Lease Building For Off-Campus School Vie For Prom Titles Assure Tax Equalization A total of 282 students will travel to Brown's Lake resort, Burlington, Wis., Saturday night, May 17, to attend the MCHS annual junior prom. The evening's activities include dinner, two dances,two movies, a buffet and breakfast. During intermission at 11 p.m. the new queen and king will be crowned by last year's title holders, Jan Bjorkman and Steve O'Halleran. Candidates were selected by a vote of the senior class, and from the twelve, the new king and queen will be chosen in a vote Friday at school. The name of the ruling pair will not be divulged until Saturday night. Candidates shown above, from left, are Annette Pintozzi, Ray Williams, Martha Rabbitt, Mark Afeld.Sandy Clark, John Heard, Beth Nell, George Hansen, Karen Biggs, Kevin Wynveen, Barb Virgens and Jerry Biederer. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD The McHenry County board voted Tuesday to have 1975 assessments equalized by the Board of Review if the variance between townships varies more than 5 per cent from a predetermined median level of assessments based on sales ratio studies for 1974 and other studies conducted by the Supervisor of Assessments office. Action was taken in spite of a protest by Member Cal Skin ner, Sr., of Crystal Lake, who read a report stating the courts have deemed that counties must have such equalization. Skinner was in favor of ac complishing it this year. Member George "BilF' Hubbard interjected his opinion that equalization doesn't make a fair tax. Skinner remained deter mined that the equalization be applied to the 1974 bills now in preparation. Some members, however, declared that this procedure at this late date would delay the bills from two to six weeks. Board Chairman Walter Dean of McHenry said he expected bills to be out by July 15, but another board member noted that it could be as late as Aug. 1. The delay for equalization, they said, could bring bills to taxpayers as late as Sep tember. Member Edward Buss of McHenry said he agreed with Skinner that equalization should take place, but asked that the resolution retain the wording that applies to the 1975 tax assessment. This motion passed When the vote was approved, Skinner said he had no con fidence this action would take place next year, since there had been promises in the past. Supervisor of Assessments Willard Hogge commented at this point that in 1974 the last books were sent out Oct. 22 and were received Dec. 20. All books are now in, except three, he continued, and there are 181 protests to be satisfied before May 31. All books, Hogge said, will be out in July. Because the tax process is ahead of schedule at this time, he said it will allow ample time for equalization next year. A report of the Committee of Local Improvements was acknowledged and placed on file, giving approval to proceed with road * improvements in Huemann's-Stilling's River- view subdivisions, McHenry, and Edgewood Acres, Crystal Lake. Recent meetings were held by committee members and residents of the subdivisions in regard to these special assessment projects. Future plans call for engineers to make an estimate of cost, followed by the spread of assessment by the assessing officer. After being filed in court and a hearing held, bids will be asked. No action was taken on the petition of Mineral Springs- Clement Lodge subdivisions because of the reaction of property owners attending the informal public meeting April 16. A letter has been sent ad vising property owners they have until July 1, 1975, to in dicate to the committee the desire for road improvements by special assessment. After that date the committee would require a new petition before proceeding with such an im provement in that area. Planned use of Revenue Sharing money was disclosed in a report given board members. It includes $65,000 for capital expenses and $360,809, operating maintenance, both for Public Safety. Also included were expenditures of $4,500 for Environmental Protection, capital, and $31,188 for operating expenses. The Public Safety items were $323,329, Sheriff's salary; $37,480, Public Defender's salary; $65,000 Sheriff autos. Environmental Protection included $31,188, salary of one technician, one sanitarian and one secretary, and $4,500, van for animal control. Member Thore Emricson expressed his opinion that it was not good to spend this money for Public Safety. "This is the last year for Revenue Sharing money," he continued. "What will be done next year to provide the same services when we can't afford the expenditure? I think the money should be used for a fixed asset". Edward Buss commented that if it had not been for Revenue Sharing money, the county deficit would have been $700,000 this year instead of $300,000. In response to complaints from neighbors on McCullom I^ake road that debris from the Worldwide Fireworks company explosion has not been cleaned up, the board said because of claims against the property, ownership has not beei. determined. Action was promised when the problem is resolved. Reports of remarks made to the Finance committee of the County board by the School Superintendents' organization of the county were distributed. They expressed the concern of the school districts for tax (Continued on page 16) MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1975 18 PAGES 15* VOLUME 99 NUMBER 82 THE McHenry county's Bicen tennial commission has been moving ahead in recent weeks to "catch up" with much of the nation. Us work promises to result in observances with significant meaning to every resident. Ringwood and McHenry residents are particularly proud that the official insignia was created by Jim Pearson, Ringwood artist who is a member of the twenty-five member commission. The design incorporates a Revolutionary War figure within a circle that carries the name of the commission at the top and the words Agriculture, Industry, Business, at the bottom. Thirteen stars adorn the outer circle of the log. The design is being printed in red, white and blue for use in county bicentennial literature, stationery and presentations as a singular mark to call at tention to this historic period. Committees working within the commission include Finance and Fund Raising, Clear May 5 Burglary With Arrest Of McHenry Youth Communications, Heritage '76, Festval and Horizon '76. The Heritage '76 committee will be responsible for historic programs, pageants, educational programs, restoration and preservation of historic sites and buildings, marking of historic sites and buildings, special exhibits in museums and libraries and projects reminding citizens of the American revolutionary heritage. The Festival committee will handle art and cultural programs, fairs and exhibits, and travel and tourist at tractions. The Horizon '76 group will be responsible for community goals program to examine needs and priorities for com munity action in such areas as environment, beautification and transportation. A member of the Com munications committee has been compiling a list of events that will have a tie-in with the (Continued on page 16) Gary Gabriel, 19, of 2809 S. Tower drive, McHenry, was arrested for burglary and theft over $150. His bond was set at $5,000 and he has been ordered to appear in court May 20. His two juvenile accomplices in the burglary ^ere taken into custody for ̂ hfeir participation in the offense and were Speech, Drama Contest In City School May 17 Thfe M.A.E.C. (McHenry Area Educational Cooperative) speech and drama contest will be held Saturday, May 17, at McHenry Junior high school, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Four area junior high schools par ticipating are McHenry Junior high, Parkland, Harrison and Johnsburg. Sponsors from the individual schools are Fred Kusch and Debbie Grennan, McHenry; Leslie Schubert and Jeannie Ludwig, Parkland; Dawn Trettin and Peggy Waelchil, Harrison and Louise Worzala, Johnsburg Categories in which com- (Continued on page 16) Motorcyclist Badly Injured In Accident Richard A. Libby of 2609 W. Emerald court, McHenry, was seriously injured in a motor- Educational Foundation In Annual Meeting May 19 WILLIAM HORNE The McHenry County Educational Foundation has announced the date for its annual meeting as May 19 at 8 p.m. in Room A130 at the McHenry County college in Crystal Lake. The Foundation hopes that all present members will be there, and the general public is also invited to attend and become members. The Foundation has been active in McHenry county since 1966, when it was formed to assist in the establishment of a community college and to provide assistance for in creased educational benefits for all citizens of the county. This has now become a reality and the new campus of McHenry County college is presently under construction with complete occupancy scheduled for 1976. William Home, recently appointed executive director, states, "With the new campus now well under way to com pletion, the need of the Foun dation for a strong membership and substantial support from the community is even more important now than in the past. Our goals for this year are to finance construction of a greenhouse for the new Science building, to continue support for purchase of vocational equipment, and to establish a continuing scholarship fund for deserving and needy students in our county." Two Kinds Of Flowers Poppies Honor War Dead Each year, prior to Memorial day, millions of Americans wear little red poppies in memory of those men who died in Flanders field and throughout World Wars I, II, Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The "Buddy" Poppy is of fered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the "Memorial" Poppy is offered by the American Legion. All through the winter months, these bright red flowers are manufac tured by disabled veterans in hospitals ail over the country. The poppy was first chosen as the nation's flower to be worn in memory of the men who lost their lives in World War I. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was the first organization to promote a nation-wide sale of poppies made by disabled and needy veterans. To sub stantiate this claim, the following chronological and documentary in formation is briefly outlined: In 1921, the Franco- American Children's league conducted a nation-wide sale of Poppies made in ((Continued on page 16) I cycle accident which occurred Monday afternoon about 3:45 on Elm street at the west end of the Boone Creek bridge. He was taken to McHenry hospital by the rescue squad. Hospital officials reported Wednesday that he was in satisfactory condition. Libby told city police he tried to pass a line of cars by going through the parking lane. As he neared the bridge, he was unable to get into the line of traffic, hit the curb and was thrown into the east-bound traffic lanes. He said the handle bars on the motorcycle came loose, causing him to lose control of his machine. A three-car collision Monday evening at the corner of Ringwood and Spring Grove roads resulted in a ticket being issued to Richard Ort of 46 N. Lake, Fox Lake. He was cited for failure to yield at a stop or yield intersection. Five-month-old Kristin Erickson was taken to McHenry hospital by the Johnsburg Rescue squad following the collision. She was a passenger in a car driven by Bruce Erickson of 1708 Oak street, Spring Grove. According to the report, as Erickson approached the in tersection, Ort pulled away from the corner of Ringwood road and was hit by Erickson s auto. Following impact, Ort's car hit an auto driven by Arlos Patrizzi of Kenosha, Wis., which was stopped at the sign on Ringwood road. Michael D. Hinger of 1615 N. Woodlawn park, McHenry, was "ticketed by sheriff's police for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident following a one-car accident Monday morning about 8 o'clock. According to police, Hinger (Continued on page 16) referred to juvenile authorities. The arrests were made when county detectives were in vestigating the burglary of DeMar Marine Service at 1604 W. Jones avenue, Griswold Lake, McHenry, which oc curred May 5. Information was developed which led to the • identity of Gabriel and two juveniles. A large quantity of tools had been taken in the burglary and detectives learned that some of the tools had been sold to another per son. The tools were recovered and the arrests followed. While investigating a burglary at the home of Walter Tynis, 1207 Sunset drive, McHenry, which occurred May 9, detectives determined that the two juveniles who par ticipated in the DeMar Marine Service burglary were also responsible for entry to the Tynis home. A pistol and ammunition had been taken from the premises. The two juveniles were handed over to juvenile authorities in con nection with this burglary also. Last Saturday, Edward Skorczewski of 1612 River Terrace, McHenry, reported that his summer home had been entered sometime during (Continued on page 16) At Tuesday's School District 15 meeting, action was taken to enter into a rental lease agreement with District 156 for use of the lower level of the white house kindergarten building on Waukegan street at a monthly rate of $300. The high school will use the building as it starts an off-campus alter native school next fall. This school will have an enrollment of twenty-five students who have either dropped out of school or have been identified as dropout- prone. Clyde Leonard, assistant administrator of Peoples school, No. 1, Seattle, Wash., has been employed as director- teacher. In addition to the MCC Graduation Planned May 20 McHenry County college's graduation ceremonies will be held in the Crystal Lake high school auditorium Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. The 151 graduation can didates from August, 1974, December, 1974, and May, 1975, will be addressed by fellow graduates Dorothy Hodgson and Kurt Habbley. Mrs. Hodgson, Crystal Lake, will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing and Habbley will receive an Associate of Science degree. director-teacher, the school will be staffed by a second full time teacher and a full time aide. People's School No. 1 is one of the most widely publicized dropout schools in the nation. The program offered in the school will be academically comparable to the programs presently offered in District 156. Participating students will work toward a diploma recognized by District 156, the State of Illinois and the North Central association. A citizens' committee initiated the idea and outlined the program of the Alternative school. It is funded by the Continental Bank of Chicago, with quarterly reports made to assess program development and success. The daily program is ex pected to provide an op portunity for citizens to serve as teachers, aides or observers. Announcement was made that for the second consecutive year the Capital Development board of the state has approved the District 15 Debt Service grant application. School districts with outstanding bonded indebtedness incurred for capital improvement between Jan. 1,1969, and Oct. 1, 1973, were eligible to make application. The grant, approved April 29, was in the amount of $76,536.96 and provides for the abatement of the Bond and Interest fund tax levy by about .09 cents. The effect is that each tax bill for 1974 which will be mailed out in the next few months will again reflect a similar reduction in the rate for District 15 and therefore a savings to each taxpayer. This is the third year the board has been able to reduce rates on individual funds. The board heard a proposal of the Eberling Alarm Corp., to (Continued on page 16) Set Deadlines Ahead Memorial Day Week The Plaindealer will observe Memorial day Monday, May 26, when the office will be closed. In order to publish on Wednesday that week, deadlines will be set ahead for the first issue. General news and display advertising will be accepted until noon Friday, May 23. Classified advertising may be submitted until 4 p.m. Friday. Neighborhood correspondents must have their columns in the office Thursday noon next week. Observe Poppy Day May 17 Preparing for Poppy Day '75 are members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts and their auxiliary units. Sale of the red poppies will be held Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mayor Joseph Stanek contributes to the container of Ua Hogan, right, V.F.W. Auxiliary Poppy co-chairman. Others, from left, are Lloyd T. Wehrheim, Poppy chairman for the Legion; Dorothy Messer, chairman for the Legion auxiliary; Clifford "Ty" Behrens, commander of Legion Post 491; Terry Amore, V.F.W. Poppy chairman; and Renee Jende, V.F.W. auxiliary Poppy chairman. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD