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-o RTA member Dan Baldino, a former local resident, says McHenry county wants the following from the Regional Transportation Authority: 1 2 3 - -- Subsidized Cab Service - Dial-A-Bus - Limited Inter-City Bus System RTA Suburban Concerns "Seventy-three percent of transportation leaving McHenry county is not to the hub of Chicago". That was Daniel Baldino's revelation before members of the McHenry Rotary club last Thursday. And it is a major source of deep concern to him, and to other members of the Regional Transportation Authority board, to determine how the RTA can provide service within this area and to points outside McHenry county. "The original trouble with the RTA was that we promised too much and could not deliver", Baldino continued "That will not happen again"! Baldino, a former McHenry resident and graduate of the local high school, is well aware of the antagonism felt toward the RTA in McHenry county. He recalls that it was opposed by 92 percent of the voters in this county. Even that imposing opposition was not sufficient to counteract the superior voting power of Chicago Nevertheless, in fairness, he cautions 'that outlying com­ munities must realize that "collar" counties are depen­ dent upon Chicago for their prosperity. Baldino is one of, two suburban representatives on the RTA. which serves a population of seven million Commenting on Chicago's CTA. he referred to it as "a big dollar eater", but added that for a central city system, it is the best in the country. Similarly, he acknowledged that the Chicago commuter railroad system is by far the best in the country, and he stressed that the Chicago & Northwestern railroad is superior to all. Pinpointing a subject of in­ terest outside the metropolitan community. Baldino said that of twenty-three carriers comprising the suburban bus service, nearly all are bankrupt He predicts the development of eight sub- regional bus systefns for use as (Continued on page 10) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CM A IN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 101 NUMBER 50 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1977 3 SECTIONS 34 PAGES 20* School District 156 Task Force Views Problem DAN BALDINO Rt. 31 Bridge Scene Of 2-Car Accident Friday How do other newspaper editors feel about their job? Are they really interested in putting out a publication that will be a source of pride to themselves and to their com­ munities? Do they believe in fairness in presenting the news? You can bet they do, on all scores. In late February we had an opportunity to attend a newspaper seminar in Aurora dealing with small dailies and semi-weekly newspapers. Some of the revelations could change a skeptical reader's idea about what goes on in an editor's mind. Consistency and fairness were rated tops in the opinion of each one There were no ex­ ceptions. Each was given four questions with some of the toughest decisions any editor would be asked to face. Would we print the names of clergy, star sports figures --or even the wife of our largest buyer of space -- if they should become involved in an unpleasant news situation ? Yes, we would! Meeting in groups, editors expressed the areas of coverage regarded as most important to the readership of their papers under given conditions. City, schools and features rated highly, and there was no denying, every editor knew the reading public placed police and sheriff reports high among their priorities. Probably none of us left the seminar believing there is only one right way to turn out a newspaper. But we did leave with the satisfaction lhat everyone there was very well aware of the mounting problems of the business and were putting in a good many overtime hours trying to solve them. Few businesses are always successful, but if we're lucky, we just may be bringing our readers the kind of home town newspaper they want and have a right to expect. K.A.F. Elizabeth A. Radtke, Lake Geneva, was taken by the Johnsburg Rescue squad to McHenry hospital for treat­ ment of injuries sustained ih a two-car crash Friday morning on Rt. 31. Ms. Radtke was ticketed for failure to notify the Secretary of State's office of a change of address. The accident destroyed her car and caused approximately $400 damage to a car driven by Patrick P. Kagan, 1920 Main street, Spring Grove. Ms. Radtke stated she was southbound on Rt. 31 at ap­ proximately 40 mph. She further stated that she felt her car start to slide, so she begar Interest Evident In Two School Elections The beginning of interest in school elections locally was evidenced with early filings this past week. In Consolidated Grade School District 15, the first to file was Timothy J. Althoff of 416 Shepherd Hill. Following were the two incuments whose terms expire, Marilyn Munz of 5208 W. Parkview and Dorothy Vick of 5206 W. Parkview. There are two positions to be filled. As of this writing, no contest exists in High School District 156, but this could change if one of the incumbents whose terms expire selects to seek reelec­ tion. Dan McNulty, who was voted to the board last year to fill a one-year vacancy, has filed for a three-year term. Paul Nitz of 3220 W. Skyway drive has also filed. The term of James Tonyan expires this spring, and he had not filed on Friday. The filing deadline opened Feb. 23 and will close at 4 p.m. March 18. The school election will be held Saturday, April 9. Schedule Tornado'Watch March 9 McHenry County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (MCESDA), in cooperation with Illinois Emergency Ser­ vices and Disaster Agency (IESDA) and the National Weather Service (NWS), is sponsoring a statewide tornado drill Wednesday, March 9, at 10:15 a.m., according to MCESDA director, John J. Shay, of McHenry. The purpose of this drill is to provide an opportunity for all those concerned with protec­ tion from tornadoes to review their plans for tornado preparedness and to test the operations of those plans "Wi are particularly in­ terested." Shay said, "in making certain that schools, hospitals, factories and offices test their plans." Of all severe winds, tor­ nadoes are the most violent. They strike swiftly and pass in only seconds leaving incredible destruction and often death in their paths. History has recorded tor­ nadoes in McHenry county on several occasions. In October, 1959, the Edgebrook Heights section of McHenry suffered thousands of dollars damage to property. On April 11, 1965. Crystal Lake, Island Lake and much of the area between these cities experienced tornadoes that left six people dead and millions of dollars in property damage and scores injured. On April 21, 1967, the western portion of McHenry county received considerable property damage at the time Lake Zurich and Oak Lawn were recording thirty-three deaths and 500 injuries. A mini- tornado was also recorded in Lawrence June 16, 1973. When a watch is received by the McHenry county sheriff from the Illinois state police, it is immediately transmitted simultaneously over the county Sheriff, Fire, and Emergency services' frequencies and received on special tone coded receivers in schools, hospitals and businesses all over McHenry county. Numerous volunteers of MCESDA are sent to pre-assigned locations to watch the weather under the direction of volunteer chief weather observer, Ron Pierce. All these volunteers receive numerous hours of specialized training. The MCESDA office receives and evaluates this information along with radio reports from nearby areas and monitors the NWS teletype in the office. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are not always preceded by the issuance of watches because forecasting has not yet been developed to that point. Many people cannot differentiate between watches and warnings. Shay said, "The watch tells people to go about their business, but to keep an eye on the sky and keep in touch with weather statements and warnings issued by the NWS. The watch means the weather conditions are just right for a tornado to spawn. The warning tells people of an actual sighting or an indication by radar and urges those in the danger path to prepare to take immediate shelter." If any county residents would be interested in becoming part of the weather watchers in McHenry county, they may contact the MCESDA office at Woodstock, Area Code 815 338- 6400. Several years ago, the McHenry County board authorized the purchase of an informative film which ex­ plains about tornado in­ formation and safety measures. According to Director Shay, it has been shown to over 20,000 people in McHenry county. If any club or oranization would like to have an informative weather program conducted, they may contact the office soon, as there are limited dates available At the present time, nothing is known that can prevent tornadoes. Therefore, everyone must know what to do if they ever find themselves in a severe weather situation. "We'd like to give them the information on what to do, and then hope they do it," Shay said. to downshift to slow her vehicle. She added that the car went completely out of control and crossed into the northbound lane, striking Kagan's car. Kagan stated he was nor­ thbound on Rt 31 at ap­ proximately 20 mph and was,, approaching the bridge. He \ added that he saw the Radtke car sliding on the roadway toward him. He further said he attempted to stop, but could not avoid the Radtke car as he was on the bridge. As he left the bridge, he was struck by the other car. Nancy L. Kranz, 5112 Patton drive, Wonder Lake, was in­ jured last week in a two-car collision at the intersection of E. Wonder Lake road and Arbor drive. The driver of the other vehicle, Betty Sansone, 3803 E. Lake Shore drive. Wonder Lake, was ticketed for failure to yield at a stop or yield in­ tersection following the crash, which caused an estimated $1,000 damage to her car, and $700 damage to the Kranz auto. Ms. Sansone stated she was stopped at the stop sign and made a right turn, yielding to traffic, when she was struck by the Kranz car Ms. Kranz stated she was southbound at approximately 40 mph when Ms. Sansone pulled out in front of her, causing her to strike the Sansone car. Sally J. Johnson, 1417 Sun- nyside Beach drive, McHenry, was injured Friday in a one-car accident on Rt. 31. Ms. Johnson's car was severely damaged in the crash, which also caused an estimated $200 damage to 30 feet of guard rail and two posts belonging to the state of Illinois. (Continued on page 10) \ Mel Prust, chairman of the thirty-three member School District 156 Task Force, addresses the group during their initial meeting Thursday night. The Task Force's purpose is to eliminate $500,000 worth of programs and services from the McHenry high school budget for the 1978-79 school year. STAFF PHOTO-JEFF BONATO Somehow, somewhere. ®$500,000 is going to be sliced from the budget of McHenry high school for the 1978-79 school year. Toward that end. the Task Force, a group of thirty-three individuals concerned with education in McHenry, met Thursday night with School District No. 156 administrators, in a foundation-laying meeting for the job ahead. Their tasks, to cut $500,000 from the school budget, was necessitated by tlw creation of a new high school in Johnsburg. and the ensuing elimination of approximately 500 students. and $1,000,000, from the school budget beginning August, 1978. For the present school year, and next year, the problem isn't as acute, since Johnsburg is paying McHenry ap­ proximately $1,000,000 to allow their students to attend classes at East and West campuses. Johnsburg's problem, is to come up with another $1,000,000 next year to give to District No 156 for tuition for the 500 students. That, in itself, is a formidable task for the Johnsburg school district. It is estimated that McHenry will lose $1,000,000 in revenue when Johnsburg opens its own high school. Approximately $500,000 of that total will be recouped with the dismissal of about thirty teachers from the McHenry staff. Finding the other $500,000 is the job of the Task Force. Thursday's meeting, an orientation to the problem was prefaced with remarks by David Benrud, a school board member for District No. 156. "The task you people are about to undertake is tremendously important to everyone in the community," Benrud told the task force. "It's (Continued on page 10) Admissions Assistance Nights Set March 2-9 McHenry county parents ana high school students may receive special assistance in college planning by par­ ticipating in Admissions Assistance nights at McHenry County college. They will be held on two consecutive Wednesdays, March 2 and March 9, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Conducted by MCC coun­ selors in the Office of Student S e r v i c e s , A d m i s s i o n s Assistance nights are being conducted to give students and their parents a complete pic­ ture of the programs and courses available to students through their community college and to assist them in obtaining information needed to make college decisions. The evening will consist of a brief information period, a question and answer session, and a tour of the MCC campus facilities. "Admissions Assistance is available by individual ap- (Continued on page 10) Consider Lake Sewage Proposal Residents of Wonder Lake and Sunrise Ridge are being asked to a public meeting to discuss alternative proposals, including - a $6.5 million treatment system, for meeting the growing wastewater treatment needs of the area and protecting Wonder Lake from pollution The meeting is called for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Harrison school. 6809 Mc- Cullom Lake road in Wonder Lake. It is being arranged by a committee of Wonder Lake residents who have been working with the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) to study the future sewage treatment needs of the area. v Discussion will focus on a draft report by the consulting firm of Fraser-Scholes and Company. The firm was selected by the citizens com­ mittee and paid with NIPC funds to study the Wonder Lake area. The report outlines and discusses three basic alter­ natives: -continuation of treatment by septic systems - a conventional sewage treatment system, including a treatment plant north of Wonder Lake dam - an alternative sewage treatment system that would use treated wastewater for crop irrigation The consultant has estimated the cost of constructing a sewage treatment system for the area at $6 5 million. -x , ii** s % Prepare For Competition Students watch with interest as Tom Phillips, MCHS Power Mechanics teac' e , gives demonstration in Auto Mechanics during the work-meeting last week hosted by C henry's West campus Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA). Demonstrations in three areas were designed to prepare young people for participation in VICA Skill Olympics, to be held in conjunction with a convention in Springfield in April. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD