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59 Finish 10-Mile THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER S CROP Hunger Walk SERVING THE CH AIN-O-LA KE S REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 102 NUMBER 84 FRIDAY. MAY 19, 1978 2 SECTIONS 28 PAGES 20' This past Saturday, fifty- nine persons braved cold, rain and icy winds to complete the 10-mile CROP hunger walk held at Moraine Hills State park. Lynn Sobczak, chairperson of the walk, was pleased with the turnout considering the con­ ditions and noted that Satur­ day's walkers raised almost $3,000. Hie money goes to CROP, an international hunger-fighting organization, where it is used for direct food aid and for agricultural equipment and expertise. The Rev. Ralph Smith of First Methodist church opened the walk with a prayer and said, "In a sense it may be good that the conditions today are so miserable because this reminds us of the cir­ cumstances in which so much of the world lives. Millions of people are starving, many others have to walk everywhere they go. Our walk today shows our solidarity with those persons and exemplified the compassion Christ showed those in need." Two individuals, the Rev. Eric J. Snyder of Faith Presbyterian church, and Jerry Rankin, a counselor at Wauconda high school, jogged the course twice. A number of other persons passed the time with singing and conversation. The walkers ranged from age 9 to several persons in their 50's. Lynn Sobczak urged those who did not want to walk this past Saturday to complete the course on their own. This Saturday, May 20, at 9, another group of persons will walk. Mrs. Sobczak hopes that those walking this Saturday or at other times will raise the ad­ ditional $2,000 needed to sur­ pass the goal of $5,000. All committee members, however, were delighted that at this time money pledged is 25 percent above last year. Begin RTA Bus Service RTA bus routes and schedules appear on Page 20 of this issue. The first in a series of new Regional Transportation Authority bus routes for McHenry county will be put into service May 22. Bus route Split Vote On School Requests The board of High School District 156 split its vote Tuesday night in acting on recommendations for pur­ chases of equipment and attire for two separate departments. As a result, the football team will receive seventy-six football helmets, but the band will go without a requested twenty-five additional new uniforms for the 1979 marching band season. Bids were authorized for seventy-six helmets for the 1978 season when Bill Blankenhorn, athletic director, outlined the particular problems faced with regard to some of the present helmets which fail to meet standards. Although the law does not become compulsory until 1980, there have been at least two law suits following injuries where the students were wearing helmets not in ac­ cordance with the required design. One of these was settled in favor of the student and the school became liable for in­ juries. The other is pending. In view of this information, the entire board voted for the purchases, and bids will be sought. In the matter of the band, Principal Greg Johnson of West campus pointed out that the MCHS marching band is one of the smallest in uniform and there is a plan to add sophomores to increase the site. Judy Zid, a new member on the board, said she recognized that matching uniforms would provide a better appearing organization, but in view of the money shortage in the district, felt the expenditure would be put to. better use in the educational system. Mrs. Zid observed that the uniforms are used on few oc­ casions outside games. After further discussion as to their use, a vote was taken and the request was narrowly defeated. Opposed were Mrs. Zid, Dan McNulty, Dave Benrud and James Tonyan. President James Althoff, Edward Neumann and Paul Nitz voted in favor. Because five election judges working at East campus in the April 8 referendum served seventeen hours, the board agreed that each should receive an additional $15. The payment for election judges was $31. Some judges worked from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m, while the five receiving extra com­ pensation served from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. the following day. ° Because of the situation at East campus, where voting was heaviest, President James Althoff suggested the possibility of a consolidation of precincts or establishment of new precincts in future elec­ tions. One suggestion was for polling locations at Wonder Lake, East and West cam­ puses. Further study will be made before any action is taken. Approval was given to a self- supporting laundry service program as an alternative proposal to action taken last summer when the board voted to eliminate the laundry service as one of many curtailments in the 1978-79 budget. The projected savings was iden­ tified at $13,000. * The plan approved Tuesday night involves charging $11 students $5 per year for the Physical Education towel needs, up $1.50 from the $3.50 assessment now in effect. In addition, athletes would be assessed a fee of $2 per sport for towels. In making the recom­ mendation, the superintendent pointed out that this would reduce the position of one of the current full time laundry personnel. The savings is also estimated at $13,000. Supt. Robert Swartzloff said he is completing his two four-.0 year high school simulated (Continued on page 8) No. 806 will operate between Fox Lake and Crystal Lake. Two weeks of free fares and a dedication ceremony will highlight the beginning of the service. These free fares, from May 22 to June 4, will be offered to riders on the first McHenry bus to encourage residents to try the new service. Dedication ceremonies for the new service has been scheduled for 2 p.m. May 22 at the Crystal Lake commuter station, Woodstock and Grand. RTA board members as well as state and local officials will participate in the ribbon cut­ ting ceremony. Route no. 806 will operate -between Fox Lake and Crystal Lake. The bus will travel between Grand avenue and Rollins street in Fox Lake and the Crystal Point Mall in Crystal Lake. All buses have been scheduled to meet Chicago & North Western commuter trains at the Crystal Lake Station. The buses also will serve as commuter feeders in McHenry to meet the 6:53 a.m. CN&W train and the 6:45 p.m. train in the evening. Schedules also have been arranged for the convenience of the employees of Oak In­ dustries in Crystal Lake and will stop at the company at 7:15 a.m. and at 4:05 p.m. Once no. 806 reaches Fox Lake the route becomes route Withdraw Woodcreek Request A standing room only crowd was present as one zoning variation was approved, one was denied, and one was with­ drawn at Monday night's City Council meeting. Attorney Jim Green started the meeting by announcing that the Woodcreek subdivision was withdrawing its request asking that the minimum lot width at the building line be reduced from 132 feet to 100 feet. Nothing is small anymore. As an example, take the first class postage stamp - yes, take it now, for very soon its cost is expected to rise again although the product may remain the same size. Just ten years ago the first class stamp cost us five cents and we were complaining about the increase to six cents. Now it is thirteen cents and within a month it could jump to fifteen. Pity the poor greeting card companies that have been enjoying a heyday for so many years. All those contemporary cards that tickle our funny bone - all those sentimental beauties that tug at our heartstrings -all may gather dust on the mer­ chants' shelves. And come' Christmas time, there may be gifts but no greetings. Why, at the rate we're going, we can buy a couple of candy bars or a few sticks of gum for what it costs to say "Hi" to a couple of friends. But if the Postal Sevice is going to extract more hard earned cash from our pocket, we wish they would keep the machinery in working order. The last time we attempted to purchase stamps from the vending machine on a Sunday we met with success until we inserted a nickel to get one<ent stamps to apply along with our ten-cent purchase. No bells rang, no lights came on -and worse fate of all - our nickel remained forever hidden from view. We reached into the stamp slot but no stamps. We shook the machine but no nickel. It didn't occur to us to complain about the loss of something as insignificant as a nickel until insult was added to injury with announcement of the probable increase to a fifteen-cent first class stamp. This, together with the an­ nouncement that our labors thus far this year, through the first few days in May, have been for Uncle Sam's tax fund, sorely tries our sportsmanship. Everything is growing - everything but the greenbacks in our pocket. KAF "The request for variation was made in good faith," said Green, "and since the neigh­ bors in the area do not want the change as requested, we have decided to withdraw the petition." The council room and foyer were filled with several local businessmen and professionals in architecture and land planning opposed to. the Woodcreek petition ready to voice their objections. When Green explained his intention to withdraw the petition, Mayor Joseph Stanek suggested that the objectors present not testify. The mayor and Green both assured the group that Woodcreek would not seek any other variances in the future. Mrs. Mary Ann Berman, a spokesperson for the organized Concerned Citizens for McHenry and the six neighbors of the Woodcreek development, expressed the group's feelings after the decision to withdraw the petition .was made public. "We share the Planning commission's concern for the concept of less density and more open space, but not as a compromise," she said. "Now that compliance with city minimum ordinances has been assured, the city is free to negotiate further on open land parcels and larger lots in the fragile oak forests and deep erodible ravines." The request for a variation of the existing zoning at the corner of Richmond road and Maple avenue was denied by an unanimous vote of the Council. It had been requested that the zoning be changed from R-3 to allow the location of an in­ surance and estate planning office in the building located on the premises. The Zoning Board of Appeals had previously recommended that the Council deny the request. The petition of Barbara Gerasch, requesting that a zoning variation be granted to allow her to construct a residence in the 1600 block of Park street and operate her telephone answering service from that location was granted by a vote of seven to one. Percival Thompson,- an at­ torney representing land owners in the area of the request, appeared before the Council and stated that the adjacent land owners were opposed to any business moving into the area. '"Hiere is no reason for the business to move from a commercially zoned area into a residential area and ask for a variance." he said. A petition had been presented by residents in the area in­ cluding 20 percent of the abutting property owners to the property in question, requiring a two-thirds vote of the Council to grant the variation request. The Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended that the city grant the request. The lone dissenter when the vote was taken was Alderman Ernest Schooley. In other Council news, a two- year contract was awarded to Clarke Outdoor Spraying company for mosquito control in the city. The contract will cost the city between $10,000 and $13,000 depending on the weather. (Continued on page 8) Crash Kills R.J. Gausden A one-car accident early Wednesday evening, May 17, took the life of Robert J. Gausden, 30, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Joseph Gausden of McHenry. The young man, an electronic engineer for Commonwealth Edison Co., at the Byron Nuclear site, had worked overtime and was driving home after 6:30. Law enforcement officials believe his car struck a bridge abutment and the vehicle burst into flames. The crash occurred at Rt. 72 and 51, in Ogle county. The accident victim was born April 13, 1948, in McHenry. He graduated from Marian Cen­ tral high school and Marquette university, Milwaukee, later receiving his Master's degree in Business Administration from Loyola university. Besides his parents, he leaves two brothers, Michael of Libertyville, and Thomas E. of New York City; also his maternal grandfather, Peter J. Schaefer. He was preceded in death by a sister, JoAnne. The body will rest at the Peter M. Justen & Son chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. A funeral Mass will be offered at St. Mary's Catholic church Saturday morning at 11:30, with burial in the church cemetery. County RTA Statement A prepared statement was distributed to the McHenry County board Tuesday stating the position of the County board's Transportation committee with respect to the RTA's proposed five-year Transit program for 1979-83 and the proposed annual program and budget for '79. In accounting for revenues and expenses attributable to McHenry county, both non- restricted and restricted funds, the committee determines that even with implementation of all service recommended in the plan, there will be a surplus of revenues over expenses of about $1 million dollars per year. As a result, the committee feels that "it is unfair to take the total surplus attributable to a particular county, consider it as 'non-restricted funds' and use it to offset deficits in other areas of the region." The county then outlines fiscal matters which it feels the RTA must concern itself with "without further delay". The committee statement is intended for the May 25 RTA public hearing to be held at West campus in McHenry at 7:30 p.m. no. 570, serving Antioch and Grandwood Park in Lake county. Action taken at an RTA meeting set no. 806 fares at 30 cents for local trips and 50 cents for intracommunity trips. Transfers will be 10 cents and senior citizens or handicapped persons with special user passes can ride at half the regular fare. Senior citizens who do not have reduced fare passes may obtain one with proper proof of age from the RTA Regional Affairs office in Crystal Lake, 101 Main street.. RTA Planner Clayton Weaver recently explained that four other routes in McHenry county will be in operation by early June. Other routes to operate include Route 805 between Crystal Lake and Elgin; Route 807 between Woodstock and McHenry (through Wonder Lake); Route 808 between Crystal lake and Harvard (Continued on page 8) Transportation, Land Use Plan Debated In County Three Separate Actions On Zoning The matter of a tran­ sportation plan for the county occupied the McHenry County board Tuesday for a large portion of the meeting. The relationship between tran­ sportation and a land use plan prompted debate among members. The Special Transportation Study committee, headed by Board Chairman Richard Klemm, has as members Dianne Easty, Tom Huemann of Johnsburg, Ross Kitchen and George Lowe. Member William Beese voiced his objection to ap­ proving a transportation plan until the land use plan is completed. So strong were Beese's feelings that at one time he threatened to cut off special zoning funds until the land use planning has been determined. During the debate that followed, with questions as to how long zoning could be withheld, Beese withdrew his motion to withhold funds. He was assured the land use plan would be nearly completed in ninety days. By a vote of 22 to 20, the petition asking for a Con­ ditional Use permit on property in Dorr township, Woodstock, as a site for a private short term alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation facility, and educational . center, was defeated. One of the petitioners was Dr. Lee Gladstone. Because of a technical error on description, the request of (Continued on page 8) McHenry Girls In Pageants KIM KANTLEHNER Kim Kantlehner, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Kantlehner of McHenry and a 1977 graduate of McHenry high school has en­ tered the Miss Carpentersville pageant, a preliminary to the Miss America pageant. Miss Kantlehner is currently attending Illinois State university to become a Special (Continued on page 8) JILL HUTCHINSON Miss Jill Hutchinson, 15, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Hutchinson of 2514 Lincoln road, McHenry, has been selected as a finalist in the 1978 Illinois United Teenager pageant to be held at the Sheraton-Oakbrook June 30 and (Continued on page 8)