broken window activated the burglary alarm McHenry Women Hurt In Tuesday Collision Dedicate Lake Region YMCA Home Sunday As the Lake Region YMCA nears completion of its tenth year as a youth serving agency in McHenry county, dedication plans have been completed for the new building. David C. Stubbs, a staff member of the National Council of YMCA's, will be the main speaker at the dedication ceremony to be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov 4. Walter Jollie of Crystal Lake, YMCA president, will serve as the master of ceremony. Dedication day will begin with open house at noon at the new building of the Lake Region YMCA at 7350 S. Route 31, a quarter mile south of US Route 14. The general public is invited to attend the open house and the dedication ceremony. The new building contains a six lane, 37'/2 x 75 foot indoor swimming pool with two one- meter diving boards and adequate spectator space, two shower and locker rooms, pool storage, mechanical equip ment, electrical equipment and boiler rooms, general offices, offices for the executive director, physical director and swim instructors, a lounge, tote room, washrooms, and an exercise room. The building has over 21,000 square feet of space in the brick and concrete building. Youth and adults just began using the new building Monday, Oct. 22. Two McHenry women were taken to McHenry hospital by the rescue squad following a collision at the intersection of Route 120 and Ringwood- Draper road Tuesday af ternoon. Bonnie L. Miller of 2408 W. Manor lane and Jayne W Kalk of 5119 W. Maple Hill road, were treated and released at the hospital. Ms. Miller told officers she was east-bound on the highway and as she entered the in tersection, the Kalk auto pulled into her path and she was unable to avoid a collision Ms. Kalk was stopped at the sign on Draper road waiting for traffic to clear. As a west bound van neared the in tersection, she "inched out" with the intention of crossing the highway behind the van. However, she stated she misjudged the speed of the van and was left in the center of the intersection fron^ffie third ward and "they thbugb* this was o.k." Mrs. Stilling declared that merchants had collected between $1,800 and $2,100 to help purchase the land with the city. At that time, she said, it was agreed that this was to be free parking or "we would never have participated in the buying and selling of this property". Mrs. Stilling informed the Council that her group wanted a list of the donors, which alderman took care of the money that was collected and when the money was deposited in the city treasury. City Clerk Earl Walsh responded that he had given her copies of all transactions Monday which answered all her questions. However, he in formed her that the money had been put in an escrow account and that William Nye had handled the donations and deposited the funds. Walsh also read a list of merchants and their donations. To clarify the facts for City Attorney Bernard Narusis and new aldermen, Walsh ex plained that the city had pur chased the property from Albert and Mary Rita Stilling for $7,300. The city paid $5,500 and property owners donated $1,800 from the $2,200 they collected. After deductions, the actual amount paid Stillings was $7,217.50. Therefore, a balance of $482.50 still remains in escrow in the bank. Mrs. Stilling asked Attorney Narusis if merchants who entered into the purchase of a parcel of land with the city had any regulation over that property. Narusis asked if there had been a written agreement at the time, and she answered no. "If there was no such written agreement," Narusis advised, "then from a purely legal judgment, the city could use that property without any restrictions." Mrs. Stilling stressed that, "We are not pleased with what has happened with the in stallations of these parking meters." Alderman Harker replied, "The twelve meters were put up in the interest of fluidity - in and out shopper parking- compared to hours and hours of parking by individuals prone to take advantage of a situation like this." Mrs. Stilling still insisted that the Council review the matter again and that "we would like all the meters taken out". At this time, rWilliam Nye addressed the Council and commented, "It is extremely interesting to me that the person acting as spokesman for this group was the recipient of funds for this land and never a donor". Mrs. Stilling protested strongly and said she had donated. She added, "The price would have been higher if the property hadn't been for parking." Nye and Mrs. Stilling began to argue between themselves until Alderman Jerome Rogers interrupted and said the Council was not there to listen to a "personal argument between these two." Nye commented on Mrs. Stilling's contention that the parking lot was established mainly for owners and em ployees of that area He questioned whether the city would have purchased the land if it was to be used for owners and employees He felt it was done i to. furnis^ customer parking for that area. Alderman Rogers noted that he was on the Council at the time of the transaction and that it was needed for customer parking. He also pointed out that parking can best be con trolled by the installation of parking meters. Mrs Stilling interjected that the lot was also needed so that large semi trucks could get to the rear of the stores to make deliveries. Mrs. Verona Kent contended that her tenants had to park a block away She asked if names could be put up to reserve certain spaces. Mrs. Kent said she didn't know about the parking arrangements when she re-purchased Narusis informed her that when she purchased the land, she bought it with the restriction that the easement was with the city. The discussion came to an end when Alderman Harker suggested that the matter be referred to the Street and Sidwalks committee for further consideration and the Council agreed. At the last meeting. Alder man Jack Pepping, Chairman of the Parks committee, was authorized by Mayor Stanek to obtain information on snowmobile clubs and or dinances. Pepping contacted Sheriff Art Tyrrell regarding his ex perience with snowmobiles in the county. The Sheriff reported there was no county ordinance enacted. En forcement by his department is limited to provisions in the State of Illinois Snowmobile Safety act. He had no other g u i d e l i n e s r e g a r d i n g snowmobiles. The city of Richmond has an ordinance that relates to these vehicles but it is no more comprehensive than the state • statute v relating to snowmobiles. Pepping said Pepping read the state statute and suggested that it provided ample restrictions to allow use on trails in and around the city. (Continued on page 18) Set Dues Structure Chamber Of Commerce Makes Plans For Annual Election A nominating committee is busy obtaining names of prospective board members to be presented to the general membership of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce at the annual dinner meeting. It will be held Monday, Nov. 12, at Sasha's restaurant, Chapel Hill road, McHenry Cocktail hour is at 6:30 and dinner will be served at 7:30 The nominating committee includes Ann Zeller, Dave Benrud, Tom Wall, George Zinke and Bob Mortell. Nominations also will be ac cepted from the floor There are four vacancies to be filled. They are the board positions of Mortell, Mike Brown. Jim Lennon and Frank Klaus. The new board will select its officers, who will take office next Jan 1 A recommendation by the nominating committee to in crease the board membership by two will be acted upon prior to the general meeting. During the evening, there will be a revue of events which have occurred during the year, and plans for the future will be outlined. The Chamber has extended a very special invitation to all new business people in the area to attend Reservations may be made by calling the C. of C. office, 385-4300. A new dues structure has been announced. In the retail, professional and service category, dues start at $65 for one to five employees and run to $121.25 for thirty employees plus $1.50 for each one over thirty. Maximum dues will be $200." In the industrial class, the initial dues charged is $65 for one to five employees and $227.50 for more than 200. There is a maximum of $227.50. In the financial area, there is a charge of $5 per million dollars of assets, subject to a $350 maximum Ms. Kalk was ticketed for failure to observe yield right of- way sign. Robert E. Olson of 403 Emerald, McHenry, was in jured when the stake dump truck he was driving ran off the road, rolled over and came to rest on its wheels. The accident occurred Tuesday evening on River road, >4 mile north of Lake Defiance road, southeast of McHenry Olson was taken by the McHenry Rescue squad to McHenry hospital, where he was admitted for treatment Olson reported that he was north-bound on River road when for no apparent reason, the truck veeTfed to the left as he came around a curve The truck was left at the scene because a crane is needed to lift the motor welder and steel beams back onto the truck Daniel J. McNulty of 2004 N Woodlawn Park, McHenry. was (Continued on page 18) * C i t y B u i l d i n g Unit Praised The City of McHenry Building Department has been honored at an awards banquet held at the Regency Hyatt house. Lt. Gov. Neil Hartigan. shown at left, presented the plaque to Supt. of Public Works Fred J. Meyer. Standing at i iRht. is the president of the Home Builders association of Chicagoland. who sponsored the dinner. The plaque read. "In recognition of superiority in the administration and performance of its duties, the Building department of the City of McHenry is hereby designated Huildinu Department of the Year 197:1." U company ing Meyer to the awards banquet was his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Gerstad.