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15 0 THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER ' S E R V I N G T H E C H A I N - O - L A K E S R E G I O N S I N C E 1 8 7 5 15 VOLUME 99 NUMBER 4 FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1974 20 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS Debate Expenditure To Upgrade Legal Service A two-hour debate over recommendations of the Finance and Salaries committee report caused County Board Member George "Bill" Hubbard of Crystal Lake to ask, "Why are we doing committee work?" The discussion took place during the morning session of the August meeting of the County board Tuesday One resolution in question concerned commitment by the board to appropriate in its budget for the next fiscal year, a sum of money not to exceed $1,600 for the specific purpose of providing a portion of the matching funds required for the financing of the Illinois State's Attorneys Association State-wide Prosecutor's Appellate Assistance Service. Under the present arrangement, public defenders of McHenry county who are unsuccessful in pleading a case are represented by the state association in drawing up briefs for an appeal. As its share to carry out this service, the association is asking for the $1,600 from McHenry county, effective next December. After arguments were set forth that this would be a waste of taxpayers' money, State's Attorney Cowlin was called into the meeting to express his opinion. He pointed out that if lawyers outside the association were called upon to provide this service, it would cost considerably more. "This is all the association does and it is a good deal", he added. Another portion of the report recommended approval of an application for a grant entitled "Improvement of Public Defender's Services". This would start Nov 30 of this year and extend for one year, the county's share not to exceed $1,357 and calls for the transfer of $464,932.59 from the Revenue Sharing fund to the General fu^d Hubbard observed that better services "in one department calls for an upgrading in another He said there would be a need for more public defenders if the State's Attorney's office is improved. Richard Klemm of District 2 noted that the grant is for only one year. He commented, "I believe we should spend it because if we don't, some other governmental unit will". Hubbard then asserted that the county is only voting to approve a request for a grant, with ninety days for study and acceptance. At this point, Edward J. Buss of McHenry, who heads the Finance and Salaries committee, sputtered, "Not for one minute will I ask for another vote to accept a grant after ninety days. Either we ask for it today or not at all". When the vote finally took place at 11 o'clock in the morning, ^)0th parts were approved 15 to 4. Tom Huemann of McHenry was the only dissenter from McHenry. Willard J. Hogge, supervisor of assessments, addressed the board and presented a method of intra-county equalization of assessments for McHenry county. This plan was already presented to the township assessors at their meeting July 30. Hogge noted that the presentation of a method of equalization of assessments for McHenry county has been a major issue for some time His remarks concerned rules for valuing taxable property; sales ratio studies, 1973, and weighted averages listed by townships As the result of a recent meeting of the Committee of Local Improvements, supervisors and road commissioners from townships most affected by local improvements, four areas of possible cost reduction in special assessment road projects evolved. These included reducing from 22 feet to 18 feet the road surface requirements for low traffic roads built under the local improvement act; also performing engineering and legal work "in house". Another recommendation was the establishment by the state of a revolving fund to finance local improvement projects in order to eliminate huge bond discount fees of up to 20 per cent. The board approved a Transportation committee resolution designating the new road that connects Bull Valley with Idyll Dell road as an extension of the former and thus carrying the name Bull Valley road. Other action established at 50 miles per hour the speed limit on Bull Valley road, between Draper and Valley Hill road, about one and one-half miles in length. Approval was given to the report of the Sanitary Landfill committee concerning a letter of intent for a state engineering and implementation grant. Funds would be used for the landfill study in McHenry county. The board voted to employ Jos. Frett & Sons, McHenry, for remodeling of the church property which is used in conjunction with the new courthouse. The Frett bid of $32,155 was lowest of three submitted. Howard Ruth of Huntley was reappointed to serve on the McHenry County Public Building commission. McHenry township, with the greatest road mileage in the county, received an allotment of $2,951.37 from Motor Fuel tax paid into the state treasury during June. Nunda was second with $2,610.27. McHenry township has 74.57 miles and Nunda, 66.04 The sales tax for April was announced at $49,766 for the county. 1 Reduce District 15 Deficit In New Budget The board of Consolidated School District 15 is expected to act at the September meeting on a proposed budget presented to members Tuesday evening. The Education fund, by far the largest in the budget, lists an estimaied revenue for 1974- 75 of $2,961,423 and estimated expenses of $2,914,130. The operations surplus of $47,293 is expected to bring the fund's present deficit down from $309,000 to $261,707 by June 30 of next year. The 1974-75 anticipated revenue compares to $2,542,962 last year and expenditures in the year ahead compare to $2,467,245 last year. The board gave its approval to a transportation department report presented by Director Carl Ames. It called for immediate authorization of new bids for the 1975-76 school year because of the length of time necessary for orders of buses to be filled The district currently owns and operates twenty-five buses, three of which are held in reserve as spares. Four new ones have been authorized and budgeted for by the board. However, delivery is not anticipated prior to January of 1975. Nineteen buses have passed the Illinois State Safety Test and the remainder are scheduled for testing prior to the beginning of the school year. A discussion was held concerning the proposed joint agreement between the school district and city of McHenry for use of vacant land back of Edgebrook and Junior high schools for a recreational area. The agreement, in its present state, calls for the school district to prepare the site for park use, then lease it to the city for ten years at a cost of one dollar a year. The city would construct two tennis courts, with fencing, within the next year and two additional courts within five years. The public would have the right to use school parking facilities during non-school hours for park use. The agreement calls for the city to be responsible for normal operating and maintenance expenses and the cost of lawn care to be shared by the city and school district. The city's Park and Recreation committee would have control over use of the property, facilities to be available to all on a first-come, first-served basis. The school could use the courts for organized instruction and competition Additional recreational facilities could be provided at the discretion of the city, with consent of the school board. Many questions such as use of wash rooms, cost of insurance and supervision were voiced. These are expected to be settled at a future meeting of the city and school board committees. Mayor Stanek and Alderman Jack Pepping represented the City Council in the discussion. Elmer Boeldt was named principal of Landmark school and Larry Csajaghy was named associate principal of the Junior high. (Continued on page 16) Old Concept In Education C. Edward Erb, Jr., left, and Richard Aird explain the concepts of a learning center to be used in the new Fox Valley Christian school of McHenry. Musin' and Meanderin It was a week when history was made! Either the state lottery or the President's resignation would have been enough, but for both to occur within twenty-four hours provided a heyday for the news media The Governor had extended a personal invitation for us to be present on the Illinois State fairgrounds in Springfield to attend the inaugural drawing. He probably knew our faith in public officials had been shaken in recent years and wanted the press to see that things were on the up-and-up. We considered the long trip and weighed it against our investment of $1 in lottery tickets. The decision was to give up the promised lunch in the Dixieland jazz tent immediately following the program. We had that feeling-in-the- bones of all experienced losers, and the chance to meet a celebrity wasn't enough. After all, we get to see the Governor on television all the time. Consequently, we stayed on the job. Tension increased, and our news desk suddenly took on a new fascination for office personnel at 11 o'clock Thursday morning. At first we (Continued on page 16) The new Fox Valley Christian school will return to an old concept in education when it opens in McHenry Sept. 3 Richard Aird and C. Edward Erb, Jr., members of the school's guiding board, explain the old but new approach. Few children today have ever experienced attending a one- room country school, but a few parents and some grandparents have fond memories of such an experience. Drawing the best from traditional American education found in the one-room country school and combining this with the latest learning technological advances which (Continued on page 16) Success Lucky Day Ray Widhalm placed his boat for*1 sale in a Plaindealer classified ad last Friday. He sold it on the first call at 7 a.m. that morning and it was off the property by 7:30. Try one of our classified ads. City Adds Four To Police Department McHenry Center Registration For Heads tart Is Scheduled August 26-27 Registration for Headstart classes will be held Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 26 and 27, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. According to Headstart Director Lynda Markut, children from low income families or those receiving public aid are eligible for this program, which provides nursery school and other services to pre-schoolers. Parents are invited to come to the center, at the First United Methodist church, 3717 W Main, or call Ms. Markut at 385 3243. Classes will begin Tuesday, Sept. 17, and will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday through the year. A snack and hot lunch will be provided, and help with transportation will be arranged (Continued on page 16) A special City' Council meeting called by Mayor Joseph Stanek Wednesday night to "clear the air" on police department problems appeared to have achieved its purpose. What some feared might be an explosive meeting turned into an open, candid exchange of ideas and facts which indicated clearly to aldermen that the police department definitely is short on manpower. To alleviate the situation immediately. Alderman Jerome Rogers moved to increase the department by four men Alderman George Harker seconded the motion. After discussion, Alderman Edward Datz amended that motion to state that the Council hire two men now and an additional two men within three months. Alderman William Bolger seconded the amendment. They explained the purpose of the amendment was that city finances are strained at the present time due to the delay in receiving tax money. By hiring only two men immediately, it would help the financial situation On a roll call vote of the amendment, which according to rules of procedure must be voted on first, Bolger, Datz, Howard and Wegener voted ves. Harker, Hromec, Pepping and Rogers voted no Mayor Stanek was called upon to cast the tie-breaking vote and he said "yes. ". The amendment was approved, defeating Rogers' original motion. In other action, Mayor Stanek told aldermen he would follow their wishes and appoint a Police Advisory committee of three aldermen to handle grievances of the police department. This will probably be done at the next regular meeting, which is next Monday night. At the request of Officer James Molnar, spokesman for patrolmen on the department, Mayor Stanek agreed to set up (Continued on page 16) For Vice-President McHenry Man-On-The-Street Favors Goldwater 1 SUSAN MYERS McHenry "I would say Goldwater or I^ird because they're both conservatives" • WILLIAM P1NKONSLY McHenry "They've named a few already but I think/loldwater might make a good vice- president." DON JOHNSON Crystal Lake "At the present time I think Goldwater would be the best vice-president for the Republican party, no question about it. They need a little strength". DOROTHY BONATO McHenry "I really don't know who should be vice-president, but I hope it's not a woman" ROSEMARY MICHELS McHenry "I think maybe we need somebody old fashioned like Barry Goldwater to hold things together" BILL ANDREA Wonder Lake "I'm not really a Republican but Goldwater or Busch might be good I think Goldwater would be best because he's more of a go-getter" ELSIE WINKEL McHenry STLARTANDERSON McHenry "I haven't thought about it very much but I'd say Melvin Laird but definitely not Goldwater I don't like him '• personallv" • _ (STAFF PIIOTO WAYNE GAYLOKD "I would lik<* to see Melvin I>aird chosen just because he 's a good rnan"