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

Dr. Elmer Thomas directs members of the Chicago Civic orchestra in concert at West campus as thousands of students listen with interest. STAFF PHOTOS- > WAYNE GAYLORD Mrnin' and Meanderin' The opportunity to hear good music performed by talented artists was afforded several thousands of young people recently in McHenry. It was a "first", and the response gave indication that some of the listeners may be at least partial converts to the Masters of Music. The occasion was Dr. Elmer Thomas' first visit of six scheduled this year in McHenry county. Dr. Thomas is the c o u n t y ' s c o n d u c t o r - i n - residence in a national pilot project which has just won the support of the National En­ dowment for the Arts in Washington, DC., a federal agency. Its support amounts to a $9,500 grant of endowment funds. A $5,000 grant from the Ill inois Arts council also has been given to the program. (Continued on page 7) VOLUME 99 NUMBER 70 FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975 18 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS Present School Concert By a vote of 6 to 1, th£ board of High School District 156 Tuesday night voted to approve second year contracts for a number of faculty members. The only negative vote for the mass approval was cast by Board President James Althoff. He explained that his op­ position was only to the ap­ proval of Raymond Mathis, teacher of Health at East campus. Mathis has been the center of controversy recently because of his teaching of a mini-course in obscenities and death. It was this fact that prompted Althoff 's vote. The board vote followed a discussion during executive session. The request by Supt. Richard Swantz for an increase of two and one-half teachers next year was denied by a vote of 4 to 2. The decision was made after considerable discussion. Swantz stated two reasons for the request. One is the need for more faculty members with the return to the traditional system in some areas of teaching. Under the modular system students do not attend all classes every day. The other < reason is that ' many West campus students are making requests for ad­ ditional courses. During the discission. Althoff pointed out that with the promise of late taxes, possibly not until September or October, it may cost District 156 as much as $50,000 to borrow money to meet cdrrent bills. The delay is the result of a Lake county law suit which affects some residents of District 156. Following more discussion, Phillip Bartmann made a motion that no additional staff members be employed r\ext year. This was seconded by James Tonyan. Both of them were joined by Althoff and Donald Arvidson in favoring the motion. Mrs. Alvary and Mrs. Joann Higgins voted against i t . Responsibili t ies and functions of the district 's non-certificated personnel were outlined during the,informational portion of the meeting. Spokesmen were William Dodds and Donald Seaton, principals of West and East campuses, respectively. Dodds employed a novel approach in presenting fic­ tional letters that might be received, asking why certain conditions existed in various areas of the school. The ad­ ministrator explained how the school is meeting specific problems through the em­ ployment of non-certificated employees. Both Dodds and Seaton in­ troduced members of their staffs. Seaton noted that most of the questions were covered by the West campus principal He introduced Roy Homo, who spoke briefly aboutn his responsibili ty as head of the custodial department at East Homo pointed out that numerous leaks make it necessary to replace the water softening unit (Continued on page 9) City Council Protest Unannounced Committee Meetings School Board President Only Dissenter In Teacher Vote Discussion Monday night on possible methods of financing a new city well and pump house evolved into a rather heated discussion between Alderman LaVerne Hromec and members of the City Council regarding regulations on holding open public meetings. Mrs. Hromec quoted from an opinion handed down by At­ torney General William J. Scott which stated that almost all meetings, without exception, involving governing bodies must be open to the public. Prior to any of these meetings, twenty-four hour notice must be given such as in a newspaper, when possible, or by posting a public notice on the building where the meeting is to be held. The discussion came about after Alderman William Bolger, chairman of the Sewer and Water committee, an­ nounced that the committee was in the process of making preparations to put the new city well into operation along with a pump house. The new well is located adjacent to Lakeland Shores property. „ Bolger said original estimates to put this well and building into operation were "astronomical". The com­ mittee asked Supt. Fred Meyer to seek ways to lower these costs. Meyer presented several estimates at a Sewer and Water committee meeting last Monday night However, (Continued on page 9) Fire Destroys West Shore Beach Home A small, one-story, frame home on Hillside, West Shore Beach, was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning. At noon, neither firemen nor neighbors were certain whether the oc­ cupants, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Sorensen and two small children, had escaped or were away when the blaze broke out. Keith Nelson, who resides in the area, noticed the blaze about 4 a.m. and turned in the alarm. Company I f iremen arrived on the scene to find the structure completely enveloped in flames. They remained on the scene until 7 a.m. A friend of the family, Mrs. Larry Nowak, noticed the fire when her husband returned from work in Chicago about 5 a.m. She immediately went to the home of Mr. Sorensen's parents, the Latours, in West Shore Beach, but found no one home. No cause for the blaze and no estimate of damage had been made by noon Kiwanians Sponsor Pancake Breakfast April Fool's day came late this year - one day late! And it wasn't funny for this Florida robin who found he had returned too early. The photographer captures his unhappy expression as he rests on the branch of a bush outside the Plaindealer office while snow flakes increase in number and site Wednesday afternoon. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD "Mother Goose On Parade" At Marine Festival Events "Mother Goose on Parade" is the theme for 1975 Marine Festival week events, to be climaxed by the Sunday, July 13, parade and Drum Corps Magic. That announcement was made at Tuesday's Chamber of Commerce. All events will focus on this theme, which offers a variety of opportunities for expression. The sidewalk sale and window contest are expected to bring forth some of the most colorful displays ever seen in local business areas. An innovation this year is a special category for mini- floats. The size and elaborate decorations of floats in recent years has often discouraged the small merchant. The new classification will allow business people who want to be File Condemnation Suit For Highway Condemnation proceedings were filed in Circuit court last week by Attorney General William J. Scott for the Department of Transportation in connection with authorized improvements designated for "Federal Aid (FA) Route 21" or State Route 120 from Greenwood and to Ringwood- Draper road west of McHenry. Listed on the "petit ion to condemn" were twenty-four property owners along Route 120. The suit contends that the Department of Transportation has "selected, approved, designated and authorized to be constructed and improved", Route 120 west of McHenry. However, compensation to be paid by the state lor the property necessary to complete this project cannot be agreed upon between the parties. The suit alleges that the State has not been able to obtain ti t le to said property by "purchase, (Continued on page 7) represented on a small scale to participate. The Retail committee an­ nounced that questionnaires are being circulated among retail merchants to determine what types of promotion they prefer. Marge Olszewski and Suzanne Wenks were an­ nounced as co-chairman of the Retail committee. Tickets are now available for the May 17 dinner dance. They may be purchased from board members or at the new C. of C. office, 3814 W. Elm street, in the First National bank building. The membership drive was reported progressing well toward the announced goal. The drive is expected to be completed by the end of April . Representing the city, Supt. of Public Works Fred Meyer said bids on the new bridge across the Fox river will be announced next November or December. It is hoped that abutments can be put in place during the winter months when no boats are on the river. Meyer also told board members that progress is being made on purchase of the parking lot in back of the McHenry Savings and Loan building. Suit Seeks To Remove Township Supervisors Two suits were filed in Cir cuit court Monday by McHenry County State 's Attorney William J Cowlin, seeking to remove McHenry County Board Members Walter J Dean and George Starr from their positions as township supervisors. In addition to his position as chairman of the County board, (Continued on page7) McHenry Man Injured When Car Hits Pole Robert A. Micheletto of (il6 Columbus, McHenry, was taken to McHenry hospital by a passerby after his car crashed into a util i ty pole Wednesday mornihg. Sheriff 's police said Micheletto was driving just east of 1308 W Rt. 120 at bet­ ween 25 and 30 miles an hour when the right wheel slid off the highway. In attempting to return, he lost control and his auto veered to the opposite lane, in the path of an oncoming semi-truck. Rather than collide with the other vehicle, Micheletto turned the wheel and his car left the road, striking a pole. Jon Duszynski of 3816 N. Pitzen road, McHenry, escaped injury when his car ran off the road and hit a tree about midnight Tuesday. According to sheriff 's police, Duszynski was east-bound on Mason Hill road, just west of Cherry Valley road southwest of McHenry. As he came into a curve, he applied his brakes and the car began to slide on the gravel and ran off the north side of the road, where it hit a tree. Nothing To Chirf) About ROBIN HARRIS CYNTHIA A. LESCHER MARINE FESTIVAL CANDIDATES - The first two entries in the Marine Festival queen contest are these two lovely young ladies. Robin Harris, 16, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hal ivt. Harris. In school, she is active in chorus and track and engages in the school work program. Her hobbies are drum corps, color guard, snowmobiling, tennis and bike riding. Cynthia's parents are John and Karen Lescher. She is a member of the (iirls Athletic association and is active in the Journalism program at school. Her hobbies are arts and crafts, bicycling, tennis, swimming and sewing. Cynthia is 17 years old. Forum The McHenry County Bicentennial com­ mission has voted to accept the League of Women Voters current project, "Private Property Rights Public- Rights," as the kickoff event for the Bicen­ tennial Calendar which is now being established Kickoff to log celebrations and programs occurring throughout the county The league recently received a grant from the Ill inois Humanities council to carry on this program which will include speakers on national, state and county levels to inform Tom Birmingham, left, and Rick Fowles are shown in the kitchen preparing for the annual pancake breakfast of the McHenry Kiwanis club. The pancake and sausage breakfast will be served Sunday, April 6, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Legion home. STAFf PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD VANDALISM When the Checker Gas station at 4407 Hi Point road, McHenry, opened for business last Thursday morning, it was discovered that someone had fired a small caliber weapon through one of the gasoline pumps sometime during the night. For Bicentennial the public of their rights with reference to land use. This forum will take place in three centers of population in McHenry county: April 7, Woodstock high school auditorium at 7:30 p.m., April 10, Crystal Lake high school auditorium, and April 16, McHenry West campus high school auditorium The commission also voted upon accepting Woodstock's spon­ sorship of "Abe Lin­ coln" portrayed by Richard Blake in a u n i q u e p r o g r a m (Continied on page 9) )