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Ready For the Road This 'Class Is Full' sign on the door of the City Council chambers is proof enough of the popularity of the driver refresher course offered under sponsorship of * the McHenry Senior Citizens club. The sign was hung last Thursday after a record 55 seniors crowded into the room in preparation for their approaching tests. This was the first of three Thursday sessions instruc­ ted by James Jansen, who conducts the class with two assistants. Classes are held about every three mon­ ths. STAFF PHOTOS/WAYNE GAYLORD THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER (CI Offer Speakers •SER*ING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875' VOLUME 105 NUMBER 64 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981 l 'SECTION 20 PAGES 25' Disclose State OLCity by Anthony Oliver Approximately 20 City employees, mostly from Public Works department and the City Gerk's office, attended the Monday night Finance committee meeting to hear "first hand the financial condition of the city and the posture of the committee regarding the wage "freeze." Q Finance committee chairman, Jack Pepping, characterized the 1960-81 fiscal year as "unique and unusual." In the past, he said, the city had been able to count on increasing sales tax revenues - the "bread and butter" of the city. Pepping pointed out to those present that the sales tax provides more revenue for the operation of the ill £ Names of offenders in local traffic court appear regularly in our newspaper for the sole purpose of ac­ ting as a deterrent to would-be of­ fenders. It was interesting recently to learn that we don't have the only newspaper where an occasional offender stops by, or calls, to ask that his name be deleted before publication day. Our answer is always the same -that we have never purposely deleted a name, regardless of the offender. This brings to mind an incident in another state in which a daily newspaper did some research on traffic fine publications. A graduate student in the state university school of jour­ nalism interviewed 100 of the 302 persons mentioned during 30 days covering two months. Eighty-one of those who answered said if they were the editor of the newspaper they would print the names; 12 said they would not and seven were not sure. Ninety-eight had either seen their name in the column or had been told it appeared. Most interesting of the survey an­ swers came in an admission from 32 respondents that publication of their names caused them to be more careful drivers. That convinced us of something we were quite sure of all along. The newspaper is in business for several purposes, one of which is to make the community a better place in which to live. If our traffic safety record isn't one of the most important, we would find it difficult to list others! KAF ' city than any other source, including the real estate tax. "We can't raise a levy to increase sales tax," the committee chairman said. "It's there or it isn't, people are spending or they're not." Pepping noted that a year ago, the city was in "excellent financial shape" and commented further, "No one dreamed that the recession would last as long or be as deep as it has been." The committee, Pepping said, was projecting a $165,000 (estimated) deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, which could be covered by the city's reserves. "If the revenue projections hold up, the reserves will be down to bare bones at the end of the 1961-82 fiscal year," Pepping said. "Right now the ex­ penditures are greater than the revenues and this can't go on very long. I am hopeful that things will turn around, but there is no assurance that it will." The chairman took exception to oft- quoted cost-of-living statistics saying that these were "grossly inflated." The federal government, he ob­ served, could not extricate itself from using these figures because so many contracts were tied to the cost-of-living. The cost-of-living takes into account the prime interest rate, which is bet­ ween 15 percent and 18 percent, Pep­ ping said. "I dare say that most of you pay about 10 percent on your homes and you don't buy houses every month," he added. Pepping said that past commitments regarding progression increases, merit raises and longevity benefits would be honored by the city. Mayor Stanek suggested that when the $200,000 Knox park reimbursement grant is paid, the city could perhaps give an across-the-board bonus to the employees Pepping said he realized that the employees had given a lot in service but commented that the effort to keep the city afloat was a cooperative one. One member of the audience asked if the wage freeze applied to all of the government employees. Pepping said he intended to recommend that the aldermen forego the $25 per meeting increase that was approved recently. One member of the audience noted that the City of Woodstock recently approved pay raises for their em­ ployees and used revenue sharing funds to do it. "I think that's poor planning." Pepping said. "There is no assurance that the program will continue " Sgt. Patrick Joyce, of the McHenry Police department, suggested. "If we're not going to get any pay raises, how about a couple of holidays9" "Haven't we about used them up9" Pepping asked. "We could find some," Joyce replied Chief Pasenelli said the Police department would strive to do a better job, but noted that at this time next year, the committee would be "made well aware of the job that had been done." Pepping said the suggestion of ad­ ditional holidays would be turned over to department heads for a recom­ mendation because they were responsible for the operation of their respective departments. Tlie committee also accepted the sewer and water department budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. The combined revenues were projected at $748,100 while the deficit was projected at $786,260, leaving a deficit of $38,160. It was noted that funds exist to cover this deficit. Seek Flood Plain Agreement by Anthony Oliver Representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) met with a special committee of the City Council in an attempt to resolve dif­ ferences regarding the flood plain in­ surance program. Flood insurance has not been available in the city since Nov. 19, I960. Before flood insurance becomes available again in McHenry, the city will have to enact an ordinance which regulates all flood plains within the corporate limits of the city. According to a FEMA representative, David Schein, buildings can be constructed in the flood plains if: a) the structure will not cause damage to neighboring property by displacing water and b) the structure itself is protected. Schein said the lowest floor of a building built in a flood plain would have to be at, or above, the 100-year flood elevation. The "100-year flood" is the worst flood which has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year. "The 100-year flood is the yardstick used to provide reasonable protection in case of a major event (flood)," said Haljmar Sundin, president of Baxter and Woodman, the city engineering firm. The problems arise in a difference of opinion between the Army Corps of Engineers and Baxter and Woodman as to just how high the 100-year elevation is along parts of Boone creek. There is no problem with the flood plain set along the Fox river, Sundin said. The net effect of the conflict between the engineers is the determination of how high a building would have to be constructed in order to get the first floor above the specified elevation. Differences in the elevation range from six inches to two feet. Any existing buildings that stand in a designated flood plain are "grand­ fathered" into the ordinance and would not have to be raised to meet the requirement, Schein said. These structures will simply be without flood insurance until the federal requirements are met. The area immediately affected by the flood plain conflict is a parcel slated for condominium construction in the 385- acre Winding Creak development. Alderman Michael Wieser, who chaired the special committee, said there were between 200 and 300 lots affected in the total program - along the Fox river, McCullom lake and Boone creek. Residential Development Group representative, Roger Muterspaugh. said approximately 12 to 16 acres of the Winding Creek subdivision were in­ volved in the disputed area of Boone creek. Muterspaugh voiced the com­ pany's concern about being able to build the condominiums as originally intended. At the outset of the meeting, Michael Gregory, of the Corps of Engineers, said the engineering had been reviewed by his superiors, the State of Illinois and an independent group in Washington D C. and had been sustained. FEMA spokesman, David Schein. said, "If better information is for­ thcoming, we can go back and look at the maps (which delineate the flood plain). These map6 are not cast in granite and this is not something you have to live with ad infinitum." "At the moment, FEMA sides with our contractor -- the Corps of Engineers," Schein added Steve Larson, an engineer with (Continued on page 18) Citizens Organize For School Vote The McHenry Elementary schools' Citizen Organization for the Education Fund tax referendum has announced the appointment of Bonnie Pannerali as Speakers committee chairperson Mrs Pannerali is contacting community organizations and individuals offering Citizen Organization speakers far programs in the next few weeks The referendum will be held April 7 as a part of the general elections conducted that date < The McHenry elementary schools are in the throes of deep financial crisis which has already caused the school board to eliminate all art teachers, ail vocal music teachers, all homemaking teachers, all shop teachers, all guidance counselors, all assistant principals, one principal, one of two nurses, two central office ad­ ministrators, one-third of the custodial- maintenance staff. 32 teacher aides and $91,916 in cuts and-or eliminations from supplies and other non-personnel categories In response to questions concerning what further cuts were possible, Supt Dr Richard F Farmer made it clear that very little more could be eliminated He indicated the board is considering the final elimination of the presently reduced band program and the balance of the junior high school athletics and extra-curricular ac­ tivities As these measures would be insignificant in relation to the total financial shortage, the superintendent predicted further cuts would come from (Continued on page 18) A Goal -- A Legacy RICK WEST "That kid vljs a fighter", said West Camptl? Principal Greg Johnson as he spoke of a former student. Rick West, Monday morning "I remember when we thought he would never make graduation We heard of his regression and thought he would never be in school again Then, one day we looked out and there he was on his bicycle". Johnson commented as he remembered his disbelief Rick died in the early hours of last Friday in his home after a six-year battle against illness Although his death was not unexpected, there was a sadness that permeated family and friends because he had clung to life so tenaciously for so long Ms Pat Barton, who tutored Rick for more than a year, called him "the bravest boy I've ever known". "He was so concerned for others", she added in recalling the hours the two had spent together over school books Ms Barton said he also had a fine talent for music and had written at least one song that was played on television Ms Diane Miller, who,tutored him at home last spring, recalled that he was the second of her students to die in little more than a month Tammy Schultz. 16- year old West campus junior, died Feb 3 Both Rick and Tammy were cancer victims > Ms Miller remembered last June when she watched Rick, a broad grin covering his face, proudly step forward to accept the diploma he had fought so hard to earn "I know 1 am going to die, and I know it won't be long", Mrs Miller remembered him telling her But she said he had a firm resolve not to lie around and wait He wanted to be active As with all of her students. Rick became acquainted with Ms Miller's family He asked for the name ot the Japanese 4-H ex­ change student they had hosted. Through this correspondence he became acquainted with part of the world abroad -- a world he would never know in any other way. Ms Miller introduced him to the CETA program and through it he was enrolled in McHenry County college But classes had to be stopped abruptly when his illness made him too weak to travel Rick had a dream that some day he would like to become involved in electronics He wanted to record the music he loved so much Like many goals, life ended before it could be realized In­ stead. like Tammy, he left something more important than fulfillment of a goal He left a legacy of courage, determination and hope for the young people of the community who were his friends Set Easter Carnival Community Watch Program Summer-Ski Plans At McCullom Lake Meet Friday Evening Wonder Lake Club Page 20 Page 8 Page 3