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» * f<, W*1 " " " ' «s " ' :T: . i •'"> SHST* New Bridge Opens HEADED FOE WARMER HOME - looking like they are on home territory, these Canadian geese paid a visit to McHenry Monday morning. Hieir stop was believed to be and R and R (rest and relaxation) with a bonis of food enroute to warmer climes. When they stopped near the old beach on Riverside drive, excited home owners in the neighborhood called to report them as a first, to their HL*. knowledge, in the city limits. A few others, which had been raised on a pond across the river, had their wings clipped and remained in the area, but these Canadian geese--about two dozen in all--were short time visitors. STAFF PHOTO The long awaited opening of the new Pearl street bridge will take place Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. Participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony will be city, county, township and roa district officials. Th<?y represent the four gove mental bodies which shared in the costs of constructing the beautiful new streamlined structure. The public is invited and encouraged to join in the ceremony to view the bridge and among the first who will utilize it and enjoy the view from the steel and concrete pan. The American Legion Rifle squad and the 40 & 8 locomotive will take part in the short ceremony which will precede the ribbon cutting and the symbolic first vehicle to cross the new structure. Total cost of the bridge was $954,767.42. Illinois Bell Telephone company con­ tributed $48,327.38 toward the project which enabled it to install its communication cables under the bridge. The balance of the cost of $906,440.04 was shared as follows: City of McHenry, 25 percent or $266,610.01; McHenry township, 12'j per­ cent or $113,305.00; McHenry Road district, 12' •> percent or $113,305.00 and McHenry county, 50 percent or $453,220.03. The city of McHenry s share of the project was paid for entirely with city revenue sharing funds. • 111 tmu * ar i THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CM A IN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 102 NUMBER 38 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1977 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 20' Home Builders To Feel New Permit Hike Musin' And "Yes, there is a Santa Claus"! Many years ago a writer for a large New York newspaper gave that answer to a little girl named Virginia who had reached the age of wondering. And the writer continued to explain to her that Santa Claus would always live in the em­ bodiment of good. In today's world, where every act and every custom is analyzed for its worth, it isn't unusual that the question should arise of whether or not the Santa fantasy endangers children's emotional health. It's good to know that after the so-called experts have expounded on the subject, pro and con. in recent years, some common sense has emerged. One leader in the field of fact and fantasy, where it concerns children, is convinced youngsters aren't hurt, and actually are benefitted by Meanderm'l Filing Dates Open Soon For March 'J8 Ptimary Santa in his role of kindliness and generosity. For parents who are brainwashed with the idea that their children's ability to distinguish reality from fan­ tasy will be retarded, there is assurance that believing in Santa won't impede the natural development. The worst thing that can happen is the pang some children get from giving up their belief. Even so, it is now generally conceded that the joy and excitement of preparing for Santa's visit is an im- comparable experience -- something most families have always known. Nov youngster, no child, should ever be deprived of it. So Santa, get those toys finished, shine up the sleigh and get ready to send those rein­ deer on their way Christmas eve. KAF Well in advance of the new year, thoughts are turning to 1978 spring elections. On Tuesday, March 21, a primary election is scheduled for the purpose of nominating candidates for federal, state and county offices. Besides U.S. senator, governor. lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state comptroller and treasurer nominees will be elected for the major parties. Representative candidates in Congress and state central committeemen candidates from both the 13th and 16th congressional districts will emerge from the primary also. State senator candidates will be named in the 32nd congressional district and representative nominees in the General Assembly from the 32nd and 33rd districts. For county offices, voters will nominate candidates for clerk, treasurer, sheriff, regional superintendent of schools and county board members from three districts. Also to be named as nominees will be judges and precinct committeemen. A non-partisan election for two members of the regional board of school trustees will be held along with the primary election. Petitions of candidacy for county offices, those below the county level and the offices of regional superintendent of schools and regional school trustee must be filed in the office of the county clerk. The deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 19. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. week days. Filings also may be made between Dec. 12-19 in the principal office of the state board of elections, 1020 S. Spring, street, Springfield, III. «2704. Snow Problems In City Arrest Suspects In Camper, Trailer Attempted Break-in Numerous complaints have been received at city hall regarding unshoveled sidewalks in the business districts as well as residential areas. Businessmen and property owners should be aware that the city has an ordinance in effect which requires that all snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within twenty-four hours after it accumulates. Citations may be issued by city police if people do not comply with this ordinance. To speed the removal of snow from city streets, vehicle owners are asked to refrain from parking their vehicles on all streets. Where no curbing exists, motor vehicles should be pulled off the roadway to allow plows to continue on their way without making a jog to avoid the parked vehicles. .! Motor vehicles parked on city streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. may be towed away at the direction of any police officer or the superintendent of public works. Owners of towed vehicles are liable for towing charges as well as parking ticket fines, according to city laws. The arrest of two suspects believed to be involved in an attempted break-in of a camper trailer at the William Bieder residence at 6816 S. Route 12, Spring Grove, has been reported by the Sheriff's office. When Bieder reported the incident, he said he had frightened the men away about 6 p.m., but had their descrip­ tions as they fled on foot. Working from these descriptions, two suspects were located in a laundromat in Richmond and were arrested. Deputies identified the men as Guy Kessler. 20. Elroy, Wis., and Glenn Jones, Mauston, Wis. Both were charged with criminal trespass and were held on $1,000 bond. A burglary was discovered at the apartment of Thomas Finger, 3015 Riverside drive, McHenry, at 2:10 a.m. Dec. 3. Investigators learned that since the previous afternoon, someone had broken into the (Continued on page 8) Police Fund Concede Pension Deficit The McHenry City Council will send a letter to the Police Pension board acknowledging that the city is deficient in its pension contributions, and promising to make every effort in the future to comply with the board's assessment of what the city's contribution should be. The willingness to cooperate was expressed at Monday night's regular Council meeting. The matter came up because the city's tax levy for the Police Pension fund this year was $4,800, compared to the $48,000 which the Pension board, under direction from a state agency, requested. The state has determined that the city is deficient about $212,000 in the Pension fund, and the city has thirty years left in which to make up the defftpt. The deficit was not created through negligence on the part of the city. Mayor Joseph Stanek ex­ plained that if a municipality with 5,000 residents were created today, it would be fully funded and would have no liability. However, because the city of McHenry already had some police officers on the force when it grew to 5,000, the city became deficient in the total amount of dollars in the fund. For example, retiring Police Chief Ken Espey has been a twenty-year member of the police force. However, he. and Limit Use Of Schools Building facilities in High School District 156 will not be made available for any non- school activity with the ex­ ception of the McHenry County college adult education program, and existing con­ tracts and agreements will be terminated if at all possible and as soon as possible. This was the general content of a motion initiated by Board Member Henry Nell at Tuesday's board meeting which passed by a vote of 4 to 2. In agreement were James Tonyan, Paul Nitz, Catherine Alvary and Henry Nell. Voting in opposition were Edward Neumann and Dave Benrud. It was not clarified whether or not this action would only result if the Dec. 23 tax rate increase for a hike in the Building Operations and Maintenance should fail. However, in discussion in the lath of the meeting, the opinio;: was that the new ruling would be rescinded if the referendum succeeds. The district is asking for a fifteen-cent increase in this particular fund. The board earlier decided against asking for any increase in the Educational fund due to the fact the district will be receiving sufficient revenue for the present time because of a substantial increase in the tax multiplier. The original referendum asked for an increase of $.40 in the Educational fund and $.15 in the Building Operations fund. Only the latter request will be made later this month. Tuesday night's action resulted from much discussion about what could be done if the referendum should not pass. At first, the curtailment of the MCC educational program was included among others. However, it was disclosed that the college pays $10,000 rental a year, which almost covers expenditures at West campus. Some consideration was given to whether outside groups might use the facility if a school activity is in progress, thus cutting the cost. Another suggestion was to open the school certain nights and confine use of the building to designated times to reduce overhead. The question of what charge might be made to offset costs if public usage should be con­ tinued was made but not an­ swered. - Mrs. Alvary observed. "We found ourselves in this position because we thought the high schools should be used for the public benefit and they should be utilized. I wish we could keep them open all the time". As discussion continued. Nell made his motion to discontinue use of the building by the public and the favorable vote resulted Althoff noted that election judges had complained of the hours, which are from noon to 9 p.m. However, boardmembers noted they want working people to be able to vote and felt hours should not he changed. Fees were set at $31 per judge Tuesday night. Swartzloff also noted the attorney had given a legal opinion that the only money that could be used in connection with the referendum must be for information only. The board plans the expenditure of about $500 for this purpose in contrast to about $3,000 for the last referendum. most of which was donated by civic organizations and individuals. In other action, a member of the audience. Edward Ken- (Continued on page 8) KILLED IN CR ASH John Svalander. 52. of 83 Woodstock street. Crystal I^ake. was declared dead on arrival at Northwest Com­ munity hospital as the result of injuries suffered in an auto accident Tuesday. Dec. 6. There were no details. Mr. •J Svalander assisted his wife, the former Judy Conway, in the operation of a dance studio in McHenry in recent years. the city have only been con­ tributing to the Pension fund for nine years. Yet, when he retires, Espey will draw money from the fund in the amount accorded a police officer with twenty years of service. There are other examples, and that is how the Pension fund became deficient. Stanek said he was in contact with Dwight Anderson of the State Pension division, and received a general idea of how the state arrived at the figure which the city must pay. Moreover, the city is sup­ posed to levy for the amount requested» This year, the amount of $48,000 (since raised to $52,000) was given to the City Council after the tax levy (for $4,000) had already been ap­ proved. The Council voted to notify the Police Pension board that the city would attempt to comply with the board's request in the future. As for this year and the difference between the $52,000 requested and the $4,000 levied, Stanek suggested that the city could contribute $30,000, inasmuch as tax bills will be going up between 12 and 14 percent due to the equalizer. The mayor theorized that with the added revenue from high tax bills, the city could make a $30,000 contribution. After Stanek expressed his opinion, no motion was made on a dollar contribution to the Pension fund for this year. In other action, a special Council meeting was scheduled for Thursday night in an at­ tempt to settle the issue of the • ezoning of seven lots along W. (Continued on pags 8) Anyone wishing to build a home within the corporate limits of McHenry will now have to ante up at least an additional $900 before a building permit will be issued. An ordinance requiring contributions from anyone wishing to build a home was approved Monday night by the City Council following ex­ tensive, and sometimes heated debate. In essence, the ordinance states that before a building permit will be issued, the person requesting the permit must contribute $100 to the city library, $400 to the park system, and $200 to each of the two school districts. The $900 in contributions is applicable to any home con­ taining one, two, or three bedrooms. Larger homes must make larger contributions. The ordinance is similar to one passed at a previous Council meeting which required that developers make contributions to the library, schools, and the park system. Those supporting the new ordinance argued that it wasn't fair to make' the developers contribute $900 per home, while the individual builder pays nothing. The motion to approve the ordinance passed five-to-three, with Aldermen Vince Adams, William Bolger, and Raymond Smith voting against it. Prior to approving the or­ dinance, a motion by Bolger which would amend the or­ dinance was defeated when Mayor Joseph Stanek cast the tie-breaking vote. Bolger's amendment would have required contributions from builders on lots that were taken into the city only after Dec. 31, 1964.* The amendment was sup­ ported by Smith, Adams, and Edward Datz as well as Bolger. Discussion on the home builder contribution began when Smith and Bolger both stated they were not aware that the Council was even con­ sidering a home builder or­ dinance. Walther Schaedel confirmed that he asked City Attorney Bernard Narusis to draw up the ordinance, and added that he made the request during a regular Council meeting. "1 think this is called a penalty, not a contribution," Smith said. George Harker, who sup­ ported the ordinance, said that "it seems very inequitable that if you build in Area 'A' you pay $900, and if you build in Area 'B' you don't pay a nickel." "We're discriminating against the large developer," Schooley said. "I think the ordinance is fair." Schaedel said that the reason he suggested the home builder ordinance in the first place was because of the large number of homes being constructed in Lakeland Park. The Fourth ward alderman believed the small builders should be required to make the con­ tributions the same as the large developers. Bolger then suggested amending the ordinance to require contributions from home builders on lots taken into the city since 1965. Under questioning, he said that Lakeland Park was taken into the city in 1967, and that the year he selected was an ar­ bitrary one. Datz felt the smaller developers should make con­ tributions as well as the larger ones, who are already governed by a Developer Contribution ordinance. The vote to require con­ tributions only on lots taken into the city since 1965 then failed, and the ensuing vote to approve the ordinance passed five-to-three. The new ordinance goes into effect immediately, meaning that anyone who applies for a building permit to construct a home must now pay at least $900. Name Drivers In Arrests Three McHenry drivers were arrested for traffic offenses in three separate incidents over the weekend, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's department. Barry Schlieben, 402 Lily lane, was arrested at 4:20 a.m. Dec. 3 on Route 120, near Route 31, after a patrol had observed him driving with the windows of his vehicle frosted up, ob­ structing his vision. His vehicle also had only one license plate wired to the car's rear. When his driver's credentials were checked after he was stopped, deputies learned that his license had expired. Schlieben was charged with driving with no valid driver's license, failure to transfer registration of a vehicle, im­ proper display of license plates and was given warning tickets for obstructed driver's view and displaying one license plate. (Continued on page 8) Miniatures On The March Anna Sohm, left, displays her interesting hobby - a miniature castle and miniature a ntloue soldiers - milton, hostess at the senior citizen center. (More information on Page H) • for Marilynn Haml STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORb * 4