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ROBERTSUNDBY Musin And Meanderin9 We have always considered our schools of top priority in the iiws columns. Now we are convinced the community regards {hose same schools with interest and concern also. One of the biggest problems to come their way had its start a year and a half ago with the establishment of a new district to house Johns burg high school students. It marked the beginning of new planning that has snowballed and collected other problems along the way. The high school survey results which appear in this issue are the culmination of what appears to be long and hard consideration of the alternatives presented. The answers totalled 124, which was impressive in our judgment, •specially when it was evident that many carried a family opinion. Of the total, 48 favor 2 4-year schools; 43 want all 4 years at West; 24 wish to continue the 2-2 system and 9 state varied views, most of tbtm containing alternatives. The opinions expressed indicate seventy-two want to keep the East building, although not for the same purpose. Of those who favored 2 4-year schools, 23 wore parents; 7 signed themselves staff members; 27 were listed as "other" and 1 was both a staff member and parent The honesty of the respondents was evident throughout the survey. Although no names were asked, some placed a signature. Other indications of the writer came with such descriptions as "taxpayer not a senior citizen", "dropout", "concerned taxpayer" and "former teacher". Of the 24 favoring the 2-2 system, only five were parents and fifteen signed themselves "other". Twenty-five parents, eleven "others" and four staff members favored all four years at West There was evidence by some replies that respondents thought die school was conducting the survey. This was a Plaindealer- sponsored survey and no one in District 156 was informed of the newspaper's plans until the first notice appeared. Although in some cases it appeared that more than one person was expressing a view, only the actual number of ballots turned in were counted in the 124 total. Some questioned why students and staff members should be asked an opinion. Many District 156 staff members--teachers and otherwise--are taxpayers and we felt should have the same right to an opinion as anyone else. The reason designations of "students" and "District 156 staff member" were made was to some idea of what influence people directly connected with i school might have on survey results if responses were in large •umbers. All comments appear except those of a very personal nature. Since those answering the survey were not asked to sign their names, such comments were omitted in fairness to those who must si£i Public Pulse letters. Several who responded recommended that East be used for school purposes under jurisdiction of Grade School District 15. Such use cannot be determined by High School District 156 unless the building is sold to the other district or a unit district is formed. The unit district was mentioned as one possible answer on several survey replies. Although the survey was intended primarily to learn views concerning the future of education as it pertained to buildings, most of those who replied stated their opinions as they pertained to education in general One definite trend was for stricter discipline and "back to the basics". The majority see use of both East and West buildings for the present, although there was a wide difference of opinions on how they should be used. Several suggested utilizing East for vocational courses. , fei ii ailtiM the rute, It was evident much thmtght had been given to the iteues. Anpther thing that emerges dear is the tremendous task school board members will have in determining juit what future McHenry residents want to take in regard to their school buildings. Ite final answer will be made at the polls April 8. » KAF Hold Five In Restaurant In Area Robbery McHenry County Sheriff's police are searching for two male suspects following an armed robbery at the Depot restaurant in Richmond early Sunday morning. According to Sheriff's police, two white males armed with a pistol and a shotgun held five occupants of the restaurant at gunpoint and took ap­ proximately $200 from the cash register. Sheriff's deputies were called to the restaurant, located on Routes 12 and 31 just south of Richmond, at 1:32 a.m. Of­ ficers from the Richmond and Spring Grove departments were also summoned to the scene. According to witnesses, the offenders fled the scene south­ bound on Route 31. No description of the vehicle was available. Sheriff's detectives are in­ vestigating the incident. On March 9, Sheriff's police responded to the report of a break-in at the McHenry VFW post. According to police, sometime after the VFW was closed the previous night, someone entered the building by prying open a window. Although cabinets and cash registers were pried open, nothing was determined to have been taken. Offer Absentee Ballots For School Vote Anyone wishing to vote in the annual school board election to be held in McHenry elementary School District No. 15 and McHenry High school District No. 156, but who will be unable to cast a ballot in person April 8, may apply for an absentee ballot at the district ad­ ministrative offices, 3926 W. Main street, McHenry, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday . Monday, April 3, at 4 p.m. is the last time to make ap­ plication by mail for absentee ballots. Friday, April 7, at 4 (Continued on page 18) Former Resident Murdered McHenry friends have learned of the stabbing murder of a former resident on March 3 in Aurora. The body of James Greene, 41, who had lived in the Lilymoor area until ap­ proximately four years ago, was found several hours after his murder next to the truck he had been loading for work. Mr. Greene had been em­ ployed by the Orkin Ex­ terminating Company in Aurora, where he was working the day of his death. His wife, Jean, is the daughter of Dolores Whiting of McHenry. According to a spokesman for the Aurora Police department, robbery apparently was not the motive for the killing. "We have no motive for the murder," said the captain, "but it appears that whoever murdered Greene did so because he had something against the man, or was mad at him. It was a brutal murder." Anyone who may have any information or leads regarding the incident is asked to contact the Aurora Police department. Easter Bunny Will Visit Shopping Areas The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing the Easter Bunny to McHenry again this year. He will be giving out Easter candy and greetings to children Saturday, March 18, at the following times and locations: 9:30-11 a.m., Green street; 11 a.m.-l:30 p.m., McHenry Market Place; 1:30-2:30 p.m., Main and Front streets; 2:30-3:30 p.m., Riverside drive (between Pearl and Elm streets). $150,000 Blaze Destroys Barn The roof of the barn at the Gordon Stade farm, 4213 N. Pioneer road, Is engulfed by flames as firemen from McHenry Companies One and Two hurry to attach hoses to portable water tank. Trucks from Richmond, Spring Grove and Wonder Lake Fire departments helped transport over 144,000 gallons of water from a nearby factory to fight the fire. The blase completely destroyed the structure and damage was estimated to be in excess of 9140,000. Firemen were able to contain the fire and did not allow it to spread to nearby buildings on the premises. (A full page of pictures in Section 2, Page 1.) STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD A barn on the Gordon Stade farm, 4312 N. Pioneer road, was completely destroyed by fire last Thursday evening. Fireman from McHenry Companies I and II were assisted by the Richmond, Spring Grove and Wonder Lake fire departments in battling the blaze. Over sixty men manned eleven fire trucks in an effort to keep the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. According to Fire Chief Glenn Peterson, Stade noticed smoke emitting from the upper ventilators of the roof of the barn and immediately sum­ moned McHenry Company II. Prior to the arrival of firemen, he was able to evacuate forty cows which were housed in the barn, and numerous pieces of farm machninery which were also stored in the structure. "Apparently the fire started in the upstairs hay loft." said Peterson, "but the cause of the fire has not yet been deter­ mined." The alarm was sounded at approximately 5:30 p.m. and firemen stayed at the scene (Continued on page 18) » k High School Survey results on Pages 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Section 2. THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 * im rim *• VOLUME 102 NUMBER 65 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1978 2 SECTION 28 PAGES 20f McHenry Youth Killed In Sunday Auto Crash People of McHenry county were urged to stop fighting to get out of the RTA and start fighting to make it work by Keith Ryatn, Lake county Regional Affairs officer for the RTA. Ryan spoke March 9 at the McHenry Senior Citizen Walk- In center and urged those in attendance, "to work together and make the RTA work. You're in and can't get out." He was invited to speak to the group along with Van Sells, the McHenry county Regional Affairs officer. Ryan indicated that he was aware that McHenry county is not receiving anything for its money at this time, but that the RTA had done some good things and would benefit McHenry county in the near future. "Without the RTA, all public transportation firms in the metropolitan area would have gone bankrupt, said Ryan, "and rail services would have had to double their fares." According to the Lake county representative, the RTA currently operates 168 suburban transit routes, and the McHenry county plan currently being formulated will increase that total to 176. "Four RTA routes will hopefully be in operation in McHenry county by June of this year," explained Ms. Sells. However, when Ms. Sells was questioned as to the location of the routes, she did not answer, except to say that she had the information at her office in Crystal Lake. Ryan urged townships and municipalities to apply for a service-development grant that could be used to incorporate dial-a-ride service in the area. 1 "Dial-a-ride is already in service in other townships and municipalities," said Ryan, "and will be operating in two areas in Lake county within a few months." One man asked Ryan why McHenry County had not yet applied for the service grant. "A copy of the application for the RTA service grant was sent to all township and municipal leaders," he explained, "but they may have placed it in the circular file." C.W. Kuhns, chairman of the McHenry County Citizens for Transportation, addressed the group and indicated that the county still had a chance of getting out of the RTA. "Letters are being written to people throughout the state, urging them to ask their state legislators to help McHenry in its fight to get out," said kuhns. "It isn't an impossible task." Cal Skinner, Sr., spoke to those in attendance, urging everyone to attend the May 25 budget hearing of the RTA. i "Take a two by four with you," explained Skinner, "so that you can get the board's attention. Otherwise, they will continue to ignore McHenry county." A question and answer period followed the presentation, and most questions raised indicated that those in attendance were tired of contributing to the RTA and having nothing to show for it. One man offered his solution to the problem. "Give us our money and let us set up our own transportation system in the county. We know what we need. Those big shots with the big salaries don't care about us." t Make RTA Work Koleno was trapped in his van following the accident, and it took rescue workers over an hour to free him from the wreckage. Koleno was then transported to McHenry hospital were he was reported in satisfactory condition. Following the impact, the Sundby auto was struck by another northbound car driven by David H. Boelter, 1615 North avenue, McHenry. Boelter and a passenger in his car, Frank L. Leary, 514 N. Clement, McHenry, were not injured in the mishap. Boelter told police that he was northbound on Barreville road and had just been passed by the Sundby auto. He stated that the vehicle went into the curve and the rear end slid into the southbound lane where it was struck by the oncoming van. He continued to say that the ' car then spun back into the northbound lane, and he could not avoid striking it. No statements were available from Koleno or Ms. Hiatt due to the extent of their injuries. One witness to the incident told police that although he did and Boelter cars at a high rate of speed. Another witness stated that v (Continued on page 18) Some Still Skeptical To Seniors: Members of the Nanda Rural Rescue squad hi top photo administer first aid to Twylhae R. Hiatt, 43 Barberry, Crystal Lake, as she lies unconscious, seriously Injured under the car in which she had been a passeager. The dismal scene followed a three-car accident Sundav afternoon on Barreville road, Just south of McHenry. The body of the driver of the car, Robert J. Sundby, 20, Ills W. Sunset #|ve, McHenry, who was killed In the crash, is covered by a blanket on the front seat of the auto. At bottom left members of the McHenry Rescue squad work to free Martin F. Koleno, 3S01 W. Beech drive, McHenry, who was pinned In his van for over an hour following the accident Lower right picture shows, in the foreground, the front half of the Sundby auto, which was torn completely In half in the three-car accident. Plainly visible is the badly worn left front tire of the auto. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD A young McHenry man was killed and a seventeen-year-old Crystal Lake girl was seriously injured in a three-car accident on Barreville road south of McHenry Sunday afternoon. Robert J. Sundby, 20, 1113 W. Sunset drive, was pronounced dead at the scene by Assistant Coroner James Flagg after the car he was driving reportedly slid into the wrong lane of traffic and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Sundby becomes McHenry county'f third traffic fataUty'for 1978* A passenger in the Sundby car, Twylhae R. Hiatt, 43 Barberry, Crystal Lake, was taken to McHenry hospital following the accident, where she was reported in critical condition. She remained in the intensive care unit Tuesday but was in satisfactory condition. According to the McHenry County Sheriff's department accident report, preliminary investigation showed that the Sundby vehicle went out of control while rounding a curve. The accident occurred on Barreville road approximately >4-mile south of State Park goad in Nunda township. The Sundby vehicle had been traveling northbound, and was struck by a southbound van driven by Martin F. Koleno, 3501 W. Beach drive, McHenry.