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VOLUME 98 NUMBER 55 - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1974 . 20 PAGES & ONE SUPPLEMENT _ ' • v / If- . ̂ 7 • - / j «< • ' lp#. vr' : •v ^ ^ - . .. : V".-v . » ' - O * %•. ' ' • - , . «H5f V»Mc ' 5* 0 THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER W "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 Assessors Take Office; Discuss Procedures Testimonial plaque*, awarded in recognition of ten-year service to McHenry hospital, were presented to three employees at the hospital's annual meeting Feb. 2. Shown accepting the plaques from LeRoy E. Olsen, president of the hospital board of directors, are, from left, Rose Miller, R.N., Marie Cicchini, L.P.N., and Lois Rakushin.. Mrs. MUler and Mrs. Cicchini are on the nursing staff; Mrs. Rakushin is a patient representative. "When McHenry hospital relocates to the planned Nor­ thern Illinois Medical center on Route 31 and Bull Valley road, its present facilities will be dedicated to serving the unmet needs of this area - such as geriatric, psychiatric, alcoholic and rehabilitative care; health information; day care and services for the chronically ill; and enlarged facilities for Mental Health and Family Services." These "goals to which the McHenry Hospital board is committed," were disclosed by LeRoy E. Olsen, president of the hospital's board of direc­ tors, at the hosDital cor­ poration's annual meeting Feb. 2. Stressing that the hospital has been participating fully since their inception with such programs as "Meals on Wheels" and such in­ formational services as diabetic counseling, Olsen pointed out that psychiatric patients must still go 30 to 40 miles for inpatient care and that alcoholism is a com­ paratively untreated illness, due to lack of facilities. " A l t h o u g h p h y s i c a l rehabilitation is carried out on both an inpatient and out patient basis, the area needs enlarged facilities whjch will It was Wednesday morning - blustery, with the impact of an old fashion winter, and we were walking. Not because gas stations were closed (which most were) but because of high drifts that discouraged any attempt to back out of the driveway. Even the morning newspaper hadn't made its way to the door at the usual time, but that was just as well. We could hardly anticipate news any brighter than the day, for that isn't how news is made these days. Then we opened our mail and one of the letters was especially heartwarming. It was a copy erf a letter written by Kenosha, Wis., residents to Principal Robert Swartzloff of West campus. It's the kind of letter that should be shared: "Dear Sir: „„ "This noon my husband and I serve both physical therapy and speech therapy," he remarked. "In addition, our region should have improved informational services for coronary, diabetic and obese patients, as well as facilities for extended care of the chronically ill." Citing the population growth in McHenry hospital's primary - (Continued on page 18) Sib Whiting, McHenry township assessor, was reelected secretary-treasurer of the McHenry County Assessors association at the recent election meeting held in the Dorr township office. Heading the organization is William Gieselman of Greenwood township, elected president, and Henry Freeman, Hebron township, vice- president. Assessment procedures were discussed for the coming year. Among them were the dual assessments on agricultural land for the year of 1974. This is the first year there have been dual assessments on land. There was much discussion on the subject and it was decided not to take a definite action until more information is ob­ tained. The level of assessment for 1974 was also discussed, with a decision to keep the same level as 1971. Further discussion on these subjects will be held at the next regular meeting of the association. Set Priorities School District 15 Votes > • For New Multi-Year Study were eating our lunch at one of our MacDonald drive-ins here in Kenosha and while we were eating, a busload of students from McHenry high school drove up. "Sir, they conducted themselves like perfect ladies and gentlemen. I believe they and their teacher (a nice looking young blond gen­ tleman) are both to be com­ mended and you should feel very proud. They drove in, stood in line for their food, ate, and were back on the bus without any effdft or com­ motion. "We are parents of junior high and. high school children and we both know that there are mostly very nice kids in this world today but don't feel that they are commended enough for being so. You mostly hear of the bad ones. (Continued on page 18) Acting on a suggestion by a member of the Consolidated School District 15 board, the membership Tuesday ap­ proved a multi-year study which includes projections of revenue and expenditures. The board plans to review and revise the study annually, based on conditions that are current. Break-ins, Vandalism ; Under Investigation anything was taken until the owners return home to take inventory. Deputies were called Saturday to investigate van­ dalism at the Hidden Valley Ski center, Route 12 and Wilmot road, Spring Grove. In recent days, someone entered the property and disassembled a trail bike, smashed windows and broke into a storage trailer. Investigation is continuing. Friday night, windows at McCauley Bros. Sheet Metal shop at 3008 W. Route 120, McHenry, were broken. It was not determined what weapon was used. Walter Coari of 1312 W. River Terrace, McHenry, reported that his garage had been en­ tered sometime over the weekend and tools were taken from the premises. Missing were an electric drill, two saws and an industrial drill. All the equipment was in cases. The home of Beau Fidler at 1423 N. River road, McHenry, was entered Friday night. A friend who has been watching the home while the owners are on vacation, discovered that the door had been pried open. Although there was evidence the home had been entered, it cannot be determined if The order of priorities sub­ mitted by the board Planning committee was as follows: 1- Provide salary increases; 2- Elimination of Accumulated Deficit; 3--Program im­ provement; 4-Building Im­ provement; 5--To pre-buy property and equipment for future use. A hope was expressed that it will be possible to restore some programs in which there have been reductions in the last two years. » I t w a s m e m b e r L e s t e r S m i t h who commented that large businesses operate on long range program. He asked, "Why not the schools?" More details on the program will be published at a later date. The board learned that a grant asking for Spanish materials for use in the school had been approved for the implementation of a bilingual- bicultural program to meet the needs of certain pupils. The Office of the Superintendent of (Continued on page 18) Student Back From Year Abroad Ron Ahlberg returned home recently after a year under the Americans Abroad program of American Field Service. With him he brought hot only the usual student memories but exciting recollections of thev revolution and overthrow of the" country's government. Ron left McHenry in February of 1973 for Chile, firm in the belief that he would return to complete a half year of high school at West campus and then embark on college studies in History. After a year of study abroad, the young man is less sure of his major. He is Ron Ahlberg is \ pictured holding his diploma from school in Chile. On the table nearby are gifts broughUiome for members of his family. They include two mantas (ponHos), a tablecloth made by his adopted Chilean mother, two copper plates, a bottle of wine sent to his father, an Indian horn, a pigskin belt and a pencil holder in the shape of a hauso (cowboy). STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD now including as other possibilities, Political Science and Spanish. During much of the year he lived with the Eduardo Retamol family in San Ber­ nardo. The father of the family is a lieutenant colonel with the police force, the mother works for the postal service. The family also includes a son, Victor, 19, and a daughter, Marisol, 17, a finalist in the AFS program tfho may be studying in the United States this next year. There were several weeks last September, during the overthrow of the government, when all communications were interrupted, "niese were anxious moments in the Phillip Ahlberg home at 1113 N. Fourth street when weeks went by without word from their son. Although he was some distance from the Capitol, Ron recalls while visiting friends away from San Bernardo, there was the constant sound of fire bombs. Through local newspapers and radio he learned details of the aerial (Continued on page 18) Serve Unmet Needs Plans At Annual Meet LaVerne Hromec Becomes Commlss<oner *6s'?ns First McHenry Alderman Polling almost half the votes cast in last Tuesday's alder- manic election in the city's fourth ward, Mrs. LaVerne Hromec was swept into office. She succeeds her husband. Frank, who recently resigned. Mrs. Hromec, who in being elected becomes McHenry's first woman on the Council, received tile support of 226 voters. In second place was Ronald H. Meurer with 110. Other candidates were Lloyd E. Wagner with 44 votes; Edward M. Druml, Sr., with 40; Ronald R. Nystrom with 19 and Ernest D. Schooley, 17. There were 456 votes cast. Because the city has no per­ manent registration, it is not known the exact number of eligible voters. However, there were 686 votes cast in last spring's mayoral election. Mrs. Hromec will officially be sworn in by City Cleric Earl City Council Petitions For Zoning Amendments LaVERNE HROMEC R. Walsh at a special Council meeting next Monday. Newly elected members of the McHenry Hospital board of directors looked over the annual report of the McHenry Hospital corporation at the organization's recent annual meeting. Seated, from left, are Dean C. Qunat of McHenry and Iver R. Johnson of Crystal Lake. Standing, from left, are M. David Cain, Mrs. John Kdsey of the auxiliary, and G. Sherman Porter, M.D., of the Medical-Dental staff. Mrs. Kelsey was reelected to represent the auxiliary; all others are new to the board. Blame 9-Inch Rise In . . . Fox River To Ice Jam With a nine-inch rise Wed­ nesday, in the level of the Fox river above the locks, in a short period of time, members of the McHenry County Civil Defense department are keeping a watchful eye. * Hal Baker, public ,Jn- fonwatlon officer, said sday morning >that engineers feel this rapid rise was due to an ice jam that formed somewhere along the river. The water is now in the process of passing through the rest of the county. "There was a 7-inch rise in the area below the dam at McHenry", Baker informed. "Some families have been forced to evacuate this area. Chi Thursday morning, Civil Defense had communications with men in the field checking the area. A staff of two or three work at the courthouse Civil Defense office handling calls. "It's only a guess", said Baker, "but we think the level may rise another 2 or 3 inches". Baker emphasized that the ice jam is a concentration of water in one area, unlike flood conditions suoh as existed last string. The high level of water aU year only adds to the problem. At Monday night's City Council meeting, City Attorney Bernard Narusis was authorized by the Council to file a petition with the Zoning Board of Appeals recom­ mending that the following general amendments be made to the city zoning ordinance: 1. That required lot area for all multiple dwellings, apart­ ments and row dwellings of more than two units as well as for efficiency units be changed to 2,500 square feet per dwelling unit regardless of the number of bedrooms in such units. : , 2. That minimum off-street parking requirements for apartments in all zoning districts be changed to two parking spaces for each apartment dwelling unit. 3. That provisions relating to apartment uses above or below the main floor of buildings in B- 1 and B-3 zoning districts be amended so as to restrict such apartment uses to only one floor above or below the main floor of such buildings. 4. That a new and separate zoning district classification be established whose per­ mitted use would include condominiums and similar multiple-dwelling resliehtial uses which employ the concept of individually or separately owned dwelling units. Also that the lot area per dwelling unit be restricted to 3,500 square feet per living unit and that the Zoning board recommend such other restrictions and requirements concerning lot areas and coverage of lot and o f f - s t r e e t p a r k i n g requirements as the board might deem appropriate. 5. That the definition of "Home Occupation" as con­ tained in the present zoning ordinance be changed by specifying therein the kind of home occupations that may be permitted or prohibited in residential districts so as to permit only those occupations which are customarily in­ cidental to the use of the premises as a dwelling. 6. That all height restrictions be reinstated or that the Zoning board consider and recommend such height restrictions as it deems appropriate. 7. That the provisions of the zoning ordinance relating to the permitted location of a taxi cab operation be clarified and that such use be expressly restricted to B-1, B-2, B-3 or B-4 district. "< •• • 8. That the filing fee be in­ creased and that the expense of publishing any and all notices relating to applications for variations, amendments or special uses be paid by the applicant to the City Clerk before the first hearing date. The Zoning board is requested to hold a hearing on these recommendations and report back to the Council on their findings. Mayor Joseph Stanek read a letter of resignation from Lawrence J. Huck, Jr., a member of the Police Com­ mission board. Huck stated his time was limited due to in­ creased duties of his job. His resignation was accepted by the Council effective Feb. 4, 1974, to meet Huck's request. Other members of the Police Commission board are Jack Oakford and Earl Murray. Oakford's appointment expires this Spring. Fortuno Tirado, owner of Lucky Cab, addressed the Council to request that taxi stands be established in business districts throughout the city. The main purpose of these stands would be to discharge passengers without obstructing traffic. Consideration of his request was turned over to the Street (Continued on page 18) SCHOOLCLOSED No classes will be held at McHenry County college Tuesday, Feb. 12. The ad­ ministrative offices will also be closed in observation of 'Lin­ coln's birthday. Classes will resume at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13.