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SECTION ^^ACES- PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 8.1976 EDITORIALS TheG'".?L Equality Too Many Santas We are now descending into another promotional and commercial Christmas season. The principle ecclesiastical observance of the year has become, also, the business bonanza of the year. It's probably hopeless to recommend that the over- commercialism of Christmas be ended. The horse is out of the barn Santa-baby is big business here to stay. Yet one can hope for a bit more elegance among the growing number of Santas seen in stores and on the streets. Last year the crop seemed especially moth-eaten and emaciated (perhaps it was the recession). Would it be too much to expect hired Santas to look reasonably healthy, happy and well-dressed? Must the business world inflict specimens on children? Idealistic Nonsense A federal judge recently ruled-as requested by those who brought suit--that commercial television's family hour policy was unconstitutional because it limited crime, violence and sex before 9 p.m. Those bringing suit had vested interests because many of these producers and others found their shows and films barred until 9 p.m. They want the "freedom" to invade every American home with sex. violence and sadism in the hours when children are likely to be watching television. They hailed the decision as a great victory for individual freedom! The judge based his ruling partly on the claim that the Federal Communications Commission had put undue pressure on the networks to clean up its shows during the early hours. But the networks are not complaining; in fact, they say they will continue to observe the family hour. It seems likely the ruling will be overturned by a higher court, since the public welfare is involved. Also, the FCC's authority over the powerful networks has been described as more of a joke than anything else. The networks adopted the family hour policy because the public was becoming increasingly outraged at the crime, violence, sex and sadism shown in early evening hours. The FCC acted only after public reaction became strong, and, if the action was typical of FCC policy in the past, probably inconvenienced the networks as little as possible with the weakest of reforms possible, so as to appear as if it were guarding the public interest. That realization alone makes the recent decision in California more idealistic than practical. Building Permits (City of McHenry) The following building permits were issued by the city of McHenry during the month of November: Robert Young, 4901 Rt. 120, sign. March builders, 1716 Park lane, unfinished lower level. John Plutshack, 1503, Ramble, finished lower level. School District 156,4613 Front Royal, single family dwelling. Richard Hignight, 715 N. Lillian, aluminum siding. Mary Adams, 5006 Oakwood drive, single family dwelling. Carl R. Weiss, 4611 Front Royal, single family dwelling. Theodore A. D'Lugosz, 3925 W. Main street, fence. Carl R. Johnson 4019 Grove avenue, single family dwelling. James Griffin Jr., 1405 N. Oakwood court, remodeling garage. Robino-Ladd, 5010 Bromley drive, single family dwelling. Bjorkman's Ace hardware, 3729 Elm street, retail store. Robert R. Manthey, 5004 Bromley, fence. Paul R. Reed, 5121 Willow, storage. William Zujewski, 710 Logan, fence. Dean and Lynette Konieczka, 1703 Meadow lane, sewer. Fred Street, 4519 Shore drive, fence. W. Stewart, 4809 Homo avenue, aluminum siding. Casey Proctor Mang. corporation, 1902 Roger avenue, single family dwelling. O.A.K. and Associates, incorporated, 4916 Oakwood drive, single family dwelling. Robino-Ladd, 4904 W. Dartmoor, single faimily dwelling. Agnes Sislo, 1213 N. 3rd street, sign. A.S. Blake (McHenry Auto parts), 3318 W. Pearl street, sign. Raymond Olszewski, 3923 W. Main street, rear porch. Edward Wolo6zynski, 500 Stratfort court, stair ramp. Raymond A. Kick, 1721 Knoll avenue, lawn shed. Jack Torshes, 4611 W. Rt. 120, sewer. Jerome Buch Jr., 801 Mill street, roof. George Ahlert, 5110-12 W. Rt. 120, commercial. Lane Hagen, 4310 W. Shore drive, garage. Robert Steckroth, 4301 Crystal Lake road, fence. Charles Sadler, 5307 W. Home street, sewer. Fair Oak builders, 1708 Meadow, single family dwelling. Brittany builders, 5504 Sherman drive, single family dwelling. Brittany builders, 5512 Sherman drive, single family dwelling. Brittany builders, 5424 Sherman drive, single family dwelling. Brittany builders, 5517 Sherman drive, single family dwelling. Brittany builders, 5505 Sherman drive, single family dwelling. Birttany builders, 5509 Sherman drive, single family dwelling. Gary L. Ricker, 3511 Shepherd Hill, single family dwelling. William Anderson, 1711 Knoll, garage. instant Replay McHenry Area ? * * * * * * * * » * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * J KNOW YOUR AREA-ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST j Do You Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO O U R A R E A ! ! ! ! ! ! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 % KOYAI wncom I Tiny Tim It Dead ^ By Bill Kiser At the risk of committing literary heresy, I submit that Tiny Tim is dead and should be buried. Although Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol" is a treasured piece of Christmas literature,, his depiction of Bob Cratchit's handicapped son is outdated and perhaps dangerous. As I have been handicapped since birth and was carried in my parent's arms for years, I am acutely aware that people still hold the Tiny Tim concept of a handicapped child. Unfortuantely they often fail to discard it when the child grows up. Certainly, Dickens described human concern when he gave Scrooge his post-Christmas impulse to provide Tiny Tim the best medical treatment of that day. Because people were unable to understand me as a child, they assumed that I was as cheery and optimistic as Tiny Tim. Few, perhaps, have ever thought of Tiny Tim having a temper tantrum or fighting with his brothers and sisters. He has become a symbol of innocence. It has been my experience that it is impossible for a handicapped child to meet others' Tiny Tim expectations. I undoubtedly benefited from these misconceptions. When people took my purity and innocence for granted I got by with things that other children were unable to. For example, when Mother taught me at home and tested me on what I had learned, I found that I could cheat by watching her facial expressions. If I got the wrong signal, I could change my answer. What would have happened to Tiny Tim if Dickens had allowed him to grow up? When he reached puberty would his parents have realized that their little boy was growing up like their other Business Leaders Speak State Economic Outlook The economy of Illinois and the nation will experience moderate, steady growth in 1977. That was the consensus of key business leaders from all parts of the state, according to Lester W. Brann, Jr., president of the 19,000-member Illinois State Chamber oliCommerce. In announcing'Sbsults of a poll of the State Chamber's 69- member board of directors, Brann reported "general agreement that 1977 will be a year of modest growth and continued economic recovery, although no major upswing is seen." Added Brann: "Despite uncertainties caused by in­ flation, Illinois' business outlook - and that of several key industries here - is en­ couraging. Brann said the survey respondents represent a cross- section of the state's economy. The board members represent large and small companies in all types of commerce and industry from all parts of the state. "Capital spending will rebound significantly, a stable economy will restore consumer confidence, with increases expected in savings, sales, incomes, employment and housing starts," Brann pointed out. "While no boom is in the cards, we see a definite con* tinued uptrend for most in­ dicators, a strengthened growth rate of about 5 percent, and generally good times overall." Representative comments received in the survey from throughout the state include Amos E. Buettell, president, Crown Industrial Products company, Hebron, and ISCC fejiaiphian of the board: While our industry has a fair amount of autonomy, legislative issues have a great deal to do with the economic outlook for 1977. If the conservative policies of the Ford administration are carried through and we have additional conservative legislation on the state level, I believe we will see a healthy stairstep of growth through 1977, with very little in­ flationary pressures on prices. However, if we have liberal- oriented leaders on the state and national level, we can expect to see prices for both labor and material continue to escalate. While in the short term, this may make the first and second quarter of 1977 look good, there will be a great deal of inflation which will lead to a fourth quarter tailing off and a significant downturn in 1978. ************************* Are You New In i PUBLIC PULSE (The Plaindealer invites the public to use this co­ lumn as an expression of their views on subjects of general interest in our co­ mmunity. Our only request is that the writers give - signature, full address and phone number. We ask too, that one individual not write on the same subject more than once each month. We reserve the right to delete any material which we con­ sider libelous or in objec- tional taste.) HIT-AND-RUN "Editor. "Too many drivers involved in hit and run accidents go through life unpunished by law, for their disregard of others' lives. Thousands of drivers every year have accidents (risking their own life) just to avoid hitting a dog, rabbit or even a tiny chipmunk that may run into the path of their car. "Then there are some so- called human beings, who can run down a young adult and not even bother to stop to see if he was killed or injured. "How any person can drive at night without having headlights on, go off the road, hit a young adult and even see him lying on the hood of his car and then still keep right on driving until the boy falls to the ground, not even caring whether he is dead or alive, is beyond com­ prehension. This person must be totally without conscience, not even to care for the lives of others. Granted, the driver must have known if he had stopped and gone for help for the boy he hit, he probably would be punished by law. But on the other hand, this person might figure if he just drives away, he only has half a chance that the *one who witnessed the accident ^ould identify the car and possibly the license number. "Thank God, in this par­ ticular case the boy wasn't killed, but the pain, suffering and the fear will always be with him Also, the one thing that will always remain in his mind is knowing that the person who caused his suffering didn't even care what happened to him. "Many people go unpunished for these particular accidents because of lack of evidence, but if they do have j^iy conscience at all. just knowing what they did might be punishment enough! "Carol Justen" TAX DOLLARS AT HOME "To The Editor: "The Section 8 housing program originated with the 1974 Housing and Community Development act. It replaces many previous housing programs and is definitely superior to those programs. Basically, the Section 8 program provides a subsidy that enables a family to pay 25 percent of their income for rental costs. "The Section 8 Existing Housing program is usually administered by a local Housing Authority as is the case in McHenry county. The McHenry County Housing Authority received an, allocation for 100 units of existing housing subsidy in 1976. Forty-five of these units are for the elderly and 55 for non-elderly families. Our contract with HUD for these 100 units provides $303,444 per year for five years. This includes not only the rent subsidies, but also sufficient funds to properly administer the program. "Under the existing housing program, participants may rent (home owners are not included in the program) only rental units within McHenry county which meets Federal Housing quality standards. The income limit for participation in the program is 80 percent of median family income for McHenry county. Thirty percent of the participants must have very low incomes which is 50 percent of median family income. At this time it appears that approximately 90 percent of the people who have applied for this rent assistance in McHenry county are in the very low income category. Sources of income of all ap­ plicants will be verified before they are accepted into the program. "With one basic exception, the Section 8 New Construction program is about the same as the existing housing program in that participants pay 25 percent of their income for rental costs. The difference is that the developer signs a contract directly with HUD for this subsidy before he begins construction. Usually only 20 percent of the units of a development will receive this subsidy. "In 1976, $407,000 of Section 8 funds were originally allocated to McHenry county. The HUD area office allocation plan estimated that a total of eighty- five units of New Construction or 178 existing units could be developed if the entire allocation of $407,000 of Section 8 funds for McHenry county were used for either program. This number was later drastically cut to twenty-two units of existing housing. The McHenry County Housing Authority strenuously objected to these cuts and to the small number of units allocated to McHenry county. No New Construction proposals were submitted by McHenry county developers for Section 8 funds and ultimately, McHenry county received an invitation to submit an application for 100 units of existing housing to be funded at the $303,444 level for each of the next five years. "Although we have not been officially notified as of this date, we understand that the HUD area office allocation for 1977 is seventy-four units of existing or forty-two units of new construction. This allocation for 1977, on top of the 100 unit allocation we finally received for 1976, will still not enable the Housing Authority to meet the approximate 180 requests we have received for assistance under the Section 8 existing program. "There are several developers who appear at this children; or would they have tried to hold him back as many parents of handicapped children do. When he was too heavy to be hoisted on his daddy's shoulders, would he have been able to at^®n^ church? Even if he had been able to get there, would people have been as comfortable witn a handicapped teen-ager as they were with the little fellow atop daddy's shoulder? Although Dickens created a very bright and intelligent Tiny Tim, would he have received equal educational opportunities or would he have had to stay at home and watch his brothers and sisters go off to school? Supposing Scrooge's money had enabled Tiny Tim to walk, but not normally, and supposing he had learned bookkeeping as his father, would Scrooge have wanted him for an employee? If our imaginations run further, supposing when Tiny Tim is grown he falls in love with Scrooge s nephew's beautiful daughter, who has inherited the business, and asks her to marry him. What repercussions'would his proposal have brought? It is difficult to see how Dickens' sweet little Christmas boy could have ever grown up into a . businessman and community leader. Fantasizing? Yes, but don't we still hand Tiny Tim labels to handicapped children today? When parents can accept the fact that their child is handicapped, they often are inclined to smother the child with over-protective love. Their Tiny Tim can do no wrong which means that he may fail to get the discipline he needs to become a capable and responsible individual. Sometimes, those who work with handicapped people may be guilty of Tiny Tim-ism. Nurses, teachers, and therapists find it difficult to treat handicapped children as they treat other children. For some reason the Tiny Tim concept of handicapped children, and to a lesser degree of handicapped adults, seems important to people's undernourished egos. , * " I have had bosses who, although they may not have thought they were getting their money's worth, seemed to take delight in showing me off to others in a patronizing manner. Being a little cynical, I wonder if Scrooge benefited more than tiny Tim did from the money spent on him? The average citizen may be perplexed by the demands of America's handicapped today. Unless mie has been on the opposite side of the fence, it is probably difficult for the taxpayer to understand why handicapped people are questioning how services are delivered. What difference does it make if an agency treats a client like a beggar so long as he receives help? Why are handicapped people insistent that they have equal employment opportunities and other civil rights? As long as we receive the necessities of life, what right do we have to ask for community respect? If the physically handicapped receive proper care in institutions, why should they want independent living opportunities? The handicapped compare the Tiny Tim concept to the Uncle Tom concept which has plagued the Negro for years. Both attitudes are based on charity; both can be degrading. The developmental disabled, or those of us who have been handicapped most of our lives, are perhaps more conscious of the dangers in this attitude on the part of the public towards handicapped people. As we approach the Christmas season, I hope we never lose our delight in Dickens' "Christmas Cartil," and that it will continue to be a meaningful part of our celebration. However, I hope that America will develop a more realistic notion of the handicapped child and adult. For me the essence of Christmas is the idea that all men and women are equal and should not be treated patronizingly. As we who are handicapped struggle to gain equal opportunities, our main l-handicapped be wondering what as an individual. Year, authors a weekly syndicated newspaper column, a weekly radio program, and edits a newspaper for the North Carolina Rehabilitation association. This column is one of a series of twelve which is being provided monthly to this newspaper by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.) time to be interested in ap­ plying for Section 8 New Construction funds. All of these developers are interested in building for senior citizens. Proposals for New Con­ struction assisted by this program must be received by the Chicago area office of HUD by Jan. 10. "The need for this housing assistance subsidy is great in McHenry county. There are thousands of elderly residents living solely on Social Security which in many cases, is only $200-$250 per month. After these elderly people pay their rent and utilities, there simply is not enough money for them to buy food for an adequate diet. There are also thousands of families, many with one full time wage earner, who cannot make enough to adequately feed, house and clothe their families. "McHenry county residents have been paying for Federal Housing programs for people all over the nation. It is time our tax dollars are spent on our own people. "Nancy Briscoe "Executive Director "McHenry County Housing Authority" Definition A bore is one who is here today and here to­ morrow. -Count Down, L.A. For Your Information Dear friends, £ The private funeral, with minimal publicity, proves to have at least one unnerving side effect. For months thereafter, phone calls and letters con­ tinue to arrive for the deceased, due to public unawareness that the death has occurred. This is a continuing emotional strain on the survivors. Respectfully, ^ PETER Ai JUSTEN •1 & SON FUNERAL HOME 3807 W. Elm St. McHenry, III. 385-0063 I i i LET'S GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT LOW-COST ' AUTO INSURANCE. GIVE ME A CALL FOR THE FACTS ON LOW-COST HEALTH INSURANCE. I'D LIKE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON LOW-COST HOME­ OWNERS INSURANCE. I D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU THE FACTS ON LOW-COST LIFE INSURANCE. AMERICAN FAMILY I N S U R A N C E AUTO HOME HEALTH LFE // --A AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INSURANCE ta// me COMPANY* MADISON, WIS. S3701 for Details CHUCK LEWAND0WSKI 1108 Violet St. McHenry Phone 385-2304 Seri>ice & pro al fessi°n tory pirec EARL R. WALSH & 1ACK WALSH INS. F»rt, Auto, Farm, Life Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES 4410 W. Rte. 120. McHenry 3(5-3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO-LIFE-FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. Ml* W. Elm St. McHenry, III. MS-7111 DR. LEONARD B0TTARI 303 N. Richmond Rd., McHenry Eye* examined - Contact Lense* Glasses fitted Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.,4-«p.m. Tues., Thurs., Fri., 7-* p.m. Sat.,9:30 to3:00 Ph. MS-41S1 or 305-2242 McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES-SERVICE A RENTALS Mon-Sat*-S:30 Friday til f:00 n Grant St., Crystal Lake Ph. 459-1224 McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service • Answering ̂ Service • Car, Telephone & Paging Service • Complete Mimeographing & Printing Service • Typing & Photocopying Ph. 385-0258 393?wHuH3o^cHen£r iTWav A£!OC>MES altors Farm Equipment George P. Freund, Inc. Case - New Holland 4102 W. Crystal Lake Rd. McHENRY Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 CALL The Plaindealer NOW This space is available and could bring new business to you. 385-0170 "GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE" CALL US (815) 385 4810 • IRELLI RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc. 2318 Rte. 120 815-385-0700 ED'S STANDARD SERVICE EXPERT TUNE-UP ATLAS Tires. Batteries, Accessories QUALITY American Oil Products PH. 385-0720 3817 W. ELM STREET Cony It! • M. at our new quick-action copy cantor. Important Correspondence Inventory Sheets Accounting Records Order & Bid Forms Invoices & Statements Catalog Sheets & Bulletins Project/Products Specifications Promotional Letters & Flyers «r Trv This Convenient New Service Soon1 McHENRY PRINTING SERVICES 3909 W. MAIN ' 385-7600 easy-to-use XEROX1 equipment! 4 N ™ TRAILERS used IIILLSBORO & OWENS DUMP-FLATBEDS-CAR HAULERS Stidham Horse & Cattle Trailers Plus A Complete Line Of Braden Winches ADAMS ENTERPRISES 3017 W. Rte. 120 McHENRY, ILL. S E R V't I C E 815-385-5970