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BJWl Down On Luck Some days luck just isn't with you. One morning last week, Gleda Middaugh, 7104 Salem, Wonder Lake, was driving north on Ringwood road. A pickup truck was traveling south on Ringwood road, and just as the two vehicles were about to pass one another, a large gust of wind came along. The ladders on top of the approaching pickup truck blew off, damaging the left side of Ms. Middaugh's car. Fortunately, arrange­ ments were made for the cost of repairs. -- some consolation for a day on which the lady might better have "stayed in bed". VOLUME 101 NUMBER 51 FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1977 1 SECTION 18 PAGES 20* School Construction The Coalition for Political Honesty is rearing its active head again, heading the 1977 campaign with a bill to allow Illinois citizens to vote in primary elections without publicly declaring party preference. The Coalition will be remembered best for its 1976 petition drive in support of Political Honesty amendments. During that widespread campaign, 635,158 signatures were gained. Traditionally, the arguments against the open system have included a prediction ^f in­ creased cross-over voting and the raiding or weakening of .party structure. £ct&lition leaders insist that Ma^etates where the open pftaftry exists, this has not odNMred. Vjm open primary law, as set forth, would permit voters to participate in the primary of only one party at the same election. Voters would not be allowed to cross over from one party column to another in the course of casting their ballots. Voters would choose their party ballot in the privacy of the voting booth Whatever pros and cons exist, the adoption of an open primary would almost cer­ tainly assure two things; first, a larger primary turnout at the polls, and second, less com­ plaining about the necessity to declare one's political in­ clination. K.A.F. The next McHenry County Mental Health (708) board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Pal's restaurant, Woodstock. Mother, Son To Hospital In Two-Auto Collision Anticipate Surplus In Council's Next Budget More Funding For Johnsburg Dr. Ken Falkinham, assistant superintendent in charge of Business Affairs at Jnhnshurg Cnmmunitv Unit School District 12, has been informed by the Capital Development board of the state of Illinois that an additional Persons interested in voting in the township elections April 5 are reminded that no registrations will be accepted either by the county clerk or by local registrars, effective Tuesday, March 8, to April 6. A spokesman for County Clerk Vernon Kays said this An area juvenile was ticketed for having no valid driver's license, and also was petitioned to family court for allegedly stealing a truck, following a one-vehicle incident Saturday night on Rt. 31 near McCullom Lake road. At 9:20 p.m., a pickup truck was observed by sheriff's police northbound on Rt. 31. The truck apparently pulled to the shoulder and then spun a U- turn, to face the opposite direction. As it again crossed the high­ way the occupants (one juvenile was not charged) $183,053 will be provided for the construction of the Johnsburg senior high school. It was previously announced that the Capital Development uuuiu had granted Johnsburg a construction grant in the sum of $2,808,589. ruling is in effect to allow twenty-eight days for his office to update registration records for the entire county. Those who wish to vote in either school elections April 9 or the city election April 19 may register before March 8 or after April 5. allegedly observed the squad c§r, and apparently jumped from the truck, allowing it to cross a ditch and come to rest against a post. The offenders then ap­ parently departed on foot. Assistance was summoned and after a search, the of­ fenders were found in a nearby barn and taken into custody. It was learned the truck had been stolen in the city of McHenry, and local police officers . were summoned to complete the investigation and take charge of the two juvenile offenders. The latest announcement brings the total of the grant for the high school to $2,991,642. The additional funds were pai i uf the Capita! Develop­ ment board's formula for recognition of inflation in the construction industry. Prior to the release of the new funds the Johnsburg administration was working under some constraint in providing for a building for high school students at a cost of approximately $33.30 per square foot. As a result of the additional grant monies the new square foot construction cost has been increased to $36. This construction cost will be based on the May 1, 1977, bid date for the new high school. In At 12:40 a.m. Sunday, police investigated a burglary at the home of Arthur Egger, 3216 Sunrise Ridge, McHenry, who had been awakened by noises. Upon investigation, the owners learned that someone had gained entry to the home while they were asleep by breaking a glass in a basement window, and then removing the window. Taken was an AM-FM stereo unit with two speakers. At 12:50 p.m. Saturday, Henry Koda, Chicago, reported to sheriff's police, that some time during the past week, someone broke into his summer addition to the state funding, an additional $183,053, the District 12 board also must contribute $88,297 toward the project. In essence, for every $67.46 that the state contributes to the construction of the high school, Johnsburg District 12 must Montlnl Primary Center To Hold Registration Registration for all Montini first grade students and any other new transfer students will take place Sunday, March 13, after all the Masses, starting home at 5227 Cleveland, McHenry, and stole his black and white television set. Entry had apparently been made by prying open the front door. Last week, Charles Smolarek, 1705 W. Davis, McHenry, reported to county police that sometime since the previous day, someone suc­ ceeded in gaining entry to his locked pickup truck while it was parked at his residence, and stole his CB radio, as well as the antenna. Apparently there were no witnesses. Last week, Pastor Robertson of the Alliance Bible church, contribute $32.54. Construction plans are now basically complete and bid documents are being drawn up for a May 1 bidding. Con­ struction on the school is an­ ticipated to begin June 1 and be completed by Sept. 1, 1978. after the 8 a.m. Mass. The registration will take place in the Primary center office, 3504 W. Washington street. During the following week, March 14-18, parents may register children in the school office from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Information concerning uniforms, tuition, etc., will be furnished at this time. 3815 Bull Valley road, McHenry, reported to police that some time during the night, someone stole a cassette player and recorder from his auto while it was parked on the premises. The offender had not been seen or heard. Tuesday morning, Leonard Kozicki, 3009 Walnut drive, Wonder Lke, reported to sheriff's police that the previous evening, someone threw a brick, striking and damaging the hood of his auto while it was parked at his residence. The offender was not seen. No Voter Registration From March 8-April 6 Burglars Break Into Homes, Juvenile TO Family Vehicles In Area Thefts Court For Car Theft Is Me Vehicle License Deadline Passes! The overall budgetary pic­ ture, along with fringe benefits and non-wage items, were the subjects of Finance committee scrutiny Monday night, with planned recommendations appearing to coincide with city employee requests. In fact, the projected outlook for the remainder of this fiscal year (ending April 30) and a preliminary view of next year's possible budget, indicate a substantial surplus of revenues over expenditures. "This is probably the most optimistic budget that's been presented to the City Council in the last four years," committee chairman. Alderman Jack Pepping said. "Keep in mind" Pepping cautioned however, that "budgets haven't been approved " ( The optimistic outlook for the next fiscal year comes with the inclusion of a 7 percent pay increase for all city employees, as recommended by most department heads. "If these budgets were adopted, and if we were able to operate next year within these budgets, then the city would really be faced with a situation where the tax levy could b^ reduced an estimated $50,000," Pepping said. The alderman explained that an alternative to reducing the tax levy could be for the city to undertake some big capital development project which may be dormant presently due to a lack of funds. That project could now be started without having to increase the tax levy ^ against the city's residents. Later in the meeting, an itemized revue of each ex­ penditure revealed, however, some errors in budgeting, and if the proposed budget is passed by the City Council, the tax levy could possibly be reduced some, but not as much as $50,000. Pepping also reported that, "it is the auditor's feeling that we should have enough money left at the end of this fiscal year to run the city for three more months. "You can see we're going to make up a lot of the loss that occurred a few years ago," Pepping added. Projected estimates for this fiscal year indicate projected revenues of $1,063,856, a figure Glenda C. Wiley, 1119 S. Rt. 31, McHenry, was taken to McHenry hospital along with her six-year-old son, Andrew, for treatment of injuries sustained in a two-car collison Tuesday afternoon at the in­ tersection of Rt. 31 and Bull Valley road. The driver of the other vehicle, Harriett Dodd. Crystal (Continued on page 17} For some city drivers, living in McHenry is a bit more ex­ pensive than it was at the beginning of the week. The reason? They failed to purchase city vehicle stickers- -and got caught. ' Police Chief Kenneth Espey reports that his patrolmen will beapot-checking various neigh- borhoods within the city limits on a periodic basis, stopping cars that do not have a city sticker displayed in the lower right corner of the windshield. Espey also cautions that paying the fine for a citation received for having no city sticker does not exempt the person from having to purchase one in the future. City vehicle stickers for most passenger-type cars may be purchased at city hall. To date, fourteen drivers have been ticketed for having no valid city sticker, most of them "caught" in Lakeland Park. Espey promises that other subdivisions will also be checked. A wise motto: Buy a city sticker! It's one of the few times when spending money will actually save money! THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CH AIN-O-LA-KE S REGION SINCE 1875 derived from projected taxes and receipts from the general fund, from vehicle licenses, and from the Road and Bridge fund. Projected total expenses for this year are only $910,144, leaving a cushion of ap­ proximately $150,000. (Continued on page 17| In foreground, the crumpled front of car driven by Glenda C. Wiley, McHenry, reveals the aftermath of serious accident Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Rt. 31 and Bull Vil^y road. Mrs. Wiley and her six-year-old son, Andrew, were taken t&McHenry hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. The second car involved in the collision, driven by Harriett Dodd of Crystal Lake, is in background at right, behind an interested bystander. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD It was the day of reckoning for procrastinating car owners Wednesday, March 2, when local police officers started Checking around the city for a display of vehicle stickers. Above are two purchasers who made the deadline at the city clerk's office late Tuesday. Photo at right above shows Officer Kenneth Prazak stopping a motorist on Meadow lane, near *Rt. 120. Fortunately, the lady resided outside the city limits and for her there was no fine. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD City Clerk Barbara Gilpin, Finance committee members, Aldermen George Harker and Jack Pepping, and Supt. of Public Works Fred Meyer go over budget figures for the next fiscal year. It appears the city is in good financial condition, with enough money available to operate the city at its present level. STAFF PHOTO-JEFF BONATO