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VOLUME 103 NUMBER 68 FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979 1 SECTION 22 PAGES 20' THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 $1 Million Suit Names District 15 Directors Charging that elementary School District 15 has failed to provide a curriculum designed to meet the special needs of the Gifted Child, Janet R. Irwin of 1104 S. Hollywood Blvd., McHenry Shores, has filed a $1 million suit naming the directors of the district. Mrs. Irwin is particularly concerned for her 10-year-old son, Thomas R. Irwin, a fifth grader at Edgebrook school. The suit, filed in McHenry County Circuit court late Tuesday afternoon, charges among other things, that the boy has been deprived of the only program ever allowed by the defendants to "enhance p l a i n t i f f ' s e d u c a t i o n a l development". The program to which the suit refers was one in which the administrators of both the McHenry high school and grade school arranged to have Thomas take Spanish language instruction at East campus. The suit charges "that program was willfully and „ wantonly stopped by the action of the defendant only a few weeks after being instituted". Mrs. Irwin said she had been promised opportunities to meet the needs of the child for two years but insists they have never materialized. Thomas' mother said the family moved to McHenry Shores more than two years ago from Carpentersville. Soon afterward the boy, then a third- grader. experienced some minor problems, according to Mrs. Irwin. The teacher thought they might be caused by a learning disability, but asked that the child be tested by the school because in spite of difficulties in the classroom he always received 100 as test scores. Mrs. Irwin identified his classroom trouble as "being bored and insensitive to the teacher". The testing, according to his mother, determined his IQ to be between 169 and 170 and he was described as "intellectually gifted." " • With a desire to confirm those findings. Mr and Mrs. Irwin secured the services of a private psychologist, whose findings were identical Because he spoke fluently, a school spokesman said the psychologist encouraged the boy to enroll in a foreign language class and the family provided tutoring in Spanish. The same spokesman said that two or three weeks ago a written recommendation was made for the boy to be allowed to enroll in a Spanish class at East campus, which was done pending action by the school board When the matter of con­ tinuing classes at the high school was brought before the board last week, a discussion in executive session was followed by a 4-3 vote which resulted in a negative decision Dr Richard Farmer. District 15 superintendent, observed that it is difficult to determine the exact reason for the board's denial in such a close vote. However, he acknowledged (Continued on page 10) Stoarb Winning JJetospaper 1978^-- Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest Conclude Record Long City Zoning Hearing A Booster Is Gone The McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals ended what has probably been the longest zoning hearing in the history of the city last Friday , when they concluded their discussion of the proposed Residential Development Group Winding Creek planned unit develop­ ment. He told the board RDG was purchasing the land in sections of which there are 10 He said the earliest the firm would own all the land would be 1982, if they bought it as quickly as the contract would allow. "This disturbs me," Mrs. Cuda commented "Today I'm finally aware you're securing available at once." Mrs. Cuda said."The development is limited by the availability of the land." Board member Bryce Klontz explained he was concerned with the rate of build-out of the development. Berg explained that the size of the firm was a built- in i especially enjoyedyour comments - The hearing included with the land in sections. I'm^^restriction on the rate of "Keep up the gobd work on The words were Ray McGee's several months ago, the last time we met him on the street. They were words we had heard so many times, words similar to those that had encouraged hundreds of others through the years. This column is not a eulogy of the late business and civic leader. His actions were a eulogy in themselves. Rather, it is a reflection on the life of a booster. Seldom has McHenry been so in need of the quality he possessed in such generous quantity. Once we called him Mr. McHenry. He had done so much for his town, for his county, and for every person with whom he came into contact. Not everyone has learned his lesson well, but never have we had a better teacher. Apart from any classroom, without even being aware of his gift, he taught the importance of boosting. He loved his home town and everything about it, and in his wisdom he knew that the best he could give it was something more than his service - sincere encouragement through a pat on the back. He knew that critical eyes must view trouble spots. But he knew that just as important is a spirit that provides the incentive boost to conquer the problem. For Ray McGee, the critical eye always remained silent while the boost came through loudly, "Let me help!" Whether it was an organization, a civic undertaking, the educational system or his church that had a problem, his pro attitude was evident. It spelled the difference between just giving service and giving it from the heart. McHenry has problems today. Growth has put a strain on city and school leaders, on business, on the man-on-the-street. McHenry is in need of a booster. How fortunate we would be if a young Ray McGee were to emerge as leader and booster today, just as this quiet, gentle man did through the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. K.A.F. the board discussing certain restrictions and recom­ mendations to be sent to the Council with the .board's complete recommendation. At a meeting the previous week, the board had voted unanimously to recommend the City Council approve the zoning for the proposed PUD. A map of the PUD showing the zones requested and their densities is on page 10 of this issue. The surprise of the final hearing was when the board discovered the land being discussed was not entirely owned by Residential Development Group. Board member Anna Cuda questioned RDG Vice-president Jim Berg when open land on the west side of Boone creek in the development would be available. The land is to be dedicated to the city and the Council has indicated it may give the land to the schools for a possible school site. "The open land can't be used until services and roads are added to the area," Berg ex­ plained. He reported the open land would not be available to the city for 3 to 5 years. unhappy with the thought thaV open land and the school site are not available at this time." Berg reported RDG was not going to go in and put all the roads in the entire development at once. "This shouldn't be a shocking surprise," he explained, "because the school is on the west side of the creek and we've said all along we're starting on the east side." "We aren't slighting the schools," he continued, "because for each house we will pay the required capital development fees " He also explained RDG was the first developer in the city tosoay the fees and donate land in addition to the cash contributions "Well then, there's a built-in restriction on the rate of growth because all the land isn't growth. "This will be a con­ tinuation of the sensible growth pattern of the Boone Valley PUD." He added the fact they don't own all the land, the firm's ability to produce homes and the cycles in the building in­ dustry are all built-in restrictions on the rate of build- out. Acting Board Chairman Jim Fouse said the proposed development would have the most dramatic impact on the city, more than any other development Berg disagreed, explaining the Boone Valley PUD which RDG is now completing Ms comprised of more units than the Winding Creek proposal Klontz indicated he would like to see the board recom- (Continued on page 10) State C Of C President Speaks At Dinner The first quarterly dinner of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce will feature Lester To Reduce Bussing Predict Increased School Costs In a routine meeting Tuesday, March 20, interrupted briefly bv a Channel 2 TV unit pursuing the story of the million dollar lawsuit, the board of High School District 156 discussed the problem of two four-year campuses. Board president James Althoff predicted fur­ ther increases in costs for the four-year campus programs, as the board okayed one and one- half additional teaching positions resulting "from a desire to minimize required bussing... between buildings." R o b e r t S w a r t z l o f f , superintendent of District 156, conceded in his explanation for the increase in teachers that the recently completed student course selection procedure revealed that the number of students scheduled for next year is essentially the same as for a year ago, and pupil course request had not changed ap­ preciably. The additional staffing was to minimize required bussing of students between buildings as the district began its phase-in year while converting to two four- year programs. The l'/fe teachers would require bussing by 100 students. It was originally estimated that 'more than 700 students would have to be bussed when the program is fully operative. Althoff reminded Swartzloff, in a friendly tone, that the administration had assured the board that bussing would be no problem. This is the first of more requests to follow, Althoff predicted. "We will probably see further requests for reduced bussing and more requests for ad­ ditional money for the two four- year schools. The ink is not dry on the minutes of the meeting (which approved the concept) and we find ourselves with a request for 14 teachers." And he noted that he had voted against the proposal at the time. Swartzloff called attention to the report on the proposal which suggested the duplication of facilities where (Continued on page 19; County Board Reverses Override Between 75 and 80 persons who were present at the Tuesday meeting of the McHenry County board saw enough members reverse their vote to result in acceptance of the Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation concerning a zoning change of property in Greenwood township. At the February meeting, the decision of the County board was to overrule the denial recommended by the ZBA for 252 acres located south of Greenwood, north of Rt 120, on the Greenwood blacktop The petitioners are listed as the First National bank of Woodstock as trustee, McHenry State bank, as trustee, and Thomas P. and Lois Mathews. They asked for an amendment from "F" Farming to "E-3" Estate for 1- acre estate use. The 15-8 vi»te to overrule was assisted by the votes of Edward Buss, C.B. "Clint" Claypool, Donald P. Doherty, Thomas Huemann, James Curran and Charles Weingart. Only Dean C. Cunat of McHenry was opposed. In the meantime, organizations protesting the majority action let their feelings be known through a public statement. They in­ cluded the McHenry County Farm Bureau, the McHenry County Defenders, the Bull Valley association and the Woodstock Home Owners association. As the subject of zoning was brought before the board Tuesday to open the meeting, William Beese of Richmond asked to be heard. He told members he had misun­ derstood the motion on the override of the ZBA recom­ mendation and asked that the February vote be rescinded and the matter brought to the floor again. By a vote of 14 to 10. his motion was approved although there were questions as to the legality of rescinding Because the new state's attorney had not yet been named. Chairman Richard Klemm observed that this legal question would need to be decided by the court. When the matter of the (Continued on paj/c 10) W. Brann, Jr., president of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, as guest speaker. The dinner will be held at the Longhorn Steak House Tuesday evening, March 27. Chamber members and their guests are invited. Brann joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Sept. 1, 1967, as executive vice- president. In October. 1970. he was elected the first full-time president of the organization. As the chief executive officer of the state Chamber, he heads the largest organization of its kind in the country, with over 16,000 business people on its roster and a staff of 44 men and women at the headquarters in Chicago and a branch office in Springfield. A 1950 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law school, he practiced law in Racine, Wis., for seven years, served as an alderman of the city, and was active in civic and political affairs. From October, 1974, to (Continued on page 10) Cyclist Pinned After Collision McHenry Area Rescue squad members hurry to raise an auto to free Edward J. Seekings, 2608 Fair Oaks, who was pinned beneath the car after it collided with the motorcycle he was riding. The accident occurred Tuesday evening on River road. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD A McHenry man was listed in satisfactory condition in McHenry hospital Thursday morning, where he had been admitted following a car- motorcycle accident Tuesday evening Edward Seekings. 2608 Fair Oaks, was injured when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car driven by Elaine Townsend, 907 Plymouth lane. Ms. Townsend was ticketed by police for making an im­ proper turn and failure to signal a turn Seekings was pinned beneath the car and freed by McHenry Area Rescue squad members, who later transported him to the hospital A three-car crash on Route 120 at River road resulted in Sheriff's police issuing two tickets to a McHenry driver Clarence M Young. 3002 (Continued on page 10) Former Business, Civic Leader Dies INSIDE City Acts To Update Plan - Page 7 Present Aldermcnic Candidates - Page 19 Johnsburg Vocational Center Plans - Page 7 Crop Hunger Walk April 8 - Page 7 Ray McGee, former post­ master. businessman and civic leader, died Tuesday. March 20, in Carestoel Professional Care center. McHenry. where he had resided for several months Through the years he was recognized probably morfe than any other citizen for his out standing service to his home community One such recognition came in 1954 when he was named Citizen of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars A member of ihe McHenry County Jury commission ana McHenry County Merit com­ mission. he received the •'.Continued on page 10) H A Y M n l K K Ronald R. Irwin, acting as attorney for his son, Thomas R. Irwin, files $1 million law suit with Clerk Deb Freund of the Circuit court. The suit, filed Tuesday afternoon, names school directors of McHenry Elementary School District 12 and was filed by Janet R. Irwin, for her minor son. She asserts, among other complaints, that the school has failed to provide a curriculum designed to meet the special needs of the Gifted Child. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD