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V V \ THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 Stoarfc Winning iJetospaper 1978-- Illinois Press Ass<xiat>on N*-»s|)aper Contest VOLUME 103 NUMBER 94 FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1979 2 SECTIONS 28 PAGES 20' McHenry Crowns A Queen For '79 She stood in the center of the other eight girls during the picture sessions, but as the night's activities drew to a close she became the center of attention when she was crowned queen. A beautifully poised, brown- haired, and sun tanned Karen Jean Szumlas, 18, was chosen to be Miss McHenry before a large crowd at the American Legion clubhouse Tuesday evening. The shortest con­ testant at 5 feet 3 inches, Karen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Szumlas of 3314 N. Cove. A lovely, vivacious, smiling, brown-haired Alice "Kathy" Bavetz, 18, was selected as first runnerup. Should Karen be for any reason unable to fulfill the responsibilites of Miss McHenry, Kathy would take her place. Kathy is the daugher of Mr. and Mrs. John Bavetz. A pretty Julie Ann Kuhns, 17, with auburn hair and tallest girl in the competition, was second runnerup. Tammy Ann Rae, 19, was voted to the honored title of "Miss Congeniality". Tammy was introduced by Kathy Graef, Miss Congeniality 1978. Kathy wished her successor as much happiness as she had experienced in representing McHenry. The queen and her court all received trophies, ribbons and a bonquet of flowers, Miss McHenry a bonquet of red roses, the runners up bouquets of carnations, and a nosegay for Miss Congeniality. The new Miss McHenry was among the top five graduates of the 1979 Johnsburg high school graduating class. She was cheerleader and a one-year member of the National Honor society. She was a cast member of the spring musical, and also a member of the yearbook staff, tennis team, and the Pep club. Karen is planning on attending Eastern Illinois university this Fall to major in pyschology, art and education The pageant began with the lovely Linda Bonk, 1978 Miss McHenry, leading the young ladies through the Legion hall which was filled. The con­ testants made their way to the stage in their colorful evening gowns, which offset the beautiful, white-draped stage designed by Barbara Low. The girls looked radiant as the knowledge of what they learned in their ten-week charm course became evident. The girls received lessons on hair care from Kathy Freund and Linda Miller, make-up from Linda Eldridge. and attire from Bonnie Gaza The girls were introduced to the audience while Linda Bonk took her place in the queen's chair for the last time during her reien The competition drew to a close with each contestant selecting a question in a sealed envelope from the basket held by Jennifer Mauer. Little Miss Peanut 1978 The girls quietly read the question to themselves and then the question was read to the audience by the Mistress of ceremonies. Bonnie Gaza The 1979 Miss MeHenry-!o-be was asked which of the following three men she would rather spend an evening with at the disco Robin "Mork" Williams, Gov. Thompson, or Burt Reynolds Karen quickly chose "Mork" because he makes me laugh, and I love to laugh and I would want to have a good time." Kathy Bavetz was asked how she felt about women in politics Kathy thought a minute and replied if they are in there to do a good job. then that is alright, but if they are just there to prove that women (Continued on page 20) $2,035 Million Bond Sale Okayed For High School Life Safety Work Public Pulse letters are one of the best read columns in our newspaper, or any other. They are important to the newspaper because of their popularity; they are important to the writer because he feels ~ and rightly so - that he is part of the newspaper. The letters also are im­ portant to readers because they are interested in the views of their neighbors. But like every section of a newspaper, these letters must have restrictions. Over a period of a few years, we have been asked to overstep the bounds set in almost every area of policy. Some write and include no signature; others sign their name and ask that it not be used. We receive letters from other cities and other states, and there are con­ tributors who definitely want to take potshots at an office holder or organization -anony­ mously. We ask that names be signed and do not print letters "name withheld". We ask that the writer reside in our reading area and we limit debate by asking that the same person not write on the same subject more than once a month. At times it has occurred to us that possibly our policies were The board of High School District 156 approved an offer to sell $2,035 million in bonds effective July 9 in order to finance proposed life safety code work at both campuses. In another action, the board voted to seek bids for the work through a general contractor rather than accept bids from each prime sub-contractor. At the urging of their at­ torney, A1 Franke, the school board moved expeditiously to authorize the issuing of the life safety work bonds because of A pretty face, a good figure and a radiant personality. Add them up and she is Miss McHenry 1979 in the person of 18-year-old Karen Szumlas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Szumlas, 3314 N. Cove, McHenry. The young June graduate of Johnsburg high school is shown in top photo as she was crowned by the 1978 queen, Linda Bonk. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD too rigid. We were pleased, then, to pick up a copy of a state press newspaper and read a column by the state president. He concurred 100 percent with the theory that letters should contain published names in order to warrant space. He also feels there should be no obligation to run letters from outside the area. The press leader feels strongly on the subject and points to the daily deluge of form letters, mimeographed or carbon-copies, many of them with half truths and ac­ cusations, or praising the lobbying group. He asks why some newspapers let themselves be "used", then concludes that possibly they do so only because they feel this means they are fulfilling their jour­ nalistic responsibilites by merely printing many letters. Printing good, bonafide letters from our readers in our own area serves an important function of our newspaper. It shows reader participation and interest in our product. But when the paper becomes a "tool", used by an individual or group, then it is overstepping its main purpose. K A . F . Youth Group Action Leads To Arrest Of Two Both Steven Leary, Wonder Lake, and Frank Leary, Lake Zurich, face bonds of $7,000 after being arrested for two separate incidents that oc­ curred last Friday. A Sheriff's police officer responded to a report of a legislation pending in the Illinois Senate that would "wipe out" all bonding authority by school districts except that approved by referendum. Franke said the bill, which has passed the Legislature and is now in its second reading in the Senate, is generating much confusion and its meaning is unclear, but it will make it impossible to issue life safety bonds after its passage and signature. He noted that compliance with life safety requirements is provided for by the state but there is no method of financing the work (without bonds). In response to questions from the board, Franke said they should proceed quickly before construction starts, making sure the bonds are sold before signing with the general con­ tractor since they could get the bonding power pulled out from under them. Both buildings should be included in one issue, he said. Franke estimated the whole process, bond offering, rating by Moodys and sale with the legal opinion, should take 4 to 5 weeks, hopefully before final action can be taken on the pending legislation. Board president Ed Neumann, Jr., urged that they accept the shorter period for the bonds, 10 years instead of the alternative 20, because this was not for new construction. And when business manager Mike Kelley was asked if the district could handle this, Kelley noted there was no limit on the aggregate total, the Licensed Plumbers County To Comply On Inspections Considerable discussion was devoted to the legal and practical aspects of providing a licensed plumber for in­ spections when the McHenry County board met Tuesday. The matter came to the at­ tention of members when it was learned that Kane county had lost a court case recently and is now forced to hire a licensed union plumber to do plumbing inspections. An Illinois At­ torney General opinion of December, 1978, concurred with the ruling of the more recent court case. Member Thomas Huemann of Johnsburg was opposed to the requirement, noting that a licensed plumber makes the installation and it should not have to be inspected. Expressing a contrary view was Glenn Peterson of McHenry, Building and Zoning officer for the county, who explained the complexity of some of the work today. "A layman isn't qualified to do the work", Peterson con­ cluded, referring to the in­ spection. On the motion of Edward Buss of McHenry for a vote requiring a licensed plumber for the work, 17 were in favor and 3 opposed. Two resolutions were directed to the RTA and its operation in McHenry county. One of these asks that the RTA take immediate action to replace the 46-passenger coaches with smaller, van type vehicles for county service because ridership figures do not justify the use of the larger buses. The second asks that the RTA reevaluate the fare structure on all public transportation modes in the region and that fares be increased sub­ stantially to more closely reflect the actual cost of operation. The request was made after comparing the sharp price rise in gasoline and a subsidy of about $1.75 to $2 per ride for each bus passenger in the county. The resolution also took into account the subsidy of commuter rail operations in asking for the reevaluation of fare structure Approval was given to a review of subdivision plats within municipalities The county's part of the agreement calls for an evaluation of the general features of the proposed division of land such as sizes of. and arrangements of lots as they relate to satisfactory septic system design, operation and maintenance The county also will evaluate the proposed storm water collection, detention, retention and discharge system. Other responsibilities must be met by the municipalities. Fees were outlined for municipal plat review, listing $175 for a sketch plan of both septic and drainage. $250 for a tentative plat and $200 for a final plat for a total of $625. The septic alone amounts to $570 and the drainage alone. $475 A new ordinance approved Tuesday establishes altered speed zones for various parts of River road Existing limits at the various points are 45, 50 and 55 miles per hour The new limits, which will take effect immediately after the erection of signs, will reduce these speeds to 40. 45 and 50 miles per hour Changes were recommended after an engineering and traffic investigation of the thorough­ fare. One special request of the Finance and Salaries com­ mittee report received special /attention before approval It cofj^rned a $10,000 ap­ propriation for the purchase of property through an Extension Building association. The recommendation of the Health & Agriculture com- Stoplights At 120-Crystal Lake Road Win Approval gunshot at Hiawatha and Hilltop, Wonder Lake. Leslie Natzel, Wonder Lake, said that earlier in the day he had been towing a boat when he came across a car blocking the road and a number of youths who would not let him pass. (Continued on page 20) After a series of ordinances concerning the construction of stoplights at the intersection of Route 120 and the Crystal Lake blacktop were proposed at Monday night's City Council meeting, Alderman Wieser was considerably irked at having these ordinances brought up for passage at the last minute. His ire increased when the same thing happened again when money had to be ap­ propriated from the motor fuel tax fund to pay for the 1979 road program. But, he cast affirmative votes in both cases, as did the rest of the Council, because as Mayor Stanek put it, "time is of the essence." The vote to approve the annexation, or reject it, of the RDG development was post­ poned until the July 2, regular City Council meeting because RDG Vice-President Jim Berg said they were not prepared with all the proper papers. Alderman Wieser said it would be a mistake to allow RDG to build without splitting the cost of repairing Curran road where it fronts RDG's property. Wieser said that it was only fair considering the profits RDG would realize from the development. Considerable unresolved debate ensued after Alderman Harker said that he had received inquiries from people concerning the cable television construction currently under way in McHenry. Alderman Harker needed an assurance about just what method would be used to bury the cable. The debate centered around which easements the company could use and according to City Attorney Narusis, the cable television company only has a contract to use city easements, otherwise the company's ac­ tions would be governed by federal and state regulations and the property owner's title. There was some confusion concerning whether or not utilities like Northern Illinois Gas or Com Ed could "sublet" their easements. Both Aldermen Pepping and Wieser were of the opinion that a utility could not sublet an easement which was granted mittee and the Finance & Salaries committee, was for the 1979-1980 budget for the Cooperative Extension Service to be $14,000 and for a separate, one time appropriation of $10,000 for the purchase of property (Continued on page 20) question being whether the taxpayer can handle it. He said the additional tax levy resulting from the bonds would be 12 cents per $100 for the first year based on the present assessment of the district. He added that the district is presently paying on five outstanding l>ond issues dating back to 1965, two of them on the West campus and the others for life safety work. Franke said that payments on the schedule would be all interest until 1986. Board meml>er Dan McNulty noted that there is not much dif­ ference in payment amounts until 1982 between the 10 and 20- year schedules The board specified a 10-year bond schedule at a maximum of 8 percent interest with a sale date of July 9 on an unanimous vote. The board chose the option of having all the life safety work bid through single general contractors The successful bidder would be responsible for satisfactory completion with his performance Ixind Other alternatives open to the board, according to Neumann and superintendent Robert Swartzloff, were to bid all primary and subcontracts directly (but no single firm or person would be responsible) or they could solicit bids from prime (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) contractors and assign them to the successful bidding general contractor who would have to post a per­ formance bond. This latter option is not always acceptable to general contractors who do not like to take responsibility for sub-contractors whom they do not approve. Swartzloff added that the Capital Development board has a fourth method, hiring a project manager, which is considered too slow Neumann noted that the architect could also supervise the project, but with a general contractor and a performance bond the architect's respon­ sibility for project completion (Continued on page 20) for a specific use, in this case gas or power lines. The cable company could contract with Illinois Bell or Com Ed to use their poles, but the company itself may not construct any poles and is limited in the contract to the use of underground easements where they already exist. Regardless, said Alderman Datz, the underground easement will hurt. He pointed out that, legally or illegally, many homeowners have planted trees and shrubs or made other improvements on the easements the company might use. The Finance committee reported that the best place from which to take money for the senior citizens would be the $10,000 contingency fund of the budget. The senior citizens of McHenry will receive $2,000 from the city to keep the Senior Citizens center afloat The 1979 street program plans for the repaving of some of McHenry s streets will in­ clude, in Ward 1: John street (Continued on page 20) Erin Money Little Miss Peanut Jennifer Mauer, Little Miss Peanut of 1978-79, crowns the proud new title-holder, Erin Money, 6. before a large crowd at the Legion clubhouse Wednesday evening. At left and right are Megan Miller and Judith Ann ("JJ") Warren, respectively, runnersup for the crown. Twenty-five youngsters were entered in the contest. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD A pert, brown-eyed, brown haired beauty of 6 is the new Little Miss Peanut for McHenry. Erin Money, daughter of Mr and Mrs J Money of 2806 Henzada, McHenry. was crowned in a colorful conclusion to the an nual Kiwanis-sponsored contest at the Legion clubhouse Wednesday night Runnersup were Megan Miller. 8-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs. Hank Miller of Lincolnshire. McHenry. and Judith Ann <"JJ"> Warren. daughter of Mr and Mrs. Wayne Warren of 3215 W Miller. McHenry Shores Krin was not immediately certain it was her name that was called out But her mother, the former Mary Harner. (Continued on page 20)